Julie Lythcott-Haims on the Power of Telling Your Truth
In this powerful conversation from the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Julie Lythcott-Haims — New York Times bestselling author, activist, politician, and former Stanford dean — about how mindfulness can help us face shame, rewrite old stories, and create space for authentic belonging. Julie shares how she first discovered mindfulness in her 30s, how body awareness helped her get out of her own way, and how storytelling became a tool for healing unprocessed pain. She reflects on writing Real American, her memoir on race and belonging, and the liberation that came from releasing stories she had carried for decades. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 04:11 – mindfulness as a path to self-awareness 06:40 – Writing as emotional release 10:35 – Holding space with compassion 14:41 – The courage of vulnerability 21:16 – Helicopter Parenting: lesson in parenting and self-growth 30:25 – Post-It notes of connection 33:00 – Freeing others through your story 36:57 – Releasing fear and finding courage to be seen 38:25 – A moment of belonging with a taxi driver 41:03 – Building bridges across difference 46:25 – Living authentically with compassion 🔗Know more about Julie Julie Lythcott-Haims: julielythcotthaims.com Substack: julielythcotthaims.substack.com TED Talk: How to Raise an Adult Books: How to Raise an Adult, Real American, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 mindfulnessexercises.com/certify Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: mindfulnessexercises.com Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community Instagram: @Mindfulness.Exercises LinkedIn: Mindfulness Exercises Facebook: Exercising Mindfulness 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at Mindfulness Exercises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 Okt 56min
What to Do When You Feel Stuck in Your Mindfulness Practice
At some point in practice, many of us wonder: Why does it feel like I’m not growing anymore? In this excerpt from our Community Gathering Q&A, a student opens up about reaching a plateau after years of mindfulness and healing work. Sean Fargo offers a compassionate reframing that feeling stuck is not failure, but often a sign that something deeper is asking for attention. Along the way, he shares practical ways to soften this stuckness — from grounding in nature, to seeking help and support, to practicing forgiveness and self-compassion. This conversation reminds us that plateaus are not the end of the journey, but turning points that can open us into greater freedom, resilience, and wholeness. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:32 – Updating the Blueprint 02:26 – Stuck Energy 03:30 – Asking for Support 04:40 – Grounding & Renewal Practices 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 mindfulnessexercises.com/certify Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: mindfulnessexercises.com Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community Instagram: @Mindfulness.Exercises LinkedIn: Mindfulness Exercises Facebook: Exercising Mindfulness 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at Mindfulness Exercises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3 Okt 8min
Loch Kelly on Effortless Mindfulness in Everyday Moments
In this episode of Mindfulness Exercises, Sean Fargo and Loch Kelly explore the essence of effortless mindfulness—a direct shift into awake, loving awareness that doesn’t rely on heavy concentration. Loch shows how quick “glimpses” can reset us, how flow isn’t the same as hyper-focus, and how using visual, auditory, or felt cues helps mindfulness land in everyday life and teaching. Whether you’re a mindfulness teacher, therapist, coach, or a practitioner navigating stress or attention challenges, you’ll get clear language, quick practices, and compassionate tools to bring mindfulness into daily life and share it with integrity. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 06:18 - Catching "glimpses" 16:14 - Effortless mindfulness 19:18 - Going back to your ego center 24:55 - Guided Glimpse Practice 32:22 - What's doing the glimpsing 41:01 - How to release your barriers? 49:58 - Shortcut to understanding the mind 1:09:08 - Imposter Syndrome as a facilitator 🔗Know more about Loch Kelly 🌐Website 📱Mindful Glimpses App (Get it 20% off) 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 mindfulnessexercises.com/certify Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: mindfulnessexercises.com Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community Instagram: @Mindfulness.Exercises LinkedIn: Mindfulness Exercises Facebook: Exercising Mindfulness 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at Mindfulness Exercises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 Sep 1h 22min
Staying Present Longer: The Interplay of Mindfulness & Concentration
In this episode, Sean Fargo explores the deep relationship between mindfulness and concentration — two practices that are often taught separately but in reality support and sustain each other. Drawing inspiration from his teacher Ajahn Chah, Sean reflects on how concentration serves as the foundation that allows mindfulness to stay steady with the unfolding present moment. Through personal stories from his years as a Buddhist monk and practical concentration exercises, Sean highlights how simplicity, stillness, and focus can help us extend the duration of our presence. From visualizations in the belly to counting breaths, focusing on external objects, or repeating loving-kindness phrases, concentration practice becomes a refuge from the busyness of modern life and a gateway into joy, clarity, and perspective. Listeners are invited to experiment with lengthening their meditations, stringing together multiple sessions, or even holding mini at-home retreats. Sean Fargo also shares candid reflections on challenges like the five hindrances, the difference between grasping and genuine focus, and how deep concentration can lead to profound insights, stillness, and even some of life’s happiest moments. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why mindfulness and concentration are “two ends of the same stick” Practical techniques to stay present longer, from breath counting to visualization How concentration fuels mindfulness and supports choiceless awareness The role of concentration in overcoming the five hindrances Insights into stillness, joy, and clarity that arise with deeper practice Resources & Links: Watch the full session on YouTube: Staying Present Longer Learn more about Ajahn Chah’s teachings: ajahnchah.org Explore free meditations, courses, and trainings at MindfulnessExercises.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 Sep 55min
What Should You Teach First as a Mindfulness Teacher?
One of the biggest questions new mindfulness teachers face is simple but daunting: Where do I even begin? This episode comes straight from a live Zoom call with Sean Fargo and his students, Sean Fargo responds to a heartfelt question: “When you’re just starting out, how do you know what to teach first?” Sean shares his own journey of finding direction as a new teacher, including moments of fear, uncertainty, and surprising inspiration — from teaching mindfulness in prisons, to healthcare, to corporate boardrooms. Rather than following a rigid curriculum, he emphasizes starting with who your heart feels called to help. Whether you’re just starting to guide mindfulness or refining your teaching path, this conversation offers heartfelt encouragement: you don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:37 – Sean’s First Advice 03:05 – Teaching from Shared Struggles 04:17 – Early Teaching Story 05:59 – Following Opportunities 07:17 – Letting Your Practice Lead 09:14 – Finding Your Niche 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 mindfulnessexercises.com/certify Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: mindfulnessexercises.com Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community Instagram: @Mindfulness.Exercises LinkedIn: Mindfulness Exercises Facebook: Exercising Mindfulness 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at Mindfulness Exercises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
19 Sep 12min
Allowing Space to Simply Feel and Be (Guided Meditation)
In this gentle bedtime practice, Sean Fargo guides us through a soothing meditation to unwind the nervous system and soften into rest. Rather than trying to fix or change anything, this meditation invites you to allow what’s here and let it be held in a space of kindness. Whether you’re lying down for the night or simply seeking a few quiet moments to reset, this practice supports a natural shift into stillness and safety. There’s nothing to solve or get right—only an invitation to breathe, relax, and be. 💭 What You’ll Experience A slow, spacious invitation into rest Guidance that welcomes whatever sensations, thoughts, or feelings arise A reminder that you don’t need to be “calm” to allow calmness A deeply relaxing pause to end the day with care 🧘 Want to certify to teach mindfulness? Schedule a free Zoom call with Sean here: https://calendly.com/sean-108/certification ⭐ Please leave us a 5-star review. It will help others find the podcast. Thank you!!! 🔗 Join our free mindfulness meditation community: https://connect.mindfulnessexercises.com/feed Instagram: @Mindfulness.Exercises LinkedIn: Mindfulness Exercises Facebook: Exercising Mindfulness 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at Mindfulness Exercises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12 Sep 29min
Dr. Steve Haberlin on Bringing Mindfulness Into Higher Education
In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo sits down with Dr. Steve Haberlin—educator, mindfulness teacher, and researcher dedicated to helping aspiring teachers share mindfulness with authenticity and confidence. Sean and Dr. Haberlin explore the unique challenges facing today’s college students — from stress and distraction to the mental health crisis on campuses. Steve shares how he began weaving mindfulness into the classroom, what the data says about its benefits, and why practices like breathwork, box breathing, and loving-kindness can help students regulate stress and unlock their potential. His research and teaching reveal both the opportunities and barriers to bringing mindfulness into academic settings, offering insights for educators, parents, and students alike. Whether you’re a mindfulness teacher, a college educator, or simply someone navigating stress, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration to bring mindfulness into everyday life. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 02:42 – Discovering meditation at age 12 06:34 – How practice evolved into daily life 10:02 – Bringing mindfulness into classrooms 15:54 – Research findings: stress, anxiety & student well-being 18:54 – Barriers students face with mindfulness 21:31 – What practices work best (MBSR, loving-kindness, box breathing) 23:40 – Risks of pushing practices too far, too fast 32:25 – Mindfulness tech: apps, neurofeedback, and AI 🌿 Tune in to learn how to move beyond self-doubt, step into your voice, and share mindfulness in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. 🔗Know more about Dr. Steve Haberlin Email: steve.haberlin@ucf.eduWorkshop📖 Books: Meditation in the College Classroom: A Pedagogical Tool to Help Students De-Stress, Focus, and ConnectCalming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning in K-12 Classrooms Want to certify to teach mindfulness? Schedule a free Zoom call with Sean here: https://calendly.com/sean-108/certification ⭐ Please leave us a 5-star review. It will help others find the podcast. Thank you!!! 🔗 Join our free mindfulness meditation community: https://connect.mindfulnessexercises.com/feed Instagram: @Mindfulness.Exercises LinkedIn: Mindfulness Exercises Facebook: Exercising Mindfulness 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at Mindfulness Exercises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 Sep 44min
