Home to Her Picking Up the Drum with Sophie Messager
In this particularly rich conversation, I’m joined by Sophie Messager, author of the new book The Beat of Your Own Drum (Womancraft Publishing). A former reproductive physiologist with a PhD, Sophie traded her microscope for a medicine drum after experiencing the transformative power of an empowered birth. Her decade-long journey as a doula, birth educator, and author of Why Postnatal Recovery Matters deepened her exploration of the rhythms surrounding women’s transitions.
Now a holistic life transition mentor, Sophie guides women through significant life thresholds – from birth to perimenopause and beyond. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and spiritual insight allows her to serve as a compassionate space holder for those seeking to harmonise their analytical and intuitive selves.
On this episode we explore:
- The complex and intersecting themes of sacred feminine wisdom
- The journey of reclaiming women's power, and the transformative role of drumming in spiritual practices
- Sophie’s personal experiences from her Catholic upbringing to her journey as a doula and holistic life transition mentor
- The historical context of women's roles in drumming and spirituality, and how reclaiming this practice can be an essential step for women in owning their voices and power in a patriarchal society.
Key Takeaways
- Sacred Feminine wisdom is applicable in all areas of life.
- Understanding women's power from a feminine lens is crucial, and women’s sacred stories can help us do this.
- Sophie fascinating journey from science to holistic practices, and how it demonstrates that we can hold space for both.
- Drumming can be a powerful tool for women's empowerment.
- While the history of women and drumming is often overlooked, it’s real – and your birthright to know about.
- While women often feel scared to drum due to ancestral trauma, trusting yourself is the key to spiritual growth and personal evolution.
- Creating your own drum can be a transformative experience – but you can also start with a storebought one. You don’t need lessons or a prescriptive path to start.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sacred Feminine Wisdom
03:05 Exploring the Journey of the Sacred Feminine
05:21 Sophie Messager's Spiritual Background
11:09 Reclaiming Spirituality Beyond Catholicism
19:52 The Role of Birth and Death in Feminine Wisdom
24:32 Embodying the Divine Feminine
27:26 Navigating the Journey to Menopause
28:24 Embracing Cycles and Rest
30:25 The Journey to the Drum
31:51 Drum Microdosing: A New Practice
37:28 Reclaiming the Drum: Women's History
42:42 The Power of Drumming in Birth
49:40 Empowerment Through Intuition and Expression
✨ Explore. Connect. Come Home to Her. ✨
If you’d like to know whose ancestral lands you currently reside on, you can look up your address here: native-land.ca.
If this podcast or my book Home to Her: Walking the Transformative Path of the Sacred Feminine has inspired you, I’d love for you to leave a review—it helps others find this work and keeps these conversations flowing.
Stay connected with me and our growing community:
🌸 Follow along on Instagram @hometoher for reflections and details on upcoming episodes.
🌿 Join the Home to Her Facebook group to share stories, ask questions, and explore the Sacred Feminine in community.
Want to go deeper? Visit www.hometoher.com to:
· Download your free eBook 5 Ancient Secrets of Female Power
· Explore my award-winning on-demand course Home to Herstory, Home to Your Story
· Learn more about 1:1 coaching, small group programs, and upcoming events
💫 Ready to reconnect with your authentic feminine power?
Book your free 30-minute discovery call on my website and let’s explore what’s possible.
Mentioned in this episode:
Home to Herstory, Home to Your Story Online Course: Now on Sale!
How much of our collective herstory do you really know — and do you know why that matters so much to how you live your life today? If you’re curious, check out my self-paced online course, Home to Herstory, Home to Your Story. It’s a six-week journey into the Sacred Feminine — Her lost herstory, Her spiritual wisdom, and Her deep relevance for your modern life. Inside, you’ll find: • Fascinating stories, images, and evidence of the Sacred Feminine — much of which you’ve likely never encountered before • Guided meditations and movement practices • Journaling prompts and storytelling exercises • “Mind food” resources to inspire your ongoing exploration • And so much more Right now through the end of the year, you can save 10% with the code Podcast10. Visit www.hometoheracademy to learn more and register!
Unbound: A Daylong retreat for women
Come and join me in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains on January 10 for Unbound, a daylong retreat inviting women to step into the fullest expression of their power. Date: January 10, 2026 Location: Crozet, Virginia Early bird pricing is ending December 15!