Further Forward

Ashley Mitchell
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Honest conversations on the art of becoming.  Through solo reflections and conversations with soulful, sharp, and courageous guests, Ashley creates room for the stories that don’t always get told—the pivots, the struggles, the magic, and the mess. Part spiritual, part practical, always human—Further Forward is a space for women invested in their becoming, who know growth is both messy and worth embracing.

  1. 2D AGO

    All or Something: Building a Life You Don’t Quit On with Midori Dowdie

    Midori Dowdie is the founder of MADSoleful, a holistic health coach, strength and conditioning coach, and Pilates instructor—and she’s teaching us how to just go for it.  In this episode, Midori shares how she pivoted from elementary education to exercise science after noticing how movement transformed her mental health. We talk about the “inner voice” (and how it shows up in the body), the power of slowing down and getting bored, and why being fiercely protective of your time and energy isn’t selfish— it’s survival. We also get into the real behind-the-scenes of building a business: leaving a stable job, navigating COVID, turning her parents’ garage into a private training studio, and creating a coaching model that’s personal, not cookie-cutter.  And as we wrap, she gives a loving-but-firm message for women: strength train—because life is physical, and being strong is a form of freedom. Also? Her 2026 challenge: make cooking your hobby. About Midori:  Midori Dowdie is a holistic health coach, strength coach, and Pilates instructor with over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Her work is grounded in the principles of bio-individuality and evidence-based practice, recognizing that effective health and fitness interventions must be personalized. She specializes in helping women build strength, improve their relationship with food and movement, and develop sustainable habits that support long term health rather than short term fixes. Midori’s coaching programs are collaborative by design, and she considers herself part of each client’s broader care team, integrating movement, nutrition behaviors, and lifestyle strategies to support physical resilience and overall well-being. Instagram Website MADsoleful Instagram  Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    54 min

  2. JAN 29

    What's The Story You're Telling About Your Body? with Qiana Drew

    In this episode of Further Forward, Ashley sits down with performer, mother, and diabetes coach Qiana Drew for an honest conversation about bodies, control, shame, and the moment you decide to choose life. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in her early 20s, Qiana shares the realities no one prepared her for: the mental weight of numbers, the danger of insulin omission, and how body image, diet culture, and the music industry shaped her relationship with her health. She opens up about motherhood as a turning point—how becoming a parent forced her to ask a life-altering question: What’s the story my body is telling, and do I want it to end here? This episode isn’t about perfection or “doing wellness right.” It’s about learning to see your body as a vessel worth caring for, breaking cycles of shame, and choosing repair—for yourself and for the people watching you live. In This Episode, We Talk About: Getting diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in your early 20sWhy diabetes management is about patterns, not punishmentThe emotional toll of living by numbers (blood sugar, A1C, weight)Insulin omission and why it’s so hard to name—and escapeHow shame disconnects us from our bodiesMotherhood as a wake-up call: choosing life and longevityPostpartum body image and telling the truth without self-abandonmentParenting a teenager with Type 1 diabetes without passing down fearRepair, compassion, and learning to choose stewardship over control Don't forget to rate & review the pod! About Qiana:  Qiana Drew is a recording artist, actress, and motivational speaker who has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over 25 years. A former Arista Records signee and *American Idol* Hollywood finalist, she has worked with legends like Missy Elliott while managing chronic illness behind the scenes. Today, Qiana is a powerful voice in the diabetes community — a Diabetes Empowerment Coach and CDC DPP facilitator — using her story, voice, and creativity to uplift others. Her original songs, “You Are Not Alone” and “Coast” (an upbeat track that symbolizes ideal blood sugar balance), serve as love letters to the community. With her daughter also diagnosed with Type 1 in 2021, Qiana brings personal and generational insight to every stage she steps on. She's currently producing a motivational series that blends meditation, sound, and physical movement — designed to help people build a strong foundation for sustainable lifestyle changes that support successful blood sugar management.  Wesbite  Instagram  Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    1h 3m

  3. JAN 22

    You’re Not Stuck. You’re Waiting for Permission. (Solo Episode)

    If you’ve been setting the same goals year after year and nothing is changing, this episode is for you. From systems and hierarchies to habits and self-trust, this conversation explores what it truly means to live differently now.  This episode weaves together personal reflection, cultural critique, history, and legacy thinking, touching on: Why writing the same goals every year is a signal—not a failureHow top-down leadership and hierarchy shape our sense of readinessThe hidden comfort of stress, busyness, and familiar patternsWhy the world being hard doesn’t absolve us from responsibilityCathedral thinking and building for a future we may never see Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    24 min

  4. JAN 15

    A Wellness Space for Black Women: Soulful Sister Collective with Britney Willingham

    In this episode, Ashley sits down with Britney Willingham, Pilates instructor and founder of Soulful Sister Collective, a community dedicated to the inclusion and empowerment of Black women through curated wellness events. They talk representation, what it means to create an identity-safe space, the realities of building a community you need yourself, and why Soulful Sister Collective has had an immense impact in such a short amount of time.  Connect: Soulful Sister Collective: soulfulsistercollective.comSocial: IG/Facebook/Threads/TikTok @soulfulsistercollective Brittany’s classes: Life Time (Station Landing/Medford), Republic (HealthWorks), Dance Complex (Cambridge)About Britney:  Britney is a movement professional and seasoned fitness instructor, with a special focus in Pilates. She’s dedicated over ten years to leading classes & has had the pleasure of teaching in a variety of studios and wellness spaces throughout New England. Her thoughtfully designed programming is accessible to all levels and focuses on celebrating the body’s strengths through mindful, intentional movement. Outside of teaching, Britney is a community builder who takes pride in creating spaces that bring people together & empower others through movement. In 2024, Britney founded the Soulful Sister Collective—a wellness community dedicated to the inclusion, appreciation, and empowerment of Black Women. To learn more, visit soulfulsistercollective.com Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    35 min

  5. JAN 8

    Productive Discomfort & A Beautiful Life with Amy Leydon

    Amy Leydon has been in the yoga game for over 20 years— and she’s intentionally building a life that feels beautiful. In this conversation, Ashley and Amy talk about self-esteem, aging, motherhood, and why honoring your capacity is not a lack of ambition but a form of wisdom. It’s about listening to your body, trusting your timing, and choosing work that fits the life you actually want. We'll also discuss:  How Amy went from TV producer to yoga teacher to unexpected studio ownerThe moment yoga became more than “just a workout”Designing work around your natural energy instead of forcing a grindAging, menopause, and the shift from nitpicking in the mirror to “not bad, girl”How somatic experiencing changed the way Amy teaches and moves through her lifeMotherhood, resentment, and naming what you need before you burn outWhat she looks for in teachers and how she protects the energy at SomaIf you’re craving a version of success that feels embodied and joyful, this episode is meant for you.  About Amy:  Amy (E-RYT 500) is the Co-founder and Director of Soma Yoga. She is a pioneer in the Boston yoga scene and is one of the most sought-after teachers in the city. She utilizes mindfulness meditation and somatic techniques in her teaching to help students connect their minds with their bodies. She makes the practice accessible and uncomplicated so everyone can benefit from this vital work. Along with her many yoga certifications, Amy is an Intermediate Somatic Experience Practitioner with Peter Levine and a certified Postural and Movement Analyst with Tom Myers. Her private yoga therapy practice caters to individual needs, from reducing stress and anxiety to healing chronic pain. She has studied extensively with Barbara Benagh and Shiva Rea and credits much of her teaching style to their influence. Amy has been teaching yoga, movement, and mindfulness for over 20 years. She was awarded Best Yoga Teacher in Boston by Boston Magazine, leads 200-hour teacher training and mentorship programs as the Director of Soma Yoga School, and is a contributing teacher at Harvard. Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    1h 2m

  6. JAN 1

    Stop Giving Your Power Away

    This episode is appropriately titled “Stop Giving Your Power Away” because… whew! Ashley has been staring down the quiet, yet socially rewarded ways she self-betrays: saying yes too fast, over-helping, dropping her own priorities for everyone else, and outsourcing her inner knowing to tech, timelines, and other people’s expectations. In this conversation, she walks you through: A vulnerable New York hotel moment, reading old journals and realizing she’d been looping the same problems all year.How self-betrayal can look like being “the helpful one,” “the reliable one,” or “the good mom/wife/friend.”Why your body often knows you’re betraying yourself before your brain will admit it.How movement and the nervous system can help you access the pause between reaction and response.A simple way to use your workouts, cool downs, and even your warmups as a practice ground for self-trust.Why relying solely on wearables and data can quietly train you to mistrust your own experience.If you’ve ever felt that little seed of disappointment in your belly after saying yes when you meant no, this one’s for you. We’re not fixing it overnight—but we are slowing down, paying attention, and taking the next right step further forward together. Further Forward is about knowing we’re not doing this alone. If this episode supported you, share it with one woman you love and let her know you’re rooting for her, too. Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    33 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Say it With Your Chest: Motherhood is Political with Raena Boston

    What if "having it all" isn’t aspirational… but a trap? In today’s episode, I’m with Raena Boston, creator of The Working Momtras, writer, speaker, activist, and HR professional, and we get honest about some of the realities of being a working mother in America:  The scam of “doing it all" & the trade-offs nobody admitsWhy time freedom beats work titles Class anxietyValues alignment Telling the truth even when it changes relationships  Paid leave & childcareWhy motherhood is inherently political.The resurrection of the “girl boss” era, and what a more human alternative looks like. If you’re craving language for your boundaries and a vision bigger than individual hustle, you’re going to feel seen. More about Raena:  Raena Boston is a writer, HR professional, and an award-winning care activist, as well as a mom of three. Her thought leadership has been featured on NPR and Good Morning America, where she speaks about paid leave, childcare, and working parenthood in America. Connect: https://www.theworkingmomtras.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theworkingmomtras Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    52 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    There Is Always Space for Us with Rachelle Pierre and Cassandre Titus

    What does it mean to care for others without disappearing yourself? In this grounding, yet spacious conversation, Ashley is joined by yoga teachers and bodyworkers Rachelle Pierre and Cassandre “Cass” Titus. Together they explore the rituals that sustain caretakers, how the body quietly tells the truth before burnout screams, what it’s like to be Black women in Boston’s wellness spaces, and why movement and touch have become their home. If you’ve ever felt guilty for needing rest, struggled to say a full-sentence “no,” or sensed your nervous system fraying at the edges, this episode is a gentle permission slip to come back to yourself. Key themes: nervous system regulation, the wisdom of the body, finding your people, astrology and yoga, frequency music, creating soft spaces, the importance of touch post-pandemic If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs these words! Cassandre Titus is a Licensed Practical Nurse, yoga teacher, and Thai bodywork practitioner whose work centers around nervous system care, restorative movement, and community wellness. Drawing from 12 years in healthcare and her experience in teaching yin, restorative, and vinyasa, she helps students and clients embody grounded presence through movement, breath, sound, and mindful touch. Cassandre offers weekly classes, monthly bodywork sessions, seasonally inspired workshops, and emerging virtual resources that support holistic self-care and sustainable well-being. You can connect with her on Instagram at @cassandre.titus, where she shares gentle practices, reflections, and upcoming offerings designed to help you slow down, soften, and reconnect. Rachelle Pierre is a hot power yoga teacher, Thai bodyworker, and educator who trains others in intuitive, supportive assisting in the yoga classroom. Rooted in movement as a pathway to clarity, connection, and presence, her work centers on helping students feel grounded, strong, and deeply attuned to their bodies. Through athletic flow and mindful breath, Rachelle creates classes that invite students to meet challenges with curiosity and show up exactly as they are. She weaves together intentional sequencing, embodied awareness, and the potency of mindful touch to support connection, empowerment, and awakening in places where words alone cannot reach. You can connect with Rachelle through her Linktree, where she shares her weekly teaching schedule and upcoming offerings for deeper practice and embodied exploration. Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell. 📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/ 🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    1h 4m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Honest conversations on the art of becoming.  Through solo reflections and conversations with soulful, sharp, and courageous guests, Ashley creates room for the stories that don’t always get told—the pivots, the struggles, the magic, and the mess. Part spiritual, part practical, always human—Further Forward is a space for women invested in their becoming, who know growth is both messy and worth embracing.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Mitchell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Further Forward
  • Show Website
    Further Forward

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