To mark two years of The Brilliant Body Podcast, we’ve gathered a tapestry of answers to one of Ali’s favourite closing questions:
“How do you define embodiment?”
You’ll hear a whole range of voices and perspectives, all illuminating this same question in their own way.
If a particular moment lands for you, you can dive deeper by listening to the full conversation it came from - you’ll find all of those episodes listed just below.
If this compilation has been meaningful to you, we’d be really grateful if you’d rate and review the podcast wherever you listen. It’s a simple way to help more people find these conversations and join in exploring what it means to live as a brilliant body.
***CLICK HERE TO BROWSE OUR FREE EVENTS***
GUESTS' FULL-LENGTH EPISODES (in order of excerpt):
The Receiving and Giving Body with Dr Betty Martin, Creator of The Wheel of Consent
The Systemic Body: Navigating Relational Dynamics and Systemic Consciousness with Jane Peterson, PhD
The Released Body with Siv Jøssang Shields: Proust, Bees and Neurogenic Tremoring
The Incarcerated Body: Cultural & Institutional Imprisonment with Dr. Kate Balestrieri
The Touched Body with Deane Juhan
The Disarmed Body: Sexual De-Armoring with Sexological Bodyworker, Rahi Chun
The Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONE
The Brilliance of Animal Bodies with Longevity Zoologist, DR. ZOOLITTLE (Penny) - PART ONE
The Emotional Body with Healer, Mona Wind
Embodied Intelligence with Philip Shepherd: Wholeness, Sensitivity, and the Pelvic Bowl
Your Resonant Body with Sarah Peyton: Brain Circuits, Childhood Contracts & Reconceiving Addiction
The Fluid Body: Moving Like Water and the Wisdom of Emilie Conrad w/ Marcella Bottero
Felt-Sense Thinking - Infusing Education with Somatic Intelligence: Aitabé Fornés
Cameron West yet to come
Walking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-Shoes
A 'Good Death’ with Karen Bellone, Death Doula: Embracing Life & Mortality PART ONE
The Curious Body with Kirstie Simson: Improvisational Living
The Liberated Body: Reclaiming Erotic Wholeness with Somatic Sex Educator Darshana Avila
The Moving Body with Jo Cobbett: Including the Body, Personally and Collectively
Erotic Grief & Sexological Body Work with Lorraine Pentello & Ali Mezey
The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body
The Aroused Body with UMA FURMAN: Living and Aging Pleasurably
Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales
TABOO Part Three: Money & The Prosperous Body with Somatic Financial Therapist, BARI TESSLER
Beyond Massage with Holden Zalma: Body Brilliance as a Tool to Heal Others
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THE BRILLIANT BODY PODCAST!
We're two years old and counting!
We hope you enjoyed this episode - and that it inspired you to notice (and appreciate) what you particularly enjoy about being the brilliant body that you are!
Now we want to hear from you...
We’re collecting 1–2 minute videos answering this question:
What do you like best about being your particular brilliant body?
How to submit:
Follow along on social to watch other people’s responses and share yours there, too.
https://www.instagram.com/ali_body_brilliance/
https://www.facebook.com/bodybrilliance
***CLICK HERE TO BROWSE OUR FREE EVENTS***
And lastly (you know the drill): if you loved this episode, please rate and review - it genuinely helps more people find the show.
GUESTS' FULL-LENGTH EPISODES (in order of excerpt):
Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales
The Emotional Body with Healer, Mona Wind
The Liberated Body: Reclaiming Erotic Wholeness with Somatic Sex Educator Darshana Avila
The Colonized Body with Professor Matthew Beaumont: The Politics of Anatomy
The Moving Body with Jo Cobbett: Including the Body, Personally and Collectively
The Released Body with Siv Jøssang Shields: Proust, Bees and Neurogenic Tremoring
The Touched Body with Deane Juhan
The Systemic Body: Navigating Relational Dynamics and Systemic Consciousness with Jane Peterson, PhD
The Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONE
The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body
The Brilliance of Animal Bodies with Longevity Zoologist, DR. ZOOLITTLE (Penny) - PART ONE
Cameron West yet to come
Walking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-Shoes
The Fluid Body: Moving Like Water and the Wisdom of Emilie Conrad w/ Marcella Bottero
Your Resonant Body with Sarah Peyton: Brain Circuits, Childhood Contracts & Reconceiving Addiction
The Curious Body with Kirstie Simson: Improvisational Living
The Harmonious Body: The Art & Health of Self-Knowing with Paul Lubicz
Bridging Divides with Rachel Fell: Neurodivergence, Conscious Body Awareness & Inclusive Intelligence
Beyond Massage with Holden Zalma: Body Brilliance as a Tool to Heal Others
Felt-Sense Thinking - Infusing Education with Somatic Intelligence: Aitabé Fornés
A 'Good Death’ with Karen Bellone, Death Doula: Embracing Life & Mortality PART ONE
TABOO Part Three: Money & The Prosperous Body with Somatic Financial Therapist, BARI TESSLER
The Bodies We Got: A Conversation with Dr. Madhav Gramke
Erotic Grief & Sexological Body Work with Lorraine Pentello & Ali Mezey
The Un/Safe Body: Exploring Conscious Walking with Alexander Technique Facilitator, Elizabeth Castagna
MORE ALI MEZEY:
Website: https://www.alimezey.com
Instagram: 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: ali@alimezey.com
PHILIP SHEPHERD: Embodiment Leader, Author, Actor
MORE ALI MEZEY:
Website: https://www.alimezey.com
Instagram: 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: ali@alimezey.com
EPISODE SYNOPSIS: The Brilliant Body Podcast – 50th Episode Panel Celebration
In this special 50th episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast, host Ali invites three previous guests – Sarah Peyton, Rachel Fell, and Amber Gray – to join in a first-ever panel discussion. Each guest brings decades of experience in somatic education, neuroscience, neurodivergence, and trauma healing across diverse cultures and communities.
Together, they dive into the deep connections between body intelligence and democracy, unpacking how embodiment influences everything from individual healing to collective social structures. From reclaiming the intelligence of the body to exploring how dissociation impacts global citizenship, the conversation weaves personal insight with profound societal reflection.
Whether you’re new to somatic awareness or deeply rooted in body-based practices, this episode promises to challenge, inspire, and expand your understanding of what it means to live as a “brilliant body” in today’s world.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
Website: https://www.alimezey.com
Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:
Five-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on Stephan’s work with transgenerational influences on illness
FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality Split
ALI IN THE HOTSEAT OF TBBP:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/giving-the-body-language-with-personal-geometry-ali-in-the-hot-seat-with-lauren-gleason
ORIGINAL EPISODES WITH MY THREE GUESTS:
SARAH PEYTON:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/your-resonant-body-with-sarah-peyton-brain-circuits-childhood-contracts-reconceiving-addiction
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/the-neuroscience-of-love-and-addiction-live-audience-q-a-recording-with-sarah-peyton-and-ali-mezey
AMBER GRAY:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/amber-grey
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/earth-prayer-meditation-rooting-into-beloved-ground
RACHEL FELL:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/bridging-divides-with-rachel-fell-neurodivergence-conscious-body-awareness-inclusive-intelligence
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/neurodiversity-the-body-inclusive-intelligence-live-audience-q-a-recording-with-rachel-fell-ali-mezey
FOR MORE RACHEL FELL:
WEBSITE: https://rachelfell.com/
BIO: Rachel Fell is an independent coach, consultant, and educator decoding true identity in organizational leadership, strategy, brand, and communications. Engaging embodied intelligence, she helps her clients find the core and congruent truth of what they have to offer the world.
Rachel is a champion of radical inclusion, recognizing and celebrating diversity, both seen and unseen. Uncommonly creative and capable, she excels in challenging self leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations to go beyond theIr prior prejudices and preconceptions of what is possible. Her sweet spot is where the interconnectedness underpinning evolution, living systems, embodied psyche, and expressing identity meet.
In addition to working with organizations and businesses on their most complex challenges, Rachel coaches neurodivergent and neurocomplex adults, guiding them on their journeys to understanding, acceptance, and success.
Herself assessed as neurodivergent in 2018, she's also a published author and speaker on the topic.
FOR MORE SARAH PEYTON:
WEBSITE: https://sarahpeyton.com/
BIO: Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to heal personal and collective trauma with exquisite gentleness.
Sarah teaches and lectures internationally and is the author of four books: Your Resonant Self: Guided Meditations and Exercises to Engage Your Brain’s Capacity for Healing, the companion Your Resonant Self Workbook: From Self-sabotage to Self-care, and Affirmations for Turbulent Times: Resonant Words to Soothe Body and Mind, and The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook, co-authored with Roxy Manning, PhD.
FOR SARAH’S DISCOUNTED GIFT TO YOU:
Nearly 75% off her eight-week Introduction to Resonant Language Online Self-Study Course. It's already on a two for one promo, too, so you can sign up with a friend. Just use the coupon code, BodyBrilliance35 at checkout. After you make your order, add a note in the checkout box or shoot an email to help@sarahpeyton.com. Tell her your friend's email and name and you're all set for an incredible journey together. You can find the details in the show notes below. And have fun resonating!
MEDIA:
- 10 Key Concepts of Resonant Healing
- 9 Types Of Resonant Language
SARAH’S BOOKS:
- Your Resonant Self Meditations Exercises Ebook:
- Affirmations For Turbulent Times: Resonant Words to Soothe Body & Mind
EPISODE SYNOPSIS:
This episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast features host Ali in an in-depth, compassionate conversation with Darshana Avila, a trauma-informed somatic educator, practitioner, and sexological bodyworker known for her appearance on Sex, Love & Goop. Together, they explore the intersections of sexuality, embodiment, grief, and healing, discussing how slowing down, attuning to one’s body, and embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper connection and erotic wholeness. Darshana explains her integrative approach to sexological bodywork—helping clients safely explore pleasure, boundaries, and self-awareness—as well as the broader cultural conditioning that fuels shame, inhibition, and disconnection. Touching on topics from trauma and consent to the cultural devaluation of grief and sensuality, the conversation becomes a profound reflection on how reclaiming our embodied erotic selves is both personal healing and social activism, ultimately a journey toward fuller, freer, and more loving humanity
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
FOR MORE DARSHANA AVILA:
BIO:
Darshana Avila is a trauma-informed somatic educator, practitioner and international speaker who helps people reconnect with the most essential aspects of themselves — their truth, their desires, and their capacity for authentic connection.
Known for her grounded, candid, and relational approach, she bridges the worlds of embodiment, emotional intelligence, and personal agency with depth and accessibility.
Darshana’s work has been featured on Netflix’s Sex, Love & goop, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and numerous leading podcasts including the most downloaded episode of Shameless Sex Podcast in 2024, the goop Podcast and the Sexology Podcast.
PROMO LINK
darshanaavila.com (depending on the release date, we might ask that you feature her upcoming retreat darshanaavila.com/radical-rejuvenation)
SOCIAL HANDLES
linkedin.com/in/darshana-avila
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Betty Martin’s The Brilliant Body Podcast episode: The Receiving and Giving Body with Dr Betty Martin, Creator of The Wheel of Consent
Like A Pro: Training for touch professionals
THE WHEEL OF CONSENT explained
Gwyneth Paltrow’s SEX, LOVE and GOOP
Cis-women definition: a woman whose gender identity aligns with the sex she was assigned at birth, which was female. The term "cisgender" comes from the Latin prefix "cis-" meaning "on the same side as," and is used to distinguish people whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth from transgender people whose gender identity differs.
Amina Peterson: is an erotic healer, sex doula, surrogate partner, sexual revolutionary and activist
Brené Brown’s “We Need to Talk ABout Shame”
Somatica Method; Celeste Hirschman and Danielle Harrell
Kairos and Chronos:
The Greek New Testament uses two distinct words for time: Chronos, referring to sequential, measurable, or "clock" time, and Kairos, representing opportune, significant, or "God's" time. The fear of Chronos' time is a metaphor for being enslaved by deadlines and schedules, while Kairos is the critical moment for decisive action or significant change. It represents a fleeting window of opportunity for decisive action, a "light bulb moment" where conditions are perfect for a crucial act, such as an archer taking a perfect shot or a weaver working through a narrow gap in their loom. The concept is used in various fields to describe the importance of timeliness and seizing the right moment, such as in rhetoric, advertising, journalism, and religious contexts.
Vaginismis: Involuntary spasms of the vaginal muscles that make penetration difficult or impossible.
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
In this episode, Ali speaks with Dr. James A. Simon, a leading OB-GYN and "Menopause Whisperer," about his pioneering work in sexual medicine and menopause care. Dr. Simon discusses the challenges and importance of addressing sexual health in gynecology, the evolution of hormone therapy, and the cultural barriers that often prevent open conversations about menopause and women’s sexuality.
The episode highlights the need for more holistic, individualized care for women, the impact of hormones on health and wellbeing, and the progress still needed in medical education and societal attitudes. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of menopause, hormone therapy, and the value of compassionate, open dialogue about women’s health and aging.
Topics also include how aging has changed over generations, why people got scared of Hormone Replacement Therapy, the prevalence and benefits of testosterone in women, the politics of hysterectomies, how Viagra was happened upon, and how GLP-1s work.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE JAMES:
IntimMedicine Website: https://intimmedicine.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intimmedicinespecialists5815/videos
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntimMedicine
Restore Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life
Book by Dr. James A. Simon.
JAMES BIO:
James A. Simon, MD, CCD, MSCP, IF, FACOG
Dr. James A. Simon is a board-certified Ob/Gyn, and reproductive endocrinologist. He is Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Simon also holds certifications as an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Counsellor, an ISCD-Certified Clinical Bone Densitometrist, and a Menopause Society-Certified menopause specialist. He has an active private practice, IntimMedicine Specialists® in Washington, DC focused on complicated gynecology, sexual medicine for both men and women, and menopause. Dr. Simon has received numerous awards including: “Top Washington Physicians,” “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” “Super Doctors of Washington DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia,” and “The Best Doctors in America.” He is the only physician to serve as President of both The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Nicknamed “The Menopause Whisperer,” by Washingtonian Magazine, Dr. Simon is an established researcher and author--completing more than 450 research trials, and more than 800 published articles, abstracts, chapters, and the paperback book: Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life. Dr. Simon loves riding the best rollercoasters in the world, collecting fountain pens and wristwatches, and freshwater fishing. He is a five-time Master Angler of Canada.
hiker, dog trainer, and lover of nature.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
ASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists)
A professional organization for sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists.
ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry)
Organization focused on bone density and skeletal health.
Menopause Society
Formerly known as the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause.
International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
Multidisciplinary, academic, and scientific organization dedicated to women’s sexual health.
Washingtonian Magazine Article
Regional magazine that dubbed Dr. Simon "The Menopause Whisperer."
Sexual Health Alliance
Organization and conference for sexual health professionals.
Women’s Health Initiative Hormone Studies
Landmark studies on hormone therapy in women.
Menopause Meetings
Annual conferences for menopause specialists.
Premarin
Estrogen medication derived from pregnant mares’ urine, historically used in hormone therapy.
Viagra (Sildenafil)
Medication for erectile dysfunction, originally developed for high blood pressure.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Class of injectable medications for diabetes and weight loss (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).
Dr. Dympna Renshaw
South African psychiatrist and pioneer in sexual medicine, especially in the context of trauma and dysfunction.
Halle Berry, Kate Winslet
Celebrities mentioned for their advocacy and openness about menopause.
Contraception Marches (late 1960s)
Historical reference to activism for access to contraception.
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
In this episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast, Ali speaks with guest Rahi Chun, a somatic sex educator, in a wide-ranging conversation about the deep connections between sexuality, embodiment, trauma, and healing. They discuss how cultural conditioning, lack of education, and past experiences can create physical and emotional barriers to pleasure, and explore practical approaches - like fostering safety, consent, and self-awareness - to help individuals and couples reconnect as bodies. The episode highlights the importance of non-judgment, the healing potential of conscious touch and communication, and the ongoing journey toward greater intimacy, self-acceptance, and body brilliance.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
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 ORGANIC SEXUALITY Podcast
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
INCEL is a member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually, typically associated with views that are hostile towards women and men who are sexually active.
What’s up with Rahi using the terms “vagina-owner” and “penis-owner”? Gender is complex. To be as respectful and inclusive as possible, these terms are an acknowledgement that not every woman has a vagina and not every person with a vagina identifies as a woman. Same goes for penises and male identity.
JO COBBETT The Brilliant Body Podcast episode discussing movement and her community where Rahi and I (and gazillions of people have) met
PHILIP SHEPHERD The Brilliant Body Podcast episode where we discuss "lower consciousness"
ONE-WAY TOUCH: Dr Betty Martin on The Brilliant Body Podcast discussing one-way touch among so many other fabulous things
Rahi’s Podcast ORGANIC SEXUALITY episode on all things anal:
Dr Charlie Glickman on Shame, Shadow and the Power of Embodied Touch
KALI is the bad-ass Hindu Goddess of time, death, destruction and the change that come with those. She is often depicted as fierce, with multiple arms holding a sword and a severed head, but can also be seen as a nurturing mother figure.
ALI’S NOTE ON FLASHING BACK TO SEXUAL TRAUMA: Rahi and I discuss how feeling safe with a lover can allow, and elicit, the retrieval and “working through” of traumatic memories. This can be an opportunity to move beyond those traumas within a partner’s loving presence and compassion. However, just because you are experiencing flashbacks of sexual trauma does not necessarily mean it’s because you feel safe. It could also be your body showing you that you are overwhelmed in the situation, or worse, receiving instinctual warnings that that person, place or timing isn’t right for you. Ultimately, it’s so important we keep close to the capacity of our won nervous systems at any given moment or sexual encounter particularly if you have experienced sexual trauma. Can you, and hopefully your partner/s, deeply and kindly be with you, “hold space” for you to express, verbally or emotionally, shake, cry, rage, move? Not all partners are equipped for that. Fortunately, there are brilliant practitioners like Rahi who are. Visit https://sexologicalbodyworkers.org/ to find practitioners near you.
JACK MOIRIN author of The Erotic Mind, one of the most important books on sexuality ever written. It expertly explains and explores how we use pleasure to heal our pain and trauma. It also includes clear, accessible guidance on how anyone can utilize their own peak encounters and fantasies as powerful tools of self-discovery.
FAMILY CONSTELLATION WORK is a therapeutic method that explores and resolves issues within a family system by uncovering hidden dynamics and "entanglements" from previous generations. It's an experiential, solution-focused approach where a client's relationships are represented by other people in a group setting, revealing how unaddressed family traumas or patterns influence the present. By bringing these "unseen dynamics to life," the process aims to foster healing, understanding, and a new sense of connection for the individual and their family.
To buy ALi’s internationally renowned 5-film documentary film series about FCW visit HERE
The PAVLOVIAN RESPONSE, also known as a conditioned response, refers to a learned, automatic, and involuntary response elicited by a previously neutral stimulus through classical conditioning. It is a key concept in Pavlov's experiments, where dogs learned to salivate in response to a bell.
...
Episode Summary
In this guided meditation, Dr. Betty Martin guides you to sit comfortably and place a small object in your hand, focusing on its shape, texture, and temperature. As you pay attention, you’re encouraged to notice the sensations in your hand, shifting your focus from the object to your own sensory experience. You may use the object to gently touch or explore different parts of your hand, moving slowly to heighten awareness. The practice emphasizes going at your own pace, bringing your attention back if your mind wanders, and noticing any feelings that arise - such as pleasantness, curiosity, or even emotions like gratitude or sadness. The meditation can be practiced for about five minutes daily, helping you connect with your body and sensations in a gentle, mindful way.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE BETTY MARTIN:
BETTY - Website
BIO:
Dr. Betty Martin has had her hands on people professionally for over 40 years (some of it legal and some of it questionable). 30 years of Chiropractic and other modalities, then later, 15 years of Somatic Sex Education and Surrogate Partner Therapy. Also Contact Improv and other kinds of play.
She is the developer of the Wheel of Consent, a cutting edge model of receiving and giving, based on touch but amenable to non-touch practices as well. She is the author of The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent.
She loves sharing her experience. She developed a 5 day training in the Wheel of Consent for practitioners, which took her around the world, and then trained others to teach it so she could retire.
She currently mentors helping professionals, from psychotherapists to sex workers, and all stripes of hands-on practitioners.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
www.schoolofconsent.org/blog/wheel-explained
www.wheelofconsent.org/media-kit
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
Episode Summary
In this episode, Ali welcomes renowned educator and creator of the Wheel of Consent, Betty Martin. The conversation explores Betty’s journey from her early days as a chiropractor and her deep dive into somatic and erotic practices, to the development of her influential framework, the Wheel of Consent. Together, they discuss the importance of touch, the power of choice in giving and receiving, and how the Wheel of Consent helps people understand boundaries, pleasure, and agency in both professional and personal contexts. Betty shares insights from her decades of teaching, the challenges people face in discovering what they want, and practical exercises for waking up the senses. The episode is a rich, heartfelt exploration of embodiment, consent, and the transformative potential of conscious touch.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE BETTY MARTIN:
BETTY - Website
Like A Pro: Training for touch professionals
Betty's Media Kit
BIO:
Dr. Betty Martin has had her hands on people professionally for over 40 years (some of it legal and some of it questionable). 30 years of Chiropractic and other modalities, then later, 15 years of Somatic Sex Education and Surrogate Partner Therapy. Also Contact Improv and other kinds of play.
She is the developer of the Wheel of Consent, a cutting edge model of receiving and giving, based on touch but amenable to non-touch practices as well. She is the author of
The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent.
She loves sharing her experience. She developed a 5 day training in the Wheel of Consent for practitioners, which took her around the world, and then trained others to teach it so she could retire.
She currently mentors helping professionals, from psychotherapists to sex workers, and all stripes of hands-on practitioners.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
THE WHEEL OF CONSENT explained
THE THREE MINUTE GAME: I do what I want. I do what you want. You do what you want. You do what I want.
The Body Has A Mind of It’s Own - Sandra & Matthew Blakeslee
BAMM
(Bay Area) MODEL MUGGING
If you are any body that has ever been bullied or assaulted, or just want to be prepared in case you are, this is such a useful and truly empowering class. One of the best investments you’ll ever make!
PUPPY PILES: A puppy pile for humans is a type of cuddle puddle where several people gather to cuddle together, often in a close and comfortable heap. Inspired by how puppies often sleep together, this informal practice involves a group of people lying on top of or nestled against each other, fostering feelings of comfort, security, and connection. It is a recognized form of platonic cuddling used for therapeutic and emotional support. Also referred to as a Cuddle Party
BODY ELECTRIC: Sacred Intimacy Training
SCARED INTIMACY WORK:
Sacred intimacy work is a path for personal and relational growth that integrates spiritual, emotional, and erotic aspects of the self to deepen authenticity and connection, often involving practices like somatic exercises, mindful communication, and exploring the energies of love and desire within a framework of consent and deep inner work. Key concepts include recognizing the sacred in everyday interactions, cultivating devotion to love, embodying masculine and feminine energies to create sexual polarity, and engaging in personal work to heal wounds and release limitations.
BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline (B&D), Dominance and Submission (D&S), and Sadism and Masochism (S&M), and refers to consensual sexual activities involving power exchange, physical restraints, and sensation play, which can include pain or intense experiences. The core of BDSM is enthusiastic, informed consent, negotiation, and a safety framework that includes "safewords" to pause or stop play and "aftercare" to help participants transition back after the scene.
SHA - Sexual Health Alliance Annual Conference October 8-12th where both Betty and Ali will be presenting
AASECT - American Association of Sexuality Educators, Councelors and Therapists
BODY BLOG: What Do and Don't Life and Sex Parties Have in Common? by Ali Mezey
Tanya Diamond - The Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONE
For another fantastic, and very different, conversation with Betty Martin, here's an episode from my buddies over at TabooTalks Podcast:
https://tabootalks.sisociety.world/podcast/consent-is-sexy-with-dr-betty-martin/
HOMUNCULOUS: A man-like representation of the body in the brain
SENSORY/TOUCH Homunculus - RIGHT Brain
“…the sensory receptors in your body are distributed unevenly. They are densely concentrated in the body parts where you need high acuity and dexterity, and sparse in parts where superior sensory resolution isn’t paramount.
“…Your finger maps take up one hundred times as much cortical real estate as your torso map because there is a hundred-to-one ratio of touch receptors in your fingers compared to your torso. The actual surface area of your skin where the sensations originate is irrelevant in apportioning your homunculus map; all that matters is the incoming sensory bandwidth. Thus your huge lips and hands but scrawny arms and legs and disappointing rear end.”
PRIMARY MOTOR Homunculus - LEFT Brain
“The left [motor] homunculus is a representation of date distribution of motor neurons, which generate actions for the body parts show. Think of it as the output, or response-based homunculus.
Notice the face is scowling, and the mouth is open, it’s tongue sticking out actively as part of a threat display. The back of the torso and legs are shown.
For our ancestors, large muscles like the glutes and hamstrings would have to activate to make a quick get-away in case of attack. The voice box is mapped in the figure on the left, as vocalization is also part of active threat displays.”
Ellen Heed, Body Mapping e-book
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
Episode Summary
In this episode, Ali welcomes Jo Cobbett - movement facilitator, artist, and poet - for a rich conversation about the transformative power of embodied movement. Jo shares her experiences navigating personal and community challenges, including the aftermath of wildfires, and how dance and somatic practices offer healing and connection, to self and community.
Together, they explore the importance of presence, curiosity, and intention in reclaiming body intelligence. Other topics explored are inhibition, learning from the outside rather than the inside, and finding answers through movement. Jo discusses her approach to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where people of all backgrounds can rediscover themselves through movement. The episode offers inspiration for embracing change, building community, and finding body brilliance in every stage of life.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE JO COBBETT:
https://www.movinground.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jobcobbett
BIO:
Jo Cobbett is a devotee and lover of wonder - crafting windows into profound self-encounters and discovering beauty throughout life's journey. Her primary portals are embodied movement and visual art, inviting play, curiosity, and existential dialogue with the world. Jo is directly engaged in life through nurturing family and creating spaces for self-exploration, expressed via her visual art, streamed poetry, and embodied movement offerings. Developing alongside her earlier partnership with Michael Mullen Skelton, Jo has been leading classes and workshops for over 30 years in Los Angeles and around the globe.
She trained in bodywork at Esalen Institute, studied 5Rhythms with Gabrielle Roth, Soul Motion with Vinn Arjuna Martí, and Open Floor with Kathy Altman, Lori Saltzman, and Andrea Juhan, among others. Her practice has been further deepened through improvisation and creative play with Paula Shaw, Camille Maurine, and Ruth Zaporah.
A primary influence in her life has been her training and collaboration with Susan Harper in Continuum Montage. Her ongoing inspiration also comes through Laura Sirkin‑Brown, and a lifelong conversation with nature — the whispers of wind, the flow of water, and the subtle intelligence of embodied movement.
Jo honors countless teachers encountered along the way and remains continuously inspired — including by Ali Mezey, whose presence and insights have enriched her path.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Michael Molin-Skelton — Conscious Dance/Soul Motion
“A few things that I hold sacred; the love of my life Anneli, the miracle of that love, Jaylan, resilience, friends that cherish and challenge me, integrity, dancing alone, dancing with you, transparency, love.”
Esalen Institute - A historic retreat center in Big Sur, California, focused on human potential and somatic practices.
Five Rhythms® with Gabrielle Roth – A dynamic movement practice founded by Gabrielle Roth exploring flow, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness.
Soul Motion® with Vinn Arjuna Martí – A conscious dance practice rooted in presence, relational awareness, and creative expression.
Open Floor with Kathy Altman, Lori Saltzman, and Andrea Juhan - A movement meditation practice designed for personal healing and collective connection.
Improvisation with Paula Shaw, Camille Maurine, and Ruth Zaporah - Explorations in expressive arts, performance, and authentic movement.
Susan Harper & Continuum Montage - Susan Harper is a Continuum teacher who developed Continuum Montage, blending movement, breath, and sound to deepen somatic awareness.
Yakov & Susannah Darling Khan - Founders of Movement Medicine, a conscious dance practice integrating shamanic, therapeutic, and artistic paths.
Emilie Conrad, Founder of Continuum Movement
Andrea Juhan
Paula Shaw
Anna Halprin - Pioneer in postmodern dance and healing movement practices; creator of the Life/Art Process.
Baba Olatunji - Nigerian drummer and educator who popularized African drumming in the West; known for *Drums of Passion*.
Rupert Sheldrake - Biologist and author known for his theories on morphic resonance and collective memory fields.
Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy by Barbara Ehrenreich - A cultural and historical study of how communal dance and celebration have shaped human history.
Ecstatic Dance - A global movement community offering conscious, freeform dance events with no talking, alcohol, or shoes.
Let There Be Light by Jacques Lusseyran - Memoir of a blind French resistance fighter exploring inner vision and resilience.
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"TINCTURE" by Andrea Gibson RIP
Imagine, when a human dies,
the soul misses the body, actually grieves
the loss of its hands and all
they could hold. Misses the throat closing shy
reading out loud on the first day of school.
Imagine the soul misses the stubbed toe,
the loose tooth, the funny bone. The soul still asks, Why
does the funny bone do that? It’s just weird.
Imagine the soul misses the thirsty garden cheeks
watered by grief. Misses how the body could sleep
through a dream. What else can sleep through a dream?
What else can laugh? What else can wrinkle
the smile’s autograph? Imagine the soul misses each falling
eyelash waiting to be a wish. Misses the wrist
screaming away the blade. The soul misses the lisp,
the stutter, the limp. The soul misses the holy bruise
blue from that army of blood rushing to the wound’s side.
When a human dies, the soul searches the universe
for something blushing, something shaking
in the cold, something that scars, sweeps
the universe for patience worn thin,
the last nerve fighting for its life, the voice box
aching to be heard. The soul misses the way
the body would hold another body and not be two bodies
but one pleading god doubled in grace.
The soul misses how the mind told the body,
You have fallen from grace. And the body said,
Erase every scripture that doesn’t have a pulse.
There isn’t a single page in the bible that can wince,
that can clumsy, that can freckle, that can hunger.
Imagine the soul misses hunger, emptiness,
rage, the fist that was never taught to curl—curled,
the teeth that were never taught to clench—clenched,
the body that was never taught to make love—made love
like a hungry ghost digging its way out of the grave.
The soul misses the unforever of old age, the skin
that no longer fits. The soul misses every single day
the body was sick, the now it forced, the here
it built from the fever. Fever is how the body prays,
how it burns and begs for another average day.
The soul misses the legs creaking
up the stairs, misses the fear that climbed
up the vocal cords to curse the wheelchair.
The soul misses what the body could not let go—
what else could hold on that tightly to everything?
What else could see hear the chain of a swingset
and fall to its knees? What else could touch
a screen door and taste lemonade?
What else could come back from a war
and not come back? But still try to live? Still try
to lullaby? When a human dies the soul moves
through the universe trying to describe how a body trembles
when it’s lost, softens when it’s safe, how a wound would heal
given nothing but time. Do you understand? Nothing in space can
imagine it. No comet, no nebula, no ray of light
can fathom the landscape of awe, the heat of shame.
The fingertips pulling the first gray hair
and throwing it away. I can’t imagine it,
the stars say. Tell us again about goosebumps.
Tell us again about pain.
From Lord of the Butterflies (Button Poetry, 2018) by Andrea Gibson. Copyright
In this episode, Ali speaks with chiropractor and TRE expert Siv Jøssang Shields about the power of neurogenic tremoring as a natural way to release stress and trauma and allow the body to lead in healing. They explore the science behind TRE, speak why our culture suppresses these healing responses, and how reconnecting with the body’s innate intelligence can support deep regulation and integration. Siv shares insights from her diverse background and clinical experience, offering practical tools and reflections on embodiment, healing, and presence.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE SIV:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurogenicintegration/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeurogenicIntegration
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurogenic-integration/about/
Neurogenic Integration Website: https://neurogenic-integration.com/
To get 50% off on membership at https://neurogenic-integration.com/ use CODE: BrilliantBody
SIV BIO:
Siv Jøssang Shields - chiropractor, educator, and co-founder of Neurogenic Integration, The Integrated Human, and Voss Kiropraktorkontor. Siv has 30 years of experience in clinical practice with many thousands of patients and a deep passion for the mind-body connection. She holds degrees in biology and physiology, is certified in Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), HeartMath, Soma Breath, hypnotherapy, and more.
For the past 14 years, Siv has led regular courses and practice sessions in Neurogenic Tremoring, often blending it with breathwork, music, journeying, and other somatic tools. She’s also actively involved in developing and evolving TRE alongside its founder, Dr. David Berceli.
Siv’s background is as rich as it is diverse - she’s studied meditation and consciousness from childhood, trained in shamanic and Ayurvedic practices, and brings a grounded yet intuitive presence to everything she does. Outside her clinical and teaching work, she’s also a beekeeper, hiker, dog trainer, and lover of nature.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Siv refers to "Blowing off steam" which might look like yelling into a pillow or going for a run after a frustrating day - it's a temporary release of pressure.
Emotional catharsis, on the other hand, is a deeper process: it could involve fully feeling and expressing grief during a somatic session, allowing long-held emotions to move through and integrate - leading to lasting relief and insight.
Self-regulation: The ability to manage one’s emotions, behaviors, and physiological responses in a way that supports stability, resilience, and well-being - especially during stress or challenge.
Breathwork: Any intentional practice of using the breath to influence the body, mind, or emotional state. From calming the nervous system to accessing altered states of consciousness, breathwork is a powerful tool for healing, regulation, and transformation.
Triune Brain: A model of the brain that describes it as having three major parts developed over evolutionary time:
This framework offers a simplified way to understand how different layers of the brain influence behavior, emotion, and regulation.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): The part of the nervous system that automatically regulates vital functions like heart rate, digestion, breathing, and sexual arousal. It operates below conscious control and has two main branches - sympathetic (activating) and parasympathetic (calming) - which help the body respond to stress and return to balance.
HeartMath is a research-based system that uses biofeedback and emotional regulation techniques to help individuals build resilience, manage stress, and access coherent heart-brain states. Their tools are widely used in healthcare, education, and performance coaching.
Binaural beats - Dr. Jeffrey Thompson
Kundalini is a form of primal life force energy believed to lie dormant at the base of the spine. When awakened—through breath, movement, meditation, or spontaneous kriyas—it rises through the body, often bringing heightened awareness, emotional release, and deep transformation. It’s not always gentle, but it’s powerful.
Kriyas are spontaneous or intentional movements that help the body release stored energy, emotions, or trauma. Rooted in yogic traditions, kriyas are purification actions—think trembling, twitching, stretching, even crying—that support healing, clarity, and awakening. They’re the body’s way of doing what words can’t.
EPISODES REFERENCED:
Embodied Intelligence with Philip Shepherd: Wholeness, Sensitivity, and the Pelvic Bowl
“Into the Body's Knowing” Meditation w/ Philip Shepherd
The Emotional Body with Healer, Mona Wind
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CONTENT HEADS UP:
Be enriched by a thoughtfully crafted conversation where sensitive topics related to trauma, torture, and self-loathing are gently woven into a narrative that is ultimately about love. There are no graphic descriptions of torture, just some causes and effects, but we nonetheless recommend that sensitive listeners prioritize their well-being and engage at their own discretion/pace. Also, for those intrigued by the idea of swimming with whales, a friendly reminder to follow safety guidelines and never venture alone into such deep waters.
SYNOPSIS:
Join us in this episode as we connect with Amber Gray, a masterful Human Rights Psychotherapist and Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapist with over 25 years of experience. Through her profound insights gained from working with survivors of trauma, particularly torture, war, and human rights abuses, Amber shares invaluable lessons and practices.
Ali and Amber explore the profound lessons Amber has gleaned from her work with both whales and torture victims, professors and shamans, including the complexities of dissociation, what traditional trauma recovery misses, and the impactful ability to shift one's state of being.
Amber's integrative approach, which merges refugee mental health and torture treatment with creative arts, mindfulness, and body-based therapies, offers a unique perspective on healing. The discussion also delves into the innovative Restorative Movement Psychotherapy, a resiliency-based framework co-created by Amber and her clients, designed specifically for trauma survivors in diverse cultural contexts.
MORE ALI MEZEY:
Website: https://www.alimezey.com
Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information
Transgenerational Healing Films
MORE AMBER GRAY:
Website: https://ambergray.com
To be with Amber and the whales
BIO:
Amber is a Human Rights Psychotherapist and a Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapist who has worked with survivors of interpersonal, collective and intergenerational trauma, particularly torture, war, and human rights abuses, for 25 years. Amber provides clinical and transformational training on her Right to Embody trainings integrating refugee mental health and torture treatment with creative arts, mindfulness, and body-based therapies for programs serving survivors worldwide. She, with her clients, created a resiliency-based framework and clinical approach (Restorative Movement Psychotherapy) for somatic and movement therapies with survivors of trauma in multi-cultural contexts, and they also co-created Polyvagal-informed Somatic and Dance/Movement therapy, based on 24 years immersion in Polyvagal Theory. The latter is the subject of her upcoming book, Roots, Rhythm and Reciprocity, to be published by Norton. She regularly facilitates WildZeNess Eco-somatic Body of Change retreats for survivors, and caregivers and practitioners, serving communities affected by injustice, oppression and trauma.
RESOURCES:
Gil episode: THE BODY AS A GIFT: A REVERENTIAL JOURNEY INTO THE HUMAN BODY
CONTINUUM MOVEMENT: Founder, the brilliant Emilie Conrad, gives an introduction.
ASHES AND SNOW
VoDou: “ Vodou is both a religion and a way of being. It is a uniquely Haitian religion; an amalgam of the religions and traditions originating in and on the Continent, that arrived to Haiti’s shores with the ships carrying those enslaved and stolen from their land. To learn more read Mimerose Beaubrun's book Nan Domi
IFS - Internal Family Systems
Brilliant article by Jen Percy: “What People Misunderstand About Rape”
Ed Tick: Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Soul After War
The Polyvagal Theory/Stephen Porges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec3AUMDjtKQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWVgXQKrqQ4
Body-Mind Centering/Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
The Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
Video Talk by David Eagleman on the Live-wired Brain
TO SEE AMAZING PHOTOS OF AMBER AND THE WHALES, GO TO www.thebrilliantbodypodcast.com…
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In this episode Ali is joined by Deane Juhan, renowned author of 'Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork.' Deane shares his experiences from the Esalen Institute and his transformative work with Dr. Milton Trager. The discussion delves into somatic intelligence, the phenomenon, necessity and benefits of touch. Deane also shares personal anecdotes from his journey, emphasizing the importance of sensual awareness, pleasure to help us re-pattern detriment habits, and the interplay between sensory motor and emotional intelligence. This episode is a treasure trove of insight on bodywork, a holistic approach to somatic health and living our lives as bodies.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE DEANE JUHAN:
www.jobsbody.com
Deanejuhan@gmail.com
BIO:
1971-1974: Studying for my Ph.D. in English Lit.
1974: Esalen Institute radically changed the course and purpose of my life. On the Esalen Massage Crew for 15 years. During that time I met Dr. Milton Trager, saw his work and became one of his first students. HIs mentoring was another transformational experience. From student I went on to become a certified practitioner and finally instructor
1978-1987: Wrote "Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork"
Spent the last 40 years teaching Dr. Trager's work, my material from Job's Body, developing classes for innovative views of functional anatomy, sensory-motor nervous system and thee physiology of touch. I believe that the disembodied nature of our cultural heritage is one of the most serious threats to our survival.
DEANE'S BOOKS:
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Esalen Institute
The Body Has a Mind of Its Own by Sandra & Matthew Blakeslee
Harlow's Monkeys - Harlow's Studies on Dependency in Monkeys
William Blake and his poem, London wherein he writes the term Mind Forged Manacles
Rolfer/ing - A "Rolfer" is a practitioner who performs Rolfing, a hands-on bodywork method developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in the 1950s. Rolfing aims to improve body structure, posture, and movement by addressing the connective tissues, known as fascia, that permeate the body. Rolfers work with the fascia to realign the body and address patterns of tension and restriction that can impact health and well-being.
Dr. Milton Trager
The Milton System of Mental Gymnastics refers informally to the Trager Approach, specifically the movement component developed by Dr. Milton Trager, called Mentastics - short for mental gymnastics.
What Is It? Mentastics are gentle, mindful movements designed to retrain the nervous system through positive sensory experience. These movements are not exercises in the traditional fitness sense - they are subtle, intuitive, and exploratory. The goal is to create a feeling of lightness, ease, and freedom in the body, often through very simple gestures done with full awareness and intention.
Bob Brown, Soma School of Massage - has long since closed but was one of the most formative experiences in Ali's professional development. She attended in 1980 and became a certified professional massage therapist at 19 years old while taking what is now called a "gap year" between Barnard and Wellesley. 45 years later, Ali still offers part-time her Propriomassage® she has developed over the decades. Although evolved, refined and mastered since those pivotal weeks with Bob in his Oakland Hills house where he certified thousands of massage therapists, the fundamental structure of Ali's technique is still what she learned there.
Ozone Injections - if you have suffered from any injuries you have not been able to resolve, or just want to improve your health in. variety of ways, make a B-line to Dr Nancy Doreo in Ojai, California. She will change your body and life as she did Ali's.
Gil Hedley - About, Live with Gil, The Nerve Tour
The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body
Tanya Diamond - Love, Pleasure and AI
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
In this episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast, Ali Mezey interviews Philip Shepherd, a luminary in the global embodiment movement. Together, Ali and Philip explore countercultural aspects of embodiment, the importance of challenging societal norms, and the need to advocate for a shift towards present-centered awareness.
Central to the conversation is the profound impact of the pelvic bowl, a core element of Philip's teachings. Drawing inspiration from cultures that value the body differently, Philip highlights the concept of Hara in Japanese Noh theater. He traces the historical shift in Western culture from the belly as the thinking center to the current emphasis on the head, revealing a narrative of mistrust in the body.
Sensitivity emerges as a core theme of the conversation, which Philip positions as the foundation of intelligence. Ali and Philip delve into the subtleties of staying “dropped in” to the pelvic floor, stressing the gentle and patient approach required for restoring sensitivity, especially in individuals who have experienced trauma.
Throughout the episode, the exploration of embodiment, cultural shifts, and the profound connection between the body and the world converges into a call to action. The duo inspires listeners to nurture sensitivity, embrace radical wholeness, and reclaim their true intelligence, fostering the evolution of both individual and collective consciousness.
FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
FOR MORE PHILIP SHEPHERD:
PHILIP – Facebook
PHILIP – Instagram
EmbodiedPresent.com
BIO: Philip Shepherd is recognized as a leader in the global embodiment movement. He is the creator of The Embodied Present Process™ (TEPP), which provides both potent insights into how our culture desensitizes the body, and a series of over 150 practices to help people renew their sensitivity to the world and reclaim their calm, centred presence in it. He shares TEPP worldwide through in-person workshops and Facilitators Trainings, and has articulated the need for a new, more embodied way of being in two books: Radical Wholeness and New Self, New World. Both books identify the causes, perils and challenges of our culture’s disembodiment. Philip’s personal path to embodiment includes a two-year journey as a teenager, during which he traveled alone by bicycle through Europe, the Middle East, Iran, India and Japan. He has also studied classical Japanese Noh Theater; co-founded an interdisciplinary theatre company; written two internationally produced plays and a television documentary; designed and built several houses; co-founded an arts magazine called Onion; played lead roles on stages in London, New York, Chicago and Toronto; and earned a reputation as a coach, both with individual clients seeking a deeper experience of embodiment, and for corporate clients seeking to improve their presentation skills. He developed TEPP with his co-director and wife Allyson Woodrooffe, who also shares the practices in person. His website and online courses are found at EmbodiedPresent.com. His newest book, Deep Fitness, was co-authored with Andrei Yakovenko and offers a revolutionary and highly effective approach to fitness.
PHILIP'S BOOKS: (these links are to Amazon, but all distributed by Random House (yay, Philip!), you can find them in your friendly, neighborhood bookstores)
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
ILARION MERCULIEFF – Aleut Nation TedTalks:
The Womb at the Center of the Universe
RICHARD LATTIMORE – his translation of The Odyssey
NOH THEATRE: A short National Geographic film | A Noh play called Tomoe
BYRON ROBINSON: The Abdominal and Pelvic Brain PDF selections | The Abdominal and Pelvic Brain book
TANDEM: An introduction to the center of the body
MATT KAHN: Everything is Here to Help You - The book | The video
SYNOPSIS:
In this minisode, Ali reads her Body Blog about her experience being invited to a sex party in Los Angeles. You might be surprised like she was!
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.com
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.
THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS. DONATE $25+
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
SYNOPSIS:
Uma Furman, Somatic sex educator and director of the Institute of Somatic Sexology, guides us on an erotic meditation to harmonize your mind, body, and spirit through a sensual practice designed to deepen intimacy with self and other. Whether you're new to meditation or looking to expand your practice, this episode offers especially attuned guidance that promise to enhance your well-being and connection to your inner self.
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.com
MORE UMA FURMAN:
Website: https://instituteofsomaticsexology.com/
BIO:
Uma is a Somatic Sex Educator who has been exploring the intersection of embodiment, sexuality and spirituality for almost 3 decades. She is an avid explorer of erotic embodiment and has studied and practiced Tantra, Taoism, Shamanism and modern sexology.
She is a director of the institute of somatic sexology which focuses on teaching practitioners in the arena of sex education.
She is very excited to be part of a team that delivers a breakthrough training for practitioners who are interested in working with clients in an interactive way, using their bodies as an educational tool.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Listen to the full episode here->
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.
THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS. DONATE $25+
[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]
SYNOPSIS:
In this episode, Ali is joined by Uma Furman, a Somatic Sex Educator with decades of experience at the intersection of embodiment, sexuality, and spirituality. They delve into the importance of tuning into one’s somatic intelligence and embracing a full-body sensual experience over mere orgasm-chasing. Uma provides insights into how societal and environmental factors impact our erotic lives from childhood, and discusses the importance of curiosity in sexual exploration. She also shares her journey, focusing on sexual pleasure and fulfillment at different life stages, touching upon the challenges and opportunities that menopause presents for women. Additionally, Ali and Uma explore how cultural attitudes around sex create pressures and limitations for different genders. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of somatic pleasure, break out of sexual ruts, and foster a more authentic and fulfilling connections.
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.com
MORE UMA FURMAN:
Website: https://instituteofsomaticsexology.com/
and www.interoeros.com
Contact: connect@intereros.com
Youtube channel to learn more on the course: https://www.youtube.com/@Intereros
And they would like to offer our listeners a $200 discount for the course. Just mention The Brilliant Body Podcast in your application!
The Certificate in Sexological Bodywork training provides a caring community in which to grow. The Early Bird rate is available until May 14. Interested people need to arrange a time to speak with a facilitator, so we can support you in working out whether the training is right for you at this time. We have limited availability before May 14, so please get in touch now if you think you might be interested, so we can get the process started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y68vjChdpA
BIO:
Uma is a Somatic Sex Educator who has been exploring the intersection of embodiment, sexuality and spirituality for almost 3 decades. She is an avid explorer of erotic embodiment and has studied and practiced Tantra, Taoism, Shamanism and modern sexology.
She is a director of the institute of somatic sexology which focuses on teaching practitioners in the arena of sex education.
She is very excited to be part of a team that delivers a breakthrough training for practitioners who are interested in working with clients in an interactive way, using their bodies as an educational tool.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Taoism
Tantra
Neo Tantra
Different types of orgasms
WHAT IS SEXOLOGICAL BODYWORK?
Ali's blog article on Sex party's: READ
MODERN SEXOLOGY:
Modern sexology is the scientific and multi-disciplinary study of human sexuality, encompassing biological, psychological, and cultural aspects. It explores the complexities of sexual behavior, relationships, reproduction, and sexual health. Modern sexology has evolved beyond early focuses on pathology to embrace a broader understanding of sexual diversity and the individual's experience of sexuality.
Key Aspects of Modern Sexology:
SYNOPSIS:
This is a recording of one of our free, live Eventbrite sessions, where Ali Mezey was joined by Jane Peterson, PhD - and you, our audience - for a live, honest, body-centered conversation about the real work of being in relationship.
(Yes, this episode includes live audience questions!)
Together, we explore how our bodies carry old relational patterns - what Jane calls the "social soma" - and how these hidden imprints can shape the way we love, fight, and stay (or don't stay) connected.
We talk about why love alone isn’t always enough to align two people’s lives, and why asking deeper, more honest questions early on matters so much.
Jane shares practical ways to stay close even when life pulls you in different directions: evolving agreements, repairing after hurt, setting shared goals, and building intimacy that grows with you.
We touch on marriage, infidelity, and non-traditional relationships with honesty and warmth, offering grounded advice for navigating real-world love.
Whether you're partnered, single, or somewhere in between, this conversation will leave you with new ways to understand yourself, your relationships, and the deep intelligence of your body in all of it.
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.com
MORE JANE PETERSON:
Website: www.human-systems-institute.com
Contact: humansystemsinstitute@gmail.com
BIO:
Jane Peterson, PhD, is the co-founder and executive director of the Human Systems Institute, Inc. She is the originator of Somatic Imaging and the somatic-resonance approach to constellation work. Her work is internationally respected for being tailored to meet the high learning demands of adult professionals. She was a faculty member at the International Intensive Workshop on Systemic Resolutions in Bernreid, Germany for 9 years. Jane is an INFOSYON certified Master Trainer and has served as an advisor and author for the Knowing Field journal. She has taught systemic constellation work in Asia, South America, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and the U.S.
In 2005, she organized the first U.S. Conference in constellation work. Her Institute offers trainings in Somatic Imaging and systemic constellation work, including training in organizational constellations. The institute is currently offering it's seventeenth year of training programs.
Jane started her professional career as an engineer and manager in a high tech firm (the first woman engineer hired into her department) and knows first-hand the demands placed on leaders in the corporate environment. In the course of becoming a constellation facilitator, she has also been a professional ceramic sculptor and ran her own fine arts studio, Laughing Bones, Inc.
Jane is a master practitioner of Neuro-linguistic Programming, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Certified Professional Behavioral Coach and a member of the American Counseling Association, VOIS, OHA, and ODN. She has studied Process Oriented Psychology with Arny Mindell and Max Schupbach, Group Dynamics with Michael Grinder, Peruvian energy healing with Don Amèrico Yàbar, Attachment and Trauma work with Dan Siegel and Diane Poole Heller, a Psycho-biological Approach to Couples Therapy with Stan Tatkin (Level 2), Coordinated Management of Meaning with Barnett Pearce, and continues to learn with other research-driven leaders in the fields of personal and social evolution. She holds a doctorate in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, and has been a post-doctoral fellow of the Institute for Social Innovation.
OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Adapting Systemic Constellations to Organizations
Burt Hellinger: “caring for desire”
Elaine Debutant: compatibility is actually an achievement of love, not a precondition.”
SOCIAL SOMA - our body is shaped by our social relationships
LALAGE SNOW: We Are the Not Dead - photographer
Stan Tatkin - safety in relationship = taking care of each other.
Terry Real - The Social Ecosystem
Esther Perel: Mating in Captivity
Arny Mindell, Sitting in the Fire: Large Group Transformation Using Conflict and Diversity
Ellyn Bader, the Initiator/Inquirer process
Stan Tatkin, In Each Other’s Care: A Guide to the Most Common Relationship Conflicts and How to Work Through Them