It’s time I come clean:

I’ve been Trojan Horse-ing some woo woo shit into my work with extremely serious, science-first, analytically-minded professionals.

Before I defend myself (and hypnotize you too) let’s define woo woo:

Woo woo is the woman who waltzes in wearing a crushed velvet fringed robe, dripping in turquoise jewelry, and derives meaning from your anecdote based on the position of the stars in the sky. It’s being engulfed by the scent of incense as a kind soul hands you a fit-for-purpose crystal to clutch as you consult the tarot cards about an important decision. Woo woo is feeling anxious and instead of booking a CBT talk therapy session, heading to a sound bath, reiki healer, or breathwork session to release and reset your nervous system.

Woo woo refers to beliefs and practices that lack scientific proof.

Now, I want to be crystal clear (pun intended): I trust the scientific method. I respect the scientific community and consult their evidence and results first when making important decisions and helping clients make theirs.

But there is so much that we do not know. That’s not a failing of science. It’s just the reality that there will always be a gap between what we empirically know and the vast mysteries of the universe.

Woo woo helps fill that gap.

If you find yourself yearning for things like fulfillment, purpose, meaning, or values-alignment—you’re gonna need to embrace some woo woo shit

Money is mostly science. It’s about budgeting, market research, upskilling, and positioning.

Even balance is mostly science. It’s about prioritizing, scheduling, habit-forming, and boundary-setting.

But anything related to discovering or recovering your spark—feeling energized, lit up, and connected to something bigger than yourself—requires stepping outside of the scientifically understood. We cannot data-gather, analyze, and ChatGPT/Claude synthesize our way to alignment.

Here's what woo woo in career design has looked like for real clients (shared with permission, as always):

• A Software Engineer attending sensual dance classes to release stress stored in her body so she can be less reactive at her full-time job and free up more calm, focused energy for her business
• A Chief of Staff doing my values definition exercise during her two-week nature immersion trip so that she could better sense what “resonates” with her, undistracted by the day-to-day noise
• A CTO choosing to reflect on and release the patterns we identified around his tendency to overwork and seek approval that were leading to burnout, during a guided ceremony
• A Product Manager doing a visualization exercise to connect with her grandma who recently passed and realizing what she truly wanted for her was not A+ performance, but joy with her loved ones

If you’ve felt stuck for a while, I’m willing to bet it’s not because you’re not strategic, smart, or hard working enough to figure out what you want and how to get there. My hypothesis (yep, I said it) is that you’ve gotta try something new. It might be time for some woo woo shit.

Intrigued? Shoot me a message if you’re curious about how woo woo may support you.

Spooked? Feel free to unsubscribe 🧙

Onward!
Grace

P.S. I asked my NY-based Physicist brother to proofread this to ensure I don’t get too LA on y’all 🔮