Getting Real with Mindfulness Ep. 3 - Mindfulness Doesn't Work
From The Oxford Mindfulness Podcast by Oxford Mindfulness
December 5, 2025 · 35 min · Episode 108
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges of mindfulness and the importance of managing expectations.
Have you ever felt like mindfulness just isn’t working for you? In this episode of 'Getting Real with Mindfulness', Claire Kelly (Oxford Mindfulness) and mindfulness teacher Victoria Fontana dive into what is means for mindfulness to 'work'. They explore why expectations matter, what “working” really means, and how shifting from 'shoulds' to a sense of curiosity and patience can be really helpful for your mindfulness practice - particularly during the holiday season. 🎧 Listen for honest reflections, practical insights, and a few surprising truths about what mindfulness can, and can’t, do. 👥 About the Hosts Claire Kelly is a mindfulness-based mentor and the Director of Teaching and Training at Oxford Mindfulness. With over 25 years in education, she's also passionate about developing and delivering evidence-based programmes to support mental health and wellbeing in education. Victoria Fontana is a certified mindfulness and compassion teacher, executive coach, and educator who helps people cultivate calm, clarity, and resilience in their lives and work. Victoria teaches mindfulness and compassion-based programs internationally through IE University, the Mindfulness and Health…
People in this episode
Host: Claire Kelly
Guest: Victoria Fontana
Topics covered
- mindfulness
- expectations
- curiosity
- patience
- mental health
- holiday season
Keywords
- mindfulness
- expectations
- curiosity
- mental health
- holiday season
- practice
- insights
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Oxford Mindfulness, IE University, Mindfulness and Health Institute, mindgazing.com
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