True Stride

As the year winds down and the holidays approach, I feel a quiet pull to lighten my load. November always feels like a bridge between what's been and what's next, and I've been asking myself what I can release before stepping into a new season. There's something deeply satisfying about clearing space, whether that's finishing something I've been avoiding, resolving an annoyance that's been drainin...

Sometimes the smallest things create the biggest shift. Lately, I've been reminded how something as simple as breathing, something we do automatically, can completely change how we feel. It's easy to forget that breath is both instinct and invitation. When I guide a yoga class or begin a shamanic reiki session, I always start with three unifying breaths. Each one feels like a soft landing, a way t...

Have you ever caught yourself saying "I'm fine" when that's not really the whole truth? In this episode, I talk about what happens when we slow down and get honest about how we actually feel with the mix of emotions that come and go throughout the day. A chat with a friend got me thinking about how we can be hopeful and nervous, happy and uneasy, all at once. It reminded me that our feelings don't...

Sometimes the best moments happen when we stop planning and start allowing life to unfold. Recently, I traveled to Boston for my yearlong drum apprenticeship and discovered just how powerful it can be to leave space in the schedule. From crafting drums with horsehide, bison, and cowhide to sharing unhurried time with friends Carolyn and Willow, I experienced what it feels like to truly be in flow—...

I've been thinking about frustration lately. Specifically about a class I took where the experience didn't match what was advertised. I tried to address it in different ways, but my concerns never seemed to land. At some point, I realized part of my frustration came from wanting more control than I actually had, and from expectations that were probably too rigid. That shift in perspective helped....

After weeks on the road (after selling my home) and a big move, my body finally caught up with me. I could feel it in my neck, my shoulders, even headaches by mid-afternoon. All those miles gripping the steering wheel and lifting more than I should have left me out of whack. When I finally slowed down enough to notice, I realized that I needed to get support and realign. A chiropractor, a massage,...

I'm in Palm Springs spending a few days with my dear friend Alison. This reminded me how much joy comes from the people we share life with. We met decades ago at NYU and bonded over what we jokingly called "compost," a random mix from the dining hall salad bar that became our little tradition. This weekend we brought it back, laughed about those old days, and realized how something so simple still...

I'm recording this episode from Joshua Tree, California, where the dogs and I recently landed and are staying with my Aunt Christine on her two-acre property surrounded by horses, a donkey, and plenty of desert beauty. From the outside, our little 300-square-foot casita looks like a simple metal shed, but inside meets our basic needs and has become a cozy, surprising space for reflection. Being he...

Lately, I've been thinking about what it really means to feel at home. On a recent call with my mom, she asked if I missed Florida, and it hit me that I don't miss the house I lived in for seven years. I miss the people. That reminder, along with an old saying from my grandma Cullen, got me thinking about how home isn't about walls or an address. It's about the heart-level connections that make us...

We just spent a wonderful five days in Flagstaff, Arizona, and things were beautiful, including the weather. I was so excited to escape the Florida heat, pack up the van, and take the dogs out on some beautiful hikes. But the second we rolled in, the altitude made itself known. I was winded just walking to the trailhead, and the dogs looked at me like, what's your problem, mom? Even the bag of chi...

I've been laughing at how quickly all my best-laid plans just kind of went sideways. I thought I had this trip with my dogs mapped out perfectly with the timing, the route, and the stops. But then, I encountered one little hiccup after another. A tire sensor acting up, late departures, and rolling into towns I didn't even plan to see. I somehow even ended up in a fancy hotel with two German shephe...

I've been thinking a lot about what happens when we actually give ourselves permission to step away from the routines that keep us comfortable. Right now, I'm on the road with my dogs and a van that's more functional than fancy, and I'm calling this time my adult gap year (or period, lol). I may not have everything figured out, but I'm seeing what comes up when I put myself in new places and give...

Lately, I've been asking myself, when I feel something that lights me up, do I actually stop and name it? This week, I'm sharing what happened when I did exactly that. Selling my St. Augustine home opened the door to a season of uncertainty that, surprisingly, feels incredibly freeing. I'm traveling lighter, spending more time with the people and experiences I love, and carrying this sense of safe...

When was the last time you really allowed yourself to feel everything without judgment, distraction, or the pressure to move on to the next thing? In this episode, I open up about the emotional purpose behind my upcoming cross-country road trip. After a whirlwind few years filled with surgery, loss, milestones, and transformation, I realized I hadn't fully processed so much of what I'd been carryi...

Transitions can hit harder than expected. You get through the big push whether it's a move, a deadline, or some intense life shift and then suddenly it all catches up with you. The to-do list might be done, but your body and brain haven't caught up. That space between pushing hard and moving forward again? That's where the real reset needs to happen. In this Wise Walk, we're talking about what it...

I'm in the final days before closing on my St. Augustine home, and I forgot how truly exhausting and emotional moving can be. Amid all the boxes and decisions, I found unexpected peace through a creative project of building custom crates to protect my framed pictures. What started as a money-saving task turned into a grounding experience that reminded me how much joy and calm I find in working wit...

As I get ready to move out of my St. Augustine home, I've been thinking a lot about the value of our time and energy. I've been preparing for this transition by hiring movers, boxing things up, and letting go of what no longer serves me. This has given me a chance to notice where I'm spending my energy and whether it aligns with what matters most. Even a simple conversation with a mover helped ref...

As I mentioned in the last episode, I got an offer on my St. Augustine home. After completing the inspection process, we've come to an agreement, and I'll be closing down the house at the end of July. While this move feels exciting, especially since I'm not exactly sure what's next, the unknown can feel overwhelming too. This got me thinking about what it means to close a door in our life, especia...

As I was reflecting on today's Wise Walk, I realized we are halfway through the year. 2025 has been flying by, so I thought a mid-year check-in would make a great episode.  Today,we'll do that check-in, and I'll share some of the things I'm most proud of, like sharing my Heart Value through speaking gigs, coaching others, and deepening my skills through Shamanic Reiki and a drum-making apprentices...

Have you ever felt like your whole being was craving stillness, but life just kept charging ahead? That's exactly where I'm at right now. I am so excited because it's the night before I get to go on vacation and not just any trip. I've secured a whole week off where I'm going inward to retreat. No plans, no agendas, no schedules. I may sleep in. I don't know what I'm going to do, and honestly, tha...

Sometimes it hits us out of nowhere. That heaviness in the chest. The ache behind the smile. We usually reserve the word "grief" for death, but what about all the other losses we quietly carry? In this episode, I share personal reflections on how grief can show up in transitions that have nothing to do with someone passing. From divorces, moves, and job changes to letting go of dreams that didn't...

Ever had that moment where you're sure you've won an argument but the victory feels hollow? I have. For the longest time I thought being right was the key to connection. Turns out it often does the opposite. In this episode I'm sharing a big shift in my own thinking around what's "right" and what's "wrong". What I used to consider a moral compass now feels like a self imposed limitation. I've been...

Have you ever caught yourself picking comfort over curiosity, even when there's that little voice inside urging you to be braver? I know I have. In this episode, I'm diving into what it really feels like to take emotional risks. Vulnerability isn't exactly a walk in the park, it can be awkward and even a bit scary, but I've found it's also where the best connections and self-discoveries happen. On...

Something unexpected happened this morning that touched my heart and made me remember how important it is to be open. I grabbed my well-loved copy of Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie as I got ready to teach yoga. Usually, I read the meditation that was prescribed for that day, but this time I ended up on a page I wasn't supposed to. I felt like the meditation selected me, not the other way a...

What does it truly mean to be in service to others, your community, and yourself? Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak in front of 150 mental health therapists and group practice owners. They are compassionate leaders who manage dedicated teams committed to helping individuals navigate life's challenging moments with thoughtfulness, healing and care. Witnessing their dedication ins...