In this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I sit down with Portia Louder, whose story of resilience and redemption is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring. Portia opens up about the choices that led her to a federal prison, far from her family and community and the profound lessons she discovered behind bars.

She shares how, through unimaginable loss and struggle, she found healing by connecting with others who had their own stories of pain and transformation. Her journey reminds us all that even in our lowest moments, we can find strength, compassion, and the courage to rebuild.

Portia’s story speaks to anyone who’s ever felt broken but believes in the possibility of a second chance.

Key moments of this interview:
2:00 Introduction of Portia Louder
7:30 Early childhood struggles
20:00 The real estate scheme that changed my life
27:00 The day I found out I was going to prison
37:00 Finding genuine connection in prison
43:00 Compassion and kindness in prison
54:00 Rediscovering freedom and identity in prison

Connect with Portia:

Website, Instagram, LinkedIn

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors: Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

On this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, we dive deep into the human journey of transformation, resilience, and self-love. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the inspirational Chef Babette Davis. At 73, Babette is a force of nature—strong, vibrant, and unapologetically authentic. We talked about everything from her past struggles with addiction to her commitment to plant-based living and how it’s reshaped her life. What stood out most was her passion for understanding our connection to the planet and how our choices impact not only our health but the world around us. This is a story of growth, healing, and finding purpose. Tune in and be inspired by Babette's journey.

Key moments of this interview:
2:00 Introduction of Chef Babette Davis
5:20 The Importance of Self-Love and Connection
9:00 Living with purpose
14:00 From Crack Addiction to Healing
32:00 Maintaining Health As We Age
35:50 Insights on Food Marketing and Misconceptions
40:00 Connection between diet and inflammation
46:00 Transitioning to Plant-Based Living
52:00 Aging With Grace

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors : Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

This episode wraps up the final segment of my journey biking across America, a ride that took me from the rugged coasts of Oregon to the heart of Washington, D.C. Along the way, I experienced the vast beauty of this country and the profound stories of the people I met. From laughter to tears, from hope to heartbreak, each mile brought a deeper understanding of what it means to be connected. America isn’t perfect, but it’s resilient. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that our ability to heal and grow together is the greatest story we can write. Tune in as we face “the home stretch” and a plea to all my fellow Americans to help make our future better.

Key moments of this interview:
2:00 Acknowledging America's Beauty and Blemishes
4:00 The Power of Healing and Coming Together
9:00 My Encounter with President Trump
13:45 Encouragement to Vote for Change

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

You can connect with me by receiving my inspirational text messages throughout the week by texting ‘kintsugi’ to 503-487-5957 and downloading My Better Life Workbook at www.michaelobrienshift.com ( http://www.michaelobrienshift.com )

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors : Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

This episode is a deeply personal one, featuring my friend Karrah Teruya, who has faced the unimaginable battle against cancer not just once but three times. Karrah’s story is one of raw courage and resilience, told with a transparency that will move you to your core. We dive into the moments of fear, pain, and uncertainty but also the beauty and clarity that comes when life’s fragility is laid bare. Karrah is a warrior in every sense, and her willingness to share her story will leave you reflecting on your own life. Take a moment to listen - her strength is palpable.

Key moments of this interview:
9:10 How Karrah met her husband
23:30 The moment Karrah found out she had cancer
29:15 Finding clarity in near-death experiences
34:00 Physical aftermath of surviving cancer 3 times
40:30 Grieving the loss of a normal life
47:30 Embracing the complexity of healing
53:45 Navigating expectations of healing and recovering
57:30 Accepting the uncertainty of life post-cancer
1:08:30 Reclaiming femininity through baldness

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

Karrah's Go Fund Me, Instagram, and Blog

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors: Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cassie Holmes, someone who truly gets what it means to chase happiness and fulfillment.

We all want more time, right? But what if more time doesn’t make us happier? Dr. Holmes breaks it down in a real and relatable way, showing us that it’s not about cramming more into our days but about being intentional with the time we already have.

We talk about finding joy in the small moments and creating a life that feels meaningful, not just busy. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your days feel richer, this conversation is for you.

Key moments of this interview:
2:15 Who is Dr. Cassie Holmes?
10:00 How life events influence happiness
15:30 How much time is ideal for happiness
25:00 Why social connection is required for happiness
33:50 How to be happier at work
46:00 The five whys exercise for personal purpose
1:00:00 Why you need to write your own eulogy

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Ways to Connect with Cassie:

Website: https://www.cassiemholmes.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassiemholmes/

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

Do you want to have a happier relationship with your phone? Take my FREE Smartphone Wellness Check and discover how to change your relationship with your phone and find more energy for the things that matter most to you. Begin by clicking Phone.

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors: Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

In this episode, I sat down with one of my own meditation teachers, Sharon Salzberg, to explore the deeper meaning of loving-kindness and how it’s more than just a soft, sentimental idea. It’s about connection, resilience, and creating positive change. We discuss how small margins, like voting or simple acts of kindness, can ripple out into the world and impact those around us.

This conversation became personal for me. Her teachings helped me through my recovery, and I know they can help you through these times of division and uncertainty. Together, we can become better and build a kinder world.

Key moments of this interview:
2:40 Introduction of Sharon Salzberg
6:15 Sharon’s Journey into Meditation
12:45 Facing Adversity and Growing Through the 60s and 70s
20:50 The Power of Loving Kindness in Election Cycles
27:30 The Four Immeasurables
36:00 Choosing Loving Kindness Over Anger
44:00 The Importance of Self-Compassion
52:00 The Power of Equanimity

Connection with Sharon via:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsalzberg/

Her Website: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

Discover how to have a better relationship with your phone with my Free Smartphone Wellness Check via this link: https://form.jotform.com/PauseBreatheReflect/phonewellnesscheck

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors : Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

This episode of the Kintsugi Podcast is a heartfelt journey about reinvention—mine, yours, and the world around us. Continuing on with my open awareness segment, as I biked across America, passing through places like West Virginia and Pittsburgh, I met people who embodied the idea that it's never too late to start fresh. Age is just a number, and it's never too late to learn something new or take on a new challenge. I hope this episode inspires you to break through your own limiting beliefs and embrace the endless possibilities that life offers. Let's reinvent ourselves, one mindful breath at a time. Tune in, and let's grow together.

Key moments of this interview:
1:00 Journey across America
3:10 Inspiring encounter with a 79-year-old cyclist
5:00 Reinventing yourself at any age
7:45 Embracing the Kintsugi spirit

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

Get my Free Smartphone Wellness Check and improve your relationship with your phone.

Social Media & Contact Information :
Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect
LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/
Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors: Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App

To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!

In this episode of the Kintsugi Podcast, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Jacobi.

We dive deep into the metaphorical and literal rivers of life, exploring how navigating the rocks and rapids isn't something to be feared but embraced.

Joe’s insights on resilience, course correction, and the importance of starting with intention left me inspired and ready to tackle life's currents head-on. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or just in need of a fresh perspective, I know Joe's wisdom will resonate with you.

Take a moment, breathe, and join us on this river run.

Key moments of this interview:

4:00 The start-line mentality

10:00 The keys to Joe’s Olympic victory

21:20 The importance of course correction

26:02 Embracing the rocks

32:00 Adjusting and adapting

40:00 The value of recovery in sports and life

44:00 The performance pyramid

Ways to Connect with Joe:

Website: http://joejacobi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe_jacobi/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobijoe/

Thank you for tuning in to The Kintsugi Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us spread more stories of resilience and transformation.

Join our Pause Breathe Reflect community by downloading our app from the Apple Store or Google Play today. For the first year, you can Name Your Price and discover how to navigate life with more ease and prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day.

You can connect with me by receiving my inspirational text messages throughout the week by texting ‘kintsugi’ to 503-487-5957 and downloading My Better Life Workbook at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Social Media & Contact Information:

Instagram: Pause Breathe Reflect https://www.instagram.com/pausebreathereflect

LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelobrienpelotoncoaching/ Websites: Discover more at www.michaelobrienshift.com (http://www.michaelobrienshift.com)

Sponsors: Pause Breathe Reflect Meditation and Gratitude App. To discover more about bringing mindfulness into your daily life, download the Pause Breathe Reflect App today!