Whole Again: Mindfulness and Resilience Through Kintsugi Wisdom - podcast cover

Whole Again: Mindfulness and Resilience Through Kintsugi Wisdom

Michael OBrien | Mindfulness & Resilience Coachmichaelobrienshift.com
Discover how to create a meaningful life on your way to who you are becoming. Whole Again: Mindfulness and Resilience Through Kintsugi Wisdom provides the support you need to heal, develop a growth mindset, and embrace who you are becoming. Inspired by the Japanese art of “Golden Repair,” Kintsugi teaches us that even when life breaks us, we can rebuild—stronger, wiser, and more beautiful than before. Listen to discover weekly growth-mindset tips, build emotional resilience and manage stress through microdose meditations, and ways to live a meaningful life and the person you are becoming. And as America turns 250, tune in to hear your neighbors share their reflections on our Perfectly Imperfect Union and on ways we can come together to end the divisions that prevent us from realizing our collective potential. I’m Michael O’Brien—husband, Girl Dadx2, son, friend, animal lover, endurance cyclist, and survivor. After a near-death cycling accident—what I call My Last Bad Day—the metaphor of Kintsugi helped me see that I could be whole again. Today, as a Mindset & Resilience Leadership coach, Corporate Speaker, Meditation Teacher, and founder of The Pause Breathe Reflect Method, I'm here to support you as you create a meaningful life and become the person you are becoming. Join me every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for micro-episodes designed to help you embrace the Kintsugi spirit within you and truly feel Whole Again. And each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, check out my new series, A Perfectly Imperfect Union, as America turns 250 this year.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

#72 | How Danielle Thompson Transformed Self-Doubt Into Resilience Through Mindfulness & Self-Care

Today, on Whole Again we are introduced to Danielle Thompson, an intuitive success coach who shares her story about chasing happiness, overcoming self-doubt, and breaking through the limitations of living life according to other people’s expectations. She opens up about finding resilience while going through a challenging divorce, the power and sense of purpose she discovered in raising a child with Down syndrome, and changing her career in order to help other women rediscover themselves. Enjoy ...

Oct 07, 202345 minEp. 72

#73 | How Gillian Castle Turned Trauma Into Resilience & Transformation Through Mindfulness

Giving birth seems like the most natural and emotional experience in the world. But what happens when things don’t go as they should, what happens when the most beautiful moment a woman should experience becomes a nightmare that changes the entire course of her life? In today’s episode of Whole Again, we continue our talk about resilience with another inspirational person whose life took a different turn after a traumatic event that took away all the things she considered defining for her life. ...

Oct 07, 202349 minEp. 73

#71 | How DeAndra Harmony Transformed Trauma into Resilience & Healing Through Mindfulness

Today, on Whole Again, we continue our series of inspiring interviews with DeAndra Harmony- Personal Development Strategist, Entrepreneur, Author, Founder and most importantly, a Survivor with a life story that is a confirmation of the true power that resides in our choices and in living life with awareness and positivity. Despite everything she lived through, from growing up in an abusive environment with a father fighting with mental illness and drug addiction, being sexually abused by her ste...

Oct 07, 202353 minEp. 71

#70 | Halftime: A Moment to Reflect, Reset, and Move Forward With Resilience

The day is finally here… As we reach the halfway mark of 2021 and start to reevaluate our new normal and the way our lives have changed, I enter a new challenge with a mixture of emotions- my knee replacement surgery. I’m eager and excited but also nervous and anxious. But this time I also feel prepared for everything that is going to happen. To our Whole Again family, Ripple Challenge community, our Peloton, our tribe, I thank you and I hope you’ll continue to join us on this new journey and th...

Oct 07, 202316 minEp. 70

#65 | Why Speaking Your Truth Is the Key to Healing & Resilience

I’ve always been timid… hiding from the world, ashamed of my own voice, afraid of taking space, being a slave of my inner critique that stopped me from sharing my truth, my sense of humor, my essence. We all have our stories and experiences that left their mark and had consequences on our future, the only difference is the way we managed to overcome them, to shift them into boosters for our confidence and self-esteem. So, today, on The Kintsugi Podcast we encourage those who have been marginaliz...

Oct 07, 202317 minEp. 65

#69 | Who’s in Your Peloton? The Key to Resilience & Growth

The world changed. For the better or for the worse depends only on how we decide to live our lives from now on… Sharing energy, thoughts, ideas, or just a simple touch, a hug, has always been a fundamental way for people to express their feelings. And now that we can share that again we discover how much the need for connection propels us in this race called life. Just like in a peloton we need to surround ourselves with people that we can trust, people that will support and collaborate with us ...

Oct 07, 202321 minEp. 69

#68 | 3 Ways to Break Free From Comparison & Build Resilience

I’m bionic! The surgery that I visualized worked, and I’m finally back on our weekly conversations here on The Whole Again Podcast to share my story, hoping to inspire and help others that are going through their experiences, and to shed some light on another “enemy” that I identified on my road to recovery... An enemy that stands in the way of our fully committed life, in us being present and resilient- the constant tendency to compare ourselves to others and our constant search for the “just r...

Oct 07, 202315 minEp. 68

#66 | How to Start Your Day With Intention: A Guided Morning Micro-Meditation

Today’s conversation about resilience isn’t a conversation. It’s a meditation to help you set your intentions for the day. Often we start our day in a rush. We hop on our hamster wheel and get spinning. A better approach is to take a moment to Pause Breathe Reflect and determine how you wish to BE today. This framework will help you meet your challenging moments with grace. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art o...

Oct 07, 202310 minEp. 66

#67 | The Art of Finding Your ‘Wa’: How to Create a Life Beyond the Hustle and Heal

In our quest for finding the perfect balance between work and life, we find ourselves always choosing work over life, living more as human “doers'' than as human beings. So why don’t we just stop settling for balance and aspire for more? Why don’t we jump off our hamster wheels and focus our energy on growing as human beings? Why are we afraid of taking the dip dive and dedicating time for inner work and emotional labour? Join this week's episode of The Kintsugi Podcast as we put myths to sleep ...

Oct 07, 202313 minEp. 67

#63 | The Importance of The Day After: How Connection & Resilience Shape Our Future

The day after… The day after supreme happiness, the day after complete chaos, the day after everything changes in our lives… In the heat of the moment we gain the ability to connect, to see each other, to reach out to one another, to extend our love towards people around us and practice inclusion for all people, but, as in many aspects of our lives, we end up losing this new gained power in the face of habit. And division settles… In today’s talk about resilience, we look back twenty years ago a...

Oct 07, 202317 minEp. 63

#62 | Bridging Fear & Growth: A Journey of Resilience, Uncertainty & Letting Go

I had a dream… A dream about terrifying heights, about a stranger who became a companion in an uncertain walk over the bridge, and of finally letting go and embracing the unknown, all supported by a very popular soundtrack by Dua Lipa- Hallucinate. As surreal as this sounds, this is a choice that we all face- cross that bridge and face uncertainty, face the chaos, learn to dance with it and grow or remain on the safe side, become that creature of habit, being a slave to fear, refuse to adapt des...

Oct 07, 202319 minEp. 62

#61 | Emotional Self-Mastery: Resilience & Inner Growth with Shasheen Shah

This week on The Kintsugi Podcast we introduce you to Shasheen Shah, a brilliant author and successful communication coach, dedicated to mastering personal development and the ability to gracefully navigate and find coherence and integrity in all aspects of life. We talk about his amazing book, “The Kid and the King”, the constant pressure of today’s society that focuses on external solutions, the necessary inner work, and finding the right questions that lead you to the real purpose- to conquer...

Oct 07, 202350 minEp. 61

#64 | Building Better Habits: How Mindful Practice Shapes Resilience & Growth

Today, on The Kintsugi Podcast we talk about practicing mindfully and how our lives are a collection of our habits- conscious and unconscious habits that bring out the best in us or on the contrary, habits that stop us from living a life of awareness and creating a better tomorrow. As I’m recording on Labor Day, I encourage you to take this time to reflect on what you are practicing, and to focus on gratitude, kindness, and love, being calm in your most challenging moments, and to visualize wher...

Oct 07, 202315 minEp. 64

#60 | Change Your Breathing, Change Your Health: Resilience & Healing with Dr. Amy Novotny

How’s your health? When we think about our health we often turn to diet or exercise as ways to get healthier. These are great but what if your breath was your gateway to wellness? In today’s Conversation about Resilience, I sit down with Dr. Amy Novotny to discuss PABR (Pain Awareness Breathing Relief) and how it can help us reach a new level of wellness. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ...

Oct 07, 202333 minEp. 60

#59 | Seasons of Growth: Why Pausing Can Lead to Greater Resilience

Today is bittersweet. I’ve decided it’s time to pause our conversations here on The Kintsugi Podcast. At least for a while. It’s not a decision I make with ease, but I am at that moment in life when I need time to concentrate more on the things that I consider will help me grow and reach more people. “Just like the trees lose their leaves in autumn, we humans need to lose or let go of something in order to grow...” I leave you, for now, with the conviction that what we created here will help you...

Oct 07, 202312 minEp. 59

#58 | We Only Have Moments to Live: Resilience & Wellness for a Healthier Life

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about the importance of spending time on your wellness to prevent being forced to spend time on your illness. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are p...

Apr 14, 202120 minEp. 58

#57 | The Path to Healing: How Forgiveness & Gratitude Build Resilience

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about moving from Forgiveness to Gratitude. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than le...

Apr 07, 202116 minEp. 57

#56 | Embracing Unity: How Connection & Resilience Create a Stronger Tomorrow

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about the power of oneness. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than less. Metaphorical...

Apr 05, 202113 minEp. 56

#55 | Miracle Mornings with Brianna Greenspan (Resilience & Mindfulness for Transformation)

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is all about how our mornings can help us become more resilient. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valua...

Mar 25, 202141 minEp. 55

#54 | The Power of Letting Go: How Releasing Attachments Builds Strength & Resilience

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is easing your grip on attachment to help you become more resilient, agile, and adaptable. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s his...

Mar 17, 202113 minEp. 54

#53 | Overcoming Burnout: Tony Martignetti on Purpose, Healing & Resilience

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is moving beyond burnout with Inspired Purpose Coach, Tony Martignetti. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it mor...

Mar 11, 202147 minEp. 53

C.A.R.E. to Be an Ally: Resilience, Healing & Creating a Better Tomorrow

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about how we can embrace each other and create a better tomorrow for all. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making i...

Mar 03, 202117 minEp. 52

#51 | You Belong: Resilience, Mindfulness & Healing with Sebene Selassie

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is with mindfulness teacher, Sebene Selassie. We talk about her journey and how to create more belonging as a way to create a better tomorrow. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches ...

Feb 25, 202146 minEp. 51

#50 | Love & Resilience: What It Looks Like in Work & Life

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is all about love and what it looks like at work. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than...

Feb 18, 202112 minEp. 50

#49 | Living an Inside-Out Life: Resilience, Belonging & Transformation

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about the importance of moving beyond our circle to create more belonging and a better tomorrow. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an obj...

Feb 11, 202117 minEp. 49

#48 | The Power of Acceptance (Resilience, Mindfulness & Transformation)

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about how to win the argument you can’t win. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than l...

Feb 04, 202113 minEp. 48

#47 | The Power of Helping Others: How Giving Back Builds Resilience & Connection

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about how we can build a stronger community and more resilience. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more va...

Jan 28, 202113 minEp. 47

#46 | Why You Should Talk to Strangers: Connection, Resilience & Growth

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is all about why you should talk to strangers. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than le...

Jan 21, 20211 hr 19 minEp. 46

#45 | Nourishing Mind, Body & Soul: A Path to Resilience & Transformation

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is about how we are feeding our mind, body, and soul. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather ...

Jan 14, 202115 minEp. 45

#44 | How to Stop Missing Your Life: Mindfulness & Resilience with Cory Muscara

Today’s Conversation about Resilience is with one of the nation’s leading experts on mindfulness, Cory Muscara. We talk about how to be present during chaotic times. If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and teaches that breakage a...

Jan 07, 202145 minEp. 44
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android