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On this week’s episode, I’m excited to have the hosts of The Sex Reimagined Podcast joining me, Dr. Willow Brown, a Chinese medicine doctor and Taoist sexologist, and Leah Piper, a Tantra sex expert.
Together, we delve into the intricacies of shame-free, pleasure-forward sexuality by discussing the integration of Tantra and Taoist practices. Dr. Willow and Leah explain the differences between Tantra and Taoism, focusing on how both use sexual energy for healing and spiritual awakening.
We also explore the concept of chakras, how trauma can get stored in the body, and practical methods for using breath, movement, and sound to clear these blockages.
Leah shares her profound personal journey of healing from sexual trauma using Sacred Spot massage, emphasizing self-love and forgiveness techniques. The conversation also highlights the importance of micro-practices and how small, tangible steps can make a significant impact on one's sexual and overall well-being.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Willow and Leah offer resources, courses, and practical advice for anyone looking to explore their sexuality more deeply, making this a must-listen for those interested in spiritual and sexual health. This episode, and the rest of Season 5, can be found on my YouTube channel. Please follow and like to help grow our community.
00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Episode Overview
01:49 Welcoming the Guests: Dr. Willow and Leah
02:55 Exploring Tantra and Taoism
09:19 The Power of Chakras in Healing
25:11 Sensuality and Presence Practices
35:06 Managing Nervous Energy and Stress
36:36 The Importance of Receptivity in Healing
37:02 Introduction to Sacred Spot Practice
37:39 Leah's Personal Journey with Tantra
40:12 Self-Love and Forgiveness Techniques
48:26 Exploring the Sacred Spot and G-Spot
01:00:40 Courses and Resources for Sexual Healing
01:06:11 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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This week I welcome, Alreen Haeggquist, a women's rights advocate, lawyer, and author of, “Fired Up: Fueling Triumph from Trauma.” Alreen discusses her journey to founding her own law firm, which specializes in cases of sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination, with a focus on trauma-informed care.
The conversation explores Alreen's personal story of surviving sexual abuse within her family and how it has shaped her professional and advocacy work. She shares insights on the role of a survivor advocate in her firm, the importance of trauma-informed lawyering, and her transformative gratitude and meditation practices.
Alreen also touches on the impacts of the Me Too movement and the challenges of addressing sexual misconduct in male-dominated fields like medicine and the military. The episode concludes with Alreen providing advice for those considering legal action and emphasizing the importance of taking immediate steps toward healing.
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction
01:51 Meet Alreen Haeggquist: Advocate and Lawyer
02:30 Founding a Female-Centric Law Firm
04:08 The Role of a Survivor Advocate
05:11 Trauma-Informed Lawyering
07:16 Alreen's Memoir: Fired Up, Fueling Triumph from Trauma
09:14 The Healing Journey and Empowerment
18:48 Impact of the Me Too Movement
24:35 Challenges in the Legal System
26:55 Supporting Survivors Through Legal Battles
28:47 Understanding Statute of Limitations for Abuse Cases
29:20 Challenges in Workplace Harassment Cases
30:34 The Impact of High-Profile Cases: Weinstein and Cosby
31:54 Power Dynamics in Medical and Military Fields
34:45 Unveiling Medical Field Abuses: 'At Your Cervix' Documentary
37:39 Writing and Family Reactions During Quarantine
42:22 The Power of Gratitude and Meditation Practices
47:44 Embracing Personal Power and Taking Action
51:10 Conclusion and Staying Connected
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This week we welcome Licensed Therapist, Transformation Coach, and international speaker, Allison Guilbault from Notes From Your Therapist on the LaidOPEN Podcast. Allison and I explore the journey she took on her unique career path from working with the FBI and Rikers Island inmates to her current role as a therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma, and sex/intimacy in New Jersey.
We discuss Allison's experiences in forensic psychology, her transition to private practice, and her passion for helping clients overcome shame and build confidence. The episode delves into the challenges of navigating significant career changes, personal relationships, and the importance of self-care and mindset work.
Allison discusses her recent media presence, including an interview in Time Magazine about loneliness, and highlights the challenges and successes of working in demanding environments. Themes of self-empowerment, navigating difficult transitions, and supportive relationships are explored. Allison also introduces a simple daily practice for fostering self-compassion and positive thinking.
Join Charna and Allison as they explore the transformative power of inner work and resilience.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Allison Guilbault
01:36 Allison's Recent Achievements and Podcasting Journey
02:23 Discussing Loneliness and Post-COVID Isolation
03:54 Allison's Career Shift: From Forensic Psychology to Private Practice
04:48 Navigating Burnout and Major Life Changes
06:55 The Power of Self-Trust and Resilience
15:17 Exploring Shame and Its Impact on Mental Health
18:26 Relationships, Intuition, and Personal Growth
25:45 Shifting Career Focus
25:53 Attracting High-Functioning Clients
26:16 Personal Reflections and Client Work
27:35 Fascination with Forensics
30:19 Experiences at Rikers Island
35:29 Self-Care and Boundaries
45:57 Therapy and Coaching Services
48:37 Daily Practice for Self-Compassion
51:02 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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In this incredibly moving episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna engages in a powerful discussion with Christian Branscombe, who, after being sentenced to life in prison for murder, transformed his life through meditation, reading, and community healing initiatives. This profound experience led him to become an advocate for transformative justice and healing initiatives in the prison system and beyond.
Together they delve into Christian's transformative journey and his work developing prison programs to provide healing. Christian also recounts an emotional courtroom experience highlighting the power of forgiveness in healing from trauma.
A key focus in this episode is on how self-compassion helps free us from our trauma and sham with Christian sharing his insights and experiences on the subject. Overall, the conversation explores the impacts of generational trauma, coping mechanisms, and the steps toward personal and communal transformation. Something we can all use in this highly polarized world we’re living in.
01:00 Guest Introduction: Christian Branscombe
01:43 Christian's Transformative Journey
04:00 The Power of Community and Healing
08:06 Facing Shame and Trauma
10:22 Generational Trauma and Coping Mechanisms
19:54 Buddhism and Finding Purpose in Prison
28:05 Transparency and Accountability in Healing
36:27 The Power of Embodied Wisdom
37:00 Rewiring the Brain Through Physical Practices
37:54 The Role of Somatic Experiences in Healing
38:32 Victim Offender Dialogue: A Transformative Experience
39:06 The Journey from Trauma to Compassion
40:47 The Importance of Self-Acceptance and Compassion
42:28 Balancing Life's Ecosystem
44:07 The Impact of Childhood Trauma
48:16 Forgiveness and Compassion in the Healing Process
55:25 The Role of Community in Healing
01:00:26 Embracing New Experiences for Growth
01:04:58 Defining Freedom Through Interconnection
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Join us on LaidOPEN Podcast as we dive into the world of transformational theatre and healing practices with my sometimes co-host Amy MacClain and her creative partner Molly Kittle. Discover the magic of the collaborative work that’s resulted in their highly anticipated mid-life musical “After The Rainbow,” which will be debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.
Together Molly and Amy discuss their transformational musical about overcoming trauma and finding purpose while detailing their unique backgrounds in experimental theater, social-emotional learning, and music.
Molly and Amy share their journey of finding each other, emphasizing the importance of transformation, play, and collective healing in the work they’ve done, both separately and together, to create their musical.
They also talk about their upcoming participation in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which you can see them at if you live in the UK and includes a performance of the single from “After The Rainbow,”, 'You Are the Light,' highlighting the themes of mutual support and self-recognition.
Tune in for an inspiring discussion on trauma, transformation, and the healing power of art.
00:00 Introduction and Course Announcement
01:00 Introducing Today's Guests: Amy MacLain and Molly Kittle
02:18 Amy and Molly's Journey and Collaboration
03:21 Molly's Background and Path to Transformation
04:58 Amy and Molly's Creative Process
06:56 The Birth of 'After the Rainbow'
07:30 Themes of Transformation and Healing
10:38 The Role of Music in Healing
13:44 Preparing for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
16:12 The Power of Play and Collaboration
21:30 Performing and Sharing the Message
32:37 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell -
Please welcome, Mathew Boudreaux, also known as Mx Domestic to his millions of crafting fans from around the globe. During the pandemic, Mathew’s crafting projects left them with a wide following. However, the interaction they were sometimes having speaking their truth led to conflict on their social media channels. Mathew muses on this while also sharing their transformative healing journey, detailing the emotional and psychological challenges they faced, including childhood PTSD, ADHD, and CPTSD.
They also discuss navigating corporate America while being authentic and the difficulties encountered due to their identity and social stance. Mathew opens up about the impact of trauma, uncovering neurodivergence, and the steps they took to heal. They share personal stories related to family struggles, social issues, and the power of vulnerability.
The conversation also delves into coping strategies for mental health, managing triggers, and the role of art and crafting in their healing journey. The episode emphasizes the significance of self-love, setting boundaries, and creating community connections through shared experiences. Charna and Mathew wrap up by highlighting practical techniques for emotional regulation and the profound impact of parenting with a healed perspective. The episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of mental health, identity, and creativity.
00:00 Introduction to Pathways to Peace Course
01:11 Meet the Guest: Matthew Boudreaux
02:46 Matthew's Healing Journey
04:55 Navigating Corporate America with Authenticity
09:15 The Impact of Trauma and Healing
13:11 Discovering Neurodivergence
16:05 Family Struggles and Personal Growth
31:48 Standing Up for Social Issues
34:23 Navigating Personal Challenges
35:28 Sharing Personal Stories for Impact
35:53 Mental Health Strategies
36:33 Understanding and Managing Triggers
42:22 Sexual Identity and Trauma
46:51 Parenting and Healing
48:35 Practical Techniques for Regulation
01:02:08 The Power of Crafting
01:03:24 Conclusion and Resources
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In this episode of the Laid Open Podcast we welcome Dr. Susan Campbell PhD, an esteemed psychologist and relationship coach who delves deep into the essence of understanding and managing what triggers us in intimate relationships.
Dr. Susan provides practical steps for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and effective communication to foster healthier relationships. Plus, she emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, safety, and understanding attachment styles. Together, Charna and Dr. Susan discuss the profound impact of individual healing on a collective scale.
The episode wraps up with Dr. Susan guiding an exercise on recognizing one’s Trigger Signature and touches on approaches for relational freedom and repair.
00:00 Introduction and Course Announcement
01:18 Introducing Susan Campbell
02:26 Exploring Emotional Triggers and Healing
19:42 Understanding Attachment Styles
26:44 Practicing Self-Regulation and Pausing
37:05 Understanding Attachment Dynamics
37:20 Learning Through Experience
39:27 The Importance of Repair in Relationships
40:22 Compassionate Self-Inquiry
40:44 Addressing Core Fears and Triggers
42:17 Effective Communication and Repair Scripts
48:17 The Role of Radical Honesty
48:59 Creating Safety and Self-Awareness
50:07 Managing Triggers and Repair Timing
53:50 Unilateral Repair and Seeking Reassurance
58:45 When to Seek Third-Party Help
01:00:14 Workshops, Webinars, and Continued Learning
01:02:03 Relational Freedom and Trigger Signature Exercise
01:13:54 Conclusion and Resources
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In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, host Charna Cassell welcomes guest Mark Walsh an embodiment coach and host of The Embodiment Podcast, to discuss their shared history and Mark's extensive work in the field of embodiment and trauma education. He's also the author of Embodiment, Working with the Body in Training and Coaching, and Embodied Meditation. He led The Embodiment Conference (1000 teachers, 500,000 delegates) and has trained over 2000 embodiment coaches in over 40 countries.
Mark, situated near Stonehenge in England, shares insights from his extensive travels and training, including his work with trauma-affected communities in Ukraine. The conversation spans various topics, such as the global rise of social isolation, the impact of technology on mental health, the essential role of humor in trauma work, and the importance of cultural context in embodiment practices.
Mark also shares his personal journey with embodiment, driven by his hyper-intellectual background and a traumatic childhood. The episode concludes with a practical centering exercise and reflections on embodied freedom, emphasizing the importance of awareness and choice in overcoming habitual behaviors.
00:00 Introduction and Reunion
02:10 Mark's Current Endeavors and Thoughts on Society
03:23 Impact of COVID and Technology on Mental Health
08:46 Mark's Work in Ukraine
21:37 The Role of Humor in Trauma Training
26:31 Navigating Cultural Sensitivities
29:08 Managing Vicarious Trauma
31:40 Personal Practices for Well-being
33:43 The Power of Social Media
35:16 Connecting with Mentors
45:30 Embodied Freedom and Choice
47:15 Conclusion and Resources
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In the season 4 finale of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna welcomes Dr. Keesha Ewers, an expert in integrative medicine, functional sexology, and a survivor of autoimmunity induced by trauma. And shares her personal journey from starting as a conventional nurse to exploring alternative healing modalities like Ayurveda, hypnotherapy, and EMDR after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
She illuminates the profound connection between unresolved trauma and physical health, including autoimmune disorders and sexual vitality. The discussion delves deep into the science of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), highlighting the impact of trauma on long-term health and well-being.
Dr. Keesha also discusses the concept of 'libido' as life force vitality and emphasizes the importance of healing and digesting trauma for reclaiming one's full vitality and sexual freedom. The episode encourages personal reflection and offers insights on how to embark on a healing journey with an exercise from Dr. Keesha that teaches how to embrace your inner 'eagle' and live a more embodied and liberated life.
Show Notes
00:00 Welcome to LaidOPEN Podcast with Dr. Keesha Ewers
01:06 Embarking on a Journey of Healing and Transformation
01:23 Dr. Keesha's Personal Battle with Autoimmune Disease
04:55 Discovering the Power of Ayurveda and Yoga
07:34 The Profound Connection Between Trauma and Health
13:57 Exploring the ACE Study and Its Implications
21:56 Navigating Trauma and Its Impact on Health
25:34 Personal Stories of Overcoming and Healing
27:21 The Importance of Self-Care and Boundary Setting
32:39 Embracing Vulnerability and Overcoming Shame
34:12 The Power of Plant Medicine in Healing
35:01 Navigating Life's Developmental Milestones and Achieving Unity Consciousness
35:43 Understanding the Human Condition: From Victim to Perpetrator
36:42 The Journey to Self-Compassion and Liberation
42:26 Exploring Sexual Liberation and Vitality
52:17 The Importance of Play and Embracing Different Perspectives
59:40 Concluding Thoughts on Community, Healing, and Empowerment
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In this latest episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna Cassell speaks with Mariah Freya, a sex coach and founder of Beducated, an online platform for sex education that offers a vast library of resources for pleasure-focused sex education.
Mariah delves into the innovative role of AI technology in revolutionizing sex education, making it more accessible and tailored to individual needs. Highlighting how Beducated’s AI sex coach aids users in navigating their expansive library and provides personalized sex education resources. She also shares the challenges and experiments involved in developing their AI-powered tool.
She also speaks on the challenges of balancing parenthood with entrepreneurship to the transformative power of embracing one's sexuality, this conversation explores the intersections of personal growth, intimacy, and empowerment.
We end this episode with Mariah sharing a mindful shower practice. Join us as we delve into the importance of self-discovery, boundary-setting, and cultivating a sex-positive mindset at any stage of life.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
01:48 Exploring Sexuality and Motherhood
06:25 The Impact of Parenthood on Business
12:55 The Journey of Sexual Empowerment
31:04 The Role of AI in Sex Education
40:09 The Vision for BBeducated
50:20 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
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This week, Charna interviews Brett Chamberlin, the founder and executive director of OPEN, the Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Nonmonogamy. Brett opens by sharing his journey of transitioning from environmental activism to the advocacy for more awareness and legal rights for non-monogamists. This includes anyone who subscribes to relationship designs outside the norm of one man and one woman, including single people.
He also discusses the cultural implications of nonmonogamy, the impact of societal norms, the progressing nonmonogamy movement, and the importance of community, consent, and cooperative living in practicing non-monogamy.
When it comes to having a successful non-monogamous relationship, Brett emphasizes the relevance of developing effective communication skills, having a clear understanding of personal desires, and the establishment of healthier relationships. He calls for the questioning and challenging of the supremacy of monogamous relationships in society and how dismantling this norm will lead to a more inclusive, loving society.
Charna ends the episode by sharing resources for people looking to explore the world of non-monogamy, as well as, an exercise designed to help you focus in on the characteristics and nuances you’re looking for in a partner when choosing a potential mate.
Show Notes
00:04 Introduction of Brett Chamberlin and OPEN
01:09 Brett Chamberlin's Journey to Polyamory Advocacy
03:31 The Birth of OPEN: Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Nonmonogamy
04:09 The Challenges and Privileges of Advocacy
05:38 OPEN's Theory of Change and Advocacy Strategies
11:07 The Reality of Nonmonogamy in America
13:23 The Importance of Visibility and Acceptance
17:22 The Legal Challenges Faced by Nonmonogamous People
28:31 The Role of Polyamory in Broader Human Liberation
35:42 The Liberatory Potential of Non-Monogamy
35:51 The Social and Environmental Impact of Extractive Systems
36:31 The Rise of Social Issues and the Role of Non-Monogamy
38:08 The History and Evolution of Monogamy
38:58 The Impact of Industrial Revolution on Relationship Structures
40:55 The Importance of Relationship Education
50:07 The Role of Media in Normalizing Non-Monogamy
54:43 The Impact of Pandemic on Non-Monogamous Relationships
59:41 The Importance of Self-Acceptance and Authenticity in Relationships
01:00:58 Understanding and Navigating the Complexities of Relationships
01:03:57 Conclusion: The Power of Open Conversations and Community
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Get ready for Valentine's Day with Celeste Moore, a personal image and dating consultant in the latest pre-Valentine's Day episode of LaidOpen Podcast.
In this episode, Celeste offers invaluable guidance for those navigating new beginnings, particularly men who are navigating the complexities of dating post-long-term relationships or marriages. She also explores the importance of communication and authenticity in relationships, strategies for building confidence, and the art of crafting effective digital dating profiles.
Discover how Celeste's experience as a sole parent informs her approach and the invaluable insights she offers for single parents dipping their toes back into the dating pool. From debunking common profile pitfalls to unveiling the top lies men tell online, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration for anyone seeking love in the modern world.
Charna wraps up the episode with a powerful visualization exercise, enhancing focus and attention skills for a more mindful dating experience by pulling one's energies back from the past or future and directing them towards the present moment.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 00:54 Introducing the Guest: Celeste Moore 02:07 Celeste's Journey to Becoming a Dating Coach 04:05 The Challenges of Working with Men and Women 05:13 The Evolution of Celeste's Career 07:08 The Ideal Client for Celeste 08:59 The Challenges of Dating and Image Consulting 09:38 The Importance of Image in Dating 10:30 The Different Types of Clients Celeste Works With 13:44 The Importance of Adventure in Dating 18:35 The Role of Mock Dates in Celeste's Coaching 24:25 The Challenges of Being a Sole Parent 32:51 Parenting and Dating: A Delicate Balance 34:59 The Importance of Timing in Relationships 35:57 Transferable Skills: From Parenting to Dating 37:23 The Power of Collaboration in Personal Growth 38:21 Breaking Communication Barriers 42:21 Building Confidence and Desirability in Dating 53:45 The Art of Online Dating: Profile Dos and Don'ts 59:09 The Journey to Self-Love and Acceptance -
In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast Charna is joined by holistic sex educator and Yoni Mapping therapist, Freya Graf to discuss Freya's approach to dismantling shame and taboos around sexuality. She also explains the practice of Yoni Mapping Therapy, a method she uses to help people with vulvas and vaginas understand their bodies, relationships, and the impacts of trauma.
Additionally, Freya opens up about her personal journey with sexuality, offering a unique perspective on holistic sexual practices. The discussion delves into the realm of sex education, focusing on reconnecting individuals with their bodies, enhancing pleasure, and challenging societal narratives surrounding sex.
The conversation culminates with Graf explaining her exercise, The Seven Gates of Female Arousal, and sharing about her online course 'Queen Out', a guide to Yoni self-massage, de-armoring, multiple orgasms, and the release of trauma and tension.
00:38 Guest Introduction: Freya Graff
02:40 Understanding Yoni Mapping
03:44 The Process of Yoni Mapping Therapy
04:40 The Impact of Yoni Mapping on the Nervous System
08:42 The Importance of Sex Education and Body Reconnection
19:58 The Role of Neurofeedback in Healing
25:21 Personal Journey Towards Sexual Healing
31:32 Acknowledging the Courage to Change
32:24 Healing Ancestral Trauma
34:14 Breaking the Cycle: A Personal Journey
35:33 Family Reactions to Unconventional Career Choices
43:50 Finding a Calling in Yoni Mapping
49:14 The Seven Gates of Female Arousal
55:48 Freya's Online Course "Queen Out" use code LAIDOPENPODCAST to get $100 off.
58:28 Conclusion: The Journey Continues -
Join us this week on LaidOPEN Podcast, for an insightful conversation with certified Human Design expert, Evelyn Levenson.
In this episode, Evelyn shares her journey of discovering Human Design and its profound impact on her life. She recounts how understanding herself as a Projector within Human Design redirected her path from a successful yet unfulfilling business career to a deeper exploration of Human Design's transformative possibilities.
She also sheds light on how uncovering her Human Design type propelled her towards a fulfilling pursuit of assisting others in navigating their unique paths.
Throughout the episode, Evelyn and Charna eloquently break down the fundamental principles of Human Design, using it to illuminate how this system serves as a valuable tool for self-discovery, providing a roadmap for individuals to optimize their choices and live fulfilled, authentic lives.
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Welcome back to LaidOPEN Podcast. Today, we're joined by Aline Ra M., a remarkable spiritual guide sharing her unique journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
At the age of 12, Aline found herself attuned to voices from the other side, an experience that led her to an enigmatic island school off the Brazilian coast, a sanctuary where she began unraveling the mysteries of her gift.
In her late 30s, facing significant discontentment, Aline underwent a profound transformation. She ingeniously blended her mystical knowledge with the profound teachings of Buddhism, creating a practical and meaningful approach to spirituality.
Aline's approach is refreshingly down-to-earth. She doesn't deal in esotericism but offers a practical roadmap to connect individuals directly to their inner divine, integrating spirituality into their everyday lives. She facilitates healing, expansion, and purpose amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Join us as Aline Ra M. shares her journey, delves into the essence of inner magic, and illuminates the path to a deeper connection with the divine within ourselves.
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This week on LaidOpen Podcast I’m joined by renowned somatic expert Staci Haines. Together we delve into transformative methods to mend our fractured society, exploring the power of somatic practices in fostering unity and healing.
Staci and I talk about the journey from individual healing to collective transformation, and unraveling the intersections between somatics and spirituality. We also explore the pivotal shift from fragmentation to wholeness and how to navigate the path from polarization to love through somatic principles.
Listen in as Staci candidly reflects on her evolution as a leader, acknowledging personal limitations while embracing growth, and offering invaluable insights on becoming a more adept authority figure. Plus, we speak on the enigmatic process of healing the collective, activism, and the intricate task of disentangling societal beliefs from the body.
Join us for an episode brimming with wisdom, guidance, and the promise of societal healing through the transformative lens of somatic practices.
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Hey there! Have you ever thought about how we discover ourselves through the different voices we try on in life? I'm excited to share an amazing conversation in this episode where we explore exactly that.
I sit down with Adrienne Shamszad, a talented musician I got introduced to through my friend Ned Buskirk from You're Going To Die. Adrienne's story is truly inspiring—she found her true voice when she began losing it. That struggle led her on a journey to uncover the ways she'd been silenced, and it changed everything for her.
We dive deep into Adrienne's artistic process, how she channels her art, and the mind-body connection in her journey as an artist. But it's more than that; it's about growing up as an artist, finding paths by tapping into something higher, and letting that energy flow through her art.
One thing Adrienne said that stuck with me is, "Suffering can sometimes be this incredible portal in life, pushing us toward awakening or awareness." That hit hard, reflecting on how challenges can shape us in unexpected ways.
Join us as we uncover Adrienne Shamszad's story—a story of resilience, artistry, and the search for authenticity. We'll explore how she found her voice amid life's hurdles and how her journey might resonate deeply with your own.
Come along and let's discover together the transformative power of self-discovery through art and resilience.
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Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou is a New York-based psychoanalyst and therapist with extensive experience with trauma, queerness, gender diversity, and the nuances of consent. In her latest book, “Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia,” Dr. Saketopoulou argues that we have become culturally obsessed with healing trauma and points to the ways traumatized people synthesize their pain.
In her book, she also makes an important distinction between limit and affirmative consent, which we dissect as concepts through art and creative expression at large. This leads to an enriching conversation about the evolution of self, coming out whole after trauma, how trauma brings us into a new awareness and chances who we are fundamentally, and the ever-important question… is trauma ever healed?
We also pull apart the crossover between eroticism and consent, the erotics of racism, and how through traumatic experiences we can unlock our potential as these encounters are not about guarding the self but about risking experience.
In this episode, I have a truly fascinating conversation with Dr. Saketopoulou that begs us each to look at the traumas we’ve experienced, how we can relate to these events, not pathologize them and use them not to master trauma but to rub up against it so it opens us up to encounters with opacity.
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This season, we have been loosely exploring “cancelation” what it means for the canceled person if it works, and how we can integrate the canceled person back into society. This week’s episode continues with that theme and is an extension of our last episode featuring canceled sexuality coach Charlie Glickman.
This episode features Mischa Byruck, a sexual integrity coach who works to support people to live their sex lives in line with their values. He specializes in supporting subjects of public callouts and cancelations and assists over three dozen men to take accountability for sexual harm and return to their lives transformed. He also leads courses and workshops on sexual integrity, kink, and consent. Mischa is also part of Charlie’s accountability team.
Mischa and I explore how we can put preventative systems in place to avoid a power dynamic that prevents people in a passive position from approaching the more powerful person with feedback or notes on unintentional abuses of power. This all starts with an awareness that leaders in a power position (bosses, coaches, teachers) need to acknowledge the lack of power their audience has. Tools like these can help to avoid many harmful situations that result in leaders feeling scrutinized.
We also talk about why, as a society, we wait for harm to occur to establish accountability systems. What if this became the norm? Of course, this takes understanding and acknowledging the power differentials built into our roles, socioeconomic, gender, and race.
We end with an exercise that briefly explains how to somatically navigate defensiveness as it arises and staying present when being called out.
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As a society, we are struggling with how to hold people accountable. The trend of cancel culture is public shaming with the hope that those who are canceled will lose their power and position. Often, they regroup anyway and do the same thing again in a new place and a new community. This is the cycle of abuse at play. This week, I welcome Bay Area sex educator Charlie Glickman on the podcast to talk about being canceled and the self-discovery that unfolded in the multi-year accountability process of healing himself, his relationships, and his place in his community.
While speaking on his experience, Charlie explains how to set up an accountability team, how essential somatic therapy is in rewiring the ways in which we respond when under stress, and how he discovered his own trauma response.
We also talk about the ways that gender role conditioning impacted him, how the patriarchy sets up boys to be divorced from their emotions at a young age, and how this makes it impossible to have the men these boys grow into communicate responsibly until they unlearn the characteristics of toxic masculinity.
Charlie is a case study of how we can approach people whom we need to hold accountable. He also models what can be expected when someone addresses their own trauma. This is an important episode and an even more important topic that we will all need to address if we want to make changes in our society to move forward and end cycles of violence.
- Visa fler