In this heartfelt reunion, Laura reconnects with Geri Esposito, her former manager at Citibank and one of the earliest catalysts on her spiritual path. What begins as a conversation about their shared professional history evolves into a profound exploration of intuition, spiritual awakening, and life-altering choices.
Geri shares how a spontaneous yoga class in the 1960s set her on a lifelong journey of meditation, healing, and inner work, long before such practices were mainstream. Laura reflects on how Geri’s invitation to a retreat became a turning point in her own life, even before she understood its full significance.
Together, they explore how quiet nudges and synchronicities shape our paths, how identity evolves through career transitions, and what it means to surrender to signs, even when the road ahead is unclear. This episode is a beautiful reminder that the right teachers appear when we’re ready, and their impact can last a lifetime.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Geri Esposito is a lifelong seeker and spiritual practitioner whose journey began in the yoga studios of 1960s New York. A former Vice President at Citibank, Geri left behind her corporate identity to become a massage therapist, reflexologist, and teacher of yoga and SoulCollage® for seniors. She brings a wealth of embodied wisdom, humor, and heart to her story, illustrating what it means to live a life guided by inner knowing and spiritual integrity.
Resources & Links
The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch by Dora Kunz and Dolores Krieger, Ph.D., R.N.
Spiritual Healing by Dora ven Gelder Kunz, featuring Larry Dossey, M.D., Bernie Siegel, M.D.
Therapeutic Touch the work of Dolores Krieger, Ph.D., R.N.
Integral Yoga Institute https://iyiny.org/
Music Featured
The music in each episode of Surrendering to the Signs has been carefully curated to enhance the episode, below is a list of all tracks featured.
List of Music
Saggie, Steven Beddall & Jenny Penkin - Easy to Love
Onyx Music - Parallel Dimension
Maya Belsitzman & Matan Ephrat - Scene 3 - Want to Dance
Leroy Wild feat Blythe Cas - Around The World
James Forest - Beautiful Day for the Road
Tamuz Dekel - Tamuz Dekel Evanescent
Saggie, Steven Beddall & Jenny Penkin - Easy to Love Instrumental
In this intimate and heart-led conversation, Laura reconnects with long-time friend, collaborator, and fellow seeker Sarah Nicotra to explore the magic of “surrendering to the signs.” From hawks circling overhead to a lone sparrow nesting above her shoulder, Sarah shares how nature’s messengers have guided her through seasons of creativity, rest, and personal healing.
Together, they reflect on the importance of noticing subtle signs, honoring life’s natural cycles, and allowing quiet periods to be part of the spiritual journey. This episode is a gentle reminder that guidance doesn’t always arrive as a dramatic burning bush—it can be a whisper, a nudge, or a bird’s song at just the right moment.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
How Sarah first connected with Laura through a shared hawk encounter
The personal meaning hawks and other birds hold in Sarah’s spiritual practice
A touching story of a “rare bird” that became a companion
Why periods of silence can be as meaningful as obvious signs
The healing power of listening to birdsong and attuning to nature’s rhythm
Letting go of constant productivity to embrace rest, trust, and natural flow
About Sarah
Sarah Nicotra is a long-time collaborator with Laura Gates and Gates Group Consulting, where she has worked behind the scenes organizing, strategizing, and executing projects. She brings experience in corporate, government and the healthcare industry as a project manager, UX designer, executive and wellness coach, legal assistant and spiritual Care Coordinator. Sarah holds two Master’s degrees in Transpersonal Psychology and Organization Management. Her mission is to help businesses transform their visions with impact, using innovative approaches, including AI, to deliver value.
Resources & Links
Connect with Laura on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/surrenderingtothesigns/
and the shows website at https://surrenderingtothesigns.com/
Music Featured
The music in each episode of Surrendering to the Signs has been carefully curated to enhance the episode, below is a list of all tracks featured.
Assaf Ayalon - Lullaby
Eldar Kedem - I See
James Forest - Endless Song
Luc Allieres - LA BELLA CAFE
LUMINAR - Circle
Maya Pacziga - August 16th
Saggie - Easy to Love - Instrumental version
Saggie - Easy to Love
Shahead Mostafafar - Golden Diamond
In this deeply personal and profoundly moving episode, host Laura Gates sits down with her father, Bob Gates, for a heart-opening conversation about awakening, personal transformation, and the art of surrender. What begins as a talk about “nothing” unfolds into a rich exploration of spiritual evolution, inner healing, and the power of self-awareness.
Together, Laura and Bob reflect on generational patterns, painful transitions, and the moments of grace that have shaped their lives. With warmth and candor, Bob shares his journey from unconscious living to inner awakening through therapy, meditation, art, and the slow unveiling of a deeper truth. Their dialogue gently weaves personal stories with universal wisdom, offering a glimpse into the transformative power of turning inward.
This episode is an invitation to embrace the messiness of the human journey and to trust that even our darkest moments can lead us back to ourselves.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Resources & Links
Connect with Laura on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/surrenderingtothesigns/
and the shows website at https://surrenderingtothesigns.com/
Books mentioned
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
The Experience of Insight by Joseph Goldstein
Music Featured
The music in each episode of Surrendering to the Signs has been carefully curated to enhance the episode, below is a list of all tracks featured.
List of Music
Adi Goldstein - Solar Flare
Adi Goldstein - Tear Away
Amos Ever Hadani - Evolution
Ben Winwood - Intimacy
Daniel Pratt - This Is My Love for You - Instrumental version
Dear Gravity - Horizon
Flint - Experience Sonder
Jamie Rutherford - For Old Times
mee - Bathtub of a Monk
Vladislav Kurnikov - Seen the Light
In this soul-stirring solo debut, host Laura Gates sets the tone for Surrendering to the Signs by sharing her personal journey through transitions, synchronicities, and the spiritual nudges that shaped her path. As an executive coach and lifelong seeker, Laura reflects on how life’s turning points from job changes and travel adventures to deep loss and intuitive awakenings, have guided her toward a more meaningful existence.
She introduces the concept of “walking the mystical path with practical feet,” inviting listeners into a conversation that bridges the spiritual and the everyday. From signs in nature to the importance of honoring our zone of genius, Laura offers insight into how we can each begin to attune to life’s whispers and follow our inner knowing.
This foundational episode is both an invitation and a call to courage, a reminder that the universe is speaking to us, if only we’re willing to listen.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Resources & Links
Connect with Laura on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/surrenderingtothesigns/
Books mentioned
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
The Awakened Brain by Lisa Miller
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Music Featured
The music in each episode of Surrendering to the Signs has been carefully curated to enhance the episode, below is a list of all tracks featured.
List of Music
Saggie, Steven Beddall & Jenny Penkin - Easy to Love Modern Aquatic - Anthonys Song - Instrumental Just for Kicks - Cup o JoeNovembers - Whats Real Phury - RainyBeò - This Life of Time (Only Keys Strings and Vocals)
