Now That You Ask

Akasha Halsey

What happens when you ask a world traveler, a life-coach, a one-woman-show-stopper and (finally) sober woman from the South what she thinks about life? You get “Now That You Ask.” A podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Akasha Halsey is a woman who after seventy-five years on this planet, is ready to have her say! The podcasts are short (the time it takes to down a cup of coffee) and while they will often make you smile, they will always make you think.

  1. 3d ago

    272. The First Time

    After my first conversation with a group of women who had read my memoir, I found myself reflecting on what it means to tell our stories and allow ourselves to be truly seen. Their questions brought me back to the experiences that shaped me and reminded me why writing them down mattered. Our memories can reveal our strengths, our struggles, and even the parts of ourselves we might prefer to overlook. I’ve come to believe that knowing ourselves is a lifelong practice. For me, it means slowing down long enough to listen to my inner wisdom, accepting that I’m still a work in progress, and learning to offer myself the same kindness I give to others. This beautiful conversation left me feeling seen, grateful, and reminded that sometimes the wisdom we’re looking for is already within us. Akasha’s Book A spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman’s journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/ About the Show 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

    272. The First Time
  2. Sep 24

    271. Excellence

    What if the qualities we already possess are enough to help us navigate whatever life throws at us? A quote from Marcus Aurelius got me thinking about gratitude, kindness, resilience, and the things within us that we might overlook until we need them. I found myself especially taken with his advice to “take full account of the excellences which you do possess,” although, naturally, I got a little distracted by his use of the word “hanker.” As a Southerner, I have questions. The older I get, the more I understand that living well has less to do with controlling what happens around me and more to do with remembering who I want to be when it does. Life will always deliver its unexpected attacks, and I won't always handle them gracefully. But when I can return to the values that matter to me, I find my footing again. Kindness, helping others, staying open to beauty, and learning from the hard moments have become their own kind of compass. Maybe being a good person isn't something we need to spend so much time defining. Maybe we just need to practice being one. Akasha’s Book A spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman’s journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/ About the Show 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

    271. Excellence
  3. Sep 18

    270. Revive Your Roar

    What happens when life refuses to give us the answers, the timeline, or the sense of control we desperately want? Lately, I’ve been finding out. Between unexpected house repairs, a flooded yard, expensive appliances, and a tooth implant that has left me a little worse for wear, I’ve been feeling like I’ve temporarily lost my footing. Then I came across a simple quote: “The human wants answers. The soul wants awe. The human wants control. The soul wants surrender.” It stopped me in my tracks. Maybe there is another way to move through the messy, uncomfortable stretches of life. Instead of demanding a timeline or proof that everything will turn out okay, perhaps I can pause long enough to notice what is still beautiful.. At 80, I know being here is a gift, even when being here hurts. I may be a master complainer, but I’m also a master at stopping to smell the roses. And sometimes, that is enough to help me find my footing again, listen to my soul, and revive my roar. Akasha’s Book A spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman’s journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  ⁠https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/⁠ About the Show 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

    270. Revive Your Roar
  4. Sep 10

    269. Inspiring Men

    Over the years, certain writers have become companions of sorts, people whose words made me laugh, think, feel more connected, and sometimes see the world a little differently. In this episode, I share the stories of three San Francisco Chronicle writers who inspired me in very different ways. Then I came across an unexpected quote from Muhammad Ali: “The work of the heart is never done.” It made me think about what these writers were really giving us when they shared their lives and perspectives. We never know who is listening, or how something we say might reach someone at exactly the right moment. Perhaps one of our greatest gifts is simply having the courage to let ourselves be seen, soft heart and all, and to meet one another with a little more kindness along the way. Akasha’s Book A spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman’s journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/ About the Show 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

    269. Inspiring Men
  5. Sep 3

    268. Authenticity

    What does it really mean to be authentic? For most of my life, I thought being myself simply meant being honest, kind, and dependable. But over time, through heartbreak, travel, self-discovery, and a willingness to look more closely at who I really am, I began to realize that authenticity is something much deeper. It means letting go of who I think I’m supposed to be and making room for all the parts of myself, even the imperfect, quirky, impatient, and vulnerable ones. In this episode, I reflect on the lifelong process of discovering who I am and the freedom that comes from finally embracing that person. Authenticity isn't a destination or a lesson we learn once and move on from. It’s a daily practice of noticing when we’ve drifted away from ourselves and finding our way back. And when we give ourselves permission to show up fully as we are, we create something beautiful: a space where others feel free to do the same. Akasha’s Book A spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman’s journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/ About the Show 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

    268. Authenticity
  6. Aug 20

    266. Notebook for Success

    Recently, while I was moving, I stumbled across a “Notebook for Success” I created in 1995. Filled with quotes, pictures, monthly rewards, and plenty of optimism, it made me laugh, reflect, and wonder how much of that younger version of me is still around. Looking back, I can see that even then, I was trying to understand myself and trust that life would somehow lead me where I needed to go. More than 30 years later, I’m still learning, still wandering, and still occasionally making choices that surprise even me. In this episode, I reflect on the lessons hidden in my younger self’s words, the choices that shaped who I am today, and the comfort of knowing that no matter where I find myself, there is always something I can do next. Akasha’s Book A spirited memoir of bold adventures, unexpected detours, and one woman’s journey to create a life on her own terms, “Unbecoming Behavior, A Southern Memoir of Adventurous Choices by Akasha Halsey.” is now available! Learn more and purchase here:  https://nowthatyouaskpodcast.com/unbecoming-behavior/ About the Show 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

    266. Notebook for Success

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

What happens when you ask a world traveler, a life-coach, a one-woman-show-stopper and (finally) sober woman from the South what she thinks about life? You get “Now That You Ask.” A podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Akasha Halsey is a woman who after seventy-five years on this planet, is ready to have her say! The podcasts are short (the time it takes to down a cup of coffee) and while they will often make you smile, they will always make you think.

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