Why do some relationships thrive after conflict while others crumble? What if conflict wasn’t the problem in your relationships—but the key to deeper connection? In this powerful episode of the Almost Awakened Podcast, Bill Reel and Terresa Hobbs dive into the vital but often misunderstood cycle of rupture and repair. From parenting to romantic relationships to friendships and even spiritual community, we explore how moments of disconnection can either erode trust—or, when repaired with care, build unshakable emotional safety. You’ll learn why healthy relationships aren’t rupture-free, how our nervous systems respond during conflict, and what real repair looks like. We also share personal stories, practical tools, and science-backed insights to help you show up more authentically and courageously in every relationship. Whether you’re navigating challenges in a romantic partnership, friendship, or family bond, this conversation is for you.

00:00 – What Is Rupture & Repair? 06:00 – Attachment Theory: It’s Not About Perfection 10:30 – Secure Attachment Only Requires 30% Attunement 13:00 – Can Adults Shift Attachment Styles? (Earned Secure Attachment) 19:00 – Common Causes of Rupture 27:00 – The Role of the Nervous System in Rupture 39:00 – Taking Responsibility Without Shame 48:00 – Why Most People Avoid Repair (and What It Costs) 51:00 – Spiritual & Religious Ruptures in Family Systems 56:30 – Grieving the Relationship That Was 1:03:30 – Healthiest Way to Bring Up a Rupture 1:17:40 – Can Every Rupture Be Repaired? Not Always 1:19:30 – Real-Life Example: When Repair Fails 1:34:44 – Repair Checklist Recap 1:39:50 – Bill & Terresa Share a Repair Example: Laundry Soap & Grace 1:50:15 – Self-Rupture and Inner Repair 1:53:00 – Final Reflections: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Safe

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Contact Us: Bill Reel: [email protected] Teresa Hobbs: [email protected]

In this powerful episode, we explore the fascinating—and at times unsettling—truth that your body can carry pain, anxiety, and illness long after the danger is gone. Through bizarre medical stories and neuroscience-backed insights, we expose how the brain can misfire protective signals, trapping us in cycles of suffering with no clear physical cause. But we don’t stop at science. We take a hard look at how religious trauma—especially from high-demand systems like Mormonism—can sabotage the nervous system, teaching us to fear our own instincts and stay hypervigilant in the name of obedience. From chronic pain to panic attacks to unexplained sickness, we reveal how trauma—spiritual or otherwise—can become embedded in the body… and how healing is possible. If you’ve ever wondered why you still feel unsafe, even when you’re “out,” or why your symptoms don’t match your diagnosis—this is the episode that connects the dots.

In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Teresa Hobbs opens up about her personal journey through years of chronic illness, unexplained symptoms, and deep emotional and physical collapse — and what it took to slowly find her way back to life.

From early signs of nervous system dysregulation to being dismissed by doctors, chasing countless integrative and alternative healing paths, and finally hitting a wall that forced her to leave everything behind — this is the full story. For the first time, Teresa shares how trauma, stress, and disconnection from self, played a role in her decline, and how she began the slow, gentle work of re-regulating her nervous system and learning how to truly heal.

This episode is not about education or theory — it’s about lived experience. It’s raw, real, and deeply human.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is failing you, if you’re lost in your symptoms and afraid that things may never change, this story is for you.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Learn more or inquire about coaching with Teresa at:
      www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com

Support the Almost Awakened Podcast and help us create more conscious content!

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Contact Us:

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Teresa Hobbs: [email protected]

Why does the world feel so divided—and why is it so hard to stay curious when we disagree? In this episode of Almost Awakened, we unpack the hidden forces driving today’s polarization. From ancient survival wiring to cognitive biases to trauma-shaped perception, we explore how our brains are glitching in a modern world built to trigger fear and certainty. We also dive into how media algorithms hijack our nervous systems, and why outrage spreads faster than truth. Most importantly, we offer a path back: through regulation, curiosity, and reclaiming our humanity in a world pulling us apart. Take a breath… and let’s dig in.

What happens when the very thing that was supposed to save you ends up breaking you? In this deeply personal episode of Almost Awakened, Bill and Teresa dive into the hidden wounds left by high-demand religions and spiritual systems. From shame-laced teachings to fear-based obedience, they unpack the symptoms of religious trauma and explore what healing actually looks like.

With raw honesty and a touch of dark humor, they share their lived experiences—navigating everything from crushed intuition and performative worthiness to early marriages, spiritual gaslighting, and the long road back to self-trust. Whether you’ve deconstructed your faith or are just beginning to question it, this conversation offers language, validation, and hope.

Because healing doesn’t mean finding new beliefs to cling to. It means coming home to yourself.

Help support Bill Reel & Teresa Hobbs in creating Awakened Resources and Content

DONATE VIA DONORBOX! https://donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2

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You’ve heard the word ‘trauma’—but do you really know what it means? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we break down the truth about trauma: not just the dramatic events, but the subtle, often invisible wounds that live in our bodies, shape our behavior, and distort how we see the world.

We explore:
*What trauma actually is (hint: it’s not the event itself)?
*Why trauma is more common than most people think?
*The crucial difference between “Big T” and “little t” trauma!
*How unresolved trauma hides in perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, and chronic pain?
*The science of how trauma rewires the brain and nervous system!
*And most importantly—how we can heal, rewire, and grow from it!

Whether you’re on your own healing path, supporting someone else, or simply want to understand yourself and others better—this episode is for you.

You’re not broken. You’re responding exactly the way a nervous system responds to pain. And there’s a way forward.


Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share if this conversation resonates with you.

Ep. 184 | Almost Awakened In this episode we explore how nervous system dysregulation affects your health, relationships, emotions, and identity—and how understanding this system can radically change the way you live and heal. Welcome to the reboot of the Almost Awakened Podcast—where big awakenings meet real-life healing. Bill Reel is joined by his new co-host, trauma coach Teresa Hobbs, and they are kicking things off with a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood—and most powerful—keys to personal transformation: your nervous system. But this isn’t just about science and stress responses. We’re talking relationships, emotions, identity, illness, and the invisible ways trauma shapes our lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn: *What trauma actually is (hint: it’s not just what happened to you). *How your nervous system holds the key to healing and wholeness. *Why you might be stuck in fight, flight, freeze—or shutdown—and how to shift. *What co-regulation, Polyvagal Theory, and chronic symptoms have in common. *Simple, body-based tools to start rewiring your system today.

Whether you’re navigating religious deconstruction, chronic stress, or just want to feel more alive and at ease, this conversation is your launchpad.

Subscribe for weekly episodes on: Itunes, Google Play, Apple Music, Stitcher and FEATURED on YOUTUBE

Hosted by: Bill Reel, Almost Awakened Podcast Founder Teresa Hobbs, Trauma Recovery & Mind-Body Coach, Monarch Integrative Coaching Dive in: https://almostawakened.org

Britt Hartley returns to engage Bill on several questions that will create a fantastic awakened conversation and to reconnect on where being almost awakened has led them.

In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill shares his two month dive into relationship research. From John & Julie Gottman to Jordan Peterson

RESOURCES:
https://youtu.be/mS3bfCt0K88?si=qi-wdEVuZVHDJ0_p
https://youtu.be/E5swtIjpxxA?si=jpBWf28DfDMZbjtb
https://youtu.be/PQo8hFqfe9A?si=46f4K_7rRlvVfgXi
https://youtu.be/Qv70RMUFlu0?si=lqBYi7z256AW7ME9
https://youtu.be/Xvb-v83qJ8U?si=iPCFr8BISXxG2z9H
https://youtu.be/knVfc_B0W6E?si=CUvMcGhvT6lOSw6Z
https://youtu.be/gh5VhaicC6g?si=6FBHmmD0xl_k63vK
https://youtu.be/sa0RUmGTCYY?si=nmIOn9WnnN_wsZBp
https://youtu.be/-pdCDq_MTj4?si=OxeVnc8sNArOHj56
https://youtu.be/aS3oxcTk-9Q?si=Fdcp2GEN4UBKSn6s

Thanks so much for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment!

Visit our Channel to find everything Mormonism! https://www.youtube.com/c/MormonDiscussionsInc or @MormonDiscussion Our mission at Mormon Discussion is to be a beacon of support for those who are questioning the truth claims or renegotiating their relationship with faith.

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Join Bill Reel and Jon Streeter in a thought-provoking conversation that delves deep into the complexities of the Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate. In this YouTube video, these two articulate voices engage in a nuanced exploration that transcends the surface-level discourse often seen in mainstream media. At the heart of their discussion lies a fundamental clash between two philosophical frameworks: Modern Scientific Rational Empiricism and Postmodern Relativism, which includes Gender Theory. Bill and Jon carefully dissect the implications of these opposing paradigms on the understanding and acceptance of transgender identities. Throughout the video, they unpack the Philosophy surrounding gender theory to illuminate the experiences of transgender individuals. Simultaneously, they critically examine the role of postmodern theories in shaping societal attitudes towards gender, highlighting the importance of acknowledging diverse perspectives while upholding scientific rigor. Through their insightful analysis, Bill and Jon guide viewers towards a deeper understanding of the Gender Dysphoria & Transgender Debate as a microcosm of broader philosophical tensions in contemporary society. By elucidating the clash between Modern Scientific Rational Empiricism and Postmodern Relativism, they empower audiences to critically engage with the nuances of gender discourse and cultivate empathy towards diverse experiences. Ultimately, this YouTube video serves as a beacon of intellectual inquiry, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and dialogue that transcends ideological divides. Join Bill and Jon as they navigate the intricate intersections of science, theory, and human experience in the pursuit of greater understanding and compassion.

Resources: 

The Trojan Unicorn: Queer Theory and Pedophilia (Audio Essay) (youtube.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAP4czG3DjE

Sex & Gender: An Evolutionary Perspective – Heather Heying (youtube.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkjL58HOS60