That’s So Intimate

Sarah Koch & Bryan Russell
  • 5.0 (5)
  • SPIRITUALITY

Welcome to That’s So Intimate— A podcast where we explore living well through deep, curious conversations, Join Sarah, guide at RAD Intimacy, inviting you to remember your sacred self and Bryan, guide at Sadhana Yoga School where we share wisdom for life.

  1. 3D AGO

    Play: The Magic of Making Light

    When is the last time you really played, just for play sake?  Play isn’t just a childhood luxury but a grown-up practice that sparks creativity, calms the nervous system, and opens us to deeper connection. Sarah and Bryan talk about the difference between unstructured play (think: a bucket and some balls, making up a game as you go) versus structured play (pickleball, salsa, a choreographed dance). The magic often happens when you’re invited to invent and improvise: the brain lights up, time flies, and you remember how to be delightfully ridiculous. Play asks for willingness and a little bravery. There are stories — handstands in the middle of town, plunges into cold water, truth-or-dare over drinks — that show how risking a little silliness can build trust, spark attraction, and make someone feel like a keeper. Play is a social risk that pays off in deeper intimacy. There’s real science here too: play raises endorphins, lowers cortisol, lifts mood, boosts resilience and creativity, and is linked to better emotional stability and healthier aging. With anxiety and depression up worldwide, rediscovering play is literally good medicine. Of course, play needs consent and attunement — jokes, sarcasm, or pranks only land when everyone’s in. Use curiosity to check in: is this playful for both of us? If not, pause. When consent is present, play becomes a kinder, braver form of connection. They also widen the lens: playing with nature (wandering without agenda, climbing a tree, delighting in small discoveries) and seeing life as divine play — lila — turns routine struggle into playful curiosity. Even spiritual practice, flirting, and foreplay can be reclaimed as sacred, joyful play. Practical tips: play a little every day — try a silly morning movement, invent a game while cooking, bring a playful prompt to a date, play with your kids, or add a lighthearted ritual at work. Start small, practice when you’re safe, and expand into public as your comfort grows. Journal, improvise, dance, or just throw rocks in a pond — permission to be childlike is a practice, not a costume. If this episode made you smile, try one tiny playful experiment today and notice how your mood and connections shift. We’re rooting for you — let curiosity lead, laugh loudly, and remember play isn’t frivolous: it’s fundamental. Connect with Us: Sarah Koch: @radintimacy | radintimacy.com Bryan Russell: @sadhanayogaschool | sadhanayoga.com Yoga Earth & Soul: @yoga_earth_soul | Facebook | Youtube Suggest a topic: DM us or email podcast@radintimacy.com Subscribe & Share: If this episode moved you, subscribe wherever you listen and share it with someone who might love it too. Let’s grow this beautiful, curious, intimate community—together. 💛

    1h 9m

  2. JAN 28

    29. Presence: Right Here, Right Now

    What does it really mean to be present?  What would change if you treated your attention as the rare, unrepeatable gift it actually is? In this episode of That’s So Intimate, Sarah and Bryan slow things down and explore presence as more than paying attention. Presence is the ability to stay with what’s here — even when it’s uncomfortable, uncertain, or intense. Together, they unpack how presence shows up in: Moments of crisis and calm Relationships and conflict Parenting, partnership, and leadership The body’s wisdom and nervous system responses They talk about how clarity in a crisis can actually be a sign of deep presence — when we’re regulated enough to respond instead of react. Presence isn’t about being perfect or peaceful all the time. It’s about staying connected to yourself, your body, and the moment in front of you. You’ll hear reflections on: The difference between reacting and responding Why presence starts in the body, not the mind How grounding and regulation create choice What it looks like to “show up” for yourself and others Why presence is a practice, not a personality trait This episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember: You don’t have to do more to be present — you just have to be here. A great listen if you’re navigating stress, change, relationships, or simply wanting to feel more alive in your daily life. Connect with Us: Sarah Koch: @radintimacy | radintimacy.com Bryan Russell: @sadhanayogaschool | sadhanayoga.com Yoga Earth & Soul: @yoga_earth_soul | Facebook | Youtube Suggest a topic: DM us or email podcast@radintimacy.com Subscribe & Share: If this episode moved you, subscribe wherever you listen and share it with someone who might love it too. Let’s grow this beautiful, curious, intimate community—together. 💛

    48 min

  3. JAN 23

    28. Yoga, Earth & Soul — Saying YES to A New Way of Living

    Drum roll please....today we finally announce our new project — Yoga, Earth, & Soul (or YES for short)! This conversation is part origin story, part love letter, and part invitation. Sarah & Bryan share how YES was born from a deep longing many of us feel — to live in harmony with ourselves, each other, the natural world, and spirit. Not as a trend. Not as a performance. But as a way of life. In this episode, you’ll hear: What YES (Yoga, Earth, & Soul) really is — and what it’s not Sarah’s journey from living “in her head” to learning how to listen to her body and soul Bryan’s lifelong connection to yoga and nature — and his growth edge around belonging and community Why so many people crave deep connection after yoga teacher trainings (and what’s been missing) The idea of a “modern spiritual home” — without dogma, hierarchy, or pressure What harmony actually means (hint: it’s not people-pleasing or pretending everything’s fine) The Celtic concept of anam cara — soul friends — and why true belonging changes everything This episode explores big questions in a grounded, human way: What does it mean to live in alignment? How do we stay connected in a busy, consumer-driven world? What if community wasn’t something you visited once — but something you practiced over time? YES is an invitation To slow down. To listen more deeply. To remember that you belong — to yourself, to the earth, and to each other. If you’ve ever wished for a place to gather regularly… If you crave soulful conversation, embodied practice, and real connection… If you’re seeking harmony instead of hustle… This episode is for you. _______________________________________________________________________ Reach us, join us, and follow along on the YES journey: Instagram Facebook YouTube

    58 min

  4. JAN 14

    27. Harmony: More Than Beautiful Music

    In this episode we sink into a single beautiful word: harmony. We riff off Gandhi’s line about thoughts, words, and actions lining up, and then open into four directions of harmony: with yourself, with others, with nature, and with spirit. We talk real-life examples — not enough sleep, the loud inner critic, family dynamics, and what happens when ecosystems lose balance — to show how disharmony shows up in body, mind, and community. We also get practical. Harmony isn’t about people-pleasing or pretending everything’s fine — it’s a skill set. We explore listening and presence as the foundation for repair, small rituals that actually help (hello, cacao by the fire and a morning check-in), and movement practices like yoga, hiking, and other “super connectors” that combine body, mind, and nature for more bang-for-your-time. Along the way we share cross-cultural threads — like Fa'a Samoa’s reverence for balance — and the surprising idea that predators in an ecosystem can actually create harmony. We talk about creating containers where difference is honored, how to reframe objectives (competition vs. connection), and why skill-building — emotional regulation, active listening, and repair — matters so much. This episode is warm and practical: we give examples you can try (checking in with how much sleep you actually need, experimenting with a daily ritual, getting outside, or choosing practices that give you multiple forms of connection at once). We also tease a new project grounded in harmony and joy — designed for seekers, people who love nature, yoga, deep conversations, and creative expression — and invite you to join the community if any of that lights you up. If you want more ease, more aliveness, and a practical path toward feeling more whole, tune in and let this conversation be a gentle map: listen, practice, repair, and create harmony in the directions that matter to you. Hit subscribe, share with someone you care about, and drop us a note if there’s a word you want us to explore next.

    54 min

  5. JAN 7

    26. Seeker: An Explorer of Life's Many Questions

    Do you identify a seeker? Or maybe you're pursuing a path of personal development? If there's a curious flame that lives inside you yearning for something more then take a listen to this episode. We lean into that yearning — the endless why that pushes some of us to question, wander, and learn. Sarah and Bryan unpack how seeking shows up in childhood, schooling, relationships, parenting, and spiritual practice, and they talk honestly about the light and shadow of always wanting more. We compare curiosity to seeking, explore how structure and grounding can balance restless longing, and imagine how seekers and mentors can support each other on the path. If you’re tired of the status quo and feel pulled toward more meaning — or if you’re someone who loves the comfort of being but is curious about growth — this episode offers compassionate, practical conversation and small steps to begin (or pause) your seeking. We also tease a new offering for folks who want community, practice, and guidance as they explore. Grab a warm drink, get cozy, and join us as we dig in the dark — together. Connect with Us: Sarah Koch: @radintimacy | radintimacy.com Bryan Russell: @sadhanayogaschool | sadhanayoga.com Suggest a topic: DM us or email podcast@radintimacy.com

    56 min

  6. 12/31/2025

    25. No: Nope, Not That

    'No' is a complete sentence. But for many of us saying a calm, but confident 'no' can be a challenge. Today we’re digging into the small and empowering word: no. We talk about how no can be a boundary, a protection, a practice, and even the first step toward a truer, freer yes. We unpack what it means when a yes isn’t really a yes (you’re choosing the lesser of two bad options), and why real consent only shows up when people feel safe enough to say no. From kids who learn that no equals punishment to adults navigating jobs, power dynamics, and romance, we explore how context shapes our ability to share an honest 'no'. We get practical: how to be the kind of person who invites authenticity (curiosity > agenda), how to honor a simple 'no' in the moment, and how redirecting a no into a specific yes can preserve intimacy instead of shutting it down. We also talk about the masculine/feminine energy balance — how grounded steadiness creates the container that lets someone safely say yes or no. Saying no builds trust both ways. If someone can say no to you and you receive it without judgment, you can go deeper. If you can say no and the world doesn’t fall apart, you learn to trust yourself more. Connect with Us: Sarah Koch: @radintimacy | radintimacy.com Bryan Russell: @sadhanayogaschool | sadhanayoga.com Suggest a topic: DM us or email podcast@radintimacy.com Subscribe & Share: If this episode moved you, subscribe wherever you listen and share it with someone who might love it too. Let’s grow this beautiful, curious, intimate community—together. 💛

    37 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    24. Yes: Your Choice, Your Voice

    Have you said 'yes' when you didn't mean it or said 'yes' before you had the chance to really think about what it means for your life? 'Yes' is a deceptively simple word, yet more complex than it appears.  Turns out there's different flavors of 'yes': clean/uncomplicated, polite, fear-based, hopeful, and exhausted. So how can you slow down, listen to your body, and consult your values before deciding?  We talk about small, joyful yeses (like stepping into sunlight), big life yeses (kids, jobs, relationships), and the cost-benefit scales and second- and third-order consequences that shape our choices. You’ll hear practical guidance on how to ask for time to decide, how to create safer spaces for others to answer honestly, and ways to bring more wholehearted yeses into your everyday (from music during laundry to savoring morning rituals). If you’re wrestling with obligations, family dynamics, or fear-based decisions, this episode offers compassionate insights on self-trust, consent, and reclaiming agency — plus a reminder that you get to choose again and again. Tune in and find out how saying yes (or no) can be a radical act of presence. Connect with Us: Sarah Koch: @radintimacy | radintimacy.com Bryan Russell: @sadhanayogaschool | sadhanayoga.com Suggest a topic: DM us or email podcast@radintimacy.com Subscribe & Share: If this episode moved you, subscribe wherever you listen and share it with someone who might love it too. Let’s grow this beautiful, curious, intimate community—together. 💛

    1h 14m

  8. 12/17/2025

    23. Joy: A Deep Well of Aliveness

    It’s the Holiday Season and you’re probably seeing the word “joy” everywhere — on cards, in songs, in well-meaning wishes. In this episode we get curious about what joy really is: is it just a brighter form of happiness, or is it something deeper and steadier? We riff on Khalil Gibran’s beautiful line — “your joy is your sorrow unmasked” — and how the full range of our experience can actually expand the capacity for deep aliveness. We talk about the difference between happiness (a visiting smile when conditions are sweet) and joy (the quieter ground beneath your feet that can stay when the weather turns). Joy isn’t about denying pain — it can hold grief and light at the same time — which is why it’s such a radical, inclusive wish to send someone in the Holidays. Practical and tender, we share three simple pillars for tending your joy: slow down and listen to your own heart, spend time with nature (even a single plant or a night sky can remind you you’re part of the miracle), and deepen intimacy with the people you care about. We also run through small, doable moves you can try today: pause and be present, cultivate gratitude, move your body, create without clinging to outcomes, and stop comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reel. If you’ve ever felt hollow despite having the “perfect” holiday scene, this episode is for you — instead of chasing a pleasurable or happy moment, we offer ways to come back to a well of steady joy that’s always there when you practice for it. Let's take a breath together and try some Loving Kindness meditation: May you be safe and without fear. May you be healthy and strong. May you be happy and free from suffering. May you live with ease and joy. Connect with Us: Sarah Koch: @radintimacy | radintimacy.com Bryan Russell: @sadhanayogaschool | sadhanayoga.com Suggest a topic: DM us or email podcast@radintimacy.com Subscribe & Share: If this episode moved you, subscribe wherever you listen and share it with someone who might love it too. Let’s grow this beautiful, curious, intimate community—together. 💛

    31 min
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About

Welcome to That’s So Intimate— A podcast where we explore living well through deep, curious conversations, Join Sarah, guide at RAD Intimacy, inviting you to remember your sacred self and Bryan, guide at Sadhana Yoga School where we share wisdom for life.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Koch & Bryan Russell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    That’s So Intimate