🌼 I'm Not a Guru: Why This Podcast Is Evolving
Listen to the short episode:
Episode #52: Transcript
Hey friends, today I want to share some news about where this podcast is headed—and why it’s changing in a way that feels more aligned, more honest, and honestly… more alive to me.
Quick note before we dive in—if I sound a little different today, it's because I'm recording from my car instead of my usual studio setup. Why? Because right now, this is the ONLY quiet spot I could find.
I'm literally recording this the night before it goes live, and... well, you'll hear more about the two fluffy, lovable beings currently creating chaos in my world later in the episode. But first, let me share some news about where this podcast is headed...
And before I say anything else, I want to start with gratitude. Thank you to the friends and listeners who’ve reached out to tell me how much you’ve been enjoying these Sunday Start Fresh mini episodes.That feedback gave me so much joy, especially since much of the stuff I share is extremely personal, and feels kinda vulnerable. But I share those things because I think my stories help you recognize your own similar stories.
These minis started as an experiment. A way to speak more directly, more simply, and more from where I actually am right now—not from a polished conclusion, not from a mountaintop. And what I’ve heard from many of you is that these episodes feel more relatable. More usable. More like a conversation than a polished presentation.
So… I listened.
Here’s the big news: our Sunday Start Fresh minis are expanding into full-length episodes!
Instead of staying in that short, mini format, these will become 15–20 minute episodes. And we’re moving them slightly from Sundays to every other Tuesday. Tuesdays feel like a natural reset point—you're past Monday's chaos but still have the whole week ahead..."
Why are they now every other week?
Because I need the extra time to create an expanded episode that I’m proud of, and I want to make sure we still have room for our guests to share their opinions, too. I love interviewing people and someday in the future, I hope to bring you even more guest episodes once my bandwidth expands.
No worries- my solo episodes will still have the same spirit: personal stories, grounded reflections, practical insights you can actually use, and an invitation to pause, reset, and look at your life with a little more clarity. This NEW, longer format will give us room to go deeper—instead of just scratching the surface, and so we can really sit with it together.
Along with this expansion, I'm also streamlining and re-vamping our guest episodes. Guest conversations will be: a bit shorter, more focused with less bio and background info, and more intentional about sharing actionable insights, with less small talk. The small talk is fun, and you may see it pop up in future YouTube shorts or bonus materials.
I love meaningful conversation—but I also respect your time. And I want every episode to feel like it gave you something you can carry into your real life, without any static that doesn't move the conversation forward.
And honestly? This change is also about honoring my own bandwidth. I recently adopted two puppies—which has been joyful and chaotic and completely life-altering. We had a snowstorm today, so right now my house is covered in muddy paw prints, beach towels, and melting snow.
And the only semi-quiet, calm spot I could find to record was... my car.
My sleep, my focus, my free time—it all looks different now. As in those things are all almost non-existent! And instead of trying to white-knuckle my way through the same schedule, I'm practicing what I talk about: honoring what feels sustainable, and making adjustments accordingly. This streamlined podcast format is going to help me show up more fully, rather than stretching myself too thin.
Why this is important
I want to share why this change feels important to me.
First—and this is something I want to say out loud more often—I am not a guru. Not the be-all, know-it-all expert who has everything figured out and is perfect. You’ve heard me say this a lot my friends– in my opinion, there IS no such thing as perfect.
But I’m a holistic wellness journalist. A detailed researcher. A writer. And I’m trained in a lot of modalities.
I’m also very much a person who is still learning, still growing, and still encountering, addressing, and learning from my OWN challenges every day.
I don’t show up with this mic because I have everything figured out. I’m here because I’m curious. Because I’m paying attention to my own life and growth, and I want to share what I'm learning in real time. Not from some place of 'I've arrived'—but from the messy middle of actually living these questions and walking through personal growth alongside you.
And I feel like this longer format will give me room for that kind of honesty.It will allow me to explore ideas in real time. To say, “Here’s what I’m noticing… here’s what I’m experimenting with… here’s what’s helping me, and here’s what I don’t know yet.” I want it to feel like we're thinking out loud together. Like we're processing together. And less like I'm lecturing from a stage (been there, done that, not for me anymore).
And that brings me to something else that’s important to me going forward. I want this podcast to feel relational, not one-directional. I’m genuinely open to conversation—to hearing what’s resonating for you, what questions you’re sitting with, and what you’d love to explore more deeply.
And I mean that genuinely. I'm curious about what you're working through right now. What wellness practices are you trying? What old patterns are you noticing? What questions are keeping you up at night or waking you up in the morning?
Some topics I'm personally sitting with that I'd love to explore together:
how to maintain any kind of wellness practice when life gets completely upended
what it means to actually practice self-compassion
how to honor our capacity without feeling like we're giving up
But I also want to hear what YOU want to explore. I actually READ every message that comes through. I’m intentionally keeping this open and human—with space for real dialogue, whenever that feels natural.
So to recap:
Start Fresh minis are growing into 15–20 minute episodes & moving to every other Tuesday
Guest episodes are becoming more focused & actionable
The heart of this show is staying exactly the same: curiosity, honesty, and growth together
Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening. And thank you for letting this podcast evolve in real time, just like we all do! I’m excited about this next chapter—and I’m glad you’re part of it.
Your Challenge This Week
As you head into this week, I challenge you to think about YOUR bandwidth, and what parts of your life are pulling more from you than you really have the capacity to give. How can you honor your time better to support YOU?
Have a fabulous week my friends!
If this mini gave you a mindset boost, pass it on! Comment below & let me know— your energy makes a difference.
Meet Our Host: Jennifer Robin O’Keefe
Jennifer Robin serves as a relatable, down-to-earth, REAL Wellness & Success Coach. She’s not a fancy, perfect makeup, airbrushed kind of woman. She’s been told many times, in a variety of environments, that she’s easy to talk to, and makes others feel welcome and comfortable. Her mission in life is both simple and profound: to make others feel worthy.
Professionally, Jennifer holds several wellness certifications including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping, Thought Field Therapy (TFT) Tapping, Reiki, and more. She continuously expands her knowledge in the fields of Qi Gong, Xien Gong, Vibration/Energy Wellness and Natural Health. She also studied extensively with Jack Canfield, and serves as a Certified Canfield Trainer, authorized to teach "The Success Principles."
She’s an active reader and researcher who loves to learn, and one of her biggest joys is teaching and sharing what she’s discovered with others.