Some conversations don’t just shift your perspective—they rearrange you. This is one of them.
In this episode of The Activate Change Podcast, I (Chloë) sit down with Dr. Rae Johnson—one of the most brilliant minds in somatics and social justice, a leading voice in embodied activism, and one of my own beloved coaches and mentors. Rae has held me through some of the most pivotal moments of my life: caring for my father through terminal cancer, grieving his loss, stepping into my own power as a healer, teacher, and leader.
What I’ve come to realize is that this deep personal somatic work isn’t just personal—it’s political. And really important.
In this conversation, we dive into:
✨ How oppression lives inside our bodies—not just “out there” in the world
✨ Why mind-body disconnect isn’t accidental (hint: systems of power depend on it)
✨ The sneaky, internalized rules we follow without even realizing it (hello, introjects)
✨ How embodiment isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about reclaiming what was stolen
Rae’s book, Embodied Activism, puts words to things you’ve felt your entire life but never had language for.
You’ll not leave this conversation the same and maybe a step closer to being even more yourself than you have in a long, long time.
A little bit more about Dr. Rae Johnson:
Rae Johnson, PhD, RSW, RSMT, BCC is a social worker, somatic movement therapist, and scholar/activist working at the intersections of embodiment and social justice. Rae’s approach to their work has been shaped by decades of frontline engagement with street youth, women in addiction recovery, psychiatric survivors, and members of the queer community. Since completing their doctoral studies at the University of Toronto, Rae has held academic positions in several somatic psychology programs, including at Naropa University and Pacifica Graduate Institute. They currently teach somatic psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and co-direct an online certificate program in embodied social justice.
Rae’s research on the everyday embodied experiences of oppression has been articulated in numerous publications, including their books Embodied Social Justice and Embodied Activism. Committed to making their research both accessible and impactful, Rae also designs and produces collaborative community performances that engage non-academic audiences in the issues that affect members of marginalized communities. Anchored in a form of embodied narrative ethnography called ‘body stories’, these performances are designed to elicit a visceral (not just intellectual) response to the material.
For more info on Dr. Rae Johnson, go to: https://raejohnsonsomatic.com/
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