We still can’t quite believe that Angela Rippon agreed to be a guest on our humble little podcast but also the fact that she managed the whole process herself. No P.A’s, no agents, no big hoohaa or over inflated ego that could be expected from someone of her standing, no…just the inspirational, incredible and adorable Angela.

As part of Andrew Cuerden’s “Why Dance?” series of the Soulhubber’s podcast, he spoke to Angela about how she started dancing, the vision of her Let’s Dance campaign to get the country dancing and the benefits of all types of dancing, even ‘Dad’ dancing. As well as how dance supports those suffering with Parkinson’s or Dementia.

In particular, it was throughly interesting to gain an insight into why she felt she’d had a long, healthy and successful life, something which so many of us want to understand for ourselves and our loved ones.

We always close our interviews with the question ‘What makes you feel soulful?’, to which I was blown away by her response, as she shared the Persian poem…

“If thou of fortune be bereft,and in thy store there be but lefttwo loaves, sell one, and with thedole, buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.”

Enjoy…

If you live in the UK and are looking for some inspiration on where to go dancing check out Angela’s Let’s Dance website.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with someone who you feel might appreciate it too.

If you would like to be kept in the loop of all things soulful from Soulhub please subscribe below.

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

To be frank. This is different. Not just the topics and the complex nuances of Shaun’s work and visionary perceptions around ‘herbal medicine’, but how the podcast unfolds. From the start Shaun turns the question on me, for the right reason that he will share this podcast with friends, so they get a better sense of what we do at Soulhub.

I have learnt to trust all my conversations and allow them space to feel safe. That whatever comes out of our mouths is what’s meant to be said and heard in the world. For that reason, as Shaun knows, we love to flow with topics, not divert with the usual ‘here’s another question’, but rather, okay I can hear you’re going somewhere you need to go with this, so let’s just see.

And as a result, we go deeper and deeper into how Shaun observes and absorbs himself into his natural surroundings. How we can use the plants and animals as local remedies to heal and transform our minds, body and spirit. Anything from a crows feather to ginseng. We talk about the seasons, the Pagan Wheel of the Year, life in the Black Forest in Germany and the sharing his poetry as an explanation of the emerging feelings from his private process.

I’m particularly struck by his sensitivity to our connectedness. His ability to feel. That may sound flippant, but believe me, I rarely hear humans that can actually feel energy flow, feel sensations, deeply know if the answer is a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. And each of us have that capability, but we’re so over-stimulated or disconnected by noise, self, tech disruptors, anything and everything.

For me, this truly invites us to question. To listen and respond. If you listen carefully you’ll hear, what I believe are old ancient ways. How do you think we found out about our medicines back before big ‘pharma’ got involved. We tried things. For many of us, we may recall rubbing our nettle stings with dock leaves, or using witch-hazel for our swelling and itching bits. To learn this we had to try it, test, observe, and ultimately learn what healed us.

So thanks Shaun for the exploration of the natural world around us. For reminding us to drop in, clean the window, and be.

We’d both love to know what you heard, and if you have any questions for Shaun. Please do drop them in the comments below, or contact us directly.

For more information on Shaun or to be added to his weekly email poetry posting, email him at [email protected] and if you’d like to talk to him directly he’s open to receiving calls on +44 7712605537.

PS. As we listened back to the recording, Shaun wanted to further clarify the reading of faces, and the purpose is to learn of the condition or intentions of others. i.e. The person’s actual left side reveals what may be really going on for the person at that time, whereas their right side is how they portray themselves to the world. Hope that helps.

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

As Storm Amy arrives in the UK, it appears to pass over in time before our monthly Soulwalk in Richmond on Sunday.

Come join us from 11am, starting from Hollyhock Cafe, for a dance/walk along the path of life no matter what the weather has in store.

Sign up here

For those new to Soulwalk they are:

Open-minded heart centred wellbeing walk designed to connect you to your inner nature.

Soulwalks are designed and structured to facilitates a more therapeutic and restorative experience whilst walking. In the process creating healthier and happier people and planet.

Soulwalking super-charges the naturally holistic benefits of walking by integrating simple embodied practices of slower movement, breath, contemplation and honest expression, that gently yet profoundly guides one into a deeper more nourishing relationship with oneself, others and nature.

If you’d like us to come and run a Soulwalk for you, your business or community, or indeed train to become a Soulwalk Leader yourself, you can read more here.

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

As Storm Amy arrives in the UK, it appears to pass over in time before our monthly Soulwalk in Richmond on Sunday.

Come join us from 11am, starting from Hollyhock Cafe, for a dance/walk along the path of life no matter what the weather has in store.

Sign up here

For those new to Soulwalk they are:

Open-minded heart centred wellbeing walk designed to connect you to your inner nature.

Soulwalks are designed and structured to facilitates a more therapeutic and restorative experience whilst walking. In the process creating healthier and happier people and planet.

Soulwalking super-charges the naturally holistic benefits of walking by integrating simple embodied practices of slower movement, breath, contemplation and honest expression, that gently yet profoundly guides one into a deeper more nourishing relationship with oneself, others and nature.

If you’d like us to come and run a Soulwalk for you, your business or community, or indeed train to become a Soulwalk Leader yourself, you can read more here.

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for joining us here at Substack. We feel like “Freshers” starting a new term at a new campus.

We see this ‘new term’, as a leaving behind of things that no longer work or serve us, and finding new ways of flowing, with greater ease and opportunity for valuable and meaningful connection. We feel it’s a more heart-centred space here at Substack, and a natural choice to find more stable and fertile ground, in which together we can seed ideas, conversation and collaborations to grow as a nourishing community for the benefit of all.

What do we mean by that? Well, in short, less platforms for us to manage, less push, more invitation and more allowing. One place for you to come and find us as, when and how you like. With links to…

What we find and experience as Soulfulness. Places, people, content, locations that awaken, inspire and free the human spirit.

Here’s a reminder, the short-version, of what we/Soulhub is:

It’s a hub for the soul - A gathering, a movement, a place of authentic, and compassionate connection with like-hearted souls.

There’s enough platforms out there that want to just focus on the negative and the past or tell everyone how to live their lives. Instead, we desire to find and accent the positive, as well as imagining and taking action towards a better future. Celebrating each and everyones’s unique imperfectly perfect journey. Not to ignore the contrast, but to use it to better know what it is we DO want.

We are always open to challenge and difficult conversations that expand awareness, but we believe they should all be held with love, honesty and integrity.

As we mention in the video above, our Soulhubber’s Podcasts are already accessible here at Substack, and so please choose to listen to any of the 28 episodes. We do not have a strict schedule but record and share them organically, as and when it feels right.

We will be sharing a short survey next week, asking for your input as to what you currently appreciate and what you’d like to see, hear or know more of from Soulhub. Maybe it’s more from the Soulhub Practitioners themselves, more from us directly such as a weekly musings, or different perspectives of how life is for others, soulful conversations or soulful places to visit.

As this is our new term. And as we said we want to keep as much free as possible, We are kick-starting with a pledge. An opportunity for you to support us and what we do in a financial way. It will enable us to commit more to building this space for you and everyone else that needs it and perhaps those who cannot afford it.

As a Thank You (see below) and grateful exchange for those who sign up for a year, we’re offering 1 therapeutic session with either Andrew or I. You are welcome to donate the session to someone else, if you do not feel the need or desire.

For now we’ll leave you with some inspirational pieces. We sincerely thank you for your valuable time and open-hearted attention.

To read: Ben Fogle (adventurer/tv presenter) recently posted about his experiences (below) and we liked his sentiment very much.

To listen: This week Andrew spoke with Malcolm Stern, Psychotherapist and Author of ‘Slay your Dragons with Compassion’. Andrew has had the pleasure of participating in Malcolm’s year long group therapy sessions as well as co-facilitating with Malcom at Skyros Holidays. It’s a lovely little listen of where Andrew is currently at, and a little window into the world of dance.

Podcast on Spotify.

To pledge - As a Thank You for your financial support of £70 for a year, we’re offering a free online session (1 hr) with either Carmen or Andrew, which you can use for yourself, or gift to someone else/pay it forward, wherever you are in the world (Valid for 3 months from purchase).

Once you have subscribed for the year, we will be in contact, with our diaries (and a brief registration form), and you’ll be able to choose which one of us you’d like to have that time with, or if you’d indeed like a joint session. Here’s a very brief overview of what we offer below, and you can of course find out more on our websites - Carmen or Andrew

Therapeutic Sessions with Andrew Cuerden

If you are struggling to find your passion, purpose or flow in the dance of life. I would love to help you explore this. I believe in following our passions and leading with love and faith. To not live a logical life but a magical life. To dance joyfully between planning and presence, structure and flow.

I have spent my whole life doing this and it’s been an incredible life that has taken me all over the world and in and out of amazing adventures.

Therapeutic Session with Carmen

I love to get under the skin of understanding what’s the patterns/behaviours that create our very existence. I work with anyone looking to make a change, or who’s fed-up, exhausted or simply (not always seemingly so) wants a new life chapter. I’ve worked in private practice for 8 years now, with people from all walks of life, all ages, cultures, and experiences. All are welcome.

Please do let us know you’re here. Let’s start with…

What has our soul-newsletter inspired in you today?

Much love,

Carmen & Andrew

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for joining us here at Substack. We feel like “Freshers” starting a new term at a new campus.

We see this ‘new term’, as a leaving behind of things that no longer work or serve us, and finding new ways of flowing, with greater ease and opportunity for valuable and meaningful connection. We feel it’s a more heart-centred space here at Substack, and a natural choice to find more stable and fertile ground, in which together we can seed ideas, conversation and collaborations to grow as a nourishing community for the benefit of all.

What do we mean by that? Well, in short, less platforms for us to manage, less push, more invitation and more allowing. One place for you to come and find us as, when and how you like. With links to…

What we find and experience as Soulfulness. Places, people, content, locations that awaken, inspire and free the human spirit.

Here’s a reminder, the short-version, of what we/Soulhub is:

It’s a hub for the soul - A gathering, a movement, a place of authentic, and compassionate connection with like-hearted souls.

There’s enough platforms out there that want to just focus on the negative and the past or tell everyone how to live their lives. Instead, we desire to find and accent the positive, as well as imagining and taking action towards a better future. Celebrating each and everyones’s unique imperfectly perfect journey. Not to ignore the contrast, but to use it to better know what it is we DO want.

We are always open to challenge and difficult conversations that expand awareness, but we believe they should all be held with love, honesty and integrity.

As we mention in the video above, our Soulhubber’s Podcasts are already accessible here at Substack, and so please choose to listen to any of the 28 episodes. We do not have a strict schedule but record and share them organically, as and when it feels right.

We will be sharing a short survey next week, asking for your input as to what you currently appreciate and what you’d like to see, hear or know more of from Soulhub. Maybe it’s more from the Soulhub Practitioners themselves, more from us directly such as a weekly musings, or different perspectives of how life is for others, soulful conversations or soulful places to visit.

As this is our new term. And as we said we want to keep as much free as possible, We are kick-starting with a pledge. An opportunity for you to support us and what we do in a financial way. It will enable us to commit more to building this space for you and everyone else that needs it and perhaps those who cannot afford it.

As a Thank You (see below) and grateful exchange for those who sign up for a year, we’re offering 1 therapeutic session with either Andrew or I. You are welcome to donate the session to someone else, if you do not feel the need or desire.

For now we’ll leave you with some inspirational pieces. We sincerely thank you for your valuable time and open-hearted attention.

To read: Ben Fogle (adventurer/tv presenter) recently posted about his experiences (below) and we liked his sentiment very much.

To listen: This week Andrew spoke with Malcolm Stern, Psychotherapist and Author of ‘Slay your Dragons with Compassion’. Andrew has had the pleasure of participating in Malcolm’s year long group therapy sessions as well as co-facilitating with Malcom at Skyros Holidays. It’s a lovely little listen of where Andrew is currently at, and a little window into the world of dance.

Podcast on Spotify.

To pledge - As a Thank You for your financial support of £70 for a year, we’re offering a free online session (1 hr) with either Carmen or Andrew, which you can use for yourself, or gift to someone else/pay it forward, wherever you are in the world (Valid for 3 months from purchase).

Once you have subscribed for the year, we will be in contact, with our diaries (and a brief registration form), and you’ll be able to choose which one of us you’d like to have that time with, or if you’d indeed like a joint session. Here’s a very brief overview of what we offer below, and you can of course find out more on our websites - Carmen or Andrew

Therapeutic Sessions with Andrew Cuerden

If you are struggling to find your passion, purpose or flow in the dance of life. I would love to help you explore this. I believe in following our passions and leading with love and faith. To not live a logical life but a magical life. To dance joyfully between planning and presence, structure and flow.

I have spent my whole life doing this and it’s been an incredible life that has taken me all over the world and in and out of amazing adventures.

Therapeutic Session with Carmen

I love to get under the skin of understanding what’s the patterns/behaviours that create our very existence. I work with anyone looking to make a change, or who’s fed-up, exhausted or simply (not always seemingly so) wants a new life chapter. I’ve worked in private practice for 8 years now, with people from all walks of life, all ages, cultures, and experiences. All are welcome.

Please do let us know you’re here. Let’s start with…

What has our soul-newsletter inspired in you today?

Much love,

Carmen & Andrew

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Helen and Pierre met through extreme sports but have since bonded over their joint passions of telling stories, filmmaking and their love of the sea. We soon learnt that Helen was connected to the fishing industry via her ancestry, whilst Pierre was more familiar with fishing in France and Canada.

Now currently living in Northumberland, they’ve dove deeper into the ocean, with their spears and cameras, to explore what lies beneath. Together they share their experiences of what this activity, be it for sport or necessity, conjures up in their physical and emotional being.

It’s a fascinating conversation which looks at why they do what they do. And what they’d like others to be inspired to follow and understand about the food they eat, where it comes from, and what’s available on our very own doorstep around the British Coastline.

A lot of the stuff you see on the line is quite raw, and you see the spear through the fish, the fish bleeding. It's quite horrific to look at without properly understanding it. But yeah as Pierre said earlier, it's really sustainable because you are only targeting exactly what you want to eat.

From their experiences, they’re creating film and artwork to tell the stories with this beautiful film Trigger Fish, as well as fish prints, developed with a Japanese methodology.

Their mission is clear

We’re here to turn the tide… spotlighting the beauty and bounty of our own waters through stories that reconnect us with the sea that surrounds us.

Thank you both for the open and unique conversation, and for sharing your passion for our natural environment.

For more information on Helen & Pierre and the work they do visit Tide to Table

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Helen and Pierre met through extreme sports but have since bonded over their joint passions of telling stories, filmmaking and their love of the sea. We soon learnt that Helen was connected to the fishing industry via her ancestry, whilst Pierre was more familiar with fishing in France and Canada.

Now currently living in Northumberland, they’ve dove deeper into the ocean, with their spears and cameras, to explore what lies beneath. Together they share their experiences of what this activity, be it for sport or necessity, conjures up in their physical and emotional being.

It’s a fascinating conversation which looks at why they do what they do. And what they’d like others to be inspired to follow and understand about the food they eat, where it comes from, and what’s available on our very own doorstep around the British Coastline.

A lot of the stuff you see on the line is quite raw, and you see the spear through the fish, the fish bleeding. It's quite horrific to look at without properly understanding it. But yeah as Pierre said earlier, it's really sustainable because you are only targeting exactly what you want to eat.

From their experiences, they’re creating film and artwork to tell the stories with this beautiful film Trigger Fish, as well as fish prints, developed with a Japanese methodology.

Their mission is clear

We’re here to turn the tide… spotlighting the beauty and bounty of our own waters through stories that reconnect us with the sea that surrounds us.

Thank you both for the open and unique conversation, and for sharing your passion for our natural environment.

For more information on Helen & Pierre and the work they do visit Tide to Table

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Alex is a mountain goat, human powered adventurer, and galvaniser for those wishing to find themselves in the mountains.

Thank you to John and Caroline Tierney for leading Alex onto our pathway, to enable us to get under the skin of how a young man who’s faced bullying and prejudice for his physical conditions, has led him to lead others up into the mountain pathways for their own conquering.

because I finally found a path out of this.

I was able to change my whole narrative

Recently Alex, Founder of Mind Over Mountains, achieved 446. A challenge which saw him ride and run over 446 mountains in Wales and England, within 50 days to break a record, race funds for the charity and inspire others to get out in the rain and join him.

We spoke about all these challenges, both personal and professional, what drives him, what he’s looking to achieve, the why, and most importantly, what he’s learning about himself and life along the way.

We love his candid approach, not always easy when you don’t yet have your own answers, and for that reason, I loved the open conversation and exploration.

It's about trying to give people the tools and the confidence that they can go out on their own.

But often people come to us because they've lost confidence. They’ve not walked for years.

You’ll hear the balance between wanting to explore more in my questioning, and giving space for the stories and the experiences. Definitely a further conversation to be had, as Alex opens the door to more topics and emotions.

Thank you Alex, and we hope this provokes some emotions for you as you listen about the benefits of being outside whatever your age, and the very notion, that you can make a plan and achieve great things for yourself when you put your mind to it, and ‘trust the process’.

Here’s further details of Alex Staniforth, and of Mind Over Mountains. And please do let us know what you think, and maybe even, what it’s evoked in you?

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Alex is a mountain goat, human powered adventurer, and galvaniser for those wishing to find themselves in the mountains.

Thank you to John and Caroline Tierney for leading Alex onto our pathway, to enable us to get under the skin of how a young man who’s faced bullying and prejudice for his physical conditions, has led him to lead others up into the mountain pathways for their own conquering.

because I finally found a path out of this.

I was able to change my whole narrative

Recently Alex, Founder of Mind Over Mountains, achieved 446. A challenge which saw him ride and run over 446 mountains in Wales and England, within 50 days to break a record, race funds for the charity and inspire others to get out in the rain and join him.

We spoke about all these challenges, both personal and professional, what drives him, what he’s looking to achieve, the why, and most importantly, what he’s learning about himself and life along the way.

We love his candid approach, not always easy when you don’t yet have your own answers, and for that reason, I loved the open conversation and exploration.

It's about trying to give people the tools and the confidence that they can go out on their own.

But often people come to us because they've lost confidence. They’ve not walked for years.

You’ll hear the balance between wanting to explore more in my questioning, and giving space for the stories and the experiences. Definitely a further conversation to be had, as Alex opens the door to more topics and emotions.

Thank you Alex, and we hope this provokes some emotions for you as you listen about the benefits of being outside whatever your age, and the very notion, that you can make a plan and achieve great things for yourself when you put your mind to it, and ‘trust the process’.

Here’s further details of Alex Staniforth, and of Mind Over Mountains. And please do let us know what you think, and maybe even, what it’s evoked in you?

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Sole to Soul Inspiration by Soulhub at soulhub.substack.com/subscribe