In this episode I have a thought-provoking conversation with Dina, a Palestinian healer and guide, about the complexities of wellness in today's world. Dina shares her journey in the wellness industry, her observations on its current state, and her vision for a more inclusive and socially conscious approach. We delve into the challenges of maintaining integrity in wellness practices and the importance of addressing social justice and collective liberation.

Key Takeaways:

• The wellness industry often overlooks social justice and can be disconnected from real-world issues.

• There's a need for greater responsibility and awareness among wellness practitioners regarding their influence and the importance of creating systemic change.

• Decolonizing wellness involves recognizing and unlearning harmful conditioning and centering connection to the sacred and collective liberation.

• Collaboration and community are essential for creating a new standard in wellness that prioritizes collective well-being.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:37: Dina discusses her Palestinian heritage and journey in the wellness industry.

• 10:11: The challenge of silence and apathy within the wellness community regarding social issues.

• 17:17: Dina shares her perspective as a Palestinian on the disconnect between wellness spaces and real-world suffering.

• 29:13: The importance of integrating social justice into wellness practices.

About the Guest:

Dina is a Palestinian healer and guide deeply passionate about women’s health, energy, movement, and decolonizing wellness. She creates thoughtful, compassionate, and nurturing spaces where you’re invited to show up fully and be held as your whole, beautifully imperfect self. Her work is shaped by the needs and experiences that arise within our community, guided by a deep connection to spirit, energy, and intuitive insights.

• Instagram: @wellnesswithdina

• Website: https://www.dinaghandour.com/

Episode Links:

• The Portal: https://www.theportal.love/

• Suzanne Barkataki: https://www.suzannebartaki.com

Connect with Megan:

• Instagram: @HigherLove_withMegan

• Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review.

In this episode, I chat to 'Fearne Cotton's fave yoga teacher', Donna Noble. Donna's been a yoga teacher since 2011 and without realising has pioneered inclusivity and accessibility in the yoga space. Donna shares her journey into yoga, initially inspired by a friend's observation of Madonna's physique (!) and how it evolved into a central part of her life, especially after her experience with Bell's Palsy.

We chat about our shared beginnings in Bikram, the challenges of inclusivity, and why Yoga is fundamentally a social justice practice at its core.

Key Takeaways:

• Wellness should be defined individually, not by the wellness industry.
• Yoga is more than just physical fitness; it's about the mind-body connection and community.
• There's a need for greater diversity and inclusion in yoga spaces.
• Teachers have the power to disrupt and change the yoga landscape.
• Addressing socioeconomic disparities is crucial for making yoga accessible to both practitioners and teachers.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:03:40 Donna's experience with Bell's Palsy and how it influenced her yoga journey.

• 00:07:20 Redefining wellness
• 00:11:40 The importance of listening to your body

• 00:19:55 The power of teachers to create change in the yoga community.
• 00:25:50 Social justice in yoga
• 00:30:30 Addressing the affluence gap among yoga teachers.

About the Guest:

Donna Noble is a yoga teacher and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the yoga and wellness space. She is the author of "Teaching Body Positive Yoga: A Guide to Creating Inclusive Classes" and is currently writing her second book, focused on demystifying yoga. Donna is committed to making yoga accessible to everyone and disrupting the yoga industry to be more inclusive.

• Website: https://thenobleartofyoga.co.uk/
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/donnanobleyoga/

⁠

Episode Links:

• The Minded Institute
• Yoga Union
• Susanna Barkataki
• Norman Blair

Connect with Megan:

Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review

In this episode, I chat with Sumi Fitzgerald, a DEI consultant who makes it simpler for small businesses to make their services and marketing more inclusive.

Sumi shares her journey into DEI work, the importance of moving beyond awareness to practical implementation, and how humour can be a powerful tool for social change.

Key Takeaways:

• Small businesses often struggle with implementing DEI initiatives, and need practical support to move beyond awareness.

• It is crucial to understand who is missing from your business and identify the barriers they face in order to create effective change.

• Inclusion is an ecosystem, and it's important to ensure that your message aligns with the reality of your business practices.

• Humuor can be a powerful tool to make DEI work more accessible and engaging.

• You don't need to know everything about everyone's needs to start making your business more inclusive; asking and listening are key.

Episode Highlights:

• 06:00 The disconnect between academic DEI theory and practical application

• 15:00 The dangers of performative allyship and the importance of accountability

• 21:00 Overcoming the fear of getting it wrong and embracing learning

• 00:24:00 Practical steps for creating a more inclusive business

• 39:00 Compassion without collusion

About the Guest:

Episode Links:

• Free Guide: Five things I have to tell almost everyone

• Free Mini-Course: Inclusive Biz Foundations (first four lessons)

• Email Sign-Up: Things I Don't Say on Instagram

End Credits

Connect with Megan:

Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review

In this episode, I speak with Jen Brister and Georgia Takacs, the founders of All Our Relations, an not for profit organisation dedicated to providing essential support to families in Gaza.

We delve into the origins of All Our Relations, the challenges they face, and the importance of long term solidarity. Jen and Georgia share their personal experiences, the harsh realities on the ground, and what long term solidarity REALLY looks like.

Key Takeaways:

• All Our Relations focuses on providing individualised support to families in Gaza, addressing their specific needs for survival and fostering a sense of agency.

• The situation in Gaza is dire, with aid being blocked and people facing extreme hardship, trauma, and financial exploitation.

• True solidarity involves more than just donations; it requires a commitment to long term support, discomfort, and a willingness to challenge our own privilege and complicity.

• Palestine is a liberation movement that is freeing us, demanding an up leveling of our awareness, a reorientation of our priorities, and a recognition of our interconnectedness as human beings.

• We must resist the narratives of powerlessness and engage in critical thought, amplify the voices of those in Gaza, and support initiatives that provide direct assistance and long term solutions.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:03] The inspiration behind All Our Relations and providing individualised support to families.

• [00:07] The current situation in Gaza, including challenges with aid distribution and the psychological warfare experienced by Gazans.

• [00:21] The concept of long term solidarity and recognising privilege and imbalance.

• [00:26] Palestine as a leveler, a catalyst for self-development, and seeing our complicity and interconnectedness.

• [00:32] The power of community, taking action, and the importance of resisting numbness.

• [00:48] Connecting with families individually and the value of human connection.

About the Guests:

• All Our Relations:

  • https://www.instagram.com/_allourrelations

  • Website: ⁠https://allourrelations.co.uk/

• Jen: https://www.jenbrister.co.uk/

• Georgia: https://georgiatakacs.com/

Episode Links:

• Sponsor a Family: ⁠bit.ly/donatetoAOR

End Credits:

Connect with Megan:

Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠⁠.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review.

In this episode of Higher Love with Megan, I delve into the complexities of sustainable entrepreneurship with Lara Sheldrake, a business mentor, community expert, and the founder of Found and Flourish.

Lara shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and finding her path to becoming a business mentor, highlighting the profound impact of building a business that aligns with her values. She discusses the unique structure of Found and Flourish, its success in supporting impact-led founders, and the ripple effect of community support in the entrepreneurial journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a sustainable business requires a focus on three key pillars: visibility, impact, and profit.

• Aligning your values with your business actions is crucial for creating a fulfilling and impactful career.

• Community support is essential for navigating the challenges and celebrating the successes of the entrepreneurial journey.

Episode Highlights:

• 07:51 - The importance of community in building a sustainable business.

• 13:40 - The power of redistributing wealth and investing in small businesses that align with your values.

• 30:00 - The challenges of being visible on social media and the importance of diversifying your online presence.

• 38:00 - The importance of self-care and grounding practices for sustaining your voice and activism.

• 44:33 - The importance of aligning your values with your business actions to avoid burnout and create a fulfilling career.

About the Guest:

Lara Sheldrake is a business mentor, community expert, and the founder of Found and Flourish, a platform that supports impact-led founders in building purposeful and profitable businesses. You can connect with Lara on Instagram at @‌FoundFlourish and @‌Lara_Sheldrake or through her website, foundandflourish.co.uk.

Episode Links:

• Found and Flourish: foundandflourish.co.uk

• Give a S@*t Movement: giveashit.substack.com

• Empowering Voices Event: foundandflourish.co.uk/events

Connect with Megan:

• Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

• Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

Podcast Music:

• Good For You by THBD ⁠https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ⁠

• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

• Free Download / Stream: ⁠http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ⁠

• Music promoted by Audio Library ⁠

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I chat with Sally, the founder of The Portal Collective, a platform designed to foster community and collaboration among creators and learners.

Sally shares her journey from working in corporate e-learning to creating a space that prioritizes interconnectedness and knowledge sharing and w e explore the values of permaculture and how they influenced the development of The Portal Collective. We also discuss the challenges and rewards of building a values-driven tech platform and the importance of divesting from systems that perpetuate individualism and scarcity.

Key Takeaways

• The importance of community and collaboration in personal and societal growth.
• The need to divest from systems that perpetuate individualism and scarcity.
• The power of sharing resources and knowledge to create a more abundant and equitable world.

Episode Highlights

• [00:06:58] Exploring the concept of mycelium networks and their relevance to business and community building.
• [00:09:19] Sally's background in e-learning and her journey to founding The Portal Collective.

• [00:38:34] Sally's perspective on tech bros and the rise of female-focused tech spaces.
• [00:41:49] The Portal Collective as Sally's dharma and the gifts she has received from creating it.
• [00:50:30] The importance of seeking out community and taking action in the face of global challenges.

About Sally

Instagram:@join_the_portal/

Website: Join The Portal Collective 2:0

Connect with Megan

Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com

Podcast Music⁠

Good For You by THBD ⁠https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan⁠

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: ⁠http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu⁠

Music promoted by Audio Library ⁠https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ⁠.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I delve into the complexities of what it means to be well in an unwell world. I explore the concept of soul loss, the importance of deconditioning and unlearning, and the power of collective healing. I also discuss the importance of being in right relationship with self, others, and the world.

Key Takeaways:

• 01:24: The question: How can we be well in an unwell world?

• 04:42: The concept of soul loss

• 07:31: Deconditioning and unlearning

• 11:12: Collective healing

• 18:15: Hypernormalization and the refusal to stay the same

• Compassion Prison Project:https://compassionprisonproject.org/how-it-all-began/

• Voices on the Side Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-on-the-side/id1688949334

• Disrupting the Wellness Industry (Episode):https://www.higher-love.com/

• The Nap Ministry:https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/

Connect with Megan:Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠ Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

Music:

Good For You by THBD ⁠https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCAIWXJ7PY&t=0s Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary Music promoted by Audio Library ⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary

Production credits:

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (https://www.lucylucraft.co.uk/about )

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I delve into the complexities of cultural appropriation versus appreciation in the yoga space with Georgina Edwards, a yoga teacher, and teacher trainer. Georgie shares her personal journey of discovering yoga, exploring her Sri Lankan heritage, and becoming a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusivity in wellness spaces.

We discuss the nuances of cultural appropriation, the importance of ongoing learning and self-reflection, and the power of community in creating a more welcoming and accessible yoga world.

Join us as we challenge the status quo and explore how we can all contribute to a more conscious and inclusive yoga community.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultural appropriation in yoga is a complex issue with no easy answers, requiring ongoing learning and self-reflection.
• Yoga teachers have a responsibility to uplift marginalized voices and create more diverse and inclusive spaces.
• Yoga is more than just the physical practice (asana); exploring other aspects like meditation, chanting, and self-inquiry can deepen one's understanding and appreciation.

Episode Highlights:

• (02:41) Georgie's journey into yoga and exploring her Sri Lankan heritage.
• (09:54) The complexities of cultural appropriation versus appreciation in yoga.
• (18:57) The importance of being an eternal student and approaching yoga with humility and curiosity.
• (28:21) The need for compassion and understanding in navigating cultural appropriation.
• (36:22) How to respond when someone is triggered or upset in a yoga class.
• (40:32) Encouraging practitioners to explore different aspects of yoga beyond the physical practice.
• (44:24) Honoring the sacredness of yoga and moving away from commodification.
• (50:30) The evolving landscape of yoga and the importance of embodiment and intuition.
• (56:30) The importance of play and rest in yoga and activism.

About the Guest:

• Instagram: @georgie.francesca

Episode Links:

• Trauma Talks program:https://compassionprisonproject.org/
• Book "Rest is Resistance" by Tricia Hersey:
• Charity All Our Relations:

Connect with Megan:

• Instagram: @‌HigherLove_withMegan
• Website:www.higher-love.com

Podcast Music:

• Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0
• Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu
• Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ⁠.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk). If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode I interview Viv Grant, a former head teacher, an executive coach, and the author of the book Learning to Walk in the Dark. Grant discusses her journey through cancer and the loss of her mother, emphasizing the importance of stillness, vulnerability, and inner work in navigating life’s challenges. She also shares her vision for a more humane educational system that prioritizes the well-being of school leaders.

Key Takeaways:

Embrace the darkness: Difficult times are an inevitable part of life. Instead of avoiding them, learn to walk in the dark and embrace them as opportunities for growth.

Cultivate stillness: In the midst of life’s challenges, find moments of stillness to connect with your inner self and access your inner wisdom.

Embrace vulnerability: True strength lies in embracing vulnerability and allowing yourself to be seen and supported.

Episode Highlights:

02:41 The essence of Grant’s book Learning to Walk in the Dark

09:40 The role of artwork in Grant’s healing

18:09 Grant’s experience as one of the few Black women to turn around a failing primary school

25:37 The biggest challenges facing school leaders today

29:58 Grant’s vision for school leaders

35:50 Racial literacy coaching and what grounded, confident, anti-racist leadership looks like

40:41 The importance of inner work

About the Guest:

Viv Grant is an Executive Coach, author, and public speaker known for her deep insights into leadership, vulnerability, and resilience. She is the Director of Integrity Coaching, London’s leading provider of coaching services for Headteachers and Senior School Leaders.

Integrity Coaching: https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/

Connect with Megan:

Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

Podcast Music:

Good For You by THBD ⁠https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan⁠

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: ⁠http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu⁠

Music promoted by Audio Library ⁠https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ⁠.

This episode was written and recorded by Megan Cooper and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

I couldn’t have timed this conversation better.

As our inboxes flood with messages about intention setting, words of the year, and productivity, I sat down with Tamu Thomas, a transformative coach, keynote speaker, and author. Tamu is on a mission to dismantle the societal and systemic barriers that lead to burnout, especially for high-achieving women.

Key Takeaways:

- Toxic Productivity: Learn the signs and impacts of toxic productivity.

- Systemic Barriers: Understand the systemic and societal barriers that lead to burnout.

- Self-Love and Work: Discover how to embrace your full self and create a healthier relationship with your work.

Episode Highlights:

01:15 - What is Toxic Productivity?

01:36 - Tamu’s Journey: From feeling like she wasn’t enough to becoming a transformative coach.

14:23 - Building Spaciousness: How to create more space in your schedule.

25:51 - The Gaslighting of Women: How women are often gaslit into believing they aren’t doing enough.

40:32 - Toxic Productivity in the Wellness Space:

About Tamu Thomas:

Tamu Thomas is a leading advocate for high-achieving women's well-being. As an author, transformational coach, and keynote speaker, she's dedicated to dismantling the systemic barriers that lead to burnout.

- Website: https://www.livethreesixty.com/

- Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739638/women-who-work-too-much-by-tamu-thomas/

- Substack: https://www.livethreesixty.com/

- International Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0CN3PVHZQ

Connect with Me:

Instagram: @HigherLove_withMegan

Website: https://www.higher-love.com

Podcast Music:

Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu

Music promoted by Audio Library

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk). If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and review!