You’ve seen the posts. Heard the term. Maybe even said it: “I'm doing my shadow work.”
But what is the shadow, really?

In this two-part dive, Lora and Jeff wade into the fog of the human psyche to explore the parts of ourselves we’ve disowned — the messy, the shameful, but also the powerful and luminous. From family dynamics and cultural programming to unexpected gold hiding in the dark, this conversation shines a gentle light on what we avoid... and how reclaiming it might just free us.

And yes — we open with an eerie, vintage-radio-style story. Because of course we do.

In this episode, we explore:

- The importance of ratings and reviews for podcast growth.

- Understanding the shadow self is crucial for personal development.

- Disowned parts of ourselves can include both negative and positive traits.

- Cultural context influences how we perceive and engage with shadow work.

- Patterns in our behavior can reveal disowned traits.

- Integrating traits is more beneficial than eliminating them.

- Personal stories can illuminate our shadow work journey.

- Projection of our shadows onto others is a common behavior.

- Macro and micro perspectives help us understand societal shadows.

- Compassion towards our shadows fosters self-acceptance.

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Open Sea of Self-Discovery

00:43 The Importance of Ratings and Reviews

03:23 Understanding the Shadow Within

09:03 The Cultural Context of Shadow Work

10:48 Patterns and Disowned Aspects

16:43 Macro and Micro Shadows in Society

21:45 The Golden Shadow: Embracing Our Full Selves

27:59 Compassion for Our Shadows

#sowhatwhocarespodcast #sowhatwhocares #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #shadowwork #jungianpsychology #selfdiscovery #healingjourney #podcastconversation #mentalhealthpodcast #personaldevelopment #spiritualgrowth #integration #compassionateawareness #subconsciousmind #innerwork #systemichealing #reclaimyourpower #therapytools #nervoussystemhealing #ayahuascaretreat #podcastcommunity #selfawarenessjourney #shadowintegration

Welcome back to part two of our deep dive into the unconscious mind.

In this episode, Lora and Jeff explore the practical and personal terrain of working with unconscious material—how it shows up, how to notice it, and how to begin integrating it. From symbolic dreams and family patterns to inherited beliefs, cultural systems, and unexpected triggers (like a butter dish), they unpack how the unseen forces within us shape everything from our values to our reactions.

Lora brings a trauma-informed, curiosity-first approach to engaging with the unconscious, including tools from hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and active imagination. Jeff brings thoughtful questions and his own experience of trying to untangle personal truth from inherited programming.

In This Episode

• How dreams speak the language of the unconscious

• Tools for exploring symbolic material safely

• What it means to be "resourced" before digging deeper

• Why integration is messy, non-linear, and sometimes surprising

• The difference between healing and becoming more you

• How inherited emotional blueprints shape choices and self-image

• Why ego resists change—and how to stay curious anyway

• Individual healing as a path to collective transformation

  Connect with So What Who Cares

  Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  
  

  Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Chapters:

• [00:00] Welcome Back + The Language of Dreams

• [04:15] Symbols, Safety, and Facing the Shark

• [08:30] Shadow Work, Golden Shadow & the Fear of Knowing

• [12:40] Ego Resistance + The Butter Dish Story

• [18:15] Integration as “Steady Jerks” Over Time

• [23:30] Quick vs. Slow Healing Modalities

• [28:00] Unconscious Beliefs and the Cost of Avoidance

• [32:10] Parenting, Programming, and Generational Patterns

• [36:45] Collective Unconscious + Family Politics

• [41:00] Death Penalty Story + Belonging vs. Belief

• [47:30] Journaling, Somatic Awareness, and Active Imagination

• [50:30] Final Thoughts + Staying Curious

  
  

  
  

• #sowhatwhocarespodcast #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #theicebergepisode #unconsciousintegration #shadowwork #jungianpsychology #generationalhealing #dreamsymbols #mindbodyconnection #traumainformedhealing #healingjourney #selfinquiry #innerchildwork #liminalspaces #nervoussystemsupport #emotionalpatterns #familydynamics #consciousparenting #collectiveunconscious #innerwork #curiosityoverjudgment #personalgrowth #spiritualdevelopment #steadyjerks

You don’t need a Himalayan cushion, an incense cloud, or perfect posture to practice formal mindfulness—and you definitely don’t need to suffer through it.

In this episode, Lora and Jeff explore what it really means to have a formal mindfulness practice. We share personal stories, discuss the sneaky trap of spiritual ego, and break down the difference between simply sitting and truly observing with compassion.

Lora offers a trauma-inclusive lens for developing a formal meditation practice that actually meets you where you are—bed, chair, or wobbly stool included. Jeff opens up about how striving to "do it right" can get in the way of accessing presence, and how formal practices can soften or reinforce our inner patterns depending on how they’re held.

Whether you’re brand new to meditation or feeling boxed in by how you “should” be doing it, this conversation is full of insight, encouragement, and gentle permission to let the practice serve you—not the other way around.

In this episode:

• What makes a mindfulness practice “formal”—and why that matters

• The myth of the perfect meditation posture

• How compassion and structure balance each other in spiritual practice

• Trauma-aware tips for starting (or restarting) a meditation habit

• What it means to observe yourself without becoming your thoughts

• When discomfort is useful—and when it's just more rigidity

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#sowhatwhocarespodcast #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #formalmindfulness #meditationpractice #mindfulmeditation #traumainformed #compassionateawareness #sitwithit #mindfulnessmatters #selfinquiry #mentalhealthpodcast #nervoussystemregulation #presentmoment #meditationtips #selfcompassion #healingjourney #innerstillness #consciousliving #spiritualpractice #personaldevelopment #observingmind #sowhatwhocares

What if your most powerful mindfulness tools are taking a pause and wiggling your toes?

In this episode of So What Who Cares?, Lora and Jeff dive into one of the most practical, transformative topics they've explored yet: informal mindfulness.

From taking a breath before answering an email to noticing the moment your subconscious takes the wheel, this episode explores why mindfulness doesn't always need to be fancy, time-consuming, or done on a cushion surrounded by crystals. It just has to be real.

We discuss the acronym B.O.L.D. - Breathe, Observe, Listen, Decide - and why it can be a game changer when you're trying to stay aligned with your values in everyday moments.

In this episode we explore:

- What informal mindfulness really means and why it's more approachable than you might think

- The role of the subconscious in everyday reactions

- How values guide mindful decision-making

- The power of the pause: learning to respond, not react

- Community, connection, and why we can't do this work alone

So what? Practicing presence in small moments helps us live a life that actually feels like our own

Who cares? We do. And we're walking it with you.

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#sowhatwhocarespodcast #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #mindfulnesspractice #informalmindfulness #selfawareness #mentalhealthpodcast #mindfulmoments #emotionalintelligence #subconsciousmind #valuesbasedliving #pauseandreflect #boldmethod #traumainformed #healingjourney #nervoussystemregulation #mindfulleadership #everydaypresence #selfcompassion #personaldevelopment #podcastforgrowth #sowhatwhocares #consciousliving #mindfuldecisions #innerwork #selfinquiry #communitycare #presentoverperfect

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

03:47 Understanding Informal Mindfulness Practices

07:10 The BOLD Approach to Mindfulness

12:49 Navigating Emotional Responses with Mindfulness

18:06 Becoming the Observer: Insight and Awareness

24:08 Creating a Heart-Centered Life through Mindfulness

Be here, now, with compassion and loving kindness.

In this episode, Lora and Jeff explore the true essence of mindfulness, pulling it apart from buzzwords and misconceptions to reveal how it can ground us in our daily lives. We unpack the difference between mindfulness and meditation, share personal stories of staying present when things go awry (like losing a phone on the highway!), and talk about how mindfulness can help us show up in our relationships with compassion and attunement.The conversation also touches on how mindfulness is taught (and sometimes misused) in schools and corporate settings, and the ways it can be both helpful and misapplied. Whether you’re curious about mindful practices, want to understand the shadow side of “being present,” or are just looking for simple ways to bring mindfulness into your everyday routine, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Mindfulness is present moment awareness with kind attention.
• The compassionate lens is crucial in practicing mindfulness.
• Mindfulness can be misused or weaponized in conversations.
• Mindfulness is not the same as meditation; they intersect but are distinct.
• Everyday activities can be transformed into mindfulness practices.
• Mindfulness helps in managing stress and staying grounded.
• Mindfulness can improve relationships by fostering connection.
• There is a shadow side to mindfulness when it is misapplied.
• Mindfulness is increasingly being taught in schools and workplaces.
• Starting with informal practices can help integrate mindfulness into daily life.

• 
  

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: A Mindful Exploration

03:00 Understanding Mindfulness: Definitions and Misconceptions

05:56 Mindfulness vs. Meditation: Distinctions and Intersections

09:08 Everyday Mindfulness: Practicing Presence in Daily Life

11:52 Mindfulness in Stressful Situations: Staying Grounded

15:00 Mindfulness and Relationships: The Power of Presence

17:57 The Shadow Side of Mindfulness: Misuse and Misunderstanding

21:09 Mindfulness in Education and Corporate Settings

24:06 Building a Mindfulness Starter Pack: Practical Tips

27:02 Final Thoughts: Embracing Mindfulness in Everyday Life

#sowhatwhocares #sowhatwhocarespodcast #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #mindfulness #mindfulmoment #presentmoment #selfawareness #meditation #selfregulation #compassion #kindattention #stressmanagement #mentalhealth #nervoussystemregulation #emotionalintelligence #relationshiptips #mindfulrelationships #mindfulpractices #mindfulnessmatters #corporatemindfulness #mindfulnessineducation #informalpractice #mindfulnessjourney #wellbeing #wellness #mindfulmonday #selfcare #selfcompassion #anxietyrelief #grounding #mindfulbreathing #innerpeace #mindfulliving

What if every breath you take in this moment is more than air - it's a sacred thread that connects you to everything?

In this episode, we continue our conversation about breath, but with a more mystical perspective. While last episode we explored how breath can backfire when trauma is triggered, this time we're shifting into the numinous, the magical, and the spiritual.

We explore:

- The idea of breath as a sacred thread - a connection that links us to nature and to each other in profound ways.

- How breath awareness isn't just about science or regulation, but about feeling the pulse of life that surrounds us.

- Personal reflections and rituals that help us return to the present moment and honor the breath's role in sustaining life.

- How awareness of breath can be both a gentle practice and a powerful anchor in challenging times.

- How, with argon in every breath, we're literally breathing the past.

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Listener Engagement

02:41 The Essence of Breath: A Sacred Thread

04:49 Exploring the Mystical Aspects of Breathing

10:23 Breath as Connection to Nature

15:21 Rituals and Mindfulness in Daily Life

19:11 Understanding Breath and Panic Attacks

24:49 The Spirituality of Breath

33:02 Breath: The Sustainer of Life

#sowhatwhocarespodcast #sowhatwhocares #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #mindfulness #breathwork #selfawareness #innerpeace #spiritualawakening #sacredbreath #breathislife #numinous #healingjourney #meditationpractice #breathingtechniques #traumarecovery #holistichealth #soulfulbreath #mindbodyconnection #wellbeing #compassionateawareness #healingbreath #nervoussystemregulation #breathelife #breathpractice #mindfulmoments #spiritualhealth #resourcemindset #groundedliving