Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience.

Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered people. Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that's me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

In this episode I have a colorful conversation with DJ Elley Phunk about her work as a Therapeutic Mentor, being a mixed-race transracial adoptee with Zambian roots, dysregulation, early memories of being forced to read-out the 'N word', and her early introduction to Black Music and resistance. Wait!t She raps too!

DJ Elley Phunk Bio

DJ Elley Phunk has 28 Years of experience behind the turntables. She's been involved in the dance scene since the early 90's. Elley, originally a vinyl DJ, started mixing in 1995. She swiftly became a well-known house and Breakbeat DJ around the Southwest. Elley quickly picked up a tight and original style as she cuts with confidence. Elley went on to join an all women hip-hop collective named Dutty Girl, which is Bristol, based, playing old-school Hip-hop, getting the chance to support DJ Jazzy Jeff.

She runs DJ workshops supporting hard-to-reach youth and students, and works as a Therapeutic Mentor/ Student Support Worker. Her most recent achievement involved her writing an MA dissertation on the benefits of DJing on mental health, community, and self-empowerment. Her style is original and ranges through many inspirational genres that are fundamentally MOBO (Music of Black Origin)

DJ Elley Phunk also plays festivals, including: Boomtown, Glastonbury Festival.She has a residency at The Plough Inn, Easton, Bristol

Show references:

(The song mentioned at the top of the show) Burning Spear / Columbus https://youtu.be/7qXHU6wla8A?si=jTMErRbCR53NkKaE

The Boy Who was Raised As a Dog - Bruce Perry https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Who-Raised-Psychiatrists-Notebook-What/dp/0465094457

Elley's contact details:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/djelleyphunk/

Website: https://djelleyphunk.wordpress.com/

You can also check out Elley Phunk's latest sounds on Mixcloud

https://www.mixcloud.com/elleyphunk/

Dionne Draper's info:

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/soullife05/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/dionne.draper.79/

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

TRIGGER WARNING: Self Harm is discussed in this episode.

Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience.

Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered people. Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that's me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with Music Pyschotherapist Alexis Wreathall about his work. We talk about the primary trauma of separation from the mother, to music therapists's practices to create a safe environment through routine, and predictable behaviours for clients. To facing anxiety and identity crisis head-on, seeing it as a cross cultural issue not simply a transracial adoptee or looked-after children experience, but also something many people suffer. It is hoped that this episode is one that everyone can relate to, providing knowledge and interest in the benefits of music therapy.

Alexis Wreathall Bio

Alexis Wreathall is a music psychotherapist who qualified in 2018 from the University of the West of England, and he practices in Bristol, Avon, Gloucester and North Somerset. Alexis has worked in a variety of different settings with different people, and his most recent clinical experience has been with young people who are within the adoption process, or who are looked after.

Contact details:

Email: alexiswreathall@gmail.com or info@naos.org.uk

Advice - signposting British Association of Music Therapists - https://www.bamt.org/

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

DAWTA The Podcast Season 2 Episode 2 - Pat Tru Fitness 'When Women Lift'

Main Intro

Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience.

Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered adults. So, Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that's me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Pat Tru Fitness Bio

Pat Tru Fitness is a personal trainer and coach resident in Bristol, UK where she hosts women's weightlifting small groups, and one to one coaching in person and online. In this episode we talk about women, strength, confidence in the gym, the weights area and making sure we take up our space. We talk about how Pat got into fitness, my fitness journey, lashes, nails and much more.

References:

• British Menopause Society, Paper - Menopause in Ethnic Minority Women 2023 Distinctive characteristics of the major UK ethnic minority groups Women of Afro-Caribbean origin

• The mean age of natural menopause is 49.6 years.

• Women experience a longer duration of menopause transition.

• These women have the highest prevalence and longest duration of vasomotor symptoms, and they are also more severe.

• They are more likely to experience shorter sleep duration, more frequent awakenings and less efficient sleep.

• Weight gain and mental health issues may be prominent.

• They display a smaller decline in sexual function and report a greater importance of sex

• Social prescribing - https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/

• Grounding - 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts, 2024 https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques#mental-techniques

Pat info:

• Pat Tru Fitness Socials https://www.instagram.com/pattrufitness/?hl=en

• Pat Tru Fitness website https://www.trufitnessbristol.co.uk/

• Email: patvan11@yahoo.co.uk

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk/

funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience.

Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered adults. So, Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that's me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Liz Mytton Bio

Liz Mytton is many things including a dear friend of mine, a fellow CIC director of DAWTA, and a Black adoptive parent. In this episode I sit down and talk to Liz about how she's doing, what it's like being 50 and her wellbeing. Liz speaks bravely and generously about being an adoptive parent of her dual heritage son, her husband's whiteness (and tallness!) and their love for their son, storytelling for all, and the importance of play.

Theatre in Flow

https://theatreinflow.com/

Book: The Nap Ministry / Rest is resistance

https://www.bookhausbristol.com/product/rest-is-resistance/

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk/

funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

Dionne x

Hello

It's been a while but DAWTA The Podcast is back with Season 2, following a fantastic Season 1 with Lisa Marie-Simmons. Thanks Lisa. For Season 2 I will be riding solo, but certainly not alone.

So join me, Dionne Draper for more knowledge from the experts and lived expertise from the guests.

DAWTA The TRA Podcast - Telling Real Accounts.

Info: dionne@singwithsoul.com

www.dionnedraper.com

IG: soullife05

Part 2

Welcome to Episode 6 of DAWTA The Podcast LIVE!! ( Part 2) Whoop, whoop! This live episode was recorded on Tuesday 3rd October at the beautiful and atmospheric crypt of The Mount Without in Bristol. Shout out to Lottie, Tom and Mira.

Joined by my fabulous co-host Lisa Marie Simmons, (in the house!!) and the warmest and most insightful audience in Bristol, we dive into our enormous theme, 'Black Identity'. In Part 2 we invite DAWTA The Podcast therapists Lana Lynn Moreno, Celena Lewis and health practitioner Michael Earle to the DAWTA sofa, to delve further into the theme of Black Identity and give their 'Therapists View'.

Lynn Lana Moreno (Therapist) Journey to Wellness at www.bs2therapyrooms.co.uk

Celena Lewis (Therapist) Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org)

Michael Earle (Health Practitioner) website www.alwaystakeyourlunchbreak.com

Nilaari www.nilaari.co.uk Dedicated to providing mental health assistance, particularly to adults from Black, Asian, and Minoritized Communities. Based in Bristol, UK.

Michael Earle email:mikeearle66@icloud.com

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and this live episode was produced by Dionne Draper and Kate and Adam Daggett. Thanks to both you did a great job!

Please remember to SHARE, comment, and if you like please give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist.

Thank you - Arts Council England, Mount With Out and DAWTA The Podcast Live audience.

Welcome to Episode 6 of DAWTA The Podcast LIVE!! ( Part 1) Whoop, whoop. This live episode was recorded on Tuesday 3rd October at the beautiful and atmospheric crypt of #TheMountWithout in Bristol. Shout out to Lottie, Tom and Mira.

Joined by my fabulous co-host Lisa Marie Simmons, (in the house!!), the wonderful DAWTA guests and the warmest and most insightful audience in Bristol, we dive into our enormous theme, 'Black Identity'.

Research: 'Loving Blackness as Political Resistance', Bell Hooks

Love this! The VW Beastie boys started- it- all quest continued. Was it unequivocally Mike D then? Here's a clue…. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/beastie-boys-strange-crime-wave/

Guests bio / socials

Louise Ndibwirende (@louise_gw (IG and twitter)

Christelle Pelleceur (https://www.christellepellecuer.com/) ,

Retreats - https://www.christellepellecuer.com/retreat

Lisa Marie-Simmons 'Sparkler' , Notespeak 12 album link https://tr.ee/2CjFcPichl

Rob Lewtas - With thanks

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and this live episode was produced by Dionne Draper and Kate and Adam Daggett. Filming on the night by Phoebe Curry. DJ on the night DJ Mistri. Welcome by Michelle Betsy. Thanks all you did a great job!

and....Love this! The VW Beastie boys started it all (quest continued). Was it unequivocally Mike D then? Here's a clue…. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/beastie-boys-strange-crime-wave/

Please remember to SHARE, comment, and if you like please give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist.

Thank you - Arts Council England, Mount With Out and the fantastic DAWTA The Podcast Live audience!!

In this our episode our 'Therapist View' comes from Lana Lynn Mareno who has been working as a therapist since 1987. She is a National Counseling Society accredited counsellor and a registered member of the British Complementary Medicine Association

Lana Lynn opened Bristol's BS2 Therapy Rooms in 2019 where she practices a variety of one on one Talking Therapies including Transpersonal Development, Holistic Life Coaching, Integral Core Therapy and she also provides Group facilitation and workshops.

Articles/Books

- The Case Against Adoption: Research and Alternatives for Concerned Citizens: by Jessica DelBalzo

- ' The Primal Wound, In Search Of the Missing Piece', by Nancy Verrier, 2009

Follow the links to find out more about:

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Harvard Law blog: https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/05/10/institutional-racism-and-the-rights-of-black-fathers/

https://youtu.be/jPr8KOp2aMc Lisa and Isell a Story About Adoption and The ghost Kingdom

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Lynn Moreno at info@bs2therapyrooms.co.uk

Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job!