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In this inspiring episode, host Sean Fargo speaks with Michelle Maldonado — founder of Lucenscia, leadership coach, Virginia state legislator, and author of The Conscious Mind. Together, they explore how mindfulness, compassion, and trauma-awareness can shape leadership, parenting, and community building in a world often driven by reactivity and disconnection.
From learning breath awareness as a child to help manage fear and anxiety, to teaching these tools to her son, and now carrying them into public service, Michelle’s journey reflects how mindfulness can support resilience at every stage of life. With heartfelt stories and practical insights, she shows how awareness and compassion can transform the way we lead, legislate, and live.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, leader, or simply navigating daily stress, this conversation offers powerful ways to cultivate presence, regulate reactivity, and create spaces of psychological safety.
This episode is sponsored by the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification. Learn more about this unique, online, self-paced program at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
Learning Breath Awareness as a Child
Michelle recalls discovering mindfulness as a young girl, using simple breath awareness practices to ease fear and anxiety. These tools not only supported her early development but later became resources she would share with her own son.
Parenting with Presence
When her son faced stress and emotional overwhelm, Michelle introduced him to the same grounding practices she had relied on as a child. Teaching children to pause, breathe, and notice their feelings creates lifelong skills for resilience and emotional regulation.
Mindfulness in Politics
Michelle’s decision to run for office stemmed from a deep desire to bring compassion, clarity, and trauma-awareness into political systems that often overlook them. In the fast-paced world of legislation, mindfulness serves as her anchor, helping her to stay centered and connected.
Trauma-Informed Leadership
Trauma awareness is central to Michelle’s approach as both a leader and a teacher. She emphasizes the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces where people can show up authentically and without fear of judgment.
Responding Instead of Reacting
By noticing sensations in the body — tension, tightness, or restlessness — we can recognize the signs of reactivity. Michelle explains how this awareness creates the space to respond with intention instead of reacting impulsively.
Leading from Wholeness
At the heart of Michelle’s work is the idea of leading from wholeness. Whether in parenting, politics, or the workplace, mindfulness helps us honor discomfort, hold it with compassion, and respond in ways that foster healing, connection, and safety for all.
