The Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Podcast

In this episode, David speaks with writer and educator Dan Siegel. Dan is Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Medical School, founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, and author of a number of books including The Developing Mind and The Mindful Brain. They discuss mindfulness practices for COVID-19, the relationship between “monitoring” and “modifying” in meditation (including how this relates to trauma), and the three empirical pillars of mindfulness practice.

In this episode, David speaks with Kai Cheng Thom, an award winning writer, social worker, and meditation teacher who teaches about trauma and conflict resolution. They discuss the impact of trauma on groups, the role of mindfulness in conflict resolution, and a meditation practice for working with contradictions.

In this episode David speaks with Thomas Hübl—teacher, facilitator, and author of the book "Healing Collective Trauma." They discuss the ways that mindful attention and attunement can support groups in a trauma healing process, the connection between personal and social change, and what Thomas refers to as the human rights of being, becoming, and belonging.

In this episode, David speaks with Oren Jay Sofer, a meditation instructor and trauma professional who also teachers Nonviolent Communication—a process of interpersonal communication designed to help navigate conflict. In their conversation, Oren and David discuss the philosophical roots of nonviolent communication and how they apply to mindfulness and trauma; ways that an understanding of trauma and the nervous system can help people navigate conflict; and the unique challenges social media poses to mindful communication.

In this episode, David speaks with renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg. They discuss Sharon's conceptualization of trauma and how this informs her meditation teaching, the role lovingkindness can play in trauma recovery, how to help people find agency in the face of distress, and the trauma-informed work Sharon has been doing with survivors of gun violence.

Sharon Salzberg is a central figure in the field of mindfulness and meditation and New York Times bestselling author. As one of the first to bring meditation and mindfulness into mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, her relatable, demystifying approach has inspired generations of meditation teachers and students. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of eleven books, including the New York Times bestseller, "Real Happiness," her seminal work, "Lovingkindness," and her most recent book, "Real Change: Mindfulness To Heal Ourselves and the World."

A conversation with Mushim Patricia Ikeda.

In this episode, David interviews Mushim Patricia Ikeda—a poet, Buddhist teacher, and social change activist. Mushim teaches at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland, California, where she leads an award-winning yearlong mindfulness program called Practice in Transformative Action. In their conversation, David and Mushim talk about her inclusivity work at EBMC, the pandemic, and the relevance of trauma-informed practice within mindfulness and social change work.

A conversation with Liz Stanley.

This episode's guest is Elizabeth Stanley, a professor at Georgetown University and author of the book "Widen the Window: Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma." Liz is a U.S. Army veteran who came to practice (in part) to help her with PTSD. In their conversation, David and Liz discuss contemporary definitions of trauma and how this relates to the current moment; the neurophysiology of trauma, including the relationship between what Liz terms the “thinking brain” and “survival brain”; and their current assessments of the impacts of COVID-19, it’s impact on social windows of tolerance, and their hopes for the path ahead.

A conversation with Sydney Spears.

This episode features Sydney Spears, a trauma-sensitive mindfulness and yoga teacher, clinical social work, and trauma-sensitive care. Sydney teaches Mindful Self-Compassion with a particular focus on diversity, oppression, and trauma. In their conversation, David and Sydney discuss the role of mindfulness and compassion can play in helping heal trauma and oppression; the relationship between trauma and social oppression; and how to skillfully navigate multiracial spaces as a leader in contemplative settings.

A conversation with Staci Haines.

This episode's guest is Staci Haines, is co-founder of generative somatics, a multiracial organization that offers somatics, embodied leadership and trauma healing to social and environmental justice organizers. She is also the founder of generationFIVE, an organization whose mission is to end the sexual abuse of children within five generations. David and Staci's conversation centers around her writing and work, her assessment of the impact COVID-19, and also the role embodiment and resilience can play at this time.

A conversation with Rick Hanson.

This episode's guest is Rick Hanson, a psychologist, a Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and a New York Times best-selling author. In their conversation, David and Rick talk about what resilience means and its connection to mindfulness; the distinction between “working with” and “being with” when it comes to meditation; and the practices Rick depends on in his life to cope well with stress and adversity.