In this heartfelt episode, Elena Armijo welcomes pianist, writer, and coach Robert Kuang back to the show for a deeply grounding and expansive conversation on the powerful intersections between creativity, leadership, and the human need for care....
In this heartfelt episode, Elena Armijo welcomes pianist, writer, and coach Robert Kuang back to the show for a deeply grounding and expansive conversation on the powerful intersections between creativity, leadership, and the human need for care. Through personal stories and grounded insight, they explore how slowing down, honoring emotions, and reconnecting with the body are not luxuries, but essential foundations for innovation, emotional processing, and navigating change with intention and heart.
Check out Elena’s website to learn more about how she can support you in seeing and using the power that resides within you.
Together, they reflect on the creativity that often lies dormant beneath structured systems and the myth that only certain people are “creative.” Robert shares his journey from New York to Vancouver and how writing, music, and embodiment became lifelines in moments of transition. Elena offers reflections on the practices that help her stay grounded, including walks in nature and learning to sit with discomfort through meditation. Both speak to the importance of intentional self-care - not as luxury, but as necessity - for those holding space for others in turbulent times.
Their conversation opens up fresh perspectives on navigating rapid change, emotional processing, and what it means to bring multidimensionality into leadership and life. Through stories of client work, cultural shifts, and inner realignments, Robert and Elena offer practical wisdom for creating space for intuition, joy, and resilience.
This episode is an invitation to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that may have been left behind in the name of productivity. Whether facing uncertainty, creative stagnation, or simply longing for more meaning, this conversation reminds us that returning to the body, slowing down, and making space for joy are revolutionary acts of leadership.
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This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Alan Meaney, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager
Elena Armijo
Robert Kuang
Coach / Musician
Robert (he/they) is a pianist and coach, with a focus on decolonizing our creative expression, leadership development, and energy restoration. He grew up in Beijing before immigrating to America at 9-years-old. He started taking piano lessons not long after, and found a space where he could cultivate creative expression, discipline, and a sense of wonder.
As a coach, he works with individuals and teams to co-create resolution with transformation. As an artist and intuitive, he plays with like-spirited clients to produce sound and mindfulness tools to restore energy and balance. He is a co-host of "I Feel Awful," a multi-lingual leadership podcast, and the creator of "Side by Side," a podcast highlighting insights and experiences of creatives, artists, healers, and warriors.