We had the good fortune of connecting with Ki Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ki Smith, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Warrior Wisdom evolved over many years, shaped by both my personal experiences and professional journey. I didn’t always know I was going to start a business, but I’ve always been deeply committed to fostering connection, healing, and the restoration and re-membering of our inherent interconnectedness. Through my work as a therapist, teacher, and facilitator, I saw a clear need for spaces where people could explore both the personal and collective dimensions of healing in a way that nurtures self-awareness, authenticity, and the courage to build meaningful relationships.

The name Warrior Wisdom emerged during my time at Naropa University, where I studied contemplative psychotherapy and Buddhist psychology. It was there that I encountered the story of the Shambhala warrior—a figure who meets the chaos and suffering of the world with equal parts wisdom and compassion. This archetype resonated deeply with me as it reflects the balance we need in these poignant and difficult times: the strength to confront challenges and the tenderness to hold ourselves and others with care.

My time at Naropa also deepened my understanding of healing as a relational and interconnected process. I came to see that much of the suffering we experience—individually and collectively—stems from a profound disconnection: from ourselves, from one another, and from the world around us. The vision for Warrior Wisdom grew out of this realization, as well as my belief that healing is not just about personal growth but about repairing the relationships—both seen and unseen—that hold us.

Over time, and through my own ongoing process of healing and self-work, I’ve continued to refine and expand what Warrior Wisdom represents. At its core, it’s a reflection of my belief that healing requires us to show up for ourselves and each other with courage, curiosity, and compassion. It’s about creating spaces where people can reconnect to their innate worth, build meaningful relationships, and begin to navigate the complexities of our times with wisdom and care.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Please tell us more about your business.

Warrior Wisdom is a space for transformative healing, relational growth, and ethical leadership. I offer therapy, coaching, mediation, training, and education, integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and Right Use of Power™. My work supports individuals, couples, and groups, as well as organizations seeking to build power-conscious cultures, navigate conflict with integrity, do deep healing work, and cultivate collective care.
At the core of Warrior Wisdom is the belief that healing is not just personal—it is relational, systemic, and deeply connected to how we hold power and responsibility in the world. Whether I’m working with a client in therapy, facilitating a mediation, or teaching a group how to engage in more just and compassionate ways, my focus is on creating conditions where people can show up fully, navigate complexity, and build relationships that are both accountable and life-giving.

What sets Warrior Wisdom apart?

What makes my work distinct is the way I integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and Right Use of Power™ into a cohesive, power-conscious approach to healing, relational work, systems work, and conflict transformation. There are many incredible practitioners doing equity and justice-oriented work, and many skilled therapists working with depth psychology, but I have yet to encounter this particular blend of modalities being woven together elsewhere in the way that I do.

IFS provides a profound way to understand and befriend our inner world with compassion, NVC offers a powerful framework for relational integrity and compassionate communication, and Right Use of Power™ helps us navigate power dynamics with responsibility and care. Bringing these together allows me to work at multiple levels at once—helping individuals, relationships, and organizations engage in healing and repair in ways that are not just about personal insight, but also about systemic and relational transformation.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I see myself as part of a much larger movement of people working to create spaces of healing, justice, and belonging. But I do believe that this particular synthesis of approaches—rooted in deep self-awareness, skillful communication, and an ethical understanding of power—offers something meaningful. It supports people in not only healing personal and interpersonal wounds, but also in building relationships and communities that are truly sustainable, resilient, and accountable by reconnecting to our innate wisdom.

How I Got Here and Lessons Learned

The journey to building Warrior Wisdom has been anything but easy. I didn’t set out to start a business—I simply followed a deep commitment to fostering connection, healing, and relational wholeness. My time at Naropa University, where I studied contemplative psychotherapy and Buddhist psychology, helped me recognize how much of our suffering stems from disconnection. I knew I wanted to create spaces where people could engage in healing that honors both personal growth and collective transformation.

Yet, translating that vision into a business has been a real struggle. Starting and sustaining a business in a capitalist culture that values productivity over people is incredibly difficult, especially when your work is rooted in collective care and relational healing. There were moments when financial instability and self-doubt were overwhelming. What has helped me endure is the practice of leaning into community, asking for support, and embracing interdependence.
I’ve learned that true success doesn’t come from pushing harder to achieve individual goals. Instead, it emerges through relationships and collective wisdom. The habit of nurturing these relationships—with mentors, colleagues, clients, and the earth itself—has been vital in both my personal and professional growth. Healing and success are deeply relational.
As I continue to develop Warrior Wisdom, I remain grounded in these lessons. I’m learning how to hold the complexity of running a business while staying aligned with my values. It’s about balancing care for others with care for myself, knowing that none of us can create meaningful change alone. This ongoing process is challenging, but it’s also profoundly rewarding. Through collective care, I’ve found the strength to keep moving forward—and that’s the message I want to share with those who might be on a similar path.

What I Want the World to Know About Warrior Wisdom

At its heart, Warrior Wisdom is about fostering deeper connection—within ourselves, with each other, and with the larger systems and stories that shape our lives. My work is guided by the belief that true healing and transformation require us to engage both the personal and the collective dimensions of our experiences and to move in the direction of building capacity to hold more space for complexity. It’s about creating spaces of courageous compassion, where we can meet the challenges of these times with curiosity, wisdom, tenderness, and relational integrity.

Healing is not simply about fixing what’s broken; it’s about expanding our ability to hold complexity, navigate ambiguity, and remain grounded in relationships. This means deepening our self-awareness while simultaneously recognizing how we are shaped by and shape the communities and systems we inhabit. A significant aspect of this growth involves relational healing—mending the threads that connect us not only to other people but also to the earth, to our ancestors, and to the unseen. These relationships are crucial sources of wisdom and strength.

In these historically divisive times, it is tempting to seek certainty or control, but true resilience lies in the opposite: learning to stay open, curious, and relational even in the face of discomfort. Building collective care and support systems—where we can be held and hold others—has been foundational to both my personal growth and my professional work. These relationships remind us that healing and transformation cannot be achieved alone; they are co-created through shared wisdom and interdependence.

At its core, Warrior Wisdom represents a commitment to this kind of transformative process. Through therapy, coaching, mediation, and facilitated trainings, I support individuals, groups, and organizations in developing the capacity to hold complexity while staying rooted in compassion and accountability. I invite people to step into spaces of connection and courage—where we can nurture ourselves, build sustainable relationships, and co-create a world that honors the depth of our shared humanity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Settling In & Exploring Pearl Street
Brunch: I’d take them to Tangerine for a relaxed brunch. They’re known for fresh, seasonal dishes, and it’s a great spot to ease into the day.
Midday-Afternoon: We’d head to Pearl Street Mall to explore some of my favorite spots like Umba Love Boutique for unique, handmade goods and Lighthouse Bookstore for spiritual and philosophical reads.
Evening: I’d cook a good meal at home and invite a few friends over to hang out. We’d enjoy tea, music, and deep conversation.

Day 2: Hiking & Camping Adventure
Morning: After breakfast at home, we’d hike at Chautauqua Park to explore the Flatirons. It’s one of the most grounding and beautiful places to experience Boulder’s natural landscape.
Lunch: We’d bring along a picnic to have at the park.
Afternoon & Night: We’d head up to Gold Hill for an overnight off-grid camping trip. There’s nothing quite like the quiet of the mountains and stargazing far from city lights.

Day 3: Rest & Connection
Morning: After waking up to nature, we’d take some time to meditate and ease into the day before heading back into Boulder.
Afternoon: This would be a slower day. We’d spend time at home resting and connecting, with plenty of unstructured time to relax.
Evening: If the schedule aligns, we’d visit The Star House for a sound bath or healing event. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful space.

Day 4: Movement & Energy
Morning-Midday: We’d start with a peaceful walk along Boulder Creek, and maybe check out the central Boulder Library.
Lunch:I’d take them to the Dushanbe Tea House, a stunning hand-crafted tea house gifted from Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan.
Evening: After relaxing at home for a bit, we’d head to The Riverside for the Ministry of Movement ecstatic dance. It’s a powerful, freeing experience to move and connect with others in a shared space of joy and presence.

Day 5: Denver Day Trip
Morning: We’d take a day trip to Denver, starting with a visit to the Botanic Gardens, where the tranquil beauty of the space offers a welcome pause.
Afternoon: We might explore a gallery or café in one of Denver’s creative neighborhoods.
Evening: We’d go to The Mercury Café for their poetry open mic. It’s a unique and welcoming space filled with art and community spirit.

Day 6: Music, Friends & Sunset Views
Morning-Midday: I’d keep things laid back while also creating space to connect with nature with a morning walk at Wonderland Lake.
Afternoon: We’d meet up with friends for an early dinner I’d cook at home or share a picnic together outdoors.
Evening: We’d head to Rosetta Hall’s rooftop bar to catch the sunset before it gets too crowded. Later, we’d end the night with live music at either the Boulder Theater or Fox Theater if there’s a show happening that we’d enjoy going to see.

Day 7: Nourishment & Reflection
Morning: We’d ease into the morning with downtime at home, maybe sharing breakfast/brunch and tea, savoring the time to talk and reflect on the week.
Midday: We’d spend some quiet time walking in nature—either at Coot Lake or somewhere along the foothills of Boulder’s open spaces.
Dinner: I’d take them to Leaf, one of my favorite restaurants, known for its creative plant-based dishes. It’s the perfect spot for a nourishing, relaxing meal.
Evening: To close out the trip, we’d head to Tonic Alchemy Lounge. They have incredible herbal elixirs and mocktails in a relaxed, atmospheric space that feels lovely in the evening. It’s a great way to wind down and enjoy one final night of meaningful conversation and connection.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My journey wouldn’t be possible without the many people and influences who have shaped me along the way. Kathy Marchant, my Nonviolent Communication (NVC) teacher, has been a grounding presence, guiding me back to myself with wisdom, curiosity, and compassion. Janneli Chapin, one of my teachers at Naropa University, held space for my vulnerabilities with tenderness and care, fostering profound self-discovery. Amanda Aguilera, my mentor, colleague, and friend in the Right Use of Power™, continues to model how to hold power responsibly and skillfully, teaching me about integrity and humility. And my therapist, April Pojman, has been instrumental in helping me navigate and integrate my inner world, creating a safe and steady container for deep healing.

I also want to honor the contemplative practices and Indigenous ways of knowing that have been shared with me, which have deepened my understanding of relationality—not only with others but with the earth, ancestors, and the unseen. These teachings have expanded my sense of interconnection and belonging, reminding me that healing and wisdom emerge through relationships, not in isolation.

To all my teachers, mentors, and the communities that have supported me—thank you for the encouragement, guidance, and love that continue to shape my path.

Website: https://warriorwisdomnvc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warriorwisdom_llc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/warrior-wisdom/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warriorwisdomllc

Other: Podcast Interview: Conversations with a Wounded Healer, Episode 277 – Ki Smith – “Why Curiosity is the Best Catalyst for Change” https://www.headheartbiztherapy.com/podcast/277-nbspki-smith-why-curiosity-is-the-best-catalyst-for-change

Image Credits
Podcast photo: Sarah Buino (all others were taken by me)

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