Stanford d.school

Designing Systems for Greater Well-Being | Soul Spa by Stanford d.school Alum Carmen Leiser

The video introduces the Soul Spa, a well‑being system designed by Stanford d.school alum Carmen Leiser that blends design thinking with personal coaching. It positions the Spa as an experiential space where participants confront internal questions rather than relying on external experts. Key insights include a self‑questioning framework, the “empower shower” ritual to clear stagnant energy, and a follow‑up assignment that turns insight into concrete action. Attendees report feeling empowered by advice that feels like it comes from themselves, and they leave with a tangible next step. One participant summed it up: “The advice was actually from me to me,” and expressed a wish for “soul spots everywhere” – in schools, on street corners, and beyond. The feedback underscores the program’s perceived transformational impact. If scaled, the Soul Spa model could become a low‑cost, high‑impact component of institutional wellness strategies, offering schools and workplaces a replicable tool to boost mental health and resilience.