How much of your stress comes from what actually happened... and how much comes from the story your mind created about it?

We all make assumptions. About what other people are thinking, why they acted the way they did, what their intentions were—even about ourselves. The challenge is that we often mistake those assumptions for facts.

In this episode, we'll explore how assumptions quietly shape our relationships, fuel unnecessary conflict, and keep us stuck in stories that may not even be true. You'll learn why asking better questions creates deeper connection, how assumptions affect communication, and how a little curiosity can dramatically reduce suffering.

If you've ever found yourself saying, "I know exactly why they did that," this episode is for you.

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Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

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As part of the Roots of the Rise Summer Re-Release Series, Sarah Hope revisits one of the most impactful episodes from the archive.

Sometimes growth isn't about learning something new—it's about returning to an idea at a different stage of life and discovering what you couldn't see before.

In this episode, Sarah explores the hidden relationship between fear, safety, and control through the lens of the root chakra. When life feels uncertain, many of us respond by tightening our grip—rehearsing conversations, obsessively planning, hoarding resources, over-preparing, or trying to predict every possible outcome. While some preparation is healthy, there comes a point when control becomes a coping mechanism rather than a solution.

You'll learn why the illusion of control can keep us stuck in fear, how scarcity thinking influences our behavior, and what it means to cultivate genuine trust instead of constantly seeking certainty. Sarah also shares a practical fear-setting exercise inspired by Tim Ferriss that can help you work through anxiety, identify what you can and cannot control, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The connection between fear, safety, and control
• How root chakra imbalances can show up in everyday life
• Why scarcity thinking influences our decisions
• The difference between healthy preparation and fear-based control
• How overthinking and excessive planning can increase anxiety
• A practical exercise for defining, preventing, and repairing feared outcomes
• Ways to build trust and resilience in uncertain times

If you've ever found yourself trapped in worry, struggling to let go, or searching for certainty in an uncertain world, this episode offers a grounded perspective and practical tools to help you find more peace.

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Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

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Fear isn't always a sign that something is wrong.

Sometimes it's a warning. Sometimes it's an old wound. Sometimes it's simply an exhausted nervous system that no longer knows how to relax.

In this re-released episode from the Chakra Series, Sarah explores the root chakra and its connection to fear, safety, stability, and security. Through both practical and energetic lenses, she examines why fear can feel so overwhelming, how it influences our decisions and relationships, and why so many of us remain stuck in patterns of anxiety long after the original threat has passed.

You'll learn:
• The relationship between fear, safety, and the root chakra
• Why fear often creates the very outcomes we're trying to avoid
• How to distinguish fear from intuition
• The role of nervous system regulation in creating a sense of inner stability
• Why routine, structure, and grounding practices matter more than most people realize
• A simple process for understanding what your fear is trying to protect

Most importantly, this episode invites you to stop fighting your fear and start getting curious about it. Because beneath many of our fears lies something deeply meaningful: a desire for love, connection, belonging, purpose, or safety.

Fear may never disappear completely, but it doesn't have to drive the car.

Whether you're interested in the chakra system, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, or personal growth, this episode offers practical tools and compassionate insights for building greater self-trust and inner stability.

Questions or Comments? Message me!

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Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter or checking out all my offerings at www.risingwithsarah.com

What if the chakra system isn't about mystical energy at all—but about understanding the subconscious patterns that shape your life?

In this re-released episode of Roots of the Rise, Sarah Hope offers an accessible introduction to the seven chakras as a practical framework for self-awareness, personal growth, and emotional healing. Rather than focusing on "fixing" a problem chakra, this episode explores how the chakra system can help you identify the beliefs, fears, habits, and conditioning that influence everything from your sense of safety and self-worth to your relationships, communication, intuition, and connection to purpose. 

You'll learn:

• What the seven chakras are and what each one represents
• How chakras can be viewed as subconscious programming rather than mystical concepts
• Why healing requires both grounding and spiritual growth
• The connection between fear, emotional patterns, self-esteem, communication, and intuition
• How early life experiences shape the patterns we carry into adulthood
• Why the goal isn't to find your "problem chakra," but to become more curious about yourself

Whether you're completely new to the chakra system or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this episode provides a grounded, practical foundation for understanding yourself more deeply and beginning to rewrite patterns that no longer serve you.

Questions or Comments? Message me!

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Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter or checking out all my offerings at www.risingwithsarah.com

What if meditation isn't about clearing your mind at all?

In this re-released episode of Roots of the Rise, Sarah Hope explores Heart-Based Meditation—a simple yet powerful practice that has transformed her life for more than a decade. Unlike many meditation techniques that focus on controlling thoughts, Heart-Based Meditation welcomes thoughts as part of the process and teaches a practical integration tool called Heart-Centering, helping you bring greater calm, clarity, and resilience into everyday life.

Sarah shares her personal journey with meditation, the benefits she has experienced through consistent practice, and why this method continues to be her "ride-or-die" tool after ten years of daily use. You'll learn how meditation can support stress reduction, emotional regulation, improved relationships, greater self-awareness, better sleep, and a more grounded response to life's challenges.

Whether you're completely new to meditation, have struggled to maintain a practice, or are looking for a meditation method that creates meaningful change beyond the cushion, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what meditation can be and how it can help you become more peaceful, resilient, and heart-centered in everyday life.

Topics Covered:
• Heart-Based Meditation explained
• The role of Heart-Centering in daily life
• Common meditation misconceptions
• Managing stress and anxiety naturally
• Emotional resilience and self-regulation
• Meditation for beginners
• Consistency versus perfection in practice
• How meditation improves relationships and parenting
• Creating lasting inner peace

Learn Heart Based Meditation

Questions or Comments? Message me!

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Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

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Do you struggle to accept compliments, ask for help, or fully enjoy the good things in your life? You may think gratitude is simply about focusing on what's going well—but true gratitude also requires us to receive.

In this special re-release, Sarah revisits two powerful episodes from the Roots of the Rise archive: Gratitude vs. Scarcityand The Power of Receiving Gratitude. Together, these conversations explore how scarcity thinking shapes our lives, why we often focus on what's missing, and how discomfort with receiving can prevent us from fully experiencing the support, appreciation, love, and abundance already present around us.

You'll learn:

• The difference between a scarcity mindset and a gratitude mindset
• Why gratitude is a skill that can be developed
• How difficulty receiving compliments, help, or appreciation may be limiting your wellbeing
• The connection between self-worth and receiving
• Practical ways to cultivate gratitude and allow yourself to take in the good

If you've ever found yourself minimizing compliments, turning down help, or feeling uncomfortable when others acknowledge your contributions, this episode is for you.

Because gratitude isn't only about noticing what's good. It's also about allowing yourself to receive it.

Topics discussed: gratitude, scarcity mindset, abundance, receiving help, self-worth, personal growth, emotional wellbeing, mindfulness, self-awareness, gratitude practice, receiving compliments, emotional health, intentional living.

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Support the show

Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter or checking out all my offerings at www.risingwithsarah.com

Should you journal? What if you don't know what to write about? And does journaling really improve mental health?

In this re-released episode of Roots of the Rise, Sarah Hope explores several powerful journaling methods and how each can support self-awareness, emotional healing, stress reduction, and personal growth. Whether you're brand new to journaling or looking to deepen an existing practice, you'll discover simple approaches that make journaling feel accessible and meaningful.

Sarah discusses:

• Line-a-day journaling for capturing memories and tracking growth over time
• Morning pages for mental clarity, intention-setting, and reducing overwhelm
• Integration journaling to process retreats, healing work, difficult conversations, and major life experiences
• Stream-of-consciousness writing for breaking through mental blocks and accessing deeper insight
• The research-backed expressive writing protocol shown to improve both mental and physical health

You'll also learn why journaling doesn't have to be perfect, why typing can be just as effective as handwriting, and how to avoid the common trap of "pretty journals" that never get used.

If you've ever wondered how to start a journaling practice, what type of journal is right for you, or whether journaling is actually worth the effort, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement to help you begin.

Because journaling isn't necessarily about keeping a record of your life. It's about creating a conversation with yourself.

Companion journaling prompts and resources available for Patreon members

Resources:

Line a Day Journal

Huberman: A Science-Supported Journaling Protocol to Improve Mental & Physical Health

Related Episodes:

Episode 53 - Know Who You Are: The Foundation of Authentic Living

Episode 54 - Why Loving Who You've Been Can Change Everything

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Support the show

Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

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We're halfway through the year—a perfect time to pause, reflect, and ask an important question:

Are you prioritizing your priorities?

Many of us started the year with goals, intentions, and plans for personal growth, better habits, healthier relationships, and a more balanced life. But as the months pass, it's easy to become overwhelmed by daily responsibilities and lose sight of what truly matters.

In this special re-release of Episodes 30 and 38, Sarah explores how to identify your most important priorities, align your time and energy with your values, and create a more intentional life. You'll learn a simple but powerful framework for evaluating where your attention is going, determining which areas of your life need the most support, and recognizing when it's time for a personal reset.

In the follow-up listener Q&A, Sarah answers a common question: How often should we revisit our priorities? She shares practical guidance for recognizing the signs of burnout, overwhelm, and misalignment—and how to recalibrate before those feelings take over.

Whether you're feeling stretched too thin, struggling with work-life balance, pursuing personal development goals, or simply looking for a mindful mid-year check-in, this episode offers a compassionate invitation to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

Because intentional living isn't about doing more. It's about making sure the things receiving your energy are the things that matter most.

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Support the show

Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

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What if inner growth didn't have to feel overwhelming? What if transformation could happen through small, consistent steps rather than massive overhauls?

Roots of the Rise delivers bite-sized spiritual wisdom, practical tools, and guided self-inquiry through weekly 10–20 minute episodes designed to help you create meaningful change without adding more overwhelm to your life. Topics range from emotional intelligence, mindfulness, meditation, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion to relationships, personal growth, spiritual development, and authentic alignment.

Whether you're a seasoned seeker looking for fresh inspiration or someone just beginning your healing journey, these accessible episodes offer insights you can actually integrate into everyday life. And for those who want to go deeper, many episodes are accompanied by guided contemplations, worksheets, reflection prompts, and other supportive resources available through the Rising with Sarah membership community.

Drawing from her extensive background as an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner, Spiritual Mentor, Meditation Teacher, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, and Energy Healer, host Sarah Hope shares a wide range of healing practices and transformative tools—always with the understanding that every path is unique, and that meaningful growth begins with strong roots.

Her approach is grounded not only in professional expertise, but also in lived experience. Having navigated childhood trauma, grief, depression, and profound personal transformation, Sarah brings both compassion and authenticity to every conversation. The result is a podcast that feels less like instruction and more like an invitation—an invitation to explore your own healing journey with curiosity, self-compassion, and courage.

If you're ready to cultivate greater peace, clarity, resilience, and self-trust, subscribe to Roots of the Rise and join us as we learn, heal, and rise—one grounded step at a time.

Know who you are.
Love who you've been.
Become who you're meant to be.

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Support the show

Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

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Your plan can be responsible, well thought out, and still quietly stop fitting. That’s where we start: the uncomfortable moment when I realize I can produce another podcast episode on sheer willpower, but the spark is gone and the pushing feels like a clue, not a virtue. If you’ve been forcing a timeline, a habit, a relationship dynamic, or a version of success that used to make sense, this is your permission slip to call it what it might actually be: recalibration.

I share the practical reason I missed a release (a painfully scratched cornea) and the deeper truth underneath it: a months-long internal shift that’s been asking me to slow down and listen. Along the way, I tell the story of a health journey that led me to try a GLP-1 medication (Zepbound) and the spiritual and emotional resistance that came with it, especially the fear of judgment and the belief that accepting help means I’m “cheating.” This is not medical advice, but it is an honest look at the mind-body connection, postpartum weight struggles, cardiovascular risk factors like lipoprotein(a), and what it can feel like when your favorite healing tools work in many areas but not in the one place you want them to most.

The biggest surprise wasn’t weight loss. It was the quiet. With the mental noise turned down, I could finally see patterns I’d normalized for years: destination addiction, overwork, and the way worthiness chasing can hide inside ambition. That realization leads to a clear choice: I’m taking the summer off from new episodes so I can rest, integrate, and actually live the life I keep saying I’m trying to protect. I’ll re-release some of the most useful conversations, and members will get bonus contemplations and guided practices to go deeper.

If you’re changing your mind this summer, I’d love to hear what you want more of when I’m back in September. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review, then tell me: what are you ready to stop forcing?

Suggested Resources:

Dr. Peter Attia's book Outlive

Dr. Peter Attia speaking with Dr. Benoit Arsenault about Lp(a) and it's impact on heart disease

Dr. Salas-Whalen's book Weightless

Mel Robbins talking with Dr. Salas-Whalen about obesity and Ozempic

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Support the show

Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter or checking out all my offerings at www.risingwithsarah.com