Episode 220: PLAY Your Way Into Presence. How Pause, Listen, Accept, and ‘Yes, And’ Transform Your Life
If life has felt chaotic, rushed, or overwhelming, this episode is your breathing room.
Your reset.
Your permission slip to stop performing and start playing again.
In this solo episode, Sarah reveals how PLAY is one of the fastest and most joyful pathways back to presence. This is especially true for driven women, entrepreneurs, high achievers, and moms who feel pulled in many directions.
Drawing from her background in improv, wellness coaching, performance, and motherhood, Sarah breaks down her P L A Y Method:
P. Pause
L. Listen and Lean In
A. Accept and Adapt
Y. ‘Yes, And’
This episode blends storytelling, humor, soulful reflection, and practical tools. Sarah shows that presence is not created through perfection. Presence is created through curiosity and play.
Through stories about her Chicago music residency, launching her wellness event, performing her original wedding song, and rediscovering imagination from childhood, Sarah brings you back to who you were before stress and expectations piled up.
⏰ Timestamps. Your Guided Journey Into Presence
[00:00] Why PLAY is the secret to presence
Life moves fast. Presence requires a shift in energy, not perfection.
P. Pause
[02:00] The power of the pause
Pausing is one of the greatest tools for leadership, emotional regulation, and connection.
[03:00] How pausing changed Sarah's creative path
One intentional pause opened the door to her first Chicago music residency.
L. Listen and Lean In
[05:00] Listening is a superpower
Her first wellness event was born from listening, not strategy.
[06:00] In improv and in life. If you stop listening, the scene falls apart
Listening builds trust, clarity, and momentum.
A. Accept and Adapt
[08:00] Accepting help is a form of leadership
How opening up on her wedding day softened the whole experience.
[09:00] Performing her original wedding song
Accepting support made space for one of her most meaningful memories.
[10:00] Adaptability brings you back to presence
When life shifts, pressure does not serve you. Adaptation does.
Y. ‘Yes, And’
[10:30] The improv rule that transforms everyday life
Yes And invites possibility, creativity, and connection.
[11:00] Rediscovering imagination
What Sarah learned from childhood play and how adults can reclaim that magic.
[12:00] Yes And as a lifestyle
It expands relationships, communication, creativity, and self trust.
[12:30] Final reflection. Presence comes from curiosity, not control
A reminder that you can return to your breath and your body at any moment.
[12:45] A loving nudge to PLAY more
Joy is productive. Joy is grounding. Joy is medicine.
🌱 Key Takeaways
Presence grows when you choose play instead of pressure
Pausing is a powerful nervous system reset
Listening strengthens communication and emotional awareness
Accepting and adapting creates steadiness in stressful moments
Yes And transforms your mindset and your relationships
Play is one of the most effective leadership skills
Improv tools build emotional intelligence and resilience
💖 Connect with Sarah
Instagram: @SarahAlysseCoaching
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