The Daily Ascent

In today's episode, I'm talking about how fear sabotages us - not with drama or rebellion, but quietly, by disguising itself as forgetfulness or procrastination. I share the story of a client who stopped picking up her GLP medication right when it started working, and what happened when we named the sabotage for what it really was: fear of change. We'll explore how recognition helps us see what's...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what it looks like when someone meets your chaos with grace - and what happens when you forget to do the same. I share the story of my friend Liz showing me what grace looks like in action, and how it made me realize I hadn't done the same for my brother. Question to carry into your day: When someone's chaos spills into your life, instead of making their worst...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what needs to go out in 2025 - compartmentalization - and what needs to come in in 2026 - compassion. I share what's been coming up in my sessions this month with clients who are trying to stuff down their feelings, and why compartmentalization for big-feeling people just means the feelings will explode or leak out somewhere else - often with food.  We'll expl...

In today's episode, I'm talking about how I taught myself to love hot yoga by going every single day for two weeks - even though I hated it at first. I share the story of my relentless best friend Josh convincing me to try, and how I decided to see if I could actually change my relationship with something I thought I just "didn't like."  We'll explore how commitment - not motivation - is what crea...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what my 3-year-old godson taught me about curiosity, wonder, and using all of our senses to really experience life instead of just observing it.  I share the story of him wanting to see and smell everything in my dog's travel bag - approaching dried fish skins like they were miracles - and how his openness reminded me what it looks like to approach life with g...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when I broke my New Year's resolution on January 3rd - and why perfectionism is the real enemy, not imperfection.  I share the story of reflexively reaching for my phone and playing Wordle before my morning practice, and how my yoga teacher told the exact same story that day.  We'll explore why the goal isn't to never mess up - it's to learn how...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when we stop assuming we're incapable and let ourselves stay with discomfort long enough to learn.  I share a personal story about facing a skill I wanted to avoid and what it taught me about self-trust and growth.  We'll explore spiritual growth, emotional recovery, and a powerful reading from Keep It Simple about willingness and progress. Questi...

In today's episode, I'm talking about how the resurgence of skinny culture can destabilize even the most grounded healing journeys. I share a story from my work with someone who was doing beautifully — and how cultural noise pulled her attention from her insides to her outsides.  We'll explore spiritual growth, emotional recovery, and a grounding insight from Inner Harvest about choosing serenity...

In today's episode I'm talking about a difficult but deeply clarifying leadership lesson: when letting go early can actually be the most loving and honest decision. I share the story of releasing an assistant I genuinely cared about, the moment a friend's advice challenged a lifelong pattern of staying too long, and how choosing based on the goal rather than personalities changed everything.  This...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the power of saying no — especially during the holidays — and how honoring your body's limits can be deeply restorative.  I share a personal story about choosing rest over obligation and the surprising clarity that followed.  We'll explore emotional recovery, boundaries, and a beloved reading from Melody Beattie about why saying no allows us to say yes to the...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the winter seasons of our lives — those moments that feel dark, uncertain, or stripped down to the essentials.  I share a story about supporting a friend who is in a difficult moment in her business, and the unexpected wisdom that arrived as autumn leaves fell across my windshield.  We explore the quiet power of winter, the truth that every season holds meanin...

Happy 2026, Ascenders!!! In today's episode, I'm talking about why casual indifference costs us more than we realize — and how choosing to live courageously open can change everything.  On New Year's Day, I reflect on regret minimization, fear, visibility, and the decision to leave it all on the field.  We'll explore Sharon Salzberg's teachings from Faith, why fear doesn't get to determine the lim...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the art of letting good things end well — and how closure can be an act of love, not loss.  I share the story of ending my podcast Food Shrinks with my dear friends Molly P. and Clarissa K., how at first I felt abandoned and angry, and how I came to see the ending as something whole and holy — a moment that made room for The Daily Ascent to be born.  We'll exp...

In today's episode, I'm talking about transformation through life's curveballs — spiritual growth born from collapse. At her book launch, my friend Alisa Kriegel shared how discovering her husband was gay shattered her life — and ultimately set her free.  I share how I've seen that same pattern in my own life: when businesses shifted, relationships ended, and old stories fell away. We'll explore h...

In today's episode, I'm talking about devotion — not as discipline or perfection, but as the steady, human practice of showing up when things are hard or uncertain.  I share a story about a young woman whose commitment to learning reshaped my understanding of perseverance, humility, and what it really means to stay the course.  We'll explore why devotion is a spiritual practice, how small acts of...

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to soften your heart when anger takes over — especially during emotionally charged moments like the holidays.  I share a raw story about a recent blowup with my brother and the spiritual tool that helped me melt the armor that anger had built around my heart. If you find yourself looping, stewing, or feeling hardened, this one is for you. We'll explore why...

In today's episode, I am talking about what it feels like to be the outsider in your family.  I share a story about a client who sees herself as the unicorn in a family of horses and how this simple metaphor helped her soften, accept her family's limits, and stop losing herself in the process.  We explore how to love people as they are, let go of expectations that keep you hurt and resentful, and...

In today's episode, I'm talking about overcommitting, exhaustion, and learning how to pause before saying yes.  This episode explores spiritual growth and emotional recovery through restraint, boundaries, and honoring your limits without guilt. We'll explore how choosing a sustainable pace helps you show up with integrity and presence in your life and relationships. Question to carry into your day...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the tenderness of relationships that change form rather than disappear.  I share the story of reconnecting with an ex after a soft, mutual breakup and the surprising moment of hope that followed.  We'll explore how to stay open when endings become beginnings in another shape, and how reimagining connection can be its own kind of healing. Question to carry into...

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to find stability when the holidays knock you off your spiritual beam.  I share a personal story about slipping into depression without realizing it, the friends who reflected it back to me, and the simple plan that one of my spiritual guides, Juliana helped me create when she reminded me I was in "spiritual critical care."  We'll explore what it means to...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the difference between contribution and flow — and what happens when we stop trying to earn our place in the rhythm of life.  I share a story about a weekend with my framily that reminded me how easily we interrupt generosity by feeling guilty for receiving — and how freedom and connection return when we let ourselves be carried.  We'll explore why overgiving...

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when your nervous system calls the shots and your only job is to surrender.  I share the story of coming home from a retreat, planning a productive day, and realizing that my body was in a dorsal state and needed something completely different.  We'll explore surrender as a spiritual practice, how to honor your body's truth, and why rest is someti...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the deep self trust that comes from honoring your inner experience, even when it means stepping away.  I share the story of leaving a retreat session early when my vibration dropped, the reaction it caused, and the clarity that followed.  We'll explore attunement as a spiritual practice, how to listen to your inner truth, and why self care sometimes means leav...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the quiet ways the universe guides us — the subtle signs, the gentle nudges, the whispers that redirect us when we're willing to stay open.  I share the story of nearly leaving a retreat for a completely reasonable reason, and how one honest conversation shifted everything. We'll explore the spiritual practice of openness, how to recognize subtle guidance, and...

In today's episode, I'm talking about the sacred rhythm of giving and receiving — and how remembering to replenish ourselves keeps love alive.  I share the story of a women's healing circle where, after a night of Reiki and sound healing, a powerful moment in the closing circle reminded me that even the helpers and doers need to receive too.  We'll explore how giving without receiving cuts us off...