As I look back over the many turns my life has taken - the careers, moves, relationships, and the quiet inner thread that seemed to guide them all - I begin to see how much of my journey has been shaped by listening to that voice inside.

I think about the different ways people choose to live: some rooted in one place with lifelong connections, others pulled outward by curiosity and change. Both, it seems to me now, require their own kind of courage. As I near eighty, I’m learning that daring doesn’t always look like grand adventure. Sometimes it’s simply the willingness to keep listening, to reconsider, to try again, and to trust that the voice within still has something important to say.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

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I’ve always believed that humor lives very close to the fire of truth. In this episode, I reflect on my lifelong love of laughter. From comedians who challenge my thinking to the small, spontaneous jokes I slip into everyday conversation, humor has often been my way of easing tension, softening embarrassment, and making peace with the many little missteps that come with being human… and with getting older.

But lately I’ve been wondering about the fine line between using humor to open a moment and using it to avoid one. When truth heats up a conversation, my instinct is often to reach for a joke and cool things down. Sometimes it works beautifully. Sometimes it doesn’t. Still, I’ve come to believe that laughter, especially the kind that makes us look at ourselves a little more honestly, may be one of the most generous gifts we can offer each other. And since humor seems to run in my blood, I suspect I’ll keep sharing it whenever the moment calls… or even when it doesn’t.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

What does it mean to say your life is your spiritual practice? In this episode, I wrestle with that question and what it asks of me in the ordinary moments - in traffic jams, sharp words, small kindnesses, and the quiet effort to be a little more patient than I was yesterday. I reflect on the gap between the person I am and the person I hope to become, discovering that spirituality may have less to do with perfection than with paying attention.

Along the way, I consider gratitude, moments of unexpected awe, and the surprising wisdom that comes from knowing myself more honestly than before. If my everyday life is the path, then perhaps progress is found in slowing down, softening my judgments, and staying open to small joys (even the occasional ice cream cone) while doing the best I can to live with intention.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

When I stumbled across a list of funny sayings my sister sent me 23 years ago, I didn’t expect to find a small treasury of perspective tucked inside an old file folder. In this episode, I revisit those wry one-liners about weight, wrinkles, wisdom, and time and discover how much more they mean to me now. What once felt clever now feels earned.

As I reflect on midlife changes, the strange speed of passing days, and the quiet invisibility that can come with age, I find myself choosing joy anyway, sometimes in a scoop of ice cream, sometimes in a nap, sometimes in biting my tongue. These tidbits of humor open the door to something deeper. I have found a renewed commitment to living with a glad heart, staying curious, and letting life surprise me, even now.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

Lately, I’ve noticed something unsettling: I can no longer do two things at once. Where multitasking once felt effortless, now even a simple conversation while writing a check can bring everything to a halt. In this episode, I reflect on the small, strange lapses, miswritten appointments, mysterious Post-it notes, numbers that rearrange themselves, and what they reveal about growing older. Is this decline, adaptation, or an invitation to slow down? As my bright Post-its multiply, so does my determination not to go gently into forgetfulness, but to meet it with curiosity, patience, and a stubborn joy in being alive.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

What happens when your deepest need for clarity collides with a life full of unanswered questions? In this episode, I explore my personal relationship with ambiguity and how my intolerance for uncertainty shapes my desire for control, complicates decision-making, and heightens my reactions to surprise. Listen in I reflect on how words become my lifeline in the gray areas, helping me name discomfort, regain balance, and transform mental chaos into clarity. Ultimately, it is about learning to face ambiguity with courage and trust, and discovering that calm doesn’t come from eliminating uncertainty, but from meeting it with intention and self-belief.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

In the midst of uncertainty, we often find ourselves standing at a crossroads, unsure of which way to turn. Life's unpredictability requires us to let go of past learnings and embrace new paths with humility and openness. Reflecting on this, I realize that the journey is not merely about moving forward but also about taking the time to pause and assess my true feelings and desires. While the way forward might be challenging, it is in our stillness that clarity emerges, helping us to inch in the right direction or retreat when necessary. Ultimately, self-reflection and authenticity become our compass, leading us toward a fulfilling and purpose-driven journey.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com

As I reflect on 2025, I am reminded of the moments that have irreversibly changed my heart. I've had to say goodbye to my beloved cat Sid and his sister, Nancy, both of whom have accompanied me so loyally through life's ups and downs. Looking back, it feels as though 2025 was a year of significant shedding, akin to the symbolic Year of the Snake, where things holding me back were stripped away to reveal new beginnings. Now, as I navigate through the waves of sorrow, I find solace in the tender memories shared and the immense love Sid imparted. Reflecting on all those who have touched my life this year, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for their presence and the unique imprints they left upon my soul.

Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.

Thank you for listening!

Listen to more episodes like this and subscribe to updates at https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com