#107. Mindful Wayfinding: How to Align Your Values and Thrive with Lea Appleton

In this episode of the Pockets of Knowledge podcast, host Desiree Stanley welcomes Lea Appleton, founder of Appleton Coaching and a certified professional coach. Lea shares her inspiring journey from a career in higher education to founding her own coaching practice, sparked by a professional development course on coaching. Lea explains how this experience transformed the way she approaches conversations and decision-making, ultimately leading her to help clients navigate their work lives and find greater fulfillment. A key highlight of the episode is Lea’s personal journey of creating a DIY pilgrimage after her plans to walk the Camino de Santiago were disrupted by the pandemic. Lea reflects on how she designed her own walking pilgrimage along the Southern California coast, which later inspired her "Wayfinding Days"—mindful walking experiences that encourage personal reflection and self-discovery. Lea’s story emphasizes the importance of adapting to life's unexpected turns and finding meaning through mindfulness, whether through walking or other creative practices. Lea also discusses her new book, Walking and Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice One Step at a Time, where she invites readers to craft their own mindful journeys, whether through walking or other reflective practices. She shares insights on how mindfulness can be incorporated into everyday life, even in short moments during the workday. Tune in for a conversation full of wisdom on personal growth, mindfulness, and the power of curiosity in navigating life’s challenges. Bio: Lea Appleton, M.A., M.Div., is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and best-selling author of Walking & Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a Time. She works with professionals to improve their wellbeing at work by helping them align with their values, focus on their strengths, and gain insight into their goals through transformative coaching conversations. She has expertise in using mindful practices to reduce stress and build resilience and helps people find meaning and purpose in their lives. Prior to becoming a coach, she spent over two decades working in higher education in the United States as an Associate Dean helping to build multicultural and interreligious communities. Lea has a Master of Arts in Music and a Master of Divinity degree, as well as a Coach Diploma from Erickson Coaching International. Lea lives in California with her husband Billy and has three adult children. Connect with Lea: Email: https://www.appletoncoaching.com Website: https://www.appletoncoaching.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appletoncoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appletoncoaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-appleton/ Books mentioned: Walking & Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a Time by Lea Appleton (Author) - https://amzn.to/3BHuW3I Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams Kindle Edition by Matthew Walker (Author)  - https://amzn.to/3NliDg7 Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://amzn.to/4eDNdO0 ——— Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered! Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening! ——— This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.