• From Movement to Meaning with Jo Hardy: How Embodiment Facilitation Transforms Emotion and Body Awareness
    Jul 10 2025

    Episode Highlights

    • 🌀 Dance as Divine Connection
      Jo reflects on how movement becomes a form of prayer—a personal and collective ritual where “the dance space is also the divine.”
    • 🌀 Training Through Movement, Not Just Talk
      In The Change Weaver, movement isn’t optional. Jo outlines how dance, hands-on exercises, and embodied presence are central to how she teaches facilitation.
    • 🌀 From Sitting to Sensing
      Jo shares her evolution from a mindfulness-heavy somatic psychotherapy practice to one that embraced standing up, moving, and listening through the body in motion.
    • 🌀 Breaking Free from Performance
      Why trained dancers often arrive in embodiment spaces feeling trapped by perfectionism—and how conscious dance can return movement to a place of freedom and inquiry.

    What you'll learn

    • Why movement can be a deeper form of inquiry than words
    • How trained facilitation supports emotional processing and somatic integration
    • The difference between freeform movement and held embodiment practice
    • How culture, trauma, and personal history show up in our bodies
    • The ethics and subtle skills of facilitating embodied spaces
    • How embodiment supports emotional resilience, presence, and trust

    Notable Quotes

    “Movement can be a form of inquiry.”
    “Every cell in your body has the potential to perceive the wisdom of the moment.”
    “Facilitation is not just holding space—it’s participating in the space with integrity.”
    “The dance space is also the divine.”

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to Movement Is My Constant
    02:45 Jo’s Path from Therapy to Dance Facilitation
    09:19 Embodiment as Inquiry, Not Performance
    16:48 Facilitating Emotional and Somatic Process
    21:02 The Cultural Layers of Movement
    25:51 Building Safety and Trust in Embodied Spaces
    35:40 Movement as Integration: From Personal to Collective
    45:06 Spiritual Dimensions of Embodied Work
    51:17 Training the Next Generation of Facilitators
    59:18 Final Reflections

    Resources and Mentions

    Jo Hardy's website

    Follow Jo Hardy on Instagram: @consciousdance

    Jo's current training offering: The Changeweaver program

    Let's Connect

    🎧 Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant on your podcast app.
    📩 Join MiMC newsletter for movement-based resources and podcast updates.
    📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant

    ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.

    Episode Credits
    Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes
    Artwork Design by Utterly Create
    Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org

    Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram

    🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

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    1 h et 21 min
  • Flow Over Force with Anthony Trahair: A Playful Take on Mental Health and Creative Recovery
    Jun 25 2025

    In a world that glorifies urgency and endless productivity, what if the key to clarity, focus, and meaning lies in something as simple—and radical—as play? In this episode, Anthony Trahair shares his journey from chemistry student to circus performer to wellness coach, offering deep reflections on the role of movement and creativity in mental wellbeing.

    Whether you're feeling burnt out, overstimulated, or just disconnected from your creative edge, this conversation offers practical tools and fresh insights into how we might live, move, and work with more intention.

    Episode Highlights

    • Why urgency makes us feel important (and why that's dangerous)
    • Burnout culture, productivity myths, and nervous system overload
    • Movement as a form of emotional regulation
    • Flow state, attention, and the link with neurodivergence
    • Juggling as metaphor and method for mental health
    • The problem with “watch out!” and the power of mindful language
    • Why screen time ruins downtime
    • The value of daily practices before touching your phone
    • Creativity, curiosity, and how children learn presence through play

    Key Ideas & References

    • Marshall Rosenberg – founder of Nonviolent Communication; referenced in how we can shift language to support emotional safety and creativity.
    • The book PlayDHD by Kirten Milliken PhD – mentioned in the context of neurodivergence and reframing attention as a creative strength.
    • The Urgency-Importance Matrix (also known as the Eisenhower Matrix) – used to explain how urgency often feels like importance but is usually a trap.
    • The idea that school is no longer a clear path to employment or purpose, which contributes to disengagement.
    • The importance of having a practice—something grounding you do daily before engaging with tech.

    🧩 Memorable Quote

    "If you start your day with your phone, your nervous system’s already hijacked. A practice, before anything else, is a way to claim your mind back." — Anthony Trahair

    🔗 Links & Resources

    🌐 Anthony Trahair – Official Website
    📘 Pearls of Juggling – Book by Anthony Trahair (available on his website)
    🧠 Marshall Rosenberg – Nonviolent Communication
    📚 PlayHD by Christine Miskinis – Book Info
    🎙️ More Episodes at Movement Is My Constant
    📲 Follow the Podcast on Instagram @movementismyconstant

    📣 Call to Action

    If you’re navigating a creative block, mental fatigue, or just want to bring more joy into your work, tag a friend or fellow mover who needs to hear this. Rate and review if it resonated

    ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.

    Episode Credits
    Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes
    Artwork Design by Utterly Create
    Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org

    Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram

    🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

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    57 min
  • Touch, Trust & Transformation: How Contact Improvisation Builds Emotional Awareness with Tom Goldhand
    Jun 11 2025

    What happens when we stop talking and start listening with our bodies?
    In this candid conversation, dancer and facilitator Tom Goldhand reveals how contact improvisation became a tool for emotional intelligence, embodied self-awareness, and relational trust. Starting dance at 25, Tom was drawn to the space between structure and spontaneity—where movement speaks louder than words.

    We explore how touch and play open pathways to transformation, why creating safe spaces is vital for partner work, and how curiosity fuels the flow state in dance. This episode is essential listening for teachers, dancers, and anyone exploring contact improvisation as a somatic practice for self-development.

    Episode Highlights

    • Tom’s late start in dance and his journey from beginner to facilitator
    • How touch unlocks emotional awareness and the challenges it brings
    • The balance between safety and bravery in contact improvisation
    • Curiosity and responsiveness as keys to flow and growth
    • Teaching consent and boundaries through movement, without words
    • Playfulness as a serious tool for emotional transformation
    • Holding space for emotional memory triggered by touch
    • The importance of community in your dance journey
    • The washing machine metaphor: surrendering to collective rhythm
    • Applying contact improvisation lessons beyond the dance floor

    What You’ll Learn

    ✔️ How contact improvisation supports emotional healing and somatic awareness
    ✔️ Why non-verbal communication can reveal deeper truths than words
    ✔️ Strategies for creating emotionally safe and consent-aware movement spaces
    ✔️ Differentiating touch as a technique vs. relational inquiry
    ✔️ Cultivating bravery and presence over performance in dance
    ✔️ Teaching and learning through structured spontaneity and flow
    ✔️ Recognizing healthy, supportive dance communities for growth
    ✔️ Preparing facilitators to hold emotional content safely
    ✔️ Understanding how the body stores and releases emotional memory
    ✔️ Practical methods to teach consent, boundaries, and risk in partner dance

    Links & Resources

    🌐 Tom Goldhand – Official Website
    📘 Facebook: Tom Goldhand
    🎙️ More Episodes at Movement Is My Constant
    📲 Follow the Podcast on Instagram @movementismyconstant

    ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.

    Episode Credits
    Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes
    Artwork Design by Utterly Create
    Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org

    Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram

    🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

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    1 h et 14 min
  • Beyond Loneliness: How Movement Builds Meaningful Human Connection with Margarida Guedes De Quinhones
    May 21 2025
    🎧 Episode Highlights:

    🔹 The Power of Volunteering: How simple acts of service become catalysts for transformation and connection—for both giver and receiver
    🔹 Loneliness Across Generations: Why older adults and remote-working young adults face different versions of the same silent epidemic
    🔹 Reframing Aging: Challenging the outdated beliefs that reduce elders to care recipients, instead of full participants in society
    🔹 The Symbolism of a Bike Ride: Why “the right to feel the wind in your hair” is about freedom, dignity, and belonging
    🔹 Emotional Movement: How shared experiences in physical movement create emotional openness and trust
    🔹 Community Healing: How grassroots volunteer projects like Pedalar Sem Idade spark social change from the ground up
    🔹 Global Insights: Lessons from Portugal’s adaptation of a worldwide movement—and what every country can learn from it

    🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔️ Why loneliness often goes unspoken—and how to recognize it in yourself and others
    ✔️ How intergenerational volunteering can dissolve stereotypes and build empathy
    ✔️ The emotional benefits of volunteering beyond physical movement
    ✔️ How movement can become a medium for connection, storytelling, and healing
    ✔️ What “being old” really means—and how to rewrite the narrative
    ✔️ The importance of supporting community-based projects with donations and time
    ✔️ Why small, consistent gestures are a powerful form of activism

    🔗 Links & Resources:

    🌍 Pedalar Sem Idade – Website
    📖 Cycling Without Age – Global Movement
    📸 Follow the Movement: Instagram @pedalarsemidadeportugal
    🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com | Instagram @movementismyconstant

    ✨ What Moved You?

    Did Margarida’s story shift how you think about aging, connection, or purpose?
    Share your reflections and tag us—we love hearing what landed with you.
    And don’t forget to subscribe, share this with a changemaker friend, or leave a review.
    Your voice helps the ripple keep moving.

    ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.

    Episode Credits
    Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes
    Artwork Design by Utterly Create
    Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org

    Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram

    🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

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    45 min
  • Laughter as Medicine: Healing, Coaching, and Connection with Julia Johannsen
    May 7 2025

    In this episode of Movement Is My Constant, I talk to Julia Johannsen, founder of the Institute of Systemic Laughter and SenseWise, about the deep, embodied power of laughter. We explore how laughter is more than just a joyful release — it’s a serious tool for healing trauma, resetting the nervous system, and creating instant connection. Julia shares micro practices and reflections that bring laughter into coaching, daily life, and even high-performance contexts.

    Whether you're a coach, a curious mover, or a self-development enthusiast, this episode invites you to reconnect with laughter as a natural resource for resilience and well-being.

    Episode Highlights

    • Why laughter is older than language and a natural human bonding tool
    • How laughter can shake the body, reset the nervous system, and even release trauma
    • The link between laughter and embodiment: it’s movement, voice, and breath combined
    • Practical micro practices to shift your emotional state in minutes
    • Using laughter to access self-confidence, joy, and perspective before high-stakes moments
    • The cultural layers of laughter and how it transcends verbal communication
    • How to use laughter as a coaching resource — both in group and solo contexts
    • Why “joy is serious work” — and how it can serve your personal and professional growth

    🔗 Links & Resources:

    🌐 Julia’s Website – SenseWise
    📲 Follow Julia on Instagram
    🎙️ More episodes: movementismyconstant.com | Instagram @movementismyconstant

    What Moved You?
    Did Julia’s wisdom spark a shift in your perspective? Tag us with your reflections or leave a review with your favorite takeaway. And don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that blend movement, healing, and conscious growth.

    ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.

    Episode Credits
    Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes
    Artwork Design by Utterly Create
    Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org

    Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram

    🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

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    43 min
  • Synchronicity, Flow & Free Will: Physics Meets Personal Growth with Sky Nelson-Isaacs
    Apr 24 2025

    In this episode, theoretical physicist and musician Sky Nelson-Isaacs joins me to explore how synchronicity, grief, and joy shape the way we move through the world. Grounded in physics but deeply human in approach, Sky shares insights from his books Living in Flow and Leap to Wholeness—revealing how our experiences are not random, but part of a deeper web of meaningful connection.

    We unpack what it means to live in alignment with your values, how to work with emotional projection and disappointment, and why tuning into joy—even during struggle—can be a guiding force in decision-making. You’ll hear how grief isn't only about death, but also shows up in the small disappointments of life—and how honoring those emotions helps us avoid self-sabotage and build deeper relationships.

    This conversation bridges quantum physics, free will, embodied awareness, and inner healing, offering tools for those seeking to live more consciously—whether you’re navigating uncertainty, making hard choices, or simply trying to feel more at peace with yourself.

    Episode Highlights:

    🔹 Synchronicity & Meaning: How patterns in life aren’t random—and what they reveal about choice and awareness
    🔹 Grief as Emotional Flow: Reframing grief as an essential part of processing disappointment and reconnecting with authenticity
    🔹 Projection in Relationships: How our unresolved emotions shape the stories we tell about ourselves and others
    🔹 Free Will & Conscious Choice: Sky explains how physics supports the idea that our choices matter—especially when guided by joy
    🔹 Joy vs. Happiness: Why joy is a more reliable compass than fleeting happiness
    🔹 Embodiment for Emotional Regulation: Using awareness of the body to interrupt negative spirals and build resilience
    🔹 Inner Work + Collective Change: How doing the personal work creates authentic societal impact

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✔ How synchronicity can reveal meaning in daily life
    ✔ Why grief and emotional honesty are key to breaking self-sabotage cycles
    ✔ How to notice projections and reduce conflict in relationships
    ✔ The science behind flow states and how to access them
    ✔ How joy—not perfection—can guide sustainable decision-making
    ✔ Why doing inner work supports authentic action in the world

    Links & Resources:
    📘 Living in Flow + Leap to Wholeness by Sky Nelson-Isaacs
    🔗 Sky’s Website | Instagram @skynelsonisaacs
    🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com | @movementismyconstant

    What Moved You?
    Did Sky’s story or ideas spark something in you? Tag us with your reflections or leave a review with your favorite insight. And don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations that blend embodiment, meaning-making, and conscious performance.

    ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.

    Episode Credits
    Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes
    Artwork Design by Utterly Create
    Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org

    Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram

    🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

    Voir plus Voir moins
    57 min
  • Creativity Beyond Perfection: Rachel Blackman on Why Failure and Imagination Matter
    Apr 9 2025
    Rachel Blackman explores how imagination, failure, and embodiment shape the creative process—and why safety, solitude, and nuance are essential for personal growth in a tech-driven world.She explains why imagination is central to creativity, how failure fuels discovery, and why safety is foundational in both coaching and personal growth.The conversation dives into the iterative nature of the creative process, the discomfort that often accompanies transformation, and how embodied practices can help us navigate uncertainty with resilience. Rachel also explores the political dimensions of embodiment, the nuanced understanding required around trauma, and why titration—balancing effort and rest—is key to sustainable growth.With increasing reliance on digital connection, Rachel reflects on the importance of solitude, the difference between being alone and feeling lonely, and how imagination can serve as a powerful tool for self-reflection, transformation, and reconnection. The episode concludes with a hopeful lens on adaptability, and the human capacity to remain resilient through change.Episode Highlights:Creativity, Iteration & the Role of FailureRachel shares how creativity is less about perfection and more about discovery, embracing mistakes as essential learning tools.Imagination as a Portal to the SacredFar from being frivolous, imagination is presented as a serious, transformative force that connects us to deeper truths and possibilities.The Importance of Safety in CoachingWe explore how psychological and emotional safety create the conditions for real growth, especially when navigating trauma or big life transitions.Titration in Personal DevelopmentRachel introduces the concept of titration—moving between challenge and rest—as a method for sustainable growth and nervous system regulation.Embodiment Is PoliticalWhy the body is not neutral in today’s world, and how becoming more aware of our embodied experiences can shift societal narratives.Solitude vs. LonelinessRachel makes a distinction between these two often-conflated states and reflects on how solitude can be a powerful space for reflection.Technology & DisconnectionHow modern tech impacts our ability to connect with ourselves and others—and what we can do to restore that connection.Imagination as a Tool for ReconnectionImagination isn’t just for creatives—it’s a tool for everyone seeking transformation, clarity, or a sense of belonging.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why creativity involves iteration, failure, and discoveryThe role of imagination in navigating uncertainty and changeHow trauma-informed approaches to coaching support growthWhy balancing effort and rest is essential for long-term developmentHow the body plays a central role in social and political awarenessWhat it means to be alone vs. to feel lonely—and why that mattersPractical ways to reconnect to yourself in a tech-heavy worldHow to use embodied imagination as a tool for resilience Links & Resources:Follow Rachel BlackmanInstagram: @rachel_blackmanWebsite: vibrantbody.co.uk Follow Movement Is My ConstantInstagram: @movementismyconstantAll Episodes: movementismyconstant.com Recommended Reading– The Politics of Trauma by Staci K. Haines– Radical Imagination by Max Haiven✨ What’s Your Key Takeaway?Did Rachel’s insights spark something in you? We’d love to hear your reflections! Tag us on Instagram or leave a review with your favorite moment from the episode. And don’t forget to subscribe to Movement Is My Constant for more conversations that blend embodiment, performance, and personal growth. ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.Episode CreditsProduced, Edited and Mixed by Chris ForbesArtwork Design by Utterly CreateMusic is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.orgBe sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale
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    57 min
  • Mastering Mind-Body Connection: Rich Andoh on Morning Routines, Movement, and Mindset
    Mar 20 2025
    Rich explains why somatic awareness and kinetic intelligence are often overlooked and how embodied learning can transform focus, performance, and mental resilience.The conversation dives into the importance of attention and awareness in movement training, the necessity of holistic movement practices, and why educators must embody the practices they teach. Rich also introduces the concept of neuromuscular development, explaining how direct experiences help individuals overcome fear and frustration, fostering a growth mindset that leads to deeper learning.With the rise of digital learning, Rich emphasises that physical experiences remain irreplaceable and discusses the future of human movement studies, calling for a unified movement education framework. The episode concludes with practical advice for beginners, highlighting how to develop body awareness, the benefits of mindfulness techniques, and how to use movement for mental clarity and emotional resilience.Episode Highlights:🔹 The Power of Morning RoutinesRich Andoh shares why starting the day with intention sets the tone for mental clarity, physical readiness, and overall well-being.🔹 Reframing Challenges for GrowthDiscover how shifting perspectives on frustration can transform obstacles into opportunities for learning and development.🔹 The Body-Mind Connection in MovementRich emphasizes that movement isn’t just physical—it’s an essential tool for deepening self-awareness and enhancing cognitive function.🔹 Experiential Learning in Physical EducationWhy traditional education falls short in valuing movement and how direct, hands-on experiences create lasting understanding.🔹 The Role of Educators in MovementEducators must embody what they teach—Rich discusses why personal engagement in physical practices is crucial for effective learning.🔹 Attention, Focus, and the Art of MovementHow refining attention sharpens movement skills and enhances overall mindfulness in daily life.🔹 A Unified Framework for Human Movement StudiesRich explores the need for a holistic approach to movement education that integrates different disciplines and perspectives.🔹 Embodied Experiences in a Digital AgeWith increasing reliance on screens, Rich highlights why real-world, physical experiences remain irreplaceable for learning and development.🔹 Starting Your Journey: Practical Advice for BeginnersIf you're new to movement awareness, begin with simple physical practices and cultivate a mindset of curiosity and openness.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ How morning routines shape mental and physical readiness✔️ Why reframing frustration can unlock growth in movement and life✔️ The importance of direct, experiential learning in physical education✔️ How educators can embody the practices they teach✔️ The role of mindfulness and attention in refining movement skills✔️ Why movement education should be integrated into everyday life✔️ Practical ways to start a movement practice and develop a growth mindsetLinks & Resources:Follow Rich AndohInstagram: @hiddenbody.nlHiddenBody: hiddenbody.nlFollow Movement Is My ConstantInstagram: @movementismyconstantAll Episodes Online: movementismyconstant.comCarol Dweck: Growth MindsetAlia Crumb: Empowering Mindsets to Optimize Health and Human Performance✨ What’s Your Key Takeaway?Did Rich’s insights resonate with you? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your favorite moment from this episode by tagging us on social media or leaving a review. Don’t forget to subscribe to Movement Is My Constant for more inspiring conversations on movement, resilience, and transformation! ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans.Episode CreditsProduced, Edited and Mixed by Chris ForbesArtwork Design by Utterly CreateMusic is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.orgBe sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale
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    1 h