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. Want to Play | Boost Creativity & Productivity

    5D AGO

    Want to Play | Boost Creativity & Productivity

    Keith and Laura dig into a topic that doesn't get nearly enough attention in the personal development space—play. Not productivity hacks, not morning routines—simple, pure, unstructured, unearned fun. When is the last time you rethought how you spend your downtime?Unplug, Wander, and Let the Creativity FlowLaura's lightbulb moment came from two weeks on the road for work. Conferences in New Mexico and Portland were sandwiched around an unplanned, agenda-free weekend with her sister. They went to a Prince tribute concert, got their tarot cards read, went thrifting, and simply wandered. No goals. No deliverables. Just play.What surprised Laura wasn't how much fun it was, but what happened after. On a plane, surrounded by work reading, she paused mid-flight and opened her book project instead. Words poured out. Thousands of them. Effortlessly. She connected the dots, quietly unlocking a creative reservoir that her go-go-go work mode had kept capped. Her takeaway is clear—stepping away from structure doesn't slow you down. It often fast-tracks the work that actually matters to you.Lego on the TableKeith's version of the same story involves a birthday Lego set that sat untouched on his dining table—not because he didn't want to build it, but because something in his brain kept telling him he hadn't earned it yet. He ate lunch next to it. Every day. He never opened it.This same pattern shows up in how Keith approaches reading, guitar, and creative writing. Things he genuinely loves, but quietly categorizes as rewards to be unlocked after enough productivity. His new D&D group cracked that pattern open a little, reminding him that play often requires the same intentionality as work, and that community is one of the most powerful catalysts for actually showing up to have fun. His commitment going forward: build the Lego, read more for the pure joy of it, and get his guitar chops back. Permission—We Give OurselvesThe through-line is simple and worth sitting with: play isn't the opposite of productivity. It's often the source of it. If your to-do list keeps beating out the things that light you up, this conversation is a useful reminder that fun doesn't have to be earned, it has to be chosen. If you've ever kept walking past something that was supposed to be fun this episode is for you.Thanks for Joining Us.Want to Play | Boost Creativity & Productivity00:00 - Intro01:16 - Why adults stop playing01:37 - Laura's sister weekend that started it all03:26 - Keith reflects on passive vs. active play03:54 - The Lego on the table05:03 - Portland adventures: concerts, tarot cards, and thrifting07:24 - D&D group and rediscovering community play11:36 - The link between play, creativity, and productivity12:26 - When reading for fun becomes homework14:40 - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 18:32 - Closing the work doc and opening the book project21:50 - The difference between relaxing and actually playing26:41 - Breaking from structure unlocks creativity27:42 - "Scrapbook" episode—finding play in editing29:00 - ReStore Tangent 32:18 - What will you do differently?35:03 - Wrap-up and sign-off Keith and Laura have a conversation about how adults, including themselves, have largely stopped making room for play.🔊 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
  2. Sustainable Habits, Feedback & Staying Grounded | Stop Waiting to Be Ready

    MAR 7

    Sustainable Habits, Feedback & Staying Grounded | Stop Waiting to Be Ready

    This episode brings together standout moments from recent In Residence episodes, covering sustainable habits, personal growth, feedback frameworks, holiday stress management, and self-compassion. Keith and Laura use real-life stories and honest reflection to explore what it looks like to grow without burning out. Measured Ambition in Real LifeKeith's word for the year is "measured ambition”—and it's more nuanced than it sounds. He isn't talking about doing less. He's talking about being intentional about where his energy goes, across health, relationships, creative work, and the things he loves, like tennis and woodworking. Keith is honest about the trap of waiting to become "the kind of person who…" before taking the first small step. He names the pattern plainly: if you keep waiting for the right time, you'll reach the end of the year with the same un-started goals. His antidote is practical — journal your priorities, reframe inconvenient tasks as built-in movement, and track what you did, not just what you missed. When nobody is watching, he says, that's actually the best time to try and fail and try again.Transform Through Pressure and Imperfect ActionLaura's word is "transform," grounded in a mantra she wrote herself: I will treat pressure as a privilege, adjust with purpose, and allow this year to transform how I lead, create, and inspire. She brings that same energy to the small, daily decisions — throwing away the holiday candy that wasn't serving her goals, adding stars to her calendar to make her consistency visible, and leaning on the minimum effective dose when the perfect workout isn't possible. Laura also unpacks three types of feedback — appreciation, coaching, and evaluation — and how often we give one while the other person receives something entirely different. Her biggest reminder to listeners: stop living quietly with discomfort. Get curious. Take one small step. You are worth your own care and attention.You Are Worth Your Own Care and AttentionGrowth rarely looks the way we imagine it; from choosing an intention that actually means something, to navigating feedback that stings. Find the small wins and keep leaning in to the uncomfortable growth.Thanks for Joining Us.Sustainable Habits, Feedback & Staying Grounded | Stop Waiting to Be Ready00:00 - Intro00:44 - Keith: Waiting to Become the Kind of Person Who…02:54 - Laura: Reframing Consistency — It's Not About Willpower05:43 - Gap vs. Gain — Looking Back at How Far You've Come06:06 - You Are Not a Trash Can07:18 - Keith & Laura: Choosing a Word of the Year10:38 - Laura's Mantra11:37 - Three Types of Feedback15:53 - Cookies & Misread Feedback19:24 - Pausing & Resetting26:38 - Catching Yourself Going Below the Line28:45 - Noticing Is Just the First Step29:57 - Building Discipline During the Week to Enjoy the Weekend30:55 - Getting Back to Routine36:32 - Minimum Effective Dose38:55 - Nobody's Watching— So Try, Fail, and Try Again40:35 - Stop Living Quietly with Pain or Discomfort41:59 - You Are Worth Your Own Care and Attention

    42 min
  3. Comfortable Discomfort | Shifting from Pain to Agency

    FEB 27

    Comfortable Discomfort | Shifting from Pain to Agency

    There's a strange comfort in the discomfort we know. It's familiar. It doesn't demand hard questions or uncertain answers. But staying silent about what we're carrying has a cost—and in this episode, Keith and Laura get honest about their hesitations and fears.Laura had been pushing through persistent hip pain for months, laughing it off, explaining it away, and telling herself to just work harder. A routine X-ray changed everything: severe arthritis. As scary as that diagnosis was, naming it gave her something she didn't expect — agency. She was finally able to stop treating the wrong problem and build a plan that actually fits her body. Her message is clear: you are worth being cared for, and you don't need to earn it.Keith's pain is less visible but just as real. He's been in therapy for nearly a year working through generalized anxiety, and is now exploring whether high-functioning ADHD might be part of the picture too. He's candid about still being in the "hemming and hawing" stage — not yet ready to pursue a formal evaluation, but getting closer. He reflects on a belief many of us carry quietly: that having a problem makes you an inconvenience. His reframe is one worth holding onto—taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's how you show up better for everyone around you.Together, Keith and Laura make the case for treating your mental and physical health as a non-negotiable, not something to get to when life slows down.If you've been quietly living with something, this episode is your nudge.Thanks for Joining Us.Comfortable Discomfort | Shifting from Pain to Agency00:00 - Intro00:48 - This Episode Might Be Hard to Talk About03:08 - Exploring Why We Delay Addressing Pain04:47 - Laura's Hip Pain & Physical Therapy Journey06:18 - Keith Opens Up About Generalized Anxiety10:11 - The Tension Between Comfort and Seeking Answers11:22 - Protecting Yourself by Staying in Discomfort13:48 - Shame, Embarrassment & "What Did I Do Wrong?"18:07 - Naming It: Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder19:46 - Keith's Exploration of High-Functioning ADHD20:57 - Reframing Labels as Definitions, Not Sentences28:13 - Diagnosis vs. Identity: You Are More Than Your Label29:09 - Empowerment Through Definition — Not Shame30:21 - Manageable Steps: Small Progress Still Counts32:17 - You Are Worth Getting Taken Care Of33:24 - Self-Care Is Not Selfish35:43 - Get Curious, Start Small🔊 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.

    38 min
  4. Overcoming Resistance | Moving Toward a Life You Want

    FEB 20

    Overcoming Resistance | Moving Toward a Life You Want

    Resistance is often about the stories we tell ourselves and what might become  if we try. It isn’t always the thing we are avoiding, rather the commitment, emotional impact, fear of “not getting it,” or wasting time. Twin Peaks becomes the doorway into a bigger conversation about why we hesitate to start new things—and how to move toward the life we actually want, one small choice at a time. Laura and Keith unpack deeper patterns around time, habits, and fear of future commitment.Expectations and Permission to QuitLaura starts with her reluctance to watch certain shows, then realizes her resistance often points to fear about the future shape of her life, not the “show” itself. She worries that liking “one more thing” will consume precious time and energy. To counter this, she leans on small, doable commitments—an episode at a time, a workout in manageable bites—and personal rules like closing a book after page 100 if it’s not working. She shares how these boundaries help her avoid burnout, trust her own taste, and stay aligned with the life she wants to design.Consumption, creation, and “all or nothing” thinkingKeith names a familiar tension: it’s far easier to hit “next episode” than to go for a walk, drink water, or sit down to write. He reflects on how shows, books, and podcasts can be both valuable research and a convenient hiding place from the hard work of creating. Rather than demonizing entertainment, he looks at balance—asking what he is not doing with his time, and how over-bingeing undercuts the goals he says he cares about. Underneath it all is a desire to be more spontaneous, intentional, and realistic about what he can sustain.If you’re resisting something right now—a habit, a project, a conversation, even a new show—this episode is an invitation to get curious instead of critical. Keith and Laura don’t offer rigid plans or quick fixes; they model what it looks like to notice your patterns, question the stories you’re telling yourself, and experiment with smaller, more honest commitments. We’re allowed to stop what isn’t working, to choose what actually fits our lives, and to move toward change at a pace we can sustain.Thanks for Joining Us.Overcoming Resistance | Moving Toward a Life You Want - Episode 130In Residence with Keith and LauraPublished February 20 2026 00:00 - Intro and unexpected resistance02:30 - Default “no” and opportunity cost04:07 - Giving things a chance and discovering new favorites07:30 - Expectations vs reality with intense, “scary” shows10:07 - Consumption, dopamine hits, and wanting more creativity12:20 - Doomscrolling with TV and three-hour binges13:17 - Comfort shows, background TV, and “fish tank” ambiance16:33 - Rethinking binge culture vs weekly slow burns17:31 - How binge vs slow burn mirrors getting things done20:42 - Exercise overload, burnout, and the alligator sprint21:33 - Small, sustainable bites instead of all-or-nothing22:04 - Scheduling, planning, and realistic commitment24:31 - Fearing the future of a commitment more than the first step26:17 - Permission to stop: turning off shows and closing books27:18 - Audiobooks, narrators, and releasing sunk costs29:18 - What they’re resisting now: exercise and writing30:35 - Writing vs “research” and hiding in consumption31:57 - Finishing things you resisted and regretting the time34:12 - Making more room for spontaneity in ordinary routines34:47 - Surprise visit story and romantic spontaneity40:02 - Coming full circle: the reluctant watcher and the life you want🔊 LISTEN ON: ⚪️  with Keith and Laura🟠  Overcast🟣  Apple 🟢  Spotify 🔵  Amazon 🟠  Audible🔴  YouTube 🔴  YouTube Music📺  Full Episode Playlist📱  Shorts Playlist⚫️  Make Create Build Links

    41 min
  5. Deep Connection and Long-term Love

    FEB 12

    Deep Connection and Long-term Love

    When you’ve been together for more than two decades, you start to see relationships differently. In this episode, Keith and Laura use Valentine’s Day as a backdrop to explore what actually keeps their partnership strong. For this couple, the quiet, ordinary moments matter more than big romantic gestures.Rethinking Romance Laura admits that she once expected her partner to meet all of her intellectual, emotional, and social needs and has since learned to “lower the bar” by releasing that pressure. Now, she values having her own work, friendships, and creative outlets alongside their shared life. She also names their decision to be “boring on purpose”—embracing routine, co-resting, and calm weekends at home—as a way to create a reliable home base when life gets stressful.Choosing UnderstandingKeith talks about their relationship as a third thing they both care for, almost like a shared project. For him, connection is about being able to hear each other—choosing environments and rhythms where they can slow down, talk, laugh over “popcorn” TV shows, and restore themselves side-by-side. He also reflects on conflict as an opportunity to understand Laura better, using a recent workout misunderstanding to show how curiosity can replace defensiveness.Creating Conditions for LoveLaura and Keith’s relationship works for them, because they don’t argue to be right; they argue to be understood. They protect the “us” from outside noise, and check in regularly about stress, expectations, and needs. Understanding that very few “big” Valentine’s Days stand out, but the small, ordinary moments have defined their relationship. Focusing on time together, small acts of service, and meaningful conversation rather than elaborate plans, they’ve learned to keep romance simple and passionate.If you’re looking for a more sustainable way to love and be loved, this conversation is for you. To go deeper, visit our website and subscribe to the podcast.Thanks for Joining Us.Deep Connection and Long-term Love🔊 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.

    37 min
  6. Getting UnStuck | One Honest Choice at a Time

    FEB 5

    Getting UnStuck | One Honest Choice at a Time

    Keith and Laura explore how repetition can either trap or teach us. When life feels like Groundhog Day, each morning can look like a repeat of the last: same habits, same frustrations, same stuck places. Instead of chasing perfect plans and predictions about the future. Laura and Keith focus on what they can actually influence: choices, mindset, and how they show up.Repetition, Honest Choices and Letting Go of GuaranteesLaura leans into the idea that repetition is a powerful teacher. Watching the movie, Groundhog Day, again reminds her how repeating the same day reveals patterns. She sees the same dynamic in her own overfull schedule, the difficulty of saying no, and how quickly boundaries can slip if she stops paying attention. Rather than waiting for the “perfect” plan, she anchors to the idea of trusting one honest choice at a time. For Laura, success is less about guaranteed outcomes and more about becoming the kind of person who continues to show up with integrity, even in uncertainty.Getting UnStuck and Small ExperimentsKeith approaches Groundhog Day through the lens of stuck-ness and the inner resistance that comes with perfectionism and fear. He names the “shadow” voice that says you’re not ready or not good enough, and how easy it is to respond by over-researching, delaying, or avoiding action altogether. Instead of waiting for ideal conditions, he advocates for taking the smallest next step and treating change and challenges as a series of experiments. That mindset has helped him move from endlessly preparing to actually building things and improving projects over time.Choosing How You Live TodayLaura and Keith invite you to see your own “Groundhog Days” differently. If repetition is inevitable, it can either reinforce old patterns or become the training ground for who you are becoming. You may not be able to predict exactly how your health will change, how your kids will turn out, or how a project will land, but you can keep making small, honest choices that align with your values. You can rest without guilt, take the next right step, and loosen your grip on certainty.Thanks for Joining Us.Getting UnStuck | One Honest Choice at a Time 00:00 - Intro00:35 - Groundhog Day04:39 - Repetition as a teacher07:22 - From self-indulgence to self-enrichment: choosing how to use your days10:04 - Laura's overfull calendar11:20 - Keith on feeling stuck13:04 - Small experiments, embracing imperfection, and building resilience15:33 - "Trust one honest choice at a time”17:04 - Daily choices that align with who you want to become17:42 - Comfort vs. growth 20:13 - Rest as the first step of readiness  24:20 - Body doubling, focus, and accountability hacks31:02 - What's in your control vs. what isn’t 33:05 - Persistence, resilience,37:23 - Parenting and Prediction without guarantees39:00 - Loosening your grip on certainty and embracing "good enough for now"39:31 - Groundhog predictions 40:09 - Closing 🔊 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.

    40 min
  7. Unlocking Happiness on Purpose with Practice

    JAN 29

    Unlocking Happiness on Purpose with Practice

    In this episode, Keith and Laura explore happiness as contentment tied to purpose, authenticity, and harmony with surroundings, not a problem-free utopia. The couple dives into what happiness truly means. Drawing from books like Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar and Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, plus podcasts by Simon Sinek and Gary Vaynerchuk, they challenge the unicorn-and-rainbows myth. Happiness emerges as sustainable contentment rooted in purpose, small daily practices, and resilience amid obstacles—tools anyone can use to live authentically while advancing their goals.Keith distinguishes happiness from joy, seeing it as harmony where personal desires align with surroundings, avoiding constant sacrifice. He opens up about empathy pitfalls, like assuming Laura's frustration during her self-care pivot and filling in blanks instead of asking curiously. He stresses creating for connection and impact over metrics, echoing Rick Rubin's advice to make for yourself first. Keith urges proclaiming goals boldly, embracing accountability as empowering, and using gratitude to shift moods without reactive emotions.Laura shares recent inspirations, emphasizing tiny habits like celebrating small wins to fuel big goals, happiness is not the absence of problems, and avoid outsourcing your happiness to external conditions. A standout moment is her bath fail turning into satisfying cleaning, showing how goals proclaim confidence in overcoming hurdles. She wraps with key themes—practice builds happiness, it's not problem-free but met with curiosity, own your inner world, and choose optimism even in hardship.Thanks for Joining Us.Unlocking Happiness on Purpose with PracticeKeith and Laura explore happiness as contentment tied to purpose, authenticity, and harmony with surroundings, not a problem-free utopia.🔊 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.

    44 min
  8. Parental Anxiety | Navigating Teen Independence

    JAN 22

    Parental Anxiety | Navigating Teen Independence

    Keith and Laura process and unpack the tension of providing freedom for their teens while instincts scream caution. Their goal as parents is to raise healthy, kind, and resilient kids. But, when it comes to teenage road trips and letting go of control, the parents have growing pains of their own. Curious Not Controlling Keith voices raw fear over teen driving. His impulse to seek details on drivers and passengers feels overbearing. He pivots by offering practical support, like volunteering to drive under probationary rules, without projecting dread. Reflecting on his own teen rides, stranded in Minneapolis or shady valet parking, Keith recognizes that parenthood rewired his risk assessment. However, as the kids become more independent in small ways, it can prepare the parents for bigger leaps and separation like when they head off to college.Action Instead of AnxietyLaura counters anxiety with preparation. From reminding the kids about proper seasonal jackets to past Disney trips packed with snacks and wipes, Laura shifts "what could go wrong" to "what can I control.” Trusting their son's levelheadedness and the company he keeps, the objective is to cultivate a habit of preparedness and intentional planning. Drawing from her solo mall drives and tire sabotage scares, Laura stresses faith in good decision-making, action over rumination, and viewing incidents as team-building milestones that build real-world problem-solving skills.Real Talk and Letting GoOpen communication, active trust and preparation equip us for navigating real-world challenges like teen independence and driving. Growth thrives in discomfort, lean in and reap the benefits while navigating the ups and downs.Thanks for Joining Us.Parental Anxiety | Navigating Teen Independence🔊 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.

    32 min

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.