Welcome to the Essential Self-Care podcast where we talk about all things self-care for those of us who are, let’s face it, too busy for self-care. It’s time to bring that same compassion that you offer to everyone else in your life, to yourself as well. In this podcast you’ll hear real life stories of how self-care transformed people’s lives as they were going through life’s storms. You’ll learn practical, actionable tools to begin the self-care journey yourself as well, because like I always say, small changes make a large impact. Listen while driving or “on the run” to feel confident, energized, resilient, and radiant once again.
*The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific situation.*
Today’s episode features a self-care modality that we haven’t covered yet on the show—knitting.
Alice O’Connell, a former tv actress, first took up knitting as a way to pass the time while on set. What started as simply a way to pass time became an essential part of her self-care when she had kids and found that she was losing herself in the journey of parenthood. Knitting gave Alice micro-windows of calm when everything else felt overwhelming.
This thread of self-care reached new heights when Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. During her treatment journey, knitting became a place where she could channel anxious feelings, process thoughts, and support self-esteem.
Alice shares how knitting became a form of active meditation where she could channel her focus and attention at a time when sitting in quiet stillness felt too challenging.
We round out the conversation with Alice sharing breakthroughs that her students have had on their knitting journeys as well—things like greater confidence, self-esteem, and giving themselves permission to take up more space in their lives.
To anyone who’s considering picking up a handicraft but has felt hesitant to do so, Alice encourages you to embrace being a messy beginner—for the lessons it holds are far greater than the “mistakes” along the way.
Connect with Alice: www.learntoknit.nl (http://www.learntoknit.nl)
Connect with our episode sponsor: www.mohadoha.com (http://www.mohadoha.com)
P.S. I want to hear from you! Share your comments and questions with me here: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact (https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact)
Oh, and one more thing—if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a positive review—it really does go a long way to making sure this show reaches more people who need it!
8 Sept 2026
Ep 108: Find Your Cheerleaders w/ Mohana Rajakumar
How do you navigate a pandemic lockdown as a massive extrovert and creative?
Novelist and screenwriter Mohana Rajakumar joins us to share how the COVID lockdown while living abroad set her on a self-care exploration.
Mohana describes how, after 20 years of being a novelist and having written 10 books, she lost the fun and mystery of novel-writing. She was in search of a new creative outlet and the isolation of living abroad during the pandemic was fertile ground for her to explore different pathways—yoga, nature, and ultimately screenwriting.
Getting curious about what was triggering her emotional reaction of panic, combined with solitude, opened the door to truly listening to her inner voice—she began to ask herself questions like, “What have I always wanted to do, but not had time?”—which subsequently led her to writing and producing three short films.
We round out our conversation with insights on how to reconcile the many different, often seemingly conflicting, aspects of ourselves as women. Mohana’s final piece of advice—find your cheerleaders—those people who truly see you.
Connect with Mohana at: www.mohadoha.com (http://www.mohadoha.com)
P.S. I want to hear from you! Share your comments and questions with me here: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact (https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact)
Oh, and one more thing—if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a positive review—it really does go a long way to making sure this show reaches more people who need it!
25 Aug 2026
Ep 107: How to Practice Self-Care through Pain and Uncertainty w/ Ana Quinn
How do you practice self-care when faced with three years of undiagnosed, excruciating leg pain?
On this episode, Ana Quinn—leadership development and executive coach—shares how she approached the most challenging season of her life with tenacity, resilience, and faith.
After living with years of undiagnosed leg pain, she was found to have a rare circulatory disorder that required surgery in both of her legs. Ana shares the anchors of self-care that helped her during that time: exercise, prayer, and faith. She describes how staying open to even seemingly unrelated suggestions led her to the doctor who was able to give her a diagnosis and treatment plan.
But, her self-care journey didn’t stop there. Ana goes on to share what self-care has looked like as she built a thriving business with her husband and as she now begins to consider her transition to retirement. Key aspects of her current practices include gratitude and journaling. We talk about simple ways that you can begin to incorporate these practices into your life also.
For anyone navigating a season of pain and uncertainty, this episode is for you.
Be sure to listen to the end to hear the three main insights that Ana attributes to a workshop that I facilitated recently!
Connect with Ana: www.quinncc.com (http://www.quinncc.com)
P.S. I want to hear from you! Share your comments and questions with me here: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact (https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact)
Oh, and one more thing—if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a positive review—it really does go a long way to making sure this show reaches more people who need it!
Who has been a guest on Essential Self-Care
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TeezySoDope
Emanuel Perez
Dr Stephanie Pearson
Dr Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri
Dr Wendy Schofer
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5.0 / 5
7 ratings
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5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100
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88
Social presence
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YouTube
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Engagement
77
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