Dr. David Spiegel, Wilson Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, brings over 40 years of expertise in trauma, hypnosis, and mind-body medicine to this fascinating conversation. Drawing from decades of scientific research, Dr. Spiegel reveals how hypnosis serves as "controlled dissociation," offering a powerful pathway for trauma recovery by allowing people to revisit difficult experiences while maintaining physical comfort.

The conversation takes us deep into the neuroscience of trauma and healing. Dr. Spiegel shares remarkable findings from brain imaging studies showing how hypnosis actually turns down activity in the brain's alarm system and reduces self-judgment, creating space for new perspectives and healing. Particularly fascinating is his explanation of how hypnosis can reduce pain perception by over 50% - without medication or side effects.

Personal stories bring the science to life, from Dr. Spiegel's first experience using hypnosis with an asthmatic girl in crisis to his wife successfully using hypnosis during childbirth. His genetic "illness" of hypnosis, inherited from his psychiatrist father who used it to treat trauma in World War II veterans, creates a touching through-line in his lifelong dedication to understanding how our minds can heal our bodies.

The conversation bridges clinical approaches with accessible self-help strategies. Dr. Spiegel explains how two-thirds of adults are naturally somewhat hypnotizable, then details how his Reverie app makes these powerful techniques available to anyone dealing with stress, insomnia, or trauma. The discussion reveals fascinating parallels between hypnosis and yoga, showing how both practices engage the brain's natural capacity for healing through focused attention and absorption.

Ready to tap into your brain's natural healing abilities? Discover how hypnosis might serve as an underutilized "app" you already possess, and learn why focusing on what you're for rather than what you're against creates more effective healing. Whether you're a clinician or someone seeking relief from trauma or stress, this episode offers profound insights into our remarkable capacity for transformation.

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

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This episode is also sponsored by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). 

The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is an international, non-profit, professional association organized to develop and promote comprehensive, clinically effective and empirically based resources and responses to trauma and dissociation and to address its relevance to other theoretical constructs. 

Visit https://cfas.isst-d.org/ to access educational offerings for both professionals and non-professionals 

To learn more and become a member, visit: https://www.isst-d.org/

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What if everything we've been taught about trauma and healing has been filtered through a colonial lens? Dr. Laura Brown —psychologist, author, and activist with over 40 years of groundbreaking work in feminist therapy—challenges us to reimagine healing outside the medical model that has dominated Western thinking.

Dr. Brown takes us on a profound journey from her early activism in the 1960s through her pioneering work in trauma psychology, weaving together personal narrative with radical theory. She articulates how medical systems have colonized healing processes that humans have practiced for millennia, turning natural responses to harm into "disorders" requiring professional intervention. "People have been healing from trauma since human beings became human beings," she reminds us, inviting practitioners to question the foundations of conventional approaches.

The conversation expands beyond clinical settings to examine how trauma and power operate in our broader society. Dr. Brown offers wisdom about maintaining our integrity and voice in challenging times, protecting our nervous systems from becoming hijacked by those who don't deserve access to our activation, and finding small yet meaningful ways to resist injustice daily. Her perspective on trauma work as inherently political challenges the false neutrality many clinicians adopt, while her vision of collaborative healing relationships dismantles hierarchies between "expert" and "patient."

All while navigating cancer recovery and a vocal disorder affecting her speech, Dr. Brown embodies the resilience she describes, finding joy in aikido, nature, friendship, and beauty. Her message inspires hope not through toxic positivity but through genuine engagement with both suffering and possibility. Whether you're a healing professional or someone on your own recovery journey, this episode will transform how you think about trauma, power, and our collective capacity for change.

Want to keep creating opportunities for healing together? Subscribe at howwecanheal.com to continue exploring how we can create more humble, culturally responsive approaches to trauma that honor every person's inherent power and wisdom.

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

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This episode is also sponsored by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). 

The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is an international, non-profit, professional association organized to develop and promote comprehensive, clinically effective and empirically based resources and responses to trauma and dissociation and to address its relevance to other theoretical constructs. 

Visit https://cfas.isst-d.org/ to access educational offerings for both professionals and non-professionals 

To learn more and become a member, visit: https://www.isst-d.org/

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Trauma leaves invisible wounds that shape our relationships, survival strategies, and capacity for connection. In this profound conversation with Dr. Robert Mueller, we journey through the complex landscape of trauma therapy, examining both the protective role of avoidance and the human yearning to be truly seen and understood.

Dr. Muller shares his deeply personal connection to trauma work as a child of Holocaust survivors, revealing how his parents' experiences during childhood shaped not only their parenting but also his professional path. With remarkable candor, he articulates how his own anxieties around control and uncertainty continue to influence his clinical work, offering a refreshing glimpse into the very human experience of being a trauma therapist.

At the heart of our discussion lies a compassionate exploration of avoidance in trauma recovery. Dr. Muller introduces the concept of "trauma fragments" – those subtle disclosures that slip through otherwise protective defenses, signaling a readiness to process painful experiences. He offers practical insights for therapists navigating the delicate balance between honoring defenses and gently challenging them, emphasizing curiosity over confrontation as the pathway forward.

Perhaps most powerfully, Dr. Muller challenges the cultural pressure many trauma survivors face to forgive their perpetrators. He reframes forgiveness not as a virtuous endpoint but as a fluid process that may ebb and flow throughout one's healing journey. This perspective liberates survivors from the burden of toxic positivity, honoring the complexity of their experiences without demanding premature resolution.

Whether you're a therapist seeking to deepen your trauma-informed practice or someone on your own healing journey, this conversation offers a roadmap grounded in compassion, patience, and profound respect for the wisdom of our protective responses. As Dr. Muller reminds us, healing comes not from bypassing difficult emotions but from creating contexts where they can be safely felt, understood, and integrated into our life stories.

Facing the unimaginable pain of losing a child, Anna Ratnathicam Diab opens her heart to share the story of her daughter Carolina, who passed away suddenly at age 11 during a family trip to Uganda in 2019. What unfolds is a raw, honest conversation about navigating grief's unpredictable terrain and finding meaningful ways to honor a child's memory.

Anna vividly recalls Carolina's vibrant personality—her love of bright colors, her notorious sweet tooth, and her habit of wearing "pattern on pattern on pattern" that made her mother chuckle. When describing the day Carolina died after complaining of a headache, Anna doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of those moments in a remote hospital, making impossible decisions no parent should face. The scene of local women gathering outside the hospital in the dark early morning hours, standing silent vigil with Anna in her grief, creates an unforgettable image of human connection transcending language and culture.

Rather than following predictable stages, Anna describes grief as waves—initially constant and overwhelming, gradually becoming smaller and more predictable over time. "There's still moments that suddenly trip me up," she shares. "Now I know you just have to sit in it and it will pass and you'll put yourself back together again." 

Five years after Carolina's death, Anna has discovered unexpected pathways to healing: maintaining relationships with Carolina's friends, finding places to honor her memory (including a street intersection named for Carolina outside her elementary school), and remaining open to spiritual connections.

Perhaps the most powerful moment comes when Anna recalls experiencing genuine joy again while watching a UCLA basketball game—something she and Carolina had enjoyed together. "It felt foreign...but in a good way," she explains. "Like oh yeah, I will feel this again." Her message to other bereaved parents cuts through platitudes to offer the one truth she could have absorbed in early grief: "You will feel joy again."

Whether you're navigating your own grief journey or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers profound insights into how we carry both our losses and our capacity for joy forward. 

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Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

Support the show

Award-winning author of "The Yoga of Parenting," Sarah Ezrin shares how yoga philosophy provides a framework for navigating parenthood's chaos with grace and self-compassion. 

The yoga practice she once knew - with its hours on the mat and meditation cushion - has transformed into what she calls "yoga snacks": micro-moments of mindfulness chosen throughout her day. These might look like lighting a favorite candle amid dinner preparation madness, taking five deep breaths during an argument between her sons, or remaining calm enough to give herself the Heimlich maneuver while the kids continue playing, oblivious to her distress.

Today we explore how our perceptions of yoga shift throughout life stages - from the achievement-oriented physical practice many begin with to the deeper, more integrated approach that emerges through parenthood. 

Sarah's vulnerability about her postpartum anxiety and the surprising ways yoga showed up during that challenging time offers a refreshing counterpoint to the curated perfectionism often seen in wellness spaces. The permission she grants - to adapt, to struggle, to let go of rigid expectations - comes from hard-won wisdom.

"The most advanced practice I've ever done is trying to co-parent with another adult and raise children together," Sarah reflects, highlighting how relationships amplify our growth edges. 

Beyond individual practices and communication challenges, we discuss the systemic changes needed to truly support families: paid leave, affordable childcare, and community-centered approaches to raising children. Sarah envisions a return to village-style support systems where resources are shared and parents aren't left struggling in isolation.

For those feeling overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice and impossible standards, Sarah offers this centering truth: "You are the best parent for your child." Trust your intuition, offer yourself grace, and remember that the yoga is found not in perfection, but in returning again and again to presence.

Learn more about her work at https://sarahezrinyoga.com/  

Get the full transcript of each show at https://howwecanheal.com/podcast

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

What if the transformation into parenthood isn't just about survival, but offers a unique window of opportunity for profound growth? In this illuminating conversation, classical singer and Alexander Technique practitioner Madison Smith challenges the harmful notion that we should "bounce back" after childbirth, offering instead a revolutionary perspective on the neurological shifts that occur during this major life transition.

"Your body's not coming back, and I don't say that negatively," Madison explains. "Your body has moved beyond what was available prior." Drawing from her extensive background in voice, movement, and somatics, Madison explores how our brains physically change during parenthood — creating not deficits, but heightened neuroplasticity and learning capacity. This shift rewires us to respond intuitively to our children while simultaneously opening doors to accelerated growth in other areas of our lives.

The discussion delves into the problematic landscape of postpartum fitness, where anatomically incorrect cues like "belly button to spine" prioritize aesthetics over function, sometimes causing lasting injury. Madison shares her own journey of postpartum back pain and how proper understanding of core engagement through expansion rather than contraction ultimately led to healing. She offers practical guidance on breathing techniques that support true core stability while regulating the nervous system, demonstrating how rest and respiratory awareness can be powerful yet underrated tools for recovery.

Perhaps most compelling is Madison's reframing of major life transitions not as setbacks but as opportunities for transformation. Whether you're navigating parenthood, menopause, illness, or any significant change, this conversation invites you to release your grip on who you were and explore the expanded possibilities of who you're becoming. Connect with your body as a source of wisdom, release the pressure to "do it all," and discover what's true for you now — not what was true before or what others expect of you.

If you're in the San Francisco area, look for Madison's in-person workshops for mothers and teens. Find her online at madisoprano.com or on social media @madisoprano.

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

What if sports were designed around athlete wellbeing instead of profit? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Diane Williams shares the buried history of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), an organization that flourished in the 1970s and early 1980s with a radical vision for collegiate athletics centered on education and student development.

Dr. Williams, a professor of kinesiology at McDaniel College and former NCAA All-American athlete, reveals how this women-led organization created a completely different approach to sports governance than the male-dominated NCAA. With her interdisciplinary background in American Studies, Sports Studies, and Gender Studies, she unpacks how the AIAW's educational philosophy prioritized athlete wellbeing while still fostering high-level competition.

The conversation delves into why this history matters today, as athletes across all levels struggle with mental health challenges, restrictive gender norms, and exploitative systems. Dr. Williams shares powerful insights about creating more inclusive, body-positive athletic spaces that welcome diverse bodies and abilities. From her experience as "Lady Hulk" in roller derby to her work with current students questioning athletic norms, she offers a blueprint for reimagining sports culture.

Most compelling is the story of how the AIAW ended – not because its model failed, but because it threatened existing power structures. As Dr. Williams explains, "It wasn't just the organization that disappeared but an entire alternative vision for what athletics could be." This forgotten chapter in sports history offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in creating healthier approaches to physical activity, competition, and embodiment.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone interested in how we might build more humane and inclusive systems, this conversation will transform how you think about sports culture and its possibilities.

Learn more & connect with Dr. Williams at: https://www.mcdaniel.edu/about-us/profiles/diane-l-williams-phd

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

What happens when a casual curiosity about trail running transforms into a life-changing journey of service? Bugi's remarkable story unfolds as she recounts her evolution from a nervous first-timer at a Brazen Racing event to becoming "the other Kenyan" – an ultra runner who now feeds 42 children daily through her foundation in rural Kenya.

The magic of the trail running community shines throughout this conversation as Bugi describes finding her people through those long, vulnerable hours spent traversing mountains together. "When you spend six or seven hours with someone, you become real," she explains, highlighting how these connections sustained her through profound grief after losing her mother. Running became her constant companion through life's challenges – a space for processing emotions, finding clarity, and building self-belief.

Most powerfully, Bugi shares the genesis of the Okullo Foundation, which began with a simple act of kindness: paying a child's $6 school fees after finding him unable to attend class. What started as addressing an immediate need evolved into a comprehensive program providing meals, education, healthcare, and hygiene products to kindergarteners at a school just steps from her family home. Through donations from her American running community, these children now have backpacks, proper toilets, clean water, and nutritious food – transforming their educational experience and health outcomes.

Beyond her service work, Bugi offers wisdom about overcoming fears, building confidence, and embracing community. Her journey from doubting her abilities to setting ambitious ultra-running goals mirrors her approach to community service: start where you are, take one step at a time, and trust that showing up matters. As she puts it, "What brings me hope is that kindness and empathy still exist."

Ready to be inspired by how one person's passion can create ripples of positive change? Listen now and discover how the simple act of lacing up your shoes might lead to unexpected purpose. And if Bugi's story moves you, she extends an open invitation to visit Kenya and see the foundation's work firsthand!

Learn more about the Okullo Foundation at: https://okullofoundation.org/

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

This episode is sponsored by Ultrasignup, the leading marketplace for discovering, registering, and managing trail running events across the United States. With a mission to promote the spirit of trail running and outdoor adventure, UltraSignup hosts a diverse range of races and events. When you visit Ultrasignup.com you’ll find over 5000 events – about half of which are NOT ultra-distance. You’ll also find stories highlighting runners, race directors, training tips, running destinations, and the growth of the sport in their weekly newsletter and online magazine. Visit https://ultrasignup.com/ to explore the possibilities and plan your next adventure!
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Napa Wilderness Trail Runs kicks off the morning of May 17, 2025! Whether you're a seasoned trail runner, just starting out, or just want to come hang out in nature, there’s a place for you here. You might come out for the 10k fun run, 1/2 Marathon: 30k Scenic Trek , 50K Endurance Challenge, or 40 Mile Elevation Beast. Make it a weekend adventure by camping out under the stars & soaking up the energy and natural beauty. And if you’d rather not run but still want to be a part of the fun, you can volunteer! Register at: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116228

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Todd Glieden's life transformed forever when he was diagnosed with lymphoma, spending 90 days at Stanford Hospital undergoing intensive treatment. This experience became the catalyst that helped him discover his true self after years of feeling directionless. "I don't think I discovered myself until then," Todd reflects, describing how cancer pushed him to reevaluate everything.

The unexpected support he received during his illness revealed surprising truths about relationships. People he barely knew showed up with rides and meals, while some he considered close disappeared entirely. This pattern of finding strength in community would become the defining theme of Todd's recovery and subsequent life journey.

When Todd discovered trail running through a local group, everything changed. The shy, reserved person who once hesitated to approach strangers transformed into someone known and loved throughout the running community. 

What makes Todd's story particularly powerful is how he's channeled his experiences into creating spaces for others to heal. As the owner of Bay Trail Runners, he organizes events that welcome participants of all abilities. His greatest joy comes from witnessing someone complete their first trail race or half marathon, knowing firsthand the transformative potential of these achievements. "To go out and give that experience to somebody else now in my life is a great feeling," he shares.

The trail running community offers something increasingly rare in modern life—unconditional support during life's hardest moments. Through shared adventures on mountain trails, Todd has built connections that transcend ordinary friendships. These relationships have sustained him through multiple health crises, proving that healing happens not just within medical facilities but within communities bound by shared passion and mutual care.

For anyone facing difficult circumstances or seeking a new beginning, Todd's message is simple yet profound: "Let people into your lives" and "try something." Whether it's walking around a lake or venturing onto a local trail, the first step toward healing often involves stepping outside—both literally and

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!

Lucja Leonard's journey from forging sick notes to avoid PE class to completing a 300-mile ultramarathon across the Arizona desert reveals the transformative power of pushing beyond perceived limits. Just five days after finishing this monumental race, Lucja shares how she navigated extreme sleep deprivation, 90-degree heat, and those inevitable moments where every life decision is questioned.

The conversation dives deep into what pulls someone toward such extreme challenges. For Lucja, it's the extraordinary process of breaking down completely—reaching points of vulnerability and suffering—then rebuilding herself stronger than before. This cycle of breakdown and renewal has fundamentally changed her relationship with her body, transforming years of negative body image into profound respect for what her body can accomplish. "I am strong and fearless," she reflects, noting how ultra running has taught her that bodies of all shapes and sizes can perform incredible feats.

We explore the surprising parallel between ultrarunning and life itself—how both involve waves of struggle and recovery, both require asking for help, and both reveal our true character when pushed to extremes. Lucja shares beautiful moments of human connection on the trail, from strangers offering head torches to trail angels appearing with water when she and her pacer were desperately dehydrated miles from the next aid station.

As a coach who recently guided another runner through their first 300-miler, Lucja offers wisdom for anyone facing seemingly impossible challenges: "Just try. You don't know what you're capable of." Whether you're contemplating your first 5K or wrestling with life's biggest obstacles, this conversation illuminates how embracing challenge rather than avoiding discomfort can lead to profound personal transformation.

Connect with Lucja on Instagram @RunningDutchie or visit FindingGobi.com to learn about her upcoming speaking events where she appears with her husband Dion and their famous four-legged companion Gobi, whose remarkable story has inspired people worldwide.

Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice.

If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! 

Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners.

Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today!