Starfish Hypnosis

This episode is the finale to Season 1! What a wild thing to say! And Season 2 is going to be even better, so be sure you've subscribed!In this convo, we talk about the Italian word "attraversiamo," made famous in Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and one of my fave tattoos. This epidsode is a big ol' loving permission slip to make a change. Whether that change is large or small, trust yourself, find your sunshine and head toward it.In season 2 we'll be talking to some special guests, doing some hypnosis right here on the pod, and generally walking toward the sunshine. See you on the sunny side!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Can you find healing without knowing what the THING is that you need to heal from? Is generational trauma real (spoiler alert, science says it is)? And how the heck do we put down what we're carrying when it doesn't even belong to us?This and more in this rather emotional episode, and I'm so grateful for your ear and your heart that's listening in.If you are blaming yourself for a pain you don't even understand, and shaming yourself for not knowing how to get over it.... this is the convo for you. It'll be ok. Love ya.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Today I have some tangible, tried and true tips that I hope provide some relief in your most anxiety-laden moments; and maybe even make the worse case scenarios less likely to happen. My favorite tools are the ones that work so well I eventually don't even need them!The good (and infuriating) news is that these are incredibly simple practices. So simple that it feels a bit insulting how well they work.Let me know if you try them, and here's wishing you peace, rest, and the biggest exhale.xoxoLearn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Today's chat is inspired by a reel (which I'll link below) that struck me as a perfect metaphor for our subconscious. Your conscious mind is such a tiny part of you- it's a tiny little island while your subconscious is the whole ocean. And that scary thing in the ocean, the nightmare-fueling villain in so many old movies- the shark- is not actually trying to hurt you. In fact, there are so many fears swimming around inside of us that we didn't put there- but we have the power to change them. Which means what used to be a dark, scary ocean becomes a magical playground that you know and love as much as your safe little island.So come scuba diving in the mind with me! Can't wait to sea you there :*(This is the reel I reference in the episode.)Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to the newly renamed Starfish Hypnosis! Same host, same vibes, lil name shift. Because hypnosis is what I do, and subconscious stories and programming and, to be totally cliche, healing- is what we talk about here!In this meandering chat, I explain the new name, give you some insight on what hypnosis is (and what it is not). You'll also here my take on why alcohol "worked" to make me feel better before I even took a sip... but how much I prefer a solution that also works long-term (unsurprisingly).I hope you enjoy, and stick around for more hypno-convo!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

A sort-of part 2 to last week's episode, as I delve a little deeper into "the pause," which I believe is the key to getting ourselves out of the seemingly endless inner- automation that ends with us breaking promises to ourselves.I really hope to drive home the point that what I want for us is the ability to make a choice before engaging in whatever habit/behavior we keep repeating despite endless promises to change. Take a few deep breaths, and give a listen!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Remember when Chandler proposed to Monica (the first time)... because he was sorry? Thank goodness she said no, right?In this episode, I'm talking about rock bottom promises, a.k.a. those changes you swear you'll make... because you're sorry. And we do this all the time! Even when it's a great promise with positive potential, the motivation of "sorry" or any type of short-lived pain is unlikely to make it stick.In this episode, we explore:Why motivation matters The cycle of regret → promise → repeat (especially in addiction and relationships)How subconscious triggers quietly run the showHow subconscious work like hypnosis can help interrupt automatic responses at the actual causeThis episode is about moving from reactive regret to conscious choice, and learning how to change in a way that actually lasts. I hope you enjoy!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Today I come to you as my messy, sick, overwhelmed, very human, and ever-hopeful real-life self!And oh hey- I have a new Instagram page! It is barely birthed but I hope you follow along. Just look for the handle @starfishhypnosis (or click the link). I plan to share more in depth hypnosis & how-to-feel-better content in this new space, and I can't wait to connect with you there.(I'll still post on @starfishyoga with more general life things and, well, mostly my dog.)Back to the pod! In this episode, we explore:Doing your best is enough!Why focusing on what’s right in front of us can be grounding when the world feels heavy (and heavy it is)The difference between ignoring hard things vs. tending to yourself inside themHow joy and struggle can exist at the same time, and must.Things I hope you remember:You don’t have to be “fine” and if the best you can do is work on feeling better in this moment, that's perfectFeeling overwhelmed is a valid response to living in this worldNothing’s forever. Even this.We can do hard things, we can feel joy- and we must.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

We're digging into emotions- why they are good, when they are hard and how they are forever inconvenient. The wild and wide distance between a real life problem and the body’s reaction to itWhy an out-of-proportion panic response is not personal failure, it's actually incredibly wise (albeit terribly inconvenient)A Kumail Nanjiani joke that perfectly frames this emotional mismatch (his Netflix special is fabulous btw- not affiliated btw)Lessons from therapy in the realm of feeling the real emotion as opposed to intellectualizing it (rude)The lifelong, LOUD messages we absorb, all demanding we tone down and tidy up our feelingsHow numbing keeps us from the full spectrum of being alive, and how critical it is to feel it all, especially now.Here's to feeling it all. I'll be on my bedroom floor, crying to my "big feelings" playlist. Love ya.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Holy crap we're 21 episodes in! Today I'm digging back in to the topic of identity, how cool and also frustrating that our brains make rules to keep us safe... and more things like this:identity (and how much of mine was wrapped up in a job title)what happens emotionally when you step away from something that once defined youthe subconscious “rules” that decide whether we feel worthy or safewhy re-programming those rules matters, and is totally possiblewhat it means to choose authenticity, presence, and self-given permission over external validationThe world is better because you’re in it my friend.Let's talk about change, self-acceptance, and remembering that who you are is So. Much. Bigger. than what you do.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Are you sweet, soft, and flexible? Or strong, stable, and rigid? Spoiler... we're all both. We need both. Physically, emotionally, mentally, we need the sukha and the sthira. That's the focus of my convo today- hope you enjoy!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

It’s the obligatory New Year episode of Starfish Diaries! Dropping this one early in case you want to hang out with me in your ears before the ball drops. Or after. Or anytime!But we don't do the "new year, new you" nonsense up in here. We lean in to reflection, grace, and permission to be human. ...All of which are counterintuitive to my natural brain chemistry, which is why a discussion is warranted.In this episode, we talk about these nuggets and more:What old journals/checklists/photos (including screenshots) can teach us about how far we’ve comeWhy we’re so hard on past versions of ourselves (and how I am working to soften that, cringe-worthy moments and all)How “shoulds” are weighing us down.... and a practice I found that is grounded in I can and I AM instead of I shouldA few things I hope you take from this convo:We’re just so eternally, embarrassingly, and yet perfectly human. We all do the best we can with what we have. You, me, everybody.Everything is made up. All of it. So might as well be you, do you, love you.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode of Starfish Diaries, I’m talking about uniqueness; how deeply individual our bodies, minds, needs, and paths to feeling better actually are… and why honoring that matters so much.In this episode, we'll explore:Why we all experience anxiety, addiction, and healing incredibly differentlyWhat happens when our true need are overridden by societal expectationsHow addiction (of any kind) can quietly shrink where joy is allowed to liveWhy “feeling better” doesn’t have a universal formulaThe role of yoga and hypnosis in reconnecting with your body and inner wisdom What it looks like to choose your path instead of forcing yourself into someone else’sWhy self-acceptance often requires unlearning what we’ve been taughtReminders I want you to hear clearly:Your body is for youYou are incredibly uniqueYou get to decideYou deserve to feel betterThis episode is an invitation to stop comparing, stop overriding yourself, and start honoring the truth that your body and your life belong to you.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode of Starfish Diaries, I’m getting honest about anxiety, ADHD, and the particular heaviness that tends to show up in a big way on Sundays and Mondays. Even in seasons of my life when I haven’t worked a traditional Monday through Friday schedule, those days have always carried extra weight for me, and I wanted to talk about why. From my kitchen. In my bathrobe. At 1pm on a Monday!I share what it’s been like learning to trust myself more, soften self-judgment, and approach these not-as-expected days with compassion instead of pressure. I talk through the tools I actually use when anxiety tightens like a vise, why showing up imperfectly still matters, and how powerful it’s been for me to remember that I have choice in how I respond to what I’m feeling.If you hear yourself saying/thinking, “I didn’t do enough,” with some frequency, or start many-a-week already overwhelmed, I hope this episode feels like a reminder that we are doing the best we can and it IS enough.In this episode, I chat about:Why Mondays can feel emotionally charged for me (regardless of whether or not I have a traditional schedule)What it’s looked like to trust myself to get things done (eventually) without shame or panicHow self-compassion has become one of my most important mental health toolsLetting go of perfection and honoring effort, flow, and the unique way my brain worksAs always, this episode is offered with all my love and some self-reassurance that I hope helps you as well!And if you'd like to try out the tools I mention on the show, let's do a holiday hypnosis sesh! Deep discount until end of year.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Holiday Hypnosis sessions are deeply discounted until December 31st! Grab one here while they last.In today’s episode, I’m talking honestly about my experience with anxiety and panic- how it shows up in my body, and how it can make even the smallest moments feel impossible. But not only do I share what anxiety feels like for me, and why it sometimes spirals so quickly, I'm sharing the tools I use to interrupt the cycle before it carries me away.I'll chat aboutthe difference between knowing what helps and actually being able to access it when we’re overwhelmedthe role self-hypnosis has played in rewiring my brain to respond differently, and what that process entailsthe power of taking even the smallest action (like a walk or a deep breath) as a way to break out of a spiralhow hypnosis If anxiety is something you live with, or something you’re trying to understand and navigate with more self-compassion, I hope you take a listen.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Quick announcement! Holiday Hypnosis sessions are suuuuper discounted when purchased between now and December 31, 2025. They will never be this price again so grab a little slice of peace for yourself while the deal is hot! Info here.In this episode of Starfish Diaries, we talk about what it really means to cope. Not in the moralized, shame-filled way we’re taught to think about coping, but with acknowledgement of the part of us that just wants to feel safe. I share a story about my dog, Griffin, and how instinctively animals move energy through their bodies, reminding us that coping is not a character flaw. It’s a built-in wisdom we’ve forgotten how to trust.We explore the power of something as simple as a deep breath, why self-judgment keeps us stuck, and how to gently build new tools for emotional regulation without abandoning the old ones that got us this far. This conversation is your reminder that your feelings always make sense, that shame is never required, and that you deserve support as you learn new ways to take care of yourself.If you’re navigating big emotions, old habits, or the discomfort of growth, you’re not alone. There are resources, tools, and people who want to walk with you - myself included! **One more announcement- Bryce The Third and I are back on the mic, having a grand old time on our new podcast, The Friend Lab. I hope you check us out!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode of Starfish Diaries, I’m talking about something I think we all feel but rarely name out loud: the hard-to-ignore dread that creeps in when something in our life is out of alignment. It feels heavy in your chest, steals your joy, and makes your nervous system feel like it’s bracing even when nothing is technically wrong.If, like me, you’ve spent years chasing gold stars, external validation, or the version of your life you thought you were supposed to have, I hope this conversation is a glimmer of truthful hope. Take a listen for a sneaky announcement about a second pod launching soon, some thoughts about imperfect beginnings (a more recent discovery for me, too), and how choosing what feels honest is the most generous thing you can offer yourself.For me, this one is an exhale. A loving reminder that you get to create a life you want to be in- one intentional choice, one honest breath, one little step at a time.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode, I dive into one of my favorite topics: coping mechanisms. These are the things we do, in spite of efforts to stop, to get through the hard parts of being human. We talk about the shame that gets layered on top of our coping, why it feels so heavy, and why the shame makes it so much harder to make changes.I share some of my own patterns, the things I’ve reached for over the years, and why I’ve stopped moralizing them altogether. At the core of every coping behavior is a wise, albeit under-resourced, part that’s just trying to help us feel safe, soothed, and okay. When we look at our coping through that lens, so much softens. Judgment cracks open into compassion. And suddenly, coping becomes less about failure and more about resilience.The truth is: everyone copes. You cope. I cope. And those instincts are signs of creativity, resourcefulness, and survival, not weakness.At the end of today's chat I share news I’m so excited about- my new website is officially live! Please check it out using the link below.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

I have a website at last, and one you can use to learn more about how to work with me! Check it out at LizMcKean.comToday I am talking about my three non-negotiable values: choice, safety, and access to resources.In my not-so-humble opinion, these are the conditions a joyful life actually requires. I fiercely protect them for myself, and I am dedicated to creating them for others.In this episode I dig deeper than even I'd expected! We explore how authenticity is both a personal liberation and a collective responsibility, because when we live our most genuine version of free on both the inside and the outside, we can fight for that same privilege for everyone. Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Shame has such a sneaky way of showing up in our lives, and in this episode I talk about why I'm over it. Shame lives in the corners, in the cravings, in the habits we swear we’ll quit tomorrow. Let's dig into why shame feels so heavy… and why it doesn’t actually help us grow. Together, we explore how moral judgments from society and from ourselves turn very normal coping mechanisms into character flaws.But what if there’s wisdom behind those behaviors? What if your brain was actually trying to help you survive the best way it knew how?I share reflections from my own journey, moments where self-judgment hit hard, and what shifted when I learned to approach my actions with curiosity instead of criticism. We talk about guilt versus shame, how to reset old patterns, and why “don’t waste the mistake” has become one of my favorite reminders.You’re not meant to struggle alone. When we speak our experiences out loud - especially the messy ones - we invite connection, compassion, and healing.Because you deserve a life that feels like yours. A life that feels safe. A life that feels good to be in. And if you need some help with that, I hope you reach out. Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode, we're talking about what it really means to feel safe- not just physically, but emotionally and energetically. I open up about my own experiences with anxiety and the ways it can quietly shape our choices, our relationships, and how we move through the world.Through personal stories and a few favorite metaphors (including one about a tsunami), I explore how finding safety isn’t about eliminating uncertainty, it’s about learning to ride the waves when life gets unpredictable. I share how support systems, self-trust, and honest conversations can help release shame and bring us closer to the calm we’re searching for.This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt anxious, untethered, or unsure of what “safe” even means anymore. You’re not alone in figuring it out! Sometimes, the journey itself is the safest place to be.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode, I explore why reaching out for support can feel uncomfortable, especially for people who grew up believing they had to be independent, endlessly capable, and effortlessly successful to have value. I open up about my lifelong chase for “gold stars” through external validation, and how that mindset led me away from authenticity and toward performance.We dive into self-trust, vulnerability, nervous system safety, and what it takes to build genuine relationships without losing yourself in people-pleasing. If you’ve ever struggled with accepting help, feared being a burden, or felt like you had to earn your worth, this conversation will resonate deeply.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this conversation, I explore what it really means to ask for help... the kind of ask that stretches your heart a little and asks you to trust yourself first. I talk about how my relationship with asking for help has evolved through recovery and self-discovery, and why it’s not just an act of reaching out, but an act of self-trust.We’ll unpack the vulnerability that comes with needing support, the desperation that doesn't always leave room to be picky, and the quiet wisdom of learning which part of ourselves to listen to. This one’s about learning to discern what kind of help we need, who it’s safe to ask, and how to stay connected to our own inner compass along the way.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode, I tell stories from teaching yoga, and share some of my tools and tricks to help people get out of their head and into their bodies even during the most challenging time of life. We explore the healing power of connection, breath, music and mindfulness against all odds-  reminders that yoga isn’t about perfection, but about showing up and finding the safe, quiet spaces within.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

We are back after a week away! Buckle up, because today I am coming in hot with a metaphor that I cannot wait to share. Have you ever heard the story of how a dragonfly becomes a dragonfly? I hadn't- and after this episode you will be a dragonfly expert. More importantly, I hope our dragonfly friends inspire you to break free from whatever you're ready to leave behind... no matter how wild the first step might seem. Send me a DM on Instagram if you know other inspiring bug or critter facts! I'd love to hear about them.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

This is a snack sized episode about something that hasn’t always come naturally to me: asking for help. Maybe you can relate! For a long time, I thought I had to figure everything out on my own, but life (and recovery) has taught me that seeking out  support - the right support! - is a sign of growth, and one that requires strength, not weakness. I share a bit about my own journey of learning to ask for help, acknowledge the privilege of accessing some support systems, and celebrate the freedom that comes from realizing you can’t do it all alone.At the heart of it all: you deserve support, you deserve rest, and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply ask.Interested in coaching? While my website is under construction, send me a DM on Instagram @starfishyoga and let's chat!Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Sometimes anxiety makes decision-making feel impossible. Other times, clarity shows up when you'd least expect it. This week on Starfish Diaries, I talk about the messy middle; learning to trust our gut, honor our feelings, and build the support we need along the way.I tell the story of my “guinea pig feeling” (you read that right), and how it became a lesson for trusting intuition in recovery and beyond. We talk about why anxiety can scramble decision-making, why I’m oddly excellent in a crisis, and how building a trusted network makes all the difference. This one is all about emotional awareness, learning to listen to yourself, and giving yourself permission to grow- roots, wings, and all.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

This episode is the first of several about recovery, alcohol use, addiction (and whatever else you want to call it), and it's one I'm especially eager to share with you. I've told my story on many-a-podcast, but it feels different when it's my own show, and I talk about this topic in a way I haven't in other places. Whether or not you are "in recovery" (which can mean so many things the mind boggles)... I recorded this for you. For some people, the word "recovery" is like a gulp of fresh air after holding in breath for too long. I've certainly felt that. And for others (sometimes me too!), I know it can feel.... scary. Even like a punishment. Or a commitment you're not sure you want to make. Maybe you feel like you'd like to dip your toe into some support but "recovery" seems overly... something. Dramatic? Shameful? Like space you aren't allowed to take up. Or a room you are afraid to step into because what if the door locks behind you?! I get it. And I hope you listen all the way through, and feel less alone, and know that your story does not need to sound a single bit like mine for it to be welcome here. Hit subscribe so that you don't miss the next episode, and feel free to connect with me on Instagram. Both places will keep you up to date on ways to get in touch and work with me (coming soon!). And if you or someone you love is struggling and in need of immediate support, you do not have to go it alone- there is help available. Some resources I recommend are as follows:For a huge, vetted search engine of treatment centers (a.k.a. rehab), go to recovery.com.For community events and information about the organizations mentioned on this show: The Phoenix, SMART Recovery, and Recovery Dharma, you can download the NewForm App to explore these and dozens more.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

In this episode of Starfish Diaries, we explore the complex concept of identity; who we are, who people think we are, and ever-evolving language we use to make sense of it all. A recent experience of literal identity theft (shudder) has me thinking and talking about the bigger picture: how much of our sense of capital-S Self is tied to labels, roles, and outside perceptions, and how freeing it can be to connect with the un-stealable identity beneath it all.I share reflections on what it means to be seen versus who we actually are on the inside, and the ways culture and experience shape the stories we tell about ourselves. At the core, this conversation is about getting to know, trust, and love the me (and the you) under all the labels.Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to episode 1! In this conversation, we'll talk about the concept of choice, emphasizing the importance of self-trust. Take a peek into my experience of addiction and recovery, alongside lessons learned & practiced on the yoga mat. We are just getting started! Subscribe and never miss an episode. Time stamps if that's your jam:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Journey02:56 The Starfish Story and Its Significance05:56 Finding Self-Trust Through Yoga11:35 Embracing Change and Personal Growth17:25 Connecting with Your True Self18:57 Closing Thoughts and Future EpisodesLearn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to Starfish Diaries, a podcast with Liz McKean. In this snack-sized episode I tell you the story that inspired the podcast's name:The Starfish Story... which also happens to be the why behind everything I do.We'll talk a bit about the overlap of self care and service, and I invite you to join me as we explore themes like choices, changes, trust, and unconditional self-like (yes, like).Time Stamps if that's your jam:00:00 Introduction to the Starfish Diaries02:10 The Meaning Behind the Starfish Story05:22 The Importance of Self-Care and Service07:14 Journey of Self-Trust and Self-LoveHit subscribe, and join me here every Friday! Learn more at LizMcKean.com.You can also connect with me on Instagram @liz.mckean, or send me an email at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you!All my love and gratitude for this podcast's beautiful cover design, created by the very best & most magical Mo Houston of JoyScout Studio And podcast production/editing masterfully done by Sean Gritters. You can reach Sean by emailing [email protected]