Woven: Soft Edges, Deep Roots

Episode 17: Tom Owens

In this episode of Woven, Sara sits down with Tom — the first male guest on the podcast — for a deeply human conversation about grief, body culture, masculinity, healing, and the longing for community in an increasingly isolated world. Tom shares his experience navigating a body shaped by decades of travel, physical wear and tear, and the slow process of learning to care for himself differently. Together, they explore what it means to move from treating the body as a utility toward relating to it as a partner. The conversation expands into grief and loss as Tom reflects on losing both parents, including his biological parents from Colombia whom he never had the chance to know. He speaks candidly about therapy, Reiki, mentorship, and the importance of human connection in processing life’s hardest experiences. Sara and Tom also examine the differences between independent and interdependent cultures, drawing from Tom’s travels through Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. They discuss parenting, public behavior, community accountability, and the ways American culture often leaves people — especially parents, grieving people, and those outside the “norm” — to navigate life alone. This episode is a reflection on:  — healing beyond individualism  — grief and emotional processing  — masculinity and deconstructing patriarchy  — parenting and communal care  — body awareness and aging  — human connection and belonging  — the importance of community support systems If this conversation resonates with you, please consider:  • subscribing to the channel  • sharing the episode with someone you love  • leaving a review on Apple Podcasts  • commenting on Spotify or Patreon  • joining the Woven Patreon community for deeper conversations and reflections Thank you for being part of Woven. To contact Tom, IG - Tompo27777 or HRVirtualGuide #WovenPodcast #SomaticHealing #Grief #CommunityCare #Masculinity #HealingJourney #BodyWisdom #Parenting #Embodiment #MentalHealth Be sure to follow me: Patreon [https://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_contehttps://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinknt=copyLink]: @SolefulSara YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@SolefulSara] @SolefulSara Substack [https://substack.com/@solefulsara] @solefulSara Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @soleful_circles.stl Instagram Podcast [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarasole88?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] @sarasole88

Episode 16: Karla & Michelle

In this episode, I’m joined by Karla and Michelle for a deeply meaningful conversation on Mother Circle facilitation, with a focus on supporting adoptive mothers. Together, we explore how Mother Circle offers something different than traditional mental health or support spaces—moving away from pathologizing and toward community, normalization, and being deeply held in shared experience. Karla and Michelle co-facilitate an adoption-specific Mother Circle, and in this conversation, they speak to the unique and often unspoken realities adoptive mothers navigate: * The absence of a clear “threshold” into motherhood * The weight of external expectations and quiet judgments * The layered responsibility toward both their children and birth families * The complexity of identity, belonging, and care We also explore the five pillars of postpartum support— nature, wise community, nourishing food, extended rest, and loving touch— and how these pillars take on new meaning within adoptive motherhood. This conversation gently challenges the idea that mothers are meant to do this alone, and instead invites us into a more communal, interdependent way of caring for ourselves and each other. Mother Circle becomes a space where mothers don’t have to explain themselves— where they can reconnect with their own mother lines, define their unique paths, and be supported in the fullness of their experience. If you’re an adoptive mother, part of an adoption story, or simply curious about reimagining support in motherhood, this conversation offers a deeply human place to begin. Learn more about the adoption-specific Mother Circle: mothercircleadoption.com Be sure to follow me: Patreon [https://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_contehttps://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinknt=copyLink]: @SolefulSara YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@SolefulSara] @SolefulSara Substack [https://substack.com/@solefulsara] @solefulSara Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @soleful_circles.stl Instagram Podcast [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarasole88?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] @sarasole88

Episode 15: Amber Venner

Trigger warning: we mention SA, Body issues, and other triggering topics. Please take care while listening and reach out to your support network if you struggle.  Perimenopause, Postpartum & the Need for Community Support Description: In this episode, Sara and Amber explore the realities of perimenopause and the broader context of women’s life transitions. They discuss: * the lack of awareness and education around perimenopause * how symptoms can overlap with anxiety and depression * the parallels between perimenopause, postpartum, and other hormonal shifts * the absence of cultural rituals and community support for women The conversation also expands into: * midlife representation and evolving beauty standards * the importance of female friendships and support systems * shifting gender roles and the role of men in supporting women * modern parenting and the impact of technology This episode offers an honest and nuanced look at the challenges women face in midlife—and the importance of rebuilding supportive, community-based care models. To contact Amber: @shecomesfirst.av Be sure to follow me: Patreon [https://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_contehttps://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinknt=copyLink]: @SolefulSara YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@SolefulSara] @SolefulSara Substack [https://substack.com/@solefulsara] @solefulSara Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @soleful_circles.stl Instagram Podcast [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarasole88?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] @sarasole88

Woven Episode 14 Brittanie Zwart

Intuition, Systems & Reparenting Ourselves | Healing Beyond the Individual What if your intuition isn’t just personal — but political? In this episode, Sara sits down with Brittanie (therapist, long-time friend, and fellow systems-thinker) for a layered conversation about healing, intuition, and the systems that shape both. We explore: * Why healing spaces can feel inaccessible * Intuition — and how systemic oppression shapes what feels “true” * The political nature of somatic and body-based work * Caregiving vs. caretaking (especially in the sandwich generation) * How capitalism turns connection into transactions * Telehealth vs. in-person therapy — what actually predicts effectiveness * Reparenting and breaking intergenerational patterns * Generational trauma and emotional maturity * Why therapy outcomes hinge on safety and relationship We also discuss a future deep dive into Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson — and how emotional immaturity echoes through systems, families, and culture. This conversation weaves together personal stories (ADHD, motherhood, burnout, career calling) with larger questions: Are systems the problem?  Or are they also the solution? If you’re curious about reparenting, collective healing, intuition, attachment, or the intersection of therapy and culture — this is just the beginning. To connect with Brittanie:  www.brittaniezwart.com  BGZ Therapy LLC on FB Be sure to follow me: Patreon [https://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_contehttps://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinknt=copyLink]: @SolefulSara YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@SolefulSara] @SolefulSara Substack [https://substack.com/@solefulsara] @solefulSara Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @soleful_circles.stl Instagram Podcast [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarasole88?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] @sarasole88

Woven Episode 13 Ashley Shears

Breath Care, Barefoot Massage & Nervous System Regulation | With Ashley Shears  What happens when two barefoot massage therapists start talking about language, breath, and the nervous system? This episode is a deep, nuanced conversation about: * Myofascial ashiatsu barefoot massage * Nervous system regulation beyond trendy buzzwords * Why we’re shifting from “breathwork” to breath care * The power of precise language (pain vs. discomfort) * Interoception and learning to describe sensation * Bridging relaxation massage and clinical practice * Chronic stress and simple, sustainable regulation practices * Why intake forms are relational tools — not paperwork Ashley shares how she blends spa and clinical massage approaches in California, integrating breath awareness and barefoot myofascial techniques to regulate the nervous system while delivering deeply effective bodywork. We unpack why language matters — how the word work changes a client’s experience, and why “breath care” creates a different somatic invitation than “breathwork.” We also talk about the current wave of nervous system trends — vagus nerve gadgets, fight-or-flight simplifications — and why real healing is less about products and more about education, interoception, and accessible daily tools. Plus:  Ashley shares about her upcoming self-care classes and sound baths  If you’re a massage therapist, bodyworker, clinician, or human navigating chronic stress — this one is for you. Be sure to follow me: Patreon [https://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_contehttps://patreon.com/SolefulSara?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinknt=copyLink]: @SolefulSara YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@SolefulSara] @SolefulSara Substack [https://substack.com/@solefulsara] @solefulSara Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @soleful_circles.stl Instagram Podcast [http://www.instagram.com/Soleful_circles.stl] @woven_soft.edges.deep.roots TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarasole88?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] @sarasole88