Choosing Joy In The Face of Chronic Pain | Karen Duffy | Bestselling Author & Stoic Thinker

Karen Duffy is one of Kara’s heroes, and after this episode, she might be one of yours too. She broke onto the world stage as the MTV VJ “Duff” in the early 1990’s, was on People’s 50 Most Beautiful People list in 1993, she is an actor, a model, a producer, an Oprah and NY Times best selling author, a speaker, a writer, and has also had a full assortment of social service roles including being a hospice chaplain in the Buddhist tradition. In 1996, she was diagnosed with sarcoidosis - a currently incurable chronic pain illness and while it may have slowed her down in moments, it has not stopped her from working, creating or making a huge impact. This conversation is about how to live beautifully within limits, how philosophy can be a daily practice, and how joy and pain can exist side by side. They talk about parenting, creativity, friendship, and why confidence comes from the inside out. It’s a masterclass in resilience, purpose-driven living, and choosing how you want to show up. Chapters: 00:00 Saying yes to life 01:15 From VJ to chaplain 03:00 Living with chronic illness 05:10 Discovering stoic philosophy 07:00 Why joy is a daily choice 09:10 Practicing gratitude and self-talk 11:15 Mentorship, friendship, and writing 13:00 Parenting while living with limits 15:10 Building confidence and resilience 17:00 Reframing how we think about work 19:15 Service as a mindset 21:00 The meaning of powerful 23:00 Humor and humanity in hard times 25:00 The impact of creative community 27:30 Books that shape our lives 30:00 Turning pain into purpose 32:00 What legacy really means 34:15 Advice to her younger self 36:00 Kara’s favorite takeaways The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices