In Residence with Keith and Laura

Keith King & Laura King

Hi! We are Keith and Laura. We are creatives and makers at heart and looking to make change, for ourselves and people like us who want to dig a little deeper. When you're In Residence as an artist, a writer, a musician, a leader–you're digging deep and tapping into your creativity. Learning and practicing and honing your craft. Creating teams, building relationships and culture, connecting ideas that may not be clearly connected. We see In Residence doing that via conversation. Join us as we push through uncomfortable growth on our way to make a difference. We like to dig deep, explore, learn, and grow.

  1. Strategies for Intentional Living | Better at Being Better [Rerelease]

    6D AGO

    Strategies for Intentional Living | Better at Being Better [Rerelease]

    As we wrap up 2025, this episode feels even more relevant. Originally recorded in December 2024, we're excited to re-release our conversation on "Better at Being Better," inspired by Seth Godin's insightful blog post. Whether you're reflecting on your growth this year or setting intentions for the one ahead. Keith and Laura dive into applying the concept to personal projects, relationships, and avoiding the "race to the bottom" in daily life. Keith and Laura explore how the concept of "being better at being better" applies to personal growth, relationships, and decision-making. Exploring patience versus action, the power of reflection, and building stronger connections through intentionality. Let's get better at being better, together.Laura brings attention to the delicate balance between planning and taking action. She highlights the value of a growth mindset, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and development. Keith emphasizes the importance of patience and long-term thinking in self-improvement. He suggests setting aside time for regular reflection and planning.Communication and empathy emerge as central themes in the discussion, particularly in the context of long-term relationships. Laura and Keith emphasize how these skills are essential for navigating life's changes together and maintaining a strong partnership.Thanks for Joining Us.Strategies for Intentional Living | Better at Being Better | [Rerelease]00:00 - Intro 00:16 - Welcome to In Residence 00:30 - Saturday Morning Conversations 01:03 - Seth Godin's Blog Post 02:27 - Notes App for Saving Ideas and Gift lists 03:01 - Apple Share Sheet Tip 03:36 - Understanding "Better at Being Better" 04:31 - Race to the Bottom Explained 05:59 - Gingerbread House Patience 07:21 - Cutting Corners in Projects 08:16 - Planning vs. Action Styles 09:13 - Designing Gingerbread Studio 10:50 - Overcoming Perfectionism 11:24 - Nothing's Original 12:10 - Dala Horse Creation 13:40 - Avoiding Perfectionism Trap 14:34 - Long Game Mindset 16:02 - Relationship Growth 17:22 - Intent and Empathy in Marriage 18:37 - Growth Mindset Importance 19:27 - External Pressures Example 21:08 - Buying the House Story 22:40 - Avoiding Downward Spirals 23:43 - Reflection Mechanisms 25:50 - Podcast Intentionality 27:32 - Beyond Weekly Updates 28:36 - Sharing Sparks of Ideas 30:19 - Wrapping Up Better at Being Better🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, which helped generate and organize key points based on the podcast transcript.

    31 min
  2. Favorite Cozy Comforts | What’s Actually Helping Us Thrive Now

    DEC 11

    Favorite Cozy Comforts | What’s Actually Helping Us Thrive Now

    As the year winds down and the days get darker, Keith and Laura explore how small thing and intentional choices can bring comfort and joy. The conversation dives into the favorite everyday tools, comforts, and rituals that quietly make life better while we work toward goals that matter.Keith’s Everyday ComfortsKeith gravitates toward simple, functional tools that make room for reflection and ease. He talks about always carrying a Field Notes notebook paired with a reliable Pilot Precise V7 pen, and how a B5‑sized journal with numbered pages helps him capture ideas he’ll actually return to later. Audio is another key support: noise‑canceling earbuds and the Calm app’s sleep stories create pockets of focus and rest, while The Lord of the Rings audiobooks offer a lighter, more magical counterbalance to heavier personal‑growth reading. Even a handmade mug becomes part of his daily ritual, turning coffee or tea into a small, grounding moment that keeps him moving through demanding days.Laura’s FavoritesLaura’s blends creativity, health, and cozy connection with the items on her list. She highlights Brené Brown’s Strong Ground as a rich, approachable resource she keeps revisiting, alongside Taylor Swift’s new album for pure joy and energy. She shares her love of Puzzle Twist jigsaw puzzles, herbal and decaf teas, and fresh baked goods as ways to unwind, especially in long winter evenings. On the tech side, Laura relies on Goodnotes and Canva to think visually and capture ideas, and her Oura Ring to check her assumptions about sleep and how daily choices affect her readiness and resilience. She also praises homemade bread from a local bakery as a simple, nourishing treat that pairs perfectly with her evening tea rituals, adding warmth and satisfaction to quiet moments of reflection.As the year draws to a close, Laura and Keith remind us that embracing simple favorites isn't indulgence—it's essential fuel for living joyfully while pursuing meaningful growth. Discover your own go-to tools and rituals that align with your values and goals. Visit withkeithandlaura.com today and subscribe to the podcast to support your best life, one comforting choice at a time.Thanks for Joining Us.Favorite Cozy Comforts | What’s Actually Helping Us Thrive NowKeith and Laura share the everyday tools, comforts, and practices that support their wellbeing, creativity, and growth. The through-line is simple: small, intentional choices—what you use, listen to, read, or wear—can make your days more grounded, joyful, and sustainable.🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, which helped generate and organize key points based on the podcast transcript.

    36 min
  3. Living In-Between | Balancing Roles, Responsibilities and Energy

    DEC 4

    Living In-Between | Balancing Roles, Responsibilities and Energy

    Keith and Laura sift through the messy space between work and home, routine and holidays, intention and reality. Using a full Thanksgiving week of traditions and family time as their backdrop, Laura and Keith explore what it really means to stay grounded when life gets full rather than perfectly balanced. Accountability with CareKeith names the exhaustion that can come from a “vacation that needs a vacation,” especially when his routines are disrupted. He reflects on the two ends of burnout: pushing non-stop without rest and, on the other side, slipping into low motivation and avoidance. For him, the work is noticing this tension in the in-between and choosing more compassionate accountability. That looks like reframing chores such as snow shoveling as built-in movement, remembering that life is “constant work,” and using tools like journaling and a “to-done list” to see progress instead of only gaps. Keith returns to a core conviction: taking care of himself is what allows him to show up in service of others. Imperfect Action and Minimum Effective DoseLaura shares how packed her days became with pies, lefse, talent shows, deep cleaning, and getting the house and tree ready, and how easy it is to judge herself for missing planned workouts or journaling. Instead of letting perfectionism win, she chooses to recognize the physical and emotional effort in those days as real activity and contribution. She leans on ideas like the “minimum effective dose” — allowing short, consistent workouts and simple grounding routines to count — and uses stars on her calendar as a visual reminder of how often she’s actually showing up. For Laura, the in-between is where goals evolve, traditions are honored, and self-compassion keeps her moving forward.Thanks for Joining Us.Living In-Between | Balancing Roles, Responsibilities and Energy🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, which helped generate and organize key points based on the podcast transcript.

    52 min
  4. Thanks … for the Feedback

    NOV 27

    Thanks … for the Feedback

    Keith and Laura dive into feedback with the help of Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen’s book, Thanks for the Feedback. Laura introduces the three core types of feedback: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation. Appreciation fuels motivation, coaching aims to build skills, and evaluation measures performance against expectations.Inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s newsletter and the book Thanks for the Feedback, Laura shares stories from early marriage, professional music juries, and even social media comments to show how credibility, history, and our own blind spots shape how feedback feels. She focuses on reframing even evaluative feedback into coaching by asking, “What could this help me learn?” and reminds us that it is healthy to set clear boundaries around which topics are open for feedback and which are not.Keith reflects on being quick to coach and slow to realize when his “help” feels like evaluation. He talks about internalizing criticism, reacting too quickly, and how online comments can sting even when they are vague or unhelpful. Keith embraces the idea that not all feedback is equal and that comments often reveal more about the giver than the receiver. He underscores the importance of pausing—before responding to criticism and before offering advice—so that intention and impact can better align.Laura emphasizes a growth mindset: reframing evaluative feedback into coaching and using questions to understand rather than dismiss. She also highlights the importance of boundaries—being clear about what topics are off-limits for feedback (e.g., parenting, body, workouts), especially in personal or holiday-family contexts, while acknowledging that such limits are harder to set at work. Keith reflects on his own tendency to internalize criticism, his “advice monster” (Michael Bungay Stanier) habit of jumping in to coach, and the need to pause both when giving and receiving feedback so intent and impact can better align.For Laura and Keith, feedback is one of the most powerful tools for growth, and one of the most uncomfortable. By distinguishing between appreciation, coaching, and evaluation, it becomes much easier to stay curious instead of defensive. It’s not about perfection, but awareness—of your patterns, your triggers, and the stories you tell yourself in the moment feedback lands. When understood, named, and received with intention, feedback propels us forward in reaching goals and strengthen relationships.Thanks For Joining Us.Thanks … for the Feedback🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, w

    59 min
  5. Unlock Self-Discovery and Growth | The Power of Journaling

    NOV 20

    Unlock Self-Discovery and Growth | The Power of Journaling

    Keith and Laura dive deep into the art and science of journaling—not a simple diary, but a dynamic tool for self-discovery and growth. Journaling can help us move past mental blocks, gain clarity, and chart an intentional path toward our most important goals.Keith’s Perspective Keith frames journaling as part reflection, part action plan. He can feel unproductive or guilty when journaling doesn't remain a daily habit, but even brief, focused sessions can yield significant gains. Keith emphasizes the value of measuring tangible metrics, such as sleep and water intake, and uses prompts rooted in gratitude and self-inquiry. By structuring his practice around different life areas—work, health, relationships, and play, Keith transforms journaling into a powerful vehicle for accountability and progress.Laura’s Perspective Laura approaches journaling as a fluid, introspective process. She leverages questions to guide her sessions, using prompts like, “What am I excited about today?” and projecting into the future to gain advice from her “future self.” Laura openly addresses the resistance many feel toward vulnerability in journaling, and offers ways to return to the page when distractions arise; such as writing about why she feels stuck. Her practices range from unstructured “downloads” of thoughts to specific gratitude exercises, helping her develop self-compassion, resilience, and a growth mindset.Journaling is an adaptable, deeply rewarding practice. Whether structured or free-flow, the key is to get started, stay curious, and let writing guide you to greater self-awareness and action.Thanks for Joining Us.Unlock Self-Discovery and Growth | The Power of Journaling🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, which helped generate and organize key points based on the podcast transcript.

    1h 1m
  6. Interruptions Happen | Acknowledge, Reframe & Grow

    NOV 13

    Interruptions Happen | Acknowledge, Reframe & Grow

    Keith and Laura dig into the art of managing life’s inevitable interruptions. Unforeseen events can derail even the most intentional routines. And at the same time, we can create our own, scheduled, interruptions that help keep us on the track we have chosen.Interruptions often feel inconvenient for Keith, but they can be an opportunity for real progress. He shares that small chores and tasks, while seemingly annoying, are necessary parts of keeping things moving forward. Keith avoids setbacks from interruptions by journaling daily priorities and scheduling actions in a way that frees up mental space. Laura acknowledges how easy it is to let interruptions become derailing. She shares her own experience of pausing creative work, and how routines like morning journaling and using the “5-second rule” help her regain momentum. Laura emphasizes habit stacking and environmental cues, such as rhythm-setting rituals, to make taking positive action more effortless. Progress is about setting yourself up for small wins, letting go of perfection, and reframing interruptions as moments where we can choose how to show up. Laura advocates for setting intentions while feeling strong, so decision fatigue at the end of the day doesn’t sabotage long-term goals. Keith highlights the mantra—“Everything you’re doing is working”—and notes that self-accountability and consistent habits create enduring satisfaction, not just fleeting comfort.Thanks for Joining Us.Interruptions Happen | Acknowledge, Reframe & GrowKeith and Laura explore how interruptions can hold the potential for growth, insight, and renewed motivation.🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, which helped generate and organize key points based on the podcast transcript.

    59 min
  7. Understanding Our Strengths

    NOV 6

    Understanding Our Strengths

    Keith and Laura explore personal and professional growth, centered on the VIA Institute’s character strengths assessment. As Keith and Laura share their results, listeners are invited to reflect on their own strengths and challenge areas, and learn how self-awareness can fuel progress in life goals. Keith brings a pragmatic lens to the conversation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing not just his strongest traits—love of learning, humor, humility, appreciation of beauty and excellence, and honesty—but also his opportunities for growth, such as teamwork, zest, forgiveness, and self-regulation. He candidly discusses how perfectionism and judgment can hamper progress, offering encouragement to focus on improvement rather than shortcomings. Keith’s openness about challenges, like managing technological frustrations and setting boundaries, models practical resilience for listeners seeking to balance achievement with self-care.  Laura shines as a future-focused optimist, highlighting strengths like hope, love, creativity, gratitude, and—shared with Keith—love of learning. Her commitment to maintaining positivity and planning for long-term fulfillment underlines her approach to personal development. Laura explains how creativity helps her discover new solutions and how gratitude energizes her daily routine. She unpacks the significance of setting boundaries, self-regulation, and teamwork, showing that awareness of lesser strengths can guide actions and deepen relationships. Differing strengths can complement and strengthen partnerships and relationships by creating strong bonds and mutual support when there is awareness and intentional effort to grow around those areas. When strengths overlap, power lies in using that common ground to build trust, understanding, and encouragement in personal and professional settings. Resilient teams and relationships build strong partnerships that thrive when they are built on empathy, trust, and understanding.Thanks for Joining Us.Find your own Character Strengths at https://www.viacharacter.org/Understanding Our Strengths🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links- - - Check out withkeithandlaura.comFusebox the podcast hosting and player we use. Check it out! 💻If you buy something using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.* 🤗The show notes were created with assistance from Perplexity AI, which helped generate and organize key points based on the podcast transcript.

    1h 13m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hi! We are Keith and Laura. We are creatives and makers at heart and looking to make change, for ourselves and people like us who want to dig a little deeper. When you're In Residence as an artist, a writer, a musician, a leader–you're digging deep and tapping into your creativity. Learning and practicing and honing your craft. Creating teams, building relationships and culture, connecting ideas that may not be clearly connected. We see In Residence doing that via conversation. Join us as we push through uncomfortable growth on our way to make a difference. We like to dig deep, explore, learn, and grow.