Now That You Ask

I recently came across two pieces I wrote a while back. The first one is called The Cow and the second one is called Detritus. They have absolutely nothing to do with each other and are completely frivolous but I enjoyed reading them and I hope you'll enjoy listening to them. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky....

I live by my own personal principles: laugh often, relish simple joys like baby feet and candlelight, and immerse yourself in sensory experiences. Through this I have found there is beauty in the ordinary and also in expressing gratitude for both small and significant things. Join me as I encourage you to discover your guiding tenets and embrace life's moments of wonder and connection. Now That Yo...

Procrastination. Is it a self-sabotaging trait or a hidden source of vitality? The thrill, anxiety, and validation intertwine as I navigate this curious dance. Is it a risky game or a secret to staying young at heart? Time will tell as I continue to balance the edge between punctuality and a controlled delay, finding a unique vitality in life's final seconds. Now That You Ask is a podcast that loo...

Birthday celebrations are memorable occasions to be sure. I personally love an unusual birthday. It all started with my 40th birthday celebration at Rock and Bowl in San Francisco and the memories range from frigid temperatures at Baker Beach, ice cream cake and a bookstore, a lagoon in Larksburg, and even some Kentucky Fried Chicken. This year was a little different. Now That You Ask is a podcast...

I can't control the tears that flow when I am touched by something beautiful or my desire to explore the depths of myself. Fortunately, I have poetry to remind me that I don't have to and that my quest for beauty and connection is part of the path to finding home. 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...

I was recently reminded by a friend about a few other parts of my Iran experience - the jewelry, the rugs ... and the drugs. So, here is a snapshot of this other side of Iran. I feel extremely lucky to have lived there during Iran's most recent heyday and when I think of my time in Iran, appreciation is always the word that comes to mind. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that ran...

I once went to Iran to visit a boyfriend and left 2 1/2 years later at the beginning of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. I didn't realize how lucky I was at the time to have seen Iran in all its glory because gone today is the Iran that I loved so much. This episode is about my love for Iran and how it changed me forever. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desi...

What does adventure mean to you? For me, adventure means doing something out of the ordinary, something that takes you out of your self and your routine and into a whole new world that's ripe for exploration. Adventure can be held within a single, simple moment or part of a greater collection of moments, but it always captures a part of your spiring and leaves you changed forever. 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...