Judy: Donna, your upcoming workshop is called Why Am I Here? That's a question most of us have asked at some point. What does that question mean to you?

Donna:

I think it's one of the most natural questions we can ask.

At some point, most people look around at their life and wonder, "Is there more to this?" Maybe it's after a major loss, a health challenge, a career change, the kids leaving home, or simply a quiet feeling that something inside is shifting.

When I ask, "Why am I here?" I'm not talking only about a job or a role. I'm talking about something deeper. Why did my soul choose this lifetime? What am I here to learn? What am I here to experience? How am I meant to grow?

I don't believe we're here to simply get through life. I believe we're here to become more of who we truly are.

Judy: That's a much bigger question than finding a career or a purpose.

Donna:

It is.

Many of us were taught to focus on what we're supposed to do. But I think the Soul Journey invites us to ask who we're becoming.

When people look back on their lives, they often realize that some of their greatest growth came from experiences they never would have chosen. The challenges, the disappointments, the unexpected turns in the road—they all shaped them in important ways.

Sometimes the very thing we thought was holding us back was actually helping us become who we were meant to be.

Judy: Why do you think so many people struggle with this question?

Donna:

Because we're often looking for one big answer.

We think there should be a single purpose, a single path, or a moment when everything suddenly makes sense.

But what if purpose unfolds in seasons?

What if some chapters of life are about learning, while others are about healing, creating, serving, leading, or simply being present?

I think people put a lot of pressure on themselves to figure everything out. The truth is, the Soul Journey is not a race. It's an unfolding.

Judy: What will people explore during this workshop?

Donna:

We'll spend time reflecting on some beautiful questions.

Why am I drawn to certain experiences?

What lessons have shaped my life?

Are there patterns that keep showing up for me?

What gifts do I naturally bring into the world?

What might my soul be asking me to pay attention to right now?

Most importantly, we'll explore how all of those pieces fit together.

This isn't a workshop where I hand people answers. It's a space where they can begin discovering their own.

Judy: What do you hope people walk away with?

Donna:

I hope they leave with a little more understanding of themselves and a little more compassion for their journey.

So many people carry around the belief that they've made mistakes, taken wrong turns, or somehow fallen behind.

I don't see it that way.

I believe every experience has brought us to where we are today. Even the difficult chapters have value. Even the detours have wisdom.

My hope is that people leave seeing their lives through a different lens—not as a collection of random events, but as a journey that has meaning.

Judy: If someone is reading this and wondering if the workshop is for them, what would you say?

Donna:

If you've ever found yourself lying awake at night wondering:

"There has to be more than this."

"Why did that happen to me?"

"What am I meant to do next?"

"Why do I keep repeating the same patterns?"

"What's the deeper meaning behind all of this?"

Then you're probably already asking the questions we'll explore together.

You don't need to have a spiritual background. You don't need to have all the answers.

You just need to be willing to be curious.

Sometimes the simple act of asking, "Why am I here?" opens a door that has been waiting for us all along.

Several weeks ago, Gather Wellness Center hosted “Getting To Know Your Nervous System,” an experiential workshop led by somatic therapist Jess. Due to some unexpected disruptions behind the scenes at Gather, we were unfortunately unable to share this interview and reflections prior to the class as originally planned. After attending the workshop myself, however, it felt important to still share both the experience and Jess’s thoughtful insights.

At Gather, we often talk about self-care not as a luxury, but as a necessity. This workshop offered a meaningful reminder of how deeply connected our nervous systems are to the ways we experience stress, safety, overwhelm, connection, and healing in everyday life.

Below are a few personal reflections from my experience attending the workshop, followed by an interview with Jess about somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, and the inspiration behind this work.

Jess’s inspiration to offer this workshop was clearly obvious — her passion for sharing information in a way that helps people better understand and help themselves. Her style is warm and approachable, allowing everyone in the class to feel comfortable enough to ask questions and share experiences. I especially appreciated that there was no pressure to “perform” or do anything “right.” Jess emphasized several times that we are all unique, and what feels regulating and supportive for one person may look different for another.

The experience provided many ah-ha moments for me. I left with an expanded understanding of why self-care is not a luxury and a reminder that awareness itself can be healing.

One thing that especially resonated with me was the conversation around how modern life often pulls us away from connection — to ourselves, the earth, and each other. So many of us move through life overstimulated, rushed, and disconnected from what our bodies may be trying to tell us. This workshop felt like an invitation to slow down, listen differently, and reconnect with ourselves in a more compassionate way.

I’m looking forward to attending Jess’s next class, Grounding Skills for Nervous System Regulation, at Gather on June 6.

• What inspired you to offer this workshop?

I’ve had a lot of clients say, “How did I NOT know this already?” Many people learn about their nervous system in therapy, but for other people therapy can be too time intensive and expensive. I feel really passionate about making it more accessible for people. You can build a sort of owner’s manual for your own nervous system.

• Many people hear the phrase “nervous system” but don’t fully understand it. How would you describe it in simple terms?

Your nervous system is the part of you that scans for signals of safety and danger. It’s made up of your brain, spinal cord, nerves and cells throughout your body. We are all born with the hardware of a beautiful nervous system and it gets shaped and molded by the relationships we have. It operates mostly unconsciously, but we can learn to make it more conscious and reshape it to a certain degree.

• What are some signs that someone’s nervous system may be overwhelmed or dysregulated?

When we are in a state of connection our heart rate is slower, breath has more ease, eye contact is more accessible and our voices have more of a sing-song quality. When we are in a state of hyper-arousal, we believe we are in danger and our heart rate increases, the chest can feel tight, we may be more defensive in relationships, we’re either ready to run or fight. When we are in a state of hypo-arousal, we believe we are in life threat and we may feel cold, heavy, alone or in shame with a desire to hide or shut down in relationships. None of these states are bad! But, we can get stuck and it can impact our lives greatly. Nervous system work is about getting unstuck from old patterns and being more responsive to yourself and your environment.

• Why do you believe so many people are feeling untethered, anxious, or disconnected right now?

This is such an important question. Much of modern life is not designed to support a responsive nervous system. It’s stressful! So many of us feel overstimulated by information and demand to be productive. I believe that much of this is based in domination culture that has sought to separate us from our connection to the earth and each other. The stress of this gets passed down through our DNA to our children and through our parenting during those early years the nervous system is forming. Our bodies are part of the earth and the more we reconnect them, we start to move in a slower rhythm, have more access to do deeper work, and sometimes our needs and values change. So, I think nervous system work can be a little counter-cultural.

• What makes a body-centered approach different from simply “thinking through” stress?

The stories we live in follow the state of our nervous system. With a body-centered approach, we work to build consciousness of the state of our nervous system, our body sensations and our emotions. When we do so, the story we are telling ourself changes. I find that learning about the nervous system can help the thinking mind feel less threatened and maybe take up less of our awareness. So when we attend a yoga class or sound bath, we can really let our bodies find more safety and connection and we’ll enjoy it so much more.

• What can participants expect during the workshop?

We will join together in a circle. Each participant will be given a paper workbook to reference throughout the workshop. We’ll start with some easy gentle movement and share a little bit about our intentions for the morning. Everything offered is an invitation and participants are encouraged to tend to themselves however they need to. We will go over some neurobiology, explore states as animals, and practice tools that bring us back to safety and connection. Participants will walk away with a map of the nervous system, tools, and deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism behind how we feel the way we do.

• Is this workshop appropriate for someone completely new to somatic work?

Absolutely! This is a great place to start. You will be given a workbook that you can refer to long after the workshop. And hopefully some new experiences that change the way you experience your body.

• What do you hope people walk away feeling after the experience?

You make sense. I hope that participants feel held and validated in the ways we all try to protect ourselves. We’ve all had times when we act out of fear or anger or shame. When we are held compassionately, it frees us up to notice where our actions may not be in alignment with our values. So, I also hope people feel empowered with a map and tools to shift their nervous system state when they want to.

• What is one small thing people can begin doing immediately to support their nervous system?

My favorite thing to do is help people recognize how their nervous system already knows how to regulate itself. Notice how after a period of stress, we automatically have a big exhale or sigh — that’s a sign we may be coming back to rest and safety. Or when we feel alone, we look for a kind face. Our bodies know how to reconnect, often times we just need to get out of the way and allow ourself to receive it.

• Why does this work matter so deeply to you personally?

I know what it’s like to feel stuck in patterns and be very confused about what the body is trying to do. Sometimes it can even feel like our bodies are working against us. When we understand the nervous system, we realize it’s just trying to protect us. Then we can work with our body rather than against it. That compassionate approach has been transformative for me and I hope to share it with others.

I’m seeing more and more in my own life
that we just don’t have to have it all figured out.

Not all at once.
Not before we begin.
Not even before we take the next step.

There’s something that’s been quietly unfolding for me—
and maybe you’ve felt this too—
that the right people, the right opportunities,
even the right words
have a way of coming forward just when they’re needed.

Not always early.
Not always in the way we expect.

But in the moment where something in us is ready.

And the more I notice that,
the less I feel the need to push for answers ahead of time.

Because so much of what we’ve learned tells us
that we should know by now.
That we should have a plan.
That certainty is what makes something “right.”

But I’m starting to see that it doesn’t really work that way.

It unfolds.

Quietly.
Gradually.
One step at a time.

And that next step…
it doesn’t have to be loud.
It doesn’t have to be shared.
It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else.

Sometimes it looks like action—
reaching out, saying yes, moving forward in some visible way.

But just as often, it’s something internal.

A shift in how we see something.
A moment of honesty with ourselves.
A quiet decision that we haven’t said out loud yet.

Sometimes the most meaningful step
is simply an internal commitment—
a gentle but clear knowing of what feels true.

I’m also noticing how easy it is to fall back into looking outside of ourselves.

To ask.
To compare.
To wait for someone else to confirm what we already feel.

And while support can be helpful,
it can also pull us away from trusting that quieter voice within.

The one that doesn’t shout.
The one that doesn’t rush.

The one that simply knows.

And maybe that’s what this step is really about.

Not figuring everything out…
but learning to trust that we already have access
to what comes next.

Trust that we know.
Trust that what feels true matters.
Trust that even a quiet step is still a step.

And trust that we don’t have to see the whole path
for the next piece to meet us.

Because it does.

For someone who has never experienced an evening with spirit—what actually happens?
An evening with spirit is much more gentle and natural than most people expect. It feels grounded, warm, and often deeply comforting.

During the evening, I connect with loved ones on the other side, spirit guides, and even animals. The connections come through in a very real and human way—bringing through personality, emotion, and meaningful details that help people recognize who is present.

I am a conscious channel, which means I’m fully present the entire time—talking, interacting, and engaging with people as things come through. It feels more like a shared experience than a performance—very connected, open, and supportive.

What makes your approach to mediumship different from others?
What people notice right away is how natural and connected it feels. I’m a conscious channel, so I’m fully present and engaged as the messages come through—it’s not something I “go into,” but something I allow while staying grounded.

Because of that, it feels more like a conversation than a performance. People can respond, recognize who’s coming through, and be part of the experience.

I don’t approach this work from a place of proving anything. It’s about connection, meaning, and creating a space where people feel comfortable and supported.

Do people have to believe in spirit communication to attend?
Not at all. People come with all different perspectives—some open, some simply curious.

There’s nothing you need to do or believe ahead of time. You can just come, be present, and have your own experience.

This isn’t about convincing anyone of anything. It’s about allowing something meaningful to unfold in a way that feels real to you.

What kind of messages tend to come through during an evening like this?
The messages are often much more personal than people expect. They reflect the person receiving them and what’s happening in their life right now.

Loved ones come through with personality, memories, and details that create a clear sense of recognition. There’s often reassurance as well—a reminder that the connection hasn’t been lost.

What people feel most is the energy behind it—a sense of care, connection, and often a kind of peace they didn’t realize they needed.

What is the room actually like during one of these evenings?
There’s a calm, connected feeling that builds as the evening unfolds.

There are moments of quiet, and yes—sometimes a few tears as people reconnect with someone they love. But it’s not heavy. There are also a lot of smiles and laughter.

Loved ones often come through with their personality intact, which brings a lightness people don’t expect.

I try to help people understand that all souls leave the earth as a natural part of the soul’s journey. When we begin to see it that way, something softens—and the experience becomes more about connection continuing in a different way.

The soul journey—that’s not a phrase we hear about too often. Can you expand on that a little?
When I speak about the soul journey, I’m talking about something much bigger than this one lifetime.

The soul is continuous—it’s always learning and evolving. This life is just one part of that.

When someone leaves the body, it isn’t an ending—it’s a transition. The connection doesn’t disappear; it simply changes form.

Understanding that can gently shift how we hold loss. It doesn’t take away missing someone, but it can bring a sense of peace in knowing their journey continues—and that connection is still very real.

From Judy:
Donna will be offering a class on The Soul Journey on June 20 from 1–3 PM. It’s a conversation we don’t often hear, but one that gently shifts how we understand life, loss, and connection. More details to come.

Can people continue to notice signs or connection after the event?
Yes, very much so.

For many people, the evening opens something—it brings awareness to a connection that may have already been there.

Afterward, people often begin to notice things differently. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes more obvious—but it feels meaningful.

It’s not that something new starts happening—it’s that people become more aware of it.

I always encourage people to stay open and not force anything. Connection tends to show up naturally when we’re not trying to control it.

From Judy:
Thank you, Donna. This feels like one of those conversations that gently opens something—without needing to push or explain too much.

If you’ve been curious, or even just quietly wondering what something like this might feel like, you’re welcome to come and experience it for yourself. We’ll be here, holding the space.