Your Persona Is Just a Mask: Breaking Free from Self-Centered Living
Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - SaraEver wonder why you feel disconnected despite being constantly surrounded by people? This week, I explore how service to others creates the deep roots of connection we're all yearning for.Between teaching yoga and receiving your heartfelt messages, I've been reflecting on what truly brings meaning to our lives. The answer isn't complicated, but it challenges our default settings: service beyond self is where true fulfillment lies.I dive into the fascinating etymology of "persona" (literally meaning "mask") and how our personalities aren't who we are—they're who we've practiced being. Through tiny habit changes, we can transform who we show up as in the world. This goes far beyond yoga philosophy; quantum physics confirms we're more energy than matter, all interconnected beneath the surface.Most provocatively, I explore how even our insecurities can be manifestations of ego. That constant worry about what others think? It's still self-centered thinking, just disguised as concern for others. True service comes from a place of genuine care without expectation of recognition or personal benefit.Before I take my summer break to upgrade our podcast equipment, I challenge you to find one small way to be of service—not to feel good about yourself, but to genuinely contribute. Whether walking shelter dogs, helping at a homeless center, or creating service opportunities at work, these actions create the root networks that connect us all.Join me on this journey of service and storytelling. Share your experiences, reflect on your intentions, and I'll be waiting to hear all about it when we reconnect in September. Your time and attention mean everything to me—thank you for being part of this community.See ya in September xx, -S.
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Tiny Anchors
Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - SaraHave you ever felt like your life is so magnificently full that there isn't a second left to spare? When days fly by like flowers in the wind and you're teetering on the edge of overwhelm?This episode dives into the concept of "tiny anchors" – those small, sustainable habits that keep us grounded during life's most intense periods. Recording between sessions of leading a 200-hour yoga teacher training, I share how I've abandoned the pursuit of perfect, Instagram-worthy morning routines in favor of micro habits that actually stick.Drawing wisdom from James Clear's "Atomic Habits," I explain how habit stacking transformed my approach to daily routines and share three specific micro habits that currently maintain my sanity: a morning hot beverage ritual that fills me with comfort, an evening tea practice with my treasured pottery mug that signals my brain to wind down, and a weekly "high-low-lesson learned" reflection that builds gratitude and presence.These tiny anchors might seem insignificant individually, but collectively they create the foundation that allows me to navigate demanding seasons without losing my center. Rather than aspiring to unrealistic three-hour morning routines, these humble practices honor what's actually sustainable long-term.What micro habits keep you grounded when life speeds up? Share your own tiny anchors and join our growing Salty Bay Club community where we're exploring how small, consistent choices create meaningful transformation.
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Dating, Love, and Cookies: A Spicy Confessional
Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - SaraRaw, unfiltered, and surprisingly sweet - just like a perfect cookie. This episode dives deep into the messy reality of modern dating and the transformative power of genuine love.From dating disasters to profound realizations, I'm sharing the unvarnished truth about my journey through hookup culture, relationship game-playing, and the ultimate discovery of what makes love actually work. Remember that guy who refused oral sex because I wasn't completely hairless? Or the countless dates where I felt like a one-woman talk show host desperately trying to extract basic conversation from emotionally unavailable men? These experiences might make you cringe, but they were essential stepping stones to finding authentic partnership.The path to my current relationship wasn't linear - it required seven years of intentional singlehood, therapy, and the courage to face my own patterns. I've come to understand that true love isn't about finding someone to complete you; it's about creating a powerful triangle between two whole people and the love they nurture together. Safety that allows vulnerability, trust that eliminates doubt, and that essential spark of mutual curiosity form the foundation of relationships that actually last.What I've learned contradicts much of what society tells us about love. The greatest revelation? You must know how to be a lover, not just desire to be loved. As Erich Fromm wisely noted, many want to receive love but few are prepared to consistently give it. Whether you're navigating the dating scene, healing from heartbreak, or nurturing a long-term partnership, this episode offers both comfort and challenge. Because finding your person isn't just about luck - it's about becoming the person worthy of the love you seek.
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Cake, Clarity & Chaos: Conversations Between Co-Founders
Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - SaraWhen a former Red Bull executive and a lifelong yoga practitioner join forces, the result is nothing short of magical. This intimate conversation between Katharina and Sarah reveals the extraordinary journey behind Trees and Stories, their yoga teacher training school that has transformed over 100 lives in just six years.The chemistry between these two teachers is immediately apparent as Sara welcomes Katharina with a specially crafted dark chocolate apricot pistachio cake—a sweet symbol of Katharina's depth and rich personality. As they reminisce about their first meeting and subsequent partnership, we witness how seemingly random connections can become life-changing collaborations.What truly sets their approach apart is their commitment to authenticity. Unlike the standardized, PowerPoint-driven teacher trainings that dominate the industry, Katharina and Sarah take their students outdoors to connect with nature and ancient wisdom. "We are not ordinary people," Katharina explains. "If you're looking for the ordinary, we might not be your choice—and that's absolutely okay."Katharina's journey from corporate powerhouse to yoga studio owner offers a compelling narrative about following your heart despite the risks. Her experience managing major brands like Red Bull and Coca-Cola gave her the organizational framework to handle the unglamorous aspects of running a yoga business—from bookkeeping to buying toilet paper—while maintaining her teaching passion.The conversation takes a profound turn when they discuss how yoga helped Katharina recognize her body's stress signals before reaching burnout. This lived experience now informs her somatic yoga teaching: "I truly believe that I can teach somatic yoga because I've been through that."Perhaps most striking is the synchronicity of their partnership—evidenced by the remarkable discovery that Sara's new home is the very farmhouse where Katharina spent her childhood with her horse. These meaningful coincidences only strengthen their belief that their connection transcends ordinary business partnerships.Ready to experience their unique approach to yoga teacher training? Discover why their students describe feeling part of something special—a true sangha where differences are celebrated within a unified spirit.Check out what we built together: This is out Baby <3
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Flaky Isn’t Just for Pastry: Calling Yourself In
Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - SaraBrace yourself for some crunchy granola bar wisdom as we dive into one of life's most challenging ingredients: accountability. Unlike last week's fluffy raspberry cake, today we're serving up something that might seem dry but is absolutely packed with nutrients for your personal growth.Accountability creates trust—it's that simple. Yet so many of us struggle with consistently showing up, following through on commitments, and being honest when we fall short. Why? We trace this pattern back to our origins as natural narcissists (a survival mechanism for babies) and examine how insecurity, privilege, and modern life have created a perfect storm for flaky behavior. The result? Relationships that lack deep trust and communities that feel increasingly disconnected.Drawing from personal experience and years of observing these patterns, I share how I transformed from someone unreliable in my early twenties to someone who values and embodies accountability. This journey wasn't easy—it required developing emotional intelligence to recognize when feelings were sweeping me away and learning to take ownership before being called out. The discomfort we feel when confronting our flakiness is precisely where growth happens.Ready for your Salty Bake Club homework? It's time to write a message to someone you've failed to show up for, and to explore your own patterns in a letter to yourself. Remember, showing up isn't about being flawless; it's about radical honesty with yourself and others. And if you're feeling inspired to make your own neatly packaged granola bars while pondering these tough truths, send me a message for the recipe!
This isn’t your average lifestyle podcast—it’s the kind that sneaks in like a midnight craving and lingers like the scent of warm cookies. We dive headfirst into the deliciously messy parts of being human, unwrapping the sticky shadows with sharp honesty and a wink of mischief. Think deep talk, humor, and just the right amount of indulgence. Who said your dark side can’t be sweet and creamy?Wanna share you personal struggles, or ideas with me? Text me and mix your own story into our raw and unfinished podcast batter! Can't wait to hear from you on Instagram. Follow along on IG: @saltybakeclub