Author: akashah

I live by my own personal principles: laugh often, relish simple joys like baby feet and candlelight, and immerse yourself in sensory experiences. Through this I have found there is beauty in the ordinary and also in expressing gratitude for both small and significant things. Join me as I encourage you to discover your guiding […]

Procrastination. Is it a self-sabotaging trait or a hidden source of vitality? The thrill, anxiety, and validation intertwine as I navigate this curious dance. Is it a risky game or a secret to staying young at heart? Time will tell as I continue to balance the edge between punctuality and a controlled delay, finding a […]

Birthday celebrations are memorable occasions to be sure. I personally love an unusual birthday. It all started with my 40th birthday celebration at Rock and Bowl in San Francisco and the memories range from frigid temperatures at Baker Beach, ice cream cake and a bookstore, a lagoon in Larksburg, and even some Kentucky Fried Chicken. […]

I can’t control the tears that flow when I am touched by something beautiful or my desire to explore the depths of myself. Fortunately, I have poetry to remind me that I don’t have to and that my quest for beauty and connection is part of the path to finding home. Now That You Ask […]

I was recently reminded by a friend about a few other parts of my Iran experience – the jewelry, the rugs … and the drugs. So, here is a snapshot of this other side of Iran. I feel extremely lucky to have lived there during Iran’s most recent heyday and when I think of my […]

I once went to Iran to visit a boyfriend and left 2 1/2 years later at the beginning of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. I didn’t realize how lucky I was at the time to have seen Iran in all its glory because gone today is the Iran that I loved so much. This episode is […]

What does adventure mean to you? For me, adventure means doing something out of the ordinary, something that takes you out of your self and your routine and into a whole new world that’s ripe for exploration. Adventure can be held within a single, simple moment or part of a greater collection of moments, but […]

Poetry touches the most tender parts of me. Poetry has a unique way of teaching me about myself. Poetry brings me to my knees with overwhelming gratitude and I know I am blessed because poetry tells me so. Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, […]

I have noticed a funny thing about extending kindness to another person. When I do something unexpected and generous for another person, I often end up feeling grateful myself. While I don’t do this for selfish reasons, many times I will still experience a gift of unexpected grace, like a boomerang I didn’t know was […]

I have lived a charmed life and as I publish this 100th episode of the podcast I find myself reflecting on my beautiful existence and this particular concurrence of life and purpose. I am grateful that it happened while I’m still able to appreciate my life and I still feel thrilled to sit down at […]