The Healing Power of Safe, Platonic Touch | Keeley Shoup

What if one of the most overlooked tools for improving mental health, emotional regulation, and human connection is something we've been conditioned to avoid? In this episode of The Practice Pulse, host Nancy Margrit sits down with Keeley Shoup, CEO and co-owner of Cuddlist, to explore the science, ethics, and healing power of safe, platonic touch. Drawing from more than a decade of experience as a professional cuddle therapist, Keeley explains how therapeutic touch can help regulate the nervous system, reduce loneliness, build healthier boundaries, and create meaningful human connection. Together, Nancy and Keeley discuss why touch deprivation has become more common in today's digital world, how consent and communication are central to this work, and why platonic touch deserves a place in the broader conversation about health and wellness. Whether you're a healthcare professional, therapist, coach, wellness practitioner, or simply curious about the growing field of somatic care, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on emotional well-being and connection. In this episode: Keeley's journey from volunteering in hospice care to leading Cuddlist What professional cuddle therapy actually is—and what it isn't Why safe, platonic touch plays an important role in nervous system regulation How loneliness, isolation, and touch deprivation affect overall health The science behind oxytocin, co-regulation, and human connection Why boundaries and consent are foundational to therapeutic touch Common misconceptions about cuddle therapy and somatic care How sessions are customized to each client's needs and comfort level Supporting neurodivergent clients through personalized sensory experiences Why collaboration with therapists and healthcare professionals leads to better outcomes Lessons from building a business in a completely new industry Where Keeley sees the future of somatic care and mental wellness Key Takeaway: Healing isn't always about doing more. Sometimes it's about creating a safe space where people can slow down, regulate their nervous system, build healthy connections, and experience the kind of human support that many are missing in today's increasingly digital world. Connect with Keeley Shoup: Website: ⁠https://keeleyshoup.com⁠ Cuddlist:⁠ https://cuddlist.com⁠ YouTube, Instagram & TikTok: @yourcuddletherapist We'll also include all of Keeley's links in the show notes so you can learn more about her work and the Cuddlist community. About Cuddlist Cuddlist is a professional training organization and directory that connects clients with certified cuddle therapists who provide safe, ethical, platonic touch through a framework built on consent, boundaries, communication, and somatic care. Ready to build smarter systems in your healthcare or wellness business? At OptimaPro AI, we help healthcare and wellness organizations streamline operations, implement practical AI systems, and scale sustainably—without losing the human connection that creates exceptional client experiences. Book a strategy call: ⁠https://calendly.com/nancy-optimaproa... Subscribe to The Practice Pulse for conversations with healthcare innovators, wellness founders, practitioners, and entrepreneurs who are redefining health, human connection, longevity, and the future of care. #MentalHealth #SomaticHealing #NervousSystem #HumanConnection #CuddleTherapy #Wellness #TraumaInformed #EmotionalWellness #Loneliness #ThePracticePulse #KeeleyShoup #Cuddlist