Unravelling with Lauren Barber

In this episode I talk to Gemma Brady on the absolutel healing power of Circles. Gemma is founder of Sister Stories, which is on a mission to make going to Women's Circles as common as yoga class. What started as a simple Circle gathering in London has grown to a global movement of women training to lead and share the transformative power of Circle in their communities. In this episode we discuss… Being in the trenches with early Motherhood and simultaneously being in a creative expansion in Gemma’s work. The path from working as a Documentary Filmmaker to creating a globally reaching business through Circle. The many various ways that Gemma sees circle being integrated into differet social settings, and how strongly she feels this is imperative for our cultural evolution. How she weaves the early years of motherhood together with her heart work, and the importance she places on taking time to be creative. The importance of community and what it really means to belong in a world where there is so much isolation and seperation. And so much more… ***You can also listen to the episode on Apple here and Spotify here. Connect with Gemma here on the Sister Stories website, and here on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode and want more from me... Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I talk to Somatic coach and movement practitioner Sara Duigou. Sara helps people who are feeling stuck navigating major life events to reconnect with their body so they can experience more self-trust, increased capacity and a renewed sense of possibility. In this episode we discuss… Sara’s current season of life - raising neurodivergent teens alongside following her soul work and going through peri-menopause as a neurodivergent person herself. What somatic work is and what it means to come back home to the body and why Sara was called to go down the coaching route after years of teaching movement in different forms. Why this work is so crucial at this time on the planet and how community holds the key to the onward path. How Sara takes care of herself as a practioner, and some of her favourite ways of coming back to ourselves when we have lost our way. The importance of safe space, and what it means to be trauma-informed in the world of coaching and space holding. Ways we can hold ourselves through intense emotions and how to manage our stress response when we are in fight, flight or freeze. And so much more… ***You can also listen to the episode on Apple here and Spotify here. Connect with Sara here on her website, here on Substack and here on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode and want more from me... Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I talk to Layla O'Mara is a writer, mother and acupuncturist living at the foothills of the Wicklow mountains in Ireland. In this episode we discuss… The season of life Layla is finding herself in right now; identifying with the daffodils, wild garlic and Spring energy as well as a shedding the ‘shoulds’. Layla’s journey to her true heart work and what she feels deeply called to create in the world. How she weaves together all the differing threads of her passions and heart work to birth her upcoming memoir. Understanding the topography of our bodies and how the body holds the stories of our lives. How having an understanding of her Human Design has expanded Layla’s awareness of her creative process and how to live in a more aligned way. Layla’s non-negotiable self-tending practices and rhythms that help protect her energy. The importance of trusting your gut and finding your own voice yet also sourcing the right people to listen to when starting on a writing journey. ***You can also listen to the episode on Apple here and Spotify here. A couple of the resources that Layla mentioned in this post can be found here… Jane Hardwicke Collings’ work around the phases of lifeAmy Taylor Kabbaz’s work on Matrescence If any of what we discuss peaked your interest during this conversation, please do subscribe to Layla’s Substack Beauty & Bone to read her incredible words and hear more about the series of workshops that she is currently in the process of writing. Back in January, I had the honour of being a guest on Layla’s podcast, Beauty & Bone. In this episode we discussed how Human Design can become a map to our true selves. The episode is available to listen to here. Connect with Layla here on her website, here on Substack and here on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode and want more from me... Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

Last week marked two years since I took the leap and started writing on Substack, I wasn’t planning on doing anything specific to mark this, however when I started reflecting on 24 months of re-devoting myself to writing I felt the call to share a little solo chat about the journey and the gifts that it has given me. In this episode I share… * What sparked me to create my Substack back in March 2023, and how it has evolved over the past two years. * A crazy story about an Oracle card and how the Universe really does work in magical ways at times. * How I view my Substack space as a home for all the things I love to share — from practices to audios, to poetry to written essays. * Why finding a rhythm and structure was so useful for me, and how I honour my need for creativity within that. * How confidence giving writing on Substack has been for my creative expression and how it has become an integral part of my heart work ecosystem. * How it took me two years to really experiment and land in this space. * And so much more… You can also listen to the episode on Apple here and Spotify here. If you enjoyed this episode and want more from me... Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I talk to Sober Coach, Mentor, Writer and Mother Ellie Nova. We discuss... The season of life Ellie is in — an aligned emergence with Spring as her work builds in momentum and new phases are on the horizon Ellie’s journey in breaking free from alcohol and the years leading up to her becoming a sober coach How to embrace curiosity when looking at your own relationship with alcohol and where to begin in embarking on a sober journey The importance of showing ourselves deep love and compassion when facing any type of addiction What gifts living a sober life has brought to Ellie The culture of drinking intertwined with motherhood You can also listen to the episode on Apple here and Spotify here. A few of the resources that Ellie mentioned in this post can be found here… The Little Book of Big Change by Amy JohnsonThis Naked Mind by Annie GraceThe Alcohol Experiment by Annie GraceAlcohol Explained by William Porter Ellie is hosting free workshop, Self Care for Sobriety, exploring how self-care can support your sobriety journey, on 11th March. If this conversation has sparked something for you, this workshop is a wonderfully gentle place to begin. You can find out more and book your place here. You can receive a free Self Compassion for Sobriety Guide when you sign up for Ellie’s newsletter here. Connect with Ellie here on her website, here on Substack and here on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode and want more from me... Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I talk to priestess, birthkeeper and womb & wild medicine woman Laura Hart Swann. We discuss... The season of life Laura is in — both practically as a 41 year old woman who is the Mother of a 6 year old son — and also from an environmental point of view as we approach Beltane and the emerging energy of Spring. What an intentionally deep rest over the winter months really looks like when running a business and being a Mother, and how she is tending to herself as the energy rises now. Merging our whole selves in Mothering, Business and Partnerships to encourage a letting-go of separation, and the richness that comes when we allow all pieces to be present in our work and our family life. Laura’s journey to the soul work she does now as a Priestess, Birthkeeper and Womb and Wild Medicine Woman, and as a Mother who has grown up without a template for Motherhood. What claiming the name Priestess means to Laura and how important shadow work has been in that journey. Her calling to revolutionise birth and how we can honour the magic and mystery that comes through in the birth portal - even after birth. The power of Closing Ceremonies to honour rites of passage, in particular the wrapping and holding process - and how we can reclaim our own lineage through this. You can also listen to the episode on Apple here and Spotify here. Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I talk about… My recent experience with a Cacao Dieta guided by Laura Durban How I am merging my devotional practices with Motherhood and the magic that unfolds when I do this. Letting go of perfectionism. The feeling of being held by Cacao and how that has rippled through my life. Where I am at in my business and the importance of being malleable in our heart work. Unravelling the way I choose to show up in my work and differentiating between true heart work and doing more than I need to to validate my worth. Where my focus is for the next few months in my heart work. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

As I rebirth Unravelling into it’s latest iteration (forever shapeshifting and unfolding with my journey) — I am so excited to bring you this beautiful conversation with Lyndsay Kaldor. Lyndsay is a mother, creative and storyteller with a background in interiors PR. Telling stories about spaces and the people who make them was at the heart of her role — this fostered her interest in the details of making a home and the part that our surroundings play in the way that we feel. Now a mother, she is creating a home as a foundation to nurture, a conduit of creativity and an anchor to her surroundings, as the seasons turn in her corner of the world. Lyndsay writes the beautiful publication which is one of my absolute favourite things to read on Substack. You can dive into her beautiful writing here. You can also connect with her on Instagram here. In this episode we discuss… * Our dance with ‘winterspring’ — both internally and externally — and the uncertainty that comes when transitioning between seasons. * How we have both honoured our seasons within Motherhood and how this has challenged and evolved our creativity. * Softening to the many different seasons (seasons within seasons) and how they can enhance our experience of life, as well as provide a beautiful anchoring point, particularly in Motherhood. * Lyndsay’s journey with writing, starting with her blog and evolving into her Substack Story & Thread — which is where we met — and how she has discovered the depth of community and connection. * How unseen Motherhood and Creativity are, and how inspiring it has been to see other creative Mothers on Substack. * A little more about our inaugural event for our collaboration Holding Stories, which will be taking place in London on 20th April. You can explore more here. We would love to share this with you if you feel called. “I write to process, and note down this fragment of our lives at the moment. It helps me to make more sense of myself.” —Lyndsay Kaldor Hello to anyone who is new here… I am your Podcast host Lauren. Mother of two daughters, a Writer, Soulful Business Mentor, Website & Branding Creator, Human Design Guide, Sacred Space Holder and multi dimensional human being. Join me on Substack here Connect on Instagram here Explore my offerings and online home here This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

This is a solo episode from me - after a little podcasting hiatus - where I share the messy truths of my second pregnancy. For me it is so important to normalise the full spectrum of emotions that pregnancy brings - and this is my personal experience, from my own perspective, recorded at 36 weeks. In this episode I share… And so much more! Links & Resources… Join The Mother Well community here Click here to connect with Lauren on her personal Instagram or here for The Heart Work Studio. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

A beautiful conversation with the multi-passionate Lily Parkinson about how we can find a more embodied healing path when it comes to the way we eat and perceive our bodies. Lily is a Nutritional Therapist, Embodied Eating Disorder and Mind-Body & Eating Psychology Coach, Yoga Teacher, Medicine Woman and Cacao Ceremonialist. After struggling for many years with disordered eating, body dysmorphia and anxiety and depression, she began to seek a more embodied and spiritual path of healing through connecting with the wisdom of body and the earth. Lily's soul mission is to support women to find embodiment so that they can find freedom in their food, body and health by combining different healing modalities that encompass the body, mind and spirit as healing resources so that women can live in their wholeness. In this episode we discuss… Lily’s own healing journey with food and her body, and how it linked with feelings of unworthiness. How Yoga was the main catalyst for her journey with embodiment to begin. How society, media and the outside world has an impact on the disconnection and dissatisfaction that is so common within the body. Why we need to change the narratives around complementing people on their weight and appearance. The language we use towards ourselves and our bodies, and how awareness of this can be an important first step to healing our relationship with food and the body. The spectrum and complexity of eating patterns and how to notice if these are impacting your overall wellbeing. Some of the most powerful tools, rituals and practices Lily has found to help make baby steps to healing our relationship with food and the body. Some of the deeper reasons we turn to controlling food. And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with Lily on Instagram. And click here to explore her website. Click here to connect with Lauren on her personal Instagram or here for The Heart Work Studio. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

A short and sweet solo episode from me all about the ways that my experiences in motherhood has actually lead to transformation within my business… In this episode I share… How grieving for my past self was crucial to allowing myself to step into the new version of myself in my business. The importance of honouring the different seasons of motherhood - and how that can help bring more acceptance to the changes that undoubtedly arise. How Motherhood has helped me focus fully on the things that make my soul shine, and how that has impacted my business. Why I am now far more energy efficient and protective of my boundaries in my work. How facing my shadows in Motherhood has lead me to face them also in my business. Just how transformative Motherhood can be for our businesses if we allow it… And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with me on Instagram or here for The Heart Work Studio. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

I loved talking to Dr Jemma about all the way she nourishes and supports herself as a Mother, while also running a beautiful heart-centred business… Introducing Dr Jemma… Jemma Andrew-Adiamah is an Empowerment Coach for mums supporting ambitious mums feeling stuck in the whirlwind of motherhood and aspiring for MORE bring to life their dreams in a way that works in beautiful harmony with their life as a mum. Through holistic coaching, she empowers mums to shift out of survival mode so they're thriving by transforming their daily overwhelm and exhaustion to crystal clear clarity, confidence, and fulfilment, so they can rediscover their purpose and identity beyond motherhood in a way that's on their terms. In this episode we discuss… Dr Jemma’s journey from lacking in confidence to empowering other Mother’s to follow their dreams and wishes. The power of flexibility when it comes to daily routines and rituals. What being a recovering perfectionist means for Dr Jemma, and how she has overcome many perfectionist tendencies in both Motherhood and her business. Ways to switch from being controlled by our inner critics, to adopting a more empowered and positive way of speaking to ourselves. How important it is that we nourish ourselves in order to change future generations and reduce the sense of energetic depletion that society is facing right now. How she has found ways to bring harmony to both her role as a Mother as well as running her business, and how it is more than OK to be ambitious in your work while also being a parent. How to begin to anchor back to your dreams, even when you feel a little lost. Breaking out of the comparison trap that we can find ourselves in when balancing Motherhood and Business together. And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with Dr Jemma on Instagram. And click here to explore her website. Click here to connect with Lauren on her personal Instagram or here for The Heart Work Studio. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

This is a beautifully nourishing episode where we unravel some of the truths about what it is like to create a business that truly aligns with your soul. Introducing Niamh… Niamh is a business mentor for women who want to create thriving holistic or spiritual businesses. She helps women understand their unique soul gifts, trust in themselves, claim their voice and ideas and build nourishing, impactful businesses without selling out or burning out. She believes that rather than trying to fit into the world as we know it, women can instead use business as a creative tool to shape and heal our culture, offering new feminine models of how we can all live, work and flourish. In this episode we discuss… Niamh’s journey of discovering her own soul work - from working in communications and marketing, to offering Reiki and Energy Healing - to the thriving business that she now leads. Becoming aware of the shadow within working as a healer in this lifetime and the fear and terror that can surface when your soul takes you down this path. How to discover, and claim, your soul work. The power of receiving reflections from another person when it comes to claiming your own innate strengths and stepping into your Soul Work. The vital element of community to support your business journey, but also the importance of being discerning with the communities that you do share your heart and soul with. Returning to the body and using it as a guide to support you in your business journey. What it means to move at your own pace in your Soul Work journey - and how the quick ‘fixes’ often end up slowing us down. The truth about the length of time it really takes to build a sustainable and thriving business that feels settled and grounded. And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with Niamh on Instagram, and visit her online home here. Take her free Feminine Archetypes Leadership Quiz here. Click here to connect with Lauren on her personal Instagram or here for The Heart Work Studio. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

This conversation is rich with wisdom and insight into how we can come into a deep and nourishing relationship with our business. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Introducing Ellie… Ellie Seilern is a creator, mentor and teacher in the field of sacred business, working with conscious enterprises and communities to usher in a new age of devotional living. She holds a deep fascination with the mechanics of quantum business and how to draw the non-linear into practical methodologies. Her heart and mind are most drawn to the fields of money, sacred commerce, Genius activation and creative service. In this episode we discuss… The journey that Ellie has been on in business over the last 15 years, beginning in the music industry. Seeing Business as your sacred art and honouring the role it plays in your life. Bringing the balance of structure and creativity into your Sacred Business - and how to dance between the two. Becoming aware of the energy that is interwoven in your business, and being radically honest with yourself in the process. The importance of understanding the relationship you have with your business. The agony of knowing your own potential, but not feeling as though you can reach it - and the mistrust that this can bring. Failures in business, and the trauma that they can leave. Ellie’s approach to launching and ‘romancing’ her community when she is sharing her offerings. Nervous system self care when you are running a business. And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with Ellie on Instagram. Visit Ellie’s website here to explore her offerings. Click here to connect with Lauren on her personal Instagram or here for The Heart Work Studio. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

It was such an honour to sit in conversation with Amy and unravel all things Matresence and Motherhood. This conversation is raw, deep and open hearted, I hope you love it as much as I did… Amy Ilic, AKA Moon Womb works with women prenatally and postpartum with postpartum education, and 1:1 and group coaching with postpartum healing practices, Matrescence transition, 4th trimester planning, mother circles and more. She is a Mother and a Mothers’ guide, doularing women through the often challenging transition from maiden into motherhood. In her own words… “Becoming a mother is the biggest change that you will go through. Your body and mind will be feeling like a different person in the best way, but any worthwhile change comes with some level of discomfort.” Amy is here to support you through this transition and is part of the postpartum renaissance where a mother is cared for and nourished by her village after giving birth. Amy’s own journey to this sacred Mother work The innate need for Mothers to be supported by ‘the village’ and how the lack of it can feel like a void when it comes to parenting. How to cultivate our own communities, even as an introvert. The importance of honouring Matresence as a rite of passage. The journey of stepping from the Maiden archetype into the Mother, and what that really means. The many polarisations and contradictory feelings that arise in motherhood. The power of our stories and Mother Circles. The many cultural narratives that we can get stuck in, and how to become more aware of these. Running a business and being present as a mother, how you can be both! And so much more! Click here to connect with Amy on Instagram. Visit Amy’s website here to explore her offerings. Some of the mentions included… Rachelle from Innate Traditions, Sarah Durham Wilson of Motherspirit, The First Forty Days book and The Fourth Trimester book by Kimberly Ann Johnson Click here to connect with Lauren on Instagram. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

It brings me so much joy to share this episode of Unravelling where I got to share a beautiful conversation with Beccy Havery from Wild Ways on the power of Women’s Circles and so much more. Introducing Beccy… Wild Ways is a dream, a passion and a story about Beccy Havery, a mummy, a wife and a woman trying to find her way. From darkness she emerged into the light and felt a strong calling to help other’s step into their truth. From her own experience she found Circle work incredibly healing. Sitting with other women, telling their stories, gave her a voice to express what held her back. Beccy has birthed Three Sacred Circles. Drumming Circle - Women’s Circle - Cacao Circle A chance for those who are curious, to enquire. For those who know their path, to be held. For those who need to be seen, a community. Wild Ways will always be a journey, evolving and ever changing like life itself. In this episode we discuss… How Beccy received the call herself to start attending Women’s Circles The paths that we take through fear, and the magic that happens when we sit in the pause and wait to take action. The power of rest and modelling it to our children How our body, health and nervous systems are powerful messengers The importance of daily practices and rituals to anchor, ground and support our nervous systems How our different stories offer medicine and the voice being a path to healing The magic of Women’s Circle and what can be healed when we step into that space The way the mind can sometimes get in the way of the heart - and how that can guide us. And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with Beccy on Instagram. Visit Beccy’s website here to explore her offerings. Click here to connect with Lauren on Instagram. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

This is part of a little series I am sharing around some of the unspoken elements of motherhood. This episode I am talking about the way I have had to adapt my tolerance to the heart bursting experience of motherhood. In this episode I share… How I feel that the need to adjust our nervous systems to motherhood is not spoken about The heart expanding experience of motherhood, and how that can impact our tolerance for stress Why I believe taking a proactive approach is the most effective way of staying grounded and in our hearts Some practical tools and steps you can take to soothe yourself in the moment AND implement practices to maintain your sense of calm. And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to connect with Lauren on Instagram. Email me here if you want to keep this conversation going. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

The first episode of the new season of Unravelling… a solo episode exploring how I have been unravelling the need to label myself and find ways to honour all pieces of the multi-faceted nature of who I am… In this episode I share… • A bit about me and my journey - a re-introduction of sorts • My inability to share an elevator pitch without wanting to run and hide • Taking off the tidy bows and labels - and embracing our essence • Fully allowing my multi-faceted nature and letting go of trying to mould myself into an Instagram bio. • Not always making sense - and being ok with that! And so much more! Links & Resources… Click here to join or The Heart Work Community on Mighty Networks. Click here to connect with Lauren on Instagram or join The Heart Work community on Instagram here. Visit The Heart Work Studio for Creative Alchemy. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

This episode was part of the series of The Heart Work Podcast, which I tried out for a bit of time in 2021. I realized very soon once I had delved into this podcast that I was feeling called to rekindle and reconnect to Unravelling. The work of Unravelling is not done. This year has been a huge experiment in my business and heart work. In this podcast episode I am sharing why it is so important not to be afraid of trying things and exploring… In this episode I share… My own journey this year with experimentation in my businessPivoting and changing and trying new things as part of our process and something to embraceThe wisdom we can receive when things don’t ‘work’Embracing myself as a Manifesting Generator in Human DesignMy recent experimentations with launching and stepping away from social media and what I have learned through things ‘not working’. And so much more! Links & Resources… Join The Free Heart Work Community: https://the-heart-work-community.mn.co/ Sign up for the Heart Work newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/606ec6496b2fd82a44837f62 Visit my website: https://www.theheartworkstudio.com Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheartworkstudio/ This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe

This episode was part of the series of The Heart Work Podcast, which I tried out for a bit of time in 2021. I realized very soon once I had delved into this podcast that I was feeling called to rekindle and reconnect to Unravelling. The work of Unravelling is not done. What are you choosing to feed in your life and business? Are you nourishing your heart and soul or worries and doubts? After a little time off sharing on the podcast this is a short and sweet episode sharing a big penny drop moment that I experienced earlier this year… In this episode I share… Changing directions in my heart work and accepting the inner conflict that this has brought in the pastAnxiety and the way it teaches meHow I came to realise I was feeding fear instead of love and confidenceSome contemplations for you to explore to help you unearth what you want to nourish in your life And so much more! Join The Free Heart Work Community: https://the-heart-work-community.mn.co/ Sign up for the Heart Work newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/606ec6496b2fd82a44837f62 Visit my website: https://www.theheartworkstudio.com Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheartworkstudio/ This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenbarber.substack.com/subscribe