Stay Close with Sarah Brassard

Ep 8: When You're Not Ready (And That's Okay)

What if healing didn’t always mean pushing through? What if not being ready wasn’t a failure—but a form of wisdom? In this final episode of the season, Sarah Brassard offers a compassionate framework for what happens after the initial breakthroughs—when the patterns are named, the wounds are understood, and suddenly… it all feels too overwhelming. This tender space between recognition and integration is where many of us falter—not because we’re doing it wrong, but because we’ve never been taught how to pause with care. This conversation is a permission slip to go at your own pace. To honor what’s rising. And to know that sometimes, the most courageous step forward is… not yet. Inside This Episode: 1. A recap of the journey from Episode 1 through now 2. What to expect when your healing journey stirs deep emotional material 3. Why emotional overwhelm is information—not an emergency 4. How to move at your own pace without shame 5. Understanding the role of protective patterns 6. The essential role of community in your becoming 7. Why pausing isn’t avoidance—it’s alignment Five Essential Truths to Carry With You: 1. Emotional overwhelm is not an emergency. It’s information. 2. You get to go at your own pace. Healing isn’t a race. 3. Your protective patterns are not your enemy—they’re part of your healing. 4. You need people. Healing happens in community and connection. 5. Sometimes the most healing thing you can do is pause. Notable Quotes: > “Your becoming happens when you’re seen and held by people who love you—not despite your struggles, but because of your beautiful, brave humanity.” > “The goal isn’t to arrive somewhere different. The goal is to come home to who you are.” > “These emotions aren’t invaders—they’re messengers. They’ve been waiting for the right moment to be witnessed and held.” Try This: When something stirs inside you, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself gently: What part of me isn’t ready to be rushed? Let stillness be your sacred companion. Connect with Sarah: If this episode resonated, Sarah would love to hear from you. Leave a comment/review on the podcast or tag her on Instagram @sarahwbrassard with your reflections. You’re not alone in this journey—and there’s no wrong way to return to yourself. Intro and Outro Music Credits * “I Don’t Care (Zirophux)” by Carly Johnson — https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop [https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop] * “Obi’s Chair” by Mark Geary — https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/ [https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/] Licensed via Persona Music

Ep 7: Sacred Rebellion – Choosing Yourself First

In this episode of Stay Close, host Sarah Brassard explores the transformative power of choosing yourself first. Far from being selfish, Sarah explains how this practice is actually foundational to forming authentic relationships and experiencing genuine love. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Why choosing yourself first is not selfish and is in fact an act of ‘Sacred Rebellion’ 2. Simple, everyday self-care practices 3. Daily emotional check-ins 4. Setting compassionate boundaries 5. Making time for stillness and rest 6. The healing magic of Yoga Nidra > "When we're truly choosing ourselves, we create space for others to be themselves too." > Intro and Outro Music Credits * “I Don’t Care (Zirophux)” by Carly Johnson — https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop [https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop] * “Obi’s Chair” by Mark Geary — https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/ [https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/] Licensed via Persona Music

Ep 6: The Power of Vulnerability and Forgiveness

In this deeply personal episode, Sarah shares the profound journey of healing her relationship with her mother through vulnerability and forgiveness. Discover how small, brave acts can transform even the most fractured relationships and learn to approach similar challenges in your own life.  Inside This Episode:  - The power of vulnerability in healing relationships  - Realizing and dismantling emotional walls  - Practicing self-forgiveness as a path to healing  - Creating new, joyful traditions and moments of connection  - Guided forgiveness practice and reflective questions  Key Quote:  “There's nothing in life that can't be healed.”  Reflective Questions:  - What would forgiveness look like here?  - What might it feel like to forgive myself, even if it's just a little bit?  - What might it feel like to forgive the other person, even if I'm not ready to say that out loud yet?  Try This: Next time you feel distant or hurt in a relationship, practice the guided forgiveness exercise shared in this episode. Notice how small, intentional acts of understanding and compassion can soften the barriers and foster deeper connections.  CONNECT WITH SARAH: * Sarah’s Book – Inside: A Guide to the Resources Within * A gentle companion for your healing journey. Explore the book [https://sarahbrassard.com/about-the-books/] * Stay in Touch: Receive Sarah’s notes from the heart, upcoming offerings, and soulful reflections. Subscribe to the newsletter [https://sarahbrassard.com/treasures/#free-resources] * Connect on Instagram: @sarahbrassard [https://www.instagram.com/sarahbrassard/] Intro and Outro Music Credits * “I Don’t Care (Zirophux)” by Carly Johnson — https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop [https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop] * “Obi’s Chair” by Mark Geary — https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/ [https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/] Licensed via Persona Music

Ep 5: Embracing Your Wild, Wonderful Self

What if the parts of yourself you’ve tried to hide are actually the gateway to your greatest wisdom? In this episode, Sarah explores the power of embracing our raw, unfiltered truth. Together, we look at the inner tension between perfectionism and presence—and how true freedom comes when we give ourselves permission to be fully human. Through metaphor, storytelling, and guided reflection, Sarah invites you to reconnect with your wildness, your aliveness, and your imperfect beauty. INSIDE THIS EPISODE: * Why our “wild parts” are often the most sacred * How perfectionism distances us from real connection * What it means to value presence over performance * Meeting the inner critic (“the shitty committee”) with compassion * Tools for authentic self-expression, including the sacred pause * Reflective questions to reclaim your truth KEY QUOTES: > “Perfection is a mythical creature. What if instead of chasing perfection, we chased authenticity?” TRY THIS: Next time you feel triggered, practice the sacred pause: Notice physical sensations → Take a deep breath → Get curious about what’s really underneath. This week, notice where perfectionism or people-pleasing show up. What shifts if you let yourself be fully seen? CONNECT WITH SARAH: * Sarah’s Book – Inside: A Guide to the Resources Within * A gentle companion for your healing journey. Explore the book [https://sarahbrassard.com/about-the-books/] * Stay in Touch: Receive Sarah’s notes from the heart, upcoming offerings, and soulful reflections. Subscribe to the newsletter [https://sarahbrassard.com/treasures/#free-resources] * Connect on Instagram: @sarahbrassard [https://www.instagram.com/sarahbrassard/] Intro and Outro Music Credits * “I Don’t Care (Zirophux)” by Carly Johnson — https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop [https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop] * “Obi’s Chair” by Mark Geary — https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/ [https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/] Licensed via Persona Music

Ep 4: Unbecoming to Become

EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, Sarah explores the paradox of returning to our true selves by shedding the layers we've accumulated over time. She discusses how "unbecoming" the protective habits and limiting beliefs we've adopted allow us to return to our authentic nature. KEY CONCEPTS * Unbecoming to Become: The process of peeling away protective layers to return to our authentic selves * The Breath as a Reconnection Tool: Using conscious breathing to bridge conscious and unconscious minds * The Observer Practice: Developing the ability to witness emotional patterns without being swept away by them * Rest as Foundation: Understanding that rest isn't just recovery, but the foundation that makes all healing possible EPISODE OUTLINE Moving Away From Ourselves * How we disconnect from our true selves for safety, acceptance, or because of limiting beliefs * The cost of becoming someone other than our authentic self * Sarah's personal journey of disconnection following childhood loss The Path Back to Authenticity * Sarah's healing journey beginning with Kundalini yoga * The importance of consistent practice in rewiring neural pathways * Cognitive behavioral therapy and identifying limiting beliefs * Development of "The Observer" consciousness The Power of Rest * How exhaustion led to a deeper healing question * The discovery of Yoga Nidra as a foundational practice * The concept of a "spiritual savings account" where rest is worth ten times other practices * The courage to rest in a culture that celebrates pushing through DAILY PRACTICE Three questions to ask yourself daily: 1. Where am I holding tension in my body right now? 2. What practice would help me feel more like myself today? 3. What is one small way I can honor my need for rest today? RESOURCES MENTIONED * Book: "Inside: A Guide to the Resources Within" by Sarah Brassard * Book: "Radiant Rest" by Tracee Stanley * Practice: Yoga Nidra * Practice: Kundalini Yoga * Poem: "Courage" by David Whyte (featuring the line "to be courageous is to stay close to the way we are made") QUOTE TO REMEMBER "True courage is often found in the decision to stop, to rest, to listen to your body when everything around you is saying, keep going." CONNECT WITH SARAH Stay connected through Sarah’s newsletter. Receive soulful updates, offerings, and gentle invitations to return home to yourself. Subscribe here [https://sarahbrassard.com/treasures/] Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahbrassard [https://www.instagram.com/sarahbrassard/] Intro and Outro Music Credits * “I Don’t Care (Zirophux)” by Carly Johnson — https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop [https://www.carlyjohnsonmusic.com/shop] * “Obi’s Chair” by Mark Geary — https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/ [https://markgeary.com/home-page/albums/] Licensed via Persona Music