Mindfulness Exercises, with Sean Fargo

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo talks with Dr. Stefanie Broes, founder and CEO of Moonbird, about how tactile, screen-free technology can help us reconnect with the body through mindful breathing. Moonbird is a handheld device that literally breathes with you—expanding and contracting in your hand to guide calm, slow breathing for stress relief, better sleep, and heart-rate-variability (HRV) coherence. https://www.moonbird.life/ Sean and Stefanie explore the science and simplicity behind breathwork, how therapists and counselors are using Moonbird in clinical settings, and why a tactile approach can make mindfulness more accessible for children and adults alike. Listen in to learn how mindful breathing transforms anxiety, improves emotional regulation, and strengthens our connection between mind and body—one conscious breath at a time. 🔗 Learn more: mindfulnessexercises.com/podcast 🔗 Explore Moonbird: moonbird.life Keywords: mindful breathing, breathwork, HRV, sleep, stress relief, mindfulness tools, trauma-sensitive mindfulness, Moonbird, Stefanie Broes, Sean Fargo, breathing device, counselors, therapists, anxiety support, mindfulness exercises podcast 🕒 Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast 01:00 – Stefanie Broes’ story: From insomnia and stress to discovering breathwork 04:30 – The science behind slow breathing and the body’s relaxation response 06:00 – How Moonbird was born: from avocado prototypes to embodied calm 09:30 – Why touch and tactility matter for mindfulness and sleep 12:00 – From tracking to acting: turning data into embodied calm 15:00 – Heart Rate Variability (HRV): why coherence matters for stress and recovery 18:00 – Breathwork vs. mindfulness of breathing—complementary or separate? 22:00 – Custom breathing rhythms and guided exercises inside the Moonbird app 25:00 – Therapeutic uses: how counselors and psychologists integrate Moonbird 30:00 – Moonbird for kids & classrooms—introducing the “Moonbuddy” 35:00 – Why embodiment makes mindfulness more emotionally safe 37:00 – Sean on mindfulness & clear comprehension (Satipaṭṭhāna / Ānāpānasati insights) 39:30 – Future of breath tech and mindfulness in schools and organizations 42:00 – Closing reflections: embodied calm as a universal practice 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo explores how to lead trauma-sensitive body scan meditations with compassion, choice, and safety. Designed for mindfulness teachers, coaches, therapists, and wellness professionals, this session offers practical tools for guiding clients who may carry trauma in their bodies. Discover how to balance awareness with grounding, introduce choice and agency, and cultivate safety in every meditation experience. Sean also walks you through a full trauma-sensitive body scan practice—helping you embody these teachings yourself before sharing them with others. If you’re a mindfulness or meditation teacher, this episode will deepen your understanding of how trauma impacts the body and how to create inclusive, healing spaces for your clients. 00:01 — Introduction: Why trauma-sensitive practices matter for mindfulness professionals 01:30 — The Impact of Trauma on the Body: Understanding vigilance, numbness, and tension 02:40 — Gratitude & Self-Compassion: Gentle practices to shift from scarcity to abundance 03:54 — Mindful Movement: How physical awareness supports grounding and safety 05:35 — Preparing for the Body Scan: Setting up comfort, safety, and empowerment 06:25 — Guided Body Scan Begins: Step-by-step awareness from head to toe 11:08 — Grounding & Safety Techniques: Using breath and gravity as anchors 13:30 — Pendulation: Moving between comfort and discomfort with care 14:43 — Empowering Client Choice: Restoring agency and safety in the body 15:59 — Working with Emotions: Welcoming sensations with curiosity and compassion 19:02 — Titration & Pacing: Introducing small doses of attention safely 20:32 — Rupture & Repair: Reestablishing trust when difficulty arises 22:44 — Subtle Energy Awareness: Sensing life force within the body 23:22 — Integrating Practice into Daily Life: Micro meditations and mindful pauses 24:47 — Closing Reflections: Healing as integration, not erasure Trauma-sensitive mindfulness prioritizes safety, choice, and empowerment. Techniques like pendulation and titration help clients regulate and stay present. Your own embodied awareness is essential to guide others effectively. Healing is not about erasing the past—it’s about integrating and transforming it with compassion. If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps others discover the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast and supports this growing community of mindful practitioners. Subscribe for more free teachings and meditations at MindfulnessExercises.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When pain shows up in practice, it can feel overwhelming but it can also be a doorway to deeper awareness. This is an excerpt from our Community Gathering wherein a student opens up about the challenge of neck pain becoming overwhelming during meditation. Rather than offering a quick fix, Sean Fargo invites a gentler approach: turning toward discomfort with curiosity and compassion instead of resistance or judgment. This conversation is a reminder that pain in meditation isn’t a barrier to practice, but an opportunity to deepen presence, patience, and care. Chapters 00:00 – The Question 01:51 – Resources for Pain & Mindfulness 03:27 – Pain vs. Suffering 04:54 – Approaching with Gentleness 06:48 – Exploring the Geography of Pain 08:50 – Visualization & Self-Compassion 10:41 – Movement Practices 11:48 – The Mantra of Softening 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful conversation from the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Julie Lythcott-Haims — New York Times bestselling author, activist, politician, and former Stanford dean — about how mindfulness can help us face shame, rewrite old stories, and create space for authentic belonging. Julie shares how she first discovered mindfulness in her 30s, how body awareness helped her get out of her own way, and how storytelling became a tool for healing unprocessed pain. She reflects on writing Real American, her memoir on race and belonging, and the liberation that came from releasing stories she had carried for decades. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 04:11 – mindfulness as a path to self-awareness 06:40 – Writing as emotional release 10:35 – Holding space with compassion 14:41 – The courage of vulnerability 21:16 – Helicopter Parenting: lesson in parenting and self-growth 30:25 – Post-It notes of connection 33:00 – Freeing others through your story 36:57 – Releasing fear and finding courage to be seen 38:25 – A moment of belonging with a taxi driver 41:03 – Building bridges across difference 46:25 – Living authentically with compassion 🔗Know more about Julie Julie Lythcott-Haims: julielythcotthaims.com Substack: julielythcotthaims.substack.com TED Talk: How to Raise an Adult Books: How to Raise an Adult, Real American, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At some point in practice, many of us wonder: Why does it feel like I’m not growing anymore? In this excerpt from our Community Gathering Q&A, a student opens up about reaching a plateau after years of mindfulness and healing work. Sean Fargo offers a compassionate reframing that feeling stuck is not failure, but often a sign that something deeper is asking for attention. Along the way, he shares practical ways to soften this stuckness — from grounding in nature, to seeking help and support, to practicing forgiveness and self-compassion. This conversation reminds us that plateaus are not the end of the journey, but turning points that can open us into greater freedom, resilience, and wholeness. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:32 – Updating the Blueprint 02:26 – Stuck Energy 03:30 – Asking for Support 04:40 – Grounding & Renewal Practices 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sean Fargo explores the deep relationship between mindfulness and concentration — two practices that are often taught separately but in reality support and sustain each other. Drawing inspiration from his teacher Ajahn Chah, Sean reflects on how concentration serves as the foundation that allows mindfulness to stay steady with the unfolding present moment. Through personal stories from his years as a Buddhist monk and practical concentration exercises, Sean highlights how simplicity, stillness, and focus can help us extend the duration of our presence. From visualizations in the belly to counting breaths, focusing on external objects, or repeating loving-kindness phrases, concentration practice becomes a refuge from the busyness of modern life and a gateway into joy, clarity, and perspective. Listeners are invited to experiment with lengthening their meditations, stringing together multiple sessions, or even holding mini at-home retreats. Sean Fargo also shares candid reflections on challenges like the five hindrances, the difference between grasping and genuine focus, and how deep concentration can lead to profound insights, stillness, and even some of life’s happiest moments. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why mindfulness and concentration are “two ends of the same stick” Practical techniques to stay present longer, from breath counting to visualization How concentration fuels mindfulness and supports choiceless awareness The role of concentration in overcoming the five hindrances Insights into stillness, joy, and clarity that arise with deeper practice Resources & Links: Watch the full session on YouTube: Staying Present Longer Learn more about Ajahn Chah’s teachings: ajahnchah.org Explore free meditations, courses, and trainings at MindfulnessExercises.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest questions new mindfulness teachers face is simple but daunting: Where do I even begin? This episode comes straight from a live Zoom call with Sean Fargo and his students, Sean Fargo responds to a heartfelt question: “When you’re just starting out, how do you know what to teach first?” Sean shares his own journey of finding direction as a new teacher, including moments of fear, uncertainty, and surprising inspiration — from teaching mindfulness in prisons, to healthcare, to corporate boardrooms. Rather than following a rigid curriculum, he emphasizes starting with who your heart feels called to help. Whether you’re just starting to guide mindfulness or refining your teaching path, this conversation offers heartfelt encouragement: you don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:37 – Sean’s First Advice 03:05 – Teaching from Shared Struggles 04:17 – Early Teaching Story 05:59 – Following Opportunities 07:17 – Letting Your Practice Lead 09:14 – Finding Your Niche 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this guided meditation, Sean Fargo leads us into the heart of concentration practice by inviting a sense of safety, openness, and gentle presence. Drawing from his training as a Buddhist monk and his years of teaching mindfulness, Sean introduces simple yet profound ways to steady the mind and deepen focus — beginning with the breath, moving through sound and sight, and resting in the body, heart, and mind. This practice emphasizes the importance of feeling safe enough to let go of distractions and place attention on just one aspect of experience at a time. Along the way, Sean integrates reflections on goodness and gratitude, loving-kindness phrases, and visualization techniques to gladden the mind and open the heart. Whether you are new to meditation or seeking to strengthen your ability to stay present, this session offers practical tools for cultivating concentration and stillness in daily life. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why a sense of safety is foundational for concentration How to use breath, sound, and sight as anchors for awareness Ways to gladden the mind and open the heart through gratitude A step-by-step practice to gently return attention when the mind wanders Tune in to experience a calming, heart-opening journey into concentration meditation. Want to deepen your mindfulness or mindfulness teaching journey? Schedule a free Zoom call with Sean here: https://calendly.com/sean-108/certification Please leave us a 5-star review. It will help others find the podcast. Thank you!!! Resources & Links: Watch the original session on YouTube: Rick Hanson’s Wednesday Meditation Series Learn more about Rick Hanson’s weekly meditations: rickhanson.com/wednesday-meditations-with-dr-rick-hanson Explore teacher trainings, guided practices, and more at MindfulnessExercises.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this gentle bedtime practice, Sean Fargo guides us through a soothing meditation to unwind the nervous system and soften into rest. Rather than trying to fix or change anything, this meditation invites you to allow what’s here and let it be held in a space of kindness. Whether you’re lying down for the night or simply seeking a few quiet moments to reset, this practice supports a natural shift into stillness and safety. There’s nothing to solve or get right—only an invitation to breathe, relax, and be. 💭 What You’ll Experience A slow, spacious invitation into rest Guidance that welcomes whatever sensations, thoughts, or feelings arise A reminder that you don’t need to be “calm” to allow calmness A deeply relaxing pause to end the day with care 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion?Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠ Enjoyed this guided meditation? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Mindfulness Exercises, Sean Fargo and Loch Kelly explore the essence of effortless mindfulness—a direct shift into awake, loving awareness that doesn’t rely on heavy concentration. Loch shows how quick “glimpses” can reset us, how flow isn’t the same as hyper-focus, and how using visual, auditory, or felt cues helps mindfulness land in everyday life and teaching. Whether you’re a mindfulness teacher, therapist, coach, or a practitioner navigating stress or attention challenges, you’ll get clear language, quick practices, and compassionate tools to bring mindfulness into daily life and share it with integrity. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 06:18 - Catching "glimpses" 16:14 - Effortless mindfulness 19:18 - Going back to your ego center 24:55 - Guided Glimpse Practice 32:22 - What's doing the glimpsing 41:01 - How to release your barriers? 49:58 - Shortcut to understanding the mind 1:09:08 - Imposter Syndrome as a facilitator 🔗Know more about Loch Kelly 🌐Website 📱Mindful Glimpses App (Get it 20% off) 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo sits down with Dr. Steve Haberlin—educator, mindfulness teacher, and researcher dedicated to helping aspiring teachers share mindfulness with authenticity and confidence. Sean and Dr. Haberlin explore the unique challenges facing today’s college students — from stress and distraction to the mental health crisis on campuses. Steve shares how he began weaving mindfulness into the classroom, what the data says about its benefits, and why practices like breathwork, box breathing, and loving-kindness can help students regulate stress and unlock their potential. His research and teaching reveal both the opportunities and barriers to bringing mindfulness into academic settings, offering insights for educators, parents, and students alike. Whether you’re a mindfulness teacher, a college educator, or simply someone navigating stress, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration to bring mindfulness into everyday life. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 02:42 – Discovering meditation at age 12 06:34 – How practice evolved into daily life 10:02 – Bringing mindfulness into classrooms 15:54 – Research findings: stress, anxiety & student well-being 18:54 – Barriers students face with mindfulness 21:31 – What practices work best (MBSR, loving-kindness, box breathing) 23:40 – Risks of pushing practices too far, too fast 32:25 – Mindfulness tech: apps, neurofeedback, and AI 🌿 Tune in to learn how to move beyond self-doubt, step into your voice, and share mindfulness in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Dr. Dan Siegel—Harvard-trained physician, psychiatrist, bestselling author, and pioneer in the field of interpersonal neurobiology. Dan shares how his journey from medicine to psychiatry led him to redefine what we mean by “mind.” Together, Sean and Dan explore how mindfulness, relationships, and brain science intersect—and how integration is the foundation of well-being. They also dive into Dan’s groundbreaking work, including the Wheel of Awareness meditation, and his newest book Personality and Wholeness in Therapy, which bridges neurobiology with the Enneagram to reveal how personality patterns shape our growth. This conversation blends science, story, and heart—reminding us that true integration is made visible through kindness and compassion. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ How Dan Siegel went from skeptic to leader in mindfulness research ✔ Why the mind is more than just what the brain does ✔ The four facets of the mind: subjective experience, consciousness, information processing, and self-organization ✔ Growth edges: how to move from personality patterns toward wholeness Episode Chapters: 00:00 — Intro02:18 — From Medicine to Mindfulness Research07:05 — What Is the Mind, Really?12:40 — Integration as the Basis of Well-Being18:15 — The Wheel of Awareness Practice 32:08 — Personality, the Enneagram & Wholeness40:16 — Outro 💡 Learn more about Dr. Dan Siegel’s work: 🔗 drdansiegel.com📘 Books: Personality & Whole Wellness Therapy, Wheel of Awareness 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this mindfulness talk and guided meditation, Sean Fargo invites us to examine and shift the “mental models” that shape how we see ourself and the world. We all carry inner narratives—beliefs, assumptions, and self-talk—that can either support our well-being or keep us stuck in patterns of stress, scarcity, and self-criticism. In this episode, Sean helps you recognize unhelpful mental models with gentle awareness and then guides you through a three-part practice to reset your state through your body, focus, and language, inspired by Tony Robbins. By the end of this talk and meditation, you’ll feel more grounded, open, and empowered to meet challenges with clarity and compassion. What You’ll Experience in This Episode: ✔ How to identify and name unhelpful mental models without judgment ✔ A guided body-awareness practice to shift your state ✔ How to redirect your focus toward what’s working in your life ✔ Practical ways to soften your self-talk and choose empowering language ✔ The “body, focus, language” triad for reframing your challenges ✔ A closing visualization to anchor your new state into action 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion?Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 ⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠ Enjoyed this guided meditation? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Inna Segal—internationally bestselling author of The Secret Language of Your Body and pioneer in the field of intuitive healing. Inna shares her personal journey from chronic pain and illness to full recovery, guided by a deep reconnection with her body’s wisdom. She explains how physical symptoms can be messages from the body, pointing us toward unresolved emotions, stress, or lifestyle imbalances. This inspiring conversation explores how mindfulness, intuition, and self-awareness can work together to support both physical and emotional healing. With practical tools and real-life examples, Inna offers a roadmap for listening to your body and creating lasting wellness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔ How Inna went from chronic illness to complete healing✔ The ways the body communicates through symptoms✔ How unprocessed emotions can manifest as physical pain✔ The role of mindfulness and intuition in self-healing✔ Simple tools to reconnect with your body’s wisdom✔ How awareness and self-empowerment accelerate recovery Episode Chapters 00:00 — Intro & Inna Segal’s Healing Story03:12 — When the Body Speaks Through Symptoms07:40 — Listening to Intuition for Wellness12:05 — Emotions That Manifest as Physical Pain17:48 — Simple Tools for Self-Healing23:10 — Empowering Yourself Through Awareness 💡 Learn more about Inna’s work and resources: 🌐 https://www.innasegal.com/ 📘 The Secret Language of Your Body 🧘 Want to teach mindfulness with skill, depth, and compassion? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program to access live mentorship, trauma-sensitive training, and a global network of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Learn more or enroll here:🔗 mindfulnessexercises.com/certify Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Ariel Garten—neuroscientist, innovator, and co-founder of Muse, the brain-sensing meditation device. Blending neuroscience, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship, Ariel offers a unique perspective on how we can train the mind to become more aware, focused, and resilient. She shares the science behind brainwave activity in meditation, the difference between concentration and mindfulness, and how real-time feedback can deepen self-awareness. Together, Ariel and Sean explore the intersection of technology and mindfulness and how tools like Muse can support practitioners and teachers in cultivating consistency and insight. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Intro01:52 — What Muse Measures in the Brain05:20 — Concentration vs. Mindfulness09:45 — How Biofeedback Deepens Practice13:18 — Brainwave States in Meditation16:40 — Why Real-Time Feedback Matters20:33 — The Role of Self-Compassion24:09 — Using Muse Without Judgment28:01 — Tech + Mindfulness for Behavior Change32:16 — Insights from Data-Driven Practice36:44 — Ariel’s Vision for the Future of Muse40:00 — Closing Reflections & Where to Learn More 💡 Learn more about Ariel's work Muse - https://www.ChooseMuse.com/Mindfulness LinkedIn Instagram 🧘 Ready to teach mindfulness with more depth, safety, and real-world care? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program for trauma-informed training, live mentorship, and a global community of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Enroll or learn more: 🔗 ⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/certify⁠ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Rosalie Dores—mindfulness teacher, supervisor, and social change facilitator based in the UK. Rooted in over 20 years of meditation practice and social justice work, Rosalie brings a thoughtful and courageous perspective to what it means to be mindful in a world that’s deeply interconnected and often unjust. She and Sean explore the real responsibilities of mindfulness teachers in times of global crisis—from war and climate change to systems of inequality. Rosalie shares how mindfulness can be a tool not just for personal regulation, but for collective awakening. This episode is a powerful call to teach, practice, and live with greater awareness of our relational and societal impact. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why mindfulness practice must evolve to meet global suffering✔ How to skillfully hold discomfort, grief, and rage in our practice✔ What it means to “decolonize” the field of mindfulness✔ How to talk about war, racism, and inequality without bypassing or reactivity✔ The difference between neutrality and avoidance in teaching✔ Why silence can sometimes be harmful even in spiritual spaces✔ Practical tools for staying grounded while engaging in social action 🌍 Learn more about Rosalie’s work: https://optimalliving.co.uk/about/about-rosalie/ https://insightdialogue.org/teachers/10082/rosalie-dores/ https://mbitac.bangor.ac.uk/mbitac-tool.php.en https://mindfulnessitalia.it/mindfulness/associazione-italiana https://ingoodcompany.mn.co/ Link mentioned in the episode: https://mindfulnessexercises.com/free-online-mindfulness-courses/the-work-that-reconnects Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, we explore how self-love is not a luxury or cliché — it’s a foundational practice of mindful living and teaching. Through reflections, real-life examples, and guided insights, you’ll learn how cultivating compassion toward yourself isn’t about indulgence — it’s about resilience, truth, and belonging. Whether you’re a mindfulness teacher, seeker, or someone in the process of healing, this episode reminds us that self-love isn’t the end of the path — it is the path. The difference between self-love and self-judgment disguised as motivation How mindfulness helps us witness ourselves without shame Why self-love is essential for those who teach or care for others Breath- and body-based practices to soften resistance and open the heart How to shift from "fixing" ourselves to befriending who we already are “You don’t need to become someone else to be worthy of love. You just need to come home to yourself.” Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Francesca Maxime—Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, certified mindfulness teacher, and founder of ReRooted Healing. Drawing from her lived experience as a Haitian-Dominican Italian-American and her years as a journalist, Francesca brings a deeply embodied and trauma-informed lens to mindfulness, healing, and racial justice. Together, she and Sean explore how mindfulness intersects with somatics, decolonization, and collective care. This conversation touches on everything from intergenerational trauma to the nervous system's role in social change. With warmth and clarity, Francesca invites us to move beyond disembodied practice and toward a felt sense of liberation—for ourselves and our communities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ How somatic awareness supports healing from trauma and oppression ✔ Why decolonizing mindfulness means reconnecting with the body ✔ How racialized trauma shows up in the nervous system and how to tend to it ✔ The difference between coping and true healing ✔ Why “just observing” isn’t enough in trauma-sensitive mindfulness ✔ How to bring mindfulness into movements for justice, equity, and belonging ✔ What it means to create safety not just for individuals, but for entire communities 💡 Learn more about Francesca’s work 🔗https://maximeclarity.com/ Instagram 🧘 Ready to teach mindfulness with more depth, safety, and real-world care? Join Sean Fargo’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program for trauma-informed training, live mentorship, and a global community of mindfulness professionals. 👉 Enroll or learn more: 🔗 mindfulnessexercises.com/certify Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spiritual bypassing can quietly undermine our best intentions as mindfulness teachers — especially when trauma is involved. In this powerful episode, we unpack what it means to teach mindfulness without bypassing trauma, and why it’s so essential to adapt practices for the nervous system needs of trauma survivors. You’ll learn how to recognize subtle signs of trauma activation, adjust language and posture cues for safety, and create mindfulness environments where students feel seen, empowered, and respected. This is an essential listen for any teacher who wants to serve with integrity and avoid causing harm — while also deepening their own self-awareness along the way. 🔹 What spiritual bypassing looks like in mindfulness settings — and how to avoid it 🔹 How trauma impacts the nervous system and why standard practices can backfire 🔹 The most common language mistakes teachers make that unintentionally harm students 🔹 Practical, trauma-sensitive alternatives to traditional meditation cues 🔹 How to foster choice, agency, and psychological safety in every class or session 🔹 Specific red flags that may indicate trauma activation in students 🔹 Real case studies showing how skilled teachers adjusted in the moment 🔹 Why self-awareness, therapy, and ongoing education are essential for mindfulness guides 🔹 Resources and books to further develop trauma-informed teaching 🔹 Encouragement for holding space with humility, presence, and genuine care This is made for: Mindfulness and meditation teachers Therapists and coaches using contemplative tools Yoga and somatic practitioners Healthcare professionals Anyone guiding others through inner work, healing, or stress reduction Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠⁠ Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by our Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification. Register today for 80% off at ⁠⁠⁠https://mindfulnessexercises.com/certify/ In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo guides a heartfelt exploration of loving-kindness—one of the most transformative mindfulness practices for connecting with ourselves and others. Sean shares reflections on what it really means to open the heart, even when we feel resistance, numbness, or emotional pain. This episode includes a guided meditation that weaves together four powerful styles of loving-kindness practice, offering listeners multiple ways to cultivate genuine care, empathy, and connection. Whether you’ve practiced Metta before or are new to it, this episode helps you meet yourself and others with more gentleness, compassion, and curiosity. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why loving-kindness can feel uncomfortable or even triggering at timesand how to work skillfully with that✔ How to meet resistance, grief, or doubt with gentle awareness✔ 4 unique ways to guide or practice loving-kindness meditation✔ Why Metta is more than just repeating phrases, it’s about emotional attunement✔ How to offer love to friends, difficult people, and yourself without bypassing pain✔ A complete, guided loving-kindness meditation you can return to anytime 🧘 Want to go deeper into loving-kindness practice and learn how to teach it skillfully? Explore the guest teacher workshop with Donald Rothberg on how to share Metta meditation with others—available inside our members area. Enjoyed this episode? ⭐ Leave us a review and share how mindfulness enhances your personal or professional practice! 🔗 Join our community to connect with other mindfulness professionals: Mindfulness Exercises Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect Community for Mindfulness Teachers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulnessexercises.com/connect-mindfulness-community⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mindfulness.Exercises⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Exercising Mindfulness⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 Explore more guided meditations and mindfulness resources at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mindfulness Exercises⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices