Fearlessly Feral Living!

Karen

Fearlessly Feral Living means successful creative living. Unbounded joyful living. Wild and free living. Living a life uncontrolled by outer conditions, but instead with a trained mind and thoughts and beliefs that serve you. read less
EducationEducation
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality
Self-ImprovementSelf-Improvement
SpiritualitySpirituality

Episodes

Guests Rev. Gil Olmstead and Robyn Olmstead, RScP
Sep 2 2024
Guests Rev. Gil Olmstead and Robyn Olmstead, RScP
Send us a textSummary Introductions and background @ 0:00Karen introduces her podcast "Fearlessly Feral Living" and her guests, Reverend Gil Olmstead and Robyn Rice Olmstead. She provides background on their roles - Gil is the senior minister at Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living, and Robyn is a practitioner emeritus and an "artivist" (artist/activist). They discuss their upcoming trip to the Conference of the Americas in Mexico in August.Navigating a remote marriage @ 5:29 Karen asks Gil and Robin about how they make their long-distance marriage work, given that they live in separate states. They share that they had to consciously vision and align on their priorities as a couple, and that active listening, balance, and trusting the unfolding process have been key principles. They recount stories of how their wedding vision unexpectedly manifested in unique ways.The visioning process @ 21:28 Gil and Robin explain the visioning process they use, which involves opening oneself to receive guidance from Spirit about a vision, rather than trying to force a predetermined outcome. They share examples of how their wedding vision unfolded in surprising ways that were more meaningful than their initial plans.Upcoming events @ 45:02 Karen and her guests discuss the upcoming Conference of the Americas in Mexico that Gil and Robin will be attending and presenting at. Karen also shares about her new interim minister assignment in Bakersfield, which will involve a long drive she's looking forward to.Support the PodcastDonate Via PayPalVisit our WebsiteSupport the Show.
The Beauty and the Beast of the Road Less Traveled
Sep 2 2024
The Beauty and the Beast of the Road Less Traveled
Send us a textKaren discusses her recent trip to Bakersfield, California, and her preference for taking the "road less traveled" rather than the main highway. She describes the beauty and serenity of driving along Highway 178, but also the anxiety she experienced about potentially breaking down in a remote area. She emphasizes the importance of having a sense of adventure and humor when taking the road less traveled.Overcoming anxiety and staying present When Karen starts to feel anxious about potential car trouble on the remote road, she describes her techniques for managing her PTSD-related anxiety, including deep breathing, body relaxation, and self-reassurance. She highlights the importance of staying present and mindful, rather than letting anxiety ruin the enjoyment of the journey.Discovering unexpected sights and experiences As Karen continues her drive, she comes across unexpected natural wonders like Lake Isabella and the "Canyon of Delights" with the dramatic Kern River. She expresses a desire to return and explore these areas more thoroughly, especially with her camera. Karen emphasizes how taking the road less traveled can lead to discovering beautiful and unexpected experiences.The benefits of an optimistic mindset Karen contrasts the benefits of an optimistic, "Pollyanna" mindset versus a pessimistic one when taking the road less traveled. She argues that an optimistic outlook, grounded in the principles of Science of Mind, allows one to fully embrace the uncertainty and possibilities of the journey, rather than getting stuck in anxiety and fear.Recap and encouragement to try the road less traveled In closing, Karen reflects on her successful journey down Highway 178 and the sense of empowerment and accomplishment she felt. She encourages listeners to consider taking the road less traveled, either literally or metaphorically, as a way to open themselves up to new experiences and personal growth.Support the PodcastDoSupport the Show.
Pearls
Jul 15 2024
Pearls
Send us a textImpromptu Zoom Meeting - July 14Karen discusses two Bible passages about pearls - "don't cast pearls before swine" (meaning don't share wisdom with those unwilling to learn) and the "pearl of great price" (representing the inner work required to attain spiritual growth and fulfillment). She explains how these metaphors relate to communicating with those who think differently and the importance of doing one's own inner work.Karen reflects on the divisiveness in society and the tendency for people to attack each other over differing views. She suggests that the solution is to meet people where they are with love and kindness, find common ground, and communicate gently rather than resorting to verbal attacks.Karen compares the process of working through difficult emotions to an oyster turning grains of sand into pearls. She encourages listeners to not deny or suppress their feelings, but to instead allow them to pass through and glean the wisdom and growth that can come from them.Karen explains that attaining the "kingdom of heaven" (a state of inner peace and fulfillment) requires the "great price" of doing the difficult inner work of self-discovery - exploring one's beliefs, values, and shadows, and being willing to change limiting thought patterns.After doing the inner work, Karen suggests that one can then approach others with more compassion and effectiveness, meeting them where they are at. She emphasizes that this inner work is the key to empowerment and living a "fearlessly feral" life.Support the podcastDonate via PayPalOur web siteSupport the Show.
Guest Rev. Christine Green
May 7 2024
Guest Rev. Christine Green
Send us a textSummary Karen introduces the podcast "Fearlessly Feral Living" and welcomes her guest, Reverend Christine Green. Karen shares three things she knows about Christine from her Facebook page - that she is passionate about peace, has a dry sense of humor, and loves photography. Karen also mentions that they met through their work on the interim ministry team at Centers for Spiritual Living. Christine discusses the inspiration and process behind writing her new book "Conscious Choices: A Woman's Guide to Clarity, Courage and Connection." She shares that the book was born out of her experience mentoring women and their desire for a resource that addressed their specific challenges. Christine decided to write the book and include stories from the women she worked with to help others realize they are not alone.Christine shares that while writing the book, she experienced the loss of her husband to cancer. This led her to publish a separate journal called "Anatomy of Caring" to help others document their experiences as caregivers. Christine and Karen discuss the importance of allowing oneself to fully experience grief, without judgment, as a path to greater clarity, courage and connection.Karen and Christine emphasize the importance of cultivating personal self-awareness through practices like observation and journaling. They discuss the differences between stream-of-consciousness writing and more structured "conscious journaling" that focuses on identifying facts, emotions and underlying beliefs. Both agree these practices are essential for personal growth and creating a life that works for everyone. Christine provides an overview of the different topics and challenges covered in her book, including self-esteem, self-judgment, doubt, money, relationships, and learning to speak up for oneself. She explains how the book ties these issues to spiritual principles to help readers find clarity, courage and connection.Support the PodcastDonate via PayPalFearlessly Feral Web SiteRev Christine's Web SiteSupport the Show.
Spiritual Integrity
May 4 2024
Spiritual Integrity
Send us a textThe purpose of this episode is to discuss the connection between spiritual integrity and personal integrity, provide examples of being in and out of integrity, and offer guidance on getting back into integrity.Key Takeaways·         Spiritual integrity means feeling whole and in communion with God/Spirit. Personal integrity stems from spiritual integrity.·         Out of integrity looks like secrecy, blame, judgment, lack of joy/beauty. In integrity means living openly, taking responsibility, and embodying spiritual qualities.·         To get back into integrity: sit quietly, commune with Spirit, remember oneness. Then take aligned actions.Defining Spiritual Integrity·         Spiritual integrity means feeling complete oneness with God/Spirit - recognizing God as fully present in us. It is wholeness.·         Being out of spiritual integrity manifests as feeling separate, lonely, unmotivated. Having secrets is a sign of misalignment.Linking Spiritual & Personal Integrity·         Personal integrity flows from spiritual integrity. When we're spiritually whole, we naturally live in alignment with values.·         Out of personal integrity looks like not keeping commitments, hiding truth, blaming others, justifying actions.Getting Back into Integrity·         Sit quietly, commune with Spirit, contemplate oneness. Remember you are a unique manifestation of God.·         Then take actions aligned with love, peace, joy. Speak your truth with compassion. Live openly.Next Steps:·         Listeners are encouraged to self-reflect on areas of misalignment and take time to reconnect spiritually.·         The podcast will continue sharing guidance on embodying spiritual principles in daily life.Your support is very much appreciated and comes back to you multiplied!  Not only that, but it is tax deductible!Support the podcastDonate on PayPalOur web siteSupport the Show.
Four Stages of Spiritual Growth
Apr 27 2024
Four Stages of Spiritual Growth
Send us a textPodcast episode about the four stages of spiritual growth.Key Takeaways·         There are four stages of spiritual growth: victim, life happens by me, life happens through me, life happens as me.·         We can move between these stages, even multiple times in one day.·         Spiritual practices help us move to higher stages of spiritual growth.Introduction·         This episode is about the four stages of spiritual growth originally developed by Michael Bernard Beckwith.·         These stages help discern where you are spiritually and where you want to be.What is Consciousness?·         Consciousness is our physical, mental and spiritual beingness.·         It's how we show up in the world and forms our opinions about life.·         Consciousness can change - Karen gives the example of how hers changed from victim mode to empowerment.The Four Stages·         Stage One: Victim. Life happens to me.·         Stage Two: Life happens by me. Beginning to take control.·         Stage Three: Life happens through me. Become a channel for spirit.·         Stage Four: Life happens as me. No separation between self and spirit.·         We use spiritual practices to move between the stages.Karen's Experience·         Karen shares her personal experience moving from Stage One to Stage Two after getting sober.·         She now hangs out in Stages Three and Four, with occasional visits to lower stages.Closing·         We can move between the stages fluidly, even multiple times in one day.·         Awareness of the stages gives us tools to handle challenges and continue progressing.Support the podcast and hereFearlessly Feral websiteSupport the Show.