The Karen Kenney Show

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about the powerful difference between sympathy, empathy, and compassion and why it matters in how we move through the world.I share a personal story about my mixed media art piece that I created for “The Mothership” Exhibition - in honor of my mother on the 45th anniversary of her murder - and how watching strangers interact with my work revealed, in real time, the shift from sympathy to empathy and beyond.We explore:- How sympathy creates distance- How empathy helps us feel ‘with’ someone- How compassion asks, “How can I help?” and moves us to actI also offer a few simple ways you can start building your own compassion muscle - for others, yourself, animals, and for all the beings that may be suffering in this wild world we’re all sharing.KAREN KENNEY BIO:Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self​-development, and transformational work.Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using practical tools, universal principles and stories, and a variety of resources.KK has been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been giving Thai Yoga Massage since 2008, and began teaching it in 2015.She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, the creator of Write Club, and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches clients individually in her 1:1 program THE QUEST and via her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Website: http://karenkenney.com/Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what it really looks like to say yes before you’re ready… even when your nervous system is wanting to hold out for certainty.I share the wild, kismet kind of story of how I unexpectedly ended up invited into my very first art show, “The Mothership,” and why I said yes - even though I had no piece made, no plan in place, and a whole lot of self-doubt.I walk you through the magic of following the red threads of connection, trusting your Spiritual Team on the Job (STOTJ), and letting ideas rise up from that quiet, liminal space between sleeping and waking… dreaming and doing.I also share how Bob Ross has been my gentle creative companion in this whole process -and- read you some of his simple but powerful wisdom that’s been helping me calm the inner critic and keep on creating.If you’ve been feeling the nudge to write, make art, start something new, or stretch outside your comfort zone…But you’ve been waiting to feel “ready”- then this one’s a little encouraging love letter from my creative heart to yours. ❤️KAREN KENNEY BIO:Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self​-development, and transformational work.Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using practical tools, universal principles and stories, and a variety of resources.KK has been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been giving Thai Yoga Massage since 2008, and began teaching it in 2015.She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, and host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches clients individually in her 1:1 program THE QUEST and via her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Website: http://karenkenney.com/Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what it really looks like to show up for yourself and others even when you don’t feel like it.I share how a “meh” start to my morning turned into both a strength training workout and a new podcast episode!It was also a reminder of the exponential impact and importance of keeping our word to ourselves and how that decision builds self-trust, self-discipline, and an identity of being “the kind of person who” follows through.If we can create some consistency and build some momentum - especially on the days when we’d rather be whiny, make excuses, or bail…It will not only empower and encourage us to keep going - it will also improve our personal and professional relationship with others!KAREN KENNEY BIO:Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self​-development, and transformational work.Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using practical tools, universal principles and stories, and a variety of resources.KK has been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been giving Thai Yoga Massage since 2008, and began teaching it in 2015.She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, and host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches clients individually in her 1:1 program THE QUEST and via her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Website: http://karenkenney.com/Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about what it means to find the new ​"right distance​" in ​our relationships​.Whether ​t​hat's choosing to be ​w​icked close​ to some people - while having to keep a few other humans a little ​bit at arm’s length​. The thing is, sometimes being all up close and cozy is where it's at - and ​sometimes what we need to do consider is if it makes more sense to go ​"no contact​" for a while. I share why communication breakdowns, unacknowledged feelings, and old trauma patterns​ can make us rethink how close we can safely be with certain people, including ​our own family.I also dive into ​setting boundaries without being reactive, ​how we can give ​ourselves space for clarity​ to come through, and ​the willingness to stay open ​(if ​t​hat’s truly right for you) ​f​or the possibility of reconciliation​ and repair​.​While we often wish for there to be respectful communication and connection with those we care about - sometimes we have to simply walk away with love​. ❤️KAREN KENNEY BIO:Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self​-development, and transformational work.Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using practical tools, universal principles and stories, and a variety of resources.KK has been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been giving Thai Yoga Massage since 2008, and began teaching it in 2015.She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, and host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches clients individually in her 1:1 program THE QUEST and via her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Website: http://karenkenney.com/Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I talk about why it’s so important to stop believing everyone else’s opinions and to start finding out for yourself what rings true for you.I share some wicked funny and surprising stories from a recent “experiment” I did selling my stuff online.I dive into how these real-life encounters with total strangers reminded me that people are far more complex, interesting, and kind than the internet (and our assumptions) make them out to be!I also invite you to get curious about some of the beliefs you’ve inherited - maybe from your family, our culture, and even the so-called online “experts”...And to consider how your life might change in wonderful ways if you trusted your own discernment, direct experience, and big beautiful human heart a whole lot more. ❤️BIO:Karen Kenney is a writer, speaker, podcaster, certified spiritual mentor, and coach.She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-bullshit approach to spirituality, self​-development, and transformational work.Karen helps people to navigate this whole “being human” experience using practical tools, universal principles and stories, and a variety of resources.KK has been a yoga teacher for 25+ years, has been giving Thai Yoga Massage since 2008, and began teaching it in 2015.She's also a Gateless Writing Instructor, and host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.She coaches clients individually in her 1:1 program THE QUEST and via her HEART-TO-HEART DAYS using Voxer. She also leads a group program and community called THE NEST.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Website: http://karenkenney.com/Podcast: https://www.karenkenney.com/podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenneylive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenKenney