The Midlife Rebel Podcast
How do you know if you're a Midlife Rebel?
Maybe it starts with a feeling. A growing sense of discomfort that something isn't quite right. The life you've been living might look perfectly fine from the outside, but something inside you is asking for change.
Maybe some of the rules and expectations you've lived by simply don't fit anymore.
That's where rebellion begins.
Being a Midlife Rebel isn't about breaking rules for the sake of it. It's about questioning the rules, stories and expectations that have shaped the life you've been living — and deciding for yourself what stays, what goes and what comes next.
Because rebellion can lead to personal revolution. And personal revolution creates freedom: the freedom to change your mind, rewrite your story, experiment, begin again and create a life that fits who you are now.
I'm Nadine, and each week I sit down with experts, teachers, authors, coaches, researchers, wisdom keepers and ordinary people with extraordinary stories to explore the many ways our lives can change in midlife.
We talk about identity, health and ageing, menopause, relationships, purpose, spirituality, psychology, courage, reinvention and the experiences that make us question the status quo.
These conversations bring together different perspectives, lived experiences, ideas and practical wisdom so that you feel supported as you navigate your own midlife journey — and a little less alone as you figure out what comes next.
Because there's a little bit of rebel in all of us.
Contact Nadine: https://midliferebelpodcast.com/contact
The Midlife Rebel Podcast
Sacred Circles: Finding Your Voice and Feminine Essence - Peta Bastian
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What if your deepest wounds held the key to your truest calling?
In this soul-stirring episode, Peta Bastian shares her powerful journey of awakening—from a life of conformity and quiet disconnection to becoming a respected Circle Priestess and guide for women returning to themselves.
At 17, a near-death car accident and a mysterious angelic voice cracked Peta open to the unseen. But survivor’s guilt and a fear of truly being seen kept her playing small for decades. Like many women in midlife, she followed the script—until a vision during acupuncture changed everything. She saw herself held in sacred circle, surrounded by women of many cultures, singing, dancing, and healing.
At almost 40, with no prior experience and a fear of other women, Peta bravely stepped into that vision. What followed was a return to ancient ways of gathering, a remembrance of feminine wisdom, and a reclamation of her soul’s work.
Now, at 50, she shares the initiations of her 40s—burnout, hysterectomy, and the profound healing that came through Human Design, rest, and sisterhood. As a Projector, she learned to honour her rhythm and offer guidance from a place of deep alignment.
This conversation is for any woman feeling the stirrings of something more—a longing to create, to belong, and to remember who she truly is. Through the simple act of sitting in circle, Peta reminds us that midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an invitation to come home to ourselves.
✨ What would change if you let yourself be fully seen?
Visit our website to find out more about this week's guest.
All of our guests, including this one, are included in our Guest Directory so that you can find out more about them and the work that they do.
https://midliferebelpodcast.com/guest-directory
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Welcome to Life, Health and the Universe
Speaker 1Welcome to Life , health and the Universe , bringing you stories that connect us , preventative and holistic health practices to empower us and esoteric wisdom to enlighten us . We invite you to visit our website , where you can access the podcast , watch on YouTube and find all of our guests in the guest directory . Visit lifehealththeuniversepodcastpageio . Now let's get stuck into this week's episode . My guest today is Peter Bastian , a circle priestess , space holder and intuitive guide who helps women reconnect to their voice , rhythm and feminine essence . With a background in energy work and human design , peter brings a beautiful blend of grounded wisdom and soulful presence to everything she does . She's led and mentored women all over the world in the art of holding space , leading circles and creating from a place of deep integrity and remembrance . I'm so excited to have you here , peter . Thank you so much for joining me .
Speaker 1We just had a little preamble . We've got some history , just a little bit of Well . Well , often I say to my guests I met you online , and that sounds ominous too . You know we had an online relationship , which is no different for us actually . So back almost three and a half years ago , I released a podcast , but only about a month before the podcast started , I had a human design reading , and it was with you . So that's how we know each other . In short , before we get into anything else , why don't you give us a little brief history of
Peter's Life-Changing Moment at 17
Speaker 1Peter Bastien ? I'm completely aware that as we mature , the stories get longer , because then there was that bit , there was that bit , there was that bit , oh , and then that happened .
Speaker 2I was going to say how much time do we have ?
Speaker 1The abridged version , if you can .
Speaker 2Got it , got it , Hmm . Well , I turned 50 this year so let's start from the most recent .
Speaker 2And I don't know , there's something so special about turning 50 for me and I feel like I was going to say not to be dramatic , but I am very dramatic , so just lean into it . Um , I feel like my whole life I've been working toward turning 50 . And , um , I guess it's because I feel a sense of um arrival , like whatever that means . But just something within me has shifted . But essentially , you know , I was thinking about how do I introduce myself without taking 25 to 50 years to do it .
Speaker 2But essentially , I think I , as a young person , I grew up in a really beautiful home , wonderful parents , you know , lived a pretty traditional life . I always had a sense of I feel like there's something more and I also had a lot of anxiety as a young person . And so , you know , I didn't really like school . I found that challenging . I just didn't feel like I fit in and probably that has been a sense , a running theme , of feeling like I don't quite fit in and really wanting a sense of belonging , which I think is what we all want . I don't quite fit in and really wanting a sense of belonging , which I think is what we all want . I don't like to talk in generalisations , but I do feel like that's a human need right .
Speaker 2And so I had a pretty big , pivotal world turn on its axis moment when I was 17 . And I was out with a girlfriend and we were heading home late at night and I was about to get into the front seat of the car and I put my hand out and I just heard this massive voice that said don't sit in the front seat . And I just was like oh , and I just thought okay , and I sat in the back seat and then , tragically , five minutes later , we crashed into the back of a truck and my friend was killed . Oh , and my friend was killed . Oh , and so , at 17 , to go through that and to suddenly have the world that you thought you knew be completely different and have to manage the ocean of emotions that comes with that ocean of emotions that comes with that , I think that also , really , it set me off on a few different paths , but one around this pressure to make sure you make the most of your life and also the realizations that angels are real . Because you know , this was a voice in my head that didn't . It was so interesting because it was inside my head , but also outside my head Like it was , like it was around me . It was this big , overwhelming , loudspeaker voice . And years later I thought , did I imagine that ? And I did this meditation with the intention of hearing the voice again , because I hadn't ever heard it again . Anyway , I was deep in this meditation and then I heard it again and it said what would you like to know ? And I just went , just completely freaked out , I think , because I hadn't heard it since and it was just like I just needed to know that I heard it and that was it since , and it was just like I just needed to know that I heard it and that was it .
Speaker 2So , yeah , having that happen to me at 17 , knowing that angels are real , having all my psychic gifts which I believe have always been there , just really forefront , but not knowing how to make sense of it , I then , you know , I wanted to throw myself into generic life . You know , I just wanted normal and I became a registered nurse , I got married , had three kids and then you , you know , around mid-30s , um , I was feeling really unhappy and really struggling in motherhood and , um , you know , still with that sense of , I feel like I'm here for a reason , but I don't know what it is , and and then I'd get in my head about it and think you know who are you and all that kind of stuff
The Call to Lead Women's Circles
Speaker 2. But it was toward my just before I turned 40 , I think I went and had some acupuncture , as I love to do , and something opened up for me that day on the table and I had this really lucid vision , lucid dream , vision of myself being in a women's circle and I was being part like there was a massive fire in the middle and there were women of all different nationalities and cultures and they were passing me around the circle and they were dancing and they were singing to me and they were healing me . And I just remember having just this overwhelming sense of love and peace and at the end of the vision I was standing literally in the ashes . You know it was daybreak , it was just me standing in the ashes and you know I mean there's a lot of symbolism there . And also it felt and was very real for me and I got this deep , knowing you need to lead women's circles , and I was like what I'd never been to a women's circle .
Speaker 2I was a bit scared of women . I think having that anxiousness as a young person , not really being able to form deep friendships is how I felt and I just said , okay , universe . Well , if this is what you want me to do , then send me a sign , because I've never been to one that women scare the shit out of me . Actually , I just said , okay , universe . Well , if this is what you want me to do , then send me a sign , because you know , I've never been to one that women scare the shit out of me . Actually , I had all this sisterhood wounding , didn't know how to deal with it , and I think it was like within 10 days I got a random email from a random thing that I hadn't signed up to , saying do you want to learn how to lead women's circles ? Oh , my God , subject line . And I was like , oh , okay , well , that couldn't be more obvious . So I replied and that started the journey of me really coming back home to myself , taking off all the layers , reclaiming all those lost parts of myself and really moving through my 40s , which I found my 40s quite challenging .
Speaker 2To be in circle and find yourself and find your calling , and then every time I step into circle I feel like I'm at home , has just been the greatest blessing . So I think that's well , I guess , and also , along the way , picking up other things . I started Reiki in my 20s , became a Reiki master because , again , you know , I always had those psychic abilities but just kind of kept them on the down low because , number one , I thought everyone could do it . Number two , and you know , to an extent everyone can , but I just kind of thought my experience was normal . And then , as I say , gradually getting to know myself and coming home to myself more and more through Circle I also then human design popped up into my world , and then Gene Keys , and so , you know , these parts all really came into the melting pot of Peter , came into the melting pot of Peter . That then , as I say , led me to the woman who I am today and I feel the most I'm exactly the woman I want to be right now .
Speaker 1So that's my story . Okay , we're done . No , don't worry , I have questions . I have lots of questions . I'm really curious about this . When you say that your 40s were the most difficult or most challenging time of your life , I don't know if I said that exactly right . You've had a few , I think . Even since I've known you , you had a few iterations of yourself within that frame . You've always . You've started with the finding the circle and you're you're leading circles now , but there's been and so that's kind of been like your foundation , but there's been some . There's , there's been some kind of iterations , what , what has been difficult and challenging , what ? What are those ? Some of those things that have happened in that period of your life ?
Speaker 2Yeah , it's interesting , I must admit . I feel like actually every decade I've had some stuff to work through and again , that's part of my human design . Okay , as well as reaching 50 , it's like I've had some stuff to work through and again , that's part of my human design Okay . As well as reaching 50 , it's like I've graduated Again . That's part of my human design . Are you a ?
Speaker 1line six yeah , I've been learning a little bit more about human design in the last couple of years . I've heard this , yeah okay .
Speaker 2I've heard about coming off the roof so , um , I will circle back to your question , but just for those of um your listeners who do know human design , I am a 6-2 self-projected projector okay we can unpack that later if we need to . But um , but yeah , the 6-22 is the role model hermit . So yeah , and the 6'9 , like you say , is that whole thing so for me . You know what identity has always been a big thing for me and self-worth around identity . Again in my astrology human design , design , the whole thing undefined g uh , well actually no I
Speaker 1have a defined g sorry I have interrupted you , but I'm just curious no , no , because I know you have an undefined yes , yes and so I found that really strange that you know I'm .
Speaker 2I'm meant to know who I am as a defined G . However , part of my lesson has been coming taking off the layers to reconnect with who I am .
Speaker 2A lot of other people could probably see who I was , but I couldn't necessarily , and I think that's part of projector life as well , projector life as well . So so , yeah , it was . It was around identity and I , again , with that really strong knowing that I'm here for a reason I'm here to and it's really hard to even define what that reason is is . You know , it's just a sense , it's just a knowing , and so I , I just felt a pressure and an urgency to get my fucking shit together . You know , and , just like for some , I was driven by perfectionism . You know , I , I recognize that as a result of , you know , surviving a car accident , you have to unpack survivor's guilt , and I had to unpack the feeling that any mistake I made could result in someone dying . Like I didn't realize I had that program running .
Speaker 2I just had so many limiting beliefs and programs running that I was finding out and , you know , taking that out of the box and having a look at it and going , oh , wow , how has that served me , how hasn't it ? Like jeez , I don't really like the look of that and trying to throw it away , but it keeps bouncing back at you . Try and throw something away , it keeps like bouncing back at you try and throw something away . It keeps bouncing back until you actually , I believe , until you actually um , embrace it , you know , bring it closer and know that it's part of you and that's okay , um , and so when you um are an entrepreneur , and when you do lead women's circles , and when you are a 6-2 self-projector projector , a lot of your business is a reflection of who you are , and so my business has taken on a lot of iterations because I have and I have grown and I have evolved , and I used to beat myself up so badly about that .
Speaker 2And look , truth told there's , in my quiet , wobbly moments maybe sometimes I still feel like , oh , if only I'd just stuck at that , or if only I just kept on that tangent . But what I love , love , love , is that I have gone full circle pun completely intended , pun completely intended and I have come back to the thing that I really started with , which is circles , because that is my home , that is my true north , that is my compass , and then all those other pieces , even the first 40 years of my life , have all created this beautiful tapestry and this beautiful cauldron of experience and learning from which I draw from and allows me , I think , to create incredibly connected , deep , transformational spaces . Does that answer the question ?
Speaker 1I think so , thank you . Thank you , yeah , it was lovely . Before we get into talking more about circle , because I don't think I've ever experienced one trying to think , if I ever have not deliberate , not a deliberate , you know , I'm going to a circle . I'm curious about turning 50 . Did you turn 50 this year ? Yes , yeah , congratulations , welcome . Thank you .
Speaker 2Thank you , ma'am , it's so good to be here .
Speaker 1It's interesting , isn't it ? I'm still . I feel like I'm 51 .
Human Design and Self-Discovery
Speaker 1I still feel like I'm kind of unpacking a whole bunch of stuff . I drank consistently , let's say , for the majority of my , you know , late teens , right through to three and a half years ago . Three , four , yeah , three and a half years ago , um , and I feel like once I stopped drinking , there was a whole bunch of stuff . It was was like oh shit , there , that's why I was drinking . So like there's , yeah , continual processing still going on and like relearning , like actually , I guess , re-meeting parts of me that have been suppressed or never fully expressed . I guess when was I going with that ?
Speaker 2So yeah for 50 .
Speaker 1For me has been like I was like so stoked to get here . I felt really good and I love it . There's , I feel like that , like that , you know , hormonally there's more consistent energy , um , much more mental clarity , but there's still a bunch of unpacking to do . But I do know this is like me rambling already . Um , I'm here for people say , oh , you know , halfway , blah , blah , blah , you know getting older , and blah , blah , blah , you know getting older . And I'm like that was just the warm-up . Yes , now you get to pick the bits you liked , dissect the bits that you know and unravel it all so that you can choose the bits that you're going to take to the next bit . It sounds like you're already there .
Speaker 2Well , yes , and right yes , and because I very much resonate with what you said . It's like , oh yeah , but now I'm at the good part , and that's what I mean , like I feel like I've graduated and I've arrived and I'm fucking ready and I'm here and I'm living , yeah , and I do think that there's a sense of all of that , and also there's more to discover , there's more to unpack . However , I feel now so much better equipped to do that in a way that is much more easeful and much more accepting .
Speaker 2And it's just , you know , it's kind of like I don't live life as though there's a destination anymore . You know it's more around . This is life like right here , right now . Let's live it and let's be in it . And you know what , like bumping up against things that I don't like or that hurt , or that you know , familiar old limiting patterns that pop up and go . Here I am again . I'm like , oh , hello you , okay , what are you ? What are you here to teach me now ? And just , I think it's how we move through life . Now I feel , um , it's interesting . You said about hormones feeling more stable and I actually , um , what year are we ? 2025 ?
Speaker 2Two years ago , I had a hysterectomy , okay , and so , um , I remember actually turning , or the year that I was turning , 45 , um , and that was COVID year too , right . But I remember like New Year's Eve , new Year's Day , and I felt it in my body . I just thought something's changed day and I felt it in my body . I just thought something's changed , like this feels really different , the energy feels really different , and so , from there , I think you know , in hindsight , I was probably moving into perimenopause while I was in it , right . But yeah , as I say , two years ago I had to have a hysterectomy and I was ready for it , but I also have found it incredibly hard to recover from .
Speaker 1Okay .
Speaker 2So , and I guess you don't know until you know right , it's like before you have a baby , you don't know what it's like and even when you've had another one , it's not the same Right right .
Speaker 2You think , yeah , I know this , I know how to do this . Like my third birthing experience , my third baby , I thought , yeah , this is going to be so easy , I've got this nailed and it was the hardest . So , thanks , thanks , um , but back to , yeah , being 50 and hormones and that sort of thing . I I heard a really beautiful expression , because I remember feeling like I'm only talking five , three to five years ago , even three years ago , even two years ago , there just wasn't that much talk around menopause and what that meant for women , and I remember really trying to find books , podcasts , anything to read on it that wasn't purely what's physically happening to us . I wanted to know what else is happening to us , you know , like spiritually , emotionally . Yes , I wanted to know all the physical stuff too . Um , anyway , I ended up finding , um , a beautiful speech it's like an hour-long , I think , workshop by Jean Shinoda Bolin and she is . She's like the what's the word I'm looking for , I can't remember now , but she wrote several books , has written several books , a lot of them on women's circles . Anyway , I feel like it's either , and now I'm seconding myself whether it was Jean or whether it was another woman I read , but nonetheless , a really wise woman said , when we go into menopause and we stop bleeding , we are actually going into another iteration of ourselves as women , of becoming incredibly fertile in a different way and incredibly creative in a different way , because , instead of releasing our blood and outwardly creating these amazing children if we choose to , if we can , that sort of thing but instead now we're holding onto that and that becomes that fertile ground for us to create a whole host of things after we turn 50 . You know , like , instead of it being a time to slow down time to , you know , become the old lady . I feel like , oh , actually I'm ready to , like , step out and proclaim here I am .
Speaker 2And so then , having my hysterectomy , I felt quite emotionally and spiritually ready for that . I had a conversation with my womb and she was ready to go and she said over to you . And she was ready to go and she said over to you . But I think physically I found it very challenging to recover from and I don't know that I was necessarily set up in the best way for that . And you know , I think every woman's experience is different . I'm two years in now and I feel the best I've felt , which is amazing , you know and I think , going from well , I have I'm talking to a sporty spice right here in front of me and I've always loved that about you and that has not been my story . However , I reprogrammed that and I've created it to be my story and now I am doing regular PT and weights and then I also just introduced some yoga regularly again and I don't know where I've gone with this , but I've just kind of meandered down the road with what I was saying . But ultimately , 50s fabulous .
Speaker 1Yeah , and I love that . You just said that you've rewritten your story . I think that's a really , really super strong message for people . We can rewrite our stories . We might not necessarily energetically be uh wired in the same way , especially when we look at our human design . Right , you look at my human design chart and it's just got lots of , lots of energy . It's like , well , of course she needs to freaking move , like what else am I gonna do ? Um , but it doesn't mean that you can't make those conscious choices and and find ways for for your life to to look the way you want it to look , right , just because you're not necessarily that kind of naturally inclined , I suppose .
Speaker 2But that you've , and I love that idea of rewriting the story and I think as well , I just I wanted , as I'm getting older , I want to be strong and healthy and mobile .
Speaker 2You know I hope to have lots of grandbabies and I want to , you know , be on the floor playing with them and I feel like I have so much life to live that I want to give myself the best opportunity to enjoy it and be immersed in it . And I think , physically , that's important to have your physical health , you know , feeling very blessed that I do have that .
Speaker 1So yeah , before we I've already said this once Before we talk about circles . I'm saving it to the end . Not to the end , but , you know , to a bit bit more . A bit more . When you , uh , found human design , what was your , what was your experience around that and how did that shape what you do now and how you ? You mentioned , um , those iterations of yourself and , um , like , has it allowed you to be more accepting of making changes to the way that you do things , um , depending on what's going on ? Is that a bit of a Short answer ? Yes .
Speaker 2Like for me , human design , and human design has been with me for about eight years , I think now , and when I first learned about my human design , I cried because I was just like , oh you know , and like remembering I've had this
Embracing Change at 50
Speaker 2struggle with identity and self-worth around identity , feeling like I'm too much for the to shrink myself to fit in , terrified of standing out . Yet as a projector , you do so , yeah , it was incredibly helpful for me in knowing so many things . Why I didn't ? I guess I try and refrain from absolute statements , yet absolute statements seem to come out of my mouth and I think what that is telling me and telling others is the profound impact that it has had on me and really so finding out I was a projector . Just , and I think the biggest thing as a projector is a projector needs to talk and you need to talk to be able to make decisions . Especially , and lay it on top of that , a self-projected projector is that I'm designed to talk to not only help myself make decisions but help others make decisions and be guided and hear the words that come out of my mouth . So I was carrying wounding around , feeling like I was too much , feeling like I talked too much feeling like I was too loud , feeling like I could never get to the point , and then also wondering why I couldn't seemingly keep up with everyone else . And so , you know , the classic thing of when you find out you're a projector , manifester or a reflector is going oh , because we're not part of that 70% of the population who's a generator or a manifesting generator , who have the ability to be , have sustainable energy . There's lots of nuances to it and it's not as though I don't have energy . I just have it in a really different way and it's more focused and intense for like four hours instead of eight .
Speaker 2So , yes , it made a huge difference to me . It gave me a permission slip to start allowing myself to be different , and I believe we're all different and we're all unique and I think that's our strength . And also , when you're trying to unpack those wounds of not wanting to stand out , not wanting to be different , you know you're trying to fit in , so it's just a process . So , yes , a massive permission slip for me to know that I need to speak , and it's one of the things I'm here to do . I do need rest a lot of it and actually that's because , as a projector , we are processing a lot of collective energy as well .
Speaker 2It's not only our energy that we're processing , but there's a collective frequency that we're tapped into for the evolution of all humanity . So there is a little extra there , you know . So there is a little extra there , I think as well , in terms of learning how it feels in my body when I speak , how it feels in my body to know when is the right time to speak . Learning that because a lot of projectors , we feel like , well , what is this wait for the invitation thing ? Do I just sit around twiddling my thumbs and you know , like before , I do anything .
Speaker 2It's actually far more exposing than that for a projector , I think , because it's not about sitting around doing nothing , it's about getting out and being who you are , letting others see that and then waiting for those invitations . And what does that mean ? Waiting for people to invite you to speak , waiting for people to invite you to share your gifts . However , they have to be able to see them and experience them in some way before they invite you in more deeply . So , you know , for someone who's trying to like not stand out too much , it's like actually , no , you're a lighthouse , you need to be out and sharing . And then I think the other thing for me me and I'm just remembering this as I'm speaking now was this feeling like I always needed approval and acknowledgement and that that felt very weak . And I believe that we all need to give ourselves approval first . That's the number one , you know . And also , as a projector , there is definitely an element of not necessarily needing others approval , but others acknowledgement , because you need to be seen .
Speaker 2You see each other so so clearly . You see others I beg your pardon so so clearly , very hard to see yourself . And again I think why Circle was such and is such a medicine and safe place is because you see a reflection of yourself in everyone . You know you learn yourself through a reflection , through how you respond or react to whatever else is happening . So I think I would say motherhood circles , human design , three biggest and angels , angels , teachers , yeah , biggest teachers , biggest , um well , corner , cornerstone , I don't know . Let's go with teachers , yeah , yeah , my , my loves mmm , love it .
Speaker 1You gave us a segue into circles . I was gonna ask , in terms of human design , being a projector , you mentioned what like needing to be in the right space so that people can see you , so that they can invite you to do things . How has that played into you and your current work ? You've just sort of started correct me if I'm wrong running circles again recently after some time away from those things . So , yeah , how , I don't need to repeat myself . You heard the question , I think .
Speaker 1Well to be honest , were you invited ? How did that all work ? That's great um because you've got , you must have a question . You must have a feeling like , if you , you've got your , you know your spirit guides or your angels , your intuitive psychic , you know when the time's right , you feel all of those things . But as a projector , you're supposed to have an invitation , right ? You know supposed to , or that's the thing how does that work ?
Speaker 2Yeah , so with the invitation , like I feel I already have an invitation for circles , right and women's circles , because I frequently have people reach out and say when are you going to ?
Speaker 1do a survey you know .
Speaker 2So , like I have that , and also , um , it's with the invitation , it's about being ready to meet it . You know , are you ready to meet it ? And so a projector needs to , crucially , spend a lot of time with themselves to allow themselves to be open to the invitation and to make sure that they are discerning around which invitation is right for them . Because , you know , as a projector , when someone recognizes you and invites you , it's like who me ? You've seen me ? Oh well , thanks . Of course , however , we don't necessarily need to say yes to all the invitations , and I think it's really important that when we're ready , we're ready . Um , so , yes , I took a , a hiatus , if you will , uh , of not running circles for a bit , and that coincided with my hysterectomy . Um , I was feeling really burnt out and I was feeling really exhausted , um , and it wasn't
The Anatomy of a Women's Circle
Speaker 2burnt out from circles as such , it was just burnt out from life . I think .
Speaker 2And obviously it's a huge thing having a hysterectomy too , and I just I wanted to be able to take some time off , and I actually went and got myself a nine-to-five job for a bit , because I felt like I needed to step back . So , interestingly though , after about three to six months I was like I don't know that this is necessarily for me , like it's kind of been nice and I've got a lot out of it , and also I really feel like maybe I'm meant to be doing my own thing again , and I really feel like maybe I'm meant to be doing circles . And again , I just love how the angels work and how the universe works right . I think it was in January the angels work and how the universe works right .
Speaker 2I think it was in January I had some random email come into my inbox saying oh , at last I found you , peter . I've been wanting to find you , to find out about learning how to lead women's circles , and I'm like , how did this woman get my email ? And anyway , we had a phone conversation and again , I just got off that phone call and remembered oh , that's where I'm meant to be , okay . So then I was like thank you , universe , for showing me that .
Speaker 2And then I had already planned to do a book writing retreat a solo book writing retreat and , uh , because I feel like there's so much I want to um , um , share and write down and um , yeah , anyway .
Speaker 2So I was doing that for this beautiful week down by the beach and , um , I remember , probably about four weeks prior to that actually , I was like , oh , I'm going to lead women's circles again and I'm really excited about this . And so I set one up for , I think the 4th of May or something like that was a Sunday , and it coincided with the end of my book writing week and I was like this is amazing and , um , I actually also thought , if this is my path and this is where I'm meant to be , how am I going to do that ? How am I going to , you know , step back from what I'm doing and re-emerge , and you know just . But I had this really strong sense that this is where I'm meant to be going in life . And so I said to the universe you know , I'm ready to claim what is mine now . And I said this prayer like three nights in a row , and anyway , I got back to work . I do this .
Speaker 2I don't know why , but my nine to five on Monday and the first meeting I had was to tell me that my role had been made redundant , effective immediately . And I was like , yes , right , look , I'm not going to lie . I was a little blindsided . I was like holy fuck , this isn't like the timeline , this isn't what I thought . And then I just felt this giggle emerge . Like I just started giggling and going , wow , like that was really fast . Manifesting Peter , I love that . Just like that was really fast . Manifesting Peter , I love that . So cool . Just like that Boom .
Speaker 2And you know , all the human fear came into it , like I'm not ready , I haven't put all my ducks in a row , and also a very , very strong sense of the universe never gives me anything I can't handle , never . And when I remembered that , like my heart and my chest just expanded and I just thought , oh , what a gift . Like , what a gift Again , human self , and look , human me , soul me , whole me , same , same same . But I do recognize that there's a wiser part of me that leads the way more often these days , which is really , really beautiful . And then there's like the human little little Peter who gets scared . And I definitely had some some scary and bumpy moments that week , but you know how we were talking earlier around , how we lead ourselves more quickly through upheaval or change or you know perceived difficulty , and I really feel super proud of myself because I could have spiralled into a . I could have spiralled into all sorts of negative talk around that you know , but I just didn't .
Speaker 2I was just like oh , I love you universe , I love you angels , I , I , okay , I thank you for giving , thank you for uh , yeah backing you 100 percent so , um , and I just led an amazing circle where I felt like , again , I felt I was almost in tears about how amazing I felt and just you know and I , everything was just beautiful , bliss , blissful . I just had another circle yesterday as well , and then it's like all these pieces are just being put in place just perfectly , and as long as I remember that and as long as I don't try and get too fixated on having it perfect , I had a bit of a perfectionism spiral last week again human , but as long as I just remember that I'm always taken care of , it's all happening for me , not to me .
Speaker 2And how am I embracing this and how am I loving this ? So , uh , I have also . I'm about to start a 12-week circle as well . Oh wow , and I'm very excited about that , and then also just really coming home to sit in my heart . Peter , you're here to activate other circle leaders as well . You know it's such a sweet spot for me and it's really when I feel my most projector success . You know Our alignment theme is success as a projector .
Speaker 2So success feels and looks differently for everyone , and for me it's when I just feel like luminous and I'm at home and everything's like I'm in , that it's a flow state . So yeah , so that's where I'm at now and it feels I was just going to say it feels so good to be home you know yeah .
Speaker 1You can tell yeah , okay , let me read some of these questions about circles . I am conscious that we've , like I've asked you lots of questions and we've gone kind of in the direction we've gone in and we are edging closer towards our hour . Are you okay if we run over , or are you ?
Speaker 2Absolutely Okay , cool , ask your projector to speak . She's going to speak Beautiful .
Speaker 1I love it , go for it . So okay , let's get into Circle . They're a potent container for transformation . You've mentioned how they can be a mirror for one another . Can you describe what happens when , like , from a , the , you know the , the process of arriving in circle and that sort of thing , why someone would choose to be there and then what happens in the circle ? Um , and what ? What kind of happens ? What the ? What are the energetics ?
Speaker 2that take place yeah yeah , great questions .
Speaker 1Take us on a journey .
Speaker 2Okay . So to answer the question , why do women come to circles ? I think it's varied for everyone and ultimately we all feel a pull , a pull and a call in some way , shape or form . Not everyone has quite a dramatic as like an entrance or , you know , vision , as myself . However , it's a sense of wanting to feel that sense of belonging , a sense of connection , a sense of seeing yourself and understanding and remembering the truth of who you are . And it's a really it is quite a sweeping statement , but I do believe that our sole purpose is to remember the truth of who we are . I've said this for years and years and years because I was like what is my sole purpose ? And then it was oh , that's right , it's just to remember the truth of who you are . And so it's almost hard to articulate why women want to come to Circle , but I think it distills down to that connection piece , the sense of belonging , and they're searching for something , they're wanting something , and a lot of women are feeling buried by life , feeling like who am I underneath all the roles I play ? They have that sense of you know , there's got to be more . I'm here for a reason , like all those existential type of questions , I think , come into it as well , as well , as some women just come because they're really curious and their friend asked them to come , you know , and they're like , what is this and what do we do ? And I love to say that when you arrive in circle , it's like an exhale , you know you . Just you sit down , it's like , oh , again , it's like I'm home . It's not always the case , um , initially , especially , you know , when you're nervous and you haven't been , you don't know what's going on and oh , my god , is this a cult ? Or like , are we gonna have to sit here and chant , or what are they gonna gonna make to have a close-off ? Or well , I've done all those things , by the way , but no , not every circle , um , so what do we do in circle ?
Speaker 2Each circle has a theme or an intention , and so a really good circle leader this is what I always teach . It's about tuning into yourself as the leader of the circle . Again , what I teach is you're a leader and a participant , right , you're both , and you're not sitting up there on your stand or your throne with your minions around you . You're in there sitting with them , because you are them and we are each other . So it comes to an intention and I create a theme around that .
Speaker 2And then there's a rhythm and a flow of circle and I like to drop people into the space energetically . So I'll do an opening and you know I'm opening up the directions , I'm calling in the angels , I'm where you know , all doing a grounding meditation , so I'm really setting the space in that way and again , it's not again . And then it's about establishing a connection , so creating something that helps the women feel relaxed , feel like they can exhale , particularly for those who are new to circle . And so we have things like paired shares . So , especially for those of us and I was terrified to speak in circle initially and everyone has to speak when they come to my circle , and I know that that's like a I don't even want to say has to speak , but everyone's given space to speak is a better way of putting it . Um ,
Creating Ripples of Transformation
Speaker 2and so , yeah , there's a . I like to start with a paired chair , and so I create a question that you know it's an opening question and and women sit and connect . So it's about having women feel safe , connected , grounded .
Speaker 2Then I will branch into the theme what are we here for ? What are we here to explore ? So , for example , on the weekend , the theme was the mirror and the map , and so really looking at ourselves and understanding who am I in this moment and is this the woman I want to be ? Is this the truth of me and who is who is the truth of me , and how do I find my way back to her when I forget or if I've forgotten ? And so you can create different activities , because I think as well , circle is not a workshop , right ? It's not someone that's sitting there teaching you stuff . It's an embodied experience . And so I don't want to sit there and give everyone the answers , because actually that's not my job , because everyone who comes to circle my view is and really I try and extend this to my greater life everyone has their own answers , and how do you create a space where they can find that for themselves ? Way more powerful than if I sit there and tell you and I might not know all the answers . I mean , I'm pretty good , but also I am humble enough to know . Actually I don't have all the answers . However , I can create a space for you to find them . So we'll have , yeah , maybe um movement . We always have some movement actually . Um , you know , we can do things like um .
Speaker 2I remember one beautiful circle . I had pots of soil for everyone and we had um seeds and know this , the theme was all around like what are the seeds that we're planting ? What's the intent ? You know , who do we want to be , or how do we want this to happen ? And and so really creating the question and and having a group share as well .
Speaker 2So then the women each woman goes around , or we go around the circle and each woman has the opportunity to speak , and there's something so incredibly magical about witnessing women speak without interruption , without someone telling them they're wrong or how to do it , or how to fix themselves , or agreeing with us , like all the things that we usually do for one another in social situations .
Speaker 2I find like , especially as women , like we're so beautiful and loving and nurturing , but we do want to kind of dive in and make sure someone feels okay , you know , but when you're in circle and you're watching a woman unravel , and I don't want everyone to think that every time you go to circle you unravel and you have this massive , you know , break down . Yeah , yeah , exactly . You're not breaking down all the time , however . You are having breakthroughs . Breaking down all the time , however , you are having breakthroughs , and so you know there was . I've had women say I haven't cried in 18 months and that's the first time I've cried and that felt so good because she was allowed to and no one tried to make her feel better about it .
Speaker 2Everyone was just like this is okay , your tears are welcome . And then , in the same circle , another woman you know laughing and sharing about how she's in the best season of her life , like I love that . There's an opportunity for every woman to be unique . But what happens when you bring all those unique people together is there's this beautiful circle magic that happens . So there's the energetics of the fact that each circle is as a result of the women who came . You know the sum of the parts plus extra magic , because it's not just the women there , it's everyone's um angels and guides . It's the intention of the circle , it's it takes on um an energy of its own and as the leader and participant of that , I see my role role as just gently guiding . Just gently guiding , you know , opening doors and also really beautifully being able to not close the doors but close the energy at the end of the circle as well , guiding people back back into . It's always about guiding people back into their hearts and having them walk away feeling seen and heard , loved and accepted is just like the bee's knees best thing ever , because women walk away lighter . They're smiling , you know they're like hugging each other .
Speaker 2I had someone at Circle yesterday . I knew the numbers that were coming and so I had prepared that . But I just I had this sense . I thought it's going to be a last minute , lucy , like a better passion than an extra thing . I just know it .
Speaker 2Sure enough , as I'm driving to the space , I had a text message from a woman saying can I just meet you there and can I give you the money at the door . And I'm like there she is , anyway . So it was really sweet because she said I said I knew this was going to happen and I knew you know , I , I packed extra because I knew someone was coming . She went oh my God , would you believe it ? She said I dreamt about you last night as well and I woke up and I thought , oh , I just have to get there . So I love the magic that goes into the circle space as well . And , um , I feel like I could talk about circle forever . I'm not sure if I answered your specific questions or I touched on quite a few different pieces in there yeah , definitely , you gave us .
Speaker 1I was , I was , I was there . I was like I had to bring myself back with recording a podcast . I was there with you in the circle .
Speaker 2Oh , look , yeah , and I guess I would just love to say I feel like every human needs to be in circle , male or female . I run women's circles . I'm not opposed to running men's circles and also I'm a woman and I so , as I say that out loud , it's just a dynamic thing right it is , it's just a shift in the like .
Speaker 1We might understand men to a degree , but not the way that they understand men .
Speaker 2Yeah , it's a really good way of putting it , and it's the same for women . Yeah , and I think there's . You know , the masculine and feminine is within each of us , regardless of gender as well . You know , and I think that's a really beautiful thing to remember too , is I member too . Is um , I , even though my life's calling , I feel , is women's circles and initiating other women to lead circles , um , I'm surrounded by men three sons and my husband , and you know , like there's , I think , of one niece . Everyone else is male wow and I .
Speaker 2I love that too because , um , I have a really strong connection to the masculine and I love being the feminine expression for those masculine men around . Expand that part of themselves too . Yeah .
Speaker 1Okay , so you've mentioned that you want to teach other women how to hold space in circle . You've mentioned the need for us to remember ourselves . That's not the phrase that you used , but Remember the truth of who you are . Remember the truth of who we are . Why is that so important ? Wow , what a great question . Is it like a timing thing ? Like you know , there's lots of stuff going on in the world right now . What's yeah , is it ? Uh , I'm not gonna go any .
Speaker 2I'm not gonna say anything else I think they , I think that it all goes hand in hand . Um , so , if I there's this expression about the divine feminine is rising , my feel is she's already risen . She's like waking , waking everyone up , like she's already . She's already here . I've been saying that for years . Actually , she's not rising . She's risen , okay , come on .
Speaker 2And so I think that there are lots of us who feel that energy and feel that call . I know it's esoteric , but it is , it's a real calling . I think that circles are a really , really beautiful and , in my case , essential way to remember the truth of who we are . And I feel like not everyone , but a lot of us have that inner sense of wanting to know what is my purpose . And so , again , if your purpose is to remember the truth of who you are , and how do you do that ? Where do you find that ? Where do you remember that ? It's in circle . And so the more circles we have on the planet , I believe the world will be a better place . Circles we have on the planet , I believe the world will be a better place . So I see and know my role is to expand and multiply that by giving other women the grounding and the tools to find themselves , so then they can hold space and lead others as well . I think it's a really important role that we take on as a women's circle leader and therefore you're always needing to work on yourself and cultivate instead of work on cultivate yourself as well as a woman , as a human , as a leader .
Speaker 2And so I don't pay attention too much to the drama of the world . If I'm honest , I don't watch the news . Sometimes I'll check in with it and I don't think that's then making me naive or uninformed , because inevitably I hear big news . However , I don't want to be immersed in the lower vibrational energy and I don't say that to spiritually bypass either . You know , like I'm real , I'm grounded and I think that's important , and also I very much believe that we create a reality , we create what we want to experience , and I'm mindful and I create boundaries , loving boundaries , to curate the experience I want to have , and I think that's a really important thing to do to have that sense of joy , that sense of connection , that sense of belonging , that sense of happiness , that sense of for me at least , I like to have meaning . Even when the meaning is , there is no meaning , I like to have meaning .
Speaker 2Even when the meaning is there is no meaning . I love going into philosophical tangents all around that and also when it comes down to it , that feeling I get of sitting in circle and feeling like I'm at home is the best feeling in the world circle , and feeling like I'm at home is the best feeling in the world .
Speaker 2It's just , it's my version of bliss . And so how can I create that in my wider world and my experience , you know , in my family , in my everyday life , and how can I be that person all the time ? Because she rocks , she's amazing and I love her and I love being her and I love that expression of me , because that is the truth of who I am . And why wouldn't you want to feel like that ?
Speaker 1Love it .
Speaker 2Yeah , does that answer that ?
Speaker 1question yeah , I think , so I can't remember what the question was . Me neither oh no , no , I think , yeah , it was beautiful , it was lovely , oh , um yeah , no , why do we ? Why do we need to ?
Speaker 2find ourselves yeah .
Speaker 1Yeah , there were so many different things that I could have added to that . Uh , you know , there are a lot of guests that I've spoken to um in recent times who've talked about , you know , the need to for a change . We can feel shifts happening in the world , um , and the the need for those small interconnected groups is really important , and there might be people that do focus on the news and the fear of what's going on in the world , but when there are people like you who are bringing those small groups back together , there's a flow on effect . There's a flow on effect of the energy that gets carried out there . And also , I feel like when people like you are doing this work , you're creating spaces so that if the world goes completely to shit or when they got somewhere to go yeah , because they're gonna , because what we need is each other .
Speaker 2Yes , yeah , most definitely , and I , you know , I think , um , yeah , because what we need is each other . Yes , yeah , most definitely . And you know , I think , certainly , one group of ten women will actually affect a hundred lives because of the ripple effect that we each have . You know , because of the ripple effect that we each have . You know , and I know as well . So , before COVID , I was doing in-person and online circles and then , with COVID , everything went online , which was necessary . However , you sit Apparently at the time , it was necessary , so that all happened . And , yeah , I think what that showed us is how deeply impactful in person and those smaller groups and deep , real , authentic connection is so vital for us as humans . And that's not to say that I don't also love and value online circles , because I 100% do . I've got friends all over the world because I've connected with women all over the world through online circles , you know , and I feel like , oh , I could go there and I'll meet up with her . I'll go there , you know , you feel like you've got friends all over the world , which you do , and again , it's that ripple effect that one circle of women can change the world , you know . So I love that . You shared that and I do also agree . It's important .
Speaker 2I think the way in which we're leading ourselves through life is also different too , which is a beautiful thing . It's a beautiful thing , and the more that we well , I heard something the other day on a podcast which I really , really resonated with me just around leadership , and we're moving less from a position of people being leaders and providing solutions and more to leaders living their lives and showing us how they're doing it . You know , the role modelling and again , maybe why I love being a 6'2 and being 50 . At this time , I feel like I'm just hitting my sweet spot , you know . And , that being said , who knows what the future holds ? And I think that that's something to embrace , like , how do we be really mindful of what's in our present moment ? Because our present moment , and the words we speak and the thoughts and emotions and everything right now , creates the next moment , and the next moment and the next moment , yeah yeah .
Speaker 2So it's pretty amazing , love it .
Speaker 1Thank you so much . We could keep going , but Another time . Another time , part two . Thank you so much for joining us . I've loved everything about it . It's been fab . Thank you so much .
Speaker 2Thank you so much for inviting me to be on the podcast . It's been an absolute pleasure . Oh , received . Thanks , Nadine Mwah absolute pleasure .
Speaker 1Oh , thanks . Before you go , can I ask you a small favor ? If you've enjoyed this show or any of
Episode Closing and Support Request
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