Critical Conversations

Karissa Dean
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to a podcast that challenges social norms and pushes boundaries in personal development and coaching. We dive deep into Critical Conversations, exploring topics that make us uncomfortable—but that’s where real growth happens. Through raw interviews and insights, we’ll break down societal expectations and explore new ways of thinking, living, and evolving. If you're ready to expand your mindset and challenge what you think you know, this space is for you.

  1. 3d ago

    Quick Update + Let's talk GOALS: Are Your Goals Still Yours?

    Welcome back to Critical Conversations. Today’s episode is a little bit of a life update, a little bit of a reality check, and a whole lot of me thinking out loud about goals, accountability, community, action, discipline, and purpose. This is a thick one. Because lately I’ve been doing some serious reflecting on the goals I’ve set, the things I say I want, the things I’m actually doing, and the spaces where those two things aren’t quite lining up. And I think there’s something really important in that. Sometimes we don’t need a new goal. We need to revisit the goal we already have. Sometimes we need to reshape it. Sometimes we need to admit that it’s no longer what we want. And sometimes we need to create completely new disciplines, structures, relationships, and communities to actually support the thing we say we’re trying to create. Because wanting something and creating something are two very different things. So today, I’m sharing where I’m at, what I’m learning, and some of the questions I’m asking myself—and hopefully, they’ll get you asking a few of your own. Are your goals still yours? Do your current habits actually support them? Who are you accountable to? Who is in your community? And are you taking the kind of action that moves you toward the life you say you want? So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s have a Critical Conversation about what happens when we stop just setting goals and start getting really honest about what it’s going to take to create them.

  2. Aug 20

    Coming Home to Yourself with Laurie Parente

    In this episode of Critical Conversations, I’m joined by my mentor, coach, and dear friend, Laurie Parente, for a conversation about what it really means to come home to yourself. Laurie and I are also coming together to host the Come Home Retreat at Cowgirls Unlimited Ranch, October 9–11, 2026. This isn’t your typical retreat. We’re creating an intimate experience that gives you space to slow down, reconnect, and listen to yourself—but also equips you with practical tools and sustainable practices you can actually take home with you. We talk about what happens when we stop living from the noise, expectations, and responsibilities around us and start listening to the person underneath it all. If you’ve been craving space to breathe, reconnect, and remember who you are, I’d love for you to listen—and maybe join us at the ranch. Learn more about the Come Home Retreat:Cowgirls Unlimited Ranch — Come Home Retreat Want 10% off? Email me or reach out to Laurie directly for your discount code. hello@cu-ranch.com Follow Laurie on Instagram: @laurieparente Come home to yourself.

  3. Jul 30

    Pilates, Ponies & Pork (PPP) Interview with Dr. Jordan Graeme

    The horses. The movement. The magic.  A new episode of Critical Conversations all about what's coming to Cowgirls Unlimited Ranch this September! I brought on the incredible woman who will be leading the Pilates portion of our upcoming Pilates, Ponies & Pork (PPP) event, and we had such a fun conversation about what happens when we combine movement, horses, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Curious what PPP is all about? Want to meet the woman behind the Pilates? Tune in to Critical Conversations and get the inside scoop on what's coming to the ranch this September! And if you're ready to join us… we'll see you at the ranch! Dr. Jordan Graeme, DC, MS, DCN, MBA What if the greatest barrier to healing isn’t your body—but believing you’re worthy of healing in the first place? After years of struggling with alopecia, Dr. Jordan Graeme knows firsthand what it’s like to have your identity shaken and your confidence tested. That journey didn’t just change her life—it transformed the way she cares for others. Today, she helps people move beyond self-doubt, reconnect with their worth, and understand that true healing begins when we stop trying to fix who we are and start embracing ourselves with courage and compassion. Blending science with deeply personal experience, Dr. Jordan brings a refreshing perspective on confidence, identity, resilience, and the powerful connection between emotional well-being and physical health. Her message reminds audiences that our differences aren’t flaws to overcome—they’re often the very things that make us powerful. A chiropractor, functional medicine practitioner, and fellowship-trained expert in integrative medicine, Jordan spent a decade working in a hospital setting where she helped bridge the gap between traditional medicine and whole-person care. She also holds advanced degrees in clinical nutrition and business and has developed an innovative chiropractic-Pilates approach that integrates movement, structure, and metabolic health. Whether she’s speaking about self-worth, overcoming adversity, body image, or what it really means to heal from the inside out, Dr. Jordan leaves audiences with practical tools, hope, and a renewed belief that they are already enough. When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll find her on her horse, caring for her farm, or writing her upcoming hybrid memoir on identity, resilience, and healing. Find Jordan Here: https://www.instagram.com/drjmgraeme

  4. Jul 9

    Come Stay & Play: The Story of Cowgirls Unlimited Ranch

    She finally has a name. Cowgirls Unlimited Ranch has been a labor of love for longer than I can explain. It's been built through late nights, big dreams, hard lessons, and an unwavering belief that there needed to be a place where people could reconnect—with nature, with horses, with community, and most importantly, with themselves. In this episode, I'm sharing it all. ✨ The who.✨ The what.✨ The where.✨ And most importantly... the why. This isn't just a ranch. It isn't just a business. It's a place rooted in freedom, adventure, healing, laughter, and possibility. If you've been wondering what Cowgirls Unlimited is all about, this episode is for you. I hope you'll listen. I hope you'll dream with me. And someday soon... I hope you'll come stay & play.

  5. Jul 2

    The Problem With Hope (And Why We Need It Anyway)

    Hope isn't the problem. The way we've been taught to use it is. We've been told to hope things get better.Hope someone changes.Hope the opportunity comes.Hope life works out. But hope without action can quietly become powerlessness. In this episode of Critical Conversations, we're talking about reclaiming your power. About becoming a co-creator instead of waiting for life to happen to you. Awareness is where it begins.Wake up.Open up.Choose differently. Because you weren't created to sit on the sidelines hoping for your life.You were created to participate in it. 🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts and let me know... what are you choosing to create?

  6. Jun 18

    Debunking Manifestation: What Actually Creates the Life You Want

    Manifestation isn't magic—it's intention, alignment, and action. ✨ In this episode of Critical Conversations, I'm debunking the myths around manifesting and sharing what I've learned through my own real-life experiences. Plus, we're redefining the word "manifest" so it feels empowering, not overwhelming.

  7. Jun 4

    The Power of Presence: Your Gateway to Abundance

    What if abundance isn't something you create—but something you learn to notice? In today's episode, we're diving into the power of presence and how being fully present can open the door to a more abundant life. Presence is more than a mindset; it's a practice. And when we learn to slow down, tune in, and truly experience the moment we're in, everything begins to shift. In this powerful conversation, I'll share simple ways to start cultivating presence in your everyday life, why it matters, and how it can transform the way you experience abundance. Plus, I'm sharing a few personal updates, life nuggets, and lessons I've been learning along the way. If you've been feeling rushed, disconnected, or like life is passing you by, this episode is for you. Tune in, get curious, and discover how the practice of presence may be the key to unlocking the abundance that's already around you. I hope you love this episode as much as I loved creating it for you. Questions, thoughts, or takeaways? I'd love to hear from you at hello@karissadean.com.

  8. May 15

    Trust Yourself & Everything Changes

    In this episode of Critical Conversations, we dive into alignment, intuition, and the power of learning to truly trust yourself. This is a heartfelt conversation about listening to your gut, following your heart, and recognizing that many of the answers we search for already live within us. We talk about how self-trust is built through experience, healing, and remembering everything we’ve already overcome. When we begin moving through life with deeper trust in ourselves, we open the door for greater clarity, purpose, connection, and spiritual alignment. This episode is a reminder that your intuition matters, your inner voice deserves to be heard, and that growth often begins the moment we stop doubting ourselves. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who may need it. Questions or inquiries:hello@karissadean.com

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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to a podcast that challenges social norms and pushes boundaries in personal development and coaching. We dive deep into Critical Conversations, exploring topics that make us uncomfortable—but that’s where real growth happens. Through raw interviews and insights, we’ll break down societal expectations and explore new ways of thinking, living, and evolving. If you're ready to expand your mindset and challenge what you think you know, this space is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Karissa Dean
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Karissa Dean
  • Show Website
    Critical Conversations