Ace of Pentacles

What if the greatest adventure you'll ever take doesn't require a passport, a mountain to climb, or an ocean to cross?

What if the greatest adventure you'll ever take doesn't require a passport, a mountain to climb, or an ocean to cross?

In this conversation with Dr. Claire Green-Ford, we explore what psychological safety requires, why safety is experienced differently across identity and role, and how leaders can create cultures that honor people's humanity, boundaries, contributions, and well-being. Dr. Claire Green-Forde, LCSW—The Culture & Well-Being Architect™—is a mental health executive, leadership strategist, transformatio...

Many people talk about leadership theoretically. We also tend to teach it as if it were a theory. But leadership is a practice and a hard one to master. In this episode, I chat with someone who is helping people learn leadership as a practice, not just ideas, step-by-step guides, and frameworks. Donnacadh O'Briain is an Olivier and Offie Award-winning Director and creative leader working all acros...

As we grow up, we intentionally leave behind traditions that don't suit us. We might reject holidays, rituals, belief systems, and even language that we grew up with.  But we carry something with us our whole lives that our parents unknowingly gift us: the habit of comparison. And we'll abandon the rituals that seem outdated, but we won't abandon the outdated comparison scripts.  So we move throug...

In this episode, we explore what it means to approach life and career with a sense of play, creativity, and intention . Joined by a magician and board game designer, we dive into the idea of life as a game - one that can be redesigned to create more joy, meaning, and "magical moments" in everyday experiences. We talk about how creativity naturally ebbs and flows, practical ways to reconnect with c...

In this episode, I share the story of an unexpected career move I made—hesitantly—during a challenging season of life. What I thought was a temporary thing ended up being the most beneficial move of my career . In this short bonus episode, I share the mindset and perspective that got me through it and propelled my career for the next decade to places I could not have ever imagined. If there's one...

Dave Doetsch is a partner with the Wizard of Ads; also C.O.O. of Mid-West Family of Companies. One of my podcast invitations landed in Dave's hands via Jeff Nixa - a Shamanic Practitioner we met on episode 7. In this episode, Dave talks about a frame through which he's learned to see life and work - the survival dance and the spirit dance. We talk about what each of these are, what it means to tra...

In this episode, I share a practice that gives you a sense of some of the work I do with clients that weaves together energetic practices with practical tools we use to design our lives. I ask you to hold this question as you listen to this short bonus episode: What if there's a version of you designing your life looking back? Through this activity, we play in our imaginations using our creativity...

Devon M. Pasha, CMP, CED, is an Experience Engineer, event emcee, storyteller, and adjunct professor whose work sits at the intersection of creativity, confidence, and connection. After a transformative experience at the College of Extraordinary Experiences in Poland, Devon stepped into her calling — helping people feel seen, energized, and inspired through the power of story and intentional exper...

Here's a simple framework for how to handle feedback at work. If you need more support: book time with me at avra.as.me

From producing award-winning short films and fashion editorials to concert series and marketing campaigns, Bryan has been blessed to work with artists of every talent. As an opera singer, photographer and writer he understands where talent and creativity meet practicality and purpose. His work has featured performances at Carnegie Hall, the American Cathedral in Paris, and Chicago's Athenaeum Thea...

From producing award-winning short films and fashion editorials to concert series and marketing campaigns, Bryan has been blessed to work with artists of every talent. As an opera singer, photographer and writer he understands where talent and creativity meet practicality and purpose. His work has featured performances at Carnegie Hall, the American Cathedral in Paris, and Chicago's Athenaeum Thea...

  In this episode, I share another client story story, with the client's permission & partnership on the script. In this short bonus episode, we explore how hypnotherapy works and I share the story of a client who came to see me for an issue with hoarding. What we ended up discovering and working through was an unconscious limiting belief she held about her self worth . The story at the heart of t...

In this conversation, Menel Raach, Founder of Azul The Label, a San Francisco-based lifestyle brand creating contemporary clothing using handwoven Tunisian silk sourced directly from artisans in Tunisia, discusses the duality of fear and control in life, emphasizing the importance of awareness in managing emotions.  She reflects on life's ups and downs as essential teachers that can lead to greate...

n this episode, a short bonus episode, I share some tips on navigating feedback at work .   I talk about:   how to reframe how to respond and not react to feedback when and how to get curious and how to help your manager shift their perspective on your performance.   I hope this is helpful as you integrate feedback at work (and maybe even in life)!   If you'd like extra support: avra.as.me 

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tian Tian, who is a holistic transformation coach. We discuss her journey from working on Wall Street, tech, earning her MBA from Harvard, and the breakdown that showed her how disconnected many of us are from our wisdom. This sparked her desire to heal and then help others heal.    Work with Tian Tian:  www.tiantianwellness.com Follow her on IG:  ⁨@tiant...

In this episode, Justin Oliver shares his powerful transition from a career in higher education to his new path as a communication and intimacy coach. After years of professional success, Justin realized he was craving deeper fulfillment and began a journey of self-discovery that reshaped his life and work. Through candid reflection on burnout, personal healing, and confronting sex addiction, Just...

A little reintroduction going into 2026! Here's who I am and what I do  - through my coaching, consulting, writing, speaking, and teaching. If you'd like to meet: avra.as.me If you'd like to stay connected: saramirza.com in/saramirza @aceofpentaclespodcast

In this episode, I share a reflection on my year, and some important questions for you to consider as you roll into 2026. The cover photo is from a time in my life when I finally got into the driver's seat of my own car.

Traditional employee engagement surveys don't work, but there's another way for us to think about employee engagement -- through the lens of motivation. This episode is for leaders, HR, workplace experience designers, AND individuals who might be considering a career change! 🗓️ Need support designing an employee engagement strategy that's rooted in the science of human behavior ? Book a Workplace...

Great product design starts with deeply  understanding the user and building for their experience. Ultimately, the products people keep coming back to are the ones that consistently exceed expectations. And isn't that exactly what we're doing when we design a life we're genuinely excited to live? In this episode, I talk about a specific tool that can help you design your life and work experience m...

Our environments are constantly activating our self-schemas . In this very short bonus episode, I talk about what that means, how I've used this psychological concept intentionally, and how you can use it too, especially as the holidays approach. Need research-backed strategies and support to step into the next version of you? Let's chat: avra.as.me

Midlife is when many people have a profound psychological awakening that James Hollis calls the Middle Passage . Around age 40- 50, we move from first adulthood, defined by external roles, achievements, and societal templates into second adulthood, where the soul demands authentic self-expression. I think that because we don't have rituals or support for this transition, it often shows up as restl...

If your life feels like it's in a strange moment, maybe even an absurd one, take a listen to this episode. And if you need some help figuring out how to work with that moment — reach out.  Because that's what I do. I help people turn moments just like these into keys that unlock another chapter of their lives and other version of themselves.  avra.as.me