Now That You Ask

Poetry touches the most tender parts of me. Poetry has a unique way of teaching me about myself. Poetry brings me to my knees with overwhelming gratitude and I know I am blessed because poetry tells me so. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through he...

I have noticed a funny thing about extending kindness to another person. When I do something unexpected and generous for another person, I often end up feeling grateful myself. While I don't do this for selfish reasons, many times I will still experience a gift of unexpected grace, like a boomerang I didn't know was coming back. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from de...

I have lived a charmed life and as I publish this 100th episode of the podcast I find myself reflecting on my beautiful existence and this particular concurrence of life and purpose. I am grateful that it happened while I'm still able to appreciate my life and I still feel thrilled to sit down at my computer and let my fingers loose on the keyboard because I know the right words will come. I want...

I've been a member of an elite club for over a decade. At first we called ourselves the Death Salon and we talked about things like DNR forms and what to do if we became incapacitated. Now 10 years later, we are rethinking what we want the end of our life to be like and we are there for each other in many facets. Call us morbid or bizarre, I believe we have something truly special. Now That You As...

I'm currently recovering from knee surgery. As you can imagine, this has slowed me down quite a bit. Slowing down and appreciating the here and now is something I have been thinking would be beneficial for me, although I did not expect to go about it surgically. Still, as a result, I am finding myself a little more centered in the present moment, and despite the physical limitation, I am finding w...

For me, there is nothing more to life than a shared table, especially if I can contribute to the offering. I delight in the creation, the finished product, and in sharing it with friends. I even enjoy washing the dishes. I mean really, is there anything more satisfying? Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join h...

I have a plant hospital dedicated to plants I may have overwatered in my enthusiasm to care for them or plants which my cat, Sid, decided to give an extreme makeover. These are the lessons I learned when I decided to pull the plug on my plant "patients." Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Hals...

Sundays are usually spent at home getting ready for the week to come. Here is what happened when I decided to do something different, something a little more ... action packed. Well, at least my mind went on an adventure. Sometimes my proclivities surprise even me. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host,...

When I write I am guided and governed by an inner voice that dictates the landscape I want to create. I am not sure where that voice comes from and it seems to move around in my body and makes its presence know at random times throughout the day. I always feel like I should listen when it calls. I trust it will lead me somewhere I want to be. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that...

I have been struggling of late with recognizing what is mine to face and what is not mine. When I see people I love struggling, I want to swoop in and help them. However, I am learning that it is not always my place and I know I can be a bit overzealous to the point of making their problem all about me. So, it seems I need to make a change and an effort to stay in my lane, so to speak, or to not s...

In the last episode, I shared my vision for a dinner party with women I admire. So it seems logical that I should now share about a dinner with interesting men from the past and the present. Here are my choices for the men at the table and why I would choose them. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, A...

Who would you have to dinner if you could invite anyone living or dead? What if you could have a whole dinner party? What if it was only women? Here are my choices and why. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with lif...

There is nothing quite like a popsicle on a hot summer day. They bring a full spectrum of sensory experiences and remind us to savor the moment (or else get a healthy dose of brain freeze!). What's your favorite flavor? Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a jour...

Water is vital and infuses all parts of life. Its gifts extend beyond hydration and keeping things clean. It forms itself around memories and sweet day-to-day moments, too. I have always loved drinking water and the way it helps me feel connected to the world around me. This episode is an ode to my friend, water. I'll never take it for granted. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics th...

Lately, I have been awakening in the middle of the night. Whether it's the cat vomiting, uneasy feelings, power outages, or my own thoughts, I find myself accepting the awakening and observing where it takes me. This episode is about what happens when I'm hoping for sleep to come in those early hours and how I make the best of it when it doesn't. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics...

I love a good birthday party. I may have missed out on this experience as a kid, but I have definitely made up for it later in life. From bowling alleys to ballet class, what I have found through my celebration and love for myself has surpassed my expectations and filled me with gratitude Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downr...

Suddenly my screen is wiped blank. Suddenly, after 12 years of decline, the room is quiet. He is still. And there is nothing. A lot of nothing. This episode is another in the series about my father and the end of his life.  Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners...

This episode is another in a series about my father and the end of his life. His dementia started slowly but with great enthusiasm. He began to forget things that he knew he should remember and this made him so mad he would ball up his hands into fists and shake his head side to side. In some ways, his dementia robbed us of the ability to walk the end of his life together consciously, but I think...

This episode and the next couple to follow are about my father and the end of his life. I hope this helps you get to know him and see him through my eyes. He was a proud and fair man. He was beloved and even legendary. In his last years, I saw his body and his looks change but his spirit endured. Life with out him was unimaginable yet inevitable. I have loved him through it all. Now That You Ask i...

Death has been on my mind and heart lately and I am finding it helpful to write about it. In this episode, I am reflecting on some of my early experiences with death. Some confusing, some mysterious, and some almost unbearable. To this day, the sight of a casket will stop me in my tracks. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downr...

I confess. I really love a snarky comment. I can't help that they are a source of laughter and fun in my life and I quite enjoy that fact. This indulgence started years ago and as a result I have acquired quite a collection of these quotes and comments. In this episode, I am sharing the wealth. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to...

There are two things I really love that take care of both my spiritual and my fashion needs. These are poetry and jewelry. They both bring me great joy and comfort. And then there is food, babies, and furry companions. What are things that you can't imagine being without in life? Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whac...

Age is a sneaky and shocking robber isn't it? Mirrors seem to betray us and it is easy to fear the changes (and losses) that happen over time. But it is true that wisdom deepens with the passing years and what is truly important can never be stolen from us. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha H...

My relationship with Nature is complicated. For example, I absolutely adore trees and gardening but I dislike dirt. I love the ocean but my body finds the heat of the outdoors to be quite disrespectful. So you see, despite my best efforts I cannot give Nature my unconditional love. How about you? Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous...

If you want to really know me, just take a look in my closet. These items reveal and define me more than I want. If my clothes could talk, what would they say? Here is what I think. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience...