In this powerful and deeply intimate episode of The Art of We, Krista sits down with visionary movement educator Melissa Michaels to explore the intersection of sexuality, embodiment, and healing—through the lens of Melissa’s late-stage ovarian cancer journey. What unfolds is a story of profound transformation, where trauma, loss, and surgery become portals into deeper intimacy, love, physical pleasure and devotion to life force.

“The Art Of We” podcast with Krista Van Derveer and guest Melissa Michaels

00:00 — Intro

00:55 — Melissa’s cancer diagnosis story and background

06:15 — The ritual of preparing for surgery & calling in community

09:46 — The post-surgery declaration

12:19 — Intimacy, partnership, and scarred bodies

15:34 — How Melissa worked with pain and chemo

23:12 — Building intimacy with others & the sacredness of presence

25:36 — Chemotherapy: grief, gratitude, and identity shifts

28:21 — Reclaiming sexuality and orgasm after cancer

33:04 — The long road back to intimacy and physical connection

36:36 — Balancing solitude and partnership with devotion to aliveness

40:58 — Melissa’s guidance for returning home to your body

46:19 — What this journey taught her about love, humanity, and the path forward

50:22 — Where to learn more about Melissa's work & the short film Twisted Gift

Reach out with your thoughts, experiences, and topics you want to hear about. We love hearing from you!

Resources Mentioned:

• Our Top 10 Relationship Agreements
• Golden Bridge
• Golden Girls Global

Get in Touch:

• The Art Of We Website
• The Art of We Instagram
• Integrative Psychiatry Institute: Psychedelic Therapy Training
• 
  

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform.

If you’re a woman who feels like you’re performing, over-managing others’ comfort, or doubting your leadership instincts—this episode is for you. Krista and her colleague Barbs Edwards, introduce The Circle: a transformational women’s group experience based on T-Group methodology. Together they explore how this real-time relational practice helps women track their inner experience, speak with clarity and care, and break free from old patterns like people-pleasing, over-controlling, or self-doubt. You’ll hear personal stories, practical insights, and why collaborative, emotionally intelligent leadership is more needed now than ever.

(00:00) – Why women don’t have impostor syndrome—they have undervalued leadership styles

(02:13) – Guest Barbs Edwards

(05:21) – What is T-Group

(06:59) – Speaking only what’s true

(08:54) – Tracking yourself vs. managing others

(10:24) – Why this work helps women stop performing

(12:22) – Barbs’ personal story: finally shifting lifelong patterns

(17:05) – Krista’s journey through corporate gender bias and self-doubt

(21:37) – Real-time feedback: How others actually experience you

(34:07) – How The Circle accelerates growth

(36:17) – How to join a free Taster Circle (virtual or in-person)

Reach out with your thoughts, experiences, and topics you want to hear about. We love hearing from you!

Resources Mentioned:

• The Circle For Women
• Our Top 10 Relationship Agreements

Get in Touch:

• The Art Of We Website
• The Art of We Instagram
• Integrative Psychiatry Institute

Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts:

If you want to show your support for this show, please consider rating and reviewing The Art of We on Apple Podcasts. To do that, open the Apple Podcasts app and search for The Art of We. Scroll to the bottom of the package and rate with 5 stars. Let us know your favorite part of the show by clicking “Write a Review.” While you’re at it, follow the show so you can get the latest episode delivered to your phone weekly.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this honest and heartfelt episode of The Art of We, Krista and Will unpack the mindset shift that’s helping them meet uncertainty and stress with strength. Instead of reacting from “life is in the way,” they explore how choosing a “this is on the way” perspective changes everything, especially in partnership. From grief to bypassing to finding meaning, they share real tools and reflections for returning to a higher set point, together.

“The Art Of We” podcast with Krista Van Derveer and Dr. Will Van Derveer

(00:00) Intro and relational check-in: chaos, uncertainty, & weird coping rituals

(03:35) Life update for our listeners

(05:55) How to stay aligned during life intensity

(06:42) From “in the way” to “on the way”

(08:04) Suffering & the narratives we choose

(09:15) Complaining & bypassing

(11:28) Emotional honesty & recommitting

(13:37) Respecting real grief & hardship

(14:45) Viktor Frankl, responsibility, & reclaiming narrative power

(16:07) What matters most in partnership

Reach out with your thoughts, experiences, and topics you want to hear about. We love hearing from you!

Resources Mentioned:

● Our Top 10 Relationship Agreements

● Viktor Frankl Book

Get in Touch:

● The Art Of We Website

● TheArt of We Instagram

● Integrative Psychiatry Institute: Psychedelic Therapy Training

Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts:

If you want to show your support for this show, please consider rating and reviewing The Art of We on Apple Podcasts. To do that, open the Apple Podcasts app and search for The Art of We. Scroll to the bottom of the package and rate with 5 stars. Let us know your favorite part of the show by clicking “Write a Review.” While you’re at it, follow the show so you can get the latest episode delivered to your phone weekly.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform.