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 restlessness.

In this episode I look at the middle passage through the lens of the stages of grief, reframing midlife struggles as a necessary grieving process and an invitation to shed false identities. What feels like dissatisfaction or breakdown is actually the true self knocking behind the persona we built in order to fit in.

Need support with navigating this transition?: avra.as.me

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

In this episode I share a little bit of my journey of self-discovery and the importance of finding meaning in life's experiences.

Through personal anecdotes, a story of my time at Tesla and a pivotal encounter with a colleague, I explore themes of confronting hatred and expression of feelings we are channeling - that don't originate from our own lived experiences, but from the experiences of a collective.

Every experience prepares us for our purpose.

But that becomes hard to see if we can't approach our past with a sense of wonder and curiosity rather than judgement and anger.

In this episode, we meet Dr. Leighann Rechtin, a coach and expert on CliftonStrengths.

CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) is an assessment developed by Don Clifton that helps people identify their natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving — called "talents." The tool categorizes these talents into 34 themes that all roll up to four domains: Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking, Executing, and Influencing.

Leighann and Sara were in the same coaching certification cohort and are both certified strengths coaches through Gallup. In this episode, they discuss the value of CliftonStrengths, how to use the tool, and how we can think about our talents and strengths differently in order to enhance our career wellbeing.

If you are interested in taking the CliftonStrengths assessment after watching this episode, hop on over to avra.as.me and schedule a Strengths Coaching Session with Sara!

With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of entertainment and education, Dr. Bramante helps performers, educators, and creatives unlock their potential by combining psychology, performance strategy, and AI. He guides actors beyond just booking roles— to building sustainable, purpose-driven careers across Broadway, film, and TV.

A seasoned college professor, Dr. Bramante has taught psychology courses at Union County College and BMCC (CUNY), creating impactful, real-world learning experiences. As a certified hypnosis and NLP practitioner, he helps clients overcome internal blocks and boost clarity, confidence, and focus.

Dr. Bramante also leads workshops on AI tools like Chat GPT and Canva, training creatives and educators to enhance content creation and workflow efficiency. Available for partnerships with acting schools, colleges, wellness programs, and AI education initiatives, he frequently speaks on imposter syndrome, mental performance, and sustainable creative careers.

You can learn more about his work at: https://bramanteartists.com/

Asher Lyons is the founder and visionary of Medicine Theater, an expressive arts organization with the mission to support people young and old in finding liberation, joy and healing through the art of spontaneous play and mythic story creation. Asher has been facilitating this type of work for over 23 years, and has found that the essence of freedom is discovered through connecting to our creative spirit and the natural world. Asher has also spent the past 2 decades learning from storytellers from a wide range of cultures and traditions throughout the Americas which has deeply informed his work as a story creation facilitator and performer.

https://www.medicinetheater.com/

In this episode Sara sits down with Aleeza Khan.

Aleeza recently graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a minor in Design. She focuses on community-centered design through her work with a nonprofit organization, Tiny Village Spirit. She is also the social media manager for the Ace of Pentacles Podcast

Aleeza is also the creator and host of the Livin and Loving podcast, where she shares conversations around growth, identity, and empowerment.

She has completed multiple internships at M Designs Architects and currently works at IMG II, her father's real estate and investment firm. Aleeza is currently pursuing her master's degree in Real Estate and Real Estate Development at the University of Washington, starting this fall, to grow further and elevate the family business.

Aleeza and Sara talk about the values and perspectives of Gen Z with regards to work and careers. They discuss many topics, including: how this new generation thinks about flexibility and working from home, the type of workplace environment they're looking for, workplace culture, balancing mental health and work, and Aleeza shares her perspective on using LinkedIn and networking.

The real "organizational culture" problem that companies aren't addressing.

In this conversation, Sara sits down with Psychotherapist and Educator, Dr. Swan Dao. As Founder and Director of the Institute of Devotional Arts, Dr. Dao is dedicated to transforming lives through creative expression. Dr. Dao shares insights on effective communication, conflict resolution, and setting healthy boundaries. Together, Sara and Swan explore practical strategies to help you navigate challenging conversations—both in the workplace and in everyday life.

About Dr. Swan Dao:

Dr. Swan Dao is a psychotherapist, coach, and educator. Swan studied and taught philosophy, theology, psychology, and theatre in Oxford, Melbourne, and Chicago, and earned a PhD from the University Cambridge on the theme of self-transformation and system change.

He is also a certified Conflict Mediator and trained in numerous communication practices such as Non-Violent Communication, Authentic Relating, and Circling. As the founder of the Institute of Devotional Arts, he harnesses the power of creativity and imagination for collective healing and transformation.

You Can learn more about Dr. Dao's work at: https://www.devotionalarts.org/