In this conversation with Dr. Kristin Neff, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas and the pioneering researcher who introduced self-compassion into modern psychology, we explore why self-esteem is a fair-weather friend while self-compassion provides steady support through challenge and failure. Dr. Neff shares how her early mindfulness practice reshaped her own relationship with shame, and how research now shows that self-criticism keeps the body’s threat system active while compassion engages the brain’s caregiving network—reducing cortisol, inflammation, and emotional reactivity.

Together we examine the three pillars of self-compassion—mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness—and how these transform both personal healing and co-regulation. You’ll learn about the concept of backdraft (why opening to care can surface old pain), the difference between tender and fierce compassion, and why caring for yourself actually strengthens motivation and performance.

If you’ve ever felt that being softer might make you weaker, this episode offers a science-based reframe: self-compassion is strength regulated.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Why self-compassion matters in trauma healing

• 05:10 Self-compassion vs. self-esteem: stable worth vs. comparison

• 12:30 Three components: mindfulness, common humanity, kindness

• 20:45 Threat vs. care systems; shame, rumination, regulation

• 29:00 “Backdraft” and pacing: minimum-effective-dose practices

• 37:20 Tender & fierce self-compassion: soothing + boundaries

• 46:15 Motivation myths: keeping your edge without self-attack

• 55:00 Post-traumatic growth, wisdom, and everyday practices

Key Takeaways:

• Self-esteem is contingent; self-compassion is unconditional. Worth isn’t earned—it’s acknowledged, especially when things go wrong.

• Three pillars: notice suffering (mindfulness), remember you’re not alone (common humanity), respond with support (kindness).

• Threat vs. care: self-criticism can keep the threat system active; compassion practices can engage caregiving circuits and support regulation.

• Expect “backdraft.” Opening to care may surface old pain—go slow, titrate, choose tools that feel safe for your system.

• Compassion supports performance. Less shame → better learning, repair, and values-aligned motivation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Self-Compassion (book) - Kristin Neff

• Fierce Self-Compassion (book) - Kristin Neff

• Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification - NeurosomaticIntelligence.com

• BrainBased community - BrainBased.com

Call to Action:

If this episode brought you clarity, comfort, or a deeper understanding of your emotional world, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite audio platform or hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

👉 Want to learn how to rewire your nervous system, strengthen emotional regulation, and support others in doing the same? Explore the Neurosomatic Intelligence Certification at NeurosomaticIntelligence.com.

Healing starts with integration—when your brain and body begin working together, real regulation becomes possible.

Disclaimer:

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative

impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and RewireTrial.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

All rights in our content are reserved.

“Fake it till you make it” can keep you moving, but there is a cost. When the prefrontal cortex tries to do the job of the whole brain, it burns fuel fast, cravings rise, and coping loops take over. This episode breaks down emotional regulation as a full-body, brain-wide process, not a mindset trick. Matt Bush, lead educator at the NSI certification and founder of Next Level Neuro, joins Elisabeth and Jennifer for this fascinating covnersation. You will learn how integration across interoception, proprioception, the insula, anterior cingulate, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex supports flexible, context-appropriate responses. We explore why shutdowns, flooding, or masking are often adaptations to threat, how sensory mismatch and modern screen habits compound dysregulation, and why big peak experiences without preparation can overwhelm rather than heal. Expect practical, trauma-informed ways to build capacity with minimum-effective-dose practices, daily nervous system hygiene, and a simple “emotional retrospect” journaling flow that plants new options for next time. If you have ever thought, “I know I am safe, but my body does not,” this conversation offers science, compassion, and usable tools to reconnect brain and body.

Timestamps:

00:00 What “fake it till you make it” costs the nervous system

05:12 What emotional regulation really is and why context matters

12:30 Integration 101: body signals, brain networks, and coordination 21:45 Everyday patterns: flooding, shutdown, perfectionism, doom-scrolling

29:10 Key regions: insula, ACC, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex 36:05 Sensory mismatch, modern lifestyle, and capacity

44:20 Peak somatic experiences: preparation, risk, and integration

52:00 Building capacity: daily hygiene, minimum-effective-dose practice 58:40 The “emotional retrospect” journaling protocol 1:05:00 Individual and collective growth, closing takeaways

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional regulation means full-spectrum access to feelings without being hijacked, not suppression.

  • Integration is a brain-body loop; accurate interoception and proprioception improve predictions and choice.

  • Sensory mismatch and chronic stress bias the system toward protection, which can look like flooding, masking, or collapse.

  • Peak intensity does not equal integration; preparation and real-time capacity building matter.

  • Small, consistent practices create new options by improving signal quality and planting novel responses.

• Resources Mentioned:

  • RewireTrial.com - two-week free trial for live classes and on-demand neurosomatic tools

  • Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI) Coaching Certification - ICF-accredited training for practitioners

  • Next Level Neuro - education referenced in the episode

  Call to Action:

  If this episode brought you clarity, comfort, or a deeper understanding of your emotional world, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite audio platform or hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

  👉 Want to learn how to rewire your nervous system, strengthen emotional regulation, and support others in doing the same? Explore www.rewiretrial.com.

  Healing starts with integration—when your brain and body begin working together, real regulation becomes possible.

Disclaimer:

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and RewireTrial.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing

and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

All rights in our content are reserved.

Trauma is not a single moment. It is an ongoing dialogue between your brain, body, and environment. In this conversation, Dr. Mbemba Jabbi explains how neuroplasticity and affective neuroscience help us understand protective patterns like hypervigilance, shutdown, and dissociation. We explore the roles of the insula, amygdala, and cingulate networks in sensing threat, shaping emotions, and connecting brain states with bodily signals such as heart, gut, and breath. Dr. Jabbi also discusses research that associates early childhood trauma, including sexual trauma, with higher inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, while emphasizing that biology interacts with environment and change is possible. You will hear how sensory training, co-regulation, psychotherapy, and supportive practices may help repattern responses over time. This is a grounded, science-informed look at why survival strategies make sense in context and how compassionate, skills-based work can support nervous system health. If you or your clients live with complex developmental trauma, this episode offers language, frameworks, and first steps that respect lived experience and prioritize safety.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Protective patterning and repeating environments

• 1:00 Meet Dr. Jabbi and his research lens

• 7:10 Brain circuits in emotion and stress

• 13:20 Insula, interoception, and body-brain links

• 18:00 Survival values and environmental context

• 26:00 Adaptive suppression vs. underdevelopment

• 40:00 Inflammation and childhood trauma (C-reactive protein)

• 49:00 Treatment implications and tracking biomarkers

• 56:00 Fast and slow fear pathways, behavior outputs

• 59:50 Key takeaways for practitioners and individuals

• 1:02:00 Repatterning for joy and post-traumatic growth

• 1:03:30 Where to practice the tools in the community

Key Takeaways:

• Emotions are functional survival signals that reflect whole-body states.

• The insula, amygdala, and cingulate form networks that integrate sensory input with bodily responses.

• Protective outputs like numbness or shutdown are learned adaptations that supported safety.

• Studies associate early childhood trauma with elevated inflammation markers, while outcomes are shaped by environment and support.

• Neuroplasticity means skills, relationships, and practice can help repattern responses over time.

Resources Mentioned:

• BrainBased community: https://BrainBased.com

• Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification (NSI)

• Explore classes and community trial: https://rewiretrial.com

• Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin

Call to Action:

If this episode resonates, follow and review Trauma Rewired so more people can find trauma-informed education. Ready to practice the tools we discussed? Start your free trial at rewiretrial.com

Disclaimer:

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional

support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

All rights in our content are reserved.

Have you ever drawn a blank when asked how you're feeling? Or maybe you experience constant inner buzzing, numbness, or anxiety without any words to describe it. You’re not broken—and you’re not alone. In this deeply informative and compassionately nuanced episode, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and guest Matt Bush unpack alexithymia: a common and often misunderstood trauma-related trait that involves difficulty identifying, describing, or connecting with emotions.

More than emotional “numbness,” alexithymia involves disrupted communication between the body and brain, making healing feel elusive. The hosts break down the neurological roots of this trait, how it differs from emotional numbing in PTSD, and why traditional talk therapy often isn’t enough. You’ll learn how interoceptive training—like what's taught in NeuroSomatic Intelligence (NSI)—can help bring emotional awareness back online.

Whether you're a practitioner, trauma survivor, or someone just feeling disconnected, this conversation offers hope and concrete tools to rewire the nervous system for emotional clarity, embodiment, and relational healing.

Timestamps:

• 0:43 – What Is Alexithymia?

• 3:00 – Why It’s Common After Trauma

• 4:40 – The TAS-20 Scale: 3 Key Features

• 7:00 – Lived Experience + Relationship Impact

• 10:00 – Alexithymia vs. Emotional Numbing

• 14:40 – Trauma’s Impact on Emotional Mapping

• 17:00 – Neurological Underpinnings (Insula, DMN, etc.)

• 20:00 – Substance Use, Shutdowns & Coping

• 26:00 – Functional Freeze & Stress Sensitivity

• 30:00 – How Neuroplasticity Supports Change

• 33:00 – NSI Tools for Rewiring Emotional Awareness

• 36:00 – Practical Steps to Start Feeling More

• 40:00 – Emotional Expression, Relationships & Health Outcomes

Key Takeaways:

• Alexithymia is not a disorder but a trainable trait, often shaped by trauma and nervous system adaptations.

• Traditional talk therapy may not fully address alexithymia due to its neurological roots—interoceptive training is key.

• It differs from emotional numbing in PTSD; each involves distinct brain networks (e.g., DMN vs. salience network).

• Emotional awareness isn’t just about language—it starts with sensing the body.

• Healing emotional disconnect can improve not just mental health, but physical health and relational dynamics.

Resources Mentioned:

• NeuroSomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification → www.rewiretrial.com

• Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)

• Referenced Studies:

• Vandervoort Meta-analysis (2013)

• Journal of Global Health Reports (2025)

• Gharlic & Doba (2015)

• Brewer & Kuehnerberg (2016)

• PTSD + Alexithymia Therapy Outcomes (2008)

If this episode gave you clarity, comfort, or tools for your healing, share it with someone who needs it. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite audio platform or hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

👉 Want to learn how to rewire your nervous system and support others in doing the same? Explore the NeuroSomatic Intelligence Certification at www.rewiretrial.com

Healing is possible—and it starts with knowing how to listen to your body.

Disclaimer:

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and

Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

All rights in our content are reserved.

Ambivalence isn’t confusion or weakness, it’s your nervous system doing its job. Feeling both joy and grief, relief and loss, fear and excitement, is not dysfunction but survival wisdom. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack ambivalence as a neurobiological phenomenon: how the brain and body construct emotions, why conflicting truths arise during transformation, and how to metabolize them without collapse.

You’ll learn to notice the tug-of-war between emotions, expand capacity to sit with duality, and reframe ambivalence as part of post-traumatic growth. By honoring both sides, joy and sorrow, fear and courage, you can create deeper connection with yourself and move through change with clarity and trust.

00:00 – Leaving Toxic Love: Relief and Grief Together 01:07 – Ambivalence Defined: Not Confusion, But Wisdom 03:07 – Brain and Body: How Emotions Are Constructed 05:42 – Building Capacity for Emotional Duality 06:39 – Transformation, Identity, and Misread Confusion 08:18 – Neuroscience of Ambivalence: Prediction, Insula, Signals 12:50 – Embodiment and Emotional Vocabulary 24:10 – Boundaries, Family Dynamics, and Attachment Chaos 27:40 – Sitting in Discomfort, Finding Safety Inside 30:59 – Loss of Identity, Grief, and Gratitude 38:08 – Joy Can Be Scary Too

• Ambivalence as a nervous system signal, not self-sabotage.

• Why leaving toxic relationships brings both relief and grief.

• How emotions are constructed in the brain and body.

• Expanding capacity for emotional regulation and duality.

• The role of interoception and emotional vocabulary in healing.

• Transformation and identity shifts as triggers for ambivalence.

• Attachment needs versus authenticity during change.

• Why joy and fear often arise together.

• Practical strategies to metabolize ambivalence and grow.

• Ambivalence as a gateway to post-traumatic growth.

🔗 Resources:

🎯 Start Here

FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com

Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired

🤝 Connect with Us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

🌱 Exclusive Offer

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

All rights in our content are reserved

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowth.com

Fawn is a nervous system survival strategy, not a personality flaw. It helps you keep connection and avoid threat by overriding your needs, smiling through discomfort, and saying yes when you want to say no. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack how fawn forms around attachment and safety, why it shows up in daily life and in sex, and how to gently rebuild self trust.

You will learn to notice gut and throat signals that precede a reflexive yes, set small boundaries without collapse, and grow capacity to feel both the difficult and the good, so connection can be real, not a performance.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Rebuilding trust with the body – learning to honor yes/no signals, expanding capacity for both positive and negative feelings.

• Definition of the fawn trauma response – people pleasing, keeping peace, self-abandonment to preserve attachment.

• Nervous system mechanisms – how fawn is not just psychological but a survival adaptation deeply wired into the body.

• Everyday patterns of fawning – saying yes when you want to say no, constant smiling, hugging, avoiding conflict, relational perfectionism.

• Impact on relationships – depletion, shame, freeze states, loss of authenticity, confusing real connection with trauma responses.

• Attachment vs authenticity (Gabor Maté concept) – how children often sacrifice authenticity to maintain attachment.

• Personal trauma story (kidnapping experience) – how fawn played a role in survival and how fight/flight responses eventually emerged.

• Sexual fawning – difficulties with consent, disconnect between cognitive yes and bodily no, patterns of unsafe or unwanted intimacy.

• Healing practices – developing awareness of body signals, small boundary setting, self-compassion, nervous system regulation, emotional release practices.

• Outcome of healing – creating genuine connection with self, others, and the environment rather than survival-based attachment.

🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here

Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage? Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com

FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com

Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired

🤝 Connect with Us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

🌱 Exclusive Offer

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth – Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowth.com

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

All rights in our content are reserved

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy

https://ClipGrowth.com

Functional freeze is not laziness. It is a learned survival strategy that lets you function on the outside while feeling numb or shut down on the inside. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack freeze, tonic immobility, and flop, and show how functional freeze can look like “getting by” while feeling numb inside.

They map the differences between freeze and burnout, explain why interoception goes offline, and share gentle, minimum-effective-dose practices to thaw safely and rebuild capacity.. 

You will learn how chronic stress blunts interoception, why your voice disappears in hard conversations, how shame loops keep the pattern in place, and why high performers often miss freeze because it hides behind perfectionism and people pleasing.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The freeze spectrum, acute freeze, tonic immobility, flop

• Functional freeze vs burnout

• Interoception and emotional numbness

• Relationship patterns, shutdown, flat affect, rupture and repair

• Language masking, shame loops, lost voice

• High performers, people pleasing, perfectionism, hidden freeze

• Whole system view, not only the vagus nerve

• Minimum effective dose, breath, voice, tiny mobilizations

• Resourcing and capacity building before big emotional work

• From dissociation to embodiment and agency

🔗 Resources:

🎯 Start Here

FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com

Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired

🤝 Connect with Us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

🌱 Exclusive Offer

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

All rights in our content are reserved

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com

Emotional repression is often invisible to high performers, and it can be one of the biggest barriers to sustainable success. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore how trauma-shaped survival responses like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn can create patterns of overwork, perfectionism, and emotional disconnection.

You’ll learn how subconscious repression differs from conscious suppression, how shame and perfectionism drive overachievement, and why even big business milestones can feel hollow when your nervous system isn’t safe enough to process emotions.

Our guest, Margy Feldhuhn, shares her journey from multi–seven-figure business growth fueled by survival patterns to building capacity for joy, presence, and connection through Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI) tools and regular emotional processing.

We break down the health risks, relational costs, and business consequences of chronic repression and give you strategies to expand your emotional capacity so you can actually enjoy the success you’ve built.

00:00 – Why Anger Matters and the Cost of Suppression 04:06 – Honoring Anger and Boundaries 06:06 – How Chronic Fight Shows Up in Life 09:45 – Early Conditioning and Nervous System Patterns 13:00 – Trauma, Parentification, and the Fight Response 15:43 – Impact on Relationships and Work 21:21 – The Neuroscience of the Fight Response 31:41 – Physical and Health Effects of Chronic Fight 39:28 – Anger vs. Chronic Fight: Key Differences 42:09 – Processing Anger Safely 49:36 – Boundaries, Regulation, and Aligned Action 53:38 – Final Takeaway: Fight as Pattern, Anger as Compass

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• How trauma survival responses show up in high performers

• The difference between suppression and repression

• The role of shame and perfectionism in overachievement

• Why business milestones can feel empty

• How repression impacts health, relationships, and leadership capacity

• Emotional hygiene for sustainable success

• Recognizing survival patterns in entrepreneurial decision-making

• Building nervous system capacity to enjoy success

• The ripple effect of emotional processing in business and life

• Practical tools to move from repression to authentic presence

🔗 Resources:

🎯 Start Here

FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com

Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired

🤝 Connect with Us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

🌱 Exclusive Offer

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

All rights in our content are reserved

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com

Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage?Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com 

The flight response is often misunderstood as weakness or avoidance, but it’s actually a deeply wired survival strategy shaped by fear and trauma. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we uncover how the nervous system uses constant motion, through overwork, hustle, and productivity, to escape from internal sensations and emotions that once felt unsafe.

You’ll learn how fear disguises itself as discipline, why rest feels threatening to high performers, and how chronic busyness creates a false sense of safety while eroding health and connection. From neuroscience to personal stories, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explain the mechanisms of the flight response, its roots in trauma, and the protective role it sometimes plays.

Most importantly, we share practical somatic tools to slow down, regulate the nervous system, and reclaim fear as a signal for presence and alignment, not something to outrun.

00:00 – Running from internal sensations, not others 00:24 – Busyness and productivity as avoidance 00:43 – Slowing down in somatic therapy 01:33 – Hustler identity and chronic overdoing 02:25 – Flight tied to fear of stillness 03:11 – Welcome to Trauma Rewired 04:15 – Flight patterns: urgency, overscheduling, avoidance 05:13 – When flight signals misalignment 07:46 – Flight as protection against overstimulation 09:31 – Brain-body mechanics of flight 11:50 – Fear bypassed as weakness 13:10 – Trauma and structural reinforcement of flight 15:36 – Movement replacing emotion 17:35 – Somatic healing requires slowing down 18:32 – Signs of inward-directed flight 19:55 – Disconnection from body cues (hunger, fatigue) 23:39 – Somatic regulation steps and tools 25:53 – Fear as primal protective signal 28:12 – Regulation tools to create space between sensation and action 31:24 – Stillness and vulnerability as safety 32:16 – Somatic release of fear: frozen shoulder story 33:28 – Reclaiming emotions as growth tools 34:36 – Fear, intuition, and aligned action

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The difference between healthy fear and chronic flight
• How trauma conditions the nervous system to stay in motion
• The neuroscience of the flight response: amygdala, hypothalamus, PAG, prefrontal cortex
• Why productivity and hustle are often survival strategies
• Signs of chronic flight in relationships and work
• The hidden cost of avoiding emotions through busyness
• Somatic tools for slowing down and processing fear
• Rewiring chronic flight through neuroplasticity and body-based healing
• The role of cultural and systemic trauma in reinforcing flight
• How to reclaim fear as a clarifying signal for safety and presence

🔗 Resources:

🎯 Start Here

Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage? Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com 

FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com 

Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 

📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 

🤝 Connect with Us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 

🌱 Exclusive Offer

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

All rights in our content are reserved

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com 

Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage?Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com

The fight response is often misunderstood as a personality flaw, but it’s actually a deeply wired survival adaptation shaped by past experiences and trauma. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore the difference between healthy, time-bound anger and the chronic fight state, how they’re created in the brain and body, and why learning to process anger is essential for emotional safety and healthy connection.

You’ll learn how the amygdala, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, insular cortex, and prefrontal cortex interact during a fight response, and how trauma can train the brain to see threat everywhere. We break down the health consequences of chronic fight, the relational patterns it creates, and why suppression of anger doesn’t make it go away — it stores it in the body.

From personal stories to neuroscience, this conversation offers tools to recognize the signals of fight mode, regulate your state, and reclaim anger as a clarifying force for setting boundaries and protecting what matters — without living in constant defense mode.

00:00 – Why Anger Matters and the Cost of Suppression 04:06 – Honoring Anger and Boundaries 06:06 – How Chronic Fight Shows Up in Life 09:45 – Early Conditioning and Nervous System Patterns 13:00 – Trauma, Parentification, and the Fight Response 15:43 – Impact on Relationships and Work 21:21 – The Neuroscience of the Fight Response 31:41 – Physical and Health Effects of Chronic Fight 39:28 – Anger vs. Chronic Fight: Key Differences 42:09 – Processing Anger Safely 49:36 – Boundaries, Regulation, and Aligned Action 53:38 – Final Takeaway: Fight as Pattern, Anger as Compass

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The difference between healthy anger and the chronic fight response

• How trauma conditions the nervous system for constant defense

• The role of the amygdala, hypothalamus, PAG, insula, and PFC in fight mode

• How suppression of anger impacts physical and mental health

• Chronic fight patterns in relationships and work

• Tools for processing anger safely

• Why anger can be a clarifying force for boundaries

• Rewiring fight mode through neuroplasticity and somatic tools

• How parentification and early childhood experiences shape fight response

• The health consequences of chronic sympathetic activation

🔗 Resources:

🎯 Start Here

Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage? Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com

FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com

Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired

🤝 Connect with Us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

🌱 Exclusive Offer

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth – Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

All rights in our content are reserved

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com