PODCAST · society
The Imperfect Advocate Podcast
by Karen C. Auld
The Imperfect Advocate is a podcast that celebrates imperfect action. A podcast that explores how our inner world, creates our outer world and how showing up imperfectly is OK. Host Karen C. Auld, is an environmentalist and mindset coach who wants to inspire her listeners to: (1) Acknowledge the inner connection between people, animals, plants, bugs, birds, and their shared environment. (2) Fumble forward - because some action, even if not perfect, is better than none. (3) Lead by example and lead with love. (4) Make the hard work fun by creating a culture of collaboration and joy.
Episodes
-
Season 8, Episode 3: Green Products I Love: Meet Millie Bobby
Food waste is a big environmental problem, but what if there were an easier way to keep it out of the landfill? In the first installment of a new seasonal series, Green Products I Love, Karen combines more than 30 years of environmental experience with her perspective as a consumer to share...
-
Season 8, Episode 2: Plastic Free July: It Starts with Noticing
In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, Karen Auld invites listeners to kick off Plastic Free July with curiosity instead of perfection. Australian educator Rebecca Prince-Ruiz grew a global movement from just forty participants, Karen explores why meaningful environmental change…
more -
Season 8, Episode 1: Weeding, Watering & Wonder
Summer has always been Karen Auld's favorite season. The warm air, longer days, birdsong, and blooming flowers serve as a reminder to slow down and pay attention. In the Season 8 premiere of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen explores what it means to tend not only our gardens, but our lives. Using…
more -
Season 7, Episode 2: Messy, Muddy, and Blooming
Spring may bring flowers, but it also brings mud. In Episode 2 of the Imperfect Advocate Podcast spring season, Karen explores the messy beauty of living systems through the work of author and systems thinker Margaret Wheatley. From Vermont’s famous “mud season” to ecosystem diagrams that...
-
Season 7, Episode 1: Emerging From a Long Winter
After a longer-than-expected winter break, Karen returns for Season 7 of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast with reflections on growth, happiness, and what it means to move through life seasonally rather than linearly. In this episode, Karen shares what she’s been learning while pursuing her Master’s...
-
Season 6, Episode 2: Fumbling Forward as a Helper: Using Your Strengths When the World Feels Heavy
When the world feels heavy, many of us feel the pull to help — and the paralysis of not knowing how. In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, Karen Auld speaks honestly about feeling powerless, naming the emotional weight many are carrying right now, and reframing what it means to “be a...
-
Season 6, Episode 1: Winter Solstice Reflections: Rest, Renewal, and Loving-Kindness
On the Winter Solstice—the darkest day of the year—we begin Season 6 of The Imperfect Advocate by turning gently toward the dark instead of away from it. Inspired by a quote from Rumi, Karen guides listeners through a loving-kindness (metta) meditation to help generate warmth, compassion, and...
-
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 11: love is the most powerful Energy
In the season finale of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore the ultimate truth behind Hawkins — and our own hearts: love is the most powerful force in the universe. From Eleven’s childhood memory of her mother saying “I love you.” To Mike’s heartfelt confession and Max’s...
-
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 10: Make your own rules
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill talk about the power of making your own rules — not breaking them, but creating a life aligned with your own values. Inspired by Eleven’s evolution from following Hopper’s “Don’t Be Stupid” rules to defining her own path with...
-
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 9: Meet people where they are
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore the power of empathy in driving change. Inspired by Murray Bauman’s advice to Nancy and Jonathan in Season 2, they unpack how meeting people where they are isn’t about deception—it’s about translation and…
more -
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 8: Use your voice
Life Lesson #8 — Use Your Voice — Karen and Bill celebrate the strong, outspoken women of Stranger Things. From Nancy calling out the “bullshit,” to Eleven’s quiet but powerful “No,” to Erica’s confident demands for free ice cream, the gang explores what it means to speak your truth, set...
-
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 7: Get a Coach
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill explore what it really means to get a coach and why even heroes need help to level up. From Kali guiding Eleven to unlock her full power, to Karen Wheeler reminding Nancy to go for it, to Steve Harrington (yes, Steve!)…
more -
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 6: embrace the hero within
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill dive into Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and explore how every character in Hawkins—from Murray and Joyce to Eleven and Max—answers their own call to adventure. Using Campbell’s classic framework, they show how the heroes…
more -
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 5: We all have demons
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, In this episode, Karen and Bill explore one of Stranger Things’ deeper life lessons — We All Have Demons. From Hopper’s grief and guilt to Billy’s trauma and Eleven’s inner battles, the Upside Down becomes a metaphor for our own internal...
-
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 4: Music is medicine
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill turn up the volume on one of Stranger Things’ most powerful themes — the healing power of music. From Max escaping the clutches of the Upside Down to your favorite song lifting you out of a funk, music truly is medicine.…
more -
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 3: Stay Strange
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill celebrate the beauty of embracing your quirks, differences, and glorious weirdness — because as Eddie Munson reminds us, “Forced conformity is the real monster.” From Jonathan and Will’s brotherly bond over The Clash to…
more -
Season 5, Special Series |11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 2: Be curious
In this episode of 11 Life Lessons From Stranger Things, Karen and Bill channel their inner Dustin as they dive into Life Lesson #2: Be Curious. From Mr. Clark’s late-night science calls to Dustin’s “Curiosity Voyage,” they explore how curiosity isn’t just for kids — it’s the secret to staying...
-
Season 5, Special Series | 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things – Lesson 1: Trust Your Vibes
In this first episode of our special series 11 Life Lessons from Stranger Things, Karen is joined on the mic with her own Billy (IYKYK), her husband, Bill Auld. They explore why Stranger Things has captured their hearts and what it was like to grow up in the 80s. Together, they unpack Life Lesson...
-
Season 4, Episode 3: Something Strange Is Happening on The Imperfect Advocate podcast
Grab your Eggos, friends — something strange is coming! In this special teaser episode, host Karen Auld (aka the chick who puts the care in Karen) shares a mysterious new project inspired by her favorite show, Stranger Things. Tune in to discover how the Upside Down connects to the four tenets of...
-
Season 4, Episode 2: Refuel Your Hope Tank
n this episode of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen Auld explores the wisdom of Jane Goodall and how her words embody the four tenets of being an Imperfect Advocate: recognizing interconnection, fumbling forward, leading with love, and making the hard work fun. Drawing on quotes from The Book of…
more -
Season 4, Episode 1: Finding My Voice for the Planet (Again) – Because advocacy starts with using the voice you've got—even if it's imperfect
After a season of silence for healing, Karen Auld is back behind the mic with a full heart and a mending voice. In this joyful relaunch of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen shares her deeply personal journey through vocal cord surgery, a painful bout of COVID, and the slow, steady return of her...
-
Season 3, Episode 6: A Season of Renewal – Embracing Change and Finding Your Voice
In the season finale of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld reflects on the themes of renewal and transformation as spring approaches. She shares a personal journey of stepping into a new season of change, highlighting the importance of using one's voice and embracing moments of pause...
-
Season 3, Episode 5: My First Protest: Protecting Our National Parks
In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld takes listeners on a journey through her first protest experience. Inspired by a social media post from ALT National Parks, Karen learns about a nationwide protest organized by Resistance Rangers in response to unjust layoffs of...
-
Season 3, Episode 4: Love Without Borders
The Vice President recently invoked the theory of concentric circles, but his take came with an “and then” hierarchy of compassion. In this episode, Karen Auld breaks down what Confucius actually taught, why love isn’t a checklist, and how it all ties back to the four tenets of an Imperfect...
-
Season 3, Episode 3: Valentine’s Day edition
In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld chats about Valentine's Day and how you can radiate love all year long by developing a metta practice.
-
Season 3, Episode 2: Reclaiming Karen
In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld shares her experience of being called a "Karen" and why it didn’t silence her. She reflects on the challenges of speaking up, especially for those who have been conditioned to avoid confrontation, and explores how to build...
-
Season 3, Episode 1: Winter Wisdom: Thriving in 2025 by Embracing Nature’s Rhythms
In this season-opening episode of the Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld dives into the beauty of winter as a time for rest, reflection, and visioning. Karen shares her journey from hustle culture to mindful living, embracing the cycles of nature and shares a little history about the...
-
Season 2, Episode 3: Gifting Love and Kindness
In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, Karen explores the spirit of giving during the holiday season, stepping away from consumerism and embracing gifts of love, kindness, and meaningful experiences. She guides listeners through the Buddhist practice of Metta, offering love and…
more -
Season 2, Episode 2: From Fear to Love: Renewing Energy and Advocacy in Uncertain Times
In this heartfelt episode of The Imperfect Advocate, Karen Auld reflects on the challenges of navigating post-election uncertainty and shares how the renewable energy of love can guide us through fear. From the extinction of a Hawaiian songbird to Confucius’ timeless "Theory of Concentric…
more -
Season 2, Episode 1: Fumbling Forward on Climate Change
In the Season 2 kickoff of The Imperfect Advocate podcast, host Karen Auld ditches her original plans to tackle a pressing topic—climate change. Inspired by recent extreme weather events and the urgency of environmental issues, she dives into the science behind climate change, breaking down the...
-
Episode 5: Lessons from Grass and Caterpillars
In the final episode of Season 1 of The Imperfect Advocate, host Karen Auld reflects on the theme of growth and how it has shaped both her podcast and her personal experiences. She explores the phases of grass—growing, dormant, and dying—and how they mirror stages of personal and professional...
-
Episode 4: Green Products I Love
In this episode of the Imperfect Advocate podcast, Karen Auld shares some of her favorite eco-friendly products, focusing on natural deodorants and moisturizers perfect for the summer. Discover "The Greeench" deodorant by Lush, which keeps you fresh without harmful chemicals, and the "Kate McLeod...
-
Episode 3: Spreading Love and Kindness with Metta Meditation
In this episode of the Imperfect Advocate podcast, host Karen Auld explores the beautiful practice of metta, or loving-kindness meditation. Discover how this mindfulness technique can help you connect with yourself and others, spreading waves of love and kindness into the world. Karen shares her...
-
Episode 2: The Vacation AHH Effect: Unlocking Mindfulness Through Travel
In this episode of The Imperfect Advocate Podcast, host Karen Auld, freshly recharged from a European vacation, delves into the profound relaxation and mindfulness that vacations can bring. Karen explores the scientific research behind the "vacation ahh feeling," highlighting a significant study…
more -
Episode 1: Growth and New Beginnings
In this inaugural episode of "The Imperfect Advocate Podcast," host Karen Auld, also known as The Imperfect Advocate, introduces listeners to her podcasting journey. With a light-hearted tone, Karen shares her initial apprehensions, the support from her husband Bill, and the inspiration behind…
more -
Welcome to the Imperfect Advocate Podcast!
In this teaser episode of the Imperfect Advocate Podcast, Karen Auld, our host, shares why she started this podcast, what an imperfect advocate is, and how we can be imperfect advocates for the environment. Listen in as Karen shares how blame and shame, which has become the norm in environmental...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Imperfect Advocate is a podcast that celebrates imperfect action. A podcast that explores how our inner world, creates our outer world and how showing up imperfectly is OK.
Host Karen C. Auld, is an environmentalist and mindset coach who wants to inspire her listeners to: (1) Acknowledge the inner connection between people, animals, plants, bugs, birds, and their shared environment. (2) Fumble forward - because some action, even if not perfect, is better than none. (3) Lead by example and lead with love. (4) Make the hard work fun by creating a culture of collaboration and joy.
HOSTED BY
Karen C. Auld
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Imperfect Advocate Podcast have?
The Imperfect Advocate Podcast currently has 36 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Imperfect Advocate Podcast about?
The Imperfect Advocate is a podcast that celebrates imperfect action. A podcast that explores how our inner world, creates our outer world and how showing up imperfectly is OK. Host Karen C. Auld, is an environmentalist and mindset coach who wants to inspire her listeners to: (1) Acknowledge the...
How often does The Imperfect Advocate Podcast release new episodes?
The Imperfect Advocate Podcast has 36 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Imperfect Advocate Podcast?
You can listen to The Imperfect Advocate Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Imperfect Advocate Podcast?
The Imperfect Advocate Podcast is created and hosted by Karen C. Auld.
URL copied to clipboard!