<![CDATA[Hello, Friends with James Donegan]]>What helps us feel more connected—to ourselves, to each other, and to the lives we’re actually living?

I’m James Donegan, a yoga teacher, actor and singer in New York City, and Hello, Friends is an invitation to get curious together. Join me for thoughtful, informal conversations about mindfulness, creativity, friendship and everyday life with people whose work opens up fresh ways of seeing the world.

We’ll explore the practices that sustain us, the things we’re still figuring out, and the room we can make for joy, humor and a little more kindness along the way. Bring your questions and your curiosity. I’ll bring mine.

From Daily Flow Yoga + Meditation.
https://dailyflow.yoga

]]>https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcastRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 08 Nov 2026 21:14:00 GMTTue, 15 Sep 2026 14:56:29 GMT60James Donegan<p>What helps us feel more connected—to ourselves, to each other, and to the lives we’re actually living?<br /><br />I’m James Donegan, a yoga teacher, actor and singer in New York City, and Hello, Friends is an invitation to get curious together. Join me for thoughtful, informal conversations about mindfulness, creativity, friendship and everyday life with people whose work opens up fresh ways of seeing the world.<br /><br />We’ll explore the practices that sustain us, the things we’re still figuring out, and the room we can make for joy, humor and a little more kindness along the way. Bring your questions and your curiosity. I’ll bring mine.<br /><br />From Daily Flow Yoga + Meditation.<br /><a href="https://dailyflow.yoga" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://dailyflow.yoga</a></p>episodicJames Doneganjamesbdonegan@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Irene Bremis on Comedy, Boundaries, and Making Room for Joy]]>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


]]>45d343e3-8279-49b7-85eb-32f097630539Sun, 01 Nov 2026 04:00:00 GMT<p>What makes room for a yes you’re actually excited about?</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Her closing reminder stayed with me: “You’re permanently strong, temporarily weak.”</p><p>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.</p><p>CHAPTERS</p><p>00:00 Welcome to Hello, Friends<br />01:17 Finding comedy in a Greek family<br />03:09 A cancer diagnosis and personal care choices<br />07:01 Movement, meditation, and her relationship with her body<br />10:04 Privacy, relationships, and protecting her energy<br />11:42 Returning to comedy and the joy of Woo Woo<br />13:06 Caregiving and making room for a meaningful yes<br />14:35 Finding joy outside work<br />16:43 Caring about the world and taking care of yourself<br />18:31 What does a peaceful day look like?<br />19:06 Mindfulness in making tea and washing dishes<br />20:18 Friendship and laughing with Rachel Dratch<br />21:02 Finding flow onstage<br />24:47 Protecting your attention<br />25:42 Positivity, pressure, and the word “should”<br />28:41 “Permanently strong, temporarily weak”<br />30:29 Stay connected</p><p>CONNECT</p><p>Irene’s website, comedy, and upcoming shows: <a href="https://www.irenebremis13.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.irenebremis13.com/</a></p><p>Irene on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/irenebremis/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/irenebremis/</a></p><p>Explore Hello, Friends or share your story: <a href="https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast</a></p><p>How has mindfulness shown up in your life in a way you didn’t expect? Visit the podcast page and click “Be a Guest.”</p><p>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.</p><p>Music: "Cinematic Fairy Tale Story" by Zakhar Valaha Music</p><p><a href="https://patreon.com/ZVM" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://patreon.com/ZVM</a></p><p><br /></p>no00:31:0513Irene Bremis on Comedy, Boundaries, and Making Room for Joyfull<![CDATA[Madipao on Music, Mindfulness, and Learning to Listen]]>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

]]>9f2ca674-c8e3-40c7-9344-8040470bfabdSun, 18 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT<p>What becomes possible when we get quiet enough to listen?</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>I loved where we landed: something we create can matter even if it helps just one person. Sometimes that person can be ourselves.</p><p>Explore Hello, Friends and choose where to listen or watch:<br /><a href="https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast</a></p><p>Connect with Madipao:<br />Website: <a href="https://madipao.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://madipao.com/</a><br />Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zLCugLifzAAvc8cPVkXwf?si=ojgJP6QqRbCK9b9SjAqbBA" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zLCugLifzAAvc8cPVkXwf?si=ojgJP6QqRbCK9b9SjAqbBA</a><br />Nepal fundraiser: <a href="https://www.madipao.com/nepal-relief" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.madipao.com/nepal-relief</a><br />Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madipao" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/madipao</a></p><p>Chapters<br />00:00 Welcome to Hello, Friends<br />00:52 What yoga therapy means<br />02:04 Madi’s spiritual search and first yoga class<br />07:48 Finding music and mantra<br />12:31 Her creative process<br />14:55 Singing bowls and memories<br />17:59 Her connection to Nepal<br />20:31 More grace in family life<br />20:58 How singing bowls are made<br />22:12 Making music as an act of listening<br />22:44 Balancing activity with stillness<br />25:28 What keeps Madi searching<br />28:16 Putting something good into the world<br />29:30 A question to take with you</p><p>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.</p><p>Follow Hello, Friends with James Donegan for new conversations every two weeks, and leave a rating or review if you’re enjoying the show.</p><p>Namaste.</p><p>Music: "Cinematic Fairy Tale Story" by Zakhar Valaha Music<br /><a href="https://patreon.com/ZVM" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://patreon.com/ZVM</a></p>no00:30:0712Madipao on Music, Mindfulness, and Learning to Listenfull<![CDATA[Finding Happiness When Life Is Hard with Monique Rhodes]]>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.

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

]]>33398dcf-9b9e-4950-b31c-7d14c32867d2Sun, 04 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>CHAPTERS<br />00:00 Meet Monique Rhodes<br />01:03 What brought Monique to meditation<br />04:50 How her practice changed her life<br />08:21 What does it mean to be happy?<br />10:40 Making room for difficult feelings<br />14:19 Happiness habits and lasting change<br />16:40 Making time for play and connection<br />20:19 Music, performing, and doing what you love<br />24:54 Monique’s parting thought<br />27:18 Stay connected</p><p>HELLO, FRIENDS EPISODES<br /><a href="https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast</a></p><p>CONNECT WITH MONIQUE<br />Explore Monique’s work and find the happiness quiz we discuss:<br /><a href="https://moniquerhodes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://moniquerhodes.com/</a></p><p>ABOUT HELLO, FRIENDS<br />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.</p><p>Explore Daily Flow Yoga + Meditation:<br /><a href="https://dailyflow.yoga/video" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://dailyflow.yoga/video</a></p><p>Get periodic Daily Flow updates:<br /><a href="https://mailchi.mp/dailyflow/join-us" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://mailchi.mp/dailyflow/join-us</a></p><p>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.</p><p>Thank you for spending this time with us. Namaste.</p><p>Content note: This conversation includes discussion of childhood trauma, depression, a past suicide attempt, and serious illness.</p><p>Music: "Cinematic Fairy Tale Story" by Zakhar Valaha Music<br /><a href="https://patreon.com/ZVM" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://patreon.com/ZVM</a></p>no00:27:5811Finding Happiness When Life Is Hard with Monique Rhodesfull<![CDATA[Welcome to Hello, Friends with James Donegan]]>Hello, friends! I’m James Donegan—a yoga teacher, actor and singer—and I’d love to invite you into the conversation. In this brief introduction to Hello, Friends with James Donegan, I share what’s ahead: thoughtful, informal conversations about mindfulness, creativity, friendship, and finding meaning and connection in everyday life. We’ll explore what helps us, what challenges us, and what we’re still figuring out—with curiosity and room for a laugh. Follow the podcast to join me for upcoming conversations, or watch on the Daily Flow Yoga YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@dailyflowyoga From Daily Flow Yoga + Meditation. https://dailyflow.yoga Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 9OT3KMQK5FOLZYLP]]>126e27b6-bdf1-4905-b38d-8109e5872114Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:36:57 GMT<pre><code>Hello, friends! I’m James Donegan—a yoga teacher, actor and singer—and I’d love to invite you into the conversation. In this brief introduction to Hello, Friends with James Donegan, I share what’s ahead: thoughtful, informal conversations about mindfulness, creativity, friendship, and finding meaning and connection in everyday life. We’ll explore what helps us, what challenges us, and what we’re still figuring out—with curiosity and room for a laugh. Follow the podcast to join me for upcoming conversations, or watch on the Daily Flow Yoga YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@dailyflowyoga From Daily Flow Yoga + Meditation. https://dailyflow.yoga Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 9OT3KMQK5FOLZYLP</code></pre>no00:00:551Welcome to Hello, Friends with James Donegantrailer