Embodiment Matters Podcast

In this lively episode, we take a conversational wild ride as we speak with author, filmmaker and iconoclast, Jeff Brown, of soulshaping.com. We speak about embodiment (of course!), consumerism preying on the uncentered, conscious armouring, the way embodied humans have a certain quality of gravity, the way he thinks anyone who calls themselves a spiritual teacher is full of shit, how to not throw the holy man out with the bathwater, a new model of yoga or somatic practice, and so much more. Enjoy!

In this episode, Erin speaks with Jungian analyst, dreamworker, and originator of MQ (embodied intelligence), Robert Bosnak. We talk about what embodiment means, about learning from dreams, about animism, about the necessity of taking a multiplicity of perspectives, and toward the end of the episode Bosnak guides us in an embodied exercise working with a memory. We hope you enjoy! If you're inspired to take his course 10-week Course: Going Out Of Your Mind: Get Into Your Intelligent Body and Become More Resilient - you can use the code "happy" for a 10% discount.

In this powerful conversation, we speak with Charles Eisenstein. Charles is a teacher, author, speaker, deep-thinker, and a good-hearted human being who asks great questions. His work challenges many of the deep stories and narratives that modern culture holds around economics, the environment, masculinity and more. His books include Sacred Economics, The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible, and the recently released Climate: A New Story. In this conversation, we cover a wide terrain of topics– looking at the connections between how we relate to the body and how we relate to the natural world; how to look at deeper causes rather than only addressing symptoms when it comes to challenges like climate change, racism, or misogyny. We also talk about the importance of not-knowing; about how to work with burn-out and overwhelm while seeing clearly the reality of our situation. We delve deep into these heavy issues and end up in laughter, hope, and a fresh sense of possibility. Join us!

In this episode, we playfully explore the territory of embodiment and creativity with Karen Wallace, M.Ed. BCATR. We speak about trauma, creativity, play, making things, and so much more. This conversation was so personally enriching for me! Karen has a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with people of diverse backgrounds and ages. She's written a gorgeous book called "There is No Need To Talk About This: Poetic Inquiry from the Art Therapy Studio." Many of her poems are simply stunning and she reads several during our conversation. In her private practice, Karen draws on a wide variety of theories to create an integrative approach. She is client-centered and uses techniques and theories which 'fit' the client. She is a practicing artist and combines theories in a very creative way in her practice to facilitate clients' journeys through change. She embodies a wealth of education and experience. Some of the tools she uses in her work are sand tray, all forms of art making, Focusing, Narrative Therapy, Feminist Therapy, journal and creative writing, movement, Somatic Experiencing techniques, stress reduction techniques, EMDR, meditation techniques and play therapy. She and her husband, Patrick Lewis, have just finished their new book called: Trauma-Informed Teaching through Play, Art, Narrative. You can learn more about Karen and her book(s) at http://www.islandnet.com/~kwallace/ Enjoy!

Micheal Meade, a renowned expert in mythology and cultural traditions, shares profound insights on the relevance of ancient wisdom today. He discusses the concept of 'lunar knowledge' and the importance of embodiment in understanding oneself and nature. Meade emphasizes that rituals are creative rather than repetitive and highlights the idea of embracing our innate genius as original gifts rather than original sins. He encourages personal growth through crises, advocating for authenticity as a means to awaken the soul.

In this episode (our longest yet, and worth every minute!) we have the great pleasure to speak to the inimitable Stephen Jenkinson. Stephen is a teacher, author, storyteller, spiritual activist, farmer and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School. In this conversation, we explore topics such as how to strengthen your "wonder muscle," what it means to be a good ancestor, the importance of dwelling in not-knowing, what learning actually is, the etymology of the word "belonging," the importance of rites of passage and the need for wise elders, becoming permeable and letting the world soften our edges, the simultaneity of longing and peace of mind, living with a broken heart, and more. The conversation closes with Stephen reading a wonderful story from his new book, Come of Age: The Case For Elderhood in a Time of Trouble.

In this episode we talk with Don & Diane St.John. Diane is a somatic counselor, coach and Continuum Teacher. Don is a somatic-relational psychotherapist, Continuum Teacher and author. We explore many topics related to embodiment and relationships. We speak about growing a somatic practice, about cultivating spaciousness, about investing in your own embodied awareness (you have to want to!.) We explore how being more fully embodied impacts our relationships. We speak about the importance of becoming intimate with both self and other and about the necessity of growing our capacity to pay attention in a layered way. We explore ways to take this information into your own relationships, while emphasizing the importance of not "fixing" self or others. We talk about how to be present with our own discomforts and those of others, how to meet reactivity with embodied presence and kindness, about the importance of repair, and the importance of feeling our love and affection in an embodied way. Don and Diane offer a beautiful list of qualities to adopt and qualities to avoid in healthy relationships. We speak about the importance of tracking reactivity, of being a safe place for someone else to share themselves, and about the importance of vulnerability and how it's connected with a willingness to feel what's present in our bodies. We speak about the importance of not pathologizing ourselves and each other, and so much more. We hope you enjoy!

Chandler Stevens is a somatic coach. He's developing and organizing a body of work known as Ecosomatics, which revolves around the connections between body, mind, and environment. In his private coaching practice he focuses on helping environmentally-conscious entrepreneurs get out of chronic pain and restore deep connection of body/mind so that they can tackle our world's biggest problems. In this conversation Chandler and Carl talk about many topics, including functional fitness and natural movement, movement habits and coaching, and the connection of embodiment work and the environment.

In this conversation we speak with Dr. Don St John. Don is a psychotherapist, Hellerwork trainer, and Continuum Practitioner (among many other things,) and he wrote "Healing The Wounds of Childhood: A Psychologist's Journey and Discoveries From Wretched Beginnings to a Thriving Life." Don and his wife, Diane, live and teach in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our conversation stretched through many rich terrains: exploring what it means to embody resilience, how the quality of our tissues reflects our relationship with life, how valuable our embodiment work is for healing and repairing disconnections from early childhood, and much, much more.

In this episode, we speak with the brilliant Bayo Akomolafe about embodiment, non-binary thinking, thoughts on the future of our world, activism, indigeneity, entanglement, and so much more. You're in for a treat!