In This Body

Join Ailey Jolie and Linda Hartley, somatic practitioner, author, and a teacher of The Discipline of Authentic Movement, on this contemplative episode of In This Body. Together, they explore embodiment as an evolving, relational journey—shaped by age, memory, and the quiet intelligence of the body itself. Linda shares her path from early dance to the development of a healing modality rooted in Body-Mind Centering and Authentic Move...

Join Ailey Jolie and Andrea Juhan, psychotherapist, embodiment teacher, and co-founder of Open Floor International, on this expansive episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the healing potential of movement, not as performance, but as presence. Andrea shares her journey from Esalen bodyworker to somatic psychotherapist, weaving a life devoted to understanding how the body stores story, spirit, and self. The conversation tr...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr. Anita Johnston, clinical psychologist, storyteller, and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon, on this episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the symbolic language of food and body image, revealing how struggles with eating are often expressions of deeper, unspoken hungers. Through myth, metaphor, and archetype, Dr. Johnston shares how reconnecting with the inner feminine voice—and listening to...

Join Ailey Jolie and Jaycee Gossett, movement artist and founding teacher of The Class, on this episode of In This Body. The conversation explores embodiment as a lifelong practice, the evolution from performance-based movement to somatic healing, and how the body can become a portal to truth, compassion, and vitality. Jaycee shares her personal journey through competitive dance, burnout, and reconnection—offering insight into how ...

Join Ailey Jolie and Jenna Ward, a feminine embodiment coach and founder of the School of Embodied Arts, on this episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the transformative path of returning to the body as a site of power, pleasure, and profound self-awareness. Jenna shares her journey from clinical pharmacist to embodiment practitioner, offering insight into how feminine embodiment became both a personal healing practice an...

Join Ailey Jolie and Heidi Rose Robbins, a poet, astrologer, and author, on this episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the profound link between astrology, embodiment, and creative self-expression. Heidi shares how astrology serves as a tool for encouragement, self-awareness, and connection, highlighting its role in understanding both personal and collective shifts. The conversation touches on the physical manifestations ...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr. Kate Balestrieri, a clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist, and author, on this episode of In This Body. The conversation explores how systemic oppression—particularly patriarchy—shapes our relationships with gender, sexuality, and embodiment. Dr. Balestrieri unpacks the misconceptions around patriarchy, the impact of gender essentialism, and how masculinity can become a prison, disconnecting men fr...

Join Ailey Jolie and Kristen Portney, a therapist and reproductive health specialist, on this episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the unconscious narratives surrounding reproductive health—how they are shaped by family systems, culture, and internalized beliefs, and how they manifest in the body. Kristen shares insights on navigating the complex emotions tied to pregnancy, abortion, and loss, shedding light on the somat...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr Roger Kuhn, a Poarch Creek Two-Spirit Indigiqueer soma-cultural sex therapist, sexuality educator, writer, activist, and musician, on this episode of In This Body. Together they discuss the nuances behind embodiment, cultural identity, creativity, and liberation, exploring how systems—both personal and societal—shape our relationship with our bodies, the privilege of embodiment, and how capitalism influences...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, an author, speaker and thinking partner with a PhD in Social Psychology and specialisation in Sexuality, Relationships, and Intercultural Fluency, on this episode of In This Body. They discuss the Emergent Love Model, which identifies six essential ingredients for lasting relationships: attraction, respect, trust, compassion, shared vision, and loving behaviors. The conversation explores t...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dawn Mauricio, a Buddhist Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher, Author, and Mentor, on this episode of In This Body. The conversation centers on the connection between embodiment and Vipassana meditation, with a focus on trauma sensitivity in meditation settings and the importance of approaching practice with compassionate curiosity. Dawn and Ailey explore the relationship between meditation and somatic experienc...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr. Galit Atlas, a psychoanalyst, clinical supervisor, essayist, and author, on this episode of In This Body. Dr. Atlas explores her work on emotional inheritance and the connections between desire, sexuality, and trauma. The conversation delves into how body awareness shapes emotions, behaviors, relationships, and life choices. Topics include emotional inheritance, intergenerational trauma, the complexities of...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr. Amy Meyers, a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, professor, and prominent researcher on sibling abuse, in this enlightening episode of In This Body. Dr. Meyers delves into her extensive research, highlighting the emotional and developmental impacts of sibling abuse, how it distinctly differs from typical sibling rivalry, and the often-overlooked ramifications it can have on adult relationships. This episode of...

In this episode of In This Body, host Ailey Jolie welcomes back Giselle La Pompe-Moore—author, artist, speaker, slow living advocate, and creator of the Substack Be Difficult, Darling. Giselle discusses how deepening her connection with her body has guided her into alignment with her life, the importance of her relationships with women, and the value of centring an equitable lens within manifestation practices. She also explores ho...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr Emilia Thompson, a Registered Nutritionist, Educator, Mentor, and Meditation Teacher, on this episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the often-overlooked connection between embodiment, nutrition, and fitness while addressing pervasive myths spread by diet culture. The discussion delves into Emilia's personal experience with disordered eating, the transformative role of reconnecting with the bod...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr Darragh Stewart, a PhD graduate and co-founder of InwardBound who specialises in psychedelic retreats and men’s work, for this episode of In This Body. Ailey and Darragh explore the intersection of psychedelics and embodiment in the healing process, delving into ancestral traditions through the lens of Irish culture, intergenerational trauma, masculinity, and the importance of men’s work in fostering meaning...

Join Ailey Jolie and Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant, author, and international lecturer on polyvagal theory-informed work, for this episode of In This Body. The conversation explores Deb's contributions to adapting polyvagal theory for trauma therapy, emphasising the importance of understanding and befriending our nervous systems to enhance well-being. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of core polyvagal principles,...

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr Arielle Schwartz, a licensed clinical Psychologist and the developer of Resilience-Informed Therapy, for this episode of In This Body. Ailey and Dr Schwartz explore essential concepts such as somatic psychology, EMDR, and polyvagal theory, dive into personal and collective definitions of embodiment, and reflect on the integration of yoga and meditation practices. The conversation extends into generational wi...

Join Ailey Jolie and Kristen Portney, a psychotherapist specializing in reproductive mental health, for this episode of In This Body. Kristen shares her personal journey through multiple abortions and the psychological intricacies of her experiences, highlighting the importance of self-forgiveness and self-compassion. The conversation also covers the similarities and differences between abortion and miscarriage, while addressing th...