Radio Somanaut by The Somatic School

The Radical Power of Play: Freedom, Healing, and Authentic Living with Jae Gibbs and Pid’or Tampa

In this episode, Whitney Dawn Pyles sits down with Jae Gibbs (Freedom Yard) and Pid'or Tampa (Coach Play, PTPlays) to explore the transformative potential of play in our lives and work (coaching, facilitation, space holding, etc.). The conversation begins with personal stories of discovery, as both guests share how their journeys led them to The Somatic School and why it became a pivotal step in their personal and professional growth.
 
The discussion then unfolds into a deep dive on the power of play—a way back to our truest selves, a path out of burnout, and a radical act of resistance against societal systems that stifle authenticity and creativity. Together, they examine how play can be a profound practice for freedom, connection, and self-expression, and how it challenges the industrialized, capitalistic norms of Western society.
 
Key themes include:
Play as a radical practice that fosters curiosity, imagination, and vulnerability.
The role of play in somatic healing, coaching, and facilitation.
The profound experience of embracing the unknown and allowing ourselves to be witnessed. 
Practical encouragements for listeners on how to bring these ideas into their own lives.
 
Whether you're curious about somatic coaching, passionate about personal growth, or intrigued by the intersection of play and societal transformation, this episode offers insights and inspiration for a more authentic way of living and working.
 
For more information on The Somatic School, you can follow us on⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or head to our website⁠ ⁠thesomaticschool.com⁠⁠. Follow Radio Somanaut on Instagram⁠ @radiosomanaut. ⁠You can also learn more by registering for our free 40-minute WebClass. 
 
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Guest Bios: 
 
Jae Gibbs: 
 
Jae Gibbs works with healers, creators, change makers, helping professionals, and coaches. In 2025, she is opening up a small group program and she’s interested in having a short connection call with anyone who identifies as one of the above about their challenges and hopes around brand marketing. 
 
Find her on her website https://www.freedom-yard.co.uk or via Instagram @our_living_tree or @empowering_purpose. 
 
Jae is a curiosity nerd, who's always been fascinated by why people make the choices they do. It led her into a 20 year career in brand marketing, alongside a personal wellbeing and empowerment journey. Along the way she became a yoga teacher, sound healer, space holder and somatic coach, rooting all of her work in a holistic and relational approach, through a decolonising lens. As a body-oriented space holder Jae offers one to one somatic self-empowerment coaching and group explorations cultivating rituals of rest, rites of being and paths of play. As a brand strategist, Jae offers a person-centred, purpose-led approach to brand marketing; Empowering Purpose, a co-creative experiential methodology that supports creators, change-makers and healers to embody and empower their authentic self through their business.
 
Pid’or Tampa: 
 
Pid’or Tampa’s work brings together somatic practices, play tools, and creative artistic activities. She is currently looking for people who resonate with those ways of working or are women in frontline services or people who are in some kind of service role (education, medical field, etc.) or anyone else who’s feeling like they are on their way towards burnout or they are already there (check out her Embodied Against Burnout offering or additional 2025 programs). 
 
Find her online at PT Plays Coach or via Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or LinkTree. 
 
Pid’or is a multi-disciplinary practitioner, playing between the fields of creative health, theatre, education, art, poetry, and music. Her career started out in applied theatre; a practical approach to generating community engagement, skills development, mobilising community and political action, whilst educating on social and personal well-being issues. 
 
Through the work she has partnered with community and youth projects, vulnerable, at-risk groups, those with special educational needs, and theatre companies. She credits this period of her life as the time in which she developed her creative voice and understanding of the dynamic, impactful changes the arts and social engagement initiatives can have on personal development and well-being. 
 
She went on to train as a theatre teacher with an intention to bring these same holistic benefits into the statutory education sector. Teaching for over 10 years now Pid’or has worked across state, independent, private, and international schools both here in the UK and in south-east Africa. What she brings to the classroom and applied theatre space is also lived experience as a performer. 
 
She proudly shares “I have relied on my voice and body as a singer, actress and teacher constantly, but not always consciously. My professional journey has been a full-bodied experience that I continue to learn and draw wisdom from. I love it and don’t want to know any other way.” 
 
Whichever field you find Pid’or working in these days, she maintains a clear mission to use art as a means of expression that supports well-being and personal development. No wonder then that she has found herself in the field of creative health; she has launched a specialised integrative well-being service (PTPlays) where her approach utilises a combination of somatic and creative health practices alongside play as meditative, processing, and self-regulation tools. 
 
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*** Please note that the views, opinions, and expressions shared by our guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Somatic School. The information shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as official advice or endorsement by the school. ***
 
00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Work
02:15 Jae’s Path to The Somatic School
10:07 Pid’or’s Journey to The Somatic School
23:10 Introducing the Topic of Play
23:42 The Significance of Play
33:34 Play as a Path to Freedom
41:02 The Myth of Safety
45:50 Exploring Freedom and Play
52:50 The Power of Creative Expression
57:54 Breaking Free from Performativity
01:01:55 Shifting Perspectives for Freedom
01:02:52 Meeting Ourselves: The Journey of Self-Discovery
01:06:29 The Power of Vulnerability and Witnessing
01:09:36 Resourcing and Embracing Our Fullness
01:11:41 Curiosity and the Spirit of Play
01:15:59 Dreams and the Courage to Imagine
01:17:04 Final Encouragements for the Listeners

Holding Space for Grief as Coaches and Facilitators with Amy Bray and Leah Sian Davies

In this episode of Radio Somanaut, Whitney Dawn Pyles is joined Amy Bray and Leah Sian Davies for a profound conversation about working with grief in the realm of Body-Oriented Coaching. Together, they unpack how integrating somatics into their coaching practices has transformed the way they support one-on-one clients, lead group sessions, and sustain themselves in this work.
 
Key topics include:
Navigating the multifaceted nature of grief and its expressions.
Core somatic tools and frameworks that empower compassionate coaching.
The intersection of grief, shame, and anger.
What’s possible when we can learn and guide others to be lovingly and non-judgmentally WITH their grief.
 
Whether you're a coach, facilitator, or someone curious about integrating somatics into your work, this conversation offers insights into holding space for grief with empathy and understanding.
 
For more information on The Somatic School, you can follow us on⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or head to our website⁠ ⁠thesomaticschool.com⁠⁠. Follow Radio Somanaut on Instagram⁠ @radiosomanaut. ⁠You can also learn more by registering for our free 40-minute WebClass. 
 
Guest Bios: 
 
Leah Sian Davies is a creative somatic guide and grief tending facilitator. She creates beautiful experiences that support people to rest, grieve and find joy in nature and on the dancefloor. She is passionate about people returning to their true nature and being able to live a full-bodied life.
 
Find Leah at:
www.leahsiandavies.co.uk
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leahsiandavies/
Substack https://substack.com/@leahsiandavies
 
Amy Bray specializes in supporting individuals dealing with grief in its myriad forms.  Moreover, her coaching is tailor-made to empower individuals and organizations to thrive amidst transition, growth and uncertainty.
Amy welcomes all who are experiencing change, challenge, transition or struggling with loss. 
She seamlessly integrates body-oriented coaching with traditional cognitive coaching combing skills and exercises from both. This unique blend fosters a deep connection between body and mind, facilitating holistic growth, resilience and being with emotions as they arise. She is an easy, supportive listener who believes that the answer always lies inside of us - and that sometimes we just need some assistance finding it and living into it fearlessly.
Amy can reached through her LinkedIn Profile and website Purpose Balance Joy LL. 
 
ACC - International Coaching Federation 
Certified Co-Active Coach
Certified Grief Coach
Certified Body-oriented Coach
 
You can find Amy via her website or on TikTok at emotionalease4u or on LinkedIn. 
 
 
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Please note that the views, opinions, and expressions shared by our guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Somatic School. The information shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as official advice or endorsement by the school.
 
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00:00 Introductions and Opening the Space
05:29 Introduction to Grief in Coaching
07:02 Finding The Somatic School
10:28 Personal Journeys with Grief
15:26 The Role of Somatics in Grief Work
20:58 Approaches to Being with Grief
31:31 Resourcing and Self-Care in Grief Work
34:06 Communicating Grief Work to Others
38:12 Understanding Grief Beyond Loss
40:59 Navigating Shame in Grief
43:42 Collective Grief and Silent Losses
46:22 The Nuances of Grief and Joy
52:29 Surprises in Grief Work
58:44 Creating Spaces for Grief
01:03:24 The Interplay of Grief and Joy and Final Thoughts

Bridging Worlds: True to Somatics, True to Coaching with Nathan Blair

In this episode of Radio Somanaut, host Whitney Dawn Pyles welcomes Nathan Blair, founder of The Somatic School.
What begins as a celebration of and deep dive into The Somatic School’s recent honor from the ICF (International Coaching Federation) quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of the recognition’s roots and a celebration of the contributions of Somanauts.
 
Nathan and Whitney dive into the threads that connect us, the ripple effects of somatic coaching on individuals and society, and how Somanauts are helping to bridge a fundamental divide that has impacted helping professions to this point. 
 
Whether you’re a seasoned coach, curious about somatics, or seeking inspiration, this episode celebrates the impact of collective effort and the growing momentum behind somatic approaches.
 
For more information on The Somatic School, you can follow us on⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or head to our website⁠ ⁠thesomaticschool.com⁠⁠. Follow Radio Somanaut on Instagram⁠ @radiosomanaut. ⁠You can also learn more by registering for our free 40-minute WebClass. 
 
Chapters: 
00:00 Introduction and Opening the Space
04:42 Celebrating the Somatic School's Recognition
13:00 The Evolution of Somatic Approaches in Coaching
22:18 Grounding in Evidence, Science, and Experience
27:18 True to Coaching, True to Somatics
32:50 Bridging Worlds in Coaching
37:08 Common Community Threads
44:43 The Ripple Effect of Somatic Work
55:08 Re-evaluating the Cartesian Mind-Body Split

Intersections of Artistry, Somatic Coaching, and Community Connection with Poonam Dhuffer

In this episode of Radio Somanaut, Whitney Dawn Pyles engages in a rich conversation with Poonam Dhuffer of YSM8, a somatic coach, artist, and texture archaeologist about the intersection of Body-Oriented coaching, creativity, food, ritual, Ancient Wisdom, art, and so much more. They explore Poonam’s journey to and through The Somatic School and identify threads resonance. They also cover topics like - alchemizing shame, accepting our full selves, healing in community, and navigating fear of success. 
 
For more information on The Somatic School, you can follow us on⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or head to our website⁠ ⁠thesomaticschool.com⁠⁠. Follow Radio Somanaut on Instagram⁠ @radiosomanaut. ⁠You can also learn more by registering for our free 40-minute WebClass. 
 
Guest Bio: 
 
Poonam Dhuffer is a Somatic Coach, multidisciplinary artist, texture archaeologist + alchemist of gold. She is devoted to supporting women to slow down, reconnect to the wisdom of their bodies, rise in their creative power, and build restorative healing practices, together in community. Her approach is centered in Somatic healing, person centeredness, and creative expression. Poonam's work dances between somatic healing, emergent strategy, art and play therapy, and Ancient Wisdom rooted in the Dharmic traditions.  She weaves together threads of craft, movement, sound, ritual, reflection, and prayer through my sessions. Through her business, YSM8 she creates healing spaces for people to re-connect with their whole selves and step into their power. You can connect with Poonam on her website or on Instagram.
 
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Please note that the views, opinions, and expressions shared by our guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Somatic School. The information shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as official advice or endorsement by the school.
 
00:00 Introduction and Opening the Space
06:19 Exploring the Concept of Texture Archaeology
11:54 The Tapestry of Life and Finding the Somatic School
18:17 Navigating Yes and the Role of Shame
24:02 Alchemizing Shame into Wisdom
30:02 Gathering Pleasure and Nourishment in Practice
37:52 The Interconnectedness of Growth and Grief
46:51 The Evolution of Professional Work and Offerings
59:44 Navigating Shame and Success in Creative Expression

Impact Across Disciplines: Shifting Systems through Somatics with Rebecca Norris and Camilla Wells

In this conversation, Whitney Dawn Pyles engages with Rebecca Norris and Camilla Wells of Trauma Informed Law, both somatic coaches with legal backgrounds, to explore the intersection of law, vicarious trauma, and somatic practices.
For more information on The Somatic School, you can follow us on⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠LinkedIn,⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or head to our website⁠ ⁠thesomaticschool.com⁠⁠. Follow Radio Somanaut on Instagram⁠ @radiosomanaut. ⁠

“Put Down the Sword, Pick Up the Wand…” Dispelling Burnout and Disenchantment with Bunny Love-Schock

Bunny Love-Shock discusses the importance of creating a life that is loved and lived fully. This conversation explores themes of following your bliss, working with archetypes, inviting prosperity in, and the power of embracing the unknown. 

Navigating Perfectionism and Relying on Presence with Tana J. Cohen

In this episode, our guest, Tana J. Cohen discusses perfectionism, showing up with all your parts (even your inner critic), and the relationship between curiosity and courage. Tana shares her journey into somatic coaching and highlights the interplay between discomfort and growth, the necessity of checking in with oneself and clients, and the transformative power of somatic practices in healing trauma and chronic stress. 

Creative Expression in Branding and Business with Nicky Moran

In this episode our guest, Nicky Moran, shares about the importance of personal branding, storytelling, and harnessing our natural creativity. We explore how branding rooted in authenticity allows us to show up and connect with others on a deeper level, how she balances the somatic with the strategic, and how a Body-Oriented approach has shifted the way she shows up as a coach and works with her clients.

Alignment and Embodiment in Business with Jaimini Padleckis, Jody Strane, Livio Marcheschi, and Tamie Rising

In this episode, the guests discuss their talks for the Embodied Business Symposium, how somatics and a Body-Oriented approach has impacted them as individuals and entrepreneurs, and takeaways from their time with The Somatic School. They offer stories from their personal and professional lives and their take on how to run a successful business, with the body in mind.