Between Breath and Air is a podcast exploring holistic wellness in our modern world.
Dana Smith has been exploring the intersections of physical and mental health, creativity, spirituality, and social responsibility in the realms of wellness for the past decade in dual careers as a massage therapist and life coach.
This podcast is an extension of that exploration.
Join Dana and her guests as they look at the many facets of embodying whole human wellness in this achingly complex world.
Learn more about her work - https://www.danasmithwellness.com/ (https://www.danasmithwellness.com/)
Subscribe to Dana's Loveletter for her off-the-cuff musings and ponderings. Plus get first access to the cool stuff she's up to - https://subscribepage.io/loveletter (https://subscribepage.io/loveletter)
Music credit to Shane Ivers for Synapse - https://silvermansound.com (https://silvermansound.com)
In this episode, Robin Higgins, counsellor and educator, takes us through her career journey and the essential integration of eco-psychology and socio-ecological approaches in counselling. She shares how mindfulness practices inform her work, offering a grounded approach to helping others navigate emotional landscapes. The conversation dives into the importance of creating culturally sensitive and ecologically aware communities, which nurture individual and collective well-being. Robin and Dana explore climate grief and reflect on the importance of using personalized actionable strategies to cope with the anxiety and sadness that arise from environmental changes. Tune in as Robin also reflects on her current work supporting Afghan women students with resilience skills and creating impactful facilitation guides for social-emotional learning. Her recently published facilitation guide is now available (https://www.kaajeducation.org/) for purchase and she is donating half of all proceeds from this project to KAAJ.
23 Jan 2025
How To Be A Great Artist
In this episode, Dana Smith sits down with fine artist Kristy Gordon, who shares her journey of blending intuition, technical skill, and self-expression in her artwork. As an adjunct professor and mentor, Kristy guides artists in discovering their authentic voice and launching successful careers. Together, Dana and Kristy explore how art can serve as a tool for personal healing, self-discovery, and navigating troubling times. Krristy reveals her process of intuitive painting, which encourages artists to bypass perfectionism, embrace play, and reconnect with their creative impulses.
Throughout the conversation, they discuss the connection between self-portraiture and the artistic process, as well as how creative expression is a metaphor for our internal states. Kristy also shares insights into her book Become a Great Artist, which offers a five-step framework to help artists connect with their authentic selves and refine their creative practice. Plus, hear about her Visionary Artist Master Program (VAMP) and the exciting resources available for those ready to take their artistic journey to the next level.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the intersection of art, intuition, and personal-growth. Whether you're an artist or just someone seeking to live more authentically, this episode will leave you with valuable tools and perspectives to tap into your own creative potential.
14 Jan 2025
Midlife Musings Between Long Time Friends
In this episode, Dana and Sierra dive into the process of rediscovering who they are beyond the roles of parent, partner, and professional. Midlife often brings unexpected changes, and with it, a fresh opportunity to explore who a person can be when they’re not busy being everything to everyone else. They discuss the thrill (and sometimes challenge) of letting go of old identities and desires to make space for new ones.
With humor and honesty, they explore how embracing curiosity and making mistakes can reignite a sense of purpose and joy. They don’t shy away from the real stuff either—the guilt, the grief, and the pressure to keep achieving. Instead, they flip the script, discussing what it means to feel "enough" and the liberating power of setting boundaries, finding stillness, and being truly present in the moment.
Listeners are invited to hear these long-time friends share their insights on the messy, beautiful process of self-discovery. They offer advice to their younger selves: ditch perfectionism, embrace the journey, and remember that life is less about doing it all and more about being fully alive in every moment.
4 Jan 2025
Staying Grounded In Start-Up Life
Dana sits down with entrepreneurial visionary Maxine Cunningham, founder of Pick My Brain, who has been navigating the tech start-up world for nearly a decade. Known for her powerful ability to build connections, her masterful conversational skills, and her immense generosity of spirit, Maxine shares her insights on the evolving knowledge economy and how it intersects with personal growth.
They explore the concept of turning knowledge into a valuable exchange, positioning "knowledge commerce" as the next big shift in how we connect and learn. Maxine talks about her innovative vision to revolutionize education by bringing professionals from various fields into classrooms, creating more meaningful career conversations for the next generation.
This conversation also dives into the importance of balancing ambition with self-care. Maxine and Dana discuss the value of deep conversations, intentional collaboration, and creating space for reflection and wellness as key practices for success. They offer a refreshing take on how entrepreneurs can blend growth, connection, and well-being for a more fulfilling journey in both business and life. Visit Pick My Brain (https://www.pickmybrain.world/)
21 Dec 2024
From Resilience to Leadership: Solo Episode
In this solo episode, Dana shares her exciting pivot from resiliency coaching to a vibrant new focus on personal leadership. Dana explores what it means to lead with inner authority, vision, adaptability, and compassion. She explains how individual wellness fuels collective well-being and the crucial mind-body-spirit connection. With enthusiasm, Dana announces her upcoming course or workshop series designed to empower listeners with her personal leadership tools and insights. Join Dana on this transformative journey and sign up for her mailing list to stay updated on this exciting new chapter in her coaching journey.
8 Aug 2024
Partnering With The Subconscious
In this episode, Dana welcomes Tami Amit, a seasoned psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, with over two decades of experience in guiding individuals to overcome their unconscious barriers and embrace their true selves.
Tami's holistic approach, blending psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and EMDR, and dreamwork, helps her clients unearth and heal deep-seated traumas and core beliefs that hinder personal growth.
Through engaging storytelling and insightful teaching, Tami sheds light on trauma's multifaceted nature, emphasizing that it's not just about the events themselves but the internal responses they trigger.
Listeners gain valuable insights into trauma's impact on the brain, the subconscious, and the body, along with practical strategies for healing and self-discovery.
Tune in to discover how Tami's integrative approach empowers individuals to lead more authentic, compassionate, and fulfilling lives.
Learn more about Tami's work, her books, and follow her social handles by visiting her website. (https://therapybeyondthecouch.com/)
24 Jul 2024
Creating Body Dialogues
In this episode, Dana Smith welcomes Alora Kubanek, a wellness professional with over 20 years of experience, who shares her transformative journey of befriending her body. Alora discusses her unique approach to wellness, integrating her background in dance, rehabilitative exercise, trauma-informed movement, Pilates, and expressive arts to help clients transform their relationships with their bodies.
Discover how Alora's embodied understanding of the nervous system and trauma reshaped her views on self-care and body image, leading her to see her body as a life partner rather than a machine. Tune in to explore somatic intelligence and how everyday movement can become a powerful tool for self-expression and healing.
At the time of recording, this guest was using a different name. Don't be confused, Amy is indeed Alora.
Learn more about Alora and her work here (https://www.befriendyourbody.ca/).
Resource mentioned: Crystal Pite, Wordless Language on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_vdiAH3uWs).
11 Jul 2024
Pain's In The Brain
In this episode, educator and massage therapy clinician Eric Purves joins Dana for a deep dive into pain science and evidence-based massage therapy, offering valuable insights for both professionals and those experiencing chronic pain. Their discussion encourages listeners to reflect on how their thoughts, ideas, and blindspots influence their bodily experiences and clinical practices. Eric emphasizes the importance of manual therapists asking themselves reflective questions to become more receptive to new information, ultimately helping them serve as more effective and supportive clinicians for their patients.
Learn more about his work, subscribe, and tune into his podcast:
Website: https://ericpurves.com/ (https://ericpurves.com/)
Purves Versus Pain Podcast: https://ericpurves.com/podcast-2/ (https://ericpurves.com/podcast-2/)
26 Jun 2024
Creativity For Resilience
Join Dana and creativity coach Dr. Marion Piper as they explore the role of creativity in personal wellness and post-traumatic growth.
Dr. Piper shares her journey and offers practical tips for using creativity as a self-care tool to refill emotional and mental reserves.
Learn how broadening the definition of creativity can transform everyday activities into healing practices.
Discover the parallels between engaging in creative processes and experiencing positive psychological changes after trauma.
Tune in for actionable insights on integrating creativity into daily life for enhanced well-being and resilience.
Books mentioned:
What Doesn't Kill Us, by Stephen Joseph, is an insightful and entertaining account of the new psychology of resilience.
The Body Keeps Score, by Gabor Maté reveals the deep connection between trauma and physical health, offering transformative insights into healing.
Website: https://www.drmarionpiper.com.au/ (https://www.drmarionpiper.com.au/)
Substack The Creative Urge: https://thecreativeurge.substack.com/ (https://thecreativeurge.substack.com/)
Podcast, What Doesn't Kill Us: https://www.drmarionpiper.com.au/podcast/ (https://www.drmarionpiper.com.au/podcast/)
12 Jun 2024
Radical Discernment: Activism with Sensitive Souls
In this episode, Dana and Katherine Golub embark on a journey through activism and self-care, viewed through the lens of sensitivity. Katherine, lifelong activist and seasoned leadership coach, dives deep into the transformative power of aligning personal values with professional goals. These logophiles get into the profound impact of language, examining terms like "discernment" and "radical," and how the conjunction "and" can liberate us from binary thinking.
Listeners will uncover the power of somatic methods in cultivating self-awareness and emotional balance, and gain fresh perspectives on authentic self-nurturing and the profound impact of holding space with presence.
Tune in for an engaging conversation that promises to inspire your unique journey in activism, self-discovery, and holistic well-being.
Resources: Learn more about her work, subscribe to her Love Letter, and tune into her podcast (https://callingsandcourage.com/).
Check out her free video portal called Somatic Practices for Social Change (https://callingsandcourage.com/somatic-practices-for-social-change/) with ten short guided practices to help you soothe the nervous system, embody leadership presence, and tune in to inner guidance. Perfect for sensitve folks who want to get involved without getting burned out.
31 May 2024
Rest Revolution: Transforming Midlife Sleep.
Join Dana Smith and sleep and stress management coach Rebecca Vigelius as they dive deep into the struggles women face with sleep in midlife.
Rebecca shares her journey to becoming a coach and offers practical tips, urging listeners to reframe their beliefs about sleep and self-care. Discover the power of aligning with your body's natural rhythms and implementing a pre-sleep ritual for better sleep quality and overall well-being.
Tune in for actionable insights and transformative strategies to reclaim your sleep and vitality.
Learn more about Rebecca's work and subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.rebeccavigelius.com (https://www.rebeccavigelius.com) Instagram: @rebeccavigelius (https://www.instagram.com/rebeccavigelius)
27 May 2024
Pain As A Catalyst For Change: Solo Episode
Meet Dana Smith, a massage therapist and life coach with over 11 years of experience working with people on a healing and transformation path. In this episode she explores the deep connection between physical pain and emotional well-being.
Dana shares her professional evolution from massage therapy to broader healing and transformative practices, driven by her patients' struggles with chronic pain and identity shifts. She discusses body neutrality and how detaching from the story of pain aids in managing it. Dana also reflects on her personal chronic pain experiences, emphasizing the importance of a compassionate relationship with one’s body.
In both of her practices, Dana strives to create a safe space for her clients to explore their physical and emotional sensations without judgment. She advocates for gentle facilitation as a way to aviod stalling the growth process by overwhelming the nervous system.
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