Episodes
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Jeff is a percussionist, composer, recording engineer, researcher, and adult living with ADHD. Jeff is the Director of the Strong Institute - an auditory brain stimulation research organization - and Brain Stim Audio - an interactive brain stimulation music site. He has written 8 books and published dozens of research articles about music and the brain, particularly as it applies to autism and ADHD.
In this enlightening conversation, we explore the intersection of drumming, neuroscience, and alternative healing practices. Our discussion covers a wide range of topics, from Jeff's personal journey with ADHD to the neurological benefits of drumming, and from ancient shamanic practices to modern applications of rhythm-based therapies.
Highlights:
Neurological Benefits of Drumming: Jeff's research reveals how specific drumming frequencies can synchronize brain waves, potentially aiding individuals with ADHD, autism, and sleep disorders. Shamanic Practices and Altered States: The conversation delves into the historical roots of shamanic drumming and its ability to induce altered states of consciousness, drawing parallels with psychedelic experiences. Therapeutic Applications: We discuss the potential of drumming in trauma healing, addiction recovery, and as a calming technique for various conditions. Cultural Context and Integration: We explore the cultural significance of drumming practices and the potential for integrating these techniques with modern medicine and wellness approaches. Personal Experiences and Critical Perspectives: We share their personal experiences with medication, Western medicine's approach to mental health, and alternative therapies, offering critical insights into current treatment paradigms.You can find Jeff at at
Stronginstitute.com @jeffstrongdrumsMusic by my brother Olivier Messager
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In this episode, I interview Leonie Dawson. Leonie is an Australian author, entrepreneur, and business coach. an internationally best-selling author of the My Brilliant Year workbooks. I like to refer to her as a neurodivergent sweary rainbow unicorn business goddess. Join us as we explore themes such as mental health, self-care, embracing authenticity, and the power of vulnerability in personal and professional growth. Listening to Leonie’s story is a masterclass in prioritising your well-being, embracing your multi-passions, and overcoming societal conditioning to live your most authentic life.Highlights of the episode include:Navigating Mental Health Challenges: Leonie shares her personal journey with mental health, offering practical strategies for self-care, managing neurodivergence, and seeking professional support when needed.Balancing Work and Life Priorities: Leonie shares the art of finding harmony between professional ambitions and personal values, addressing the importance of setting boundaries, avoiding burnout, and aligning your work with your core priorities.Embracing Authenticity and Vulnerability: The discussion centres on the power of authenticity in business, marketing, and personal growth, emphasising the healing and transformative nature of vulnerability and sharing one's true voice with the world.Completing Creative Projects: Leonie shares her insights on the process of completing creative projects, discussing the personal growth that comes from finishing and sharing one's work, and overcoming the barriers of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.Empowering Underrepresented Voices: Leonie shines a light on the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities, such as women, people of colour, and the LGBTQIA+ community, and encourages listeners to challenge societal conditioning and embrace their authentic selves.You can find Leonie at at https://leoniedawson.com/@leonie_dawson
Like this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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A spiritual guide dedicated to women's empowerment, Rachael facilitates circles, workshops and healing sessions. From menarche to menopause, she creates sacred spaces honouring life's transitions. Based in West Wales surrounded by nature, her multifaceted work helps others awaken to their authentic power.
In this interview we cover a wide range of topics centred around empowering women, embracing self-care, exploring spiritual practices, and finding healing through various modalities. We discussed the importance of cultural rituals, women's circles, and reclaiming practices like drumming that have historically been taken away from women. We emphasise the need for continuous self-reflection when engaging in these practices. Rachael shares personal experiences with struggles like addiction, cancer, and finding purpose through helping others. This conversation also focuses on the significance of energy management, self-care practices, and celebrating women's achievements.
Highlight Points:
Embracing diversity and multifacetedness: Rachael encourages others to embrace and showcase their diverse skills and interests, reflecting her own journey of self-discovery and exploration of various healing modalities.
Prioritising energy management and self-care for women: Both Rachael and Sophie stress the importance of women prioritising their energy levels and engaging in self-care practices to align their work with their passions and well-being.
The power of women's circles and cultural rituals: we discuss the transformative impact of women's circles and the need to reclaim cultural rituals surrounding significant life events like motherhood, menopause, and childbirth, which can create a sense of belonging and empowerment for women.
Drumming as a healing and empowering practice: Rachael shares her experiences of how drumming has helped women rediscover their power and confidence, while Sophie explains how drumming as a safer alternative to psychedelics for achieving heightened states of consciousness and interrupting negative thought patterns.
Exploring alternative healing modalities: we touch on various techniques for achieving heightened states of mind, and reflect on exploring different paths to healing and personal growth.
You can find Rachael at at
rachaelcrow.co.uk @rachael__crowLike this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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As a visionary, and inspired by Layne Redmond's Mob of Angels, she created Moonrise: Daughters of an Ancient Pulse and DrumRise! The Art of Women's Drumming, where women experienced transformation through sisterhood, by sharing the drum with one another and in the greater community. Women, Rhythm & Ritual and The Tambourine Path are recent incarnations of her ancient future wisdom teachings. With her husband and partner in all things, Jeff Hanna, she's co-owner of The Rhythm Inlet and The Ukulele Place music retail stores and teaching studios (which morphed in 2022).
Barbara's been sharing the joys of rhythm and movement, hand-drumming and dance, in her award-winning programs full-time for 30 years, and has facilitated hundreds of groups and thousands of people, of all ages, abilities and challenges, in over 400 venues and in 13 states. She also teaches online.
In this episode we have wide-ranging discussion covering various topics related to drumming, music, dance, education, cultural traditions, and empowering women. We explore the therapeutic benefits of participatory rhythm and movement practices across different cultures. We also discussed Sophie's upcoming book project, share resources and wisdom from influential figures like Lane, and delved into the complexities of respectfully sharing cultural knowledge. Throughout our conversation, we exchange insights from our experiences and highlight the value of collaboration in drumming.
Highlights include:
We discuss shared interests in education, dance, yoga, and various wisdom traditions focused on the transformative power of rhythm and movement practices. We explore the origins and development of 5Rhythms dance, the importance of cultural exchange through playful learning, and the universal appeal of drumming across cultures. We highlight the universality of participatory music and dance for connecting people, fostering community, while emphasising respect for cultural origins We share experiences using drumming therapeutically to promote relaxation, release, self-awareness, facilitate multigenerational gatherings, and encourage cultural sensitivity. We discuss the value of participatory drum circles, the significance of repetition in learning, and creating judgement-free spaces for expressive drumming and dancing.Can you listen to the episode on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcast
You can find Barbara at
Barbaragail.com @barbaragaildrumdanceLike this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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In this Episode I interview Melonie Syrett. Melonie, known as The Drum Woman, creates commissioned and channelled drums, leads drum circles and conventions, holds drum birthing workshops and retreats, teaches facilitator training, and guides drum-based sacred site expeditions.
In this episode, we explore the transformative power of drumming for empowerment and self-expression, particularly for women. Melonie shares her inspirational journey from teaching to professional drum-making and facilitating. We delve into Melonie's perspectives on drum circles as judgment-free spaces for presence, community, and personal growth.
Melonie, known as The drum woman, was called to drumming in 2012. Though she didn't realise it then, the drums came into her life to create positive change for herself and others. She left her career as a primary school teacher in 2017 to fully embrace the path of drumming she felt drawn to. Now Melonie creates commissioned and channelled drums, leads drum circles and conventions, holds drum birthing workshops and retreats, teaches facilitator training, and guides drum-based sacred site expeditions.
We have a wide-ranging conversation about the significance of drumming, especially for female empowerment and self-expression. We discuss Melonie's journey from teaching to becoming a full-time drum maker, facilitator and organiser of drumming events. The challenges of career transitions were explored, as well as the importance of balancing work with menstrual cycles. They talked about Melonie's experiences organising a major women's drumming convention and her plans for more events. The transformative power of drum circles was emphasised as a space for judgement-free self-expression and personal growth.
Highlights Include
Melonie share her journey from teaching to professional drumming, making her own drums, and organising drumming events. We discuss the challenges faced when transitioning from teaching careers to new opportunities. Melonie finds scheduling work around her menstrual cycle improves productivity and wellbeing. How organising a 150-person women's drumming convention was daunting financially but created an incredible community spirit. How drum circles offer a powerful space for self-expression, presence, and personal transformation.Can you listen to the episode on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcast
You can find Melonie at
Thedrumwoman.com @thedrumwomanLike this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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In this episode, I interview Hollie Hope. Hollie is a mother, grandmother and an integrative healing arts practitioner, intuitive oracle and master of sacred sound. She has been supporting the community for the last 17 years through releasing traumas and distortions we hold with ourselves and teaching others how to open and activate their spiritual gifts and embracing their own feminine sensual embodiment.
Through techniques cultivated through healing her own lifetime of trauma and abuse she offers wisdom how to incorporate sacred sound when healing the mind, the physical body and the emotional body to assist in activating the most potent parts of our own uniqueness and our own master healer within ourselves.
In this episode, we explore Hollie’s journey into drumming as a sacred healing practice and its scientifically-backed benefits for stress relief, empowerment, emotional release, and trauma recovery, especially among women.
Highlights include:
Hollie’s journey into drumming after being invited to join a Native American drum circle. Despite initial hesitation, she experienced an emotional and physical connection to drumming.
How drumming became a self-healing tool for Hollie during a difficult time, helping her manage emotions and find stability. She evolved from personal use to teaching and making drums for others.
How drumming ceremonies facilitate healing, self-connection and emotional release for women by reopening dormant or stagnant parts.
Stories of using drum ceremonies to help two women release negative emotions/experiences and regain control and empowerment.
Research on drumming's benefits for trauma therapy by allowing expression of emotions and trauma release.
How drumming can release trauma stored in the body's cells.
How drumming can induce relaxing alpha brain waves to counter excessive stress-induced beta waves in modern life.
How drumming aids meditation, stress relief, emotional regulation, and self-expression by connecting the body and mind.
Hollie’s new book, The Sacred Healing Drum
You can find Hollie at
Holliehope.com @hollie.hopeLike this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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In this episode I interview Alexia Leachman is a mindset coach, digital strategist, entrepreneur, author and speaker.
Alexia is the creator of Head Trash Clearance, a transformative healing method that emerged from her personal journey to overcome her extreme fear of pregnancy and childbirth (tokophobia). Her courageous efforts to heal herself during her pregnancy led Alexia to ditch her planned c-section for a remarkable home birth. She then focused on helping other women overcome their fears through her "Fear Free Childbirth" podcast, self-healing products and programs, and by developing her innovative Head Trash Clearance method. With her background in branding and passion for empowering people to heal anxiety, depression and OCD, Alexia aims to build a global mental health and resilience brand to make healing accessible, enjoyable and efficient.
In this episode, Alexia shares her journey in healing her fear of birth, how she started by helping others doing the same and then using her head trash clearance method to support people with their mindset, mental health, and increase their level of consciousness.
Key topics include: challenges within the Western medical system in treating mental health; the influence of parenting on children; Alexia's unique emotional mapping method; and her plans to launch a trauma-healing program.
After an unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage, Alexia developed a debilitating fear of childbirth (tokophobia). Though she created a self-help method, her midwife dismissed her anguish. By trusting her body and bonding with her baby, Alexia found freedom from her terror. She also questioned the overmedicalization of birth.
Alexia and Sophie challenged the growing technological influence over fertility and childbirth for neglecting personalized care. Though scheduled for an induction, Alexia achieved an intervention-free birth through advocacy. They considered life phases like motherhood potential openings for healing.
Seeking Alternative Treatment
Alexia shared an effective alternative technique she uses to treat deep-seated fears like tokophobia by shifting mindsets. They stressed meeting people where they are without judgment. They also debated ways to make therapy more accessible.
Importance of Conscious Parenting
Alexia asserted unconscious parenting can unintentionally harm children. She emphasized mindfully preparing for a baby with practices from her book “Fearless Birthing.”
Understanding Emotions
Alexia emphasized evaluating distress intensity by numbering it and learning self-soothing skills. Her “Mind-Body” method combined mantras, acupressure and visualization to release emotions.Cataloguing Personal Growth
Alexia's “conker” model utilized concepts like a “trash ladder” to represent emotional maturation. These metaphors catalogue one’s journey from turbulence toward tranquility.
You can find Alexia at https://alexialeachman.com/ and @@alexia_headtrashLike this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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In this episode, I interview Aimee Hamblyn.
Aimee is a doula, doula trainer, and Energy-Lift Healer, who is fascinated by how bringing the body into deep peace facilitates healing.
Aimee helps clients heal past traumas, clear negative thought patterns, uplift their energy field, and experience transformative changes by connecting with their inner wisdom and power.
In this episode, Aimee shares her spiritual journey and healing abilities, discussed energy therapy practices, the concept of reclaiming wounded parts of self, and techniques like cord cutting to support clients in their growth.
Highlights include:
Aimee discusses her spiritual journey and influences, including her upbringing, exposure to various religions, a pivotal trip to India, and her father's passing.
We explore different types of healing abilities, with Aimee sharing about her clairvoyant visual abilities that have evolved over time.
We discuss the concept of Ignite Your Spirit therapy that involves meditation, visualization, and clearing/filling the energy body to tune into one's intuitive languages.
Aimee introduces the idea of reclaiming wounded parts of oneself and integrating them into the present as part of the healing process.
We talk about a cord cutting practice to detach from emotional ties with others one is no longer willing to carry. Aimee incorporates this into her work with clients.
You can find Aimee at www.aimeehamblyn.co.uk and @aimee_hamblyn_healing
Like this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
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In this episode, I interview Laura Leongomez, a priestess-witch, mother, and doula. Laura is a workshop facilitator and trainer; a writer, artist, massage and song therapist from Colombia living and working in Pembrokeshire. We discuss Trance as our birthright, exploring altered states of consciousness during birth and other rites of passage.
Highlights of this episode include:
What is Trance. Trance in daily life and as a bridge between our individual self and the universe or spirit world.
The fear of trance in the modern world, including the historical punishment for being "crazy," "weird," or "powerful," which has led to a widely-held fear of these states in modern society.
The fear our society has of the potential power of uninterrupted birth and the trance that is meant to occur during birth, and how this often leads to unnecessary interference.
Community-Led Trance Work and Holistic Healing, including singing, dancing and drumming
Laura’s experience of holistic practises in Colombia versus the UK, in particular her learning from traditional midwifery in Colombia
Can you listen to the episode on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcast
You can find Laura on Instagram at
@whiteowltherapies
@dark.madre
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In this episode, I am interviewed by Bridget Supple from the International Journal of Birth and Parent education about the article I published in the journal about drumming and birth.
Highlights of this episode include:
Complementary therapies for birth and the myth of evidenced based maternity care
What brought me to postpartum care and to drumming
The benefits of drumming during pregnancy and birth
How maternity care interrupts the birth trance
My most memorable experience using drumming during birth
How drumming can help in the current state of maternity care
You can find the article Drumming for birth: Why drumming is a powerful support tool for pregnancy and birth at https://ijbpe.com/
Subscribe to the journal for only £10 a year this October 2023 (£25 a year normally)
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In this episode, I interview Naomi Tolson. Naomi is a microdosing coach, psychedelic guide, advocate and community science researcher. She specialises in supporting parents who choose to microdose during their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Join us as we discuss how microdosing can support the pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. You’ll hear about Naomi’s journey of discovering microdosing and how it led her to stop attending births as a doula, the benefits of microdosing, debunking myths, and how microdosing can help heal birth trauma.
Highlights of this episode include:
Naomi’s personal journey of discovering microdosing and the way pregnant and postpartum women in the eco spiritual community she visited used it as a tool for spiritual growth and transformation during their pregnancy and postpartum journeys and why she could no longer work as a birth doula in the current maternity system
The benefits of microdosing, and how mushrooms may have contributed to the evolutionary leap in human history
Dispelling common myths about microdosing
How microdosing can support the birth journey
How microdosing can help heal birth trauma
Labour and altered states of consciousness, and how supporting people through psychedelic crisis is similar to supporting women in labour
thepsychedelicdoula.co.uk Instagram : @the_psychedelic_doula -
In this episode, I interview Jane Hardwicke Collings. Jane is a grandmother, former homebirth midwife for 30 years, a teacher, writer and menstrual educator and the founder of the school of Shamanic WomanCraft. Join us as we discuss how drumming can support the birth journey. Highlights include how making a drum can provide the medicine a woman need through pregnancy and birth, Jane’s own birth story and how drumming helped her experience an ecstatic birth, how drumming can help us communicative with our babies and alleviate pain during birth, and help us get knowledge from our future babies to change the world today.
Find Jane at
https://janehardwickecollings.com/ Instagram @janehardwickecollingsLike this podcast? Leave me a review.
Find out more about Sophie here
sophiemessager.com Instagram : @sophie_messagerThe introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.
Instagram @olivier_messager
