Your Kick Ass Life Podcast

I’m so glad you’re here for this second part of our mini-series on not taking things personally. A couple of weeks ago, in Episode 640, we explored how taking things personally shows up in our lives—whether in work settings, relationships, or daily interactions. Today, we’re continuing the conversation with actionable strategies to help you shift your perspective and build emotional resilience. Think of these as tools for setting boundaries, reclaiming your narrative, and staying grounded when life feels a little too personal. Let’s dive in! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Recognizing Your Personal Stories: Learn how to identify and reframe the assumptions and beliefs that might be causing unnecessary emotional reactions. Building Emotional Space: Discover simple breathing and visualization techniques to create mental distance and regain control over your reactions. Strengthening Self-Worth: Find out how tools like mantras, affirmations, and reflective practices can help you fortify your sense of sel

I’m bringing back an amazing conversation with Jessica Graham, a spiritual and sexual activist, author, meditation teacher, and sex and intimacy guide. Jessica isn’t just a guest—I had the privilege of working with her as my coach during a deeply transformative chapter in my personal growth and healing. This episode highlights her dedication to helping others explore and heal their relationship with sexuality.  In this episode, we talked about shame, the messaging we received as children about sex and sexuality, and what that all means. We also spoke about the common struggle women face when it comes to their feelings about sex. Plus, Jessica shared how the combination of affirmation and mindfulness can help with sex and intimacy. I hope our conversation will encourage you to explore inner work around your sexuality and spiritual awakening.  In this episode you’ll hear: How Jessica is a sex coach who is more than a sex coach (14:35) Sexuality inventory: what it is and what’s the purpose (25:11) The most co

We’re diving into the art of creating deeper intimacy with guest Magda Kay! Magda is an intimacy expert, Tantra teacher, and conscious relating coach dedicated to helping people connect with their deepest desires and experience transformative intimacy. “Sex and intimacy are not the same,” Magda shares. For her, intimacy is about the depth of human experience—how fully you engage with yourself and the world around you. In this episode, we explore ways to connect with your inner self, honor your needs, and cultivate intimacy in your relationships. Plus, we unpack the practice of Tantra and how embracing your full sensuality can transform your life. What you’ll hear in this episode: Are sex and intimacy the same? Sex is something you do - intimacy is how you do it. (4:42) Access your deepest desires and be more intimate - but, where do you even start? (8:24) Magda explains what she calls power centers and how they help you connect to your inner self and honor your needs (10:32) The most common mistakes peopl

Are the conversations you have with yourself empowering or defeating? We’re diving back into one of my favorite topics - the inner critic - with guest Joanna Kleinman. Joanna is a psychotherapist, leadership coach, and best-selling author who has dedicated her career to helping people unhook from the negative self-talk holding them back. Through her M.I.N.D Method™, she offers a clear path to recognize, dethrone, and ultimately transform your inner critic’s influence. Together, we explore how self-compassion, personal growth, and trusting your inner wisdom can help you break free from the mental loops that keep you stuck.  You’ll hear: Why you can never really break free from your inner critic, you can recognize it and dethrone it (5:05) Some of the biggest misconceptions people have about what it takes to cultivate true self-compassion (14:14) The idea that “our pain is our greatest teacher” and what it means for your growth (14:46) Practical ways to unhook from your inner critic with the M.I.N.D Method™

Another minisode for you! This week, I’m diving into the habit of taking things personally—something I’ve covered in my book How to Stop Feeling Like Shit. This is part one of a two-part series, where I focus on how we tend to internalize feedback, silence, rejection, and even others’ successes as reflections of our own worth. Taking things personally can chip away at our self-worth and confidence over time and lead us down a path of shame. So in this episode, I talk about why awareness is the first step in breaking these patterns. I also discuss why the advice to "just stop taking things personally" often doesn’t help. It’s so much more nuanced than that, and this work is unique to each person. So today, I’m identifying 10 specific ways we commonly make things personal—even when they aren’t. What you’ll hear in this minisode:  Why self-awareness is key to understanding personal triggers How we assume criticism means "I’m not good enough" Taking silence or short responses as signs of rejection Overinterpr

We’re flipping the script this week! Past guest Hunter Clarke-Fields interviews me on how to develop shame resilience and break free from the shame-driven cycles we often pass on to our kids. Originally aired on The Mindful Parenting Podcast, this conversation dives into the work of handling shame, building self-compassion, and modeling emotional resilience for our children.  We also touch on ways to create boundaries, make peace with people-pleasing, and teach kids to navigate their emotions with empathy. I hope you enjoy this special crossover episode, where Hunter’s thoughtful questions bring out new perspectives. You’ll hear: Shame resilience—why it’s essential in parenting and personal growth (4:36) How to recognize and shift out of people-pleasing patterns (25:12) Defining healthy boundaries and why they matter (27:34) Teaching emotional resilience and empathy to kids without shame (35:37) Why 'giving zero Fs' is harming us (41:43) Resources: Early bird registration for the Daring Way Retreat op

We're re-airing an episode with one of my favorite guests - Charlie Gilkey! Charlie offers valuable insights that apply to anyone looking to get more done, whether you're a business owner or simply navigating the demands of everyday life. Who doesn’t want to be more productive? Am I right?  As a sought-after advisor and speaker, Charlie shares his wisdom on overcoming overwhelm and overload, why we tend to neglect self-care, and practical time-blocking strategies to boost productivity. Listen in as we revisit our conversation on the behaviors that sabotage productivity, how to handle those “WTF” moments, and the importance of staying present. You’ll hear: Combatting overwhelm by looking at your ‘overload’ (5:04) Time blocking and how it can be used to help us be more productive (6:02) Illuminating “invisible tasks”, such as turning off the lights or cleaning up after your family (9:05) Why self-care is typically last on our to-do list and the first to get pushed off (12:55) Courage, boundaries, and disci

Building self-trust can feel like a monumental task, especially if you’ve been second-guessing yourself or holding back from taking real action. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a simple, no-fluff process to strengthen your trust in yourself and create a foundation you can rely on. It’s about moving from self-doubt to solid self-belief, step by step. We’ll walk through five powerful practices to help you connect to your inner confidence and self-trust. I’m also breaking down the BRAVING acronym to give you a framework for building trust with yourself as you navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or just unsure of your next move, these steps will help you get grounded and reconnect with your own inner guidance. Key Takeaways from this minisode: Embracing Self-Reflection: I share the importance of checking in with ourselves regularly to understand how our inner dialogue might be affecting our confidence. The Role of Boundaries in Self-Trust: Establishing boundaries—especia

I have another re-broadcast episode for you. It is one of my most listened-to episodes. Shannon Kaiser is the wisest, compassionate human - so I am not surprised! Sharon is the bestselling author of five books on the psychology of happiness and fulfillment, including the #1 bestseller, The Self-Love Experiment and Adventures for Your Soul. Her book, Joy Seeker: Let Go of What's Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For, is available this week!  It is always a pleasure to talk to this amazing lady.  Today we talk about joy, spirituality, and authentic living. As you will hear, the underlying message to our conversation is, permitting yourself to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. We talk about how women can work to trust and believe in themselves, how to live more authentically, and how to speak your truth. As Shannon said so perfectly during our time together, “It all comes back to living your life from a place of integrity, a place of truth, and a place of honesty; that is the true j

Ready to tap into your Big Energy and find out why it's the most important edge you have? Erin King, a motivational speaker, bestselling author, and expert in personal energy management, is back with actionable strategies to help you manage your energy and show up as your best self. With Erin's guidance, you'll learn how to power through less and power up more. “Energy never lies—it’s the last truth-teller we can trust.” In this episode, Erin shows us that Big Energy isn’t about being the loudest or the one with the most hustle—it’s about finding your strength, owning it, and showing up at your best. She walks us through how to find your energy type and then tap into it. She also shares why it’s not about making big life changes, but instead tuning into your intuition, and making small, manageable changes that stick. You’ll hear: Unlocking Your Big Energy with Erin's tips on creating those "at your best" moments instead of waiting for them (4:43) Discovering the five key energy types and how to find yours (

This week’s *Make Some Noise* minisode (#634) is a deep dive into rewiring our brains to help break free from negative self-talk. If you're ready to change how you see yourself and step into a more compassionate mindset, this episode is for you! Let’s take a look at the key takeaways:  

Ever wonder if you’re being gaslit by a partner, friend, or even a politician? Dr. Robin Stern is here to explain how to recognize the signs of gaslighting and take back control of your reality.  Robin Stern, Ph.D. is the co-founder and senior advisor to the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. With 30 years of experience as a licensed psychoanalyst, Robin is the leading expert on gaslighting. She’s also the author of The Gaslight Effect and The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide. In this episode, Robin helps us unpack the complexities of gaslighting and its stages, explains political gaslighting, and offers some steps toward reclaiming your power. You’ll hear: The three stages of gaslighting: disbelief, defense, and depression (5:55) How gaslighters use precise manipulation to control their targets (12:44) The five key signs that a politician is using gaslighting tactics (19:34) How to reclaim your power when you feel like you’re being gaslit (22:50) The overuse of words like "trauma" and

Today, we’re rebroadcasting one of our most popular episodes featuring the amazing Kara Loewentheil! Kara is a Master Certified Coach who transitioned from a legal career to life coaching, using her expertise in feminist theory to help women break free from the patriarchy’s mental grip. She’s also the host of the podcast Unf*ck Your Brain and an all-around powerhouse. In this episode, we dive into the social messaging women receive and how it fuels our self-critical thoughts. Kara shares the transformative work she does to help women reshape their thinking and reclaim their self-perception. I’m excited to reintroduce you to Kara—enjoy the conversation! You’ll hear: How women’s inner critic and feelings of inadequacy stem directly from the patriarchy (5:03) Why you can’t simply “be nicer” to yourself to quiet the inner critic (11:31) Kara’s approach to thought work, especially for those who’ve experienced trauma, and why it's such a personal process (15:26) The idea of “believing harder” to boost self-conf

This week, I’m rebroadcasting a minisode where I explore a powerful concept from relationship experts John and Julie Gottman. The Gottmans introduced the idea of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and it has helped me personally in my relationships a great deal.  In this minisode, I break down each Horseman, share real-life examples, and provide a resource to help you apply the antidotes to these common behaviors. It's simple but deeply impactful. Resources: Private Coaching with Andrea Article on the four horsemen The four horsemen antidotes Article on physiological flooding Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ Episode link:

We’re getting witchy and magical in today’s episode. I have no doubt you are going to love my guest, Michelle Tea! Michelle is the author of numerous books including the popular Modern Tarot and its follow-up, the new Modern Magic. She is a witch, a mom and the founder of Drag Queen Story Hour. In this episode, Michelle walks us through modern witchcraft and its power for personal growth. We explore how modern magic blends feminism with cultural traditions. She also shares the role of breathwork and meditation, how dreams connect to the subconscious, and her journey to sobriety. This episode offers a thoughtful mix of spirituality, personal transformation, and deep self-awareness. You’ll hear: The role of modern magic and how it allows you to craft your own path to power and self-growth (4:37) Why Michelle says “witchcraft is feminist” (8:09) Breathwork isn’t meditation; it offers clarity and transforms how you connect with yourself (20:00) Struggling to manifest? Michelle offers advice for when nothing s

What if your deepest wounds aren’t just yours, but passed down through generations? Alyse Bacine, a trauma expert and breathwork facilitator, joins me for a conversation on how healing emotional trauma—especially from childhood or ancestral sources—can strengthen your self-trust and resilience. We dive into the ripple effects of emotionally unavailable parents as well as the ways abandonment wounds shape our lives. We also unpack how breathwork can help heal trauma and process suppressed emotions. I love bringing on guests who dive into somatic healing and its transformative power - I hope you enjoy my conversation with Alyse! You’ll hear: Alyse walks us through the question, “What if your parents were emotionally available and made space for feelings?” (3:46) Abandonment wounds (and what they are): how they show up in relationships in surprising, hidden ways (12:17) How your ancestral trauma and familial programming are creating your current glass ceiling (25:24) The life-changing and powerful transforma

Earlier this week I posted on both Instagram and TikTok for suicide prevention month. Because I only get 90 seconds there, I wanted to come here on the podcast and talk more at length about it.  What you’ll hear in this minisode are the stories of three different occasions where I thought about taking my own life.  The last time it happened, in the summer of 2023, which is where I spend the most time, especially those acute moments…when you don’t have anything to distract you and you’re alone with your thoughts.  I hope your takeaways can be one of two things. One, that you feel less alone if this is you or you have been here, or help you understand what happens to people when they enter this place.  If you need help, please call or text 988. Resources from this episode: The Daring Way retreat info and early notification list Getting Damn Good at Life audio program Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned i

Ready to stop settling, set boundaries, and reclaim your personal power? Nakeia Homer’s wisdom in this episode will help guide you. Nakeia is a well-being educator, author, and the founder of Heal & Grow Daily—a community dedicated to helping people sustain their well-being and live in their brilliance. Nakeia’s mission? Empowering others to show up as the best versions of themselves, both in their lives and work.  We dive into how to navigate healing and operate from a place of peace. You’ll hear why healing isn’t linear, how boundaries can be a proactive step toward connection, and how self-care ties into our sense of worthiness. We also explore the habit of letting go to create space for the new. While some topics may be familiar, I always love having guests bring fresh perspectives on the themes you care about most. You’ll hear: Why Nakeia’s book, Habits for Healing: Reclaim Your Purpose, Peace, and Power, is broken into three key parts and how each of these pillars supports your healing journey (5:05)

Corinne Zupko is the author of the best-selling book, From Anxiety to Love: A Radical New Approach For Letting Go of Fear and Finding Lasting Peace. Today we are revisiting our conversation about anxiety. Anxiety-focused episodes are the most popular episodes of the podcast. So, I know it’s what many of you want to hear about! We discussed Corinne’s book and her inspiration to write it on this topic. She shared openly about her personal experiences with anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias; and how her introduction to a particular kind of spirituality helped her recover from her anxiety and panic disorder.   You’ll hear: Corinne’s inspiration to write a book on anxiety   Corinne’s take on spirituality and her work with anxiety and healing   Distinguishing between the inner therapist voice (intuition) and the ego voice (inner critic)   A three-step recipe for healing Resources: Private Coaching with Andrea Corinne’s website Corinne’s book Episode 153: Listener Q & A on anxiety and what to do about it Cor

You’ve probably tuned into countless podcasts, read dozens of books, and done a ton of self-work based on everything you've learned. But, in this rebroadcast, I’m asking you to go a little further. Sometimes we look at the metaview of how we want our life to change and it seems too daunting. Sometimes we look at other people’s lives and wonder how we will ever get to the place where we’re like them (well, the story we make up that is their life). Sometimes we feel like there are so many moving parts to personal development, where one thing leads to another and so on and so forth and where is the end to all this growth? (Hint: there isn’t an end.) So, I compiled a short list of small actions you can do today or this week or sometime soon that will make a difference. As you’ve heard me say over and over again, courage (even in the face of fear) brings confidence– the knowledge that we can do hard things and even if we do the hard thing and fall on our face, we then realize we’ll live through it. In no particula