Hi !

On today’s episode, I sit down with intuitive guide and coach Michelle Galoob.

While Michelle’s insights are rooted in the Akashic Records, her magic sauce is really in helping people connect to the part of themselves that already has the answers. She has a gift for harnessing intuition and teaching others to do the same, which helps her clients and community move toward their highest potential.

But once upon a time, Michelle outsourced her decisions and opinions to others. She eventually hit rock bottom, initiating a profound transformation. She discovered her gifts, found a pivotal mentor in the most auspicious way possible (she tells the story in the episode!), and accidentally started a practice that quickly took off by word of mouth. Now, she guides people, including some of the spiritual industry’s favorite figures, and teaches students to harness their own internal compass.

As we move along in the evolution of human consciousness, I believe the power of intuition is becoming unmistakable. What was once just a desire for alignment is becoming a necessity. So many of us are sensitive to the pain of being in places and spaces that do not support our inner vision. And while that pain may not go away (it’s simply part of the human condition to evolve), our intuition helps us navigate the space between where we are and what we’re sensing into next.

It is both a product of and a part of “the work.” When we release our baggage and update our way of thinking, we hear intuition more clearly. We spend less time trying to “figure it all out” with our minds and more time simply accepting our circumstances. And in that acceptance, we create more space for presence–attuned to our senses, attuned to Higher Power.

To be used by it, to serve others, to evolve as individuals and as a collective–and yes, to get what we authentically want.

Enjoy!

xx,

S

Still Pondering

The power of cultivating a relationship with your intuition through play and silliness. Michelle’s story is a testament to how rapidly things can change when you’re willing to ask for help and to open yourself to actually receiving it. And her approach isn’t super serious. She doesn’t spend all of her time studying and meditating to find the answers to her deepest questions. She lives her life. She makes room to dance, to be goofy, to take risks, to do her laundry. All of that contributes to her process and gives her clarity.

It really can be that simple. We’re unlearning the mental habits that keep us from our intuition more than we’re learning how to connect to it.

Michelle’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Spending 30 minutes in gratitude every morning. It changes the way I enter the day.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

I’m watching The Lincoln Lawyer, and not a day goes by without a matcha.

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

I often return to its reminder that love is the thread running through everything.

A FALL MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Trick-or-treating with my kids and experiencing the excitement and magic of Halloween through their eyes. I grew up in the UK, where Halloween wasn’t really celebrated at the time, so it feels especially fun and meaningful to share this tradition with them.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

My matcha frother–it has become part of my morning ritual.

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

I’m loving expanding the way I teach intuition and creating classes and experiences that help people recognize their own guidance and trust it in practical, everyday ways.

Into this? Up next ꩜

꩜ Saara’s Stack

Curious about the tools behind my daily practices? I’ve gathered my favorite meditation apps, breathwork programs, journaling essentials, and more in Saara’s Stack.

Explore the full stack →

Almost 2 years and 50 episodes into Rich Souls, I’m sharing what’s helped me build and publish weekly.

Welcome to a new podcast how-to series. This is Level 1: Ship It.

We’re covering the basics of recording and publishing your first episode. In future pieces, we’ll explore improving your show, building the mindset and systems to keep going, and helping more people find it.

My Approach ꩜

Keep it simple!

Build a setup that’s easy to use, get the episode out, and improve as you go. Iteration is the name of the game.

Here’s where to start.

1. Choose what you’re recording

Before buying equipment, answer three questions.

1. Solo episodes, conversations with guests, or both?
   If your podcast features guest conversations, consider one solo episode a month. It takes some pressure off guest scheduling and gives your audience more time to connect with you as the host.
   

2. Audio only, or audio and video?
   Audio is easier to produce because there’s one less element to edit. Video gives you more material for promotional clips and lets your audience connect with your expressions, personality, and presence on camera.
   

3. At home, in a studio, or on the go?
   Recording at home can keep costs low and gives you control over your setup. A studio costs more but offers a space optimized for recording. On the go, you trade a lot of control over sound and lighting for fun environments and spontaneity.

For your first episode, pick one format and one topic.

2. Set up your equipment + space

Start with a microphone, headphones, and a quiet space. If you’re recording video, add a camera and good lighting. Your laptop or phone can be your starting camera.

Before buying anything, test out your space:

• Choose the quietest room available

• Use rugs, curtains, and other soft decor to help reduce echo

• For video, position your light in front of you and tidy your background

• Record a few minutes of yourself talking, then play it back

Can you hear every word clearly? Is your face well lit? Is the framing comfortable? If not, fix those basics first.

PRO TIP: Extras like dedicated cameras, elaborate lighting, and a beautiful background can come later. In just a few recordings you will have a sense of what you want to upgrade.

3. Set up recording + booking

I use Riverside to record. Before your first session, practice selecting your microphone and camera, starting and stopping a recording, and finding your files afterward.

PRO TIP: Check your device’s audio input and output settings, too. Make sure you’re recording through the microphone you intend to use.

If you’re recording solo, schedule time with yourself.

For guests, you’ll also need a booking process. I use TidyCal, Google Calendar, and Gmail:

1. The guest requests a time through TidyCal

2. I approve it

3. I schedule the session in Riverside

4. I send a calendar invitation with the recording link

I book two-hour blocks because I like having space for the conversation, plus warm-up time with before recording. Experiment with what feels right for your show.

PRO TIP: Turn off Google Calendar’s automatic Google Meet links so guests have one clear link to join.

On your computer, go to Google Calendar → gear icon → Settings → Event settings. Uncheck “Automatically add Google Meet video conferences to events I create.”

You can also manually remove any Google Meet link already attached and include your recording link, but I recommend automating it.

4. Prepare for the conversation (or your solo)

Send guests a short email with:

• The date, time, time zone, and recording link

• Setup instructions: a quiet space, reliable internet, headphones, a microphone if they have one, plus good lighting if you’re recording video

• Opening or closing questions that could use reflection in advance

• A note that the conversation will be recorded, published, and shared

You can also confirm name pronunciations, ask about a hard stop, and share a few topics you want to explore.

In my email pitch, I make it clear that I prefer a conversational format. I always share my standard opening and closing questions in advance, but I no longer send a full interview question list like I did when I started. Sometimes I’ll also share topics my intuition draws me toward. Either way, I leave plenty of space to flow with what comes up organically.

I have an opening, a few main talking points, and a closing. Those anchor points give episodes structure without over-engineering guest conversations.

For solo episodes, build an outline with all the points you want to cover.

Think of it like an article or essay: you’d edit and refine your ideas before publishing, right? Give your solo podcast that same attention. Twenty solos later, and I’m learning that even a loose outline makes a huge difference.

Start with:

• Your takeaway: What do you want the listener to understand?

• Your main points: What do they need to hear to get there?

• Your examples: Which stories exemplify those ideas?

• Your ending: What do you want them to think about or do next?

PRO TIP: Give yourself a few minutes to drop into your senses before recording. I typically tap essential oils, Palo Santo, somatic tools, and mindful breathing. Lean on whatever helps you ground. Presence goes a long way in podcasting.

5. Edit, check, save

You can edit yourself, hire an editor, or keep editing minimal. Choose a process that’s sustainable for you.

I brought on my editor around episode 15, once I’d committed to making weekly episodes for a year while continuing to improve the quality. I once spent 40+ hours editing a single two-hour episode, then didn’t record again for over a month! After that, I realized having an editor would be a meaningful investment, and it really has been.

If you’re editing yourself, start with Riverside’s editor or software you already know. Focus on making the episode clear and easy to follow. Don’t obsess over removing filler words. All of that over-editing taught me that those imperfections add an aliveness and punch to what someone says. Now I prefer to leave them in.

I quality-check everything before publishing, even with an editor. Watch or listen to the finished episode and check for:

• Clear, reasonably consistent audio

• Technical interruptions, awkward cuts, or pauses

• Anything you or your guest agreed to leave out

• An opening and ending that make sense

Riverside saves my original recordings, and I save my finished files in Google Drive. Give each episode its own folder so your files and artwork are easy to access.

6. Package, publish, distribute

Have these assets on deck before an episode’s launch:

• A title that makes the topic clear and gives someone a reason to listen

• A description with a short summary, guest details, and relevant links

• A thumbnail if you’re publishing to YouTube

I use Canva for thumbnails and ChatGPT or Claude to help draft descriptions from my Riverside transcripts. My prompt asks for a summary, chapters, and relevant links. Then I check the wording, names, timestamps, and links before publishing.

PRO TIP: For YouTube, I use vidIQ to spot patterns in titles and thumbnails of videos that perform better than a channel’s usual uploads. I look at similar channels and topics, then use those observations to test titles and thumbnails for my own episodes. Credit to for teaching me this through her YouTube Masterclass.

For audio distribution, choose a podcast host. It stores your episodes and provides an RSS feed that you submit to listening platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Once connected, that feed carries new audio episodes to those platforms.

Have your show name, short show description, and cover artwork ready to go. Follow your host’s instructions to connect the platforms where you want people to listen.

If you’re making video, add uploading to YouTube to your checklist.

I publish on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, then share the episode through a more personal, behind-the-scenes newsletter on Substack. I also share clips on YouTube and Instagram, plus written snippets on Substack, X, and Threads.

You don’t need to do all of that for your first episode. Start by sharing it where you already connect with people.

I’m learning a ton about distribution and will dive into that in a separate guide.

Your first-episode checklist

• Choose your format and topic

• Set up your equipment and make a test recording

• Prepare your outline or guest notes

• Record and confirm your files have saved

• Edit and review the finished episode

• Check your title, description, links, and artwork

• Publish, check that the episode plays, and share it

Start by putting a recording date on your calendar. You’ll learn much more about what you need by making an episode than by spending another week researching equipment.

Stay tuned for more in the How to Start a Podcast series.

Happy recording!

Want the quick-reference version?

Get my one-page Podcast Toolkit with the equipment, software, and workflow I use for Rich Souls, all linked in one place.

Subscribe for free, and I’ll send it in your welcome email :)

Subscribe now

Into this? Up next ꩜

Hi !

Have you ever had a subtle sense about a decision only to spend an ungodly amount of time negotiating with yourself about it? Maybe you’re ready to leave a job, move somewhere new, or simply admit that something you wanted doesn’t feel right anymore.

My birthday just passed, so I’ve been reflecting on a year of “initiation seasons.” In case you’re new here, this means a series of trials and tribulations that appear to be disorienting at best and gut-wrenching at worst. It’s been a lot.

But through it, I’ve learned more about how intuition works. And while we each experience it differently, I’ve noticed patterns that may help you understand your own.

I believe that’s the rose of seasons like this.

They do not last forever, but they do leave us with gifts that last. Gifts that we can share.

In today’s solo, I share what I’ve learned, exploring:

• Why accepting your circumstances (and feelings) makes room for clarity

• The subtle difference between feeling drawn to something and trying to talk yourself into (or out of) it

• My criteria for who I seek advice from

• The daily practices that deepen my connection to intuition throughout my day

• How action catalyzes intuition

• Learning to take the next step without knowing where it’s all going

I’m still practicing all of this. I still second-guess myself. But I’m learning that I can feel scared about a decision and also feel a steadiness underneath it. What’s more important to me is noticing the difference and moving from that steadiness.

Where in your life are you learning to trust yourself more? I’d love to hear in the comments. Enjoy :)

xx,
Saara

P.S. Keep an eye out for an upcoming episode with Michelle Galoob, intuitive guide and coach, where we dive even deeper into intuition.

Into this? Up next ꩜

꩜ Saara’s Stack

Curious about the tools behind my daily practices? I’ve gathered my favorite meditation apps, breathwork programs, journaling essentials, and more in Saara’s Stack.

Explore the full stack →

Hi !

Welcome back to another week of Rich Souls. This week’s guest is my dear friend, .

Mitchell runs the marketing agency Triple Lever and writes a weekly newsletter called Making Connections, where he explores human behavior and business. He previously led content and growth teams at AppSumo, a software marketplace for entrepreneurs.

We met at the writing club I host here in Austin and got closer while (finally!!) finishing The Artist’s Way together (my tips for running your own Artist’s Way group).

I quickly came to appreciate how Mitchell mixes the worlds of business growth, content creation, and self-development–and how he puts what he learns into practice. While Mitchell has precise know-how on all things content growth, he’s also deeply perceptive and fascinated by human psychology. And this understanding of himself, of others, and of human nature informs his approach to life. He’s built one filled with creative experiments, clients and community that inspire him, and work that’s his playground.

In this episode, we get into specific tactics Mitchell used at AppSumo to get more than 100x the channel’s typical views on a video.

But we also explore what happens when we turn that same muscle of observation and optimization on ourselves: how the voice of ambition can become a tyrant in our own minds, and how self-love and compassion soften that voice.

As Mitchell puts it, you can optimize all the business outcomes, but if you’re miserable, what game are we actually playing?

Leave us a comment letting us know which lesson resonates most with you.

See you next week,
Saara

Still Pondering

Mitchell’s intelligence! When you listen to the episode, you’ll hear how Mitchell integrates frameworks into his way of thinking. He thinks critically about which aspects resonate with him and why, while staying open to changing or evolving his perspective.

Every time he did this, it reminded me of the value of actually applying what we learn.

Mitchell’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Daily movement. 5-minute gratitude journal.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

• Watching: Ted Lasso. I absolutely love this show. It’s so well written, funny, and always has strong messages in it.

• Reading: Situated by Angela Duckworth

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

So many…

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

Travel vacuum bags for international trips. Gamechanger!

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Morning walks on the trail.

A SONG ON REPEAT

(And ofc some Olivia Dean bangers.)

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Moving in with my gf! Purging/donating a bunch of stuff along the way and setting up my office and new spaces and routines.

Into this? Up next ꩜

Hi !

joins me in this week’s episode of Rich Souls. This conversation was a long time coming, and I’m so stoked to share it with all of you.

Cam and I met in early 2025 at The Board Walks, the community he and his fiancée, Elle, created to bring people together for deep conversations.

We immediately connected over something a little niche (shared in the episode) and later bonded over Kabbalah and Human Design–systems we were fascinated by at the time but, ironically, have both largely released since.

And that’s the thing about our dynamic, and therefore what comes out in this conversation. Just as back then, we seem to be on similar paths in our spiritual development. I share the most I have yet about what my process has been like of late, thanks to Cam’s candor on his own process.

I always have fun recording, but this conversation with Cam felt especially potent because the themes and lessons front and center in my day-to-day experience, the ones I’m constantly pondering and playing with, are very much alive for him, too.

It reminds me of the importance of community in any context, of course, but especially connecting with people on similar paths spiritually.

If you identify with what we share here, about the synchronicities being off-the-charts transparent lately, significant events happening frequently, your capacity being stretched to lengths and depths you never would have imagined possible, and feeling deep and reverent trust in God’s plan for you and for everyone else, then I hope this episode makes you feel less alone and that much more supported on your path.

AND I want to hear from you. Many of us are being next-level initiated, and I genuinely want to hear how that’s manifesting for you. Share in the comments so we can connect with each other in what we’re moving through. If it feels more personal, you can always reply to this email or reach out via DMs. Some prompts to start with:

1. What’s going on in your life? The events, the synchronicities, the lessons that are unfolding.

2. What are you being left with in the aftermath so far? What is it teaching you about who you are and what you’re here to do?

3. What are you creating from it?

4. Who are you becoming in the process?

5. What is your next task, and where are you hesitating?

Sending love,

Saara

Still Pondering

The beauty that comes from following your pings. Cam and I talked about podcasting together earlier this year, but it didn’t feel right at the time. When the ping came loud and clear, I opened myself to following it without expectation. Within a couple of weeks, we lined up and had a conversation that I’m certain will help anyone who listens and that brought immense value to each of us, too.

Cam’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Daily walks, daily naps, and daily mala prayers.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

Beautiful Chorus's new album, Human Being. I've been playing the
entire album from start to finish all the time.

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

My mala beads, and Pocket, the external recorder that connects to my
phone. It's really easy to use, and I've been recording conversations
on the walks. It lets me capture so much that I might otherwise miss.

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Movie nights with my wife, 100%. Popcorn and a good movie. We make
sure to keep the movies high vibe because we're mindful of what we
take into our consciousness.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

I'm going all in on my paid newsletter, starting YouTube videos, and
building everything needed to keep scaling The Board Walks. Honestly,
my whole life feels like a creative project right now.

Into this? Up next ꩜

Recently, I realized I was avoiding multiple people because of what others in my network had experienced with them. And because of that, I wasn’t actually giving myself a chance to have my own unique experiences with them.

In this first installment of Lessons in Creating, I share what happened when I recognized this and made a shift, and how my current daily practice (heavily informed by A Course in Miracles) is helping me navigate judgment and discernment.

Lessons in Creating is a new series of off-the-cuff reflections on what I’m learning as I build Rich Souls. I’m excited to share this part of the process with you ꩜

Read more

Hi !

joins me in this week’s episode of Rich Souls.

I’ve personally gotten to see Becca’s arc over the last couple of years. When I met her in early 2024, Becca seemed quiet and reserved. Now, she is exuberant, open, and clearly creatively lit the f up. Take it from me, her transformation is palpable–a testament to both the internal work she’s done and the aligned action she’s taken consistently to go after what she wants.

Since meeting her, she’s had a full glow-up from the inside out. She went from being passed over for a promotion at her last job to making double her income less than eight months after leaving. In that time, she’s signed retainer clients, expanded those engagements, and landed brand deals as a micro-creator. She’s also building her own projects and offerings, alongside a personal brand that empowers people to go after careers they’re excited by.

As an influencer marketing consultant and content creator who’s been in the industry for years, Becca understands both sides of brand partnerships and what it takes to build a successful creator business. In this episode, we discuss just that, plus what it’s taken for Becca to build a platform she’s proud to stand on.

We talk both the woo and the practical because, truly, one isn’t enough. Or at least, it’s in bridging both that we get to delight in creating from the soul.

I hope this episode inspires and informs you. As always, let me know what resonates, and thank you for listening in.

xx,

Saara

Still Pondering

The fruits of Becca’s alignment. By releasing a job that hadn’t felt good for some time, Becca made space for creating more–more posts, more client engagements, more business verticals.

She is rippling with creative energy! Her story reminds me of how much misaligned circumstances can suppress our energy–and also, how much of it is released when we make room in our lives for it to flow.

Becca’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Morning Pages from the Artist's Way & locking myself out of my phone with Brick.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

• Reading: Reading past journal entries to remind myself how far I’ve come 🤸‍♀️

• Eating: La Pepita salad from Vinaigrette (and I never eat salads lolz)

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

Overnight Repair Serum from Crown Affair

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Sacred mornings on my patio, drinking matcha and basking in the sunlight as I journal my intentions for the day. And laying on an acupressure mat before I go to bed. SO relaxing.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Building , my Substack and brand all about starting over, reinvention, and building the life of your dreams <33

Hi !

Most of us rely on our minds to navigate life, but what if it’s not all on the mind? What if we could bring other parts of ourselves to the table, so to speak, to navigate our conundrums and embrace our experiences?

In today’s solo, I explore a pattern that many of us in the spiritual world may contend with: an over-reliance on our minds. I share my own experience with this, why this might be prevalent in our community, how it serves us, how it holds us back, and what’s helping me shift it. I explore:

• How making sense of instability can lead to a habit of seeking safety in our minds

• The skills we develop in response: becoming hyper-attuned to others, recognizing patterns, and anticipating what happens next

• The comfort of systems, like human design, astrology, manifestation, and mysticism–and what’s beyond them

• Symptoms of dependency on the mind: talking fast, chronic problem-solving, and wanting to fill silence

• Having compassion for a mind that’s working overtime

• How we can drop into our hearts: slowing down, mindful breathing, and noticing physical sensations

• Why these small, everyday shifts have been more helpful for me than a dedicated practice

• Staying connected to our own experience while connecting with someone else

• The vulnerability that comes with being present

• Making room for joy, pleasure, and being surprised by life

If any of this resonates, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Enjoy :)

xx,

Saara

P.S. If you’re also in an (extended!!) initiation season, I highly recommend listening to this album from start to finish. Sending love, you’re not alone 🤍

Howdy !

Today’s guest is a global retreat leader, 2/4 generator, triple Taurus, and my friend, Kimberly Kennedy.

In the spiritual space, we often hear about getting to a point of feeling worthy and deserving of our desires, of trusting the unknown, of surrendering to the process. And yet… if you’ve tried to do any of this, you know that these are seemingly impossible states to get to–with the mind alone anyway ;)

You can’t think your way into living from your essence.

You’ve got to take the bold, often uncalculated, risks that your soul calls you toward. You’ve got to answer not just one, but several calls to adventure. And then, you’ve got to live the adventure out. Before you know it, as you take one step at a time, it all starts making more sense and you’re on the other side, elixir in hand, ready to share with people who are on the journey you just returned from.

Kim is an example of that. She’s one of the most integrated travelers that I’ve met. Meaning, traveling isn’t her whole identity. It’s one part of it, alongside being a founder, a community builder, a homebody when she’s not traveling, a wife, a friend.

I love hearing Kim reflect on her experiences while building Coherence because it's obvious how little she overthought it. She didn't let second guesses stop her from moving forward, she trusted herself in uncertainty, and she followed her creative urges. The result is a global retreat company helping people (primarily women) alchemize their own seasons of change.

In this episode, we talk about how she built Coherence, her take on the unknown, and what she does when creativity strikes.

Let me know what y’all enjoy from this one.

xx,

Saara

Still Pondering

Kim's know-how.

There's something powerful about being someone who faces the fears that others are not yet willing to face. They represent what's possible for everyone who follows those inner tugs to disrupt their status quo and try on a new way of being.

Kim radiates a deep trust of the unknown and the kind of creativity that only comes from going where you haven't been before.

Kim’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Slow mornings. Giving myself space before jumping into the day has become such a non-negotiable for me.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

• Reading: Throne of Glass

• Watching: The Traitors

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

Goop sunscreen ☀️

A SUMMER MOMENT YOU’RE SAVORING

Total Eclipse on a boat in Mallorca, out in the middle of the Mediterranean.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Coherence Retreats

Hi !

I had the pleasure of connecting with in today’s episode. My oh my was it a joy.

Our conversation held a few firsts. For example, I was inspired to invite Danny to meditate together before we started recording. We’d both had stacked mornings and arrived ready to connect. Why not build in a point to harmonize with one another before diving in? And that we did. The resonance was obvious as soon as we started talking.

Whether you follow Danny’s work, me, and/or share a deep interest in moving from your essence and on purpose, you’re going to love this episode.

We talked about Danny’s experiences at Joe Dispenza retreats, pedestalizing creators, career transitions, void periods, podcasting as a self-development tool, and so much more. Danny and I also share several practical exercises to implement many of the energetic concepts that we so often hear about, including:

• How to spot when you're projecting onto someone you admire (and the unmet need it reflects)

• A simple word swap that can flip your relationship to the unknown on its head

• How to handle uncomfortable interactions in real time

• Meditating from the mind vs. meditating from the heart

• A practice for being with difficult emotions without trying to fix them

Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy :)

xx,

S

Still Pondering

How much fun I had recording with Danny! Several synchronicities came up for each of us in the conversation. It was fun to parse those apart and learn from one another.

On that note, I'm also still pondering how this process of evolution really is ongoing. 470+ episodes in, Danny could have said his podcast was enough. But he knew it wasn't, not because of measurable or tangible outcomes, but because deep down, he knew something was missing.

He was willing to answer the call and discover, through exploration, trials, and tribulations, what that thing was – and this was the second time in his career making that leap!

Being on this path for nearly 2 years, his stories and insights inspired me. I can tell I’m going to be marinating on the synchs for a bit.

Danny’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE RIGHT NOW

Daily hypnosis on myself.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION (READING/WATCHING + EATING/DRINKING)

• Currently rereading A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson and You Were Born Again To Be Together by Dick Sutphen

• Eating home-cooked meals

BOOKS YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

There are so many I think about but these are the top:

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

EMR-TEK Red Light

A SUMMER RITUAL I’M SAVORING

Moving into a new spot and creating routines. Yogas on Monday at 7:30 AM at Lizard Yoga. Late night walks around the neighborhood as the sun sets at 8:30/9 PM.

A SONG ON REPEAT AT THE MOMENT

CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

The Talking Meditations Podcast

Hi !

Today’s conversation is with none other than Psychological Astrologer and Writer .

I’ve been a fan of Dani’s grounded and non-dogmatic perspective on astrology and life for years. While living in Nashville, I started attending her new moon circles. In fact, on my last Sunday before leaving Nashville for Austin, what I thought would be a temporary move of 3 months (writing to you now from ATX 3 years later hehe), I attended a circle where I met one of my closest friends, Marlay aka !! I also talked with Dani then about the places we’d been drawn to live.

Dani is a native New Yorker with an affinity for travel and, as of the last few years, roots in Nashville. She’s a free thinker who, like me, values sovereignty over dogma. What makes Dani's perspective unique is that she blends her background in spiritual psychology, her love of history and the arts, and her voracious reading into her astrology and mentorship practice.

In this conversation, we explore perspectives that counter the increasingly prevalent sensationalism, control, and dramatizing we see in spiritual spaces, especially online.

The more things shift, the more we’re going to see waves on waves of spiritual materialism. And while we can’t always avoid it, what we can continuously do is look inward. We can tap into our spirit and our soul and trust its dance with life to lead us through the ups and downs. That dance is not always pretty. In fact, it often means facing the darkest and hardest parts of our inner and outer experiences. We discuss some ways of doing that, plus talk a bit of astrology (of course!), travel, and the differences between Nashville and Austin.

I hope y’all enjoy.

Stay sovereign out there,
S

Still Pondering

The well of wisdom in Dani. If you’ve seen her in action, then you’d know her POV is rich, textured, unique. Heck, I’ve known that for years. And yet, in conversation with her about topics top of mind–for me, for her, for the collective– that became extremely apparent. I could continue peeling back the layers with Dani for a while. There’s so much depth in this episode–I can’t wait to listen again myself!

Dani’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE RIGHT NOW

Strength training with my little group and morning coffee after. On other mornings, breakfast and coffee on my porch. Cuddling with my pups, of course.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION (READING/WATCHING + EATING/DRINKING)

• Watching Lioness, my favorite show. Other summer shows I've loved: Sterling Point and The Agency.

• Currently reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry before a slew of the autumn literature arrives. Best novel I've read so far this year: Land by Maggie O'Farrell.

• Been eating a lot of fish this summer, a week up in Maine had me delighting in oysters every day, lots of watermelon in all this heat.

  

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

East of Eden by John Steinbeck (my favorite book of all time), A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, and The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, especially the Parable of the Grand Inquisitor.

There are so many I think about but these are the top.

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

CauseMedic CBD Lavender Bath Salts

A SUMMER RITUAL I’M SAVORING

Basking in the sun on my porch, river runs with my pups

A SONG ON REPEAT AT THE MOMENT

More Love by Melissa Etheridge, written for her daughter on her wedding day. Van Morrison's Into the Music album, my favorite of all time.

CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Oh this is a very long term thing, years away, but I have a dream of a mountain lake house and am always gathering images and ideas.

Hey everyone,

Coming to you a couple days late, post-eclipse earthquakes.

Friday’s release was the 40th episode of Rich Souls! And in honor of that (and transparently, also limited capacity due to recent events), we’re going deep on my podcasting journey so far.

It’s really rewarding to feel that no matter the cataclysmic event, my desire to create for Rich Souls endures.

Back in 2017, when I wrote “make a podcast” on the whiteboard in my Long Beach office, I never ever ever thought I’d actually do it. I had (and continue to work through) baggage that made ideating on it much more entertaining than actually making it.

Whenever you hear me talking about the creative process behind Rich Souls, I’m speaking to that version of me. I think about anyone like me then (or even me just over a year ago) who is still sitting on a creative dream. I think about those of us in active pursuit of a dream no matter what or how many initiations we might be going through. I think about how these initiations really are just fodder for our spiritual evolution as much as our creativity. That creating isn’t always easy or convenient. That it will often be tough, especially when sh*t hits the fan. But my God, that it is worth it.

I hope the conversations we have on Rich Souls continue to remind you of that–and above all–that they inspire you to create.

Thanks for being with me for 40.

Upwards,
Saara

Still Pondering

That oftentimes, in a longterm creative pursuit, getting your rep in is enough.

I was pretty emotionally bludgeoned on recording day. In fact, this is the latest I’ve recorded prior to an upload. I kept putting it off as shift after shift happened–and, I still showed up.

You can only win and continue loving the game if you stay in it. Showing up for the craft on hard days is a job well done.

My Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE RIGHT NOW

My 20-minute awareness (meditation) practice – It’s at least 20 minutes of sitting in silence, witnessing and creating space for my inner experience

WHAT'S IN ROTATION (READING/WATCHING + EATING/DRINKING)

• Listening to A Course in Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson

• Watching Legally Blonde – Given I got a ping to watch this months ago and that it was on at the doctor’s office this week, I’m taking it as a sign to finally watch

• Eating Lemon Pound Cake Coconut Cult and TexMex, specifically any and all tacos

• Drinking homemade iced matcha lattes – I only started using ice a couple of weeks ago so this feels revolutionary

A BOOK I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT

A SUMMER RITUAL I’M SAVORING

Spontaneous Juiceland runs, especially after a Barton Springs dip or on a warm and sticky evening.

A SONG ON REPEAT AT THE MOMENT

CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING ME LIFE

YouTube :)

Long form platforms feel best so I’ve slowly been shifting from promoting Rich Souls episodes on Instagram to promoting on YouTube. It’s bringing up all sorts of feels.

I first wanted to make YouTube videos at age 11. A couple of videos made it out in my teens, but shyness and insecurity won out–until now.

Shoutout to my editor for encouraging me to try YouTube. He suggested it months ago and I haven’t been able to unsee my dormant desire! More to come.

Long time, no talk, Substack friends!!

Welcome to this new newsletter going out with every Rich Souls podcast episode (ICYMI, out weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube). Today’s guest is , artist, personal stylist, and embodiment guide.

I met Bari here in Austin last year. I’ve followed her online and recently got to see her in literal action at one of her embodiment classes (IYKYK). Since learning about her, Bari has inspired me with how freely she expresses herself across her mediums – visual art, style, movement. The woman has range.

This conversation was the first time in the history of this podcast that I showed up without a single question for a guest. It felt like the most appropriate thing to do with Bari of all people because of what she stands for.

She teaches freedom of expression from our essence – cultivating a deep connection to self and peace with reality so that when we create, we’re doing so from our core and also from what’s most alive for us – and for no other outcome aside from experiencing our creation as we bring it into the world. That we don’t need to manicure or over-engineer our expression. We can just be ourselves and allow creation to flow through us. If you’re with me, you’re going to love this episode.

Bari continues to inspire me to stop contorting and to keep creating as honestly as ever. I hope what she shares in this episode does the same for you.

xx,

Saara

Still Pondering

This whole conversation was so expansive. I love being around and engaging with people like Bari who simply do not give a f*ck. It expands my capacity to feel into that myself – but even then, Bari takes it to the next level by enjoying being polarizing.

So what I’m feeling into this week: what would it be like to enjoy making people (including myself) uncomfortable with my creative expression :o Edgy (and here for it).

Bari’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE RIGHT NOW

Sleeping 8+ hours

WHAT'S IN ROTATION (READING/WATCHING + EATING/DRINKING)

Reading my old journals, watching nothing, eating eggs and toast every morning, getting pool or lake time every afternoon :))

A BOOK YOU STILL THINK ABOUT

A SUMMER RITUAL YOU'RE SAVORING

Sitting outside at sunset, resting my eyes, shuffling my liked songs, and singing to everything feeling what feels natural and resonant with my voice

SONG ON REPEAT AT THE MOMENT

CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

My visual ART!!!

In this solo episode recorded from London, Saara gets into what happens when you're calling in massive change but your nervous system can't keep up. After two months in a chronic flight state and practices (once again) falling away, a walk through Shoreditch at sunset brought a moment of clarity: the quantum leap you're calling may require inner stability first.

She talks about what having an inner locus of control looks like in practice, why basic habits are the most revolutionary when everything around you is shifting, and how simple it can be to stay anchored while your life is mid-transformation.

Hi !

is a writer and published author whose debut novel, Call It What You Want, started as a way to process a situationship and ended up going viral on TikTok. With her second book, How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle, out now, Alissa has built a community of women who feel seen by her willingness to share the messy, unfiltered parts of dating, heartbreak, and figuring out what you actually want.

In this episode, Saara and Alissa get into what it took to share her story publicly when the people closest to her didn’t get it, the blind confidence that comes from assuming no one is watching, and why desire without proof makes other people nervous. They talk about building in public, the cost of being mocked for wanting things until those things work, and how heartbreak translates into art. They also explore attachment styles, what healthy relationships actually look like, and creating something that outlives you.

Alissa’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

I'm using my Brick device to lock myself out of all apps except for NYT games, Notes app, Substack, and Pinterest from 9 PM until noon. I'm using my mornings to prioritize myself and make myself think instead of doomscrolling.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

• Reading: Main Characters by Bobby Palmer

• Drinking: I recently started liking dirty martinis (haveee to be extra dirty though)

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

Summer Fridays’ eyepatches

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Spending Sundays with my friends.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Writing my third book!

Hi !

⁠ is a capital raiser, co-founder of ⁠Erah Society⁠, lead of ⁠Erah Capital⁠, and someone building at the intersection of finance and faith. His path has taken him from a rigid Christian upbringing to living across four continents, from a family office to launching his own firm, and from learning many spiritual traditions to dreaming of an interfaith ministry where all of it can coexist.

In this episode, Saara and Alex get into what it means to bring consciousness to an industry historically built on extraction. They talk about the distortions people carry around money, from believing it grants ownership over others to not feeling worthy of receiving it. They also explore Alex’s personal arc from Christianity to seeking across traditions, why business might be one of the highest forms of art, and what it looks like to bet on yourself when the safe option is right in front of you.

Alex’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Kriya yoga/breathwork, morning and night.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

At the moment, I am only reading: Toni Morrison’s *The Source of Self-Regard* and James Baldwin’s *Collected Essays*.

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

My Timex Iniglo WR 30m (wristwatch).

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Coming to Whidbey Island Washington and both of our kids getting into the Waldorf school here.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Looking for our lifelong family home.

Hi !

is an abstract floral artist who went from selling her first painting on Facebook Marketplace for $30 to building a full-time art business in under a year. What started as making paintings to decorate her apartments turned into commissions, a growing Instagram following, and walking away from a five-year career in corporate finance to paint full time.

In this episode, Saara and Mia trace the full arc from that first $30 sale to where she is today. They get into how Mia followed each breadcrumb, the decision framework that helps her navigate significant decisions, and what it’s like to scale a creative business. They also talk about masculine and feminine energies in creative entrepreneurship, unlearning beliefs that held Mia back, and the many lessons Mia has learned at each stage of her rapidly evolving business.

Mia’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Daily walks. It’s the best way to either start or end my day!!

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

1. Reading: Just finished “Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav and “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chodron. Both were phenomenal and 10/10, highly recommended.

2. Eating: I’ve been trying to go to the farmers market on Sundays more. I love their fresh, in-season fruits/veggies, and their dips with pita.

3. Drinking: Currently adding pumpkin spice creamer to my coffee every morning because ‘tis the season.

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

The “Sweet Leaf” sunglasses by Crap Eyewear. So stylish and great quality. I can roll out of bed, put them on, and instantly feel put together.

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

I get my best work done towards the end of the day, so I am trying to soak in every last ounce of sunshine we have in the evening before daylight savings!

It’s almost impossible for me to paint at night, so I guess I’ll need to start waking up earlier soon. For now, I am enjoying my extra sleep and slow mornings.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Redecorating my new apartment in San Diego! I sold most of my furniture before the move, so it’s been fun starting over.

Rachel Pachivas⁠ is the CEO of ⁠Annmarie Skin Care⁠ and co-founder of ⁠salt+blue⁠, a non-toxic sunscreen brand born out of a moment at the river when she saw a film of chemicals on the water and knew she had to do something about it. With 15 years in the clean beauty space, Rachel has built two brands rooted in intention, transparency, and a refusal to cut corners.

In this episode, Saara and Rachel get into the journey of building salt+blue from scratch, including why they delayed launch by nearly a year after realizing their bioplastic packaging would end up in the ocean. They talk about what’s actually in conventional sunscreen and what it’s doing to marine life, how Rachel went from campaign organizer to CEO, and what radical candor looks like in practice. They also explore the ritual of using natural products as a form of mindfulness, building a team culture around trust and work-life integration, and Rachel’s journey from people-pleasing to leading with directness.

Rachel’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Positive affirmations. I recently read on The Sacred Truth about how doing the same three for 21 days straight rewires your brain. I love affirmations but can’t recall if I ever did the same three for 21 days. So I’m doing that.

I am LOVING our (Annmarie Skin Care’s) Restorative Facial & Neck Cream blended with our Brighten Vitamin C Elixir, finished with a light touch of our Rejuvenating Facial Oil and then a dab of our newest Boswellia Rose Eye Balm that’s launching soon.

Currently incorporating posture exercises throughout the day.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

Just started reading a book on zapping. Loving it.

I make a “grand rising beverage” in bulk and am still so obsessed with it. It includes a blend of cacao, dandy blend, a bunch of different mushrooms and adaptogens, chai spices, vanilla, lucuma, mesquite, colostrum, ghee, honey, and gently steamed raw milk with a touch of shilajit. It’s pure magic.

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

Continuum Concept–and how I always need to be better at adopting this style of parenting.

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

LotusWei Wild Sky Orchid Elixir. I will put a little bit in my water each day, or keep some in a small vial around my neck for an afternoon drop of love. It really brings a sense of awe and celebration.

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

I went camping with my daughter (and some other families) a few weeks ago. Sure, I haven’t been in perhaps 20 years, but she had never been, and she LOVED it! She loved sitting by the fire, sleeping in the tiniest tent known to man, swimming in an ice-cold lake, all of the things. It was super sweet just to see her so happy.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

I’m currently on a little summer staycation to spend time with my little one, and we’ve been deep in a little too many projects...

But one that is really exciting is making dream catchers. We often gather rocks from the river near our house and then tumble them. Recently, I got a Dremel so we can use it for jewelry or other fun things, like dream catchers. The ring of the catcher is mugwort vines we gathered from our garden, with tumbled river rocks and feathers gathered from around our land. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Hi !

is a copywriter, creative director, and the voice behind ⁠Is Good⁠, a ⁠Substack⁠ and ⁠meme account⁠ born out of a love for recommending things with her whole chest. Her work spans your favorite brands in beauty, wellness, and entertainment.

In this episode, Saara and Allie get into what play actually means as a life philosophy and why losing it means losing the plot. They talk about dark nights of the soul and the ego death that comes with them, what happens when your art becomes your career and you stop wanting to create for yourself, and the simplicity of feeling your feelings without making them mean anything. They also explore the intersection of pop culture and spirituality, Allie’s relationship to her angels and guides, and why allowance has to come before surrender.

Allie’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

Calling my mom. It's a must!

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

• Reading: I love subscribing to the New Yorker. It makes me a better writer and reader. Also, a lot of horny fanfic on AO3. Balance ;)

• Watching: Last night I watched In The Mood For Love. As soon as it finished, I immediately watched it again. Movies are so important to me! I have a lot of fun on Letterboxd.

• Drinking: For the last 6 months I’ve been so into Buoy, the electrolyte drops you can add to any drink. There’s no flavor at all. First thing in the morning and last thing at night, I drop these into a big jug of water, and it’s glorious. They really work!

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

I recently did some work for Slip. They sent over a bunch of goodies like their pillowcase, hair wrap, eye mask. Their stuff is GREAT. The dupes just aren’t it, unfortunately.

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

Sometimes wellness means sitting on your patio and smoking a drew martin in silence... God bless.

A SONG ON REPEAT

I got married last week :) One of our wedding songs is You & Me by Penny And The Quarters, and it's playing a lot over here. But tbh I love our whole wedding playlist!!

Also I’m seeing Charli XCX on Monday and if she performs Everything Is Romantic, it will be a peak life experience for me!

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

OK so I just signed up for a calligraphy class this fall and I’m so nervous/excited. Trying to spend less time on the computer and more time being a real girl in the real world <333

Into this? Up next ꩜

Hi !

Cat Boyko⁠ is a somatic and embodiment coach for women, specializing in high-achieving women in leadership who are ready to come home to their bodies after years of running on overdrive. Her path has taken her from musical theater to fashion design to a decade as an executive producer in advertising before burnout brought her to the work she does now.

In this episode, Saara and Cat get into what it actually means to feel safe in your own body and why that’s the foundation for everything else. They talk about the window of tolerance and why pushing past your edges isn’t always the move, boundaries as the most loving thing you can do for yourself, and the shadows that show up in female leadership. They also explore what happens when you stop trying to solve feelings with your brain, the link between chronic fawn and disease, and why play is only available to us when we actually feel safe.

Cat’s Rich Life

NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE

My daily feminine practice in the morning. It’s a container that allows me to begin my day with meeting what is, and get into my body and flow.

WHAT'S IN ROTATION

I am currently reading the Throne of Glass series. As part of my evening routine, I always like to have a fun fiction book that I look forward to reading.

A BOOK YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT

A PRODUCT YOU’RE LOVING

I just bought a wind chime. I am loving having the sounds flow into my home.

A MOMENT OR RITUAL YOU’RE SAVORING

My whole family went on a Safari to Zimbabwe to celebrate my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful to celebrate their relationship and share those days together.

A SONG ON REPEAT

A CREATIVE PROJECT THAT'S GIVING YOU LIFE

Right now I am in a deep season of slowing down and focusing on over nourishing myself: My feminine practice, slow mornings where I just sit with my coffee, walks with my dog in nature, making a really yummy and nourishing meal, Barton Springs to cool off.

I am focused on BEing rather than making or producing anything... waiting for inspiration to come.