What makes room for a yes you’re actually excited about?

Comedian Irene Bremis, co-host of Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch, joins me for a funny, personal conversation about boundaries, being present, and giving ourselves permission to enjoy our lives.

I first reached out to Irene as a fan. In this conversation, she shares how her Greek family helped shape her comedy, how a cancer diagnosis changed her priorities, and why she needed to step away from stand-up and keep her circle small during that time. We talk about caregiving, her mother’s advice to take care of herself, and the friendships that keep her laughing.

We also explore what a comedy stage has in common with a yoga mat—or a sink full of dishes. Irene describes the connection she feels with an audience when she’s fully present, and we consider how joy can become part of daily life without turning into another thing we “should” be doing.

Her closing reminder stayed with me: “You’re permanently strong, temporarily weak.”

Irene discusses her personal cancer experience and care choices, including surgery. Her account is personal experience, not medical advice or evidence that a particular approach treats cancer.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Hello, Friends
01:17 Finding comedy in a Greek family
03:09 A cancer diagnosis and personal care choices
07:01 Movement, meditation, and her relationship with her body
10:04 Privacy, relationships, and protecting her energy
11:42 Returning to comedy and the joy of Woo Woo
13:06 Caregiving and making room for a meaningful yes
14:35 Finding joy outside work
16:43 Caring about the world and taking care of yourself
18:31 What does a peaceful day look like?
19:06 Mindfulness in making tea and washing dishes
20:18 Friendship and laughing with Rachel Dratch
21:02 Finding flow onstage
24:47 Protecting your attention
25:42 Positivity, pressure, and the word “should”
28:41 “Permanently strong, temporarily weak”
30:29 Stay connected

CONNECT

Irene’s website, comedy, and upcoming shows: https://www.irenebremis13.com/

Irene on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenebremis/

Explore Hello, Friends or share your story: https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast

How has mindfulness shown up in your life in a way you didn’t expect? Visit the podcast page and click “Be a Guest.”

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow or subscribe, leave a rating or review where available, and share it with a friend. Thank you for being here.

Music: "Cinematic Fairy Tale Story" by Zakhar Valaha Music

https://patreon.com/ZVM

What becomes possible when we get quiet enough to listen?

Yoga therapist and singer-songwriter Madipao—Madi—joins me for a conversation about music, mindfulness, and finding her way. Her spiritual search began in childhood and eventually led her from CrossFit to yoga, mantra, and creating music.

We explore how she listens as she composes, her experiences with Himalayan singing bowls, and learning to balance a “go, go, go” approach to life with stillness. That practice shows up in everyday ways, including responding to her teenage daughters with more grace and using her work to raise funds for flood relief in Nepal.

I loved where we landed: something we create can matter even if it helps just one person. Sometimes that person can be ourselves.

Explore Hello, Friends and choose where to listen or watch:
https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast

Connect with Madipao:
Website: https://madipao.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zLCugLifzAAvc8cPVkXwf?si=ojgJP6QqRbCK9b9SjAqbBA
Nepal fundraiser: https://www.madipao.com/nepal-relief
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madipao

Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Hello, Friends
00:52 What yoga therapy means
02:04 Madi’s spiritual search and first yoga class
07:48 Finding music and mantra
12:31 Her creative process
14:55 Singing bowls and memories
17:59 Her connection to Nepal
20:31 More grace in family life
20:58 How singing bowls are made
22:12 Making music as an act of listening
22:44 Balancing activity with stillness
25:28 What keeps Madi searching
28:16 Putting something good into the world
29:30 A question to take with you

How does yoga, art, movement, or music show up in your life in ways you didn’t expect? I’d love to hear from you.

Follow Hello, Friends with James Donegan for new conversations every two weeks, and leave a rating or review if you’re enjoying the show.

Namaste.

Music: "Cinematic Fairy Tale Story" by Zakhar Valaha Music
https://patreon.com/ZVM

What does happiness look like when life is difficult? Meditation teacher, musician, and happiness strategist Monique Rhodes joins me for a conversation about mindfulness, daily habits, and making room for everything we feel.

Hello, friends. For this very first episode, I’m so glad to introduce you to Monique. We talk about the experiences that brought her to meditation, how her practice supported her through serious illness, and what it means to feel grounded while still experiencing anger, grief, and uncertainty.

We also get into why playing a game with a friend might deserve a place on the calendar. And since we’re both singers, we talk about music, performing, and what happens when something you love becomes your job. There’s a little backgammon, a little boogie boarding, and a lot to think about.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Monique Rhodes
01:03 What brought Monique to meditation
04:50 How her practice changed her life
08:21 What does it mean to be happy?
10:40 Making room for difficult feelings
14:19 Happiness habits and lasting change
16:40 Making time for play and connection
20:19 Music, performing, and doing what you love
24:54 Monique’s parting thought
27:18 Stay connected

HELLO, FRIENDS EPISODES
https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast

CONNECT WITH MONIQUE
Explore Monique’s work and find the happiness quiz we discuss:
https://moniquerhodes.com/

ABOUT HELLO, FRIENDS
Hello, Friends with James Donegan is a place for conversations about mindfulness and the unexpected ways our practices show up in everyday life. I’m a yoga teacher, actor, and singer, and I’m curious about how we carry what we practice into the lives we actually have.

Explore Daily Flow Yoga + Meditation:
https://dailyflow.yoga/video

Get periodic Daily Flow updates:
https://mailchi.mp/dailyflow/join-us

If this conversation speaks to you, I hope you’ll follow Hello, Friends wherever you’re watching or listening and share this episode with a friend.

Thank you for spending this time with us. Namaste.

Content note: This conversation includes discussion of childhood trauma, depression, a past suicide attempt, and serious illness.