Woven in the Body Episode 12: Leading Forth: Healing with Horses

Woven Episode 14: Failure to Thrive: The Birth Story that Changed Our Family

In this episode of Woven in the Body, Jess and Bruce Ridge share their family’s healing journey after their daughter Anthem, now going by the name Beniyanna, was born in January 2020 following a planned home birth that transferred to a hospital, a 33-hour labor, and an unplanned C-section. Jess describes leaving the hospital with debilitating migraines and years of head and neck pain, intense nervous system dysregulation, depression and anxiety, and the isolation of early COVID while returning to high-intensity remote work and nursing with little sleep. Their daughter was labeled with “failure to thrive" at the age of 2, with doctors recommending invasive procedures despite normal test results, prompting the family to seek alternative support. Jess explains how she found Christiana’s work through somatic and pre/perinatal psychology referrals and chose to try it before pursuing further medical interventions. The conversation details the therapy process, including “belly messages,” trauma-informed birth story processing with a retired midwife who reviewed hospital records, distance craniosacral therapy sessions over Zoom, and online play-based sessions with Beniyanna that explored embodied cues and family dynamics. Bruce shares his experience of feeling disconnected and “outside the tribe,” how exploring his own birth history of immediate separation from his mother contributed to long-standing patterns of making himself small, and how therapy supported reconnection and bonding—highlighted by Beniyanna inviting him into a shared play fort. They discuss gaps in postpartum care, the emotional impacts of birth interventions, the need for village-like support for mothers and fathers, and barriers to access, including systemic inequities. The episode closes with reflections on improvements in Jess’s pain and regulation, Beniyana’s growth and thriving, and the family’s sense of hope and ongoing healing. 00:00 Welcome to Woven in the Body + How to Find Us 00:28 Why We Left Boston: New Baby, City Stress & COVID Lockdown 03:49 ‘Failure to Thrive’ Scare: Medical Pressure vs. What Felt True 08:23 The Birth Story: Homebirth Plan, Hospital Transfer & C‑Section After 33 Hours 10:44 Postpartum Fallout: Migraines, No Sleep, Work Stress & Nervous System Dysregulation 12:34 Finding Somatic Support: Saying No to Invasive Tests & Reaching Out for Help 14:27 Therapy Approach: Start With the Parent’s Field Before Working With the Child 16:31 Belly Messages: Rewriting the Narrative & Speaking to Baby as Conscious 22:25 Processing the Birth With the Midwife: Records, Clarity, and Being Held 26:32 Big Picture: C‑Sections, PTSD Risk, and the Postpartum Support We’re Missing 32:50 Zoom Play Therapy With Beana: Intense Sessions, Energy Shifts, and Breakthroughs 35:53 Reading the Child’s Body: Somatic Cues in Play Therapy 37:16 “Dad Out to Sea”: The Pain of Disconnection & Rebuilding Bonds 40:11 Tracing the Pattern Back: Birth Trauma, Separation, and Making Yourself Small 44:16 Rewriting the Story: Prenatal/Implantation Journey & Finding Agency 47:59 Breakthrough in the Fort: When She Invites Dad In 51:26 Failure to Thrive Turns Around: Parents’ Healing Helps the Child 52:18 What Parents Need to Hear: Access, Readiness, and Being Held 01:01:29 Somatics, Nature, and the Sacredness of Birth (and Death) 01:03:53 A Message to Fathers: Seeking Care in a System That Doesn’t Hold You 01:09:35 Equity & Access: Race, Class, and Who Gets Supported 01:13:20 Hope, “Magic,” and the Family’s Transformation (Closing)

Woven Episode 13: The First Weave: How the Flower Began to Bloom

Welcome to Threads of Becoming, a channel dedicated to the subtle, powerful work of personal transformation and new-earth consciousness. Here, we explore healing, embodiment, nervous system wisdom, spiritual psychology, birth and rebirth, and the invisible threads that shape a more coherent world. This is a space for those walking a path of awakening—healers, space-holders, conscious parents, and anyone remembering who they truly are. Through stories, teachings, and lived experiences, we illuminate how ordinary moments become portals for extraordinary change. Join our upcoming event: LIVING WATERS APOTHECARY December 21, 2025 Charlotteville, Virginia 6-8:30pm Workshop 2: Winter Solstice Living Waters “Water holds memory.” Join us on the Winter Solstice to explore the living intelligence of water and its capacity to hold memory, intention, and healing. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll craft protective and renewing waters while learning simple practices to clear stagnant energy and restore vitality. https://www.thefloweroflifefoundation.com/water [https://www.thefloweroflifefoundation.com/water]

Woven in the Body Episode 12: Leading Forth: Healing with Horses

This conversation is about healing trauma through the intelligence of nature—with horses, with the land, and through the body’s own wisdom. I’m joined by Dr. Gail Todter, founder of GalleyWinter Farm and Integrative Health Services, whose equine-assisted holistic approach helps people return to nervous-system regulation and embodied trust, and by Lacie Morrison, yoga teacher and vibrational healer who integrates breath, sound, and ancestral psychology. Together we explore how horses mirror human emotion and physiology, guiding us into co-regulation and parasympathetic calm; how craniosacral therapy and psychology reveal the stories stored in the body; and how synchrony in nature—signs, sensations, and symbolic encounters—becomes a teacher in trauma recovery. Our dialogue is both scientific and mystical: a study in resonance, remembrance, and the living field of connection that unites body, psyche, and the natural world. 00:00 Introduction to Woven In the Body 00:15 Meet Dr. Gale Totter and Her Healing Journey 01:21 Introducing Lacey Morrison: Yoga Teacher and Healer 02:02 The Synchronistic Meeting and Shared Experiences 02:56 The Power of Horse Therapy 03:32 The Journey Begins: Personal Stories and Connections 05:01 Exploring Energetic Boundaries with Horses 06:24 Healing Trauma Through Horse Therapy 09:51 A Mother's Hope for Her Son's Healing 23:15 Lacey's Emotional Journey and Family Trauma 29:59 A Tragic Accident and Healing with Horses 31:02 Connecting with the Spirit of a Lost Loved One 33:02 Ancestral Memories and Horseback Riding 33:53 The Healing Power of Horses 35:09 Experiencing Energetic Exchange with Horses 38:09 The Role of Horses in Human Healing 46:09 Gail's Journey with Horses and Healing 50:09 Reflections and Future Possibilities

Woven Episode 11: Birth Imprints Miniseries – The Sacred Vow of Silence and Protection, Gene Key 6

In this episode of Woven in the Body, we continue our Birth Imprints Miniseries, exploring how pre-verbal patterns from birth shape our lives. The featured participant's story is illuminated through Gene Key 6 developed by Richard Rudd, reflecting themes of conflict, diplomacy, and ultimate peacefulness. The retelling of the rebirthing process relates to how her life was deeply influenced by her mother’s experiences of racial tension, shame, and silence. The participant's journey illustrated how acknowledging and reframing these imprints can lead to profound healing and a reconnection with one's life purpose. The episode concludes with a call to reflection for the audience, encouraging them to identify and release inherited burdens, thus fostering a sense of presence and inner peace. At the Flower of Life Foundation, these Gene Keys help reveal deeper soul patterns, showcasing pathways between shadow and gift. This narrative aims to support individuals and practitioners in uncovering their unique energetic blueprints and achieving profound healing. 00:00 Introduction to Birth Imprints Miniseries 01:07 Understanding Gene Keys and Energetic Blueprints 04:42 Participant's Story: A Journey of Healing 14:27 Rebirthing Ritual: Uncovering Deep Imprints 26:31 Participant's Reflection and Insights 31:00 Closing Thoughts and Reflection Exercise 🌸 Learn More ✨ Visit our programs: www.thewww.thefloweroflifefoundation.com [http://floweroflifefoundation.com] ✨ Explore your Gene Keys: genekeys.com [http://genekeys.com] ✨ Listen to more episodes: @WovenInTheBodyPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/woveninthebody] 📚 Hashtags & Keywords #WovenInTheBody #FlowerOfLifeFoundation #GeneKeys #BirthImprints #SomaticHealing #PreAndPerinatalPsychology #Embodiment #TraumaHealing #FamilyField #ConsciousParenting #BirthStoryHealing #CraniosacralTherapy #MindBodyMedicine #SomaticExperience #NewHuman #ConsciousnessShift #SpiritualScience #InnerChildHealing #Neuroplasticity #SoulHealing

Woven Episode 10: Chakra Cleansing Meditation

Chakra Cleansing Guided Meditation In this episode of Woven in the Body, host guides listeners through a transformative chakra cleansing meditation using visualization and somatic light work. This foundational practice prepares you for deeper spiritual journeys by clearing your energy centers and grounding you into the Earth. By cleansing and activating each chakra, you open yourself to divine intelligence and clear communication with your higher self. Whether you're new to energy work or an experienced practitioner, this meditation helps in building your inner sanctuary and aligning your energy field from root to crown. Join us to awaken your creator consciousness and embody sacredness. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:32 Guided Meditation Introduction 01:51 Chakra Cleansing Meditation 05:09 Visualization Techniques 14:24 Closing and Reflection Use this meditation anytime you need to reset, reclaim your space, or prepare yourself for deeper transformational work—especially as you enter into the upcoming Alchemy for the Soul journey. Learn more about Ascension Science at the Flower of Life Foundation in the Alchemy for the Soul Program: www.thefloweroflifefoundation.com/soul-alchemy [http://www.thefloweroflifefoundation.com/soul-alchemy]