Advertise on podcast: Meditative Story

Growing up, Rachel Cargle was used to seeing things her family couldn’t afford. As she got older, became a writer, lecturer, and philanthropist, she continued to seek opportunities just beyond her grasp. Hard work and creativity allowed her to grow successful as an entrepreneur, but deeper challenges still remained. In this episode of Meditative Story, Rachel unfolds how she found fulfillment by turning her gifts outward. Listen to Larry Jackson’s episode of Meditative Story, "To visualize ... and make it so": http://listen.meditativestory.com/LarryJacksonSeason1 Learn more about The Loveland Foundation, Inc., Rachel's non-profit organization offering free therapy to Black women and girls: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/ Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has long been able to tap into her unique gifts as an artist to create beauty. In today’s episode, she shares how she learned to use her gifts to create opportunities for healing as well, especially when mourning the loss of her friend and colleague Chadwick Boseman.  Find Ruth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealruthecarter/ Find Ruth’s book, The Art of Ruth E. Carter: https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/the-art-of-ruth-e-carter If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When life pulls us in a million different directions, it’s easy to feel distracted. The harder it is to quiet our minds, the more difficult it can be to find the moments of peace that are so essential to our well–being. In today’s meditation, Rohan guides us through three tools that can help us build our practice of finding steadiness and stability.  If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawyer and master communicator Jefferson Fisher loves taking care of other people. You can feel this in the supportive videos he posts on his wildly popular social media channels. Again and again he puts the wants and needs of others ahead of his own. In his story this week, Jefferson discovers the power of showing up for himself, and when he does, he’s given the chance to show up more fully for others. Listen to Jane McGonigal's Meditative Story, "Finding my own reflection": https://listen.meditativestory.com/JaneMcGonigalPIO Find Jefferson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jefferson_fisher Find Jefferson on Facebook: https://facebook.com/justaskjefferson Find Jefferson on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lulu Wang, writer-director of The Farewell, and Expats, grows up in a family where the expectations for her future are clear: she’s destined to become a piano prodigy, and she must be grateful for the sacrifices her parents have made to give her that opportunity. In today’s episode, Lulu tells the story of how she finally finds her own space away from those expectations, and in doing so, unlocks the joy of making her own discoveries. Listen to Franklin Leonard's Meditative Story, "Writing the main character": https://listen.meditativestory.com/FranklinLeonardPIO Lulu’s new show, EXPATS, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Expats-Season-1/dp/B0CMHGXRHN  Find Lulu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thumbelulu/ Find Lulu on X: https://twitter.com/thumbelulu If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Garrett McNamara is a legend in the surfing world who’s ridden some of the biggest waves on the planet. To maintain his surfing career, Garrett spends all his time and energy chasing the next big swell. But when he unexpectedly gets knocked off his board, he has to step away from doing the thing that makes him the happiest. He tells the story of how he learns to embrace all the moments life has to offer, rather than always chasing the next wave. Garrett’s television show “100 Foot Wave” won an Emmy award for Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program at the 2024 ceremony. Listen to Keith Yamashita's Meditative Story, "Starting the story of my life again": https://listen.meditativestory.com/KeithYamashitaPIO Find out more about Garrett and the McNamara Foundation: https://www.garrettmcnamara.com Find Garrett on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcnamara_s/ If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year, veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart, has long had a passion for helping animals. Yet when a difficult work environment leaves him entirely depleted, he starts to consider walking away from his profession forever. It’s only when an unexpected encounter reminds him to return to the fundamentals, that he rediscovers the magic of his craft. Listen to Hrishikesh Hirway's Meditative Story, "Giving myself permission to create": https://listen.meditativestory.com/HrishikeshHirwayPIO Visit Dr. Stewart's website: drkwanestreetvet.com  Find Dr. Stewart on Instagram: https://instagram.com/drkwane Fine Project Street Vet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestreetvet Discover Dr. Stewart's book, What it Takes to Save a Life: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/what-it-takes-to-save-a-life-kwane-stewart?variant=40766843846690 Learn more about Dr. Stewart's CNN Hero Award: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/10/world/cnn-hero-of-the-year-dr-kwane-stewart-homeless-pets/index.html If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gretchen Rubin is an expert on happiness, and she's spent her career helping people build the habits to achieve it. But she assumed that if something works for her, it should work for just about anyone. A series of chance encounters, and a healthy helping of curiosity, makes Gretchen realize that maybe there isn't one path to happiness after all. That there's no right or wrong way to build a meaningful life, just the way that works for you.  Learn more at https://gretchenrubin.com/ Find the Happier podcast at https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/ Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: https://meditativestory.com/ Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon Foreman is a land artist who uses the raw materials of the environment to create breathtaking ephemeral pieces. His ability to see creative potential all around him is his superpower, but when his life presents him with the unexpected, he has to become more narrowly focused on his responsibilities. In today’s episode, Jon tells the story of how he eventually found his way back to his creativity, and gives himself grace for the times when his life is otherwise full. Listen to Jason Mraz's Meditative Story: "Finding the energy we need, all around us": https://listen.meditativestory.com/JasonMrazPIO Visit Jon's website: www.sculpttheworld.smugmug.com Find Jon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sculpttheworld Find Jon on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sculpttheworld If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The many highs of Tig Notaro’s comedy career (Emmy and Grammy nominations, creating TV shows, and hosting the “Don’t Ask Tig” podcast) may seem predestined. Yet these are all things that seem beyond the realm of possibility for young Tig. In the early 2000s she’s told that because she’s a woman, and she’s gay, and she’s low-key and deadpan, she’ll never make it. Today, she shares the story of how she learns to keep going, no matter how impossible the road may seem, and to remember that there’s no one way to get somewhere. Listen to Michael Imperioli's Meditative Story, "Michael Imperioli: having the courage to create": https://listen.meditativestory.com/MichaelImperioliPIO Find Tig’s tour dates: tignotaro.com Listen to Tig’s podcast, Don’t Ask Tig: dontasktig.org and Listen to Tig's podcast True Story: headgum.com/tig-and-cheryl-true-story Follow Tig on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TigNotaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealfluffnotaro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tignotarocomedy/ If this story resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At the cusp of a new calendar year, it’s easy to place our attention on things we’d like to change about ourselves. In today’s meditation however, Rohan encourages us to see the abundance of right now instead of what’s lacking, by putting our focus on each new breath, sound, thought, and sensation. It’s a celebration of the new that’s perfect for welcoming the fresh new year, or for anytime you might feel stuck in a loop. Thank you for being a part of our community in 2023, and we look forward to the stories we’ll share in the year ahead. We created a special January calendar to help you start your year off on the right foot. This digital calendar offers simple, daily prompts that will encourage you to find connection, presence, and gratitude – and it’s completely free to access. Join us for a month of mindfulness at meditativestory.com/calendar If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful. Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a teenager, Jade Bowler is laser-focused on her dream of leaving home, with ambitious plans for the future. It’s only after her plans fall apart that Jade realizes big achievements aren’t the only thing that can bring her happiness. Reveling in smaller, quieter moments of casual magic shows her the beauty of everyday existence. Listen to Jacob Sartorius' Meditative Story "I take a breath. I buy myself a moment": https://listen.meditativestory.com/JacobSartoriusPIO Find Jade on all your social media platforms @UnjadedJade  Unjaded Jade YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnJadedJade/featured Jade's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unjadedjade/ Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.