In this episode of Awakening Mindfulness at Work, we reflect on a simple yet powerful reminder: mindfulness is not about getting it right—it’s a practice and a promise to come back to yourself again and again.

We explore how perfectionism, self-judgment, and “all-or-nothing” thinking can quietly undermine mindfulness practice, and why kindness, patience, and repetition matter more than consistency or duration. Through metaphors, personal reflections, and familiar teachings—like working with the wandering mind and gently returning to the breath—we unpack how practice builds resilience, self-trust, and a deeper relationship with ourselves.

This conversation is an invitation to let go of striving, soften the inner critic, and rediscover mindfulness as a supportive, human practice—one return at a time.

In this episode of Awakening Mindfulness at Work, we explore one of the most challenging—and common—topics in mindfulness at work: dealing with difficult people.

We begin by acknowledging the power of compassion and understanding, and why they are often a necessary first step. But we also examine their limits. What happens when compassion is not reciprocated? When empathy turns into exhaustion? When kindness starts to drain rather than heal?

This conversation looks at how to discern when to lean in and when to step back, how to practice equanimity without disengaging from values, and how to set boundaries that protect well-being—especially for highly empathic people. We also discuss the importance of community, “mindfulness friends,” and trusted perspectives when situations become emotionally charged.

A grounded, honest exploration of how to stay human, wise, and whole in difficult relationships—at work and beyond.

In this episode of Awakening Mindfulness at Work, we explore how to relate skillfully to difficult, recurring thoughts—especially those rooted in worry, self-doubt, comparison, and self-criticism.

We begin with mindfulness of thoughts: noticing, labeling, and letting thoughts pass without getting entangled. From there, we introduce two additional approaches for when thoughts feel “sticky” and hard to release. The first is dialoguing with the thought—questioning it with curiosity and kindness. The second is taking small, wise actions to test beliefs and gather real-world data, becoming “your own scientist.”

This conversation weaves together mindfulness, cognitive inquiry, habit formation, and neuroplasticity—offering a grounded, empowering framework for influencing our thoughts without trying to control or eliminate them.