Now That You Ask

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to “get used to what I didn’t expect, ”especially now, when the unexpected seems to show up daily in the smallest and most persistent ways. In this episode, I reflect on everything from fading multitasking skills to ever-changing technology, and the strange new reality of talking to AI instead of a human being. Some of it works beautifully. Some...

I’ve come to realize that being an introvert doesn’t always look the way people expect. From the outside, I can seem fully engaged and chatting, laughing, showing up with energy, but what most people don’t see is the quiet retreat that follows. In this episode, I reflect on my need to step back, to be alone, and to recharge in order to return to the world as my best self. As I explore the push and...

This week, I found myself sitting at the edge of life ... twice. Now, I reflect on what it means to bear witness to the final moments of someone’s life, and the quiet, sacred privilege of simply being present. As I sat with a friend and later stood gently alongside a neighbor keeping vigil for her daughter, I began to understand that sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is not to fix or s...

For much of my life, I didn’t realize how often I was measuring myself against everyone else ... how I looked, how I showed up, how well I seemed to fit in. In this episode, I reflect on my long relationship with comparison and the quiet, powerful shift that happened when I finally let it go. From the clothes I wear to the way I move through my days, I’m learning to honor my own pace, my own needs...

When I’m unsure of what to do next, I’ve learned to ask for a sign and trust that something, somehow, will appear. In this episode, I follow a string of unexpected signs that showed up in the most unlikely places. Some made me laugh, some made me pause, and all of them nudged me to pay a little closer attention. As I reflect on these moments, I begin to see that signs don’t always arrive with clar...

Lately, I’ve been catching myself in a habit I don’t much like: quietly judging other people for the smallest things. A driver weaving through traffic, someone moving too slowly, a forgotten water bottle at the gym… and then, much to my surprise, I find myself doing the very same things. In this episode, I sit with that uncomfortable realization and what it reveals about the gap between who I thin...

As I look back over the many turns my life has taken - the careers, moves, relationships, and the quiet inner thread that seemed to guide them all - I begin to see how much of my journey has been shaped by listening to that voice inside. I think about the different ways people choose to live: some rooted in one place with lifelong connections, others pulled outward by curiosity and change. Both, i...

I’ve always believed that humor lives very close to the fire of truth. In this episode, I reflect on my lifelong love of laughter. From comedians who challenge my thinking to the small, spontaneous jokes I slip into everyday conversation, humor has often been my way of easing tension, softening embarrassment, and making peace with the many little missteps that come with being human… and with getti...

What does it mean to say  your life is your spiritual practice ? In this episode, I wrestle with that question and what it asks of me in the ordinary moments - in traffic jams, sharp words, small kindnesses, and the quiet effort to be a little more patient than I was yesterday. I reflect on the gap between the person I am and the person I hope to become, discovering that spirituality may have less...

When I stumbled across a list of funny sayings my sister sent me 23 years ago, I didn’t expect to find a small treasury of perspective tucked inside an old file folder. In this episode, I revisit those wry one-liners about weight, wrinkles, wisdom, and time and discover how much more they mean to me now. What once felt clever now feels earned. As I reflect on midlife changes, the strange speed of...

Lately, I’ve noticed something unsettling: I can no longer do two things at once. Where multitasking once felt effortless, now even a simple conversation while writing a check can bring everything to a halt. In this episode, I reflect on the small, strange lapses, miswritten appointments, mysterious Post-it notes, numbers that rearrange themselves, and what they reveal about growing older. Is this...

What happens when your deepest need for clarity collides with a life full of unanswered questions? In this episode, I explore my personal relationship with ambiguity and how my intolerance for uncertainty shapes my desire for control, complicates decision-making, and heightens my reactions to surprise. Listen in I reflect on how words become my lifeline in the gray areas, helping me name discomfor...

In the midst of uncertainty, we often find ourselves standing at a crossroads, unsure of which way to turn. Life's unpredictability requires us to let go of past learnings and embrace new paths with humility and openness. Reflecting on this, I realize that the journey is not merely about moving forward but also about taking the time to pause and assess my true feelings and desires. While the w...

As I reflect on 2025, I am reminded of the moments that have irreversibly changed my heart. I've had to say goodbye to my beloved cat Sid and his sister, Nancy, both of whom have accompanied me so loyally through life's ups and downs. Looking back, it feels as though 2025 was a year of significant shedding, akin to the symbolic Year of the Snake, where things holding me back were stripped...

Navigating life's uncertainties often demands a virtue that seems elusive: patience. As I sit here writing, my thoughts are consumed by concern for my 18-and-a-half-year-old cat, Sid. This past week has been a whirlwind as Sid hasn't been eating or drinking much, and last night was especially tough with him getting sick multiple times. At the emergency vet today, waiting for test results,...

Starting over can be daunting yet wonderfully liberating, offering an opportunity to reimagine our lives and chart a new course. Reflecting on my journey from a commune in Oregon to San Francisco with just $200 and a thrift-store wardrobe, I realized that each step was a testament to resilience and adaptability. The belief in something greater kept me moving forward. Each decision, whether wise or...

As we stand on the brink of 2026, the Year of the Horse beckons, symbolizing a shift into strength, momentum, and forward movement. It's a time for action with purpose and freedom with direction. 2025 proved to be a period of letting go, shedding relationships and attachments that no longer served a purpose, and embracing the relief and renewed sense of self that followed. It was a journey of...

Have you ever thought about what your obituary might say and the life you need to live to deserve it? I recently found myself reflecting deeply on this concept. Life is filled with planning, from our legacy to our memorials, but how often do we pause to consider if we're truly living up to the lives we want to leave behind? This introspection led me to appreciate my quirks and realize that ult...

Football season offers more than just exciting games; it brings unexpected reflections on life. As a dedicated fan, my connection to the sport reminds me of the human aspect of players and the parallel experiences we share. Even iconic quarterbacks have off days, echoing struggles we face in our lives. Allowing space for mistakes deepens my enjoyment, ensuring that I remain a supportive team playe...

Taking a moment to appreciate the small blessings in life can lead to immense satisfaction and a deeper sense of happiness. Acknowledging moments of stillness and contentment can really transform our outlook on life. It's about finding the balance between responsibility for our emotions and the belief that there are benevolent forces aiding our journey. By leaning into gratitude, we open ourse...

Amidst the hustle and bustle, we often overlook the beauty and tranquility that nature offers right at our fingertips. As John Muir once said, "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread." To me, this really highlights the intrinsic value of natural beauty in our spiritual and physical sustenance and serves as an important reminder of how reconnecting with nature can provide clarity and str...

Sometimes people grapple with whether the proverbial glass is half-full or half-empty, often missing the crucial point: the glass is refillable. An empty or half-full glass signifies untapped potential, an opportunity to reconfigure our outlook and be grateful for what we have and what we can achieve. The glass remains open, accepting, and ready for us to decide its contents at any moment. What wi...

In this episode of Now That You Ask, I share a moment of unexpected intimacy during a visit to the emergency vet with my elderly cat, Sid. While there, I encounter a man who is devastated over his sick dog. My interaction with him was poignant reminder of human connection and the importance of being present for one another, even in the most random of moments. Now That You Ask is a podcast that loo...

Life often hands us experiences that, while fleeting, leave a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. In pondering the delicate interplay between grief and gratitude, I find a profound truth in how both emotions closely coexist. They are two sides of the same coin, transient yet powerful forces that color our existence. Recognizing and allowing these feelings at both ends of the spectrum is essent...

In life, embracing our authentic selves can illuminate the world around us in extraordinary ways. The path to self-discovery is often laden with doubts and fears about how our stories might portray us. Nevertheless, allowing our "spiritual electricity" to shine means celebrating our true selves, flaws and all, even when societal norms and expectations urge us to conform. By grounding our...