The wisdom messenger Sophie Messager

A spiritual guide dedicated to women's empowerment, Rachael facilitates circles, workshops and healing sessions. From menarche to menopause, she creates sacred spaces honouring life's transitions. Based in West Wales surrounded by nature, her multifaceted work helps others awaken to their authentic power.




In this interview we cover a wide range of topics centred around empowering women, embracing self-care, exploring spiritual practices, and finding healing through various modalities. We discussed the importance of cultural rituals, women's circles, and reclaiming practices like drumming that have historically been taken away from women. We emphasise the need for continuous self-reflection when engaging in these practices. Rachael shares personal experiences with struggles like addiction, cancer, and finding purpose through helping others. This conversation also focuses on the significance of energy management, self-care practices, and celebrating women's achievements.

Highlight Points:


Embracing diversity and multifacetedness: Rachael encourages others to embrace and showcase their diverse skills and interests, reflecting her own journey of self-discovery and exploration of various healing modalities.


Prioritising energy management and self-care for women: Both Rachael and Sophie stress the importance of women prioritising their energy levels and engaging in self-care practices to align their work with their passions and well-being.


The power of women's circles and cultural rituals: we discuss the transformative impact of women's circles and the need to reclaim cultural rituals surrounding significant life events like motherhood, menopause, and childbirth, which can create a sense of belonging and empowerment for women.


Drumming as a healing and empowering practice: Rachael shares her experiences of how drumming has helped women rediscover their power and confidence, while Sophie explains how drumming as a safer alternative to psychedelics for achieving heightened states of consciousness and interrupting negative thought patterns.


Exploring alternative healing modalities: we touch on various techniques for achieving heightened states of mind, and reflect on exploring different paths to healing and personal growth.




You can find Rachael at at


rachaelcrow.co.uk
@rachael__crow


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Find out more about Sophie here


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sophiemessager.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram : @sophie_messager⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.

Instagram @olivier_messager

As a visionary, and inspired by Layne Redmond's Mob of Angels, she created Moonrise: Daughters of an Ancient Pulse and DrumRise! The Art of Women's Drumming, where women experienced transformation through sisterhood, by sharing the drum with one another and in the greater community.  Women, Rhythm & Ritual and The Tambourine Path are recent incarnations of her ancient future wisdom teachings.  With her husband and partner in all things, Jeff Hanna, she's co-owner of The Rhythm Inlet and The Ukulele Place music retail stores and teaching studios (which morphed in 2022). 

Barbara's been sharing the joys of rhythm and movement, hand-drumming and dance, in her award-winning programs full-time for 30 years, and has facilitated hundreds of groups and thousands of people, of all ages, abilities and challenges, in over 400 venues and in 13 states. She also teaches online.

In this episode we have wide-ranging discussion covering various topics related to drumming, music, dance, education, cultural traditions, and empowering women. We explore the therapeutic benefits of participatory rhythm and movement practices across different cultures. We also discussed Sophie's upcoming book project, share resources and wisdom from influential figures like Lane, and delved into the complexities of respectfully sharing cultural knowledge. Throughout our conversation, we exchange insights from our experiences and highlight the value of collaboration in drumming.

Highlights include:


We discuss shared interests in education, dance, yoga, and various wisdom traditions focused on the transformative power of rhythm and movement practices.
We explore the origins and development of 5Rhythms dance, the importance of cultural exchange through playful learning, and the universal appeal of drumming across cultures.
We highlight the universality of participatory music and dance for connecting people, fostering community, while emphasising respect for cultural origins
We share experiences using drumming therapeutically to promote relaxation, release, self-awareness, facilitate multigenerational gatherings, and encourage cultural sensitivity.
We discuss the value of participatory drum circles, the significance of repetition in learning, and creating judgement-free spaces for expressive drumming and dancing.

Can you listen to the episode on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcast

You can find Barbara at


Barbaragail.com
@barbaragaildrumdance






Like this podcast? Leave me a review.

Find out more about Sophie here


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sophiemessager.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram : @sophie_messager⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



The introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@olivier_messager⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this Episode I interview Melonie Syrett. Melonie, known as The Drum Woman, creates commissioned and channelled drums, leads drum circles and conventions, holds drum birthing workshops and retreats, teaches facilitator training, and guides drum-based sacred site expeditions. 

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of drumming for empowerment and self-expression, particularly for women. Melonie shares her inspirational journey from teaching to professional drum-making and facilitating. We delve into Melonie's perspectives on drum circles as judgment-free spaces for presence, community, and personal growth. 

Melonie, known as The drum woman, was called to drumming in 2012. Though she didn't realise it then, the drums came into her life to create positive change for herself and others. She left her career as a primary school teacher in 2017 to fully embrace the path of drumming she felt drawn to. Now Melonie creates commissioned and channelled drums, leads drum circles and conventions, holds drum birthing workshops and retreats, teaches facilitator training, and guides drum-based sacred site expeditions. 

We have a wide-ranging conversation about the significance of drumming, especially for female empowerment and self-expression. We discuss Melonie's journey from teaching to becoming a full-time drum maker, facilitator and organiser of drumming events. The challenges of career transitions were explored, as well as the importance of balancing work with menstrual cycles. They talked about Melonie's experiences organising a major women's drumming convention and her plans for more events. The transformative power of drum circles was emphasised as a space for judgement-free self-expression and personal growth.

Highlights Include


Melonie share her journey from teaching to professional drumming, making her own drums, and organising drumming events.
We discuss the challenges faced when transitioning from teaching careers to new opportunities.
Melonie finds scheduling work around her menstrual cycle improves productivity and wellbeing.
How organising a 150-person women's drumming convention was daunting financially but created an incredible community spirit.
How drum circles offer a powerful space for self-expression, presence, and personal transformation.

Can you listen to the episode on Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcast

You can find Melonie at



Thedrumwoman.com
@thedrumwoman








Like this podcast? Leave me a review.

Find out more about Sophie here


⁠⁠⁠⁠sophiemessager.com⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram : @sophie_messager⁠⁠⁠⁠



The introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@olivier_messager⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I interview Hollie Hope. Hollie is a mother, grandmother and an integrative healing arts practitioner, intuitive oracle and master of sacred sound. She has been supporting the community for the last 17 years through releasing traumas and distortions we hold with ourselves and teaching others how to open and activate their spiritual gifts and embracing their own feminine sensual embodiment.

Through techniques cultivated through healing her own lifetime of trauma and abuse she offers wisdom how to incorporate sacred sound when healing the mind, the physical body and the emotional body to assist in activating the most potent parts of our own uniqueness and our own master healer within ourselves. 

In this episode, we explore Hollie’s journey into drumming as a sacred healing practice and its scientifically-backed benefits for stress relief, empowerment, emotional release, and trauma recovery, especially among women.

Highlights include:


Hollie’s journey into drumming after being invited to join a Native American drum circle. Despite initial hesitation, she experienced an emotional and physical connection to drumming.


How drumming became a self-healing tool for Hollie during a difficult time, helping her manage emotions and find stability. She evolved from personal use to teaching and making drums for others.


How drumming ceremonies facilitate healing, self-connection and emotional release for women by reopening dormant or stagnant parts.


Stories of using drum ceremonies to help two women release negative emotions/experiences and regain control and empowerment.


Research on drumming's benefits for trauma therapy by allowing expression of emotions and trauma release.


How drumming can release trauma stored in the body's cells. 


How drumming can induce relaxing alpha brain waves to counter excessive stress-induced beta waves in modern life.


How drumming aids meditation, stress relief, emotional regulation, and self-expression by connecting the body and mind.


Hollie’s new book, The Sacred Healing Drum




You can find Hollie at


Holliehope.com
@hollie.hope



Like this podcast? Leave me a review.

Find out more about Sophie here


⁠⁠⁠sophiemessager.com⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Instagram : @sophie_messager⁠⁠⁠



The introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@olivier_messager⁠⁠

In this episode I interview Alexia Leachman is a mindset coach, digital strategist, entrepreneur, author and speaker.


Alexia is the creator of Head Trash Clearance, a transformative healing method that emerged from her personal journey to overcome her extreme fear of pregnancy and childbirth (tokophobia). Her courageous efforts to heal herself during her pregnancy led Alexia to ditch her planned c-section for a remarkable home birth. She then focused on helping other women overcome their fears through her "Fear Free Childbirth" podcast, self-healing products and programs, and by developing her innovative Head Trash Clearance method. With her background in branding and passion for empowering people to heal anxiety, depression and OCD, Alexia aims to build a global mental health and resilience brand to make healing accessible, enjoyable and efficient.

In this episode, Alexia shares her journey in healing her fear of birth, how she started by helping others doing the same and then using her head trash clearance method to support people with their mindset, mental health, and increase their level of consciousness.

Key topics include: challenges within the Western medical system in treating mental health; the influence of parenting on children; Alexia's unique emotional mapping method; and her plans to launch a trauma-healing program.

After an unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage, Alexia developed a debilitating fear of childbirth (tokophobia). Though she created a self-help method, her midwife dismissed her anguish. By trusting her body and bonding with her baby, Alexia found freedom from her terror. She also questioned the overmedicalization of birth.

Alexia and Sophie challenged the growing technological influence over fertility and childbirth for neglecting personalized care. Though scheduled for an induction, Alexia achieved an intervention-free birth through advocacy. They considered life phases like motherhood potential openings for healing.

Seeking Alternative Treatment

Alexia shared an effective alternative technique she uses to treat deep-seated fears like tokophobia by shifting mindsets. They stressed meeting people where they are without judgment. They also debated ways to make therapy more accessible.

Importance of Conscious Parenting

Alexia asserted unconscious parenting can unintentionally harm children. She emphasized mindfully preparing for a baby with practices from her book “Fearless Birthing.”

Understanding EmotionsAlexia emphasized evaluating distress intensity by numbering it and learning self-soothing skills. Her “Mind-Body” method combined mantras, acupressure and visualization to release emotions.

Cataloguing Personal Growth

Alexia's “conker” model utilized concepts like a “trash ladder” to represent emotional maturation. These metaphors catalogue one’s journey from turbulence toward tranquility.

You can find Alexia at ⁠https://alexialeachman.com/ and @
@alexia_headtrash

Like this podcast? Leave me a review.

Find out more about Sophie here


⁠⁠sophiemessager.com⁠⁠
⁠⁠Instagram : @sophie_messager⁠⁠



The introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.

Instagram ⁠⁠@olivier_messager⁠⁠

In this episode, I interview Aimee Hamblyn.

Aimee is a doula, doula trainer, and Energy-Lift Healer, who is fascinated by how bringing the body into deep peace facilitates healing.

Aimee helps clients heal past traumas, clear negative thought patterns, uplift their energy field, and experience transformative changes by connecting with their inner wisdom and power.

In this episode, Aimee shares her spiritual journey and healing abilities, discussed energy therapy practices, the concept of reclaiming wounded parts of self, and techniques like cord cutting to support clients in their growth.

Highlights include:


Aimee discusses her spiritual journey and influences, including her upbringing, exposure to various religions, a pivotal trip to India, and her father's passing.


We explore different types of healing abilities, with Aimee sharing about her clairvoyant visual abilities that have evolved over time.


We discuss the concept of Ignite Your Spirit therapy that involves meditation, visualization, and clearing/filling the energy body to tune into one's intuitive languages.


Aimee introduces the idea of reclaiming wounded parts of oneself and integrating them into the present as part of the healing process.


We talk about a cord cutting practice to detach from emotional ties with others one is no longer willing to carry. Aimee incorporates this into her work with clients.



You can find Aimee at www.aimeehamblyn.co.uk and @aimee_hamblyn_healing




Like this podcast? Leave me a review.

Find out more about Sophie here


⁠sophiemessager.com⁠
⁠Instagram : @sophie_messager⁠



The introduction music is by my talented brother, Olivier Messager.

Instagram ⁠@olivier_messager⁠