In the final episode of 'The Developmental' podcast for 2023, I explore a topic that has so far received very little attention - the role of the body in adult development. My guests, Natalie Goni and Hayley Linthwaite, are both pioneer practitioners at the intersection of vertical development and somatic practices and they bring a wealth of wisdom on the value of embodiment as a vehicle for personal growth. We explore what embodiment is (and what its opposite - disembodiment - feels like), the importance of understanding and befriending our body, the impact of ignoring physical discomfort, and the link between embodiment and leadership. We discuss the delicate topic of introducing somatic practices into leadership development programs and the untapped value for leaders and businesses. Natalie and Hayley both offer us the gift of two very different practices - so I’m encouraging you to listen to this episode in a private space where you might be able to get up, move or sit down, relax and close your eyes. Show summary 01:01 Understanding Embodiment and Vertical Development 01:47 Introducing the Guests: Natalie Goni and Haley Linthwaite 05:52 Exploring the Journey to Embodiment 11:26 Understanding Disembodiment 16:41 Exploring the Concept of Embodiment 19:36 The Role of Embodiment in Vertical Development 33:10 Overcoming Resistance to Embodiment in Organizations 39:41 Rediscovering Joy Through Movement 40:15 The Challenge of Breaking Free from Conditioning 40:43 Exploring Dance and Movement in Different Contexts 41:47 The Healing Power of Movement 43:05 The Role of the Body in Leadership and Decision Making 44:25 The Impact of Physical State on Leadership 47:16 The Importance of Self-Regulation and Self-Awareness 50:48 The Connection Between Body and Mind in Decision Making 51:51 The Role of Intention in Leadership 55:43 The Role of Embodiment in Vertical Development 56:40 The Power of Embodiment in Leadership 59:42 Practical Exercises for Embodiment - Hayley and Natalie’s guided experiments 01:17:03 The Importance of Presence and Aliveness 01:20:22 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Useful Resources Hayley’s website: https://hayleylinthwaite.com Natalie’s website: https://nataliegoni.com Peter Levine (trauma therapy through somatic experiencing): https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/about-peter Bessel van der Kolk (neuroscience and trauma): https://www.besselvanderkolk.com 360 Emergence (transformation through movement): https://the360emergence.com Lindsay Braman (visual art, mental health, emotional regulation): https://lindsaybraman.com Guests’ Bios: Hayley Linthwaite For over 30 years, Hayley has made it her life’s work to ignite the sparks of transformative change all over the world. An experienced facilitator, coach, consultant, social entrepreneur and educator, she has empowered countless leaders and teams, facilitated multimillion-dollar organisational change programs, founded social enterprises, and cultivated a community of changemakers.  She bridges the latest explorations in systems change, adult development and neuroscience with the transformative power of the arts and embodiment to unlock profound shifts in individuals and systems. All of her work is propelled by her unwavering belief in our human capacity to ignite change and create abundant futures. She holds a PhD in Transformational Change (Applied Performance), a Master of Creative Industries in Drama Teaching, a Graduate Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama. Natalie Goni With over a decade of developing talent and leaders at one of the world’s largest financial institutions and as an Executive Coach and Group Facilitator for the past seven years, Natalie has not only always worked in the field of growth and people development, but she is also an avid and continued explorer of her own development journey through the lenses of adult development, embodiment and our emotions. Based in Hong Kong, Natalie is grateful to work