Episode 402: Can You Learn to Read a Space?

Episode 402: Can You Learn to Read a Space?

Episode 402: Can You Learn to Read a Space?
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
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Can space reading be learned, or is it an innate gift?

This week on the Holistic Spaces podcast, we explore a core feng shui question—and the answer is both practical and empowering: space reading is absolutely learnable.

But it isn’t just about memorizing feng shui tools or following a set of rules. It’s about developing observation, intuition, discernment, and practice together.

In this episode, we explore the balance between structure and sensitivity, and how feng shui can be both a system and a living, embodied practice.

We also reframe intuition: not as something you’re simply born with, but as something that can deepen through study, repeated observation, and experience.

We cover: 

  • The difference between learning feng shui tools and how to actually read a space

  • Feng shui as a balance of yin and yang

  • The practical building blocks of reading a space, including the five elements, bagua, forms, shapes, colors, materials, arrangements, and rituals

  • Feng shui guidelines work best as perspectives and tools, not rigid prescriptions

  • The value of lineage, community, and learning from teacher to student as part of developing feng shui fluency
    …and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

Time Stamps For This Episode:

[1:02] Reading a space: tools and observation
[2:11] Yin and yang in feng shui practice
[4:44] Learning the foundational feng shui tools
[6:18] Developing “yin yang eyes” through practice and community
[7:26] Guidelines, frameworks, and learning to listen
[9:45] The observation skills behind reading a space
[10:52] Skill versus intuition
[12:34] The answer: yes, reading a space can be learned
[14:45] Closing thoughts and upcoming offerings

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Episode 401: Feng Shui Qi Forecast: October 2026

Episode 401: Feng Shui Qi Forecast: October 2026

Episode 401: Feng Shui Qi Forecast: October 2026
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
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🍁Happy (to those in the Northern hemisphere) Autumn!!!🍂

 A new month means a new qi forecast, and this episode covers the shift into October through the lens of feng shui. October marks a continued transition into the darker, quieter part of the year. The energy of autumn is contracting as qi returns to the earth. Trees shed their leaves, plants die back, and the cycle of growth comes toward completion. We explain autumn’s energy, what the solar terms and moon phases mean for the month, and how to work with the autumnal energy. Plus, Anjie offers an I ching reading for the Holistic Spaces listener community and we share a list of auspicious days for each of the Chinese zodiac animal

We cover: 

  • October marking the shift from autumn into darker, quieter yin energy

  • The month’s solar terms

  • The season’s invitation for completion, release, and ancestor remembrance

  • October as the Month of the Dog, with supportive and challenging zodiac pairings

  • Ways to align with October’s energy

  • An I Ching reading for the Holistic Spaces listener community
    …and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

Time Stamps For This Episode:

[1:41] October’s seasonal energy
[3:23] Solar terms: Cold Dew and Frost Descent
[7:16] New moon and full moon reflections
[9:25] Chinese zodiac forecast for October
[11:47] Auspicious dates for each zodiac animal
[12:18] Simple ways to align with October’s qi
[15:06] I Ching reading: Fire over Lake
[19:13] Embracing opposition and yin–yang balance
[23:24] Practical feng shui applications for the month
[26:17] Honoring ancestors and trying something new
[27:30] Closing and upcoming offerings

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Episode 400: Simple Rituals for Autumn Equinox

Episode 400: Simple Rituals for Autumn Equinox

Episode 400: Simple Rituals for Autumn Equinox
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
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This week we celebrate episode 400 (!!!) with a seasonal conversation about the autumn equinox and its meaning in feng shui practice. We explore the shift from expansive yang energy toward quieter yin energy and share three practical rituals to help align your home and habits with the season. We discuss why this turning point matters in both nature and home practice, then offer three simple rituals to help you gather, simplify, and reset for the months ahead. Tune in for practical, seasonal ways to align your spaces and energy with the rhythm of the year.

We cover: 

  • The equinox signaling the transition into autumn in the Northern Hemisphere

  • The seasonal change and its connection to feng shui fundamentals, including the five elements, the bagua, and the movement between yin and yang

  • Autumn as a season of harvest, gathering, preserving, and preparing for winter

  • The metal element energy as a symbol of contracting, refining, clarifying, completing, and letting go

  • Three simple feng shui rituals to welcome the autumn
    …and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

Time Stamps For This Episode:

[01:40] Welcoming the autumn equinox
[04:02] Harvest, gratitude, and seasonal reflection
[05:43] Feng Shui, yin-yang, and the Metal element
[10:19] Ritual 1: Harvest and winter preparation
[13:31] Ritual 2: Let go and simplify your home
[16:14] Ritual 3: A Metal element sound ritual
[18:33] Autumn’s invitation: reflect, release, and carry forward
[19:39] Closing and ways to stay connected

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Order our book Mindful living here

Episode 399: A Conversation with Anjie & Katherine

Episode 399: A Conversation with Anjie & Katherine

Episode 399: A Conversation with Anjie & Katherine
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
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What does it really mean to become a feng shui teacher? In this episode, we’re joined once again by our dear friend Katherine Metz for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation about our experiences as feng shui teachers—and what it takes to move from learning the foundations to truly embodying the practice.

We also discuss the Pure Professor program, our offering for deeper study and mentorship designed for everyone from feng shui certification graduates to experienced practitioners who are ready to take their work to the next level.

We discuss the importance of long-term mentorship, meaningful teacher-student relationships, and ongoing access to senior guidance can be so transformative. Because becoming a great practitioner isn’t just about learning more—it’s about having the support, perspective, and guidance to turn knowledge into lived expertise.

We cover: 

  • Katherine's role as an archivist of Professor Lin Yun’s teachings

  • The crucial nature of learning within a lineage

  • The importance of cultivated wisdom

  • The everlasting value of a mentor relationship

  • The joys of teaching feng shui

  • How experienced feng shui practitioners can continue to learn and grow
    ...and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

Time Stamps For This Episode:

[07:38] Why lineage matters
[10:27] Structure, freedom, and following a path
[12:58] How practice deepens over time
[15:32] Growing through experience
[17:53] Feng shui as a broader life practice
[20:28] What newer practitioners can miss
[22:38] Following qi, intuition, and the moment
[25:02] Mastery as an ongoing practice
[39:15] “Simply show up”
[42:13] What changes with deeper study
[46:04] What can’t be learned from a book
[49:40] What experienced practitioners are seeking
[57:05] The joy and responsibility of teaching
[63:35] Moving beyond a plateau
[68:20] Closing invitation and upcoming offerings

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Order our book Mindful living here

Episode 398: Metal Element: A Conversation with Katherine Metz

Episode 398: Metal Element: A Conversation with Katherine Metz

Episode 398: Metal Element: A Conversation with Katherine Metz
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
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Listen on Spotify

In this episode, we continue our five elements series with a conversation about metal and its connection to autumn. We are once again joined by our mentor, feng shui master teacher Katherine Metz, to explore metal as wisdom, refinement, right action, and the ability to let go with precision and grace.

Together, we move beyond the idea that metal is simply rigid or controlling. We discuss its quieter, yin qualities: reflection, joy, completion, clarity, and the wisdom that develops through life experience.

We cover: 

  • Metal as the element of wisdom and how hardship can reveal valuable insight

  • Metal’s qualities of clarity, precision, refinement, structure, and right action

  • Metal’s relationship to letting go, including releasing regrets, outdated habits, and things that no longer serve us

  • Metal’s role in communication, advocacy, and using language that is clear, precise, and considerate.

    …and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

Time Stamps For This Episode:
[05:39] What metal means in feng shui
[06:59] Metal as color, shape, material, and quality
[09:34] Metal as wisdom and clearer expression
[16:15] Metal in the five-element system
[21:44] Metal as alchemy and filtration
[22:54] Joy, wonder, and curiosity as metal qualities
[24:42] Reviewing, refining, and reconnecting in autumn
[28:20] Gratitude, harvest, and releasing attachment
[31:33] Grief, sadness, and the work of letting go

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Order our book Mindful living here

Episode 397: Feng Shui Qi Forecast: September 2026

Episode 397: Feng Shui Qi Forecast: September 2026

Episode 397: Feng Shui Qi Forecast: September 2026
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
Watch on Youtube
Listen on Spotify

After a monthlong break, we are back with a new episode! A new month means a new qi forecast, and this episode covers the shift into September through the lens of feng shui, seasonal qi, and the metal element. We explain how autumn’s energy moves toward yin, what the solar terms and moon phases mean for the month, and how to work with change, completion, and letting go. Laura offers a tarot reading for the Holistic Spaces listener community and we share a list of auspicious days for each of the Chinese zodiac animals.

We cover: 

  • September as a gradual shift into autumn, with yin energy increasing as summer’s yang begins to fade

  • The first solar term, White Dew on September 7, signaling cooler mornings, condensation, and the start of the metal season

  • The autumnal equinox on September 22, marking the midpoint of autumn, when day and night balance before yin takes over more fully

  • The new moon on September 11 supports rest, reflection, and setting intentions around clarity, completion, and release

  • The full moon on September 26 is the Harvest Moon, a traditional time for gathering, finishing work, and preparing for colder months.

  • September as the month of the rooster in the Chinese calendar

  • Auspicious days for each of the zodiac animals, as well as a Po day

  • A tarot reading for the Holistic Spaces community

…and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

Time Stamps For This Episode:

[03:31] Autumn energy begins to settle in
[05:25] White Dew and the early September solar term
[07:19] Autumnal equinox and the midpoint of autumn
[08:47] New moon themes: rest, reflection, and release
[09:41] Harvest Moon and what to complete before winter
[13:42] The rooster month and September’s astrological influences
[14:49] Po Days and why September 15 calls for caution
[15:34] The metal season, letting go, and the bagua area of completion
[17:15] A tarot reading for the Holistic Spaces community
[18:04] Using the five element colors for support
[21:31] Simple feng shui ways to work with the month
[22:37] Easy DIY ways to bring all five elements into one space

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Order our book Mindful living here

Episode 396: The Best of Holistic Spaces: 5 Easy Ways to Feng Shui Your Kid's Bedroom

Episode 396: The Best of Holistic Spaces: 5 Easy Ways to Feng Shui Your Kid's Bedroom

Episode 396: The Best of Holistic Spaces: 5 Easy Ways to Feng Shui Your Kid's Bedroom
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
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We are digging into our archives and sharing four of our most popular and asked about episodes from the past decade. With almost 400 conversations about feng shui and creating nurturing spaces, these are some of the episodes that have most resonated with our listeners and we are delighted to revisit them. Every Monday in August will feature a “best of” episode!

Since we’re entering the back-to-school season, we wanted to share a few ways you can support kids through feng shui. In this episode, we’re sharing 5 simple ways you can use feng shui in your kid’s bedroom to help set them up for success.

We cover: 

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Order our book Mindful living here

Episode 395: The Best of Holistic Spaces: Feng Shui Basics

Episode 395: The Best of Holistic Spaces: Feng Shui Basics

Episode 395: The Best of Holistic Spaces: Feng Shui Basics
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
Watch on Youtube
Listen on Spotify

We are digging into our archives and sharing four of our most popular and asked about episodes from the past decade. With almost 400 conversations about feng shui and creating nurturing spaces, these are some of the episodes that have most resonated with our listeners and we are delighted to revisit them. Every Monday in August will feature a “best of” episode!

In this episode, we’re defining five fundamental feng shui terms. Whether you are totally new to feng shui or you’re a long-time listener, it’s important to understand these essential concepts that form the foundation of a feng shui practice. If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free Feng Shui Basics course!

We cover:

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Order our book Mindful living here

Episode 394: The Best of Holistic Spaces: Your Feng Shui Color Profile

Episode 394: The Best of Holistic Spaces: Your Feng Shui Color Profile

Episode 394: The Best of Holistic Spaces: Your Feng Shui Color Profile
Anjie Cho & Laura Morris, Mindful Design
Watch on Youtube
Listen on Spotify

We are digging into our archives and sharing four of our most popular and asked about episodes from the past decade. With almost 400 conversations about feng shui and creating nurturing spaces, these are some of the episodes that have most resonated with our listeners and we are delighted to revisit them. Every Monday in August will feature a “best of” episode!

On this week’s episode we are exploring an exercise from our new book, Mindful Living: A guide to the everyday magic of feng shui, in which we recommend colors as supportive elements based on individual Nine Star Ki numbers. Nine Star Ki is an ancient form of astrology that is intertwined with the five elements, the bagua, and the I Ching. Your Nine Star Ki can help you to better understand your personal energy and how you can support it. Understanding how color can support this energy is vital and FUN way to support this energy!

What we talk about in this episode:

  • How to calculate your Nine Star Ki

  • The different earth elements associated with each number

  • Your color profile and how to work with it

  • Archetypes associated with each number/color profile

    and much more

Mentioned in this episode:

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to sign up for our mailing list so that you can take our upcoming free workshops and giveaways!

Register for our free & on-demand Feng Shui plant workshop, available for a limited time

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Order our book Mindful living here