Woven: Soft Edges, Deep Roots

SolefulSara

Welcome to Woven: Soft Edges. Deep Roots. A podcast exploring the interconnection of bodies, culture, and transformation.Here, we honor the wisdom held in the body, the stories etched into our tissues, and the ways we are shaped—and shape—culture through care, connection, and courageous softness.Together, we’ll lean into the edges of healing, justice, and possibility.Because transformation doesn’t start in te mind—it starts in the body, and it ripples outward.This is a space to remember what’s already within you. Let’s see what we can weave together. .

  1. 5D AGO

    Woven Episode 13 Ashley Shears

    Breath Care, Barefoot Massage & Nervous System Regulation | With Ashley Shears  What happens when two barefoot massage therapists start talking about language, breath, and the nervous system? This episode is a deep, nuanced conversation about: Myofascial ashiatsu barefoot massageNervous system regulation beyond trendy buzzwordsWhy we’re shifting from “breathwork” to breath careThe power of precise language (pain vs. discomfort)Interoception and learning to describe sensationBridging relaxation massage and clinical practiceChronic stress and simple, sustainable regulation practicesWhy intake forms are relational tools — not paperworkAshley shares how she blends spa and clinical massage approaches in California, integrating breath awareness and barefoot myofascial techniques to regulate the nervous system while delivering deeply effective bodywork. We unpack why language matters — how the word work changes a client’s experience, and why “breath care” creates a different somatic invitation than “breathwork.” We also talk about the current wave of nervous system trends — vagus nerve gadgets, fight-or-flight simplifications — and why real healing is less about products and more about education, interoception, and accessible daily tools. Plus:  Ashley shares about her upcoming self-care classes and sound baths  If you’re a massage therapist, bodyworker, clinician, or human navigating chronic stress — this one is for you. Be sure to follow me: ​Patreon​: @SolefulSara ​YouTube​ @SolefulSara ​Substack​ @solefulSara ​Instagram​ @soleful_circles.stl ​Instagram Podcast​ @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots ​TikTok​ @sarasole88

    52 min
  2. MAR 12

    Woven: Episode 12 Rachel Wolff

    This episode is tender, unfiltered, and very real. We're recording live from St. Louis after attending a celebration of life for a dear friend. There's been crying and eating cookies for breakfast. Feeling puffy. Not sleeping. Processing grief in the moment and letting the body do exactly what it needs to do. We talk about: Why crying makes your face swell (and why that might be wise)The difference between funerals and celebrations of lifeHow ritual anchors grief in the bodyAmbiguous and abstract lossWhy we need community to metabolize deathDia de los Muertos and what it teaches us about joy, remembrance, and cultureInviting the dead into our lives instead of pretending they’re goneOxytocin vs. dopamine (and why women especially need connection over consumption)Grief massage and touch as ritualWe reference the teachings of Stephen Jenkinson on grief and dying, and Perdita Finn, author of Take Back the Magic, who writes about inviting the dead into prayer and daily life. This conversation moves from marshmallow cry-face to death literacy to flower crown crafting as grief ritual. It’s honest. It’s embodied. It’s about remembering our people out loud. If you’re grieving—recently or abstractly—this one is for you. Be sure to follow me: ​Patreon​: @SolefulSara ​YouTube​ @SolefulSara ​Substack​ @solefulSara ​Instagram​ @soleful_circles.stl ​Instagram Podcast​ @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots ​TikTok​ @sarasole88

    44 min
  3. FEB 12

    Woven: Episode 10 Savannah McDonald

    Sara and Savannah explore the changing world of nonprofit fundraising and the delicate balance between donor-centric and community-centric approaches. They discuss the growing role of platforms like Patreon and how they’re reshaping people’s motivations for giving—moving beyond tax benefits into values-driven, relationship-based support. This episode also looks deeply at ethical marketing in healing spaces, examining the discomfort of emotional appeals and the importance of honest, compassionate communication about suffering and transformation. The conversation widens into the influence of social media algorithms, digital overstimulation, and how these constant inputs impact our bodies and our sense of connection. Sara and Savannah reflect on intentional engagement, community support models, and the shift toward sustainable, people-powered philanthropy. They then turn toward animal welfare, exploring low-barrier adoption models, trust in community, and reducing shame around animal returns. Through personal stories and grounded reflection, they highlight the need for flexibility, compassion, and openness in the adoption process. Throughout the episode, Sara and Savannah return to the heart of it all: Human connection matters. Community matters. Trust matters. This episode is for anyone navigating fundraising, ethical marketing, digital overwhelm, community-supported work, or compassionate animal adoption practices. Be sure to follow me: ​Patreon​: @SolefulSara ​YouTube​ @SolefulSara ​Substack​ @solefulSara ​Instagram​ @soleful_circles.stl ​Instagram Podcast​ @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots ​TikTok​ @sarasole88 Be sure to follow me: ​Patreon​: @SolefulSara ​YouTube​ @SolefulSara ​Substack​ @solefulSara ​Instagram​ @soleful_circles.stl ​Instagram Podcast​ @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots ​TikTok​ @sarasole88

    59 min
  4. JAN 29

    Woven: Episode 9 Savannah McDonald

    🎙️ In this episode, Sara and Savannah explore the deeply human experiences of grief, change, and the shifting cultural relationship with death—both in animals and in people. What starts as a conversation about aging skin and microphone glitches grows into a rich dialogue about how we navigate endings in a world that avoids talking about them. They discuss the emotional and somatic landscape of pet grief, how it prepares us for (and mirrors) human loss, and the ways algorithms shape our communication around vulnerable experiences. Together, they reflect on the stark differences between dignity in animal death and the lack of preparation in human dying. Topics include:  • The impact of algorithm-driven communication on empathy  • How society avoids death and what we lose by doing so  • Alternative body disposal practices—composting, aquamation, ecological options  • The evolution of gravestones & shifting attitudes toward remembrance  • The absence of cultural rituals to hold grief and major life events  • “Little deaths” as practice for larger losses  • Supporting children in understanding hard things  • Technology’s effect on cultural coherence and authentic connection  • The importance of embodied rituals in grief processing Sara and Savannah reflect on the need for cultural reconstruction—ways of grieving, gathering, remembering, and supporting one another that allow us to move through life’s transitions with more honesty and less isolation. This episode offers a grounded and compassionate lens for anyone navigating loss, caregiving, or conversations about death in a rapidly changing world. Be sure to follow me: ​Patreon​: @SolefulSara ​YouTube​ @SolefulSara ​Substack​ @solefulSara ​Instagram​ @soleful_circles.stl ​Instagram Podcast​ @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots ​TikTok​ @sarasole88 Be sure to follow me: ​Patreon​: @SolefulSara ​YouTube​ @SolefulSara ​Substack​ @solefulSara ​Instagram​ @soleful_circles.stl ​Instagram Podcast​ @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots ​TikTok​ @sarasole88

    1h 10m

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About

Welcome to Woven: Soft Edges. Deep Roots. A podcast exploring the interconnection of bodies, culture, and transformation.Here, we honor the wisdom held in the body, the stories etched into our tissues, and the ways we are shaped—and shape—culture through care, connection, and courageous softness.Together, we’ll lean into the edges of healing, justice, and possibility.Because transformation doesn’t start in te mind—it starts in the body, and it ripples outward.This is a space to remember what’s already within you. Let’s see what we can weave together. .