Starfish Diaries

Shame has such a sneaky way of showing up in our lives, and in this episode I talk about why I'm over it. Shame lives in the corners, in the cravings, in the habits we swear we’ll quit tomorrow. Let's dig into why shame feels so heavy… and why it doesn’t actually help us grow. Together, we explore how moral judgments from society and from ourselves turn very normal coping mechanisms into character flaws.

But what if there’...

In this episode, we're talking about what it really means to feel safe- not just physically, but emotionally and energetically. I open up about my own experiences with anxiety and the ways it can quietly shape our choices, our relationships, and how we move through the world.

Through personal stories and a few favorite metaphors (including one about a tsunami), I explore how finding safety isn’t about eliminating uncertainty, i...

In this episode, I explore why reaching out for support can feel uncomfortable, especially for people who grew up believing they had to be independent, endlessly capable, and effortlessly successful to have value. I open up about my lifelong chase for “gold stars” through external validation, and how that mindset led me away from authenticity and toward performance.

We dive into self-trust, vulnerability, nervous system safety, and ...

In this conversation, I explore what it really means to ask for help... the kind of ask that stretches your heart a little and asks you to trust yourself first. I talk about how my relationship with asking for help has evolved through recovery and self-discovery, and why it’s not just an act of reaching out, but an act of self-trust.

We’ll unpack the vulnerability that comes with needing support, the desperation that doesn't al...

In this episode, I tell stories from teaching yoga, and share some of my tools and tricks to help people get out of their head and into their bodies even during the most challenging time of life. We explore the healing power of connection, breath, music and mindfulness against all odds-  reminders that yoga isn’t about perfection, but about showing up and finding the safe, quiet spaces within.

Learn more at LizMcKean.com. You c...

We are back after a week away! 

Buckle up, because today I am coming in hot with a metaphor that I cannot wait to share. Have you ever heard the story of how a dragonfly becomes a dragonfly? I hadn't- and after this episode you will be a dragonfly expert. More importantly, I hope our dragonfly friends inspire you to break free from whatever you're ready to leave behind... no matter how wild the first step might seem. 

Send ...

This is a snack sized episode about something that hasn’t always come naturally to me: asking for help. Maybe you can relate! For a long time, I thought I had to figure everything out on my own, but life (and recovery) has taught me that seeking out  support - the right support! - is a sign of growth, and one that requires strength, not weakness. I share a bit about my own journey of learning to ask for help, acknowledge the privil...

Sometimes anxiety makes decision-making feel impossible. Other times, clarity shows up when you'd least expect it. This week on Starfish Diaries, I talk about the messy middle; learning to trust our gut, honor our feelings, and build the support we need along the way.

I tell the story of my “guinea pig feeling” (you read that right), and how it became a lesson for trusting intuition in recovery and beyond. We talk about why anx...

This episode is the first of several about recovery, alcohol use, addiction (and whatever else you want to call it), and it's one I'm especially eager to share with you. I've told my story on many-a-podcast, but it feels different when it's my own show, and I talk about this topic in a way I haven't in other places. 

Whether or not you are "in recovery" (which can mean so many things the mind boggl...

In this episode of Starfish Diaries, we explore the complex concept of identity; who we are, who people think we are, and ever-evolving language we use to make sense of it all. A recent experience of literal identity theft (shudder) has me thinking and talking about the bigger picture: how much of our sense of capital-S Self is tied to labels, roles, and outside perceptions, and how freeing it can be to connect with the un-stealabl...

Welcome to episode 1! In this conversation, we'll talk about the concept of choice, emphasizing the importance of self-trust. Take a peek into my experience of addiction and recovery, alongside lessons learned & practiced on the yoga mat. 

We are just getting started! Subscribe and never miss an episode. 

Time stamps if that's your jam:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Journey
02:56 The Starfish Story and Its Signif...

Welcome to Starfish Diaries, a podcast with Liz McKean. In this snack-sized episode I tell you the story that inspired the podcast's name:The Starfish Story... which also happens to be the why behind everything I do.

We'll talk a bit about the overlap of self care and service, and I invite you to join me as we explore themes like choices, changes, trust, and unconditional self-like (yes, like).

Time Stamps if that's yo...