The Becoming mBODYed Podcast
The Becoming mBODYed Podcast
Shawn L. Copeland
How safety and belonging cultivate embodied creativity, curiosity, and authenticity.
Breaking Barriers in Music: Accessibility and Innovation in Piano Playing With Alexis Barton and Kenneth Thompson
Send a text This episode explores innovative approaches to accessibility in music education, focusing on the importance of body awareness, ergonomic instruments, and challenging traditional norms. Guests Ken Thompson and Alexis Barton share personal stories, technical insights, and practical solutions to make music more inclusive and physically sustainable. key topics The importance of space and absorption in learningIntroduction to narrow-sized keyboards and their benefitsThe role of b...
Mar 10
48 min
When Technique Becomes Painful: Revolutionizing Music Education with Kenneth Thompson
Send a text In this episode of the Becoming mBODYed podcast, host Shawn Copeland speaks with Kenneth Thompson, founder of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. They discuss the importance of safety and belonging in cultivating creativity and authenticity in the performing arts. Kenneth shares his journey through music education, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to technical development and the modernization of traditional music education practices. They explore the impact of pas...
Feb 9
48 min
Identity, Belonging, and the Art of Teaching: A Conversation with Dr. Amanda Heim
Send a text Many of us move through our teaching lives switching rooms in the same house. We shift between roles. We improvise. We carry a private mix of doubt, intuition, brilliance, and care. In this episode, Shawn sits down with longtime colleague and former student Dr. Amanda Heim, saxophone professor at Gettysburg College, to revisit how somatic work shaped her teaching and the artistic lives of her students for more than a decade. Their conversation moves through memory, identity,...
Dec 9, 2025
1 hr 12 min
BONUS: The mBODYed Somatic Archetypes
Send a text summary In this bonus episode of the Becoming mBODYed podcast, Shawn introduces the concept of somatic archetypes as survival strategies that help individuals navigate their experiences and emotions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these archetypes not as fixed identities but as fluid patterns that reflect how our bodies have learned to cope with various situations. By exploring each archetype, listeners are invited to recognize their own patterns and t...
Nov 11, 2025
46 min
Season Opener
Send a text Summary In this Pre-season opener of the Becoming mBODYed podcast, Shawn welcomes listeners to the new season, focusing on the themes of burnout, creativity, and the importance of rest and regulation. The conversation highlights community updates, upcoming courses, and the significance of somatic practices in fostering a sense of belonging and self-awareness. Shawn emphasizes the need for honest conversations in education and the arts, encouraging listeners to reconnect with thei...
Nov 11, 2025
8 min
Navigating Burnout in the Arts with Laura Stevens
Send a text In this episode of the Becoming mBODYed podcast, host Shawn L Copeland engages in a heartfelt conversation with Laura Stevens, exploring themes of embodied creativity, the challenges of burnout in academia, and the importance of community and support in the arts. They discuss Laura's journey as a musician and educator, the impact of a viral blog post on their lives, and the necessity of rest and empathy in teaching. The conversation highlights the significance of embracing mistake...
Nov 10, 2025
1 hr 4 min
Exploring mBODYed Creativity with Dr. Brad Fugate
Send a text In this episode of the Becoming mBODYed podcast, host Shawn Copeland engages with Dr. Brad Fugate, a professor of music theater, to explore the intersections of embodied creativity, gender identity, and the evolving landscape of music education. They discuss Brad's journey as a countertenor, the historical context of gender roles in music, and the importance of creating safe spaces for students to express themselves. The conversation also explores the impact of social media on per...
Jun 12, 2025
1 hr 10 min
Understanding Somatic Coaching, featuring Karen Cubides
Send a text In this episode of the Becoming mBODYed podcast, host Shawn L Copeland and guest Karen Cubides discuss the launch of a new coaching program focused on embodied education in the performing arts. They explore the importance of clarity in coaching, the slow adoption of coaching practices in the music industry, and the distinctions between various types of coaching. The conversation delves into the role of somatic coaching, the significance of co-regulation in the coaching relationshi...
May 19, 2025
56 min
The Journey of Embodied Creativity, with Dr. Lea Pearson, Part 2
Send a text Summary In this episode of the Becoming Embodied podcast, host Shawn L Copeland engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Lee Pearson, exploring her extensive journey through music, education, and personal growth. They discuss the challenges faced by musicians, including feelings of inadequacy, physical pain, and the impact of family dynamics on one's identity. Lee shares her transformative experiences in education and the importance of inclusion in the arts, emphasizing the need f...
May 6, 2025
1 hr 1 min
The Journey of Embodied Creativity with Lea Pearson, Part 1
Send a text Summary In this episode of the Becoming Embodied podcast, host Shawn L Copeland engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Lea Pearson, exploring her extensive journey through music, education, and the challenges faced by musicians. They discuss the importance of safety and belonging in fostering creativity, the impact of family dynamics on self-worth, and the systemic issues within music education that contribute to feelings of inadequacy among musicians. Lea shares her personal ex...
Apr 21, 2025
35 min
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