In this powerful episode of The Healing Catalyst, Dr. Avanti Kumar Singh welcomes Andréa (Dre) Bendewald, to explain the profound impact of women's circles on healing and connection, drawn from her two decades of facilitating these communal story-sharing experiences. Dre shares how this ancient practice is making a modern-day comeback, and why it's more essential than ever.

The conversation explores the science behind communal experiences, such as the role of mirror neurons and the release of oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone,” which is released during emotionally safe, connected interactions. They describe how simply being in a circle can reduce stress and support emotional regulation, just through listening. Dre describes participating in her first women's circle as a "chemical shift," that ultimately inspired her to share the practice with others.

Dre also explains how Circling differs from therapy, the guidelines and structure that make a circle feel safe and sacred, and how this kind of presence can function as a powerful form of re-parenting, offering the emotional attunement and validation many of us missed growing up.

If you're curious about joining a circle, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing happens in community, and that listening itself can be medicine.

• (11:54) The difference between Circling and traditional therapy
• (12:20) How guidelines and structure create emotional safety in a circle
• (17:43) The neuroscience of mirror neurons, oxytocin, and the stress-reducing power of shared empathy
• (20:41) How Circling can serve as a form of re-parenting, helping us rewrite old emotional patterns
• (21:55) The importance of allowing women to receive support, not just give it
• (25:24) Why simply listening—without fixing—can be healing
• (30:20) The medicine of storytelling as a path to connection, validation, and transformation

This episode is your guide to understanding why presence, community, and shared storytelling are powerful tools for emotional healing—and how Circling offers a space to feel less alone and more connected to your true self.

About Andréa Bendewald:

Andréa Bendewald is the founder of The Art Of Circling, and host of the Circle This podcast. She spent the first half of her career as a professional actress appearing in numerous hit television shows and films such as Ellen, Seinfeld, Friends, Suddenly Susan, Two and a Half Men, Entourage, CSI Miami, Without a Trace, Good Luck Charlie, Employee of the Month, Last Man Standing, Brand New Cherry Flavor and The Morning Show.

Today, Dre facilitates The Art of Circling: A group mindfulness practice that uses ancient ritual in a modern setting to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and enhance group productivity. Through sharing stories, deep listening and interconnected meditation, The Art of Circling empowers, heals and has transformed the lives of countless women from all over the world via in-person circles, retreats, private sessions, workshops and virtual offerings.

Resources Mentioned:

• Circle of Stones: Woman's Journey to Herself by Judith Duerk
• Christopher Sexton (poet)
•  Sacred Sisters Collective
• Sacred...