Advertise on podcast: The Practice of Being Human

In this episode, Marta sits down with Grace, who has been part of The Practice behind the scenes for the past year and a half, to talk about what it means to listen to your own voice and trust your own path when the world around you is telling you what you should be doing. Drawing from Grace's experience of graduating from USC, moving to Australia without a traditional career plan, and discovering an unexpected love for a slower, smaller-town life, they explore what happens when we give ourselves enough space to discover what is actually true for us. This conversation focuses on belonging, self-trust, curiosity, decision-making, and the courage to take a path that may look different from the one everyone else is choosing. Marta and Grace explore the difference between fitting in and belonging, why discomfort is often part of the process, and how moving away from the familiar can help us hear parts of ourselves that may have gotten quieter over time. They also talk about the pressure young adults often feel to have their lives figured out—the right job, relationship, city, timeline, and next step—and the possibility that there may be no single “right” life waiting for us to discover. At its heart, this is a conversation about becoming. About making decisions without knowing exactly where they will lead, allowing ourselves to change our minds, and learning to meet uncertainty with curiosity rather than judgment. A thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about trusting yourself, finding your people, belonging without shape-shifting, and allowing your life to unfold one decision at a time.

In this week's spontaneous episode from her car, Marta reflects on the transformative power of asking different questions and how a single thoughtful question can open the door to deeper connection, greater self-awareness, and more meaningful conversations. Drawing from recent moments with close friends, young adults, and families, she explores how curiosity creates intimacy, why the questions we ask shape the conversations we have, and how moving beyond surface-level exchanges allows us to truly see, hear, and know one another. Through personal stories and reflections, she invites us to consider how wisdom is often uncovered not by having better answers, but by learning to ask better questions. This episode focuses on curiosity, authentic connection, emotional intimacy, meaningful conversation, self-discovery, relationships, and the art of listening. It explores how thoughtful questions help us uncover what matters most, why vulnerability creates deeper belonging, and how creating space for honest conversation has the power to change both ourselves and the people around us. This is a warm and reflective conversation about presence, curiosity, human connection, emotional growth, and the quiet beauty of being deeply known. A reminder that sometimes the most meaningful conversations don't begin with better answers—they begin with a better question.

In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Marta reflects on what it means to raise humans instead of performers, and why belonging should never have to be earned through achievement. She explores how parents can move from fixing to supporting, from controlling to guiding, and from measuring outcomes to celebrating growth. Through practical questions and compassionate examples, she shares how struggle, revision, and honest conversation become some of life's greatest teachers. This episode focuses on parenting, young adults, belonging, emotional resilience, relationships, identity, personal growth, and formation. It explores how families can create environments where people feel safe to wrestle, repair, learn, and become. This is a hopeful and deeply practical conversation about parenting with curiosity, supporting without rescuing, and remembering that life's greatest education isn't found in perfect performance, but in who we become along the way.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Marta explores the difference between performance and formation, and why becoming who we are matters far more than simply looking successful. Inspired by philosopher Paul Blasco's reflections on education, she examines how grades, resumes, internships, and achievements can quietly become substitutes for the deeper work of discovering our values, our voice, and the life we truly want to build. She also offers a thoughtful perspective on AI, suggesting that its greatest impact may be revealing what we've unintentionally been teaching all along. This episode focuses on identity, education, purpose, personal growth, authenticity, AI, and becoming. It explores why frustration, curiosity, and uncertainty are essential parts of learning, and how true success begins when we stop measuring ourselves solely by outcomes. This is an encouraging and thought-provoking conversation about self-awareness, meaningful work, values, education, and the lifelong practice of becoming more fully ourselves.

In this episode, Marta reflects on an unexpected and deeply personal week after her son sustained another concussion, prompting her to explore what it means to stay grounded when life doesn't unfold the way we hoped or planned. Drawing from her own experience as a mother, wife, coach, and human being, she shares the delicate balance between caring deeply for the people we love without allowing fear to consume us. She explores the difference between control and agency, the importance of tending to our own nervous systems, and how staying connected during difficult seasons requires both courage and intention. This episode focuses on uncertainty, emotional resilience, parenting young adults, nervous system awareness, vulnerability, connection, and learning to meet life's unexpected challenges with greater trust and compassion. It explores how fear can quietly disconnect us from ourselves and others, why honoring our emotions is different from becoming consumed by them, and how true agency begins when we soften our resistance to what is. This is a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about navigating adversity, staying present through uncertainty, cultivating emotional awareness, and choosing connection even when life feels overwhelming. A reminder that while we cannot always control what happens, we can choose how we meet it—and that our greatest strength often lies not in having all the answers, but in remaining open, grounded, and connected through whatever life brings.

In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Marta shares a personal story about an honest conversation with her son that transformed the way she thinks about parenting, connection, and love. She reflects on the courage it takes to receive difficult truths, the importance of allowing others to grow in their own time, and why our deepest relationships often ask us to love differently than we imagined. Through conversations with trusted mentors and friends, she explores what it means to stop forcing the bloom, trust the roots we've already helped plant, and return to our own lane. This episode focuses on parenting young adults, emotional honesty, trust, healing, relationships, and learning to let go with love. It explores how curiosity creates deeper connection than control, why healing cannot be rushed, and how freedom grows when we loosen our grip. This is a compassionate and deeply reflective conversation about family, growth, vulnerability, emotional maturity, and becoming. A reminder that love isn't about holding on tighter—it's about trusting ourselves and those we love enough to let them become who they're meant to be.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Marta reflects on the lessons that have emerged as she celebrates another birthday and the invitation each new season of life offers to pause, awaken, and become. Through stories from her own life, she explores marriage, parenting young adults, post-menopause, identity, and the quiet ways life continually asks us to loosen our grip on who we once were. She reflects on emotional maturity, curiosity, and learning new ways to love ourselves and those closest to us. This episode focuses on becoming, self-awareness, relationships, emotional growth, and the courage to let old identities fall away. It explores how life continues to shape us through every season, and how freedom often begins when we stop trying to stay the same. This is a reflective and encouraging conversation about growth, aging, awakening, curiosity, parenting, identity, and learning to meet each new chapter with openness instead of resistance.

In this episode, Marta explores the quiet power of beginning each day with intention, presence, and self-connection. Drawing from her own morning practice and conversations with clients navigating stress, transition, and emotional overwhelm, she reflects on the difference between immediately checking in with the outside world and first tuning in to ourselves. Through breath, gratitude, stillness, and meditation, she explores how small daily practices can transform the way we move through life. This episode focuses on presence, resilience, nervous system regulation, and the importance of creating space to return to ourselves before responding to the demands of the day. It explores how slowing down helps quiet the noise of the mind, why stillness strengthens us from within, and how a simple morning ritual can become an anchor through life's inevitable challenges. This is a calming and thoughtful conversation about mindfulness, intentional living, gratitude, emotional well-being, and learning to meet each day with greater peace and awareness. A reminder that before we check in with the world, we can first tune in to ourselves—and that this simple practice has the power to change everything.

In this episode, Marta explores the fear, uncertainty, and emotional growth that often accompany major life transitions. Inspired by a conversation with a young woman preparing to graduate from college, she reflects on the stories we create when life feels uncertain, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the healing that becomes possible when we allow others to stay with us through difficult seasons. This episode focuses on uncertainty, resilience, family, emotional regulation, and self-compassion. It explores why uncertainty is not the problem, how shame differs from accountability, and what becomes possible when we stop carrying everything alone and begin trusting both ourselves and the people who love us. This is a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about growing through fear, staying connected during hard seasons, and learning that mistakes do not define us. A reminder that resilience is not built by avoiding uncertainty, but by meeting it with honesty, support, and one courageous step at a time.

In this episode, Marta explores the uncertainty, loneliness, and growth that often accompany life's major transitions. Inspired by a conversation with a young man preparing to begin college, she reflects on the space between one chapter ending and another beginning, and the emotional challenges that arise when we don't yet know what comes next. This episode focuses on loneliness, self-trust, identity, and becoming. It explores why uncertainty is not something to eliminate, how loneliness can become a powerful teacher, and why the most important skill we can develop is the ability to trust ourselves through life's unfolding. This is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about transition, growth, belonging, resilience, and learning to meet the unknown with curiosity instead of fear. A reminder that life is not found only in the destinations we are rushing toward, but also in the hallways in between.

In this episode, Marta explores the difference between seeking validation from others and learning to trust and choose yourself. Inspired by a conversation with a young man navigating relationship challenges and recurring patterns, she reflects on the ways life continually reveals where we have yet to trust ourselves, tell the truth, and live in alignment with what we know deep down. This episode focuses on self-trust, emotional growth, authenticity, and the patterns that keep showing up throughout our lives. It explores why we often organize our lives around being chosen, how fear of rejection shapes our decisions, and what becomes possible when we begin choosing ourselves instead. This is a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about relationships, belonging, people-pleasing, self-worth, and the courage to live more honestly. A reminder that the lesson keeps returning not because we are failing, but because we are becoming—and that every challenge has the potential to lead us back home to ourselves.

In this episode, Marta explores the deeply human ways that marriage, parenting, and love shape us over time.Inspired by a full-circle reunion with a former babysitter now navigating motherhood and marriage herself, Marta reflects on the tenderness of watching life stretch, soften, and transform us through relationship and responsibility. This episode focuses on the idea that love does not simply add people to our lives, but reveals us to ourselves. It explores the emotional growth that comes through caregiving, partnership, vulnerability, and the unexpected “undoing” that often accompanies becoming who we are meant to be. This is a grounded, heartfelt conversation about identity, tenderness, motherhood, emotional growth, and learning to meet life with openness instead of resistance. A reminder that the stretching of life is not evidence that we are failing, but often evidence that we are becoming.

In this episode, Marta and Craig explore the deeper meaning of intimacy and what truly creates connection in long-term relationships. Together, they unpack the idea that intimacy is not limited to sex, but lives in the everyday moments that help us feel seen, safe, connected, and emotionally present with one another. From hand-holding and conversation to vulnerability, touch, conflict, reconnection, and simply being together, this conversation explores the many ways intimacy is built and sustained over time. This episode focuses on emotional presence, physical connection, partnership, and the courage it takes to let down our armor in relationships. Marta and Craig reflect on marriage, vulnerability, body image, disconnection, reconnection, and the small daily practices that strengthen the connective tissue between people. This is an honest, compassionate conversation about love, intimacy, being fully present with one another, and remembering that meaningful connection is often closer — and simpler — than we think.

In this episode, Marta explores what it means to live in a world increasingly focused on optimization, efficiency, and doing more, while gently inviting us back to what it means to be human. Inspired by a conversation about AI and the future of work, she reflects on how we can use tools to support our lives without losing connection, presence, and authenticity. This conversation expands beyond productivity into something deeper — asking what we are truly seeking when we try to get more time back. This episode focuses on the tension between efficiency and aliveness, and the importance of protecting the soul of our work, our relationships, and our lives. It explores community, truth-telling, and the spaces where we are seen, heard, and reminded that we are not alone. This is a grounded, thoughtful conversation about using the tools available to us without being consumed by them, and remembering that the goal is not simply to optimize life, but to be present for it. To return to connection, truth, and what is most meaningful.

In this episode, Marta explores what it means to return to the simple, foundational habits that support us in feeling more grounded, regulated, and well. Inspired by a conversation on metabolic health, she expands into a deeper reflection on how we metabolize life including how we move, rest, consume, and care for our nervous systems in a fast-paced, overstimulating world. This episode focuses on the power of small, consistent practices such as movement, nourishment, rest, light, and space, and how these simple habits support not only physical health, but emotional clarity and connection. This is a grounded, compassionate conversation about returning to what is real, trusting the wisdom of the body, and remembering that many of the things that heal us are not complex or costly, but already available, waiting to be practiced.