Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Ever felt a yearning so deep it aches? A longing for something that hasn't yet manifested but feels somehow written into your bones? You're not alone.

This episode of the Salty Bake Club opens with a message from a listener that cuts straight to the heart: the universal struggle of feeling unrooted, searching for home, and longing for a sense of belonging. Sara Grace vulnerably shares how these words could have been pulled directly from her own journal during a tumultuous period when she felt swept away in life's washing machine, disconnected from stability and doubting her own instincts.

What makes our deepest longings so sacred? Drawing from Sue Monk Kidd's "The Book of Longings," Sarah explores how desires that form from the marrow of our existence aren't random—they're holy guideposts. "God bless the largeness inside me, no matter how I fear it." These words become a touchstone for embracing rather than fearing the magnitude of what we wish for.

The path to manifesting our heart's desires requires a delicate dance between seemingly contradictory forces. On one hand, we must actively participate in creating change—shocking statistics reveal that 85% of people globally feel unfulfilled in their jobs, largely because comfort is chosen over growth. Yet simultaneously, we must cultivate the discipline to sit quietly with our longings, allowing all the accompanying emotions—hope, fear, grief—to move through us without resistance.

Have you noticed how the words "longing" and "belonging" are connected? Perhaps our deepest yearnings are ultimately what guide us toward our rightful communities. In a culture that teaches isolation, sharing our unfiltered truths creates bridges of authentic connection.

Ready to honor your holy longings? Join our community of seekers who are learning to trust the pathway, however winding, toward what their hearts truly desire. What are you deeply yearning for right now?

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Have you ever felt disconnected from your body? That sense of living entirely in your head, caught in a cycle of productivity, discipline, and intellect? You're not alone.

In this deeply personal episode, I explore how modern life has trapped many of us in what I call the "Athena mind" – that intellectual, wisdom-driven headspace that society rewards but that slowly distances us from our natural, magical selves. After years of building my yoga teaching practice and entrepreneurial skills, I realized that my dedication to discipline and growth had inadvertently pulled me away from the embodied wisdom and cyclical awareness that once guided me.

Spirituality isn't about crystals or chanting (though there's nothing wrong with either!) – it's about remembering our place within nature's patterns. It's recognizing, as Brené Brown beautifully states, "that we are all inextricably connected by something greater than us." That connection doesn't need a religious label to be powerful; it simply needs our attention and devotion.

I share practical ways to bridge this gap: how yoga reactivates neural pathways numbed by trauma, how simple daily rituals create touchpoints with our deeper selves, and how working with archetypes can mirror aspects of our psyche we've forgotten or repressed. My own ritual of reflecting on astrological archetypes during new and full moons became a profound mirror that helped me navigate years without a permanent home – and it's a practice I'm recommending and recommitting to now.

Join me on this journey back to your intrinsic nature. Whether you consider yourself spiritual or skeptical, there's magic in reconnecting with the animal wisdom your body already holds. What rituals might help you remember?

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Recorded at 1:26 AM from the car after a delayed flight home, this raw and unfiltered episode offers a glimpse into the messy, beautiful reality of expectations versus experiences.

Fresh from two weeks away—first sailing with my lover for a complete nervous system reset, then attending a yoga retreat in Greece—I share how my quest for relaxation led me somewhere completely unexpected. The retreat, focused on embodied flow and Greek mythology, literally took us into Pluto's Cave where Persephone descended to the underworld. While the facilitators were phenomenal, I found myself struggling with an unexpected challenge: holding back my own abundant joy to make space for the pain and suffering others were processing.

As someone accustomed to creating and holding space for others professionally, I unconsciously slipped into facilitator mode instead of fully participating. When another attendee commented on how quiet I was, it struck me deeply—this wasn't my natural state at all. Had I dimmed my light too much? Where's the balance between holding space and taking space?

Perhaps most surprising was discovering how much I missed home. Having spent most of my life comfortable with leaving and traveling independently, I've recently created a true home with my partner that pulls me back with unexpected force. This new foundation has transformed my relationship with travel in ways I never anticipated.

Though the retreat didn't deliver the nurturing experience I'd sought, it offered different medicine—revealing shadows and aspects of myself that might otherwise have remained hidden. Sometimes we need to visit those underworld places, stir the pot, and sit with discomfort before we can fully celebrate being alive. What are you discovering about yourself in unexpected places? How do you balance making space for both joy and pain?

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Happy 10th episode, Salty Bake Club! To celebrate this milestone, I've baked us a cake and served up something different - a raw, unfiltered look at the woman behind the microphone.

When I launched this podcast, I wasn't sure anyone would listen. I simply knew I needed a space where I wouldn't be confined to the boxes people put me in - not just the yogi, the baker, or the traveler. This is my happy place where I can be both fire and doubt, where truth gets messy and is always sprinkled with salt.

Today's episode, "The Truth Is," reveals what's behind the curtain. I share how frustrating it feels to be put in boxes and my strong urge to shatter those limitations. I open up about the loneliness of building a yoga community where most people only show up when it's easy or free.

Perhaps most vulnerable is my admission about the risks I take speaking my truth on topics like Palestine and patriarchy, knowing there could be real consequences. And despite talking about vulnerability regularly, I confess that it feels physically awful - like standing outside my body with a racing heart - a sensation that practice doesn't eliminate.

I also explore my complicated relationship with capitalism's idea of success, the unseen discipline required to teach yoga without diminishing sacred teachings, and my ongoing journey to surrender control when life inevitably changes my plans.

This episode is messier, softer, and maybe even more authentically me. I invite you to join this ripple effect by sharing your own truths - not the Instagram-worthy ones, but those you hold close to your chest. DM me or use #saltytruth, and I might read them in future episodes. After all, we're just getting started.

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Compassion over comprehension. These words echo throughout this deeply moving conversation with my dear friend Ilav about staying engaged with the humanitarian crisis in Palestine when it's easier to look away.

"I cannot not look," Ilav repeats throughout our discussion, describing how she channels the pain of witnessing suffering into action. As the daughter of political refugees from Iraq, she shares her lifelong connection to Palestine and why she feels compelled to keep her heart open despite the emotional toll.

We explore what those of us in positions of privilege can actually do to help. From boycotting specific brands (McDonald's, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, SodaStream) to following journalists reporting from Gaza, there are concrete actions we can all take. Ilav recommends trustworthy Instagram accounts that provide verified information about which companies to avoid and how to get involved in meaningful ways. I have linked all the resources we discussed for you by the end of this text.

Perhaps most poignant is our discussion about teaching children about difficult realities. Ilav shares how she approaches these conversations with her five-year-old son, gradually introducing concepts while emphasizing love and unity rather than hate. "We need more love, we don't need more hate," she reminds us, highlighting that many Jewish people stand in solidarity with Palestinians.

We also challenge the "good vibes only" culture that has permeated wellness spaces. True connection comes from being willing to engage with hard topics and staying present for uncomfortable conversations—whether in our personal relationships or our relationship with the wider world.

As we conclude, we remind listeners that our shared humanity transcends borders and identities. "Until the people in Gaza aren't free, none of us is free," Ilav says, emphasizing that compassion doesn't require complete comprehension of a complex situation.

I'd love to hear how this episode resonates with you—share your thoughts and join this crucial conversation.

HERE ARE ALL RESOURCES AND ACCOUNTS WE SHARED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The App we talked about is called Boycat - It shows you which brands support this war in going on and HOW they are involved in it. They also show suggestions of alternative Brands that you could use instead.
• Instagram Accounts Ilaf suggests:
  • JEWISHVOICEFORPEACE https://www.instagram.com/jewishvoiceforpeace?igsh=cWN0a2tyeTJ5Zmtx
  • MORTAZ_AZAIZA https://www.instagram.com/motaz_azaiza?igsh=dTFhdjJsN2ZweDRn
  • ART_OF_RIOT https://www.instagram.com/art_of_riot?igsh=aHNqb2oybDc0cjZ4
  • WIZARD_BISAN1 https://www.instagram.com/wizard_bisan1?igsh=MWh4bDdwZzhqODl5dw==
  • HIND KHOUDARY https://www.instagram.com/hindkhoudary?igsh=MWdtdGx3ZDQ5bTg4bg==

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Have you ever felt that magical sensation of being truly connected with someone? That rare moment when you're completely yourself, without performance, without masks? In this deeply personal exploration of intimacy, we dive into what creates genuine connection in our relationships, and how society's emphasis on performance actually prevents us from experiencing the very thing we crave.

Many of us confuse intimacy with sex, but they're not synonymous. You can have sex without intimacy, and intimacy without sex. The fascinating statistics tell the story: only 25% of women orgasm regularly during intercourse, but that number skyrockets to 80% when emotional intimacy is present. The science behind this is equally compelling—the clitoris contains 8,000 nerve endings (compared to 4,000 in the penis), making it a neurological masterpiece that responds uniquely for each person.

Our community shared what makes them feel truly intimate with others: emotional safety, trust, feeling seen, and being understood. These aren't automatic in relationships—they require vulnerability, which as Brené Brown reminds us, "is not weakness; it is our most accurate measure of courage." When we drop the performance and embrace our authentic selves—messy parts included—we create space for the deep connection we all crave. So grab that cup of tea, get comfortable, and join us for a conversation about the courage it takes to be truly intimate.

Share your experiences with intimacy in the comments—I love hearing your stories and knowing this podcast is creating meaningful conversations in your life!

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

Dive deep beneath the surface of your emotional layers in this vulnerable exploration of what happens when we finally allow ourselves to feel. Drawing from personal experience, I share my journey from emotional armor to authentic connection, revealing how hyper-independence became my shield after heartbreak and the painful yet necessary process of dismantling those walls.

What would happen if we stopped intellectualizing our emotions and instead honored them as physical experiences living in our bodies? Science confirms what many of us sense intuitively—suppressed emotions don't simply disappear but accumulate like unpaid bills, eventually manifesting as stress, illness, and disconnection. While most adults can only name three or four emotions, researchers have identified at least 27 distinct emotional states that blend together like colors, creating the rich tapestry of human experience.

This episode offers practical guidance for expanding your emotional vocabulary beyond "tired," "stressed," or "okay," introducing tools like emotion wheels and mood meters that can transform your self-awareness and relationships. We explore the critical distinction between emotions and thoughts, the connection between trauma and physical sensation, and why feeling safe is essential for healing. Whether you're working through past wounds or simply seeking deeper connection, consider this your permission slip to be fully human—to cry, dance, shake, or scream—whatever allows your authentic self to emerge. Remember, you're not too much; you're beautifully, perfectly imperfect, just like the rest of us. Ready to peel back those layers and discover what's been waiting underneath?

Here is where you get in touch. Work with me, share your experience or requests > this is how to reach me. Love, - Sara

What happens when a decade-long yoga teacher takes a hard look at her own industry? Brace yourself for some uncomfortable truths about Western yoga.

From my teaching space in Austria's yoga loft, I'm serving up this episode with a side of birthday cake and a heavy dose of honesty. Yoga—this practice I've devoted my life to—has become a complex love-hate relationship as I've watched it transform from ancient spiritual tradition to Instagram-worthy commodity.

Let's get something straight: yoga comes from Hinduism, not Buddhism, and it means "to yoke" or create connection. While science confirms why yoga feels so good (those magical myokines flooding your brain!), the Western yoga industry—projected to reach a staggering $288 billion by 2034—has often stripped away yoga's sacred roots and repackaged it in expensive leggings.

As a white Western woman teaching yoga, I acknowledge my role in this problem. I've watched countless teachers pass on perfectionism rather than liberation, creating mini cults of personality instead of honoring the tradition. When we dress up cultural appropriation in spirituality without accountability, we perpetuate harm. Meanwhile, the power dynamics in yoga spaces have led to widespread abuse that rarely gets addressed.

Teaching yoga isn't just about crafting the perfect sequence; it's about having the capacity to hold space for trauma, vulnerability, and transformation. That's why my teacher trainings focus on developing authentic teachers who honor yoga's lineage while making it relevant to modern life.

Despite all its contradictions, I remain in this messy industry because yoga's magic lies in forming connections deeper than our minds could create alone. The practice has shaped who I am, and I'm committed to sharing it with the reverence it deserves.

Want to continue this conversation? Share this episode with a fellow yoga enthusiast or teacher and let me know your thoughts. Then join me next week for another serving of Salty Bake Love!