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In this evocative episode of The Mountain in Us, host Taran Singh welcomes Emily—an open-water swimmer, Orcas Island resident, and mushroom cultivator—to explore what it means to find home in the wild embrace of the sea. Against a backdrop of the Salish Sea's shimmering waves, Emily describes the marine life that animates her world: "Otters trotting along the shore, porpoises gliding past, and orcas rising with their dorsal fins—it's a reminder that we share these waters with entire universes." Their conversation begins with geography but quickly dives deeper into the emotional currents that tie us to place.

Emily's journey to open-water swimming began with childhood lessons but transformed during night swims in Lake Washington: "Floating on my back under the stars, I realized water wasn't just a place to move through—it was a space to be." She contrasts the buoyant freedom of saltwater with the primal fear of the unknown, recalling a harrowing moment when a riptide nearly swept her out to sea. "The ocean demands humility," she reflects. "My husband rescued me by kayak, but the lesson stuck: respect the water's power, and it will teach you yours."

The episode's heart lies in Emily's revelation that home isn't a fixed location but a feeling she finds most acutely in the water. "I've lived many places, but only when submerged do I feel truly held," she says. Taran relates this to his connection with mountains, sparking a dialogue about how elemental bonds—to earth, water, sky—can anchor us. Emily laughs, describing her "dirt therapy" (gardening) and "water therapy" (swimming), noting: "We're made of these elements. When we return to them, we remember who we are."

Closing with practical wisdom, Emily urges listeners to cultivate their relationship with water, however small: "Start by dipping your toes. Let the cold shock wake you up." Her parting words resonate long after the episode ends: "The ocean mirrors life—sometimes calm, sometimes raging, but always asking us to show up as we are."

Quotes Highlighted:

1. "We share these waters with entire universes."

2. "Respect the water's power, and it will teach you yours."

3. "When submerged, I feel truly held."

4. "The ocean mirrors life—always asking us to show up as we are."

www.inkofsingh.com