The Daily Ascent

In today's episode, I'm talking about something a client wrote to me that made me realize how often we give away credit for our own wins.  I share the story of a client who thanked me for "saving her" when she was the one who took the action, and why I wrote back to remind her that she did that, not me.  We'll explore why taking ownership of your wins isn't arrogance - it's how you build self-trus...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened after my first EMDR session - and what my spiritual advisor Juliana said that completely reframed how I think about grace and action.  I share how I was giving all the credit to the universe when really, I was the one who picked up the shovel and started digging. We'll explore why grace gives us the opportunity, but action is what makes it real....

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when my best friend's car was blocking me in at 5:45am - and what it taught me about asking for what you need even when you're supposed to be taking care of someone else.  I share the story of book boot camp with my friend Michelle, and how asking for her keys instead of skipping my workout was one of the bravest things I could do.  We'll explore...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what a big ugly tractor taught me about acceptance being the doorway to change.  I share the story of a client who just moved and couldn't stop fixating on the construction in her backyard, and what happened when I invited her to open her palms and accept what is.  We'll explore why you can't see a solution when you're gripping so hard to what isn't working -...

In today's episode, I'm talking about why Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday - and why it has nothing to do with romantic love.  I share how writing 80-100 handwritten valentines every year has transformed the holiday for me - and why it's the best feeling I have all year.  We'll explore why you don't have to accept the default version of anything - and why the world needs you to come alive. Q...

In today's episode, I'm getting personal about something I couldn't shake - and why I've decided to do intensive EMDR trauma therapy.  I share why "when it's hysterical, it's historical," and how I threw up a prayer and received an answer.  We'll explore why we're never done with the work, and why that's actually a beautiful thing. Question to carry into your day: What healing have you been puttin...

In today's episode, I'm talking about my upcoming trip to Morocco with my friend Betsy - and why sometimes refilling yourself doesn't look like rest at all. I share what happened when Betsy worried our hotel might be too stimulating, and how Julia Cameron's idea of "filling the well" helped me see that adventure might be exactly what I need. We'll explore why self-care isn't one-size-fits-all, and...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what a hypnotist said to my friend that completely changed her relationship with vaping - and what it taught me about the power of the words we use.  I share the story of how changing "urge" to "distraction" helped my friend quit vaping, and explore Caroline Myss's idea that everything that comes out of our mouth is a contract with the universe.  We'll explore...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when my friend was hedging before a big trip with her new boyfriend - preparing for disappointment before the vacation even started.  I share what I said to her about going all in, and why it's so hard to let ourselves believe that things can just work out - especially when the world feels so uncertain.  We'll explore why hedging doesn't protect...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what I did after getting shaken by drama - and why going where the love is might be the most important thing you can do when you're hurting.  I share the story of intentionally filling my week with coffee, walks, and dinners with friends who love me, and how each time I came home more restored, more solid, more like myself.  We'll explore why nourishment isn't...

In today's episode, I'm talking about something a client said that made me think about how our internal state colors everything we experience. I share how my episode about my godson Levi's wonder and curiosity landed completely differently for one of my clients - and how the same exact experience can be delightful or annoying depending on where we are inside.  We'll explore why it's not the birds,...

In today's episode, I'm talking about something that came up with my spiritual advisor while she was literally shoveling garbage in Africa - and why comparing your suffering to someone else's doesn't make yours go away. I share the story of almost not telling Juliana about my struggle because I thought hers was more valid, and the beautiful reminder she gave me that problems are problems and my pa...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the moment my yoga teacher Gregg set a boundary with me when I showed up to class bratty and demanding - and why his simple statement "We have fun here" changed how I show up to my life.  I share the story of meeting Gregg during one of the darkest times in my life, how I was trying to make everything serious and heavy, and what happened when someone gave me p...

In today's episode, I'm talking about something that happened with one of my closest friends - someone with the biggest heart who was taking on her ex-partner's health concerns and fears - and why I asked her, "Of course you can handle this. But do you need to?" I share the story of a friend who was deeply hurt by someone, did the healing work, brought them back into her life, and then found herse...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when I asked for help with something that felt almost too small to share - my dog Danny struggling with Northeast snow - and why there's no such thing as an unanswered prayer, even when we don't love the answer.  I share the story of feeling ashamed to share about Danny at a meeting, throwing up a prayer anyway, and what happened when someone sho...

In today's episode, I'm talking about a phone call I received from someone I used to guide spiritually - someone who reached out after years to make amends. We explore why reconciliation isn't about who was right or wrong, but about who's willing to reach out first. I share what happened when one of the women I guided in my time in NC called to repair our relationship, and the quote that shifted e...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the voice that came in questioning whether my work matters enough when there are such important things going on in the world - and the humbling reminder I got that it's not up to me to decide.  I share why I was second-guessing the form of my offering, what my friend said that changed everything, and why our only job is to give what's ours to give with intenti...

In today's episode, I'm talking about almost not going to a shiva because I wasn't on the invite list - and how my friend Jenny reminded me that showing up for people isn't about being invited, it's about being present when someone needs you.  I share the story of old middle school wounds showing up even though I know better, and how pushing past them led to one of the most heart-expanding experie...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when I lost my keys on a walk with my dog and immediately spiraled into worst-case scenario thinking - and what a Buddhist monk on Instagram reminded me about training our brains toward positivity instead of panic.  I share the story of catastrophizing in the forest, only to find my keys safely in my car, and explore why our brains are wired to o...

In today's episode, I'm talking about something vulnerable - getting pulled into drama that brought me right back to 8th grade, and what my friends taught me about listening to your body and knowing when it's time to leave.  I share what happened when I found out someone was talking about me in unkind ways, and how my friends Karen and Betsy helped me see that sometimes you just need to switch sch...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what my friend's emergency root canal taught me about feelings - and why we can't postpone pain, no matter how inconvenient the timing.  I share the story of my friend thinking she could deal with her root canal in 2026, and how it connected to a woman in my group who was in despair.  We'll explore why catching ourselves at sadness - and tending to it early -...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what my yoga teacher said that completely reframed how I think about transitions - and why the first time through anything is always the hardest.  I share the story of my best friend Drea starting a new job and feeling disoriented and off-balance, and how something Greg said in yoga class reminded me that rhythm always comes if you keep showing up.  We'll expl...

In today's episode, I'm talking about something I learned recently about shame - and how telling the truth to the right people can make it disappear.  I share the story of getting pulled into drama and feeling so ashamed about it that I almost didn't tell anyone. And how my friends became shame eliminators just by listening with empathy.  We'll explore why shame thrives in secrecy and how confessi...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the night I hysterically cried in a parking lot after watching someone else launch their book - and how that moment that felt like total failure turned out to be a turning point I just couldn't see yet.  I share the story of grieving my old creative life, feeling completely hopeless about what was next, and how my friend Michelle's words came true months later...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the moment my ex asked me what it would take to get back together - and how years of healing showed up in one sentence I didn't even plan to say.  I share the story of feeling the pull to give him a list of conditions, to manage what shouldn't be managed, and how I chose dignity instead - telling him he deserved to be with someone who loved him exactly as he i...