Advertise on podcast: The Brilliant Body Podcast with Ali Mezey

SYNOPSIS: What does it take to feel safer as a body in the world without becoming consumed by danger? In this episode, Ali talks with Mark Vinci, Director of Model Mugging Self-Defense, about the body's extraordinary capacity to detect threat, mobilize fear, set boundaries and protect itself. Drawing on Mark's decades of work in law enforcement, criminal behavior research and full-force self-defense training, they explore the complicated territory between healthy vigilance and hypervigilance, and what changes when fear becomes information rather than something we simply try to overcome. Their conversation moves from the subtle body language that can signal vulnerability or confidence to the physiology of adrenaline, freezing and defensive action. Ali brings her own recent encounter with a group of drunk men in a Scottish pub into the discussion, asking a deceptively difficult question: if nothing terrible happened, but your body still felt threatened, was your fear and response warranted? They also explore what Mark calls “the Beast,” the fierce protective capacity many people, particularly women, have been taught to suppress; the Hero's Journey underlying Model Mugging's approach; and what can happen when survivors are given the opportunity to experience their own strength in situations that once produced helplessness. Along the way, Ali and Mark consider safety not as the absence of fear, but as a changing relationship between awareness, choice, physical capacity and trust in our own responses. They also discuss the importance of readiness in trauma work, why no single therapeutic or embodied approach is right for everyone at every moment, and how learning to protect ourselves can affect much more than our ability to fight. Ultimately, this is a conversation about vigilance, embodiment and freedom: how we recognize danger without organizing our lives around it, and what becomes possible when the body knows it has options. MORE ALI MEZEY: Website: https://www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on renowned Family Constellation Facilitator, Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illness Personal Geometry®Ali Mezey’s body-first method for accessing and externalizing the unconscious body maps through which we experience relationships, patterns, addictions and other aspects of our lives. Using spatial relationships such as distance, direction and orientation, Personal Geometry makes these internal relational maps visible and available for exploration. Learn about Personal Geometry® MORE MARK VINCI:Instagram: Model_Mugging Website: https://www.instagram.com/model_mugging/Facebook: Model Mugging Self-Defense https://www.facebook.com/modelmugging/TikTok: Model_Mugging BIO: Mark Vinci has taught Model Mugging full-force self-defense since 1989 and currently serves as Director of Model Mugging Self-Defense. His work combines decades of experience in law enforcement, forensic psychology, criminal-behavior research, military service, and scenario-based self-defense training. He has investigated crimes ranging from burglary to sexual assault and homicide and trained law enforcement personnel in defensive tactics. For decades, Mark has studied sexual assault, criminal behavior, and violence through extensive academic research, training in criminal typologies, and interviews with offenders. His work focuses on preparing the mind, body, and spirit to recognize and respond to danger under fear, stress, and adrenaline. Model Mugging Self-Defense. Information about full-force self-defense training, its history and current programs.Model Mugging Model Mugging: Five Principles of Self-Defense. Mark's framework for understanding threat, options, preparation, mind-body-spirit integration and awareness. I. Crime Is an Emotional and Physical ProblemII. OptionsIII. PreparationIV. Mind-Body-Spirit Are OneV. Awareness Model Mugging: Five Principles of Self-Defense RESOURCES / REFERENCES: Grayson, Betty & Morris I. Stein (1981). “Attracting Assault: Victims' Nonverbal Cues.” Journal of Communication, 31(1), 68–75. A fascinating study discussed in the episode examining how incarcerated violent offenders responded to brief films of pedestrians and the nonverbal movement characteristics associated with perceived vulnerability. Read the study information Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Mark discusses Campbell's Hero's Journey as an influence on the structure and philosophy of Model Mugging. DEFNITIONS:Peripersonal Space: The space immediately surrounding the body, often experienced as a kind of bodily boundary or safety zone. The brain integrates sensory information about objects and people approaching this space in ways relevant to movement, touch and potential threat. You use the term while describing the man approaching you from behind in the Scottish pub: “I still felt he breached my peripersonal space.”  Hypervigilance: A heightened state of alertness in which a person persistently scans for possible danger. In the episode, you and Mark explore the distinction between useful threat awareness and a nervous system that may respond to potential danger as though threat is continually imminent.  Full-Force / Scenario-Based Self-Defense: Training in which participants practice responses to simulated attacks with an instructor wearing protective padding, allowing physical defensive actions to be performed with substantially greater force and realism than conventional partner drills. Model Mugging describes its curriculum as integrating crime prevention, boundary setting, assertiveness, physical self-defense and realistic scenario training.  The Beast: Mark's/Model Mugging's language for accessing the fierce, aggressive protective capacity that people, particularly women, may have learned to inhibit. In your conversation, this...

SYNOPSIS:What if addiction is not only something to overcome, but an attempt to meet needs we have lost touch with? In this rich and deeply embodied conversation, Ali speaks with somatic healing practitioner, integrative counselor and author Nina Pick about the life force beneath addiction, and what becomes possible when recovery includes not only the mind, but the body. Nina expands the conversation about trauma and addiction beyond obvious traumatic events to include early attachment wounds, ancestral and intergenerational trauma, prenatal experience, and the subtle ways our earliest environments shape our sense of safety, belonging and connection. Together, Ali and Nina explore addiction as an adaptation: an attempt to make the unbearable bearable, create connection, protect sensitivity, or meet needs for safety, soothing and belonging. Rather than shaming the wanting beneath addiction, they ask what our cravings may be trying to tell us about our deeper longings. Their conversation moves into the particular sensitivity often found beneath addiction, the difference between craving and genuine desire, and the challenge of learning to want without shame. And then, sober sex. Nina and Ali explore why sexuality can become one of the most vulnerable territories of recovery, particularly when substances have previously made it possible to bypass sensation, boundaries, communication or fear. What might sex become when we begin again from “square one,” learning to listen to the body’s yes, no and maybe, develop interoception, communicate what we want, and discover pleasure without having to leave ourselves to experience it? They also explore the difference between craving and pleasure, the heart-sexuality split, the relationship between presence and safety, and the possibility that recovery is not about becoming less alive, but becoming capable of inhabiting more of our aliveness. Nina Pick is a somatic healing practitioner and integrative counselor and the author of Sober Secure: An Attachment-Based Guide to Dating, Sex, and Love in Recovery. In this episode: • Addiction as adaptation rather than simply pathology• The life force and integrity beneath addictive behavior• Attachment wounds, ancestral trauma and intergenerational patterns• Why sensitivity can be both a vulnerability and a gift• What addictive substances may reveal about unmet needs• The difference between craving, longing, wanting and pleasure• Reclaiming desire without shame• Why sober sex can feel like starting from square one• Sexuality as a meeting place for attachment wounds• Listening to the body’s yes, no and maybe• Interoception, proprioception and embodied sexuality• Safety, presence, pleasure and the capacity for aliveness• Finding life-giving ways to meet the needs addiction once tried to meet THE BRILLIANT BODY PODCAST:To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here MORE ALI MEZEY: Website: https://www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on renowned Family Constellation Facilitator, Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illness Personal Geometry®Ali Mezey’s body-first method for accessing and externalizing the unconscious body maps through which we experience relationships, patterns, addictions and other aspects of our lives. Using spatial relationships such as distance, direction and orientation, Personal Geometry makes these internal relational maps visible and available for exploration. Learn about Personal Geometry® FOR MORE NINA PICK:ninapick.com Author, The Mind-Body Guide to the Twelve StepsNew book coming soon! Sober Secure now available for purchase Sober SecureSober Secure: An Attachment-Based Guide to Dating, Sex, and Love in Recovery by Nina Pick explores recovery through the lens of attachment, relationships, embodiment, sexuality, nervous-system regulation and pleasure. Nina describes the book as intended for people in recovery, their partners and clinicians working in addiction treatment. Facilitator's Guide to Sober Secure Meetings free downloadLandscape of Trauma AssessmentDEFINITIONS, RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:EpigeneticsThe study of processes that affect how genes are switched on and off without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Environmental exposures and experiences can influence epigenetic processes, and some epigenetic changes can be inherited, although claims about the transgenerational inheritance of specific human traumatic experiences require care. InteroceptionThe processes through which we sense, interpret and integrate signals arising from within ourselves, such as heartbeat, breathing, hunger, temperature and visceral sensation. It contributes to our felt sense of our internal physiological state. NeuroceptionA term developed by Stephen Porges within Polyvagal Theory to describe the proposed nervous-system process through which cues of safety, danger and life threat are detected without requiring conscious awareness. I would preserve the word “proposed” here because neuroception is a theoretical construct, rather than presenting it as an established discrete sensory system. ProprioceptionOur sense of the position and movement of our bodies in space. Sensory information from muscles, joints and related systems contributes to our awareness of where our body parts are and how they are moving, as well as posture and balance.  Family Constellation WorkA systemic, experiential approach associated with Bert Hellinger that explores relationships and patterns within family systems, often through spatial representations of family members or other elements. Personal Geometry has roots in Constellation Work while developing its own distinct body-first, spatial approach. Family Constellatio...

SYNOPSIS:What if the autonomic nervous system is more than a mechanism to regulate – and part of the extraordinary way our bodies are in relationship with one another? In this expansive conversation, dance/movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist and author Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray joins Ali Mezey to explore the autonomic nervous system through the lenses of Polyvagal Theory, movement, trauma, relationship and the lived intelligence of the body. Drawing on nearly three decades of work with survivors of torture, war and human rights abuses – as well as her long collaboration and exchange of ideas with Stephen Porges – Amber takes the conversation beyond simplified notions of sympathetic “bad,” parasympathetic “good,” and regulation as the goal. Instead, she invites listeners into a nervous system that protects, mobilizes, settles, connects, plays, dances, loves – and continually responds to the bodies and world around it.  Ali and Amber explore the vagus nerve and the promises and controversies of Polyvagal Theory; why “safety” isn’t equally available to every body; the danger of privileging particular nervous-system states; and what changes when survival responses are understood not as failures, but as expressions of an organism doing its best to remain whole. Amber also shares how movement became central to her work with profoundly traumatized people, and how her own embodied inquiry has led her toward a practice of restoration, reclamation and resistance. Along the way, the conversation wanders – as bodies do – through whales and dolphins, evolution, intuition, pattern recognition, the natural world, and the possibility that our nervous systems may be far less individual than we imagine.  Ultimately, this is a conversation about relationship: within our bodies, between bodies, and between ourselves and the larger living world. What becomes possible when we stop trying simply to “regulate” the nervous system and begin listening to the complexity, creativity and intelligence of what it is already doing? To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here FOR MORE ALI MEZEY: Website: https://www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on renowned Family Constellation Facilitator, Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illness FOR MORE DR AMBER ELIZABETH GRAY: BIO: Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray is an award-winning dance movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist, and Continuum teacher. She has worked for 29 years with survivors of human rights abuses, war, torture, natural disasters,  and historical and intergenerational trauma. Equally artist, advocate, author, educator, poet, mystic and therapist, she, her clients, Ancestors and mentors co-create, ongoing, survivor- & Spirit-centered, Polyvagal-informed approaches to DMT for trauma and resilience  that are holistic and emergent. A lover of all things wild, Amber regularly facilitates eco-somatic and movement retreats for survivors  and caregivers. She brings her RightToEmbody human rights and  BodyOfChange planetary rights work to survivors, therapists, educators, change agents and advocates worldwide.  Her book, Polyvagal-Informed Restorative Movement Psychotherapy: Roots, Rhythm, and Reciprocity will be released August 11, 2026. CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNTED COPY HERE AMBER SOCIALS:Website: | https://ambergray.com/Facebook: | Amber Elizabeth Gray YouTube: | Amber Gray@ambergray127LinkedIn: | Dr. Amber Elizabeth L. GrayInstagram: | Restorativeresources PREVIOUS TBBP EPISODES WITH AMBER:Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales...REPRISEDTrauma Healing, Somatic Psychology, and Human Rights Advocacy: LIVE AUDIENCE Q&A RECORDING W/ AMBER GRAYEarth Body Meditation: Rooting into Beloved Ground w/ AMBER GRAY DEFINITIONS, RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:Nervous System & Polyvagal Theory Autonomic nervous system (ANS): The part of the nervous system that largely regulates involuntary bodily functions – including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing patterns, temperature regulation and sexual arousal. It continually responds to conditions inside and outside the body, helping us mobilize, rest, protect ourselves, connect and adapt.Somatic nervous system: The part of the peripheral nervous system primarily involved in voluntary movement and in carrying sensory information between the body and central nervous system. It allows us to consciously move skeletal muscles and perceive sensations such as touch, pressure, temperature, pain and body position.Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems: Two major divisions of the autonomic nervous system that work together to continually adjust bodily functions. The sympathetic nervous system is often associated with mobilization and action, while the parasympathetic is often associated with rest, digestion and restoration. These are not simple opposites or “on/off” systems; both participate dynamically in healthy functioning, movement, relationship and responses to our environment.Ventral vagal: Within Polyvagal Theory, a term for vagal pathways associated with the nucleus ambiguus in the brainstem and with social engagement, connection, physiological flexibility and the capacity to remain engaged with others in conditions of relative safety.Dorsal vagal: Within Polyvagal Theory, a term for vagal pathways associated with the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the brainstem. The theory associates these pathways wit...

SYNOPSIS: What does it mean to experience yourself as a fertile body? And what happens when your body doesn't seem to be cooperating with your deepest hopes? In this wide-ranging conversation, Ali speaks with Harvard-awarded fertility specialist Gabriela Rosa about fertility as far more than a medical diagnosis. Together they explore the meaning we attach to parenthood, the relationship between fertility and creativity, the impact of trauma and relationships on reproductive health, and why infertility is never simply "a women's issue." Gabriela shares her evidence-based, integrative approach to fertility, explaining how removing obstacles to health often allows the body's innate intelligence to do what it already knows how to do. Along the way, they discuss IVF, implantation, sperm health, miscarriage, Family Constellation Work, embodiment, and the profound question of how we learn to trust the intelligence of our bodies – even when it seems to be saying "not yet." Whether you're navigating fertility challenges, considering parenthood, or simply curious about the body's remarkable capacity for intelligence and healing, this conversation offers a deeply humane perspective on one of life's most meaningful journeys. Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to reconsider one of the podcast's central questions: What becomes possible when we stop treating the body as a problem to solve and begin discovering the body's innate intelligence? To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here FOR MORE ALI MEZEY: Website: https://www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on renowned Family Constellation Facilitator, Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illness FOR MORE GABRIELA ROSA: BIO:Gabriela Rosa, DrPH (Candidate, Harvard), is a Harvard-awarded fertility specialist, founder of The Rosa Institute, and author of Fertility Breakthrough: Overcoming Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage When Other Treatments Have Failed. She is a pioneer in telehealth-based integrative fertility care, bringing evidence-based reproductive solutions to individuals and couples around the world. Gabriela is also the creator and host of The Fertility Challenge, a free global online program that supports tens of thousands of participants each year. Through her proprietary F.E.R.T.I.L.E. Method®, she has helped more than 204,000 people across 111 countries. Published research on her signature program shows a 78.8% live birth rate among patients—even after years of infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and unsuccessful treatments. SOCIALS:Website: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/ Socials: FACEBOOKINSTAGRAMXTIKTOK RESOURCES, DEFINITIONS & INSPIRATION: Tara BrachBuddhist meditation teacher, psychologist, and bestselling author known for her work on mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional healing.https://www.tarabrach.com Martha BeckHarvard-trained sociologist, bestselling author, and life coach whose work explores personal transformation, purpose, and living in alignment with one's deepest values.https://marthabeck.com The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.A groundbreaking book exploring how trauma affects the brain, body, and nervous system, and why healing often requires body-based as well as psychological approaches.https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score John GottmanPsychologist and relationship researcher whose decades of research have transformed our understanding of what helps couples build lasting, healthy relationships. He is co-founder of The Gottman Institute.https://www.gottman.com Family Constellation WorkAn experiential therapeutic approach developed by Bert Hellinger that reveals unconscious family and relational dynamics through spatial representation. It is used worldwide to explore patterns of trauma, belonging, and connection that may influence present-day relationships and well-being. Corpus luteumA temporary hormone-producing structure that forms in the ovary after ovulation. It secretes progesterone, which prepares the uterus for pregnancy. EndometriosisA chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing pelvic pain, painful periods, and fertility challenges. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)A common hormonal condition that can affect ovulation, menstrual cycles, fertility, metabolism, and hormone balance. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)A specialized IVF procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to achieve fertilization, often used in cases of male-factor infertility. Sperm parametersThe characteristics measured during a semen analysis, including sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and vitality, which help assess male fertility. Can eggs repair sperm DNA fragmentation?Healthy eggs possess natural DNA repair mechanisms that can repair some damage in sperm DNA after fertilization. However, this capacity depends on the quality of the egg and the extent of the sperm's DNA fragmentation.

SYNOPSIS:What if intelligence is far bigger than IQ, rational thought, or what we've been taught to measure? In this fascinating conversation, Ali sits down with coach and researcher Rachel Fell to explore neurodiversity as an expression of human biodiversity, challenging our assumptions about what it means to think, feel, perceive, and truly know. Together they venture beyond the limits of our culturally conditioned understanding of intelligence, revealing a far broader way of knowing through our lived experience as sensing bodies. Whether you identify as neurodivergent or simply long to feel more fully alive, this episode offers a refreshing invitation to rethink intelligence itself. From trauma, sensitivity, and nervous system regulation to movement, emotion, and the remarkable adaptability of the human body, Ali and Rachel explore how reclaiming our full-bodied intelligence may be one of the most important - and hopeful - frontiers of our time. To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here FOR MORE ALI MEZEY: Website: https://www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illness FOR MORE RACHEL FELL: BIO: Rachel Fell is a coach, consultant and collaborator working at the intersections of neurodiversity, living intelligence, perception, and embodied awareness.  For over six years she has worked with gifted, neurocomplex, sensitive and intense adults around the globe, co-exploring in the service of full-body intelligence and their unique paths to realization and fulfillment. A published author, speaker, and teacher, she also consults and collaborates with organizations on intelligence and its development, leadership, and brand/identity and business projects.  RACHEL – Website RACHEL – Instagram RELEVANT THE BRILLIANT BODY PODCAST EPISODES:First Rachel Fell: Bridging Divides with Rachel Fell: Neurodivergence, Conscious Body Awareness & Inclusive IntelligenceLive conversation with Rachel Fell: Neurodiversity, The Body & Inclusive Intelligence: LIVE AUDIENCE Q&A RECORDING with Rachel Fell & Ali MezeyPanel Discussion: The Democratic Body with Ali, Sarah Peyton, Amber Gray & Rachel FellPhilip Shepherd, Embodiment Leader & Author: Coming Home to the Body with PHILIP SHEPHERD...ReprisedOTHER LINKS:Dr Svetlana Masgutova: https://masgutovamethod.com/ Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute The Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration - MNRI® Method Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix with Sally Field. Delightful. An Immense World by Ed YongOriginal Wisdom by Robert WolffEXPLANATIONS: "I think, therefore I am" / Cartesian Divide – René Descartes' famous philosophical statement that placed thinking at the center of human identity. It also contributed to the enduring Western separation of mind and body, often referred to as the Cartesian mind-body split. Family Constellation Work – A therapeutic and experiential approach developed by Bert Hellinger that explores how unconscious family dynamics and inherited patterns can influence our lives, relationships, health, and sense of self. Dr. Spock & "Crying It Out" – Mid-20th-century parenting advice, influenced in part by pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock and later behavioral approaches, often encouraged allowing babies to cry rather than responding immediately. More recent attachment and developmental research emphasizes the importance of consistent, responsive caregiving for healthy nervous system development. DEFINITIONS: Human exceptionalism – The belief that humans are fundamentally superior to, or separate from, the rest of nature and other living beings. Afferent and efferent – Afferent signals carry information to the brain from the body and senses; efferent signals carry commands from the brain back to the body. Phenomenology – The study of direct, lived experience—exploring what it feels like to perceive, sense, and exist from the inside. ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) – An eating disorder characterized by extreme restriction or avoidance of certain foods, often due to sensory sensitivities, textures, smells, or fear of negative experiences with eating. It...

SYNOPSIS: Ali is in the hot seat today! The tables have turned as longtime friend, student and Television Producer, Lauren Gleason, interviews Ali about her body-based method, Personal Geometry® - a practice she developed to give the body a language that our cognitive minds can immediately access and understand.  Together, they explore how Personal Geometry® and body mapping techniques are used in therapeutic and clinical healing, particularly in addressing challenges related to the body, sexuality, and addiction. Ali shares how she refined her method while working in renowned rehab centres in Los Angeles, offering real-life examples of its impact and honoring the influence and her experience of Family Constellation Work. They discuss the power of mapping relational dynamics - how visualizing the roles we hold in family systems can illuminate unconscious patterns, especially in the context of addiction and trauma. Other topics explored include the common phenomenon of emotional incest, the challenges and call to work with perpetrators, sexual biases as a facilitator, and our universal need to belong. At its core, Personal Geometry® is a somatic practice that taps into the body's innate, felt-sense understanding of spatial relationships. By bypassing psychological defense mechanisms, it directly reveals how we unconsciously position ourselves in relation to others, environments, and internal conflicts. This non-verbal, embodied approach provides a clear and immediate visual representation of a client’s inner world, making it an invaluable tool for therapists, facilitators, and anyone seeking profound transformation.  PERSONAL GEOMETRY TRAININGSJoin the Next Personal Geometry® Foundations Class  (online over Zoom)Now enrolling - click here for more details. Next cohort starts February 8th, 2025.Our audience gets $250 off - just mention the show when contacting Ali.  A seven-week online class - perfect for therapists, sexologists, coaches, and healing practitioners. Foundations is the prerequisite for advanced classes on Sexuality and Addiction, and individuals seeking personal healing are welcome too!   MORE ALI MEZEY: Website:  https://www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information: https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations Transgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/Body work: https://www.alimezey.com/massage-body-therapy MORE LAUREN GLEASON:Instagram for Personal Geometry®: @the.unfolding.youInstagram For Entertainment & Media @gynisis.productions   BIO: Lauren Gleason is Creative and Entertainment Professional with over a decade of experience across film and television. Parallel to her career in entertainment, Lauren’s other lifelong passion has been personal development. Beginning when she was first certified in Reiki I at fourteen, she was fortunate enough to be exposed to a wide-range of mind-body wellness techniques from Family Constellation Therapy to Continuum, to Joseph Culp’s Walking In Your Shoes—finally becoming certified as a Personal Geometry Practitioner in 2025 under Ali Mezey. At their core, stories embody the human path of transformation. Lauren’s mission is to create engaging, multi-genre stories that illuminate and entertain, while helping individuals uncover and rewrite their stories along the way. Follow Lauren’s conscious media endeavors with Gynisis Productions and her Personal Geometry practice with The Unfolding You.  OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitJane PetersonBodies In Space by Jane PetersonBert Hellinger Center for Healthy SexThe Body Has a Mind of its Own by The BlakesleesProprioMassage® - Ali's massage method Jane Peterson: The Systemic Body: Navigating Relational Dynamics and Systemic Consciousness with Jane Peterson, PhD Gil Hedley: "pars intima" instead of "g******s"The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body FUNCTIONS OF ADDICTIONS: Addictions serve as adaptive strategies the body develops to regulate overwhelming emotions, trauma, and unmet needs. Addiction functions as a way to manage distress, create boundaries, or seek connection when healthier strategies are unavailable, often reinforcing cycles of disembodiment and dissociation. PROPRIOCEPTION: One’s internal sense of where one’s body parts are located in space and how they are moving. Proprioceptors are located in muscles, tendons, cartilage and joints CARTESIAN DIVIDE: The conceptual separation between mind and body, coined after René Descartes, emphasizing a dualistic view of human existence, isolating mental and physical aspects.FAMILY CONSTELLATION WORK is a global therapeutic approach that explores an individual’s emotional and behavioral challenges in the context of their family system. It seeks to uncover hidden dynamics, unresolved traumas, or entanglements in the family lineage that may influence current issues. The process often invo...

SYNOPSIS:This episode explores the idea that creativity is fundamentally embodied rather than purely mental. Gary describes the body as an “interface” or instrument through which creative energy flows, emphasizing that without the body, expression itself wouldn’t be possible. Creativity is framed as a collaborative process – between body, mind, and a larger “divine” or universal intelligence – rather than something generated solely by individual effort. Gary and host, Ali Mezey, challenge the common mind-body split and reframe the body as an active participant in creative expression, not just a vessel. A central theme is the role of somatic practices (movement, breathwork, dance) in unlocking creativity. Gary shares his personal journey from disconnection and shame around the body to rediscovering it as a source of intelligence and creative flow. Through somatic work, he was able to release stored tension, trauma, and self-judgment, which had previously blocked his creative expression. The conversation highlights how presence in the body – rather than over-identification with thoughts or past experiences – can open access to what is often described as “the zone” or a flow state. The discussion also touches on identity, trauma, and how experiences are “held” in the body. While both Ali and Gary acknowledge that emotions and trauma can manifest physically, they question simplistic or overly rigid interpretations of this idea. They emphasize the importance of approaching the body with curiosity and presence rather than trying to “fix” it. The body is seen as intelligent and self-organizing, capable of healing when given the right conditions, though not everything can or needs to be resolved. Finally, the conversation addresses the practical side of creativity – discipline, skill, and sharing work with others. While creativity may flow naturally, bringing it into the world often requires structure, support, and persistence. Gary reframes discipline as something that can be supported through somatic awareness and addressing internal resistance (like the inner critic). Ultimately, creativity is portrayed as both a deeply personal and relational process – one that involves not only expression but also connection, refinement, and, for many, the courage to be seen.  MORE ALI MEZEY: Website:  www.alimezey.comBody Mapping Video Library Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information: www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.comConstellation Work is a highly effective method to delve into healing transgenerational trauma, unburdening consequent generations from the influences of traumas which can be transmitted epigenetically. MORE GARY GOTTSELIG:GARY BIO: Gary Gottselig is a Creative Ignition Coach, author of #1 Amazon Best-selling poetry book, A Legacy of Rainbows and creator of Unleashed Somatic Dance. He works with writers, poets, and creatives who know they have a book inside them but keep getting stuck. Through somatic practices, breathwork, and movement, he helps them burn through self-judgment so they can finally write the book that’s been waiting to come through them. He is deeply passionate about embodied liberation and how it unlocks deeper creativity and authentic self-expression. GARY LINKS:STARTS TOMORROW (April 28th) SO JOIN NOW!Blaze Across the Page: 7 Day Challenge to Burn through Self-Judgment So You Can Start Writing(Launches Tuesday, April 28th. Doors close Friday, May 1st at midnight)Book a Creative Breakthrough Call with GaryFor writers who’ve been putting their book off and are ready to startInstagram: @garyunleashed Get a Copy of His Poetry Book If you would like to receive a link to watch/listen to Gary's guided somatic process to unleash more of your creativity, please write: [email protected] and we'll send it! Due to copyright issues, we couldn't do it otherwise. More show notes on the way!

THIS IS PART TWO - Listen to part one here CONTENT HEADS UP:  This episode contains discussions of death, dying, end-of-life care, and sensitive topics related to mortality, including chosen suicide and medicalization of death and illness. Listener discretion is advised, especially for individuals who may find these topics distressing or triggering. Please prioritize your emotional well-being while engaging with this content. Also, Ali wants to note that when she asks Karen about her thoughts on suicide, she meant to make a disctinction between “chosen” suicide (when someone wants to live but they are in too much physical pain/their body is too deteriorated without hope of recovery) and “suicide under duress” (meaning due to emotional/psychological/spiritual pain, that may or may not be accompanied by an unavoidably dying body, the person does not want to live). Of course facing a death someone does not want can also be considered duress!    SYNOPSIS: What does good acting and dying have in common? In this episode, Ali discusses all things death, dying, and living as bodies with Karen Bellone, Certified End-of-Life Doula and Death Educator. They focus on the interconnectedness of life and death, the significance of conscious living, and the complexities of end-of-life care. Karen shares her experiences working with dying individuals, highlighting the challenges of the dying process, including issues related to dementia and Alzheimer's. They discuss the importance of compassionate and holistic approaches to end-of-life care, emphasizing the need for conscious decision-making aligned with personal values to achieve a good death without regrets. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the essence of embodiment and the importance of being present in the moment, trusting the intelligence of the body to embrace a richer life and ultimately a better death.   ALI & KAREN EXPLORATION POINTS: -  The concept of a 'good death,' this discussion emphasizes the significance of conscious decision-making and holistic approaches to end-of-life care, challenging societal norms and perceptions surrounding death.    -  The complexities, ethical considerations and medicalization surrounding end-of-life decisions, highlighting the need for open dialogue and support for individuals facing such choices. -  The role of a Death Doula, illuminating the profound support and guidance provided by these compassionate professionals in assisting individuals and families through the dying process, fostering a sense of empowerment and comfort. -  How our physical and emotional bodies communicate and play integral roles in the dying process, highlighting the importance of listening to and honoring the body's wisdom.  -  Insights into embracing conscious living, pursuing meaningful experiences, and aligning actions with personal values to cultivate a sense of fulfillment and purpose. -  Sensory experiences shape our perception of life and death, emphasizing the significance of sensory elements in the dying process and fostering connections with loved ones. To be an angel to the podcast, click here:  To read more about the podcast, click here:  MORE ALI MEZEY: Website BODY MAPPING VIDEO LIBRARY Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information Transgenerational Healing Films MORE KAREN BELLONE: Film Website:  Website: The Seventh Sense  BIO: Founder, Doula, Educator: Karen Bellone, MFA, is a Certified End-of-Life Doula and Death Educator. She is the founder of The Seventh Sense in NY’s Hudson Valley, where she is an integral part of a worldwide community that is reigniting the wisdom of death within our modern lives. She is also founder of Exit Strategy for Dying, a monthly Death, Arts and Culture Readers supporting a resource hub to educate and refocus the narrative around death and grief through the lens of arts, culture, storytelling and innovation. Prior to embracing her passion for end-of-life work, Karen has had a long career as an award-winning filmmaker and internationally collected photographer. She received a BFA in Film Production from New York University, and did graduate work with the world-renowned Actors Studio, through their inaugural program at the New School for Social Research. After training and becoming certified with INELDA (International End of Life Doula Association), Karenworked with an innovative hospice in Los Angeles where her skills as a death doula were developed and broadened. In addition to working with patients in various stages of their life journeys, she was responsible for training the volunteer staff, nurses and other hospice and medical professionals to bring more understanding, humanity and compassion into their work with the dying. She spoke regularly with groups, such as the Alzheimer’s Project, about the role of the doula at end-of-life, and the space that can be held to bring about ‘a good death’. She believes strongly in the ability to demystify and assuage the fear that surrounds death in our culture and to foster safe passage for the dying, as well as to aid the families and loved ones through grief and bereavement. As a visual artist and storyteller, Karen acquired a multitude of skills throughout her career that unlocked a deep passion for the healing power of visual and auditory perception on human consciousness. She integrated these strengths and resources into tools to bring aid and comfort for those imminently facing their mortality. Working with somatic and sensory awareness, Karen utilizes visual, sound and meditation therapy, personalized guided imagery, and commemoration of the sacred in the form of ritual, legacy and memory work, in order to bring comfort - physically, emotionally, spiritually to celebrate and commemorate the life of the individual. In addition to her ongoing private practice, Karen is currently directing a feature film about living American artist Michelle Stuart, whose work also engages with the elemental and ineffable nature of existence. RESOURCES: Edgar Allan Poe Erik Erikson Exit strategy for dying (Karen’s monthly newsletter) Omega Home Network All...

CONTENT HEADS UP:  This episode contains discussions of death, dying, end-of-life care, and sensitive topics related to mortality, including chosen suicide and medicalization of death and illness. Listener discretion is advised, especially for individuals who may find these topics distressing or triggering. Please prioritize your emotional well-being while engaging with this content.  SYNOPSIS: What does good acting and dying have in common? In this episode, Ali discusses all things death, dying, and living as bodies with Karen Bellone, Certified End-of-Life Doula and Death Educator. They focus on the interconnectedness of life and death, the significance of conscious living, and the complexities of end-of-life care. Karen shares her experiences working with dying individuals, highlighting the challenges of the dying process, including issues related to dementia and Alzheimer's. They discuss the importance of compassionate and holistic approaches to end-of-life care, emphasizing the need for conscious decision-making aligned with personal values to achieve a good death without regrets. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the essence of embodiment and the importance of being present in the moment, trusting the intelligence of the body to embrace a richer life and ultimately a better death.   ALI & KAREN EXPLORATION POINTS: -  The concept of a 'good death,' this discussion emphasizes the significance of conscious decision-making and holistic approaches to end-of-life care, challenging societal norms and perceptions surrounding death.    -  The complexities, ethical considerations and medicalization surrounding end-of-life decisions, highlighting the need for open dialogue and support for individuals facing such choices. -  The role of a Death Doula, illuminating the profound support and guidance provided by these compassionate professionals in assisting individuals and families through the dying process, fostering a sense of empowerment and comfort. -  How our physical and emotional bodies communicate and play integral roles in the dying process, highlighting the importance of listening to and honoring the body's wisdom.  -  Insights into embracing conscious living, pursuing meaningful experiences, and aligning actions with personal values to cultivate a sense of fulfillment and purpose. -  Sensory experiences shape our perception of life and death, emphasizing the significance of sensory elements in the dying process and fostering connections with loved ones. To be an angel to the podcast, click here:  To read more about the podcast, click here:  MORE ALI MEZEY: Ali's Website BODY MAPPING VIDEO LIBRARY Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information Transgenerational Healing Films MORE KAREN BELLONE: Film Website:  Website: The Seventh Sense  BIO: Founder, Doula, Educator: Karen Bellone, MFA, is a Certified End-of-Life Doula and Death Educator. She is the founder of The Seventh Sense in NY’s Hudson Valley, where she is an integral part of a worldwide community that is reigniting the wisdom of death within our modern lives. She is also founder of Exit Strategy for Dying, a monthly Death, Arts and Culture Readers supporting a resource hub to educate and refocus the narrative around death and grief through the lens of arts, culture, storytelling and innovation. Prior to embracing her passion for end-of-life work, Karen has had a long career as an award-winning filmmaker and internationally collected photographer. She received a BFA in Film Production from New York University, and did graduate work with the world-renowned Actors Studio, through their inaugural program at the New School for Social Research. After training and becoming certified with INELDA (International End of Life Doula Association), Karenworked with an innovative hospice in Los Angeles where her skills as a death doula were developed and broadened. In addition to working with patients in various stages of their life journeys, she was responsible for training the volunteer staff, nurses and other hospice and medical professionals to bring more understanding, humanity and compassion into their work with the dying. She spoke regularly with groups, such as the Alzheimer’s Project, about the role of the doula at end-of-life, and the space that can be held to bring about ‘a good death’. She believes strongly in the ability to demystify and assuage the fear that surrounds death in our culture and to foster safe passage for the dying, as well as to aid the families and loved ones through grief and bereavement. As a visual artist and storyteller, Karen acquired a multitude of skills throughout her career that unlocked a deep passion for the healing power of visual and auditory perception on human consciousness. She integrated these strengths and resources into tools to bring aid and comfort for those imminently facing their mortality. Working with somatic and sensory awareness, Karen utilizes visual, sound and meditation therapy, personalized guided imagery, and commemoration of the sacred in the form of ritual, legacy and memory work, in order to bring comfort - physically, emotionally, spiritually to celebrate and commemorate the life of the individual. In addition to her ongoing private practice, Karen is currently directing a feature film about living American artist Michelle Stuart, whose work also engages with the elemental and ineffable nature of existence. RESOURCES: Edgar Allan Poe Erik Erikson Exit strategy for dying (Karen’s monthly newsletter) Omega Home Network All the Little Deaths Rabbi Leder's book, The Beauty of What Remains Allen Ginsberg Henry Firsco Weiss The Rites of the Dying Philip Shepherd This one is for you, Pop: April 12, 1931 - April 15, 2015With my deep love - AM

In this deeply intimate and thought-provoking episode, Ali sits down with somatic sex educator and healer Ariel Szabo to explore the intersection of sexuality, power, trauma, and transformation. The conversation opens with a bold question: Why has human society been shaped by domination – and what does that have to do with our relationship to sexuality? From there, Ariel and Ali unpack how systems of control – historically rooted in conquest and oppression – extend into our bodies, our relationships, and especially our sexual lives. Ariel shares her personal journey through early sexual trauma, sex work, and being trafficked, revealing how shame and vulnerability can be weaponized to maintain control. Yet, rather than remaining trapped in that paradigm, she describes a path of reclamation – one grounded in embodiment, agency, and the rediscovery of sexual energy as life force. Together, they explore how shame functions both as a necessary human signal and a powerful tool of suppression, particularly around sexuality. They discuss how many people dissociate into “performative” sexuality – shaped by media and conditioning – leaving them disconnected, unsatisfied, and emotionally unfulfilled. A central theme emerges: pleasure as a gateway to connection. When experienced consciously and embodied, pleasure becomes a pathway to self-awareness, intimacy, and even spiritual awakening. When disconnected, it becomes escapism – mirroring addictive patterns rather than nourishing the soul. Ariel also introduces practical insights into working with sexual energy, including how to build capacity for sensation, move energy through the body, and shift from fear or overwhelm into grounded presence. The episode culminates in a powerful reflection on healing and purpose. Ariel recounts her transition out of exploitation, a life-altering health crisis that catalyzed her spiritual awakening, and her eventual integration of sexuality, psychedelics, and embodiment into her current work. Ultimately, this conversation is both a personal testimony and a cultural critique – arguing that sexual healing is not just individual, but collective. A more embodied, liberated relationship to sexuality, they suggest, could fundamentally reshape how we relate to power, connection, and each other. To be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here MORE ALI MEZEY: Website:  www.alimezey.comBody Mapping Video Library Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information: www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.comConstellation Work is a highly effective method to delve into healing transgenerational trauma, unburdening consequent generations from the influences of traumas which can be transmitted epigenetically. MORE ARIEL SZABO:Website: SacredMoonflower Author, Substack: TheEroticFrontier Women's Retreat in Peru - April, 2026 Ariel's beautiful article on Sex Magic Ariel (and Rahi) on Clare Sente's Permission to be Enchanting podcast: "The Art of Extended Pleasure and Lovemaking for Couples" ARIEL'S BIO:Ariel Szabo is a writer, somatic sex educator, sexological bodyworker, and psychedelic medicine practitioner based in Los Angeles. Her work weaves sacred sexuality, nervous system repair, relational healing, and plant medicine traditions shaped by years of study with Indigenous wisdom keepers in Peru. She works with individuals, couples, groups, and practitioners in deeply embodied spaces of transformation. Ariel writes on sexuality, power, and liberation through her body of work, The Erotic Frontier, devoted to shifting how society relates to sex, power, and healing, and positioning erotic awakening as a force for personal and collective transformation. ALI NOTE: To clarify, sexual violence is not always sexual, and perhaps is infrequently about sex; however, it is always about power. I did not mean to imply otherwise. RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATION: Chimps and Bonobos - videoMantak Chia Philip and Allyson ShepherdCervical awakening: https://arielszabo.substack.com/p/my-cervix-taught-me-im-safer-seenAriels' partner, Rahi Chun DEFINITIONS: Dharma - The definition of Dharma is cosmic order or law. Dharma can best be explained as conduct that upholds universal natural laws, and when humankind follows these laws, it allows them to be happy and prevent suffering. It's a combination of morality and spiritual discipline that guides one in living one's life. Heteronormative paradigm - refers to the Western social norm, or assumption, that the overwhelming majority of sexual relationships in society are heterosexual. Vagus nerve -  is the longest in the body, containing both motor and sensory functions in afferent and efferent regards. The nerve travels widely throughout the body, affecting several organ systems and regions of the body, such as the tongue, pharynx, heart, and gastrointestinal system. Our first brilliant guest on the podcast, brilliant Integral Anatomist, Gil Hedley explains HERE Hedonism - the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence. Objectification - being treating or being viewed by someone in a way that disregards their indiv...

SYNOPSIS:In this guided body scan, listeners are invited to shift their awareness from the busy cognitive mind into the full, three-dimensional experience of the body-mind. Beginning in the head and slowly moving downward, the meditation uses the imagery of a glowing sphere of consciousness traveling through the throat, heart, solar plexus, belly, and pelvic floor. As attention illuminates each area, participants are encouraged to notice sensations, emotions, breath, and subtle impulses without judgment, allowing awareness itself to soften tension and deepen embodiment. The practice concludes by resting awareness at the base of the body and reflecting on how the experience has shifted one’s sense of awareness, presence, connection, inner calm - and love. MORE ALI MEZEY: Website:  https://www.alimezey.comInstagram:  ali_body_brilliance Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information: https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations Transgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/If you have any questions, email Ali at: [email protected]

CONTENT HEADS UP: This episode may inspire you to give the practice of “Walking-In-Your-Shoes” a go on your own. We waive all responsibility for any ensuing mishaps of cramped spaces, being near stairs or inspired bouts of wild and/or naked abandon. On a more serious note, we do discuss heavy subjects like trauma, armoring, drowning, rape and PTSD. But predominantly, we delve into the healing power and intelligence of the body invited into highly conscious motion and given free-reign and guidance to express all that it knows. Also, Walking-In-Your-Shoes can be done just as effectively from a wheelchair or with the capacities of any perambulatory disability. You just have to be a body with the desire to follow how it’s guiding you to feel, see and know. This episode presents a departure from our previous episodes. As in some of our upcoming episodes, we focus here on a specific practice and its transformative techniques aimed at unlocking conscious awareness of the body’s intelligence. While past episodes delved into the philosophical underpinnings of embodiment, this installment offers practical guidance on tangible methods to access your inner knowledge as an opportunity for revelation and growth. SYNOPSIS: Ali discusses a movement-based mindfulness practice called “The Walking-In-Your-Shoes” (WIYS) mind-body process with one of its co-founders, actor and director, Joseph Culp. WIYS is a process that allows the practitioner, in partnership with a facilitator, to address questions or needs through an intuitive questioning of the body-mind through movement. The applications of the questioning process are quite broad and can be applied to everything from healing trauma and managing addiction, to business development or a more organic method of acting. This is another means of “knowing” through your body. Ali and Joseph discuss the overlap between WIYS and Family Constellation Work and how both practices allow others to help take on and process trauma or healing on the behalf of another person.  EXPLORATION POINTS: - Joseph & Ali discuss the intersections between the Walking-In-Your-Shoes (WIYS) body-mind process and Family Constellation Work. The episode explores how both practices facilitate the process of addressing questions or needs through intuitive questioning of and attention to the body-mind through movement. - The episode highlights Joseph Culp's personal growth as an actor through his involvement in WIYS. Culp discusses how this movement-based mindfulness practice has contributed to his development as an artist, providing insights into the transformative power of the practice. - Joseph Culp and Ali discuss the concept of "Walking for Others". The exploration involves understanding how facilitators can embody and navigate the experiences of others through movement, emphasizing the empathetic and therapeutic aspects of Walking in someone else's shoes. -  Joseph and Ali explore the therapeutic potential of WIYS for individuals grappling with severe trauma or PTSD. Discussing how the intuitive questioning of the body-mind through movement, coupled with the empathetic support of a facilitator and sometimes a group, offers a unique avenue for addressing and healing deep-seated traumas.  - Joseph offers insights into how Wilhelm Reich's ideas have shaped WIYS, contributing to its foundation, while also exploring how Alexander Lowen's contributions informed the practice of following the body towards liberation. This exploration provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical and theoretical roots that form the intellectual, and practical, lineage of WIYS. To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here FOR MORE ALI MEZEY: Ali - Website: Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information: Transgenerational Healing Films: FOR MORE JOSEPH CULP: BIO: Joseph Culp is an actor, director and filmmaker, working in theater, film and television for over 40 years. He is known to many audiences for playing Don Draper’s father in the hit series Mad Men, and as the first Doctor Doom in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four.  In addition to producing several independent films, he notably wrote, directed, and co-starred in Welcome to the Men’s Group, a comedy/drama about a men’s support group, available on Amazon Prime. In addition to his work as a performing artist, Joseph has been involved for many years in the world of self-psychology and personal development. Joseph co-founded the Walking-In-Your-Shoes® body/mind process with psychologist John F. Cogswell, Ph.D during the late 1980s.  The method known as “Walking” combines somatic empathy with movement, mindfulness, and the facilitated inquiry processing of the bodymind. Joseph formed the Los Angeles-based Walking Theatre Group in 1992 to explore the use of the WIYS method in dramatic arts. Together with Dr. Cogswell, he continued to develop WIYS for use in psychotherapy, coaching, trauma recovery, creative and performing arts, business and community for the next 20 years.  Joseph has introduced hundreds of people to WIYS, in both performing and the healing arts, and trained many therapists and facilitators who have made Walking-In-Your-Shoes® part of their practice and life work. He founded the WIYS Institute of America and regularly gives workshops, seminars, and trainings in both the U.S. and Europe. WIYS COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEETING (Free community sessions with Joseph Culp)  WIYS ONLINE CERTIFICATION TRAINING WIYS MESSAGE FROM JOSEPH CULP WIYS SOMATIC EMPATHY PROCESS IMDB Actor’s CV MEDIA:  Joseph’s film, “Welcome...

In this episode, Ali speaks with Professor Matthew Beaumont, an English literature professor at University College London, who has just published his book, How We Walk: Frantz Fanon and the Politics of the Body about how the body reflects political and social oppression. They delve into topics such as the impact of racial oppression on physical movement, the cultural significance of walking, and how both personal and societal factors influence and restrict body expression. The conversation also touches on the influence of climate change on mental and physical health, the body's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the intersection of dance, religion, and bodily freedom. To be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here MORE ALI MEZEY: Website:  www.alimezey.com Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information: www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.comConstellation Work is a highly effective method to delve into healing transgenerational trauma, unburdening consequent generations from the influences of traumas which can be transmitted epigenetically. MORE MATTHEW BEAUMONT:Instagram: @matthewhbeaumontUCL Website Publisher WebsiteBOOKS:How We Walk: Frantz Fanon and the Politics of the Body (London: Verso, 2024)The Walker: On Losing and Finding Oneself in the Modern City (Verso, 2020)Lev Shestov: Philosopher of the Sleepless Night (Bloomsbury, 2020)Nightwalking: A Nocturnal History of London, Chaucer to Dickens (Verso, 2015) BIO:Matthew's research interests centre on various aspects of the metropolitan city, especially London. He is currently writing a history of literature about London for Cambridge University Press. He is also working on a book-length project about the role of insomnia in nineteenth and twentieth-century literature, painting and philosophy.  His most recent books are The Walker: On Losing and Finding Oneself in the Modern City (Verso, 2020), a series of chapters on writers including Chesterton, Dickens, Ford, Wells and Woolf, all of whom have placed the experience of walking in the metropolis at the centre of their attempts to understand and represent modernity; and Lev Shestov: Philosopher of the Sleepless Night (Bloomsbury, 2020), a book that revives the reputation of a neglected early twentieth-century Russian thinker by placing him in dialogue with Adorno, Benjamin, Deleuze and other continental philosophers. LINKS, RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:Wilhelm Reich Alexander Lowan  Frantz Fanon  HG Wells   Marcel Mauss, French Anthropologist “Technique du Corp” essay 1935Charlie Hertzog Young: SPINNING OUT: Climate Change, Mental Health and Fighting for a Better Future Sigmund Freud  The Polyvagal Theory/Stephen Porges The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini Walking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-Shoes DEFINITIONS:Cartesian Divide: The conceptual separation between mind and body, coined after René Descartes, emphasizing a dualistic view of human existence, isolating mental and physical aspects. The Window of Tolerance article HELP US SHARE OUR MESSAGE Our resources remain free as part of our mission to awaken people to the boundless potential of our bodies, inviting them to explore the profound knowledge, memory, brilliance & capacity within. By delving into the depths of our bodily intelligence as a healing resource for not just ourselves, but as a part of the larger, global body, we have the potential for meaningful change and experiences as bodies. Join us in this journey of transformation as we redefine our understanding of the human body and its infinite capabilities. While our events remain free, any contributions are deeply appreciated and are seen as a generous gesture of support and encouragement in sharing our messages with the world.

SYNOPSIS: In this luminous Valentine’s Day conversation, Ali sits down with beloved embodiment pioneers Philip Shepherd and Allyson Woodrooffe for an intimate exploration of love, presence, and what it truly means to be in relationship. Rather than offering formulas or ideals, Philip and Allyson open a window into their decades-long marriage as a living, breathing practice – one rooted not in static roles or assumptions, but in ongoing discovery. Through reflections on embodiment, wholeness, and what they call “thisness,” they reveal how presence dissolves the illusion of “knowing” one another and instead invites continual illumination through relationship.  Together, they unpack the cultural forces that pull us away from the body and into defensive identities – especially in long-term partnership. From parenting challenges and navigating imbalance in public visibility, to moments of (mild) jealousy, deep tenderness, and inevitable grief, they speak candidly about the humility required to love deeply. Their shared insight is clear: love cannot thrive where we cling to fixed self-concepts. Instead, it asks us to risk being changed, to respond rather than react, and to let ourselves be revealed in real time. Embodiment, in this context, becomes not a concept but a lived courage – the willingness to stay grounded while life remains beautifully unsafe. The episode closes with a moving reflection on intimacy as both animal and luminous, playful and profound. Philip and Allyson describe how coming home to the body restores spontaneity, humor, and reverence to their sensual connection, and how decades together have only deepened the mystery rather than diminished it. What emerges is not a portrait of a “perfect” marriage, but a meadow of possibility – an invitation to reclaim love as a verb, as presence, and as a courageous act of becoming ever whole, together. FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeTo read more about the next Personal Geometry® Foundations training ALLYSON WOODROOFE Bio:Allyson Woodrooffe is the co-director with Philip Shepherd of The Embodied Present Process, bringing to it her skills as a life and breath coach and as a workshop facilitator. The first half of her working life flexed her creative side – as a filmmaker, photographer, stained glass artist and graphic designer. Since completing a Masters in 2013, she has been dedicated to deepening into the realms of intelligence and presence that are held in the body, first by becoming a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and then training with Philip as an Embodiment Facilitator, and now as a co-director of TEPP. She especially enjoys working with women, helping them discover their inner and physical strength through breath and movement, and restoring clarity and purpose to their lives in the process. TEPP practices have also been transformative for her pregnant clients, enabling them to access inner resources that support them through labour, delivery and parenthood. Allyson and Philip have lived and worked together for over 37 years. They have constructed theatre sets, made films, designed and built a house, raised two remarkable children – and created TEPP. PHILIP SHEPHERD Bio:Philip Shepherd is recognized as a leader in the global embodiment movement. He created The Embodied Present Process™ (TEPP) in partnership with Allyson Woodrooffe, and as co-directors they provide practices and new perspectives on our culture to help people come home to the deep presence and wisdom of their body. They share the work of TEPP online, in one-on-one coaching, and worldwide in workshops, retreats and Facilitators Trainings. TEPP is also supported by Philip’s two books – Radical Wholeness and New Self, New World – which articulate the causes, perils and personal challenges of our culture’s disembodiment.    Philip’s own journey to embodiment includes cycling alone as a teenager through Europe, the Middle East, Iran, India and Japan; studying classical Japanese Noh Theater; co-founding an interdisciplinary theatre company; writing two internationally produced plays and a television documentary; and playing lead roles on stages in London, New York, Chicago and Toronto.    The TEPP website and online courses are found at www.EmbodiedPresent.com. Philip’s most recent book, Deep Fitness, was co-authored with Andrei Yakovenko and offers a revolutionary and highly effective approach to fitness. He is currently working on a new book, Remembering Ourselves: A Guide to Our Lost Intelligence.

Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of sexuality, trauma, and intimate bodily experiences.SYNOPSIS: In this rich and deeply human - and live event – conversation, Ali Mezey is joined by somatic sex educator and bodyworker Rahi Chun for an unscripted exploration of sexuality, trauma, pleasure, and the innate intelligence of the body. Together, they challenge symptom-focused approaches to sexual “dysfunction” and invite a more holistic understanding of libido, arousal, orgasm, and genital response as meaningful expressions of lived experience, safety, and relational history. Drawing from decades of professional and personal work, Ali and Rahi explore how early touch, attachment, trauma, shame, and cultural conditioning shape our sexual bodies – often long before sexuality itself is consciously understood. They discuss erectile challenges, orgasmic blocks, genital guarding, compulsive desire, pleasure ceilings, and the deep nervous-system need for safety that underlies sexual expression across all genders. Through stories, client examples, and embodied inquiry, the episode illuminates how patterns of arousal and shutdown are not failures, but adaptive strategies – and how making them conscious can open new pathways for choice, intimacy, and authentic pleasure. This conversation is a powerful invitation to move beyond performance, diagnosis, and shame, and toward a sexuality rooted in presence, agency, and embodied authenticity. In wanting to keep their anonymity, several attendees submitted questions and comments via chat. Rahi on my podcast: The Disarmed Body: Sexual De-Armoring with Sexological Bodyworker, Rahi ChunAli on Rahi's podcast: Your "Sex Problem" Isn't Sexual: It's Relational Geometry with Ali Mezey FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeTo read more about the next Personal Geometry® Foundations training FOR MORE RAHI CHUN BIO: Rahi combines his training and experience as a CA state-certified Somatic Sex Educator and Sexological Bodyworker, Certified TRE Provider, NeuroAffective Touch Practitioner, Life Coach with an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology, with certifications in Family Constellations Therapy, DeArmouring Arts, Chi Nei Tsang & Karsai Nei Tsang, and STREAM (Scar Tissue Remediation and Management) in his facilitation of Somatic Sexual Wholeness.  His expertise is in the art of Genital Dearmouring having trained practitioners worldwide.  Hundreds have also graduated from his signature online course, "The 3 Keys to Genital Dearmouring" or via his live trainings and workshops.   SITE:  https://somaticsexualwholeness.com/. And : https:://www.DivineUnionForLovers.com.  Registration and course content for The Three keys to Genital Dearmoring can be found HERE RAHI SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: @Rahi.Chun IG: @rahichun Rahi's YOUR BODY REMEMBERS PLEASURE Podcast OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: Montak Chia – A Thai Taoist master, author, and creator of the Universal Healing Tao System and Tao Yoga. His work blends Taoist internal alchemy, qigong, and sexual energy practices, with teachings on cultivating and transforming sexual energy for health and vitality. Learn about Mantak Chia’s teachings and Universal Healing Tao System Family Constellation Work – A therapeutic approach that explores how hidden family dynamics and generational patterns can influence present-day emotions, relationships, and behavior. Family Constellation Work brief explanation Bert Hellinger, founder of Family/Systemic Constellation Work Five-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on Stephan’s work with transgenerational influences on illness NeuroAffective Touch® – A somatic therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Aline LaPierre that uses attuned, body-focused touch to help integrate emotional, relational, and developmental experiences stored in the body. It bridges the gap between mind and body to support healing where words alone may not reach. What Is NeuroAffective Touch®? Inorgasmia (In-orgasmia) – A term used to describe the inability to reach orgasm despite adequate stimulation and desire. It can have physical, psychological, relational, or somatic contributors and is distinct from general low libido. Genital De-Armoring – A somatic concept referring to the process of releasing muscular and nervous system defensesin the pelvic and genital regions that have developed in response to trauma, fear, or shut-down responses. It supports increased sensation, relaxation, and fuller access to pleasure and bodily presence. “La Petite Mort” – A French expression meaning “the little death,” traditionally used metaphorically to describe the sensations of release, surrender, and altered consciousness that can accompany orgasm. The phrase highlights the powerful emotional and physical release inherent in sexual climax. Ellen Heed: Embodied Autonomy; Scar Tissue Remediation expert “Things that fire together wire together” – A popular paraphrase of the principle from neuroscience and psychology often attributed to Hebbian learning, meaning that neurons that activate together strengthen their connections, forming lasting patterns in the brain and nervous system. It’s widely used to explain how habitual patterns (emotional, cognitive, somatic) become embedded over time. Ivan Pavlov & the Dog Experiments – Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist best known for discovering classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs. He observed that dogs would begin to salivate not only when food was presented, but also in response to neutral stimuli (like a bell) once those stimuli were repeatedly paired with food. This demonstrated how the nervous system learns through association– how experiences that occur together become linked. Pavlov’s work laid the foundation for understanding how emotional, behavioral, and somatic patterns are formed, and why repeated pairings of sensation, emotion, and meaning can shape lifelong responses in the body.