Steph and Dorian discuss green and red flags for working in community. They share about the history of their comradeship, what they’ve learned from reliving trauma patterns in organizing, and their own healing breakthroughs in Brazilian jiu jitsu and somatic psychotherapy.

They end with a self-reflection on working with others and a hand acupressure exercise (Point LI 4 Joining Valley) to promote circulation and relieve pain.

Content Notes & Disclaimer: This episode includes descriptions of personal experiences of relationship abuse as well as mentions of the first Trump administration before his second term began. The LI 4 acupressure exercise is not intended for anyone who may be pregnant. All medical and mental health content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Get to know Dorian and Steph on this first episode as they share about their backgrounds and how they got politicized as well as dive into their takes on community care and self-care.

They begin to piece together how histories of colonization and trauma led them to community organizing, and then how labor organizing and nonprofit work led them to holistic healing. They end with a reflection activity on community/self-care and a third-eye acupressure exercise (Yin Tang Hall of Impression).

Content Notes & Disclaimer: This episode includes mentions of personal experiences with colonization, internalized racism and colorism, relationship abuse, war trauma, and neglect. All medical and mental health content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Awaken Our Whole Selves Podcast is a storytelling project between Awaken Remedies and Our Whole Selves Therapy on finding healing justice personally, socially and politically.

Dorian (she/her), an acupuncturist, and Steph (they/them), a psychotherapist, are longtime friends and former community organizers. They explore a variety of topics related to community- and self-care by sharing personal stories as well as professional takes and tips. Each episode ends with an acupressure exercise and a self-reflection activity.