The Daring to Rest Podcast

Discover how human design can help you understand your unique energy, make more rested decisions, and find a more restful, authentic way of living. In this episode, one of the world’s leading experts in human design Erin Claire Jones shares practical insights into different energy types, the importance of rest, and how understanding your design can transform your work, relationships, and personal growth. Show notes for this episode can be found here: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/113  

What if rest is exactly what grief needs? In this short rest pep talk, Karen shares a personal story of loss and explores how rest becomes a lifeline—especially when the world expects us to keep going. If you're holding personal or collective grief, this one's for you.   Resources for this episode can be found here: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/112  

In this episode, we explore what is rest coaching and The Rested Path, a rest coaching framework created by Karen at Daring to Rest. Karen is joined by three certified Daring to Rest Coaches who share their experiences inside the training, how it transformed their relationship with rest, and what it means to guide others through The Rested Path. If you’ve been curious about becoming a rest coach, or simply want to understand the deeper layers of rest as a healing and transformational path, this conversation offers clarity, insight, and inspiration.   Resources for this episode can be found here: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/111  

What does it really take to feel rested in a world that rewards burnout? In this powerful conversation, Karen Brody talks with Ximena Vengoechea—author of Rest Easy and The Life Audit—about cultivating a rest ethic, the barriers that keep us from true rest, and the liberating power of both active and passive rest. Together, they explore how rest can be deeply personal, radically political, and profoundly healing.   Resources for this episode can be found here: daringtorest.com/podcast/110

In this episode, Karen explores how urgency erodes compassion—drawing on the Good Samaritan Study, neuroscience, and a personal story that still sits with her. A woman-centered reflection on rest, guilt, and reclaiming our humanity through pause.   Show notes: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/109

In the closing episode of The Rested Mother Series, Karen offers a gift of deep rest: a guided Yoga Nidra meditation centered on inner mothering—a powerful rest practice for anyone longing to feel more held, rooted, and resilient. Before the meditation, Karen reflects on why connecting with our inner mother is essential on the path to becoming a rested woman. Whether you were well mothered or not, inner mothering allows you to offer yourself the unconditional love, care, and compassion you may have missed—and to rest from a place of wholeness. This practice is for all women—mothers and non-mothers alike—who want to rest more deeply, parent less reactively, and live more fully from the inside out. 🛏️ Get your blanket. Take off your armor. This is your invitation to rest. ___ The Rested Mother Series shares 5 powerful short rest stories from Daring to Rest Facilitators who chose rest in the midst of motherhood, grief, burnout, and healing. These mothers dared to pause, listen, and reclaim themselves through yoga nidra and deep rest. You are invited to hear what happens when a mother rests—and rises rooted. To listen to the entire Rested Mother series go here:  https://daringtorest.com/podcast/restedmother

In this powerful episode of The Rested Mother Series, Jennifer Allen shares her deeply personal journey from decades of toxic productivity and motherhood exhaustion to a life anchored in rest and self-trust. For years, Jen overrode the wisdom of her body and the whispers of her soul—until her nervous system and spirit could no longer sustain the push. Contracting Long Covid was the final push to make rest nonnegotiable. Through yoga nidra and reconnecting with the rhythms of nature, she began to lay down her armor, pick up her pillow and blanket, and reimagine what it means to live, parent, and work from a rested place. Her story is a courageous testament to the healing that becomes possible when we stop doing—and start resting.   The Rested Mother Series shares 5 powerful short rest stories from Daring to Rest Facilitators who chose rest in the midst of motherhood, grief, burnout, and healing. These mothers dared to pause, listen, and reclaim themselves through yoga nidra and deep rest. You are invited to hear what happens when a mother rests—and rises rooted. To listen to the entire Rested Mother series and learn more about Jen go here:  https://daringtorest.com/podcast/restedmother

In this moving episode of The Rested Mother Series, Chrissy McGuire shares her journey as a single mother raising two children with special needs—and how rest became her anchor through childbirth trauma, caregiving, and profound heartbreak. From a high-achieving childhood shaped by hustle culture to the moment her first child was born unresponsive, Chrissy takes us through the raw, real moments that led her to reclaim rest as a sacred practice. Through yoga nidra, she found the courage to slow down, to feel, and to fill the cracks in her heart with gold. Her story is a radiant reminder for mothers that rest is not a pause from life—it’s a way to live it more fully.   The Rested Mother Series shares 5 powerful short rest stories from Daring to Rest Facilitators who chose rest in the midst of motherhood, grief, burnout, and healing. These mothers dared to pause, listen, and reclaim themselves through yoga nidra and deep rest. You are invited to hear what happens when a mother rests—and rises rooted. To listen to the entire Rested Mother series and learn more about Chrissy go here:  https://daringtorest.com/podcast/restedmother

In this deeply reflective episode of The Rested Mother Series, Isabelle Griffith shares how rest became her lifeline after her sense of self collapsed under the weight of perfectionism, burnout, and self-doubt. What began as moments of peace on the yoga mat eventually led her to the transformational practice of yoga nidra—and a profound reconnection with her inner world. Through rest, Isabelle not only began to heal the parts of her she once rejected, but also reclaimed her voice, her radiance, and her capacity to live rooted and whole. Her story is a powerful invitation for working mothers to pause, soften, and remember the sacred self within.   The Rested Mother Series shares 5 powerful short rest stories from Daring to Rest Facilitators who chose rest in the midst of motherhood, grief, burnout, and healing. These mothers dared to pause, listen, and reclaim themselves through yoga nidra and deep rest. You are invited to hear what happens when a mother rests—and rises rooted. To listen to the entire Rested Mother series and learn more about Isabelle go here:  https://daringtorest.com/podcast/restedmother  

In this honest and soul-stirring episode of The Rested Mother Series, Jenny Weston shares her journey from chronic overachievement and deep exhaustion to a life anchored in rest. Raised to equate love with doing, and later navigating motherhood, separation, and financial challenge, Jenny reached a breaking point that led her to the healing power of yoga nidra. What began as a tool for survival became a practice of self-mothering, helping her rebuild her nervous system, reconnect with her inner child, and model a rested life for her daughter. Her story is a beautiful testament to the quiet power of rest to restore, rewire, and reimagine what’s possible.   The Rested Mother Series shares 5 powerful short rest stories from Daring to Rest Facilitators who chose rest in the midst of motherhood, grief, burnout, and healing. These mothers dared to pause, listen, and reclaim themselves through yoga nidra and deep rest. You are invited to hear what happens when a mother rests—and rises rooted. To listen to the entire Rested Mother series and learn more about Jenny go here:  https://daringtorest.com/podcast/restedmother

In this tender episode of The Rested Mother Series, Ali Schmitt shares how the exhaustion she witnessed in her own mother—and later experienced herself as a mother of three—led her to seek a new way of being. Through yoga nidra, Ali began to break the generational cycle of depletion, reconnecting with her intuition and discovering how rest could nourish her from the inside out. Her story is a powerful testament to what becomes possible when a mother chooses rest, not only for herself, but for the legacy she leaves her children.   The Rested Mother Series shares 5 powerful short rest stories from Daring to Rest Facilitators who chose rest in the midst of motherhood, grief, burnout, and healing. These mothers dared to pause, listen, and reclaim themselves through yoga nidra and deep rest. You are invited to hear what happens when a mother rests—and rises rooted. To listen to the entire Rested Mother series and learn more about Ali go here:  https://daringtorest.com/podcast/restedmother  

When life pushes you to the edge, you don’t have to carry it all — you get to rest. In this short Rest Pep Talk, Karen Brody shares a personal story of choosing rest during a cliff’s edge moment, and inspiration from the film Thelma & Louise.   Resources for this episode: daringtorest.com/podcast/102    

In this tender rest pep talk, Karen shares a deeply personal reflection on grief, caregiving, and the radical power of rest. If you’ve been carrying too much, doing too much, or doubting your worth because you’re not “doing enough”… this episode is for you.   Resources for this episode: daringtorest.com/podcast/101    

Today on the Daring to Rest Podcast we are celebrating our 100th episode. 🎙️🎉  We're talking about the power of creating a rest legacy. This episode is in memory of Jaimee Roncone, one of the first Daring to Rest Facilitators. Jaimee showed everyone she touched what a rest legacy looks like - even as she was dying. In this episode I have gathered a few of the OG Daring to Rest Facilitators who knew and loved Jaimee for a conversation on...🛏️ what is a rest legacy? 🛏️ how Jaimee's life and death was an inspiration on living with rest at the center. 🛏️ why a rest practice like yoga nidra is also a death practice. I recently asked myself what I'm the most proud of about this podcast and this is what my body told me: I have worked soft on this podcast. I have let each episode be imperfect. I have had lots of fun making the podcast. And I know that this podcast has inspired women to dare to rest and share the power of rest. This feels like rest success. I am thankful for all the people who have joined me on the podcast throughout the years. I love having rest conversations. I keep wondering when I won't love it and it hasn't happened yet :) Our 100th episode represents what I think we do best at Daring to Rest: bring women together for important rest conversations. As always, I hope this episode impacts you in some rest way. Thanks for listening to the podcast. If you've enjoyed the podcast, I'd so appreciate you writing a review or leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don't listen there then please tell a few girlfriends about this podcast. Here's to daring to rest, and the rise of your Rested Woman. With love & rest somersaults, Karen   Resources for today's episode can be found here: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/100  

Octavia Raheem is back on the Daring to Rest Podcast talking about the power of rest, writing, and her new book, Rest is Sacred. Octavia is a wife, mother, three time author, rest coach, and restorative + yoga nidra teacher - a true luminary in the areas of rest, restorative arts, wellness, and yoga. Her devotion to rest is practical, poetic, and inspirational. Speaking with Octavia is always so deep, real - and fun. Plus, she has the best laugh ever :)   A few highlights in this episode: We discuss how to navigate feeling like you can't rest or if you're in the "I can't" spin about anything Why rest is about devotion, not discipline Octavia shares a song from her book An essential question to ask yourself over and over that will change your relationship with work   Resources from this episode can be found here:  http://daringtorest.com/podcast/99

Karen's on her own this episode talking about why 40 days of rest matters and answering your questions on why we resist rest, the best time to practice yoga nidra for good sleep, how to let grief and guilt go, and navigating an unrested mother while you're trying to be rested.   Resources for this episode are here: daringtorest.com/podcast/98

Karen speaks with six newly certified Daring to Rest Facilitators from Sisterhood 9 of the Daring to Rest Facilitator Training who recently led rest sessions at our annual online Rest Camp for Women. Hear their stories and why they are passionate about being rest leaders in our world today. This is a conversation for anyone who believes in the power of rest, wants to dare to rest, and women curious about taking our next Daring to Rest Facilitator Training.    Resources for this episode can be found here: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/97 Information on our Daring to Rest Facilitator Training: http://daringtorest.com/facilitator  

On today's episode Dr. Kamilah Majied joins me to discuss joy and justice in the context of black wisdom and Buddhist teachings. We talk about "entering the palace of oneself," the roots of black music and how it embodies what the Buddha talks about, the purpose of freedom, and Kamilah shares how she defines joy. Kamilah is a psychotherapist, social work educator, researcher, activist and consultant on advancing equity and inclusion through contemplative practices. Her new book, Joyfully Just, feels like potent medicine for today's world. I hope you enjoy this podcast and here's to more joy, justice, and rest. They are all freedom activators, and therefore in the same family.   Resources mentioned in this podcast can be found here: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/96  

What if changing our relationship with grind culture requires imagining a new story? My guest today on the Daring to Rest Podcast thinks so. In the spring of 2014, I had the pleasure of speaking about daring to rest and then introducing the main speaker Brigid Schulte, who had just written her first book, Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time. The organizers of this gathering clearly got the equation right: the antidote to overwhelm is rest. Since writing her first book, Brigid, as a journalist and the director of the Better Life Lab, has continued her mission to help us navigate how we live our lives. In today's episode she speaks with me about her new book, Overwork, and how other people and countries are stepping forward with vision and imagination to tell a new story about the way we work.   Resources for this episode: http://daringtorest.com/podcast/95

Today I am getting personal with you, talking about how I run my rest business and a few Daring to Rest origin stories to understand how I even had the idea over fifteen years ago to start a business focused on rest. As some of you know, I had a long history of panic attacks. At times I literally felt like a hostage in my home, unable to even open the door without the panic attacks starting again. Today I'm sharing how this shifted, the wild prescription I was given for the panic attacks, why I started a rest business, and what principles have worked well for me to grow my rest business. You'll learn about the yoga nidra and other influences that have gone into creating the Daring to Rest community, and hear a few really funny stories about my road to becoming rested and running a rest business. (At least I think they're funny :) Happy listening! This is the final episode of our Transform Your Life and Your Wellness Business series.  Resources for this episode can be found here:  daringtorest.com/podcast/94