In this episode, Amanda introduces Donna Lancaster, author of ‘The Bridge, a 9-step Crossing into Authentic and Wholehearted Living’ and Wise Words for Women: Words to Soothe, Comfort, Challenge, and Inspire  . She's a healing, transformative, insightful, self-proclaimed writer, group facilitator, and intuitive coach. Donna shares her insights as she answers some rapid-fire questions about life, how she sees herself, success, and what defines her. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

(1:00) Donna discusses the growth she would like to see in her personal life and the ways she has changed for the better 

(4:07) Donna speaks about what gives her hope and sees herself as a truthteller, and she defines her success

(6:24) Donna defines success, shares her upbringing and how she let that define her in the past and discusses loss in life 

(9:00) Donna discusses creativity, taking a nap and her favorite cake

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Sometimes, telling the truth can hurt someone, and we often tone down the truth to spare another person's feelings.
• Success can be defined as freedom, living a life that is unshackled and safe.
• Donna believes that you show love through grief.

RESOURCES:

Book: The Bridge by Donna Lancaster

Book: Wise Words for Women by Donna Lancaster 

Donna Lancaster - LinkedIn

Donna Lancaster - Instagram

ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet. Follow Amanda on Substack at amandadecadenet.substack.com

ABOUT DONNA

Donna originally trained and qualified as a social worker in her 20s, specializing in child protection, and worked extensively within this field for several years. In 2005/2007, Donna retrained and qualified as a Hoffman Teacher with the Hoffman Institute UK and became Head of Teaching between 2011–2013. Donna completed the Imago Relationship Clinical Training Programme in 2009 and ran a busy couples practice in London for many years. She has also trained with the Centre for Systemic Constellations to support her work in honoring family and ancestral influences and continues to participate in constellation training and workshops regularly.

Donna is a highly experienced group facilitator and intuitive Coach and has worked internationally in various environments, including women’s refuges, schools, and prisons. She co-founded and facilitated the highly renowned ‘The Bridge Retreat’ and has worked with individuals, couples and groups for over 30 years. Donna’s work was featured in the documentary  Love(d), which shares the stories of 12 people during The Bridge Retreat as they leap to overcome grief and loss. You can watch the documentary via loveddocumentary.com

Donna has trained with many great teachers, including Sobonfu Somé, David Richo, Caroline Myss, Andrew Harvey, Robert Holden and Quanita Roberson. All of Donna’s work is trauma-informed, and she has trained with Giten Tonkov, the trauma and breathwork expert.

Her work has been featured in The Telegraph, Psychologies, Evening Standard, Huffington Post, Balance, Conde Nast, Poosh and Tatler. 

Donna is a published author with two books: ‘The Bridge, a 9-step Crossing into Authentic and Wholehearted Living’ (Penguin Life, 2022) and ‘Wise Words for Women’ (Happy Place Books/Ebury, 2023). She also writes a bimonthly newsletter on Substack called ‘A Pilgrimage for the Soul’ and regularly shares posts on Instagram as part of her role as an ‘Elder in training.’ 

‘Donna’s work has inspired me since my early 20’s and she has helped shape the woman I have become.’ Emma Watson

‘Donna Lancaster is the wisest woman I know.’ Fearne Cotton

‘There are very few master practitioners out there, but Donna Lancaster is unquestionably one of them.’ Dr. Shomit Mitter

‘Donna Lancaster is a woman the world needs more of, especially now.’ Bryony Gordon

Keywords: Amanda de Cadenet, The Conversation podcast, Celebrity interviews, Women's empowerment, Feminism, Interviews with inspiring women, Mental health discussions, Self-growth podcast, Authentic conversations, Empowered women conversations