Picking Up the Drum with Sophie Messager
In this particularly rich conversation, I’m joined by Sophie Messager, author of the new book The Beat of Your Own Drum (Womancraft Publishing). A former reproductive physiologist with a PhD, Sophie traded her microscope for a medicine drum after experiencing the transformative power of an empowered birth. Her decade-long journey as a doula, birth educator, and author of Why Postnatal Recovery Matters deepened her exploration of the rhythms surrounding women’s transitions.
Now a holistic life transition mentor, Sophie guides women through significant life thresholds – from birth to perimenopause and beyond. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and spiritual insight allows her to serve as a compassionate space holder for those seeking to harmonise their analytical and intuitive selves.
On this episode we explore:
- The complex and intersecting themes of sacred feminine wisdom
- The journey of reclaiming women's power, and the transformative role of drumming in spiritual practices
- Sophie’s personal experiences from her Catholic upbringing to her journey as a doula and holistic life transition mentor
- The historical context of women's roles in drumming and spirituality, and how reclaiming this practice can be an essential step for women in owning their voices and power in a patriarchal society.
Key Takeaways
- Sacred Feminine wisdom is applicable in all areas of life.
- Understanding women's power from a feminine lens is crucial, and women’s sacred stories can help us do this.
- Sophie fascinating journey from science to holistic practices, and how it demonstrates that we can hold space for both.
- Drumming can be a powerful tool for women's empowerment.
- While the history of women and drumming is often overlooked, it’s real – and your birthright to know about.
- While women often feel scared to drum due to ancestral trauma, trusting yourself is the key to spiritual growth and personal evolution.
- Creating your own drum can be a transformative experience – but you can also start with a storebought one. You don’t need lessons or a prescriptive path to start.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sacred Feminine Wisdom
03:05 Exploring the Journey of the Sacred Feminine
05:21 Sophie Messager's Spiritual Background
11:09 Reclaiming Spirituality Beyond Catholicism
19:52 The Role of Birth and Death in Feminine Wisdom
24:32 Embodying the Divine Feminine
27:26 Navigating the Journey to Menopause
28:24 Embracing Cycles and Rest
30:25 The Journey to the Drum
31:51 Drum Microdosing: A New Practice
37:28 Reclaiming the Drum: Women's History
42:42 The Power of Drumming in Birth
49:40 Empowerment Through Intuition and Expression
✨ Explore. Connect. Come Home to Her. ✨
If you’d like to know whose ancestral lands you currently reside on, you can look up your address here: native-land.ca.
If this podcast or my book Home to Her: Walking the Transformative Path of the Sacred Feminine has inspired you, I’d love for you to leave a review—it helps others find this work and keeps these conversations flowing.
Stay connected with me and our growing community:
🌸 Follow along on Instagram @hometoher for reflections and details on upcoming episodes.
🌿 Join the Home to Her Facebook group to share stories, ask questions, and explore the Sacred Feminine in community.
Want to go deeper? Visit www.hometoher.com to:
· Download your free eBook 5 Ancient Secrets of Female Power
· Explore my award-winning on-demand course Home to Herstory, Home to Your Story
· Learn more about 1:1 coaching, small group programs, and upcoming events
💫 Ready to reconnect with your authentic feminine power?
Book your free 30-minute discovery call on my website and let’s explore what’s possible.
Mentioned in this episode:
Home to Herstory, Home to Your Story Online Course: Now on Sale!
How much of our collective herstory do you really know — and do you know why that matters so much to how you live your life today? If you’re curious, check out my self-paced online course, Home to Herstory, Home to Your Story. It’s a six-week journey into the Sacred Feminine — Her lost herstory, Her spiritual wisdom, and Her deep relevance for your modern life. Inside, you’ll find: • Fascinating stories, images, and evidence of the Sacred Feminine — much of which you’ve likely never encountered before • Guided meditations and movement practices • Journaling prompts and storytelling exercises • “Mind food” resources to inspire your ongoing exploration • And so much more Right now through the end of the year, you can save 10% with the code Podcast10. Visit www.hometoheracademy to learn more and register!
