Women of Steel with Miriam Grace

Ruth Elizabeth Jones is a ceramic artist based in Scotland and her creative practice centres on the vessel form. She builds clay vessels using coil-building techniques dating back to matriarchal Neolithic pottery cultures, and her work makes ongoing reference to the female ceramic record.She is currently developing large sculptural vessels, which balance inner volume and outer form, and look to achieve the stillness of a quiet holding or containing space.Her approach to clay focuses on its materiality; she explores its possibilities and resistances. Her intention is that the meditative focus of making, the union of energy and calm, is somehow retained in the work.Her vessels are smoke-fired with sustainably sourced wood shavings, and as a result they acquire rich and varied surfaces, suggestive of light and dark.Ruth’s affinity with clay has been lifelong. After studying in the Midlands in the 1980s, she established studios firstly in Derby and then in rural Southwest Scotland where she continues to live and work.You can follow Ruth on:Website: ruthelizabethjones.comFacebook: @ruthelizabethjonesceramicsInstagram: @ruth_elizabeth_jonesSign Up for Ruth’s newsletter to hear about upcoming exhibitions and events.Upcoming EventsHag. Knowledge, Power & Alchemy Through Craft March - June 2025York Ceramics Fair March 2025Potfest by the Lake, Compton VerneyJune 2025Potfest in the Park, Hutton-in-the-Forest July 2025Other informationThe Great Pottery ThrowdownMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Germaine Hypher is an award winning poet, a mother, a writer and craftivist.Germaine has been chronically ill for decades, and is largely bed-bound.During a childhood, where she was often too unwell to attend school, Germaine has been reliant on carers over many decades, Germaine has been able to return to a sense of meaning and purpose through her poetry, writing and crafting.Her new book CRAFTING A PATH THROUGH ILLNESS is available:- now for preorder in the UK from: Amazon and Waterstones- from all good booksellers from: April 17th 2025.Published by: Hammersmith PressYou can follow Germaine on:Website: www.germainehypher.weebly.comFacebook: Crafting A Path Through IllnessInstagram: @craftingapaththroughillnessBluesky: germainehypherMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Part two of Miriam's talk with Alexander teacher and creator of Body Intelligence, Imogen Ragone. They talk about the inevitable stresses of caring for a parent with dementia and learn how Imogen was able to apply her learning to help her through devastating and incremental loss.Imogen helps women who are stressed, anxious, maybe even dealing with trauma, to better support their nervous system so they feel calmer and more at ease in themselves, and so they have a sense of more agency and feel more empowered in their lives.Imogen calls her work, “BodyIntelligence,” and it is based on the principles of the Alexander Technique, an evidence-based mind-body approach to using our whole selves – body and mind - consciously, efficiently, with freedom, ease and poise. She has over 18 years’ experience teaching this transformational work, and has developed her own unique approach focusing especially on an embodied mindfulness and self-care. In recent years her work has increasingly focused on supporting women, especially those in caregiving roles with friends or family members, and dealing with chronic stress and trauma.Imogen gives her clients concepts, tools, and mindful practices they can use immediately. These days she mostly works with small groups and much of this is done online via Zoom, though she does maintain a small private practice too.Imogen's website: https://imogenragone.comOn Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CalmConfidentControlhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/bodyintelligencecommunityOn LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/imogenragoneFoundations of Regulation Course for women dealing with chronic stress or trauma:https://imogenragone.com/foundations-of-regulationMonthly Half-Hour Guided Constructive Rest Sessions: https://imogenragone.com/constructive-rest-for-stress-reliefMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Karen Shimwell and Miriam Grace have both worked therapeutically in mental health for decades. In this episode Karen explains how her identity as a witch is in alignment with the post menopausal experience, aging, therapy, healing, death, and the every day magic of women especially those who hold space for others. Karen also describes the significance and personal experience of Well Dressing. a unique tradition practiced in Derbyshire villages around Sheffield. Karen currently manages projects to help individuals recover from addiction in community settings in and around Sheffield, the City of Steel, UK.Hera & Her Wayward DaughtersFacebook: facebook.com/groups/1035387933488436 “If you’re tired of endless images of women that don’t reflect your experience of ageing and you’re a woman that’s interested in an unflinching look at what ageing women might look like and how they’re represented in art, then this group is for you. There will be nudity and occasional strong language. Opinions may differ. Some people are waspish or stroppy. Enjoy.”More information about Well Dressing:youlgravewelldressers.co.uk/2025.htmlwelldressing.com/extra.phpMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Miriam speaks to Lotte Mikkelsen, Laughter Coach and therapist. Lotte explains how laughter is not just her own therapy but is also her profession and how she helps people find the physical and emotional benefits of laughter practiced in Laughter Yoga sessions. In discussions of mood management and the difficulties in the winter season for some, Miriam and Lotte share some laugher and thoughts about emotional release. It might be hard to believe that even pretend laughter can improve mood, but if you feel better after listening, then do email Women of Steel or leave a review. All the links are below.Book List chosen by LotteRise and Shine by Kate and Toby Oliver – the book I would have written if they had not done it firstThe Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – a great book for opening your mind to what is possibleStumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert – a bit of science and great thoughtsLottie Mikkelsen Laughter Ambassador and THE Laughter Yoga Master Trainer (UK)Laughter Coach & Therapist, Gibberish Advisor & Trainer, MISMAPhone: +44 (0) 7736341717Email: lotte@unitedmind.co.ukWebsite: www.unitedmind.co.ukFacebook: facebook.com/unitedmind.through.laughterInstagram: instagram.com/unitedmindlaughteryogaTiktok: tiktok.com/@laughteryogaMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Author Suzette Mullen talks to Miriam about her book, 'The Only Way Through is Out' and the importance and significance of women’s stories and writings. They discuss the process of coming out, the books that have helped them empathise with others, favourite authors and the life saving nature of community and connection.Suzette Mullen is a certified book coach, speaker, and the author of the coming-out and coming-of-age memoir The Only Way Through Is Out (University of Wisconsin Press, 2024), named one of February’s “most anticipated” releases by Lambda Literary. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, today.com, and Brevity, among other outlets. As a book coach, Suzette guides memoir and nonfiction writers to find their deeper stories and define their big ideas, and she particularly enjoys supporting LGBTQ+ writers. A graduate of Harvard Law School and Wellesley College, Suzette made a big leap personally and professionally at midlife and is working on her next memoir, appropriately titled After the Leap.Books and authors mentioned in the show are: Elizabeth Strout (an example is Lucy by the Sea); Butch Hijab Blues A Memoir by Lamya H; Milkman by Anna Burns; The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christie Lefteri and The Only Way Through Is Out by Suzette Mullen.Suzette Mullen:Instagram: @urstoryfinderWebsite: https://www.yourstoryfinder.comWork with Suzette: https://www.yourstoryfinder.com/workwithsuzetteBooks: https://www.yourstoryfinder.com/booksMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk