This Miraculous Life

Sara shares how to get SO clear on your intention and resolutions for the coming year that you can distill it down into just one word. She also shares why and how taking this approach to resolutions is helpful. Can you accept her challenge to hone in on your one word?

This week’s episode begins with a question about how to create “love” and “space” with a partner who is not “out of the closet.” Together with two amazing guests: Louis Alloro, Positive Psychology doctoral student, and Melissa Sampson, critical care nurse, Sara provides tips and research to help the writer tap into love even amidst pain. Both Louis and Melissa share their own deeply personsl experiences as members of the LGTBQ community as well as their loving advice.

The holidays are expected to be a blissful, joy-filled, time of perfect baking, perfect decor, and perfect family/friend memories. But, in truth, it rarely works that way. This week Sara responds to questions about how to manage this division between the expectation vs. the reality of the holiday – including the essential step of learning how to set boundaries! Tune in to learn how to embrace the imperfection of the holidays, and plan accordingly!

Have you ever had a friend in trouble, but not know how to help them? In today’s episode, Sara hears from someone who is concerned that a friend is going to get married to an abusive partner. Looking from the outside-in, it may be obvious how bad or dangerous a relationship has become. However, those involved may not be able to separate passion from poison. In this episode Sara invites Michell Stanley, holistic psychotherapist and licensed social worker to help understand how we can be there for our friends in an extremely difficult situation while still not abandoning ourselves - and how to separate helpfulness from judgement. Finally we will learn what is actually helpful - and what just makes us as the outsider looking in - feel better.

Have you ever felt your insecurities run away from you? Or feel that your flaws were outside of your control? In this week’s episode, our writer, ​Ugly Duckling,​ expresses frustration that their appearance is affecting their life, especially professionally. The writer wonders how to make peace with the fact that they may receive fewer opportunities or different treatment due to not being traditionally attractive. In response, Sara discusses ways to build confidence, take initiative, and methods for confronting and coping with unfair treatment. Finally Sara reveals how to liberate yourself from concerns about your looks, once and for all.

Have you ever looked around only to notice all of your friends are either married and talking about kids, or single and talking about getting married? You try to connect and understand them but something tells you that cookie cutter “find a mate, get married, have kids, live happily ever after" life just isn‘t for you. So... if that‘s not for you, then what is? Do you even want a long term relationship? If not about that picture perfect life then what are relationships about? Sara breaks down how to figure out these big life questions - especially when you sense that your answer is different from everyone around you! And ultimately reveals her take on the real WHY behind saying Y or N to a romantic commitment.

Have you met someone attractive and charming, but still struggle to determine whether or not they are a compatible partner for you? Aren’t you supposed to​ just know​ when you’ve got a good catch? Not necessarily. When first meeting a potential partner, people may experience a range of emotions: excitement, nerves, lust, etc. Amongst these feelings, how can you really decide if someone is right for you? In today’s episode, Sara hears from a woman who has recently been on a first date, but is unsure of the criteria she should use to decide whether or not to continue on to second or third dates.

"Have you ever felt like social media is sucking away your happiness? Sometimes it’s your best friend and makes a bad day brighter? But other times it’s your worst enemy and diminishes the joy in what would have otherwise been a great day!?

In today’s episode Sara responds to a listener who is trying to navigate the comparison trap that social media brings along with it! A trap that we have all fallen into at some point in this social media era. Sara discusses, in this era, how do we protect our happiness? How do we stop comparing ourselves? And if/ how we can use social media in a way that is conducive to a happy life!"

Have you ever felt lonely? In a society that equates time with money, disdains idleness, and prizes social connections, for many, the simple state of being alone without other people around can be a foreign feeling. But does alone have to mean lonely? Today Sara hears from a career-focused individual who has a strong friend group and an array of social activities to look forward to, but has become aware of their lack of a romantic partner and feels increasingly lonely. In responding, Sara helps the writer explore how they can open themselves up to all the opportunities that may lay before them. The discussion also touches on the importance of not attempting to achieve self-fulfillment with external substitutes.

Pursuing sexual connection is a natural and exhilarating human inclination. However, humans are not only sexual creatures but emotional as well. Can sexual connection be conflated with emotional fulfillment? Does one impact the other? In this episode, Sara responds to a young woman who wants to enjoy her sexuality, but fears that having too many sexual partners may be damaging her emotional well-being. Sara helps the writer sort through some complex questions on balancing a healthy sex life with emotional stability. This episode features special guest Kate Warren, renowned DC photographer and the host of sex podcast: Insert Here!