Mindful, Kindful Living

Connie Warden
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Life doesn’t always go as planned. We get stressed. We react. We miss the exit. And sometimes… we forget to be kind to ourselves along the way. Welcome to Mindful, Kindful Living — a podcast for people who want to slow down, laugh at their humanity, and live with more mindfulness and compassion. I’m Connie Warden, mindfulness teacher and author of Speeding to Compassion, and each week I sit down with thoughtful guests to explore real-life stories — the messy moments, the turning points, and the small shifts that help us move from reaction to reflection. This podcast is for you if you: feel the pressure to be perfectknow that your health is your wealth.want to respond to life with more calm and clarityare curious about mindfulness in everyday situationsor simply want to feel a little more at ease being human We talk about things like emotional intelligence, stress, relationships, resilience, and self-compassion — all through the lens of real stories and honest conversation, with just enough humor to keep things light. New episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays and each one is an invitation to take a breath, reset, and gently steer back toward what matters. If that sounds like something you need, hit follow, and come join us in Mindful, Kindful Living.

Episodes

  1. Oct 7

    Intuitive Mindset Coaching and Learning to Trust Inner Guidance with Fran Gallaher

    Intuitive Mindset Coaching and Learning to Trust Inner Guidance with Fran Gallaer. Host Connie Warden welcomes intuitive mindset coach Fran Gallagher to discuss what intuitive coaching looks like, describing it as asking questions while also receiving and sharing information in-session, and emphasizing the need for permission and structure. Fran recounts growing up with abuse and neglect, seeing non-physical beings, and early experiences that confirmed her intuitive perception, including unexpected accurate palm-reading details.  They explore spirituality as ephemeral and accessed through intuition and the “clairs,” sharing examples like smelling smoke as a warning, Connie’s inexplicable decision to go downstairs that led to helping her cat, a vacation bath impulse that revealed a failing water heater, finding Connie’s missing cats, and an intuition-based job outcome that unfolded in stages.  Fran offers a first step for those who’ve outgrown their life: ask “What do I have energy for?” and take small, grounded next steps. 00:00 Welcome to Mindful Kindful 00:42 Meet Fran Gallagher 02:22 What Is Intuitive Coaching 05:34 Early Intuition Awakening 10:19 Outgrowing Your Life 12:15 Spirituality and the Clairs 17:57 Everyday Intuition Stories 22:04 Finding Lost Cats 24:42 Intuition in Real Life 30:34 First Steps and Prompts 34:56 Closing and How to Connect Find out about Fran's Intuitive Sessions and her classes at her website.  Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

    Intuitive Mindset Coaching and Learning to Trust Inner Guidance with Fran Gallaher

  2. Sep 30

    From Addiction & Eating Disorders to Peak-Bagging, Ultra Running, and Healing - Alyson Kirk

    Alison Kirk: From Addiction & Eating Disorders to Peak-Bagging, Ultra Running, and Healing Host Connie welcomes Alison Kirk—author, entrepreneur, elite climber, ultra runner, and co-founder of The Kirk Project—who shares how a childhood shaped by alcoholism led to her own addiction, then a turning point hiking at Echo Lake that reignited her drive to change. Alison describes transforming through running, then struggling with anorexia and bulimia, and surviving a 2011 winter climbing accident that broke her femur and sparked deeper recovery through therapy and support groups. She recounts building a life with her current husband John centered on mountains, completing every Colorado peak above 10,000 feet, and launching The Kirk Project to climb all contiguous U.S. peaks above 12,000 feet (about 2,122). Alison also details years of unexplained illness caused by cobalt metal poisoning from femur hardware, the importance of having a support team, cultivating a growth mindset, and “doing hard things.” Check out Alyson's Website, Facebook, Instagram and her book " 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:35 Ultra Running Buckles 02:25 Childhood and Addiction Roots 05:38 Echo Lake Turning Point 07:52 Gym Comeback and New Life 09:51 Marathons and Fourteeners 12:12 Eating Disorders Spiral 13:56 Near Fatal Climbing Fall 18:25 Recovery Divorce and Support 21:31 Kirk Project Peak Goals 25:01 Mysterious Illness and Gaslighting 27:56 Metal Poisoning Diagnosis 29:14 Growth Mindset and Hard Things 32:59 Books Socials and Farewell Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

    From Addiction & Eating Disorders to Peak-Bagging, Ultra Running, and Healing - Alyson Kirk

  3. Sep 18

    Cleared for Takeoff: Life, Stress, and the Skies with an Air Traffic Controller

    Inside Air Traffic Control: Stress, Safety, and Why Modernization Takes Time On the Mindful Kindful Living Podcast, the host interviews her husband Brett Warden, an air traffic controller and MITRE subject matter expert who has worked on modernizing airspace and procedures for airports including Singapore and Hong Kong, participated in multiple FAA projects, and spent 25 years as a terminal radar controller in Denver, including the Stapleton-to-DIA transition. Brett recounts air traffic control’s start in 1929 with Archie League using flags and later lights, explains how flights move through ground, tower, departure, en route, and arrival controllers, and describes demanding shift schedules and stress management through confidence and puzzle-solving. He discusses how mistakes are reviewed with recordings and replays, traffic volumes and busiest airports, and why ATC modernization is slow, costly, specialized, and safety-critical. He addresses staffing shortages, training timelines, TSA PreCheck, and explains aviation safety mechanisms and limits, including a Denver takeoff tire-blow incident. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:25 Origins of Air Traffic Control 04:40 How the ATC System Works 06:58 Controller Shifts and Fatigue 08:58 Stress Mindset and Confidence 12:58 Mistakes and Accountability 14:39 Radio Talk and Listening In 16:44 Traffic Volume and Busiest Airports 18:35 Modernization Takes Time 22:23 What Modernizing Means 27:02 US vs International Airports 29:06 Funding Cuts and Staffing Crunch 32:32 TSA PreCheck Debate 34:12 Is Flying Still Safe 37:09 Runway Tire Blowout Story 39:05 Closing Thoughts and Sign Off Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

    Cleared for Takeoff: Life, Stress, and the Skies with an Air Traffic Controller

  4. Aug 26

    From Rejection to Resilience: Keith Renninson's Journey to Mindful Adventure

    Keith Renninson on Tenacity, Resilience, and the TRIP System Host Connie Warden welcomes longtime friend Keith Renninson to Mindful Kindful Living to discuss applying mindfulness and compassion in real life through resilience and storytelling. Keith, a Colorado native, Vietnam veteran, professional speaker, and author of four books, recounts starting at New York Life in 1975, needing a stipend to survive, and being repeatedly given termination forms—fired six times in six months—while relying on mentoring, tenacity, and resilience to keep the job. He explains how getting lost while trekking alone in Nepal inspired his TRIP system—Tenacity, Resilience, Imagination, and Purpose—framed by journaling and “doing hard things,” with happiness as a choice. Keith shares vivid Nepal bus and chicken stories, reflects on tenacity as a life thread, mentions three heart attacks and new limits, and describes recovering from two broken ankles and subsequent knee replacements through challenging physical therapy. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:33 Fired Six Times Story 06:00 TRIP System Origins 10:43 Nepal Bus Roof Adventure 16:41 Tenacity as Life Thread 19:20 Winter Park Drunk Skier Tale 24:04 Bouncing Back From Injuries 29:09 Happiness Choice Closing  Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

    From Rejection to Resilience: Keith Renninson's Journey to Mindful Adventure

  5. Aug 19

    Guiding the Next Generation: Danielle Warden’s Journey in Education

    Teaching with Heart: Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence with Danielle Warden Host Connie Warden welcomes listeners to the Mindful Kindful podcast and interviews her daughter-in-law, Danielle Warden, a certified classroom teacher with nearly two decades of experience, a mother of four, and a passionate advocate for social emotional learning and trauma-informed teaching. Danielle explains trauma-informed teaching as understanding the whole child and being mindful of how expectations, tone, and reactions affect students. She shares how pausing to consider what lies beneath behavior helps bridge the gap between intent and impact, and emphasizes restorative “repair” through apology and relationship-building to cultivate trust. Danielle recounts classroom practices like check-ins, student sharing, and writing to process strong emotions, highlighting the importance of validating feelings. She recommends The Anxious Generation and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, and outlines a practical framework: notice, pause, choose, repair, and begin again. 00:00 Welcome to Mindful Kindful 00:38 Meet Danielle Warden 01:42 What Trauma Informed Means 03:00 Intent vs Impact in Moments 06:31 Repair and Restorative Practices 07:54 Camping Story with Luna 10:40 Classroom Trauma Check In 13:18 Writing It Out to Reset 16:22 Books That Shaped Danielle 18:11 Notice Pause Choose Repair 22:08 Begin Again Closing Thoughts  Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

    Guiding the Next Generation: Danielle Warden’s Journey in Education

  6. Aug 12

    Unveiling Trauma: The Path to Authenticity with Elizabeth Ormes

    Trauma-Informed Healing for High Achievers: Polyvagal Tools, Burnout, and Authentic Growth with Elizabeth Ormes Connie Warden interviews licensed clinical professional counselor Elizabeth Ormes, who has 28 years’ experience and owns Actualizing Your Best Self, working primarily with high achievers struggling with burnout, perfectionism, and disconnection. Ormes explains her level two trauma professional certification as extensive continuing study to better serve trauma survivors, and describes SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol) and RRP (Rest and Restore Protocol), sound-frequency tools based on Dr. Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory that support nervous system regulation and help clients feel safe enough to go deeper in therapy. She shares a case example of an Ivy League–educated lawyer who, after months using SSP and RRP with therapy, became less catastrophizing and more attuned to bodily needs. They discuss common signs overachievers need help, the “sandwich generation,” brain maturation near age 30, and parting encouragement to seek support, stay curious, and embrace authenticity, including Ormes’ July 17 virtual Independent Women’s Conference appearance. Learn more about Elizabeth on her Website, Linkedin, YouTube, Instagram  00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Trauma Certification Explained 04:38 Polyvagal Tools SSP RRP 09:08 Client Success Story 11:32 When High Achievers Hit a Wall 13:00 Life in the Sandwich Generation 17:01 Letting Loved Ones Choose 21:52 Shedding Layers and Greatness 22:33 Hopeful Parting Advice 25:28 Conference Plug and Closing  Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

    Unveiling Trauma: The Path to Authenticity with Elizabeth Ormes

  7. Aug 12

    Stories We Tell Ourselves: How a Motorcycle Class Led to More Mindfulness

    Catching the Stories We Make Up: A Motorcycle Class Lesson in Mindfulness In this episode of Mindful Kindful Living, Connie shares a personal story from a weekend motorcycle workshop at Red Rocks Community College to illustrate how often people invent untrue stories in their heads with limited information. She describes the class dynamics, learning to ride through small steps, and ultimately passing the motorcycle test, then being told by one of three whispering classmates that they had assumed she wouldn’t make it. Reflecting later while writing her book Speeding To Compassion, Connie recognizes she also made judgments, labeling others and reducing them to stereotypes. She emphasizes mindfulness as becoming aware of repetitive thoughts, catching the stories before believing them, and choosing to drop or rewrite them more kindly in everyday situations like driving, relationships, and texting. 00:00 Welcome and Theme 00:35 Motorcycle Class Begins 02:03 Parking Lot Riding Basics 03:21 Test Day and Results 04:05 A Surprising Comment 04:29 Mindfulness and Made Up Stories 06:34 Rewriting Stories with Kindness 07:38 Challenge and Closing Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

  8. Trailer

    Mindful, Kindful Living Podcast Trailer

    Life doesn’t always go as planned. We get stressed. We react. We miss the exit. And sometimes… we forget to be kind to ourselves along the way. Welcome to Mindful, Kindful Living — a podcast for people who want to slow down, laugh at their humanity, and live with more mindfulness and compassion. I’m Connie Warden, mindfulness teacher and author of Speeding to Compassion, and each week I sit down with thoughtful guests to explore real-life stories — the messy moments, the turning points, and the small shifts that help us move from reaction to reflection. This podcast is for you if you: feel the pressure to be perfectknow that your health is your wealth.want to respond to life with more calm and clarityare curious about mindfulness in everyday situationsor simply want to feel a little more at ease being humanWe talk about things like emotional intelligence, stress, relationships, resilience, and self-compassion — all through the lens of real stories and honest conversation, with just enough humor to keep things light. New episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays and each one is an invitation to take a breath, reset, and gently steer back toward what matters. If that sounds like something you need, hit follow, and come join us in Mindful, Kindful Living. Want to know more about my book, acupuncture, and my online yoga classes?  Check out my website

  • 1 Trailer
    7 Episodes

Trailer

About

Life doesn’t always go as planned. We get stressed. We react. We miss the exit. And sometimes… we forget to be kind to ourselves along the way. Welcome to Mindful, Kindful Living — a podcast for people who want to slow down, laugh at their humanity, and live with more mindfulness and compassion. I’m Connie Warden, mindfulness teacher and author of Speeding to Compassion, and each week I sit down with thoughtful guests to explore real-life stories — the messy moments, the turning points, and the small shifts that help us move from reaction to reflection. This podcast is for you if you: feel the pressure to be perfectknow that your health is your wealth.want to respond to life with more calm and clarityare curious about mindfulness in everyday situationsor simply want to feel a little more at ease being human We talk about things like emotional intelligence, stress, relationships, resilience, and self-compassion — all through the lens of real stories and honest conversation, with just enough humor to keep things light. New episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays and each one is an invitation to take a breath, reset, and gently steer back toward what matters. If that sounds like something you need, hit follow, and come join us in Mindful, Kindful Living.

Information

  • Creator
    Connie Warden
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mindful, Kindful Living
  • Show Website
    Mindful, Kindful Living