This week, I sit down with my friend DJ KICKIT (Karla Rendon) for a conversation about friendship, resilience, and staying grounded in uncertain times. We talk about the headlines, LGBTQ rights, and how stress can show up in our friendships and nervous systems — all through the lens of journalism for the nervous system.

We also get real about social media, how it can pull us apart, and the ways we can reconnect meaningfully. DJ KICKIT shares the practices that keep her grounded — music, movement, service — and we explore grace, joy, and the question, “What can I control?”

We reflect on how showing up for friends and community matters, even when we can’t control the headlines.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Less social media, more connection
• You can’t control the government or the headlines—only your response
• Adult friendships are hard; lead with grace
• We need each other more than ever and how to be an ally
• Motivation + small rituals = real resilience

If this episode helped you breathe a little easier, share it with a friend and follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next.

Connect with Karla:

Website: www.djkickit.com
IG: Instagram/djkickit17
SoundCloud mixes: https://on.soundcloud.com/5yUFaIhwZ3p7O2m3p0

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

In this episode of the News Yogi Podcast, Leslie Rangel guides listeners through a meditation aimed at coping with news anxiety. The practice focuses on creating internal space and visualizing a protective light that represents inner wisdom and boundaries. This guided visualization helps change makers filter out overwhelming information and reconnect with their inner peace.

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

How do you stay informed when the world feels like it’s on fire — and your nervous system is already maxed out?

In this solo voice note, Leslie Rangel — journalist, nervous system educator, and first-gen daughter of immigrants — gets real about what it means to care deeply without collapsing. From scrolling through heartbreaking images in Gaza to hearing about renewed ICE raids, she shares the raw truth of what it feels like to be both informed and emotionally overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling after doomscrolling…
If you want to champion human rights but find it hard to sleep after the headlines…
If you believe in justice and joy…

This episode is for you.

You’ll hear:

• How to tell when your nervous system is overstimulated by the news (and what to do about it)
• Why traditional media consumption isn’t designed for bodies with trauma
• Nervous-system friendly ways to stay informed — without shutting down
• The guilt we feel for experiencing joy in the midst of global suffering (and how to reframe it)
• Why taking care of yourself is about showing up

This is journalism for the nervous system.

✨ If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s okay to care… and still rest.

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

What does it really take to speak up as a first-generation Latina — especially in a political climate shaped by fear, immigration raids, and rising hostility?

In this episode of The News Yogi Podcast, host Leslie Rangel sits down with Wendy Amara, a Guatemalan life and business coach, to explore the inner and outer work of advocacy. Wendy shares how she transitioned from staying neutral to becoming a vocal champion for immigrant rights — and how that journey has challenged her nervous system, identity, and sense of safety.

This isn’t just a conversation about activism — it’s about the emotional weight of using your voice, the inner rewiring required to show up fully, and how to stay regulated while standing in your truth. We talk about the risks and rewards of being visible in today’s political climate, the role of community care, and how courage often begins in the body.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between staying safe and staying true, this episode is for you.

Connect with Wendy here:

***Website: https://wendyamara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyamara/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwendyamara
Podcast: Yes Mujer, BUILD IT: https://wendyamara.com/podcast/

BIO: Wendy Amara is a successful Latina Life and Business Coach- with over 16 years’ experience. She specializes in coaching Ambitious Latinas who want to reach Big Life, Career and Business Goals. She is an expert at follow through, consistent action, and managing your human mind while regulating your emotions. If you are feeling stuck, lacking clarity, or overwhelmed with your business or life- She is your coach. She is a child of immigrants from Guatemala and super proud to be the mom of three, including twins! She has built a successful million-dollar coaching practice even through being diagnosed with Anxiety and ADHD in her 20's. She found that action-based coaching worked to move her brain into creating results, and she can teach you to do the same!

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

In this episode of the New Yogi Podcast, Leslie Rangel addresses pressing questions about anger, rest, and coping with collective trauma. She emphasizes the importance of collective care, the sacredness of rage, and the necessity of finding rest in turbulent times. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Leslie guides listeners on how to navigate their emotions and prioritize self-care amidst societal challenges.

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

In this episode, Leslie Rangel introduces a rest ritual designed to help listeners find time and space for themselves. The episode includes a guided meditation that encourages mindfulness and self-awareness, culminating in affirmations of worthiness for rest. Leslie emphasizes the importance of rest as a protective measure against societal pressures and invites listeners to submit their questions about incorporating rest into their lives.

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

In this voice note, Leslie Rangel reflects on something that came up in her recent conversation with Jeff Jenkins: rest isn’t just a reward — it’s the foundation.

She shares honest thoughts on how hard rest can feel when life is heavy, especially for those carrying the weight of community, caregiving, or change-making. Leslie unpacks the guilt that often comes with slowing down and reminds listeners that rest is not a luxury — it’s a strategy.

Through personal stories and gentle reflections, she offers ways to reconnect with rest, joy, and the inner child we often push aside. This episode is an invitation to reimagine rest as essential, not optional — and to practice it even when it feels hard.

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast

In the first interview episode of The News Yogi, host Leslie Rangel sits down with travel creator and National Geographic journalist Jeff Jenkins to explore the transformative power of rest. Jeff candidly shares his journey from high school choir teacher to global content creator, revealing the hidden challenges of entrepreneurship and constant travel. Together, they dive deep into sustainable living, setting boundaries, and why rest isn't just a luxury—it's a form of resistance. Discover how one can pursue passion without burning out, connect with inner child wisdom, and create a life that honors both adventure and self-care. Perfect for dreamers, creators, and anyone seeking a more intentional way of living.

Fb: @Chubbydiariestravel
IG: @Chubbydiaries
Website: www.Chubbydiaries.com

Bio

Jeff Jenkins is an award-winning Travel/ Food Blogger, speaker, podcast host,
and Influencer based out of Austin, Texas. Jeff most recently is proud to add
Host and travel documentarian to his list of adventures as he stars “Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins” a show that explores diverse cultures, locations and overcoming fears, backed by National
Geographic.

Support the show

Connect with Leslie:

https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi

Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:

https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast