Living in the Sandwich Zone
By Karen Osborne
Living in the Sandwich ZoneApr 13, 2022
Big News: Taking a Step in the Direction of a New Dream
Breaking news is on the way! After not quite 5 months in "retirement", I’m taking a step in the direction of a new dream. In this week's episode I recount how whenever I stop procrastinating, face my fears and actually take even the teensiest action step towards what I want to accomplish, inevitably synchronicity and serendipity start swirling and magic happens.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
The Power of Perspective & The Magic of Meditation
The weather in Southern California has been extraordinary lately. We've had loads of rain and last week had an epic windstorm. The gale force winds knocked out power and took down trees. It also stirred up a lot of thoughts for me.
In this episode I reflect on my journey and how far I've come in the past few years.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
KEG Party 2024: A Conversation with Friends about Race & Much More
After a long stint of solo episodes, I'm breaking things up this week. Today, you finally get to meet my dear friends from college, Emily and Grace. Together we make up the KEG Party! (Karen, Emily & Grace)
It's supremely meaningful to me to have friends like Em and Grace with whom I can talk, laugh and confide in. Grace and Emily have been my faithful friends for over 35 years since our days at UCLA and have been my ever-present sounding board over the last 5+, as I've been figuring out what's next for me in life. We talk about pretty much everything--big and little--including things that a lot of people shy away from discussing in this often caustic, "cancel-culturey" world we live in.
In today's episode, you get to be a fly on the wall during our KEG Party and our conversation about race and much more.
When next in the Bay Area, be sure to check out Grace's dreamy destination property Asombrosa and enjoy a spectacular meal by Chef Stephane at TC Provisions in downtown Petaluma.
Make sure you follow them on Instagram at @asombrosa.soco and @tcprovisions.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Remember to Rest
As I continue on my journey of self-discovery, I see more and more clearly my ingrained ways of being/old patterns and wiring that I am wanting to shift. In this week's episode I share a little bit about how, as I "Dance with Discomfort" in this season of my life, how important (and okay) it is to rest.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Pointing My Compass Towards Joy & Following the Breadcrumbs
It's been a phenomenal few days & I am buzzing with the residual glee of an extraordinary weekend! In today's episode I tell you (almost) all about it. You'll hear how my recent annual themes of Inspired Action (2023) + Dancing with Discomfort (2024) led me to a sublime soundbath experience that literally had me floating with delight!
Be sure to follow @goodvibessoundbath to experience next level floating soundbath bliss!
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Redefining Success: My 90-Day Retirement Reflection
It's been just over 90 days since I left work. In this week's episode I reflect on how my definition of success has shifted in retirement.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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A Valentine's Day Minisode
Happy Valentine's Day, friends! This week I share some thoughts about this day of love while simultaneously treating myself to some much needed R & R.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Unpacking Atlanta: More Retreat Reflections
In this week's episode you get a front row ride through my mind via a voice memo I recorded after a particularly soul-stirring encounter at my Support System Retreat in Georgia.
I'm still unpacking all my thoughts and insights and expect I'll be doing so for many moons.
If you want to check out Medical Intuitive Christine Lang you can find her website here: ChristineLang.org
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Analyzing Expenses: A Closer Look at How I Spend My Time and Money
I just returned from an impactful week away. I attended a women's transformation Support System retreat hosted by Sheri Salata in Chatt Hills, Georgia in the amazing community of Serenbe. In this episode I share a little about the retreat and how things are going in retirement so far.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Ringing in 2024: Growing Up, Showing Up & Throwing Up
Last week I began sharing how my New Year got off to an unexpectedly messy start. This week I continue sharing the saga--picking up where I left off.
In a nutshell, after a New Year's Eve party, I ended up going to pick Linny and a friend up in the wee hours. Much to my chagrin, on the way home said friend got sick and prolifically threw up in the back seat of my car.
In this week's episode I share how it all ended. And if you're lucky in a future episode you might get to hear from my now-adult children about what this whole experience was like from their perspective.
If you're in the LA area and want to get your car throughly and professionally detailed, call Anthony Ross at J's Auto Detailing (310) 686-0976.
If you'd like to try Magic Mind's matcha-based productivity shot, go to https://www.magicmind.com/kareno and use discount code KARENO20 for 20% off your first purchase!
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
DISCLAIMER
- This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, health, tax or professional advice.
- We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
- This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
- The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.
- Content in this podcast is for reference purposes and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed health-care professional. You should not rely solely on this content, and Amazon assumes no liability for inaccuracies. Always read labels and directions before using a product. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
Ringing In 2024: Recapping Everything that Came Up
Soooo...let's just say the New Year didn't quite begin as I would've hoped. In this episode I share how I navigated a not-so-ideal start to 2024. It's a riveting story and one our family will never forget.
If you're the parent of a non-driving teenager and schlep your kiddo all over creation, this one's for you!
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Dancing with Discomfort
My theme last year of Inspired Action led to some life-altering shifts in my life. That said, I didn't want to just abandon it this year. Instead, I'm hanging on to it and building upon it in 2024. In this week's episode I'll fill you in on how my year ended and share my new theme for the year.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, y'all! I'm off this week but will be back next Wednesday with a brand new episode of Living in the Sandwich Zone.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Holiday Hiatus
Greetings friends! I survived the December deluge and am officially in recovery mode. I'm taking a little holiday hiatus and will be back with you on January 10th.
Happy New Year!
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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The Gift of Presence
This past week I had the joy of spending the day with my dad celebrating his 88th birthday. It was the first time in the last 28 years that I was able to do so without feeling the stress and pressure of work looming.
In this week's episode, I share about that big birthday milestone and what it means to me to be more present for the things that matter now that I'm retired.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
To watch this episode on YouTube Click Here
DISCLAIMER
- This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, health, tax or professional advice.
- We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
- This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
- The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.
Reflections on 2023: My Year of Inspired Action
In this week's episode, I reflect on my year of "Inspired Action" and ponder what theme I will choose for 2024 which I think is gonna have me stretching out of my very familiar comfort zone.
I also announce the exciting my new podcast partnership with Magic Mind. It's a matcha-based "productivity shot" I'm using to help boost my energy, calm my system and help my focus. I'm just sharing my personal take here but if you want to give it a try for yourself, use my discount code: KARENO20 or the discount link: https://www.magicmind.com/kareno for 20% off your purchase.
To view this podcast on YouTube go to: Living in the Sandwich Zone on YouTube
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
DISCLAIMER
- This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, health, tax or professional advice.
- We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
- This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
- The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.
The Holiday Hustle: Slowing Down In December
I can hardly believe that we're just days away from the end of 2023. In this week's episode I defer talking about IEPs and special education--a topic that is incredibly important to me--so I can slow down, catch my breath and ease into the holiday season.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
What Other People Think
There's a saying that goes, "What other people think is none of your business." While I recognize the truth of this sentiment, for me, it's something easier said than done.
This week I share how, while preparing to retire and wrap up my career, I got caught up in angst and worry over what others would think about my work.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Retirement: Letting Go of the Fairy Tale Ending
Well..I'm officially a retiree! The end wasn't quite what I expected but...I made it to the other side. In this episode I fill you in on the anticlimactic ending to my decades long career.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Change Making and Chain Breaking: More Reflections on Retirement
I'm days away from wrapping up my legal career and changing lanes in life. This week I share a little more with you about my choice to step away, make this change and break some old, deep patterns that are no longer serving me.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Changing Lanes: More Reflections on Retirement
I'm feeling some big feels as I round this last bend before bidding farewell to my career. As I was starting to record my thoughts for the week, my college roommate called to check in. As we talked, the recording captured my side of the conversation. After a creative editing job removing all the gaps of silence from when Grace was talking (and all the other non-podcastable content), you get to hear a little bit of what was left-- lots of thoughts about lots of feelings.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Retirement: Feeling the Grief & Doing It Messy
In this week's episode I share about the doubt and grief that has set in since making the decision to retire.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
What A Difference A Year Makes: My Magic Moment with Cathy Heller and Candace Nelson One Year Later
On October 26, 2022, a year ago almost to the day, I aired an episode entitled “My Magic Moment with Cathy Heller and Candace Nelson”. In it I shared about my entrepreneurial dreams and the fear of financial insecurity that was holding me back from taking that leap. Today, a year later, I’m about to retire from the practice of law and embark on a new adventure!
In this week’s episode, I take a trip down memory lane and see where I was a year ago and how taking those steps back then have been the catalyst for my big U-turn in life.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Silence As Self-Care
So much has happened in the last few weeks. The impact of it all has plunged me into a place of emotional paralysis. In this episode I share why, for me, silence has been a form of self-care.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
My Big U-Turn (Part 2): Contemplating Life After Lawyering
I'm on the brink of HUGE change! I am about to wade into uncharted territory and embark on new adventures. Are you ready for my big reveal?!?
In this week's episode you'll find out what humungous decision I've made and how/why/what lead me to make it.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
My Big U-Turn (Part 1): Acknowledging Anxiety and Asking for Help
BIG CHANGES ARE AFOOT!!! This episode is chock-full of breaking news! This week I reveal publicly oodles of never-before-discussed inner details of my life. I share in depth about the severe anxiety I've grappled with since returning to work and the choice I made to seek out help. If you, like me, have up til now refused to even consider taking medication to help with anxiety...this episode is for you!
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
The Power of Choice
"Finish what you start!" For much of my life that idea has been a core part of my basic operating system. Over the years I've realized it may not always be the best choice. In this episode I talk about the power of choice, advice I give my kids and share my reflections on wisdom I'd give to my younger self.
Evolutions in Parenting (Part 2): Taking the Road Less Traveled
As parents we do the best we can. We make decisions in the moment that we hope are right. But sometimes they're not. Last week I shared how I applied some parental pressure to get Linny to go to school after the Labor Day holiday weekend. As it turned out...it was the wrong call because the very next day Linny tested positive for Covid.
In this week's episode, Karen's Covid Chronicles continue. I share about how, on the heels of this parenting blunder, the Universe presented me with an opportunity for a decision do-over the very next week. You'll find out if I was able to evade the Covid bug while nursing Linny back to health and if, when facing a similar parenting decision dilemma, I defaulted to my usual MO or took the road less traveled.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Evolutions in Parenting: The Covid Era
Last week I was under the weather and took the week off from podcasting. In addition, Linny woke up last Tuesday and reported not feeling so well, too. It was the day after Labor Day and, seeing no evidence of illness, I employed a little "tough love" and prodded Linds to rally and go to school.
In this week's episode, I reflect on how my parenting practices have evolved over time and you find out if I made the right call sending Linny to school.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Sick Day
I'm down and out recovering from a stomach bug this week. I'm gonna give myself some time to rest and recuperate and will be back again next week with a new episode.
Building Better Boundaries
This week I'm sharing an aha moment that really drove home for me how important it is to honor my own boundaries.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Settled: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World
Between caregiving, parenting, work, life and everything else going on in this chaotic world of ours—stress is something each and every one of us has to reckon with in our daily lives.
Today, you’ll meet my friend Chantal Donnelly, author of the newly released book, Settled: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World. In her 20+ years of practice as a physical therapist, Chantal realized that in order to help her patients find lasting relief from their physical ailments, it was essential to address the impact of stress on their lives (and bodies). In her book, Settled, she delves into the science of stress and offers numerous tips and techniques to help reduce overwhelm, build resilience and improve overall well-being.
Chantal is the founder of Body Insight Inc.,-- a company she established in 2006 with the mission of providing people with the education and tools they need to move and feel better in their bodies. Chantal emphasizes teaching her clients ways to calm their nervous systems as a vital part of physical healing.
In addition to being an author, physical therapist and Sandwich Zone mama, Chantal is a certified Pilates instructor, Resilience Toolkit Facilitator and holds degrees in psychology, kinesiology and a master’s in physical therapy. She combines her anatomy and physiology knowledge with nervous system science to help people with chronic pain, overwhelming stress and stress-related illnesses.
You can find and follow Chantal via the links below:
Website: BodyInsight.com
Instagram: @bodyinsightinc
Facebook: BodyInsightInc
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
The Beginning of the End: The Start of My Last Child's Last Year of High School
August 16th marks the first day of Linny's last year of high school. In this week's episode I share a few thoughts on reaching this milestone.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Insights From My Time Off: Teetering Between Self-Care and Self-Abandonment
I'm baaaaaaaack! It's hard to believe that it's been a month since my last episode. The time just flew by! And lots came up during my 4 weeks off. This week I share how I decided to take time off from the podcast and some of the insights I had during my time away.
Summer Sabbatical: My Last Week Off
This is the last week of my summer podcasting break. I'll be back next week to catch you up on sandwich life with a brand new episode of Living in the Sandwich Zone.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
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Summer Sabbatical: Week 3
Stay tuned for more episodes of Living in the Sandwich Zone beginning again August 9th.
Summer Sabbatical: Week 2
Self-care in progress. I'll be back August 9th with more Living in the Sandwich Zone.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Summer Sabbatical Message
Just a gentle reminder, I'm taking the next 4 weeks off to rest and rejuvenate. I'll be back the with more espisodes beginning Wednesday, August 9th.
Till then...take good care and go out and do something that brings you joy!
If you miss me while I'm away, follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne to see what I'm up to!
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Sandwiched: A Conversation with Laurie James
Some of the biggest gifts I’ve received from launching Living in the Sandwich Zone are the incredible connections-turned-friendships I’ve made with my podcast guests. My guest today is most certainly one of those gifts!
After being introduced to Laurie by one of my college roommates, we connected and, right away, I knew she was a kindred spirit!
Laurie James is the mother of 4, an author, a relationship coach and what she calls a “recovering caregiver”. While raising her four daughters, Laurie cared for both her parents until their deaths.
In this episode she shares all about her parenting and caregiving experiences and what she learned along the way. We also talk about the book she wrote, Sandwiched: A Memoir About Holding on and Letting Go, in which chronicles her life both before, during and after making her way through the Sandwich Zone.
Just last week, Laurie added another title to her resume: podcast host. As of June 29, 2023, she launched her new podcast, Confessions of a Freebird, in which she talks about a multitude of midlife topics including life as a “freebird” (aka being an “empty nester”), parenting, divorce, dating, sex, loss, grief and so much more. Be sure to take a listen and follow her podcast for more of Laurie's wisdom!
You can learn more about Laurie by visiting her website, www.LaurieEJames.com. Also, be sure to follow her on Instagram @Laurie.James and follow her on Facebook at Laurie James, author.
As always, you can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Home Alone: To Do or Not to Do THAT is the Question
It's been a while since I've done a solo episode so that's whatcha get this week!
I'm coming off an unusual week of solitude. While the other three Osbornes were off galivanting on adventures of their own, I was the only (fur-less) Osborne holding down the fort for nearly a week. In this episode I share what that was like for me and the "aha" I had about how I spend my downtime.
Want a sneak peek for next week? Check out my guest Laurie James whose new podcast Confessions of a Freebird debuts Thursday, June 29th. You can find her on Instagram at @Laurie.James.
As always, you can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Fractured Families: A Conversation about Estrangement with Kreed Revere
Although not often talked about openly, estrangement is more common than many might think. Fractured family relationships occur quite often. According to a recent national study, 6 percent of adults reported estrangement from their mothers and 26 percent reported estrangement from their fathers. Estrangement carries with it intense feelings, often including feelings of shame, guilt, and grief.
The pain and grief of estrangement is something Kreed Revere is all too familiar with. As a young adult, Kreed experienced estrangement when she distanced herself from her parents. Then, later in life, she experienced it again when her two adult daughters stopped communicating with her. As a result of her own devastating estrangement experience, Kreed worked hard prioritizing her own mental health and soul healing-- ultimately repairing her relationship with her daughters. Now, as a coach, she helps estranged moms work through the pain of estrangement and come out the other side with a renewed sense of self and helps them develop new, improved communication skills to repair and maintain healthy relationships.
Kreed Revere is a podcaster, coach, author, public speaker and formerly estranged & now reconciled mom of two adult daughters and a grandmother of four. She is an advocate for repairing & healing relationships between parents and adult children as an estrangement & reconciliation coach specializing in relational communication and ambiguous grief. In her podcast, The Estranged Heart, Kreed shares openly about the topic of estrangement and is empowering others to do the same. In doing so, she helps suffering family members feel seen, understood and supported as they navigate estrangement and work towards healing.
To connect with Kreed or to listen to her podcast, The Estranged Heart, visit her website TheEstrangedHeart.com. She is currently in the process of writing a book about her estrangement journey so keep an eye out for that in the near future as well!
You can follow Kreed on Instagram at @theestrangedheart
And, as always, you can find and follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join the Living in the Sandwich Zone (LITSZ) private community, Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
A Goat Yoga Story: A Conversation with Michelle Tritten (Founder of Hello Critter)
My foray into the world of goat yoga delighted me so much I was inspired to find out how such a unique wellness practice came into being. So, after reminiscing with my friends who joined me for my goat yoga outing last February, I decided to reach out to Michelle Trittenthe founder of Hello Critter and the host of our fun-filled goat yoga extravaganza to learn more about how she embarked on her entrepreneurial venture with goats.
Michelle was the first person to introduce goat yoga to the Los Angeles area. Animals had always been a passion for her and through a series of synchronicities and a very popular Facebook post, Michelle was inspired to hold her first goat yoga class on Earth Day in 2017. She's been hosting goat-centric events ever since!
In this special bonus episode, Michelle shares her story about how Hello Critter came into existence and what life is like sharing goat yoga with others.
To find out more and to connect with Hello Critter click here. If you're near the LA area and want to experience their Baby Goat Yoga and a Sound Bath event, hurry up and sign up for their class offered Saturday, June 17th from 10:30am-12:30pm in Agua Dulce, CA.
Follow the cute kids at Hello Critter on Instagram at @hellocrittercare.
And you can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Reflections on Goat Yoga
For over a year, the prospect of going to goat yoga has been on my radar. In fact, I shared about my goat yoga dreams in one of my very early episodes after launching this podcast in an episode called, Goat Yoga: The Importance of Scheduling in Joy. (You can listen to that episode here.)
After persevering through my initial challenges getting my adventure off the ground, I finally, just a few months ago, was able to make my goat yoga dreams a reality! And as a bonus, I had an opportunity to meet up with some of my previously-only-virtually-known friends in real life.
In this episode some of my goat-going gal pals (Barbara, Gwen, Candice and Joan) got together with me to reflect on our adventure with the goats and to talk about why they decided to join me, what they got out of it and the feelings going to goat yoga stirred up in them.
If listening to our gleeful reflections, gets your goat...Click here to connect with Hello Critter. They have loads of events you can try including an upcoming Baby Goat Yoga and Sound Bath event on June 17th (10:30am-12:30pm) in Agua Dulce, CA. I have no doubt that if you go...you'll have a fun-filled day with their new "kids" on the block (or perhaps on your back), Hansel and Gretel.
Be sure to follow Hello Critter on Instagram at @hellocrittercare
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
The Healing Power of Horses: A Conversation with Kuniko Vroman about Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Activities (Part 2)
In this episode, Part 2 of my conversation with Kuniko Vroman, we talk about how she started Helping Hoof, her non-profit, equine-assisted therapeutic services organization. Then, we talk more about the therapeutic experiences Kuniko facilitated for me as I worked with the horses. If you haven't listened to Part 1 of our conversation you might want to go back and start there.
Through working with Kuniko, I was able to overcome a lifelong fear of horses and gain invaluable insights into myself and my default ways I'd been walking in the world that were no longer serving me.
To connect with Kuniko or learn more about equine-assisted therapeutic activities and services, check out her website for Helping Hoof, the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization she founded that provides equine assisted therapeutic activities to individuals experiencing mental, physical or developmental challenges.
You can also follow her on Instagram at @helpinghoofeaat.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
The Healing Power of Horses: A Conversation with Kuniko Vroman about Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Activities (Part 1)
In keeping with the theme of mental health awareness this month, this week I'm sharing with you about yet another outside-the-box therapy modality. This one involves horses.
I first became curious about equine therapy (aka “horse therapy”) when Linny was in residential mental health treatment. In the programming at “res” (as it’s often called), each week the treatment facility would take participants on a trek out to a place that specialized in equine-assisted psychotherapy. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy has been shown to help with a myriad of challenges – such as, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, anger management, trauma and recovery. The horses act as a sort of a mirror for the person they are working with and provide direct and non-judgmental feedback that helps clients to become grounded in the present moment, identify unproductive patterns, and create change in the moment. (You can check out Stand InBalance for more information.)
In this week (and next week’s) episode, I talk with equine-assisted therapeutic facilitator, Kuniko Vroman. I connected with Kuniko after having repeated soul-stirrings that kept nudging me to try equine therapy. By following a series of Divinely inspired breadcrumbs, I connected with Kuniko and, before returning to work from my leave of absence, met with her weekly for a short while to see what this horse therapy thing was all about.
If you haven’t noticed by now--I’m a talker. So, when Kuniko and I sat down to talk about all things equine-assisted psychotherapy/therapeutic services, we talked…and talked…and talked. The next thing I knew, we’d been talking for over 2 hours! We covered so many good subjects that I couldn’t bring myself to edit our conversation down to only one episode. Hence, you get back-to-back weeks horsing around with us!
To connect with Kuniko or learn more about equine-assisted therapeutic activities and services, check out her website HelpingHoof.org. Helping Hoof, is the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Kuniko founded to fulfill her mission of providing equine assisted therapeutic activities to individuals experiencing mental, physical or developmental challenges.
You can also follow her on Instagram at @helpinghoofeaat.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Let's Talk Ketamine: A Conversation with Therapist Allie Runkel
As a society, we are facing a growing mental health crisis. Finding the right treatment for mental health conditions can often be challenging—especially for those for whom medication has not been effect and people suffering from complex post-traumatic stress and trauma. For some, traditional therapy and psychotropic medications doesn’t provide relief. Thankfully, other therapeutic options are available.
In this episode, I talk with therapist Allie Runkel, LPCC, about ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) and its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions.
Allie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a private practice in Costa Mesa, CA. She is a trained ketamine assisted psychotherapy facilitator and has also utilized KAP in her own therapeutic journey. In our conversation, we talk about what ketamine is, how it’s used in a therapeutic setting and who’s the ideal patient for ketamine therapy.
Want a dose of feel-good fun? Do yourself a favor and follow Allie on Instagram! Her feed is a rich source of visual delights combined with insights, wisdom, inspiration and valuable gems to improve your well-being and mental health. If you’re a nature lover the pictures and videos alone will fill your soul and lift your spirits! You can follow Allie on Instagram at @allierunkeltherapycove.
To connect with Allie for therapy or to find out more about ketamine assisted psychotherapy, check out her website: AllieRunkel.com. She’s currently hosting several small group ketamine day retreats so if you’re interested in that, reach out right away as spots are filling fast!
As for me…
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Mental Health Awareness: My Candid Update and What I'm Doing to Improve My Mental Health and Well-Being
The last several weeks have been pretty tough on me. A variety of situations have flared up and they've taken a significant toll on my energy, health and mental well-being. Since it's Mental Health Awareness Month, it seemed timely to dive right in and talk about it all.
A couple weeks ago, I shared about the story of the big epiphany I had after an interaction with Linny. I originally recorded about what happened to me at work that day but ultimately decided against it. In this episode I circle back and share about that work situation and how I put my epiphany insights into action to advocate for myself.
I talk about job stress, the challenges I've had and my experience navigating my workplace accommodations. I also share some of the things I'm doing to support my mental health and well-being.
Before discussing my accommodations with my boss, a colleague of mine gave me a much-needed pep talk and sent me information about the Americans with Disability Act (the ADA). Taking time to familiarize myself with the ADA and my employer's responsibilities really helped prepare me for that conversation.
If you're dealing with a situation at work in which you need workplace accommodations do some research and check out the links below.
Click these links to read about reasonable accommodations and whether your employer has to provide them to accommodate you.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Reflections on Africa (Part 3): Mental Health, the Motherland, Mothering and More
It’s hard to believe that May is upon us and that means it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. In all candor, life has been pretty intense and challenging for me lately. I’ve been navigating some pretty hard stuff. As a result, my well-being and mental health have taken a hit.
One of the things that I’ve learned to do when things get rough is to reach out and talk to someone. Sometimes it’s just to vent and valve some pressure and other times it’s a way of shifting my attention to a better feeling experience.
This week, when things were rocky, my African safari soul sister ACE and I connected to record some more of our reflections about our adventure. The timing was a perfect way to help boost my mood and lift my spirits.
As is our custom, we talked about a lot--memories of Africa, Mother's Day, family, our experiences as women and so much more. We even had a little guest appearance from Linny who joined our conversation for a little bit. At the end, I felt better. I always do after spending time with ACE.
If you're going to be in LA this weekend and want to bask in ACE’s joyful presence, join me at her Honoring Mother’s Workshop this Saturday, May 13th at White Heat Yoga in North Hollywood from 4-7pm for some somatic yoga, sound, breathwork, meditation and group reiki. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
For more information check out ACE’s website: aceyogala.com
And be sure to follow ACE on Instagram at @aceyogala
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
My Epiphany: How My Child Taught Me an Invaluable Lesson About Self-Care
Though I have lots more to share about my African adventure, this week I'm sharing an important lesson I learned from one of my greatest teachers--my youngest child. In this episode, I share about an interaction with Linny that really shined a light on what I have been asking and expecting from my children and led to a big epiphany for me about self-care.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
Unpacking a Tough Moment in Africa: More of My Conversation with ACE
At this stage of my life, I am realizing more and more how important it is to have people in my life who are willing not only come along for the fun rides but who also stay close and ride the waves with me when things get stormy. ACE is a shining example of one of those people.
Last week, ACE and I reminisced about our adventures in Africa and talked about some of the takeaway moments from our safari. (If you haven't heard the first part of our conversation, click HERE to listen.)
While the majority of our adventure was filled with rainbows and elephants (maybe elephants are the unicorns of Africa), we did have one particularly difficult moment. In today's episode, ACE and I continue unpacking our African Safari experience and share about that tough moment we had and the feelings it brought up for each of us.
Notwithstanding this one bumpy interaction, I can say without hesitation that my trip to Africa with ACE ranks as THE #1 travel experience of my life thus far. So, if you are inspired to go on a life-changing African adventure with ACE, you have your chance! ACE is hosting a 10-day yoga retreat to Morocco this fall October 21-30, 2023. For details contact ACE via email at info@aceyogala.com For details contact ACE via email at info@aceyogala.com, DM her at @aceyogala on Instagram or go to her website aceyogala.com.
Be sure to follow ACE on Instagram at @aceyogala
Also check out her website aceyogala.com to join her mailing list and stay up to date all of her amazing offerings.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich