Amber Gray is tireless in helping to restore resilience in the most extreme circumstances through body-based therapy and education. As a somatic therapist and psychotherapist, she works with survivors of war, disaster, political torture, domestic violence, ritual abuse; all forms of extreme interpersonal and social trauma where bodies have been made to lock down in fear or terror. She also trains relief teams, worldwide. Amber says, “Our bodies are the site of all human experience,” so this is where the healing can and must take place.
Sharon Weil talks with Magicians Without Borders' Tom Verner and Janet Fredericks. Together they travel to refugee camps and orphanages around the world bringing magic and laughter to some of the most war-torn, forgotten places on Earth. Magic brings the hope that change is possible, even from unseen places.
Sharon Weil talks with gifted intuitive astrologer, Rachel Lang, about using the portals of astrology and intuitive perception to bring about personal change, self-trust, and courage that can translate to social action that can change the world. She provides simple action steps to show us how.
Amanda Foulger, calls in the spirits from the unseen world, which is very much a part of our own. Shamanic practitioner, teacher, and healer, Amanda Foulger talks with Sharon Weil about how we can return our world and our lives to the sacred by honoring the earth, plants, animals, and the spirits that inhabit them and guide us. There is a multi-dimensional network of spiritual support to assist with many conditions, questions and problems of human life. The capacity we have to change our world is full of great possibility. www.amandafoulger.com
Jackie Welch Schilcher is the consummate creative artist, an accomplished Nashville actress, singer, writer, director, creativity coach and drop dead funny improv performer… now she is working with clay! Sharon Weil and Jackie travel fascinating territory in discussing how one form of creative expression translates into another, and what is at the core of them all. For Jackie, it’s improvisation, meeting the unexpected with authentic, curious, playful response. All problem solving requires creativity, and all creative expression is shaped by the question, what else can I do with this? Find out. www.facebook.com/WildHairPottery www.wildhairpottery.com
Sharon Weil talks with Adam Wolpert, painter, permaculturist and group facilitator about the moving patterns of relationship in nature, art, and group dynamics. As one of the founders of Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Adam holds a fascinating, holistic perspective. “Every form tells a story,” Adam says, “the relationships are expressed by the form." When it comes to group dynamics and finding agreement, it is necessary to look to the recognizable patterns while at the same time allowing the unexpected to emerge. Creating the unique and particular map through any reorganization or conflict requires deep listening, an embrace of the constant movement of Change, and finding the forms that can serve. Find out how Adam Wolpert does it! www.adamwolpert.com www.oaec.org
The tables are turned when Sharon Weil is interviewed by guest host, Rachel Lang. It’s the Thanksgiving show, and with deep gratitude, Sharon discusses her thinking behind the creation of the Passing 4 Normal Podcast, her ideas about personal bravery, creating change, and why it is she passes for normal. www.passing4normal.com
Sharon Weil and John Weeks, talk about how to integrate conventional medicine. John Weeks is a writer, organizer, and the executive director of the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health (ACCHC) His mission and that of his organization is to integrate disciplines of complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream medical training, policy and practice. An uphill battle, but one they are incrementally impacting in large ways. www.accahc.org
Sharon Weil talks with Beth Rosales, philanthropic advisor, about strategic charitable giving for social change. For more than 35 years, Beth has made a priority to “move money” towards strengthening social justice movements around the country, serving in senior capacities for progressive foundations including Vanguard Public Foundation, Funding Exchange, Tides, Women’s Foundation of California, and Marguerite Casey Foundation. Beth says, “95% of Americans give money and volunteer their time, aligned with their values.” In this rare interview, Beth shares her vast expertise as to why people give, how they give, and how you can focus even small amounts of money towards the causes and changes you believe in.
Sharon Weil engages with author/activist-awakener, Paul Rogat Loeb. Paul Loeb wrote the book on citizen engagement and activism in Soul of a Citizen, The Impossible Will Take a Little While, and several other seminal books. A true awakener, Paul discusses the simple steps one can take towards greater, effective, grassroots involvement in social action for important issues – leading from the heart to help change the world, one action at a time. Loeb says, “You do something…and you don’t know where it will lead.” www.theimpossible.org www.paulloeb.org
When Sharon Weil talks with renowned structural bodyworker, Harvey Ruderian, they travel far. As a long time practitioner and instructor, (Aston Patterning, Rolfing, Bio-Dynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy, Visceral manipulation) Harvey’s understanding of the physical body’s presentation of illness and injury leads him to listen more deeply to the underlying story. He listens with his hands for the subtle movements that can be encouraged to open, and when he does, he and his client experience waves of consciousness unfolding and re-shaping into greater health. Harvey and Sharon’s fascinating conversation about the relationship of body and consciousness opens up new ways of perceiving what a body may truly be.
Sharon Weil talks with Ann Gentry, founder/owner of Real Food Daily restaurants in Los Angeles, California about plant-based diets, and how she elevated vegetarian cooking to high cuisine. They talk about the role food plays in our lives, and how changing the way we eat can literally change everything about us. Their lively discussion sorts out confusion over which healthy diet to follow, food fads, and the truth about gluten-free eating. Author of several cookbooks, she shows us how to create a healthy, meat-free diet you can live with that is delicious, nutritious, and accessible. www.realfood.com
Sharon Weil, and movement artist and educator, Fred Sugerman, speak a common language when they talk about the space between performing arts and healing arts, and how they are connected. Both teachers of fluid movement (for Sharon, Continuum Movement, for Fred, it’s his creation, Medicine Dance), Fred discusses how authentic, fluid, and expressive movement can cultivate “presence”, and lead to self-discovery, change body dynamics, and can create beautiful and empathic art. Fred tells us how to be a shape-shifting artist of change, led by Nature, curiosity, and the sensations of the unseen. www.medicinedance.com www.facebook.com/medicinedance
Permaculture Designer and Educator, Penny Livingston-Starksays, “We have the technological solutions, why aren’t we using them?” She’s talking about solutions for climate health; organic food, water collection, and soil/carbon sequestration. Sharon Weil talks with Penny about some of these solutions, as well as her guiding solution; a deeper heart connection with nature, with one another, and recognizing the Earth as our Mother. www.regenerativedesign.org
Sharon Weil and Rebecca Mark, writer, poet, professor at Tulane University, delve into her unique practice of unearthing the Muse. Hers is a whole body approach to writing, one that moves seamlessly from words, to movement, to drawing, and back again as a way of generating deep creativity and giving voice to the unexpected. Using Continuum, the result is a fluid, magical unfolding of imaginal realms; the process itself is the real discovery. For writers, artists, and deep dreamers, alike. www.rebecca@tulane.edu
Sharon Weil talks with Michael Stocker, bio-acoustician, naturalist, and musician, about water, oceans, natural sound, and human-generated noise pollution in the ocean. His organization, Ocean Conservation Research, studies the impact and finds solutions to its detrimental effect on marine life. Did you know that dolphins call each other by name? Sound and sound perception are ways in which we locate ourselves in place, and underwater noise pollution is creating stress and dislocation in whales and dolphins. Michael is a fascinating and passionate advocate for natural sound, and all the beautiful creatures and environments that produce it. OCR.org | passing4normal.com
Sharon Weil and James Stark continue their conversation, this time talking about Communities. James views communities to be like ecosystems; dynamic, interdependent, and ever-changing in order to thrive. One of the challenges of any group, be it a village, neighborhood, an organization, or a personal relationship, is to allow for the intrinsic ongoing change that naturally occurs, while at the same time, finding agreement and common purpose. Nature has the best design. Hear how he applies his creative knowing to building healthy communities. www.regenerativedesign.org www.passing4normal.com
Sharon Weil talks with James Stark about permaculture, tending the inner garden, and the wisdom of living in alignment with nature. He is co-founder and co-director of Regenerative Design Institute, a permaculture school that “grows people, and the new community leaders for our times.” He co-directs the Ecology of Leadership and Ecology of Awakening programs at RDI. A community visioning leader, James shows us how to tend the inner soil so the seeds of our visions can grow in the world. This conversation was so lively, it continues on to next week! www.regenerativedesign.org www.passing4normal.com
Sharon Weil talks with Corinne Bourdeau, social change media producer and marketer, about how a captivating issue-oriented film can have a huge effect on the beliefs, hearts, and actions of the public. Bringing her innovative expertise to such films as: The Cove, Fuel, Bottle Shock, Buck and the current release, Boyhood, Corinne knows what it is to seed change on a large scale with a small budget! www.360degreecomm.net
Sharon Weil continues her discussion with Robert Litman, breath and movement educator. This time they discuss how rather than an emotional issue, anxiety is a breathing issue that triggers an emotional response. Quite a revelation! More than 20% of the population suffers from anxiety, and Robert shows how this can be regulated by breathing exercises.