Episodes

April 1, 2026

Begin Again: The Power of a Beginner's Mind

In today's episode, we're exploring the gentle power of beginning again. So often, we hold ourselves back because we feel like we should already have it figured out...but what if you allowed yourself to be a beginner? This episode is a reminder to release perfection, soften into the present moment, and come back home to yourself. I'm also sharing a personal reflection from creating my affirmation cards and how embracing a beginner's mind is helping me move frorard with more peace and less pre...
March 23, 2026

Using Gifts, Trust, and Purpose, Deacon James Parker, Jr.

You do not want to miss this interview with Deacon James Parker, Jr. He shares his wisdom on how we can learn to listen to God's word and apply it into our lives. In doing so, we learn how to share our gifts to the world. He gives his take on how to continue to show up, even when it gets overwhelming and is completely out of your comfort zone. You will want to grab a notebook and take notes, because it is filled with wisdom and insight from a man that embodies what he preaches. He definately "Wa...
March 21, 2026

Ordianry is Extraordinary:Come Back to Center

What if nothing in your life is actually ordinary? In this episode of Lavender Mind, We can reflect on a simple moment-receiving a bouquet of Gerber daisies-and how slowing down to truly notice their detail opened to door to something deeper. Through awareness, creativity, and faith, we explore how the smallest shift in attention can gently reshape the way we experience our lives. Because sometimes, it's not that life becomes beautiful... it's that we begin to see that it always was. What y...
March 18, 2026

Gratitude, Presence, True Joy, A Way to Shift Your Life

Ever notice how your most meaningful memories can fade into the background.....until they start to feel ordinary? In this episode, we explore a gentle, science-backed practice called mental subtraction-imagining a treasured moment never happened to fully awaken appreciation for it. You'll learn how to: Settle your body and nervous system with simple somatic cues (soft jaw, relaxed shoulders, steady breath) Select a meaningful memory and trace the chain of choices, timing, and support that br...
March 17, 2026

Decision Fatique: 4 Mindful/Practical Ideas

Did you know that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day? Frow what we eat to whether to respond to the next text-our brains are constantly choosing. No wonder we are maybe feeling a little drained or foggy, maybe even overwhelmed. In this episode, we explore decision fatique and why it's not about laziness or lack of willpower-it's your brain running out of energiy. You'll learn: What decision fatique feels like when it happens How your nervous system responds to constant overload A...
March 11, 2026

Presence, Creativity and Trust

Finding Stillness in a Busy Life Life can feel a little or a lot overwhelming and busy. Our minds can follow these rhythms if we are not aware and allow that to happen. We can go from one task to the next, one worry to the next. In this episode, we explore the simple practice of returning to the present moment. Through allowing our minds to come back to center, allowing ourselves to come back to the moment, to where we are on this earth, we can center. Through mindfulness, small creative momen...
Feb. 27, 2026

Life Loves Me (Even If I Didn't Feel It Yet)

In This Episode, We Explore: Identity vs circumstance Why affirmations don't work during dysregulation The layering process: Ground first, then reframe How repitition shapes the subconscious Why small wins count How survival changes perspective The difference between toxic positivity The difference between toxic positivity and planted posture The Layering FrameworkRelease------Gound the body Realign------Choose the narrative Radiate------Embody the posture Grounding waters the soil. ...
Feb. 25, 2026

Instead of forcing Positive Feelings, Try This

In this Episode, We Talk About: Why the pressure to stay high vibe can feel overwhelming How the thought "I should be somewhere else by now" creates nervous system tension The difference between grounding and bypassing A shift to help bring you back to the present moment A Grounding Reframe from the Episode: Instead of fighting where I think I should be, I choose to honor where I am. Right now, this is where I am. This is NOT giving up on growth- It's stopping the war with the present ...
Feb. 21, 2026

Big Trust, Puppies and Pillows

Trust sounds spiritual....Until my nice pillows are chewed! ???? What does trust look like in real life? Sometimes it looks like a brand-new puppy. Chewed pillows. And standing in the middle of what looks lide snow-except you live in southern Louisiana, and it's actually pillow stuffing scattered everywhere. In this episode, we talk about trust as a practice, not a personality trait. Not something you "have" once life feels safe-but something you return to again and again, right in the mid...
Feb. 17, 2026

Perfection is Not Peace

Perfection often looks like responsibility. Like maturity. Like "doing things right." It is great to hold yourself to a high standard. I am not saying laziness is the winner here. Often times perfection is fear dressed up in a costume. It says, wait, polish and postpone. In this episode, I share why perfection doesn't bring peace, and how waiting for the right time can keep us disconnected from what matters most. This episode is an invitation to stop waiting for ideal conditions-and make spa...
Feb. 5, 2026

The "What If" Game, Anxiety from The News

The What If Game.....So easy if you are a human walking the earth. It is this game of what if we (you fill in the blank. No one has a short list of things they could pull from in the worry category. Today is a quick technique to stop the mental loop and ground in the now. It is easy and useful. Listen in as I share how to stop the "What If" game. Let's connect! if you would like to follow me on social or email me: info@lavendermind.com @lavendermind_wellness insta @lavendermind_wellness tik ...
Feb. 3, 2026

Kick and Smile, One Square at a Time

What if the way through fear isn't figuring everything out-but taking the next small, brave step? In this episode, I share two simple stories-painting with a 13 year old neighbor and dancing with my mom at my wedding-that reveal a truth: peace lives in the present. We explore how overwhelm comes from trying to hold the whole canvas of life at once, and how returning to one square at a time allows courage, creativity, and divine guidance to meet us right where we are. This episode is an invita...
Jan. 28, 2026

Staying Present, Yet Dreaming of the Future

Present moment awareness teaches to live in the moment. This is how we tap into peace. How do we do this if we are dreaming of a bright future? This is a question I used to have. I dive into this question in today's episode. If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review or share it with a friend. If you would like to get in touch with me, feel free to e-mail me at Info@lavendermind.com Have a wonderful day!
Jan. 22, 2026

Don't Let This One Thing Steal Your Peace!

We all are guilty of it..... scrolling and comparing. Comparison can ruin your day, your relationships, your momentum. Comparison can ruin our lives. This is a reminder for all of us, that we can take that power back. Awareness is step one. In this episode, I cover a way to use it as leverage. I hope you enjoy it! I am so happy to be back. If you would like to be in touch, please reach out at info@lavendermind.com. Have an amazing day. www.lavendermind.com
Jan. 13, 2026

New Season! When Life Feels Like A Never Ending Tech Support Call

Ahhhhh, it is good to be back!!!!! Welcome back or welcome, if this is your first time here!!!!! Ever feel like your brain has 20 tabs open? In today's comeback episode, Katie Shares 2 simple ways to come back to center when life gets to be too much, you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and on autopilot. These are gentle practical rituals to recenter you in real life-no perfect routine required. I would love to here from you! info@lavendermind.com
Nov. 24, 2025

My Accidental Experiment with Skipping my Morning Mindfulness Routine-My North Star

I accidentally skipped my morning mindfulness routine of about ten years last week. Let me tell you….. I won’t do that again, lol! Here is what I noticed. Everything triggered me I felt completely off Joy was an old freind I could not focus I felt like I was alone I felt like my purpose was silly I was a mess!!!!!!! I jokingly said to a friend, I have not been very mindful lately. It hit me like a ton of bricks! It was a great teacher though. I realize the importance of these practices. I...
Nov. 12, 2025

Pain to Purpose: Finding Confidence, Faith, and Healing with Marsha Tucaling

This episode is one of the most powerful and transformational conversations I have ever had. My guest Marsha Tuscaling opens up about her courageous journey through sexual abouse, suicide thoughts and an attempt, and growing up as an immigrant in deep poverty-where there were times her family had no food and her father struggled with alcoholism. Marsha shares how she went from hopelessness and self-doubt to a life rooted in confidence, faith and purpose. She talks about the pivotal moments when...
Nov. 5, 2025

Leukemia Lessons

In this episode, I share the lessons I learned from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at eleven. I was not only given the gift of life, but new “sight.” We all have this inside, this “sight” we just all need little reminders. Leukemia taught me: Time is a gift and not to waste it The importance of using our gifts fully-don’t wait for that perfect moment Mindset tools from my hippy doctor and mom and how our mind is a tool that transforms everything (especially when we have been stripped of health...
Nov. 4, 2025

Mom Guilt, Not Today

You know the feeling, you missed the email for your kid, the event, dress up was purple not green, the photo form was yesterday, the list goes on and on…… Maybe it is not that you are not enough, it’s that you care so much!!!!! info@lavendermind.com If you or anyone you know would like to be on the show. Let’s connect https://linktr.ee/katieballanco For 15% off of http://fusionaryformulas LavenderMind at checkout
Nov. 3, 2025

Botox For the Soul

In this episode, I am by no means calling out any human that is looking for a little radiance on the outer edges, lol!!!! Midlife is full of wrinkles and turns!!! Judge free zone from this mindfulness teacher. I am covering the “Botox of the Heart/Soul” a gentle reset to the wrinkles of worry and stress. Through guided visualization and mindful reflection, you’ll discover how presence and stillness can smooth the lines of stress and reconnect you with your inner calm. I hope you enjoy this epi...
Nov. 1, 2025

How You Can Bend Time (Without Being an Avatar)

What if you could slow down time-not with superpowers, but with presence? In this episode, I explore the idea that time isn’t something we move through….it’s something that moves through us. Inspired by Deepok Chopra’s question, “Do we exist in time, or does time exist in us?” I invite you to reimagine your relationship with time through mindfulness, breath, and awareness. Discover how to expand your moments, release the rush, and step into the infinite now-all without escaping to another plan...
Oct. 31, 2025

Manifesting with Faith, Seeing Synchronicities and Acting “As if”

Whether you are new to the idea of manifesting or wanting to deepen your spiritual alignment, this episode gives clear steps in doing just that. Tune in, take notes and start living with the peace, joy, and miracles on their way. I have applied this to easy and hard seasons! If you are looking to go from Overwhelm to Aligned, I have a program just for that. For more information, you can reach out info@lavendermind.com Let’s connecthttps://linktr.ee/katieballanco For 15% of http://fusionaryfo...
Oct. 31, 2025

Corn Dogs to Green Smoothies-Micro Steps to Marathons & Preventing disease

Join me today, as I talk about tiny doable steps that boost energy, calm your mind, and transform your health. From small mindset shifts to playful habits like quick walks, green swaps, or just a good laugh! Micro-steps add up to big, lasting change. What are your favorite clips that crack you up? Humor heals!!!!! Let’s connect!https://linktr.ee/katieballanco
Oct. 30, 2025

Why Overwhelm Isn’t a Sign of Failure-It’s a Signal

Do you feel like you’re constantly juggling too much and struggling to keep it together? Well, if not, I am not sure we can hang out. Joking-You’re not failing-you’r recieving a signal. In this episode, I break down why overwhelm is actually your body and mind’s way of asking for care. Like, please, I need you to pay some attention. Sending you some signals!!!! We will explore: Why your nervous system does this The difference between shame and signal Simple practices to pause, breathe, nand ...