In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt welcomes Dr. Manisha Dayal, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Chicago with nearly three decades of experience specializing in trauma-informed care. Dr. Dayal shares her personal journey into psychology — rooted in a deep connection with her aunt in India who had Down Syndrome — and how that early experience shaped her commitment to understanding the inner worlds of others. Together, Amy and Manisha explore how Western psychology has historically failed to account for the diverse cultural backgrounds of patients, and why a decolonized, culturally humble approach to care is not just preferable but essential.

The conversation dives into the nuances of cultural humility — acknowledging one's own biases and meeting clients within their own lived frameworks. Through vivid patient stories involving genital mutilation, Indigenous women fleeing domestic violence, and immigrant communities navigating systemic racism, the two discuss the complexity of separating harmful cultural practices from meaningful cultural identity. They also explore how trauma is increasingly part of the public lexicon, debating both the value of that visibility and the risk of the word being overused and diluted.

Dr. Dayal also introduces listeners to somatic therapy and the mind-body connection, explaining how the body stores trauma and how body-centered techniques — from grounding exercises to breath awareness — help regulate the nervous system and facilitate healing. The episode closes with a deeply personal note: Manisha's own dramatic birth story in India informs her passion for supporting pregnant women, particularly women of color, in advocating for themselves within a medical system that has long silenced them. It's a rich, wide-ranging conversation about healing, identity, courage, and the radical act of showing up with curiosity and care.

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Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff