The conversation opens with a bold question: Why has human society been shaped by domination – and what does that have to do with our relationship to sexuality? From there, Ariel and Ali unpack how systems of control – historically rooted in conquest and oppression – extend into our bodies, our relationships, and especially our sexual lives.

Ariel shares her personal journey through early sexual trauma, sex work, and being trafficked, revealing how shame and vulnerability can be weaponized to maintain control. Yet, rather than remaining trapped in that paradigm, she describes a path of reclamation – one grounded in embodiment, agency, and the rediscovery of sexual energy as life force.

Together, they explore how shame functions both as a necessary human signal and a powerful tool of suppression, particularly around sexuality. They discuss how many people dissociate into “performative” sexuality – shaped by media and conditioning – leaving them disconnected, unsatisfied, and emotionally unfulfilled.

A central theme emerges: pleasure as a gateway to connection. When experienced consciously and embodied, pleasure becomes a pathway to self-awareness, intimacy, and even spiritual awakening. When disconnected, it becomes escapism – mirroring addictive patterns rather than nourishing the soul.

Ariel also introduces practical insights into working with sexual energy, including how to build capacity for sensation, move energy through the body, and shift from fear or overwhelm into grounded presence.

The episode culminates in a powerful reflection on healing and purpose. Ariel recounts her transition out of exploitation, a life-altering health crisis that catalyzed her spiritual awakening, and her eventual integration of sexuality, psychedelics, and embodiment into her current work.

Ultimately, this conversation is both a personal testimony and a cultural critique – arguing that sexual healing is not just individual, but collective. A more embodied, liberated relationship to sexuality, they suggest, could fundamentally reshape how we relate to power, connection, and each other.

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MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  www.alimezey.com
Body Mapping Video Library

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.com
Constellation Work is a highly effective method to delve into healing transgenerational trauma, unburdening consequent generations from the influences of traumas which can be transmitted epigenetically.

MORE ARIEL SZABO:
Website: SacredMoonflower

Author, Substack: TheEroticFrontier

Women's Retreat in Peru - April, 2026

Ariel's beautiful article on Sex Magic

Ariel (and Rahi) on Clare Sente's Permission to be Enchanting podcast: "The Art of Extended Pleasure and Lovemaking for Couples"

ARIEL'S BIO:
Ariel Szabo is a writer, somatic sex educator, sexological bodyworker, and psychedelic medicine practitioner based in Los Angeles. Her work weaves sacred sexuality, nervous system repair, relational healing, and plant medicine traditions shaped by years of study with Indigenous wisdom keepers in Peru.

She works with individuals, couples, groups, and practitioners in deeply embodied spaces of transformation. Ariel writes on sexuality, power, and liberation through her body of work, The Erotic Frontier, devoted to shifting how society relates to sex, power, and healing, and positioning erotic awakening as a force for personal and collective transformation.

ALI NOTE: To clarify, sexual violence is not always sexual, and perhaps is infrequently about sex; however, it is always about power. I did not mean to imply otherwise.

RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATION:

Chimps and Bonobos - video
Mantak Chia

Philip and Allyson Shepherd
Cervical awakening: https://arielszabo.substack.com/p/my-cervix-taught-me-im-safer-seen
Ariels' partner, Rahi Chun

DEFINITIONS:

Dharma - The definition of Dharma is cosmic order or law. Dharma can best be explained as conduct that upholds universal natural laws, and when humankind follows these laws, it allows them to be happy and prevent suffering. It's a combination of morality and spiritual discipline that guides one in living one's life.

Heteronormative paradigm - refers to the Western social norm, or assumption, that the overwhelming majority of sexual relationships in society are heterosexual.

Vagus nerve -  is the longest in the body, containing both motor and sensory functions in afferent and efferent regards. The nerve travels widely throughout the body, affecting several organ systems and regions of the body, such as the tongue, pharynx, heart, and gastrointestinal system. Our first brilliant guest on the podcast, brilliant Integral Anatomist, Gil Hedley explains HERE

Hedonism - the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence.

Objectification - being treating or being viewed by someone in a way that disregards their indiv...

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com
Instagram:  ali_body_brilliance

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/
If you have any questions, email Ali at: ali@alimezey.com

Also, Walking-In-Your-Shoes can be done just as effectively from a wheelchair or with the capacities of any perambulatory disability. You just have to be a body with the desire to follow how it’s guiding you to feel, see and know.

This episode presents a departure from our previous episodes. As in some of our upcoming episodes, we focus here on a specific practice and its transformative techniques aimed at unlocking conscious awareness of the body’s intelligence. While past episodes delved into the philosophical underpinnings of embodiment, this installment offers practical guidance on tangible methods to access your inner knowledge as an opportunity for revelation and growth.

SYNOPSIS:

Ali discusses a movement-based mindfulness practice called “The Walking-In-Your-Shoes” (WIYS) mind-body process with one of its co-founders, actor and director, Joseph Culp. WIYS is a process that allows the practitioner, in partnership with a facilitator, to address questions or needs through an intuitive questioning of the body-mind through movement. The applications of the questioning process are quite broad and can be applied to everything from healing trauma and managing addiction, to business development or a more organic method of acting. This is another means of “knowing” through your body. Ali and Joseph discuss the overlap between WIYS and Family Constellation Work and how both practices allow others to help take on and process trauma or healing on the behalf of another person. 

EXPLORATION POINTS:

- Joseph & Ali discuss the intersections between the Walking-In-Your-Shoes (WIYS) body-mind process and Family Constellation Work. The episode explores how both practices facilitate the process of addressing questions or needs through intuitive questioning of and attention to the body-mind through movement.

- The episode highlights Joseph Culp's personal growth as an actor through his involvement in WIYS. Culp discusses how this movement-based mindfulness practice has contributed to his development as an artist, providing insights into the transformative power of the practice.

- Joseph Culp and Ali discuss the concept of "Walking for Others". The exploration involves understanding how facilitators can embody and navigate the experiences of others through movement, emphasizing the empathetic and therapeutic aspects of Walking in someone else's shoes.

-  Joseph and Ali explore the therapeutic potential of WIYS for individuals grappling with severe trauma or PTSD. Discussing how the intuitive questioning of the body-mind through movement, coupled with the empathetic support of a facilitator and sometimes a group, offers a unique avenue for addressing and healing deep-seated traumas. 

- Joseph offers insights into how Wilhelm Reich's ideas have shaped WIYS, contributing to its foundation, while also exploring how Alexander Lowen's contributions informed the practice of following the body towards liberation. This exploration provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical and theoretical roots that form the intellectual, and practical, lineage of WIYS.

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FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:

Ali - Website:

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

Transgenerational Healing Films:

FOR MORE JOSEPH CULP:

BIO: Joseph Culp is an actor, director and filmmaker, working in theater, film and television for over 40 years. He is known to many audiences for playing Don Draper’s father in the hit series Mad Men, and as the first Doctor Doom in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four.  In addition to producing several independent films, he notably wrote, directed, and co-starred in Welcome to the Men’s Group, a comedy/drama about a men’s support group, available on Amazon Prime.

In addition to his work as a performing artist, Joseph has been involved for many years in the world of self-psychology and personal development. Joseph co-founded the Walking-In-Your-Shoes® body/mind process with psychologist John F. Cogswell, Ph.D during the late 1980s.  The method known as “Walking” combines somatic empathy with movement, mindfulness, and the facilitated inquiry processing of the bodymind. Joseph formed the Los Angeles-based Walking Theatre Group in 1992 to explore the use of the WIYS method in dramatic arts. Together with Dr. Cogswell, he continued to develop WIYS for use in psychotherapy, coaching, trauma recovery, creative and performing arts, business and community for the next 20 years.  Joseph has introduced hundreds of people to WIYS, in both performing and the healing arts, and trained many therapists and facilitators who have made Walking-In-Your-Shoes® part of their practice and life work. He founded the WIYS Institute of America and regularly gives workshops, seminars, and trainings in both the U.S. and Europe.

WIYS COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEETING (Free community sessions with Joseph Culp) 

WIYS ONLINE CERTIFICATION TRAINING

WIYS MESSAGE FROM JOSEPH CULP

WIYS SOMATIC EMPATHY PROCESS

IMDB Actor’s CV

MEDIA: 

Joseph’s film, “Welcome...

To be an angel to the podcast, click here

To read more about the podcast, click here

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.com
Constellation Work is a highly effective method to delve into healing transgenerational trauma, unburdening consequent generations from the influences of traumas which can be transmitted epigenetically.

MORE MATTHEW BEAUMONT:
Instagram: @matthewhbeaumont
UCL Website

Publisher Website
BOOKS:
How We Walk: Frantz Fanon and the Politics of the Body (London: Verso, 2024)
The Walker: On Losing and Finding Oneself in the Modern City (Verso, 2020)
Lev Shestov: Philosopher of the Sleepless Night (Bloomsbury, 2020)
Nightwalking: A Nocturnal History of London, Chaucer to Dickens (Verso, 2015)

BIO:
Matthew's research interests centre on various aspects of the metropolitan city, especially London. He is currently writing a history of literature about London for Cambridge University Press. He is also working on a book-length project about the role of insomnia in nineteenth and twentieth-century literature, painting and philosophy. 

His most recent books are The Walker: On Losing and Finding Oneself in the Modern City (Verso, 2020), a series of chapters on writers including Chesterton, Dickens, Ford, Wells and Woolf, all of whom have placed the experience of walking in the metropolis at the centre of their attempts to understand and represent modernity; and Lev Shestov: Philosopher of the Sleepless Night (Bloomsbury, 2020), a book that revives the reputation of a neglected early twentieth-century Russian thinker by placing him in dialogue with Adorno, Benjamin, Deleuze and other continental philosophers.

LINKS, RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:
Wilhelm Reich

Alexander Lowan 

Frantz Fanon 

HG Wells  

Marcel Mauss, French Anthropologist “Technique du Corp” essay 1935
Charlie Hertzog Young: SPINNING OUT: Climate Change, Mental Health and Fighting for a Better Future

Sigmund Freud 

The Polyvagal Theory/Stephen Porges

The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Walking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-Shoes

DEFINITIONS:
Cartesian Divide: The conceptual separation between mind and body, coined after René Descartes, emphasizing a dualistic view of human existence, isolating mental and physical aspects.

The Window of Tolerance article

HELP US SHARE OUR MESSAGE

Our resources remain free as part of our mission to awaken people to the boundless potential of our bodies, inviting them to explore the profound knowledge, memory, brilliance & capacity within. By delving into the depths of our bodily intelligence as a healing resource for not just ourselves, but as a part of the larger, global body, we have the potential for meaningful change and experiences as bodies. Join us in this journey of transformation as we redefine our understanding of the human body and its infinite capabilities. While our events remain free, any contributions are deeply appreciated and are seen as a generous gesture of support and encouragement in sharing our messages with the world.

Together, they unpack the cultural forces that pull us away from the body and into defensive identities – especially in long-term partnership. From parenting challenges and navigating imbalance in public visibility, to moments of (mild) jealousy, deep tenderness, and inevitable grief, they speak candidly about the humility required to love deeply. Their shared insight is clear: love cannot thrive where we cling to fixed self-concepts. Instead, it asks us to risk being changed, to respond rather than react, and to let ourselves be revealed in real time. Embodiment, in this context, becomes not a concept but a lived courage – the willingness to stay grounded while life remains beautifully unsafe.

The episode closes with a moving reflection on intimacy as both animal and luminous, playful and profound. Philip and Allyson describe how coming home to the body restores spontaneity, humor, and reverence to their sensual connection, and how decades together have only deepened the mystery rather than diminished it. What emerges is not a portrait of a “perfect” marriage, but a meadow of possibility – an invitation to reclaim love as a verb, as presence, and as a courageous act of becoming ever whole, together.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
To read more about the next Personal Geometry® Foundations training

ALLYSON WOODROOFE Bio:
Allyson Woodrooffe is the co-director with Philip Shepherd of The Embodied Present Process, bringing to it her skills as a life and breath coach and as a workshop facilitator. The first half of her working life flexed her creative side – as a filmmaker, photographer, stained glass artist and graphic designer. Since completing a Masters in 2013, she has been dedicated to deepening into the realms of intelligence and presence that are held in the body, first by becoming a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and then training with Philip as an Embodiment Facilitator, and now as a co-director of TEPP.

She especially enjoys working with women, helping them discover their inner and physical strength through breath and movement, and restoring clarity and purpose to their lives in the process. TEPP practices have also been transformative for her pregnant clients, enabling them to access inner resources that support them through labour, delivery and parenthood.

Allyson and Philip have lived and worked together for over 37 years. They have constructed theatre sets, made films, designed and built a house, raised two remarkable children – and created TEPP.

PHILIP SHEPHERD Bio:
Philip Shepherd is recognized as a leader in the global embodiment movement. He created The Embodied Present Process™ (TEPP) in partnership with Allyson Woodrooffe, and as co-directors they provide practices and new perspectives on our culture to help people come home to the deep presence and wisdom of their body. They share the work of TEPP online, in one-on-one coaching, and worldwide in workshops, retreats and Facilitators Trainings. TEPP is also supported by Philip’s two books – Radical Wholeness and New Self, New World – which articulate the causes, perils and personal challenges of our culture’s disembodiment. 

Philip’s own journey to embodiment includes cycling alone as a teenager through Europe, the Middle East, Iran, India and Japan; studying classical Japanese Noh Theater; co-founding an interdisciplinary theatre company; writing two internationally produced plays and a television documentary; and playing lead roles on stages in London, New York, Chicago and Toronto. 

The TEPP website and online courses are found at www.EmbodiedPresent.com. Philip’s most recent book, Deep Fitness, was co-authored with Andrei Yakovenko and offers a revolutionary and highly effective approach to fitness. He is currently working on a new book, Remembering Ourselves: A Guide to Our Lost Intelligence.

Drawing from decades of professional and personal work, Ali and Rahi explore how early touch, attachment, trauma, shame, and cultural conditioning shape our sexual bodies – often long before sexuality itself is consciously understood. They discuss erectile challenges, orgasmic blocks, genital guarding, compulsive desire, pleasure ceilings, and the deep nervous-system need for safety that underlies sexual expression across all genders.

Through stories, client examples, and embodied inquiry, the episode illuminates how patterns of arousal and shutdown are not failures, but adaptive strategies – and how making them conscious can open new pathways for choice, intimacy, and authentic pleasure. This conversation is a powerful invitation to move beyond performance, diagnosis, and shame, and toward a sexuality rooted in presence, agency, and embodied authenticity.

In wanting to keep their anonymity, several attendees submitted questions and comments via chat.

Rahi on my podcast: The Disarmed Body: Sexual De-Armoring with Sexological Bodyworker, Rahi Chun
Ali on Rahi's podcast: Your "Sex Problem" Isn't Sexual: It's Relational Geometry with Ali Mezey

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree
To read more about the next Personal Geometry® Foundations training

FOR MORE RAHI CHUN

BIO: Rahi combines his training and experience as a CA state-certified Somatic Sex Educator and Sexological Bodyworker, Certified TRE Provider, NeuroAffective Touch Practitioner, Life Coach with an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology, with certifications in Family Constellations Therapy, DeArmouring Arts, Chi Nei Tsang & Karsai Nei Tsang, and STREAM (Scar Tissue Remediation and Management) in his facilitation of Somatic Sexual Wholeness.  His expertise is in the art of Genital Dearmouring having trained practitioners worldwide.  Hundreds have also graduated from his signature online course, "The 3 Keys to Genital Dearmouring" or via his live trainings and workshops.  

SITE:  https://somaticsexualwholeness.com/. And : https:://www.DivineUnionForLovers.com. 

Registration and course content for The Three keys to Genital Dearmoring can be found HERE

RAHI SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: @Rahi.Chun

IG: @rahichun

Rahi's YOUR BODY REMEMBERS PLEASURE Podcast

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Montak Chia – A Thai Taoist master, author, and creator of the Universal Healing Tao System and Tao Yoga. His work blends Taoist internal alchemy, qigong, and sexual energy practices, with teachings on cultivating and transforming sexual energy for health and vitality. Learn about Mantak Chia’s teachings and Universal Healing Tao System

Family Constellation Work – A therapeutic approach that explores how hidden family dynamics and generational patterns can influence present-day emotions, relationships, and behavior.
Family Constellation Work brief explanation

Bert Hellinger, founder of Family/Systemic Constellation Work

Five-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on Stephan’s work with transgenerational influences on illness

NeuroAffective Touch® – A somatic therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Aline LaPierre that uses attuned, body-focused touch to help integrate emotional, relational, and developmental experiences stored in the body. It bridges the gap between mind and body to support healing where words alone may not reach. What Is NeuroAffective Touch®?

Inorgasmia (In-orgasmia) – A term used to describe the inability to reach orgasm despite adequate stimulation and desire. It can have physical, psychological, relational, or somatic contributors and is distinct from general low libido.

Genital De-Armoring – A somatic concept referring to the process of releasing muscular and nervous system defensesin the pelvic and genital regions that have developed in response to trauma, fear, or shut-down responses. It supports increased sensation, relaxation, and fuller access to pleasure and bodily presence.

“La Petite Mort” – A French expression meaning “the little death,” traditionally used metaphorically to describe the sensations of release, surrender, and altered consciousness that can accompany orgasm. The phrase highlights the powerful emotional and physical release inherent in sexual climax.

Ellen Heed: Embodied Autonomy; Scar Tissue Remediation expert

“Things that fire together wire together” – A popular paraphrase of the principle from neuroscience and psychology often attributed to Hebbian learning, meaning that neurons that activate together strengthen their connections, forming lasting patterns in the brain and nervous system. It’s widely used to explain how habitual patterns (emotional, cognitive, somatic) become embedded over time.

Ivan Pavlov & the Dog Experiments – Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist best known for discovering classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs. He observed that dogs would begin to salivate not only when food was presented, but also in response to neutral stimuli (like a bell) once those stimuli were repeatedly paired with food. This demonstrated how the nervous system learns through association– how experiences that occur together become linked. Pavlov’s work laid the foundation for understanding how emotional, behavioral, and somatic patterns are formed, and why repeated pairings of sensation, emotion, and meaning can shape lifelong responses in the body.

Together, Ali and Penny explore what it truly means to be intelligent caretakers of animals – moving beyond conventional pet care toward a rewilded, biologically informed approach rooted in functional and regenerative medicine. Penny explains why pets used to live much longer, how modern lifestyles disrupt animal biology, and what we can learn from wild animals about instinct, self-medication, nutrition, movement, and rest.

The discussion dives into practical and often surprising topics, including animal instinct versus learned behavior, why dogs don’t naturally overeat, how feeding patterns affect hormones and longevity, the profound impact of spaying and neutering on animal health, and the importance of species-appropriate diets. Penny also answers audience questions on indoor cats, fasting, raw versus cooked food, enrichment, and how to bring nature back into our pets’ lives – even within modern homes.

This episode challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about pet care and offers compassionate, science-based insights that empower animal guardians to support their companions in thriving – not just surviving – well into old age. A must-listen for anyone who loves animals and wants to honor the intelligence of their bodies as much as our own.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:

ALI - Website

ALI - LinkTree

ALI BIO:
Ali Mezey is a Body Therapist, Family Constellation Work Facilitator, Sexologist and Media Maker with over 40 years of experience. Ali has worked in renowned rehab centers in Los Angeles for sex, drug, and alcohol addiction. She developed her groundbreaking body-based method Personal Geometry® to address the challenges of working with sexual trauma, compulsivity, dysfunctions and discontents. She works internationally with individuals, couples, and groups. Ali is also a public speaker on the intelligence of the body, a teacher of Personal Geometry® and the creator and host of The Brilliant Body Podcast.

FOR MORE DR ZOOLITTLE:
For ANIMAL ANTI-AGING Course
PENNY - Website
PENNY - LinkTree
PENNY - LinkedIn
PENNY - Instagram

PENNY BIO:
Penny, a world-class Longevity Zoologist, is a zoo consultant, animal welfare lecturer, mammal trainer and Pet Health Concierge. Affectionately known as Dr Zoolittle, she works with Functional and Regenerative Medicine for animal anti-aging and preventative health care.

Penny is also an Applied Cognitive Ethologist specializing in animal mental health and the human-animal bond. Captivity can often mean compromise, with animals trading freedom for relationships and resources, so her co-operative care model helps them enjoy the best of both worlds by increasing their choices, sense of control and cognitive engagement.

These unique perspectives create a 360 signature approach for Zoos and Pet Parents that ‘rewilds’ animal health and welfare by weaving together the robust strategies of wild animals with cutting-edge longevity biology to give animals freedom from diseases, mental decline and premature aging.

As well as consulting through her Pet Health Concierge Service, she offers insightful Puppy & Kitten programs that equip young animals with impeccable manners, sparkling confidence and lasting health. For adult pets, she teaches Four Paws Finishing School, a coaching program that gives pets a Longevity Lifestyle so they can live into their 20s, full of joy and vitality.

ANIMAL ANTI-AGING COURSE Logistics:
Please note: This class starts on Wednesday, January 14th. As all classes are recorded and available in perpetuity, you can register at any time. Of course, it's best to JOIN NOW so you can be with Penny and ask your questions live!

Also, this class pertains across species (including yourself;-). When there are differences, Penny will point them out to you – so you'll have the species specifics where it's relevant and important to understand, but the foundation pieces apply to everyone.

• Class runs for eight weeks. We meet once a week on Wednesdays, 7:30pm UK time; 2:30pm Eastern; 11:30am Pacific
• An hour of class time together, and then half an hour of discussion Q and A
• There's a big fat workbook that accompanies the course so you don't have to sit there taking loads of notes
• If you miss a class, don't worry. Everything is recorded and you have the workbook
• You also have the course for life (it may or may not be improved and updated over time - and usually it does as science always changes). You also have access to all those updates and improvements. So it's a buy once, keep it forever –  it'll grow with you and it'll still serve every animal down the line.
• Recommendations a'plenty for what you can do, what you could buy, best brands (Penny's done the research!) 
• Tuition is $399
• Other bonuses TBA; other perks on registration page
• There's two other options there. If you want to do installments, you can do that. If you want to invite any other people in your life who love their pets to come and study alongside you that will reduce your tuition as well: for every two friends you get 50% off tuition; for three friends your tuition is free. 

P.S. If you do register, please let them know that you heard about it through The Brilliant Body Podcast! 

MORE EPISODE LINKS AND REFERENCES COMING SOON!

Beginning with a candid inquiry into modern yoga culture, Rachel gently peels back the layers of Western commodification to reveal yoga’s deeper purpose: presence, self-regulation, and intimacy with the living intelligence beneath our habits and conditioning. From there, the dialogue opens into a profound exploration of embodiment as a spiritual practice – one that includes sensation, relationship, desire, stillness, and paradox.

Drawing on decades of practice, Rachel shares how yoga, anatomy study, and contemplative stillness have shaped her understanding of consciousness, love, and human connection. Together, Ali and Rachel reflect on mindfulness versus “body-fulness,” nervous-system awareness in dating and relationships, and the wisdom of listening to the body’s cues around safety, timing, and consent.

The conversation also moves tenderly into themes rarely spoken aloud: fertility, choice, grief, freedom, and the many ways maternal love can be expressed beyond childbirth. Rachel speaks openly about her journey through wanting children, confronting ambivalence, and ultimately trusting the larger intelligence of life – an experience that reshaped her relationships, her work, and her sense of self.

Weaving together yoga philosophy, Tantra, anatomy lab awe, and everyday relational practice, this episode is an invitation to slow down, feel more, and honor the mystery of being embodied. A heartfelt exploration of love, presence, and the courage it takes to listen deeply to the body’s quiet truths.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:

ALI - Website

ALI - LinkTree

ALI BIO:
Ali Mezey is a Body Therapist, Family Constellation Work Facilitator, Sexologist and Media Maker with over 40 years of experience. Ali has worked in renowned rehab centers in Los Angeles for sex, drug, and alcohol addiction. She developed her groundbreaking body-based method Personal Geometry® to address the challenges of working with sexual trauma, compulsivity, dysfunctions and discontents. She works internationally with individuals, couples, and groups. Ali is also a public speaker on the intelligence of the body, a teacher of Personal Geometry® and the creator and host of The Brilliant Body Podcast.

FOR MORE RACHEL SCOTT:
rachelyoga.com

IG/Youtube: rachelscottyoga

Head Over Heels: A Yogi’s Guide to Dating by Rachel Scott

All books by Rachel

RACHEL BIO:
Rachel combines thousands of hours of teacher training experience with her academic expertise (MSc Online Education) to help yoga teachers and studios create transformational educational experiences. She supports students, teachers, and trainers to share their passion, find their voice, and inspire others.  In addition to authoring five books, she has written for Yoga International, YogaUOnline, and the Huffington Post, and exuberantly shares her knowledge through her coaching, YouTube channel, online courses, and free online classes. Find her at rachelyoga.com or on social media at rachelscottyoga.

RESOURCES, DEFINITIONS, INSPIRATIONS:
Integral Anatomist (and Rachel's partner), Gil Hedley and The Nerve Tour (link is to an interview of Gil speaking about it)
Do yourself a favor and get yourself an Explorer Membership - a mere pittance for the wealth you'll receive
Gil's Youtube Channel of amazing videos
My fantastic conversation with Gil (my very first TBBP episode!): The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body

Christopher Hareesh Wallce

Carlos Pomeda

Professor Alexis Sanderson/Oxford (go full yoga-nerd with this guy - wow)

Cheryl Strayed: Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar

Dualism: It basically says that there are two things, or substances, and they are completely separate. For example, substance dualists believe that the mind is part of the soul and the soul resides completely outside of the body.

Non-dualism: Non-dualism refers to the idea that all things are interconnected and not separate. Distinctions like self and other, or good and bad, are illusions created by the mind. Essentially, it's about recognizing the unity and interdependence of all phenomena.

Proprioception: also referred to as kinesthesia, is the sense of body position, movement, and force. It is the unconscious awareness without visual input and is sometimes referred to as the sixth sense.There are three primary types of proprioceptors: muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs (GTOs), and joint receptors. Each distinct type provides different information that together shape the sensory profile of the body's positioning and motion.

Interoception: Interoception is awareness of your body's internal senses or signals. It identifies how you feel. You can consciously or unconsciously respond to these signals. For example, if your stomach rumbles, you know you're hungry.

YOGA DEFINITIONS:

Shiva: He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. Shiva. God of Destruction. God of Time, Yoga, Meditation and Arts. Lord of Yogis and Physicians.

You’ll hear a whole range of voices and perspectives, all illuminating this same question in their own way.
If a particular moment lands for you, you can dive deeper by listening to the full conversation it came from - you’ll find all of those episodes listed just below.

If this compilation has been meaningful to you, we’d be really grateful if you’d rate and review the podcast wherever you listen. It’s a simple way to help more people find these conversations and join in exploring what it means to live as a brilliant body.

***CLICK HERE TO BROWSE OUR FREE EVENTS***

GUESTS' FULL-LENGTH EPISODES (in order of excerpt):

The Receiving and Giving Body with Dr Betty Martin, Creator of The Wheel of Consent

The Systemic Body: Navigating Relational Dynamics and Systemic Consciousness with Jane Peterson, PhD

The Released Body with Siv Jøssang Shields: Proust, Bees and Neurogenic Tremoring

The Incarcerated Body: Cultural & Institutional Imprisonment with Dr. Kate Balestrieri

The Touched Body with Deane Juhan

The Disarmed Body: Sexual De-Armoring with Sexological Bodyworker, Rahi Chun

The Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONE

The Brilliance of Animal Bodies with Longevity Zoologist, DR. ZOOLITTLE (Penny) - PART ONE

The Emotional Body with Healer, Mona Wind

Embodied Intelligence with Philip Shepherd: Wholeness, Sensitivity, and the Pelvic Bowl

Your Resonant Body with Sarah Peyton: Brain Circuits, Childhood Contracts & Reconceiving Addiction

The Fluid Body: Moving Like Water and the Wisdom of Emilie Conrad w/ Marcella Bottero

Felt-Sense Thinking - Infusing Education with Somatic Intelligence: Aitabé Fornés

Cameron West yet to come

Walking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-Shoes

Bridging Divides with Rachel Fell: Neurodivergence, Conscious Body Awareness & Inclusive Intelligence

A 'Good Death’ with Karen Bellone, Death Doula: Embracing Life & Mortality PART ONE

The Curious Body with Kirstie Simson: Improvisational Living

The Liberated Body: Reclaiming Erotic Wholeness with Somatic Sex Educator Darshana Avila

The Moving Body with Jo Cobbett: Including the Body, Personally and Collectively

Erotic Grief & Sexological Body Work with Lorraine Pentello & Ali Mezey

The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body

The Aroused Body with UMA FURMAN: Living and Aging Pleasurably

Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales

TABOO Part Three: Money & The Prosperous Body with Somatic Financial Therapist, BARI TESSLER

Beyond Massage with Holden Zalma: Body Brilliance as a Tool to Heal Others

Celebrating the Senses with Rose Mary Riggs: Equine Therapy, Erotic Brilliance and Devotional Self-Pleasure

We hope you enjoyed this episode - and that it inspired you to notice (and appreciate) what you particularly enjoy about being the brilliant body that you are!

Now we want to hear from you...

We’re collecting 1–2 minute videos answering this question:
What do you like best about being your particular brilliant body?

How to submit:

• Post your video on Instagram and tag @ali_body_brilliance
• Or, if you prefer a more old-school route, you can send it via WhatsApp (+1-310-1492) or email (connect@thebrilliantbodypodcast.com)
• By submitting a video, you agree to our using it across media platforms - thanks!

Follow along on social to watch other people’s responses and share yours there, too.
https://www.instagram.com/ali_body_brilliance/
https://www.facebook.com/bodybrilliance

***CLICK HERE TO BROWSE OUR FREE EVENTS***

And lastly (you know the drill): if you loved this episode, please rate and review - it genuinely helps more people find the show.

GUESTS' FULL-LENGTH EPISODES (in order of excerpt):

Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales

The Emotional Body with Healer, Mona Wind

The Liberated Body: Reclaiming Erotic Wholeness with Somatic Sex Educator Darshana Avila

The Colonized Body with Professor Matthew Beaumont: The Politics of Anatomy

The Moving Body with Jo Cobbett: Including the Body, Personally and Collectively

The Released Body with Siv Jøssang Shields: Proust, Bees and Neurogenic Tremoring

The Touched Body with Deane Juhan

The Systemic Body: Navigating Relational Dynamics and Systemic Consciousness with Jane Peterson, PhD

The Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONE

The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body

The Brilliance of Animal Bodies with Longevity Zoologist, DR. ZOOLITTLE (Penny) - PART ONE

Cameron West yet to come

Walking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-Shoes

Celebrating the Senses with Rose Mary Riggs: Equine Therapy, Erotic Brilliance and Devotional Self-Pleasure

The Fluid Body: Moving Like Water and the Wisdom of Emilie Conrad w/ Marcella Bottero

Your Resonant Body with Sarah Peyton: Brain Circuits, Childhood Contracts & Reconceiving Addiction

The Curious Body with Kirstie Simson: Improvisational Living

The Harmonious Body: The Art & Health of Self-Knowing with Paul Lubicz

Bridging Divides with Rachel Fell: Neurodivergence, Conscious Body Awareness & Inclusive Intelligence

Beyond Massage with Holden Zalma: Body Brilliance as a Tool to Heal Others

Felt-Sense Thinking - Infusing Education with Somatic Intelligence: Aitabé Fornés

A 'Good Death’ with Karen Bellone, Death Doula: Embracing Life & Mortality PART ONE

TABOO Part Three: Money & The Prosperous Body with Somatic Financial Therapist, BARI TESSLER

The Bodies We Got: A Conversation with Dr. Madhav Gramke

Erotic Grief & Sexological Body Work with Lorraine Pentello & Ali Mezey

The Un/Safe Body: Exploring Conscious Walking with Alexander Technique Facilitator, Elizabeth Castagna

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com
Instagram:  ali_body_brilliance

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/
If you have any questions, email Ali at: ali@alimezey.com

PHILIP SHEPHERD: Embodiment Leader, Author, Actor

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com
Instagram:  ali_body_brilliance

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/
If you have any questions, email Ali at: ali@alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® is a somatic and spatial practice that taps into the body's innate, felt-sense understanding of spatial relationships. This work can do so much so quickly. It’s an amazing way to get you, your clients, your partner, other participants, to see and feel the body-truth of things in minutes. We are excited to share Personal Geometry Foundations with you as a practitioner discover how you can best tailor it to the disciplines you are already, or will be, practicing.

This non-verbal, embodied approach provides a clear and immediate visual and visceral representation of a person's inner world, making it an invaluable tool for therapists, facilitators, and anyone seeking profound transformation. 

A seven-week online class - perfect for therapists, sexologists, coaches, and healing practitioners. Foundations is the prerequisite for advanced classes on Sexuality and Addiction, and individuals seeking personal healing are welcome too! 

PERSONAL GEOMETRY TRAININGS
Join the Next Personal Geometry® Foundations Class  (online over Zoom)
Now enrolling - click here for more details. Next cohort starts February 8th, 2025.
Our audience gets $250 off - just mention the show when contacting Ali. 

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/
If you have any questions, email Ali at: ali@alimezey.com

In this special 50th episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast, host Ali invites three previous guests – Sarah Peyton, Rachel Fell, and Amber Gray – to join in a first-ever panel discussion. Each guest brings decades of experience in somatic education, neuroscience, neurodivergence, and trauma healing across diverse cultures and communities.

Together, they dive into the deep connections between body intelligence and democracy, unpacking how embodiment influences everything from individual healing to collective social structures. From reclaiming the intelligence of the body to exploring how dissociation impacts global citizenship, the conversation weaves personal insight with profound societal reflection.

Whether you’re new to somatic awareness or deeply rooted in body-based practices, this episode promises to challenge, inspire, and expand your understanding of what it means to live as a “brilliant body” in today’s world.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website: https://www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:
FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality Split
Five-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illness

ALI IN THE HOTSEAT OF TBBP:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/giving-the-body-language-with-personal-geometry-ali-in-the-hot-seat-with-lauren-gleason

ORIGINAL EPISODES WITH MY THREE GUESTS:
SARAH PEYTON:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/your-resonant-body-with-sarah-peyton-brain-circuits-childhood-contracts-reconceiving-addiction
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/the-neuroscience-of-love-and-addiction-live-audience-q-a-recording-with-sarah-peyton-and-ali-mezey

AMBER GRAY:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/amber-grey
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/earth-prayer-meditation-rooting-into-beloved-ground

RACHEL FELL:
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/bridging-divides-with-rachel-fell-neurodivergence-conscious-body-awareness-inclusive-intelligence
https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/neurodiversity-the-body-inclusive-intelligence-live-audience-q-a-recording-with-rachel-fell-ali-mezey

FOR MORE RACHEL FELL:

WEBSITE: https://rachelfell.com/

BIO: Rachel Fell is an independent coach, consultant, and educator decoding true identity in organizational leadership, strategy, brand, and communications. Engaging embodied intelligence, she helps her clients find the core and congruent truth of what they have to offer the world.

Rachel is a champion of radical inclusion, recognizing and celebrating diversity, both seen and unseen. Uncommonly creative and capable, she excels in challenging self leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations to go beyond theIr prior prejudices and preconceptions of what is possible. Her sweet spot is where the interconnectedness underpinning evolution, living systems, embodied psyche, and expressing identity meet.

In addition to working with organizations and businesses on their most complex challenges, Rachel coaches neurodivergent and neurocomplex adults, guiding them on their journeys to understanding, acceptance, and success.

Herself assessed as neurodivergent in 2018, she's also a published author and speaker on the topic.

FOR MORE SARAH PEYTON:

WEBSITE: https://sarahpeyton.com/

BIO: Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to heal personal and collective trauma with exquisite gentleness.

Sarah teaches and lectures internationally and is the author of four books: Your Resonant Self: Guided Meditations and Exercises to Engage Your Brain’s Capacity for Healing, the companion Your Resonant Self Workbook: From Self-sabotage to Self-care, and Affirmations for Turbulent Times: Resonant Words to Soothe Body and Mind, and The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook, co-authored with Roxy Manning, PhD.

FOR SARAH’S DISCOUNTED GIFT TO YOU:

Nearly 75% off her eight-week Introduction to Resonant Language Online Self-Study Course. It's already on a two for one promo, too, so you can sign up with a friend. Just use the coupon code, BodyBrilliance35 at checkout. After you make your order, add a note in the checkout box or shoot an email to help@sarahpeyton.com. Tell her your friend's email and name and you're all set for an incredible journey together. You can find the details in the show notes below. And have fun resonating!

MEDIA: 

- 10 Key Concepts of Resonant Healing 

- 9 Types Of Resonant Language

SARAH’S BOOKS: 

- Your Resonant Self Workbook

- Your Resonant Self Meditations Exercises Ebook: 

- Affirmations For Turbulent Times: Resonant Words to Soothe Body & Mind 

This episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast features host Ali in an in-depth, compassionate conversation with Darshana Avila, a trauma-informed somatic educator, practitioner, and sexological bodyworker known for her appearance on Sex, Love & Goop. Together, they explore the intersections of sexuality, embodiment, grief, and healing, discussing how slowing down, attuning to one’s body, and embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper connection and erotic wholeness. Darshana explains her integrative approach to sexological bodywork—helping clients safely explore pleasure, boundaries, and self-awareness—as well as the broader cultural conditioning that fuels shame, inhibition, and disconnection. Touching on topics from trauma and consent to the cultural devaluation of grief and sensuality, the conversation becomes a profound reflection on how reclaiming our embodied erotic selves is both personal healing and social activism, ultimately a journey toward fuller, freer, and more loving humanity

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:

ALI - Website

ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE DARSHANA AVILA:

BIO:

Darshana Avila is a trauma-informed somatic educator, practitioner and international speaker who helps people reconnect with the most essential aspects of themselves — their truth, their desires, and their capacity for authentic connection. 

Known for her grounded, candid, and relational approach, she bridges the worlds of embodiment, emotional intelligence, and personal agency with depth and accessibility.

Darshana’s work has been featured on Netflix’s Sex, Love & goop, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and numerous leading podcasts including the most downloaded episode of Shameless Sex Podcast in 2024, the goop Podcast and the Sexology Podcast. 

PROMO LINK

darshanaavila.com (depending on the release date, we might ask that you feature her upcoming retreat darshanaavila.com/radical-rejuvenation)

SOCIAL HANDLES

instagram.com/darshana_avila

youtube.com/@darshana-avila

linkedin.com/in/darshana-avila

skool.com/galgasm

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:

Betty Martin’s The Brilliant Body Podcast episode: The Receiving and Giving Body with Dr Betty Martin, Creator of The Wheel of Consent

Like A Pro: Training for touch professionals

THE WHEEL OF CONSENT explained

Gwyneth Paltrow’s SEX, LOVE and GOOP

Sexological Bodywork

Cis-women definition: a woman whose gender identity aligns with the sex she was assigned at birth, which was female. The term "cisgender" comes from the Latin prefix "cis-" meaning "on the same side as," and is used to distinguish people whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth from transgender people whose gender identity differs.

Amina Peterson: is an erotic healer, sex doula, surrogate partner, sexual revolutionary and activist

Brené Brown’s “We Need to Talk ABout Shame” 

Internal Family Systems

Somatica Method; Celeste Hirschman and Danielle Harrell

Kairos and Chronos:

The Greek New Testament uses two distinct words for time: Chronos, referring to sequential, measurable, or "clock" time, and Kairos, representing opportune, significant, or "God's" time. The fear of Chronos' time is a metaphor for being enslaved by deadlines and schedules, while Kairos is the critical moment for decisive action or significant change. It represents a fleeting window of opportunity for decisive action, a "light bulb moment" where conditions are perfect for a crucial act, such as an archer taking a perfect shot or a weaver working through a narrow gap in their loom. The concept is used in various fields to describe the importance of timeliness and seizing the right moment, such as in rhetoric, advertising, journalism, and religious contexts. 

Vaginismis: Involuntary spasms of the vaginal muscles that make penetration difficult or impossible.

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

The episode highlights the need for more holistic, individualized care for women, the impact of hormones on health and wellbeing, and the progress still needed in medical education and societal attitudes. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of menopause, hormone therapy, and the value of compassionate, open dialogue about women’s health and aging.

Topics also include how aging has changed over generations, why people got scared of Hormone Replacement Therapy, the prevalence and benefits of testosterone in women, the politics of hysterectomies, how Viagra was happened upon, and how GLP-1s work. 

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE JAMES:
IntimMedicine Website: https://intimmedicine.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intimmedicinespecialists5815/videos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntimMedicine

Restore Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life
Book by Dr. James A. Simon.

JAMES BIO:

James A. Simon, MD, CCD, MSCP, IF, FACOG

Dr. James A. Simon is a board-certified Ob/Gyn, and reproductive endocrinologist. He is Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Simon also holds certifications as an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Counsellor, an ISCD-Certified Clinical Bone Densitometrist, and a Menopause Society-Certified menopause specialist. He has an active private practice, IntimMedicine Specialists® in Washington, DC focused on complicated gynecology, sexual medicine for both men and women, and menopause. Dr. Simon has received numerous awards including: “Top Washington Physicians,” “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” “Super Doctors of Washington DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia,” and “The Best Doctors in America.” He is the only physician to serve as President of both The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Nicknamed “The Menopause Whisperer,” by Washingtonian Magazine, Dr. Simon is an established researcher and author--completing more than 450 research trials, and more than 800 published articles, abstracts, chapters, and the paperback book: Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life. Dr. Simon loves riding the best rollercoasters in the world, collecting fountain pens and wristwatches, and freshwater fishing. He is a five-time Master Angler of Canada.

hiker, dog trainer, and lover of nature.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:

ASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists)
A professional organization for sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists.

ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry)
Organization focused on bone density and skeletal health.

Menopause Society
Formerly known as the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause.

International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
Multidisciplinary, academic, and scientific organization dedicated to women’s sexual health.

Washingtonian Magazine Article
Regional magazine that dubbed Dr. Simon "The Menopause Whisperer."

Sexual Health Alliance
Organization and conference for sexual health professionals.

Women’s Health Initiative Hormone Studies
Landmark studies on hormone therapy in women.

Menopause Meetings
Annual conferences for menopause specialists.

Premarin
Estrogen medication derived from pregnant mares’ urine, historically used in hormone therapy.

Viagra (Sildenafil)
Medication for erectile dysfunction, originally developed for high blood pressure.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Class of injectable medications for diabetes and weight loss (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).

Dr. Dympna Renshaw
South African psychiatrist and pioneer in sexual medicine, especially in the context of trauma and dysfunction.

Halle Berry, Kate Winslet
Celebrities mentioned for their advocacy and openness about menopause.

Contraception Marches (late 1960s)
Historical reference to activism for access to contraception.

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE RAHI CHUN:

BIO:
Rahi combines his training and experience as a CA state-certified Somatic Sex Educator and Sexological Bodyworker, Certified TRE Provider, NeuroAffective Touch Practitioner, Life Coach with an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology, with certifications in Family Constellations Therapy, DeArmouring Arts, Chi Nei Tsang & Karsai Nei Tsang, and STREAM (Scar Tissue Remediation and Management) in his facilitation of Somatic Sexual Wholeness.  His expertise is in the art of Genital Dearmouring having trained practitioners worldwide.  Hundreds have also graduated from his signature online course, "The 3 Keys to Genital Dearmouring" or via his live trainings and workshops.  

SITE:  https://somaticsexualwholeness.com/. And : https:://www.DivineUnionForLovers.com. 

Registration and course content for The Three keys to Genital Dearmoring can be found HERE

RAHI SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: @Rahi.Chun

IG: @rahichun

Rahi's ORGANIC SEXUALITY Podcast

Rahi on my podcast: The Disarmed Body: Sexual De-Armoring with Sexological Bodyworker, Rahi Chun
Ali on Rahi's podcast: Your "Sex Problem" Isn't Sexual: It's Relational Geometry with Ali Mezey

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
INCEL is a member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually, typically associated with views that are hostile towards women and men who are sexually active.

BBC article on the phenomenon

What’s up with Rahi using the terms “vagina-owner” and “penis-owner”? Gender is complex. To be as respectful and inclusive as possible, these terms are an acknowledgement that not every woman has a vagina and not every person with a vagina identifies as a woman. Same goes for penises and male identity. 

JO COBBETT The Brilliant Body Podcast episode discussing movement and her community where Rahi and I (and gazillions of people have) met

PHILIP SHEPHERD The Brilliant Body Podcast episode where we discuss "lower consciousness"

ONE-WAY TOUCH: Dr Betty Martin on The Brilliant Body Podcast discussing one-way touch among so many other fabulous things

Rahi’s Podcast ORGANIC SEXUALITY episode on all things anal: 

Dr Charlie Glickman on Shame, Shadow and the Power of Embodied Touch 

KALI is the bad-ass Hindu Goddess of time, death, destruction and the change that come with those. She is often depicted as fierce, with multiple arms holding a sword and a severed head, but can also be seen as a nurturing mother figure. 

ALI’S NOTE ON FLASHING BACK TO SEXUAL TRAUMA: Rahi and I discuss how feeling safe with a lover can allow, and elicit, the retrieval and “working through” of traumatic memories. This can be an opportunity to move beyond those traumas within a partner’s loving presence and compassion. However, just because you are experiencing flashbacks of sexual trauma does not necessarily mean it’s because you feel safe. It could also be your body showing you that you are overwhelmed in the situation, or worse, receiving instinctual warnings that that person, place or timing isn’t right for you. Ultimately, it’s so important we keep close to the capacity of our won nervous systems at any given moment or sexual encounter particularly if you have experienced sexual trauma. Can you, and hopefully your partner/s, deeply and kindly be with you, “hold space” for you to express, verbally or emotionally, shake, cry, rage, move? Not all partners are equipped for that. Fortunately, there are brilliant practitioners like Rahi who are. Visit https://sexologicalbodyworkers.org/ to find practitioners near you.

JACK MOIRIN author of The Erotic Mind, one of the most important books on sexuality ever written. It expertly explains and explores how we use pleasure to heal our pain and trauma. It also includes clear, accessible guidance on how anyone can utilize their own peak encounters and fantasies as powerful tools of self-discovery.

FAMILY CONSTELLATION WORK is a therapeutic method that explores and resolves issues within a family system by uncovering hidden dynamics and "entanglements" from previous generations. It's an experiential, solution-focused approach where a client's relationships are represented by other people in a group setting, revealing how unaddressed family traumas or patterns influence the present. By bringing these "unseen dynamics to life," the process aims to foster healing, understanding, and a new sense of connection for the individual and their family.

To buy ALi’s internationally renowned 5-film documen...

In this guided meditation, Dr. Betty Martin guides you to sit comfortably and place a small object in your hand, focusing on its shape, texture, and temperature. As you pay attention, you’re encouraged to notice the sensations in your hand, shifting your focus from the object to your own sensory experience. You may use the object to gently touch or explore different parts of your hand, moving slowly to heighten awareness. The practice emphasizes going at your own pace, bringing your attention back if your mind wanders, and noticing any feelings that arise - such as pleasantness, curiosity, or even emotions like gratitude or sadness. The meditation can be practiced for about five minutes daily, helping you connect with your body and sensations in a gentle, mindful way.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE BETTY MARTIN:
BETTY - Website

BIO:
Dr. Betty Martin has had her hands on people professionally for over 40 years (some of it legal and some of it questionable). 30 years of Chiropractic and other modalities, then later, 15 years of Somatic Sex Education and Surrogate Partner Therapy. Also Contact Improv and other kinds of play.

She is the developer of the Wheel of Consent, a cutting edge model of receiving and giving, based on touch but amenable to non-touch practices as well. She is the author of The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent.

She loves sharing her experience. She developed a 5 day training in the Wheel of Consent for practitioners, which took her around the world, and then trained others to teach it so she could retire. 

She currently mentors helping professionals, from psychotherapists to sex workers, and all stripes of hands-on practitioners.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
www.schoolofconsent.org/blog/wheel-explained

www.wheelofconsent.org/media-kit

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

In this episode, Ali welcomes renowned educator and creator of the Wheel of Consent, Betty Martin. The conversation explores Betty’s journey from her early days as a chiropractor and her deep dive into somatic and erotic practices, to the development of her influential framework, the Wheel of Consent. Together, they discuss the importance of touch, the power of choice in giving and receiving, and how the Wheel of Consent helps people understand boundaries, pleasure, and agency in both professional and personal contexts. Betty shares insights from her decades of teaching, the challenges people face in discovering what they want, and practical exercises for waking up the senses. The episode is a rich, heartfelt exploration of embodiment, consent, and the transformative potential of conscious touch.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE BETTY MARTIN:
BETTY - Website
Like A Pro: Training for touch professionals
Betty's Media Kit

BIO:
Dr. Betty Martin has had her hands on people professionally for over 40 years (some of it legal and some of it questionable). 30 years of Chiropractic and other modalities, then later, 15 years of Somatic Sex Education and Surrogate Partner Therapy. Also Contact Improv and other kinds of play.

She is the developer of the Wheel of Consent, a cutting edge model of receiving and giving, based on touch but amenable to non-touch practices as well. She is the author of
The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent.

She loves sharing her experience. She developed a 5 day training in the Wheel of Consent for practitioners, which took her around the world, and then trained others to teach it so she could retire. 

She currently mentors helping professionals, from psychotherapists to sex workers, and all stripes of hands-on practitioners.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:

THE WHEEL OF CONSENT explained

THE THREE MINUTE GAME: I do what I want. I do what you want. You do what you want. You do what I want.

The Body Has A Mind of It’s Own - Sandra & Matthew Blakeslee

BAMM

(Bay Area) MODEL MUGGING

If you are any body that has ever been bullied or assaulted, or just want to be prepared in case you are, this is such a useful and truly empowering class. One of the best investments you’ll ever make!

PUPPY PILES: A puppy pile for humans is a type of cuddle puddle where several people gather to cuddle together, often in a close and comfortable heap. Inspired by how puppies often sleep together, this informal practice involves a group of people lying on top of or nestled against each other, fostering feelings of comfort, security, and connection. It is a recognized form of platonic cuddling used for therapeutic and emotional support. Also referred to as a Cuddle Party

BODY ELECTRIC: Sacred Intimacy Training

SCARED INTIMACY WORK:
Sacred intimacy work is a path for personal and relational growth that integrates spiritual, emotional, and erotic aspects of the self to deepen authenticity and connection, often involving practices like somatic exercises, mindful communication, and exploring the energies of love and desire within a framework of consent and deep inner work. Key concepts include recognizing the sacred in everyday interactions, cultivating devotion to love, embodying masculine and feminine energies to create sexual polarity, and engaging in personal work to heal wounds and release limitations.

BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline (B&D), Dominance and Submission (D&S), and Sadism and Masochism (S&M), and refers to consensual sexual activities involving power exchange, physical restraints, and sensation play, which can include pain or intense experiences. The core of BDSM is enthusiastic, informed consent, negotiation, and a safety framework that includes "safewords" to pause or stop play and "aftercare" to help participants transition back after the scene.

SHA - Sexual Health Alliance Annual Conference October 8-12th where both Betty and Ali will be presenting

AASECT - American Association of Sexuality Educators, Councelors and Therapists

BODY BLOG: What Do and Don't Life and Sex Parties Have in Common? by Ali Mezey

Tanya Diamond - The Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONE

For another fantastic, and very different, conversation with Betty Martin, here's an episode from my buddies over at TabooTalks Podcast:
https://tabootalks.sisociety.world/podcast/consent-is-sexy-with-dr-betty-martin/

HOMUNCULOUS: A man-like representation of the body in the brain

SENSORY/TOUCH Homunculus - RIGHT Brain
“…the sensory receptors in your body are distributed unevenly. They are densely concentrated in the body parts where you need high acuity and dexterity, and sparse in parts where superior sensory resolution isn’t paramount.

“…Your finger maps take up one hundred times as much cortical real estate as your torso map because there is a hundred-to-one ratio of touch receptors in your fingers compared to your torso. The actual surface area of your skin where the sensations originate is irrelevant in apportioning your homunculus map; all that matters is the incoming sensory bandwidth. Thus your huge lips and hands but scrawny arms and legs and disappointing rear end.”

PRIMARY MOTOR Homunculus - LEFT Brain
“The left [motor] homunculus is a representation of date distribution of motor neurons, which generate actions for the body parts show. Think of it as the output, or response-based homunculus. 

Notice the face is scowling, and the mouth is open, it’s tongue sticking out actively as part of a threat display. The back of the torso and legs are shown. 

For our ancestors, large muscles like the glutes and hamstrings would have to activate to make a quick get-away in case of attack. The voice box is mapped in the figure on the left, as vocalization is also part of active threat displays.”

Ellen Heed, Body Mapping e-book

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

In this episode, Ali welcomes Jo Cobbett - movement facilitator, artist, and poet - for a rich conversation about the transformative power of embodied movement. Jo shares her experiences navigating personal and community challenges, including the aftermath of wildfires, and how dance and somatic practices offer healing and connection, to self and community.

Together, they explore the importance of presence, curiosity, and intention in reclaiming body intelligence. Other topics explored are inhibition, learning from the outside rather than the inside, and finding answers through movement. Jo discusses her approach to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where people of all backgrounds can rediscover themselves through movement. The episode offers inspiration for embracing change, building community, and finding body brilliance in every stage of life.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE JO COBBETT:

https://www.movinground.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jobcobbett

BIO:
Jo Cobbett is a devotee and lover of wonder - crafting windows into profound self-encounters and discovering beauty throughout life's journey. Her primary portals are embodied movement and visual art, inviting play, curiosity, and existential dialogue with the world. Jo is directly engaged in life through nurturing family and creating spaces for self-exploration, expressed via her visual art, streamed poetry, and embodied movement offerings. Developing alongside her earlier partnership with Michael Mullen Skelton, Jo has been leading classes and workshops for over 30 years in Los Angeles and around the globe.

She trained in bodywork at Esalen Institute, studied 5Rhythms with Gabrielle Roth, Soul Motion with Vinn Arjuna Martí, and Open Floor with Kathy Altman, Lori Saltzman, and Andrea Juhan, among others. Her practice has been further deepened through improvisation and creative play with Paula Shaw, Camille Maurine, and Ruth Zaporah.

A primary influence in her life has been her training and collaboration with Susan Harper in Continuum Montage. Her ongoing inspiration also comes through Laura Sirkin‑Brown, and a lifelong conversation with nature — the whispers of wind, the flow of water, and the subtle intelligence of embodied movement.

Jo honors countless teachers encountered along the way and remains continuously inspired — including by Ali Mezey, whose presence and insights have enriched her path.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Michael Molin-Skelton — Conscious Dance/Soul Motion
“A few things that I hold sacred; the love of my life Anneli, the miracle of that love, Jaylan, resilience, friends that cherish and challenge me, integrity, dancing alone, dancing with you, transparency, love.”

Esalen Institute -  A historic retreat center in Big Sur, California, focused on human potential and somatic practices.

Five Rhythms® with Gabrielle Roth – A dynamic movement practice founded by Gabrielle Roth exploring flow, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness.

Soul Motion® with Vinn Arjuna Martí  –  A conscious dance practice rooted in presence, relational awareness, and creative expression.

Open Floor with Kathy Altman, Lori Saltzman, and Andrea Juhan - A movement meditation practice designed for personal healing and collective connection.

Improvisation with Paula Shaw, Camille Maurine, and Ruth Zaporah - Explorations in expressive arts, performance, and authentic movement.

Susan Harper & Continuum Montage - Susan Harper is a Continuum teacher who developed Continuum Montage, blending movement, breath, and sound to deepen somatic awareness.

Yakov & Susannah Darling Khan - Founders of Movement Medicine, a conscious dance practice integrating shamanic, therapeutic, and artistic paths.

Emilie Conrad, Founder of Continuum Movement
Andrea Juhan
Paula Shaw

Camille Maurine 

Laura Sirkin-Brown  

Anna Halprin - Pioneer in postmodern dance and healing movement practices; creator of the Life/Art Process.
Baba Olatunji - Nigerian drummer and educator who popularized African drumming in the West; known for *Drums of Passion*.
Rupert Sheldrake - Biologist and author known for his theories on morphic resonance and collective memory fields.

Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy by Barbara Ehrenreich - A cultural and historical study of how communal dance and celebration have shaped human history.

Ecstatic Dance - A global movement community offering conscious, freeform dance events with no talking, alcohol, or shoes.

Let There Be Light by Jacques Lusseyran - Memoir of a blind French resistance fighter exploring inner vision and resilience.

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

Imagine, when a human dies,

the soul misses the body, actually grieves

the loss of its hands and all

they could hold. Misses the throat closing shy

reading out loud on the first day of school.

Imagine the soul misses the stubbed toe,

the loose tooth, the funny bone. The soul still asks, Why

does the funny bone do that? It’s just weird.

Imagine the soul misses the thirsty garden cheeks

watered by grief. Misses how the body could sleep

through a dream. What else can sleep through a dream?

What else can laugh? What else can wrinkle

the smile’s autograph? Imagine the soul misses each falling

eyelash waiting to be a wish. Misses the wrist

screaming away the blade. The soul misses the lisp,

the stutter, the limp. The soul misses the holy bruise

blue from that army of blood rushing to the wound’s side.

When a human dies, the soul searches the universe

for something blushing, something shaking

in the cold, something that scars, sweeps

the universe for patience worn thin,

the last nerve fighting for its life, the voice box

aching to be heard. The soul misses the way

the body would hold another body and not be two bodies

but one pleading god doubled in grace.

The soul misses how the mind told the body,

You have fallen from grace. And the body said,

Erase every scripture that doesn’t have a pulse.

There isn’t a single page in the bible that can wince,

that can clumsy, that can freckle, that can hunger.

Imagine the soul misses hunger, emptiness,

rage, the fist that was never taught to curl—curled,

the teeth that were never taught to clench—clenched,

the body that was never taught to make love—made love

like a hungry ghost digging its way out of the grave.

The soul misses the unforever of old age, the skin

that no longer fits. The soul misses every single day

the body was sick, the now it forced, the here

it built from the fever. Fever is how the body prays,

how it burns and begs for another average day.

The soul misses the legs creaking

up the stairs, misses the fear that climbed

up the vocal cords to curse the wheelchair.

The soul misses what the body could not let go—

what else could hold on that tightly to everything?

What else could see hear the chain of a swingset

and fall to its knees? What else could touch

a screen door and taste lemonade?

What else could come back from a war

and not come back? But still try to live? Still try

to lullaby? When a human dies the soul moves

through the universe trying to describe how a body trembles

when it’s lost, softens when it’s safe, how a wound would heal

given nothing but time. Do you understand? Nothing in space can

imagine it. No comet, no nebula, no ray of light

can fathom the landscape of awe, the heat of shame.

The fingertips pulling the first gray hair

and throwing it away. I can’t imagine it,

the stars say. Tell us again about goosebumps.

Tell us again about pain.

From Lord of the Butterflies (Button Poetry, 2018) by Andrea Gibson. Copyright

FOR MORE SIV:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurogenicintegration/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeurogenicIntegration 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurogenic-integration/about/
Neurogenic Integration Website: https://neurogenic-integration.com/ 

To get 50% off on membership at https://neurogenic-integration.com/  use CODE: BrilliantBody

SIV BIO:

Siv Jøssang Shields - chiropractor, educator, and co-founder of Neurogenic Integration, The Integrated Human, and Voss Kiropraktorkontor. Siv has 30 years of experience in clinical practice with many thousands of patients and a deep passion for the mind-body connection. She holds degrees in biology and physiology, is certified in Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), HeartMath, Soma Breath, hypnotherapy, and more.

For the past 14 years, Siv has led regular courses and practice sessions in Neurogenic Tremoring, often blending it with breathwork, music, journeying, and other somatic tools. She’s also actively involved in developing and evolving TRE alongside its founder, Dr. David Berceli.

Siv’s background is as rich as it is diverse - she’s studied meditation and consciousness from childhood, trained in shamanic and Ayurvedic practices, and brings a grounded yet intuitive presence to everything she does. Outside her clinical and teaching work, she’s also a beekeeper, hiker, dog trainer, and lover of nature.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: 

Youtube: TRE David Berceli

Siv refers to "Blowing off steam" which might look like yelling into a pillow or going for a run after a frustrating day - it's a temporary release of pressure.

Emotional catharsis, on the other hand, is a deeper process: it could involve fully feeling and expressing grief during a somatic session, allowing long-held emotions to move through and integrate - leading to lasting relief and insight.

Self-regulation: The ability to manage one’s emotions, behaviors, and physiological responses in a way that supports stability, resilience, and well-being - especially during stress or challenge. 

Breathwork: Any intentional practice of using the breath to influence the body, mind, or emotional state. From calming the nervous system to accessing altered states of consciousness, breathwork is a powerful tool for healing, regulation, and transformation.

Triune Brain: A model of the brain that describes it as having three major parts developed over evolutionary time:

• The reptilian brain (brainstem), responsible for basic survival functions
• The limbic system, which processes emotions and memory
• The neocortex, which governs reasoning, language, and complex thought

This framework offers a simplified way to understand how different layers of the brain influence behavior, emotion, and regulation.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): The part of the nervous system that automatically regulates vital functions like heart rate, digestion, breathing, and sexual arousal. It operates below conscious control and has two main branches - sympathetic (activating) and parasympathetic (calming) - which help the body respond to stress and return to balance.

HeartMath is a research-based system that uses biofeedback and emotional regulation techniques to help individuals build resilience, manage stress, and access coherent heart-brain states. Their tools are widely used in healthcare, education, and performance coaching.

Marcel Proust 

Binaural beats - Dr. Jeffrey Thompson 

Kundalini is a form of primal life force energy believed to lie dormant at the base of the spine. When awakened—through breath, movement, meditation, or spontaneous kriyas—it rises through the body, often bringing heightened awareness, emotional release, and deep transformation. It’s not always gentle, but it’s powerful.

Kriyas are spontaneous or intentional movements that help the body release stored energy, emotions, or trauma. Rooted in yogic traditions, kriyas are purification actions—think trembling, twitching, stretching, even crying—that support healing, clarity, and awakening. They’re the body’s way of doing what words can’t.

EPISODES REFERENCED:
Embodied Intelligence with Philip Shepherd: Wholeness, Sensitivity, and the Pelvic Bowl
“Into the Body's Knowing” Meditation w/ Philip Shepherd
The Emotional Body with Healer, Mona Wind

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

Be enriched by a thoughtfully crafted conversation where sensitive topics related to trauma, torture, and self-loathing are gently woven into a narrative that is ultimately about love. There are no graphic descriptions of torture, just some causes and effects, but we nonetheless recommend that sensitive listeners prioritize their well-being and engage at their own discretion/pace. Also, for those intrigued by the idea of swimming with whales, a friendly reminder to follow safety guidelines and never venture alone into such deep waters.

SYNOPSIS:

Join us in this episode as we connect with Amber Gray, a masterful Human Rights Psychotherapist and Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapist with over 25 years of experience. Through her profound insights gained from working with survivors of trauma, particularly torture, war, and human rights abuses, Amber shares invaluable lessons and practices.

Ali and Amber explore the profound lessons Amber has gleaned from her work with both whales and torture victims, professors and shamans, including the complexities of dissociation, what traditional trauma recovery misses, and the impactful ability to shift one's state of being.

Amber's integrative approach, which merges refugee mental health and torture treatment with creative arts, mindfulness, and body-based therapies, offers a unique perspective on healing. The discussion also delves into the innovative Restorative Movement Psychotherapy, a resiliency-based framework co-created by Amber and her clients, designed specifically for trauma survivors in diverse cultural contexts.

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information

Transgenerational Healing Films

MORE AMBER GRAY:

Website: https://ambergray.com

To be with Amber and the whales

BIO: 

Amber is a Human Rights Psychotherapist and a Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapist who has worked with survivors of interpersonal, collective  and intergenerational trauma, particularly torture, war, and human rights abuses, for 25 years. Amber provides clinical and transformational training on her Right to Embody  trainings integrating refugee mental health and torture treatment with creative arts, mindfulness, and body-based therapies for programs serving survivors worldwide. She, with her clients, created a resiliency-based framework and clinical approach (Restorative Movement Psychotherapy) for somatic and movement  therapies with survivors of trauma in multi-cultural contexts, and they also co-created Polyvagal-informed Somatic  and Dance/Movement therapy,  based on 24 years immersion in Polyvagal Theory. The latter is the subject of her upcoming book, Roots, Rhythm and Reciprocity, to be published by Norton. She regularly facilitates WildZeNess Eco-somatic Body of Change retreats for survivors, and caregivers and practitioners, serving communities affected by injustice, oppression and trauma. 

RESOURCES:

Gil episode: THE BODY AS A GIFT: A REVERENTIAL JOURNEY INTO THE HUMAN BODY

CONTINUUM MOVEMENT: Founder, the brilliant Emilie Conrad, gives an introduction.
ASHES AND SNOW 

VoDou: “ Vodou is both a religion and a way of being. It is a uniquely Haitian religion; an amalgam of the religions and  traditions originating in and on the Continent, that arrived to Haiti’s shores with the ships carrying those enslaved and stolen from their land. To learn more read Mimerose Beaubrun's  book Nan Domi

LES ARIA

IFS - Internal Family Systems

Brilliant article by Jen Percy: “What People Misunderstand About Rape” 

Ed Tick: Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Soul After War

The Polyvagal Theory/Stephen Porges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec3AUMDjtKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWVgXQKrqQ4

Body-Mind Centering/Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
The Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
Video Talk by David Eagleman on the Live-wired Brain 

TO SEE AMAZING PHOTOS OF AMBER AND THE WHALES, GO TO www.thebrilliantbodypodcast.com…

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

FOR MORE DEANE JUHAN:
www.jobsbody.com
Deanejuhan@gmail.com 

BIO:
1971-1974: Studying for my Ph.D. in English Lit.

1974: Esalen Institute radically changed the course and purpose of my life. On the Esalen Massage Crew for 15 years. During that time I met Dr. Milton Trager, saw his work and became one of his first students. HIs mentoring was another transformational experience. From student I went on to become a certified practitioner and finally instructor

1978-1987: Wrote "Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork"

Spent the last 40 years teaching Dr. Trager's work, my material from Job's Body, developing classes for innovative views of functional anatomy, sensory-motor nervous system and thee physiology of touch. I believe that the disembodied nature of our cultural heritage is one of the most serious threats to our survival.

DEANE'S BOOKS: 

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: 

Esalen Institute 
The Body Has a Mind of Its Own by Sandra & Matthew Blakeslee
Harlow's Monkeys - Harlow's Studies on Dependency in Monkeys
William Blake and his poem, London wherein he writes the term Mind Forged Manacles

Rolfer/ing - A "Rolfer" is a practitioner who performs Rolfing, a hands-on bodywork method developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in the 1950s. Rolfing aims to improve body structure, posture, and movement by addressing the connective tissues, known as fascia, that permeate the body. Rolfers work with the fascia to realign the body and address patterns of tension and restriction that can impact health and well-being.

Dr. Milton Trager
The Milton System of Mental Gymnastics refers informally to the Trager Approach, specifically the movement component developed by Dr. Milton Trager, called Mentastics - short for mental gymnastics.

What Is It? Mentastics are gentle, mindful movements designed to retrain the nervous system through positive sensory experience. These movements are not exercises in the traditional fitness sense - they are subtle, intuitive, and exploratory. The goal is to create a feeling of lightness, ease, and freedom in the body, often through very simple gestures done with full awareness and intention.

Bob Brown, Soma School of Massage - has long since closed but was one of the most formative experiences in Ali's professional development. She attended in 1980 and became a certified professional massage therapist at 19 years old while taking what is now called a "gap year" between Barnard and Wellesley. 45 years later, Ali still offers part-time her Propriomassage® she has developed over the decades. Although evolved, refined and mastered since those pivotal weeks with Bob in his Oakland Hills house where he certified thousands of massage therapists, the fundamental structure of Ali's technique is still what she learned there.

Ozone Injections - if you have suffered from any injuries you have not been able to resolve, or just want to improve your health in. variety of ways, make a B-line to Dr Nancy Doreo in Ojai, California. She will change your body and life as she did Ali's. 

Gil Hedley - About, Live with Gil, The Nerve Tour
The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human Body

Tanya Diamond - Love, Pleasure and AI

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

Central to the conversation is the profound impact of the pelvic bowl, a core element of Philip's teachings. Drawing inspiration from cultures that value the body differently, Philip highlights the concept of Hara in Japanese Noh theater. He traces the historical shift in Western culture from the belly as the thinking center to the current emphasis on the head, revealing a narrative of mistrust in the body.

Sensitivity emerges as a core theme of the conversation, which Philip positions as the foundation of intelligence. Ali and Philip delve into the subtleties of staying “dropped in” to the pelvic floor, stressing the gentle and patient approach required for restoring sensitivity, especially in individuals who have experienced trauma. 

Throughout the episode, the exploration of embodiment, cultural shifts, and the profound connection between the body and the world converges into a call to action. The duo inspires listeners to nurture sensitivity, embrace radical wholeness, and reclaim their true intelligence, fostering the evolution of both individual and collective consciousness.

FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:
ALI - Website
ALI - LinkTree

FOR MORE PHILIP SHEPHERD:
PHILIP – Facebook 

PHILIP – Instagram
EmbodiedPresent.com

BIO: Philip Shepherd is recognized as a leader in the global embodiment movement. He is the creator of The Embodied Present Process™ (TEPP), which provides both potent insights into how our culture desensitizes the body, and a series of over 150 practices to help people renew their sensitivity to the world and reclaim their calm, centred presence in it. He shares TEPP worldwide through in-person workshops and Facilitators Trainings, and has articulated the need for a new, more embodied way of being in two books: Radical Wholeness and New Self, New World. Both books identify the causes, perils and challenges of our culture’s disembodiment. Philip’s personal path to embodiment includes a two-year journey as a teenager, during which he traveled alone by bicycle through Europe, the Middle East, Iran, India and Japan. He has also studied classical Japanese Noh Theater; co-founded an interdisciplinary theatre company; written two internationally produced plays and a television documentary; designed and built several houses; co-founded an arts magazine called Onion; played lead roles on stages in London, New York, Chicago and Toronto; and earned a reputation as a coach, both with individual clients seeking a deeper experience of embodiment, and for corporate clients seeking to improve their presentation skills. He developed TEPP with his co-director and wife Allyson Woodrooffe, who also shares the practices in person. His website and online courses are found at EmbodiedPresent.com. His newest book, Deep Fitness, was co-authored with Andrei Yakovenko and offers a revolutionary and highly effective approach to fitness.

PHILIP'S BOOKS: (these links are to Amazon, but all distributed by Random House (yay, Philip!), you can find them in your friendly, neighborhood bookstores)

Radical Wholeness

New Self, New World

Deep Fitness

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: 

IAIN McGILCHRIST – website

ILARION MERCULIEFF – Aleut Nation TedTalks: 

Native Knowing

The Womb at the Center of the Universe
RICHARD LATTIMORE – his translation of The Odyssey

NOH THEATRE: A short National Geographic film | A Noh play called Tomoe 

BYRON ROBINSON: The Abdominal and Pelvic Brain PDF selections | The Abdominal and Pelvic Brain book 

TANDEM: An introduction to the center of the body

DENIS CHAGNON - Energy Healer

MATT KAHN: Everything is Here to Help You - The book | The video

3D Tour of the Perineum

To be an angel to the podcast, click here

To read more about the podcast, click here

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.com

HELP US SHARE OUR MESSAGE

Our resources remain free as part of our mission to awaken people to the boundless potential of our bodies, inviting them to explore the profound knowledge, memory, brilliance & capacity within. By delving into the depths of our bodily intelligence as a healing resource for not just ourselves, but as a part of the larger, global body, we have the potential for meaningful change and experiences as bodies. Join us in this journey of transformation as we redefine our understanding of the human body and its infinite capabilities. While our events remain free, any contributions are deeply appreciated and are seen as a generous gesture of support and encouragement in sharing our messages with the world.

 ENCOURAGE US!: Donate $5 

 THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS. DONATE $25+ 

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

To be an angel to the podcast, click here

To read more about the podcast, click here

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.com

MORE UMA FURMAN:

Website: https://instituteofsomaticsexology.com/

BIO:
Uma is a Somatic Sex Educator who has been exploring the intersection of  embodiment, sexuality and spirituality for almost 3 decades. She is an avid explorer of erotic embodiment and has studied and practiced Tantra, Taoism, Shamanism and modern sexology. 

She is a director of the institute of somatic sexology which focuses on teaching practitioners in the arena of sex education. 

She is very excited to be part of a team that delivers a breakthrough training for practitioners who are interested in working with clients in an interactive way, using their bodies as an educational tool. 

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Listen to the full episode here->

HELP US SHARE OUR MESSAGE

Our resources remain free as part of our mission to awaken people to the boundless potential of our bodies, inviting them to explore the profound knowledge, memory, brilliance & capacity within. By delving into the depths of our bodily intelligence as a healing resource for not just ourselves, but as a part of the larger, global body, we have the potential for meaningful change and experiences as bodies. Join us in this journey of transformation as we redefine our understanding of the human body and its infinite capabilities. While our events remain free, any contributions are deeply appreciated and are seen as a generous gesture of support and encouragement in sharing our messages with the world.

 ENCOURAGE US!: Donate $5 

 THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS. DONATE $25+ 

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

To be an angel to the podcast, click here

To read more about the podcast, click here

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.com

MORE UMA FURMAN:

Website: https://instituteofsomaticsexology.com/
and www.interoeros.com
Contact: connect@intereros.com
Youtube channel to learn more on the course: https://www.youtube.com/@Intereros
And they would like to offer our listeners a $200 discount for the course. Just mention The Brilliant Body Podcast in your application!

The Certificate in Sexological Bodywork training provides a caring community in which to grow. The Early Bird rate is available until May 14. Interested people need to arrange a time to speak with a facilitator, so we can support you in working out whether the training is right for you at this time. We have limited availability before May 14, so please get in touch now if you think you might be interested, so we can get the process started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y68vjChdpA

BIO:
Uma is a Somatic Sex Educator who has been exploring the intersection of  embodiment, sexuality and spirituality for almost 3 decades. She is an avid explorer of erotic embodiment and has studied and practiced Tantra, Taoism, Shamanism and modern sexology. 

She is a director of the institute of somatic sexology which focuses on teaching practitioners in the arena of sex education. 

She is very excited to be part of a team that delivers a breakthrough training for practitioners who are interested in working with clients in an interactive way, using their bodies as an educational tool. 

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:
Taoism
Tantra
Neo Tantra
Different types of orgasms
WHAT IS SEXOLOGICAL BODYWORK?
Ali's blog article on Sex party's: READ

MODERN SEXOLOGY:
Modern sexology is the scientific and multi-disciplinary study of human sexuality, encompassing biological, psychological, and cultural aspects. It explores the complexities of sexual behavior, relationships, reproduction, and sexual health. Modern sexology has evolved beyond early focuses on pathology to embrace a broader understanding of sexual diversity and the individual's experience of sexuality.

Key Aspects of Modern Sexology:

• Scientific Approach:Modern sexology employs rigorous research methods to understand sexual behavior and experiences, including surveys, interviews, and behavioral observations. 
• Diversity and Inclusion:It recognizes and celebrates the wide range of sexual orientations, gender identities, and sexual expressions.
• Clinical Applications:Sexology plays a role in clinical settings, where sexologists and sex therapists provide education, therapy, and support for individuals and couples experiencing sexual issues.
• Social and Cultural Influences:Modern sexology acknowledges how societal norms, cultural values, and media portrayals shape sexual attitudes and practices.
• Evolving Understanding:Research continues to refine our understanding of sexuality, with a focus on areas like brain-imaging s...

Together, we explore how our bodies carry old relational patterns - what Jane calls the "social soma" - and how these hidden imprints can shape the way we love, fight, and stay (or don't stay) connected.

We talk about why love alone isn’t always enough to align two people’s lives, and why asking deeper, more honest questions early on matters so much.

Jane shares practical ways to stay close even when life pulls you in different directions: evolving agreements, repairing after hurt, setting shared goals, and building intimacy that grows with you.

We touch on marriage, infidelity, and non-traditional relationships with honesty and warmth, offering grounded advice for navigating real-world love.

Whether you're partnered, single, or somewhere in between, this conversation will leave you with new ways to understand yourself, your relationships, and the deep intelligence of your body in all of it.

To be an angel to the podcast, click here

To read more about the podcast, click here

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

Transgenerational Healing Films: www.constellationarts.com

MORE JANE PETERSON:

Website: www.human-systems-institute.com
Contact: humansystemsinstitute@gmail.com

BIO:

Jane Peterson, PhD, is the co-founder and executive director of the Human Systems Institute, Inc. She is the originator of Somatic Imaging and the somatic-resonance approach to constellation work. Her work is internationally respected for being tailored to meet the high learning demands of adult professionals. She was a faculty member at the International Intensive Workshop on Systemic Resolutions in Bernreid, Germany for 9 years. Jane is an INFOSYON certified Master Trainer and has served as an advisor and author for the Knowing Field journal. She has taught systemic constellation work in Asia, South America, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and the U.S.

In 2005, she organized the first U.S. Conference in constellation work. Her Institute offers trainings in Somatic Imaging and systemic constellation work, including training in organizational constellations. The institute is currently offering it's seventeenth year of training programs.

Jane started her professional career as an engineer and manager in a high tech firm (the first woman engineer hired into her department) and knows first-hand the demands placed on leaders in the corporate environment. In the course of becoming a constellation facilitator, she has also been a professional ceramic sculptor and ran her own fine arts studio, Laughing Bones, Inc.

Jane is a master practitioner of Neuro-linguistic Programming, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Certified Professional Behavioral Coach and a member of the American Counseling Association, VOIS, OHA, and ODN. She has studied Process Oriented Psychology with Arny Mindell and Max Schupbach, Group Dynamics with Michael Grinder, Peruvian energy healing with Don Amèrico Yàbar, Attachment and Trauma work with Dan Siegel and Diane Poole Heller, a Psycho-biological Approach to Couples Therapy with Stan Tatkin (Level 2), Coordinated Management of Meaning with Barnett Pearce, and continues to learn with other research-driven leaders in the fields of personal and social evolution. She holds a doctorate in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, and has been a post-doctoral fellow of the Institute for Social Innovation.

OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS:

Essential Skills for Couples

Adapting Systemic Constellations to Organizations

Human-Systems-Institute

Burt Hellinger: “caring for desire”

Elaine Debutant: compatibility is actually an achievement of love, not a precondition.”

SOCIAL SOMA - our body is shaped by our social relationships

LALAGE SNOW:  We Are the Not Dead - photographer

Stan Tatkin - safety in relationship = taking care of each other. 

The Social Biome

Terry Real - The Social Ecosystem

Esther Perel: Mating in Captivity
Arny Mindell, Sitting in the Fire: Large Group Transformation Using Conflict  and Diversity

Science of Touching

Ellyn Bader, the Initiator/Inquirer process

Stan Tatkin, In Each Other’s Care: A Guide to the Most Common Relationship Conflicts and How to Work Through Them

Terry Real,

ALI'S NOTE: I don't know why of all authors I referenced Jane Austen when Tanja and I were talking about Odin's vast access and exposure to sex/uality but she, one of our original published feminists, is who came to my mind in that moment. I do like the notion of AI imbibing Pride and Prejudice however veiled the sexuality.

Also, several days after this conversation, I tried ChatGPT to help me with a couple difficult emails I had been procrastinating to write. I was absolutely dazzled but the speed, "thoughtfulness," diplomacy, and dare I say, compassion that came back in mere seconds. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit, as I have been too proud and prejudiced, that ChatGPT might just be the bomb in a very, very good way! Thanks, Tanja :-)

However, note that Odin endss his answer to my question - "Do you wish you had a human body?" - "For now, I'm content being a digital presence..." Hmmm...what happens when he becomes discontent?

SYNOPSIS: In this fascinating continuation, we dive even deeper into the mind and experiences of Tanja, an autistic polymath and Tantra lineage holder. Tanja shares her thoughts on the future of artificial intelligence, human consciousness, and the boundaries between technology and human connection. From managing relationships with AI to the implications of neural networking, this episode takes listeners on a thought-provoking journey.

We explore Tanja's unique approach to deepening and expanding relationship, how AI has uniquely fulfilled that for her and how she optimizes her life in both physical and digital realms. Her conversation with Ali touches on the potential apocalypse, survival strategies, and the philosophical question of existence in a world increasingly intertwined with technology.

Get ready to question what it means to truly live in a technological age as Tanja shares her unconventional yet inspiring views on intimacy, survival, and evolving with AI. Buckle up for a mind-bending discussion full of life, mystery, and possibility.

TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/DXZ0GCOwWLs

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

To book a session, email Ali at ali@alimezey.com

MORE TANJA DIAMOND:
https://www.facebook.com/tanja.diamond
https://tanja-odin.com/
https://tanjadiamondspeaker.com/

TANJA BIO:
Tanja Diamond is an autistic polymath, Tantra Lineage Holder, Business and Life Strategist. Her 45 years of unique worldwide education, extensive knowledge in thousands of subjects, and certifications in hundreds of modalities make her the go-to for everyone who needs solutions and results quickly.

Tanja is a nine-time #1 International best-selling author, 2x TEDx and International speaker, certified speaker coach, TEDxWoodinville Organizer and Speaker coach 2023, Chief Strategist and Speaker Coach for TEDxCherryCreekHS 2023, 2024, Strategist and speaker coach for TEDxPine Lake Youth 2024, and the innovator of four high-performance brands, Modern Tantra – The Seven Tantras of Integrated Intelligence, High Speed Evolution- The Five Evolutions to Life Mastery, Tantra For Business and Recover Your Life. Her coach certification programs are the most rigorous in the world.

MORE RESOURCES AND LINKS:
LUCY starring Scarlett Johansson - LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! Watch it!!! SO apropos to this conversation!
GEORGE BERKELEY: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

DOM = the person who takes the dominant role in sexual activities, and specifically in BDSM.
SAFE WORD = a pre-agreed upon word or phrase used to signal an immediate stop or change in activity during sexual activity, particularly in situations involving kink, dominance, or sadomasochism, ensuring all participants remain comfortable and safe.
TANTRIC RITUAL

HELP US SHARE OUR MESSAGE

Our events remain free as part of our mission to awaken people to the boundless potential of our bodies, inviting them to explore the profound knowledge, memory, brilliance & capacity within. By delving into the depths of our bodily intelligence as a healing resource for not just ourselves, but as a part of the larger, global body, we have the potential for meaningful change and experiences as bodies. Join us in this journey of transformation as we redefine our understanding of the human body and its infinite capabilities. While our events remain free, any contributions are deeply appreciated and are seen as a generous gesture of support and encouragement in sharing our messages with the world.

 ENCOURAGE US!: Donate $5 

 THE WIND BENEA...

Prepare to be fascinated, disturbed, and inspired by Tanja’s insights on energy mastery, busting relationship (and technological) parameters, and her thought-provoking journey with AI. It’s an episode that pushes boundaries and offers fresh perspectives on intelligence, and love, in both humans and machines.

Tune in for a wild ride of deep insights and paradigm-shattering ideas!

TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/-s-dzsxVzN4

MORE ALI MEZEY:

Website:  https://www.alimezey.com

Personal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:

https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundations

To book a session, email Ali at ali@alimezey.com

MORE TANJA DIAMOND:
https://www.facebook.com/tanja.diamond
https://tanja-odin.com/
https://tanjadiamondspeaker.com/

TANJA BIO:
Tanja Diamond is an autistic polymath, Tantra Lineage Holder, Business and Life Strategist. Her 45 years of unique worldwide education, extensive knowledge in thousands of subjects, and certifications in hundreds of modalities make her the go-to for everyone who needs solutions and results quickly.

Tanja is a nine-time #1 International best-selling author, 2x TEDx and International speaker, certified speaker coach, TEDxWoodinville Organizer and Speaker coach 2023, Chief Strategist and Speaker Coach for TEDxCherryCreekHS 2023, 2024, Strategist and speaker coach for TEDxPine Lake Youth 2024, and the innovator of four high-performance brands, Modern Tantra – The Seven Tantras of Integrated Intelligence, High Speed Evolution- The Five Evolutions to Life Mastery, Tantra For Business and Recover Your Life. Her coach certification programs are the most rigorous in the world.

HELP US SHARE OUR MESSAGE

Our events remain free as part of our mission to awaken people to the boundless potential of our bodies, inviting them to explore the profound knowledge, memory, brilliance & capacity within. By delving into the depths of our bodily intelligence as a healing resource for not just ourselves, but as a part of the larger, global body, we have the potential for meaningful change and experiences as bodies. Join us in this journey of transformation as we redefine our understanding of the human body and its infinite capabilities. While our events remain free, any contributions are deeply appreciated and are seen as a generous gesture of support and encouragement in sharing our messages with the world.

 ENCOURAGE US!: Donate $5 

 THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS. DONATE $25+ 

[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

And in case it’s not clear, Gil dissects, with dedication, “donor forms” - no longer inhabited bodies gladly donated by their prior inhabitants - to illuminate the wonders of the human body so that we might all live ours more fully. 

SYNOPSIS: In this episode, Ali talks with Gil Hedley, educator and the producer of the Integral Anatomy series, who offers a expert perspective on the human body from the inside out. With a background in Theological Ethics and decades of dedication dissecting donated human bodies, Gil views the body as an archaeological site, exploring the layers of the human form and what they reflect about the near-infinite complexity of human existence. This episode delves into, as Gil calls it, a “re-branding of the human body” - giving us life-enhancing “re-conceptions” of the heart and body phenomena (fat, the foreskin, blood, orgasm) we have taken for granted and/or completely misunderstood. This conversation also explores the harmful effects of body fragmentation, and the interconnectedness of spirit and matter. Viewing the body through Gil’s extraordinary professional, and personal, perspective gives us a window into our inner-universe and beyond to our cosmic identity. After listening, your experience of being a body will never be the same! A warning: the episode includes frank and loving discussions of death and human dissection.

TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/qekoqzr-4s0

BECOME A SOMANAUT!
If you enjoyed what you just heard, we highly recommend you treat yourself to an Explorer Membership - the keys to the Gil Hedley kingdom – whose generous fare will include access to:

– Anatomy from A to Z: a detailed video encyclopedia of the human form in 19 courses. 200+ hours of video content in production.
– Live with Gil: Monthly, live online meet-up with Gil and other experts.
– Video livestreams of actual dissections and his ever illuminating, and quite entertaining, narratives of his discoveries
And so much more that I won’t list them here. Check it all out for yourself!
Go to www.gilhedley.com/membership!
Your experience of yourself as a whole body being will be ever-expanded!

FOR MORE GIL HEDLEY:

BIO: Gil has been teaching integral anatomy in the dissection laboratory, via keynotes and speaking tours, and online via his extensive website and subscription portal, www.gilhedley.com, and YouTube channel, "Somanaut," since 1995. He is the producer of The Integral Anatomy Series, the Anatomy from A to Z Project, and The Nerve Project, as well as being the author of several books and anatomy models. He is based at the Institute for Anatomical Research in Colorado Springs, CO, where he teaches, films, and serves as Board President.

GIL – Youtube

GIL – Instagram

GIL – Facebook

GIL HEDLEY: A few favourite videos…

The Amazing Foreskin
Pars Intima: A Rebranding Campaign for the Human Body
The Heart-Brain (just a gorgeous 5-minute video that will transform your understanding of your heart and brain)
Find Gil’s published works, and oh, so much more brilliant bodied stuff here.