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Authors' Allies Podcast Ep 6 It's Never Too Late to Flourish

Writer: Rebecca Hallbach PaciorekRebecca Hallbach Paciorek
Feb 122 min read



Authors Allies Podcast text with photo of the host and guest

Welcome to this episode of Authors’ Allies. In today's show, host Rebecca Paciorek sits down with the remarkable Laurel Hurst, who transitioned from ethnomusicologist to psychiatric nurse practitioner to bring the power of groove-based drumming to address the mental health crisis.

Laurel recently added "author" to her impressive resume with her new book Groove Therapy. The book beautifully combines workbook, memoir, and instructional elements, even incorporating QR codes linking to videos of the drumming practices. Laurel discusses how she discovered the connection between mental health and physical movement through drumming after a serious car accident left her in chronic pain.


She explained that Groove Therapy sessions involve drumming along with familiar pop and American songbook tunes to engage people who may not be from drumming cultures. The sessions incorporate affirmations and primitive reflex integration techniques to provide mental health benefits. Laurel vulnerably shares her health struggles and strong Christian faith as motivations for her important work.


Join us for this fascinating discussion about the healing power of rhythm, why it's never too late to flourish, and how Laurel hopes to expand groove therapy's reach through future books and facilitator training. That and much more, coming up now on Authors Allies.


Key Topics:

  1. Introduction & Laurel's Background

  2. What is an Ethnomusicologist?

  3. Laurel's Experience with Drumming and Health

  4. Groove Therapy Origins & Laurel's Book Writing Process

  5. What Makes Groove Therapy Unique

  6. Future Plans

Key Takeaways

  • It's never too late to flourish and fundamentally heal your health

  • Laurel put multiple chronic conditions into remission through this work

  • Groove Therapy is fun, like dancing, while helping mind and body


Where You Can Find Laurel Hurst 

Book: Groove Therapy is available on Amazon in print and ebook. 

Programs: Laurel’s program information is available on her website. 

Try a Groove Session: on Laurel’s Facebook group. 

Podcast: The Brain Health Hookup is on all the main channels including Spotify.

Follow Laurel on social media and try a Groove Session HERE.


Other Links & Resources

Authors’ Allies RoundTable can be found on our website. 

Ebook: Did you download your copy of 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan ebook yet? You can get that ⁠HERE.⁠

⁠Follow us on the⁠ social media platform of your choice for more tips and tricks. 


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I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you. 


Watch this episode on YouTube now.




 
 
 

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