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Trauma Rewired

Elisabeth Kristof & Jennifer Wallace

The podcast where neuroscience becomes a pathway to greater capacity, deeper connection, and expanded possibility.

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  • 30 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 53 min
  • English

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  • S5 · E309
    Monday · 41 min· Video

    Raising Children Starts with Your Nervous System: Attachment, Emotions and Development

    The way adults understand and respond to their own nervous systems shapes the environments children grow up in. When parents, caregivers, and educators have more capacity to notice activation, process emotion, and respond with attunement, children receive repeated experiences of safety, connection, and repair. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof welcome back Margy Feldhun, co-owner and CEO of Brain Based, for an honest conversation about parenting and the developing nervous system. Margie shares how she never planned to have kids, and how daily nervous system training gave her the capacity to choose parenthood and actually enjoy it. Together they talk about why the most powerful place for parents to start is their own nervous system, how children learn far more from what we model than from the tools we teach, and why even overwhelming love can be as hard for a stressed system to hold as anger or grief. They also unpack the myth that regulation means staying calm, why secure attachment is built from thousands of tiny moments rather than perfect parenting, and what Louis Cozolino calls "survival of the nurtured." The conversation widens to teachers, counselors, and other caring adults who can become a meaningful intervention in a child's life, and to adults who didn't get what they needed growing up and are learning it's not too late to repattern. Throughout, the hosts are clear that this isn't about shame or blame. Parents are deeply under-resourced, and the episode closes with the power of rupture and repair: showing children that relationships can survive mistakes and come back together. Start training your nervous system with a free two week trial, five live classes a week, and an on demand practice library at rewiretrial.com. Sliding scale pricing is available, so reach out if cost is a barrier. If this conversation resonated, subscribe to Trauma Rewired and share it with a parent, caregiver, or educator who could use it. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:38 Choosing parenthood through nervous system work 10:41 Why change starts with the parent's nervous system 15:25 Emotional processing and holding big feelings 18:50 Regulation doesn't mean staying calm 22:45 Prioritizing attunement and secure attachment 26:19 Teachers, counselors, and the village around a child 33:06 Is it ever too late to repattern? 35:21 Rupture, repair, and modeling accountability Featured In This Epsiode 🧠 Train your nervous system through live applied neurology and somatic practices designed to build greater capacity, adaptability, and resilience. Get two free weeks https://www.rewiretrial.com NeuroSomatic Resources ↗️ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 📚NSI Foundations Bundle https://neurosomatic.com/foundations/ 🌱 WORK WITH JENNIFER Neurosomatic psychedelic preparation, integration, and private mentorship illuminatedwithjennifer.com ️Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Explore the intersection of psychedelics, neuroscience, complex trauma, and the nervous system through education grounded in preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 Podcast 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 medicalprofessional 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S6 · E308
    November 2 · 59 min· Video

    Attachment Styles Aren't Fixed: How Nervous Systems Adapt In Relationships

    We tend to talk about the nervous system as if it belongs entirely to one person: my trauma, my attachment style, my healing. But none of us developed in isolation. From our earliest relationships, our nervous systems are learning what connection costs, whether people are available, and what we need to do to stay connected. And those lessons don't stop at the family. Classrooms, friendships, communities, and cultures all teach us something about belonging, conflict, power, and expression. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by Will Rezin, Somatic Experiencing practitioner, certified professional coach, and founder of Formative Somatics, to explore how much of what we call personality, relationship, and collective behavior is really nervous systems adapting to the worlds they grew up in. Drawing on the work of Stanley Keleman, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, and Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Will shares why attachment patterns aren't fixed traits but intelligent adaptations that can change through repeated new experiences in relationship. Together they explore how culture and language shape what we can perceive, why shame runs so hot in a world that's globally connected but relationally disconnected, and why the ability to feel an emotion without being taken over by it is a skill we can only build in the presence of another. They also talk about the ripple effect of small, kind moments with strangers, learning to receive love in the way others actually give it, and why we are living processes rather than machines that can be reset. Will opens up about the rupture and long repair with his mother, and what it's been like to co-create and co-teach an attachment training together. The conversation closes with spirituality, the illusion of separation, and remembering that we are connected to something greater than ourselves. Start training your nervous system with a free two week trial, five live classes a week, and an on demand practice library at rewiretrial.com Practitioners: explore the NSI Foundations bundle, three self-paced workshops introducing the Neuro Somatic Intelligence framework, at neurosomaticintelligence.com/foundations If this conversation resonated, subscribe to Trauma Rewired and share it with someone who could use it. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:11 Attachment as a pattern, not a personality 09:51 How culture shapes our nervous systems 12:30 Shame and the search for belonging 19:46 Rupture, repair, and building emotional capacity 27:22 Small moments that ripple into the collective 32:06 Learning to receive love 45:06 Repairing attachment and co-teaching with his mother 53:42 Spirituality and the original attachment wound Connect with Will Rezin https://traumaandsomatics.com www.willrezin.com Find WIl on Instagram @willrezin NeuroSomatic Resources 🧠 Train your nervous system through live applied neurology and somatic practices designed to build greater capacity, adaptability, and resilience. Get two free weeks https://www.rewiretrial.com ↗️ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 🌱 WORK WITH JENNIFER Neurosomatic psychedelic preparation, integration, and private mentorship www.illuminatedwithjennifer.com ️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Explore the intersection of psychedelics, neuroscience, complex trauma, and the nervous system through education grounded in preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you explore your nervous system, intentions, experience, and the changes you want to carry forward. https://www.stan.store/illuminated Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E307
    October 26 · 56 min· Video

    When Shame Gets in the Way of Belonging: The Neuroscience of Connection

    Long before we can explain who we are, our nervous systems are learning what it takes to belong. Facial expressions, tone of voice, touch, and responsiveness all shape how our brains predict what will happen when we show up as ourselves. And when belonging feels at risk, shame often steps in to protect it. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof welcome back Piper Rose to explore shame and belonging through the lens of the relational brain. Rather than locating shame in a single brain region, they look at it as a networked, whole body response shaped by sensory information, interoception, memory, social context, and prior learning. Once that network is activated, it's like putting on "shame glasses" that filter everything we perceive, think, and do. Piper shares a framework of absolute, relative, and personal belonging that offers a foundation for discernment in spaces where belonging is conditional. Together they talk about recognizing shame as a signal rather than a verdict, the "shame shield" that protects us from emotions we once predicted were too big to survive, and why accountability, rupture, and repair are some of shame's strongest antidotes. They also explore why social media offers connection without true belonging, how a culture of hierarchy and punishment co-opts our natural longing for connection, and how the work we do individually ripples out into the collective. The conversation closes with grief as a core relational skill, and how knowing we can grieve gives us the courage to take relational risks and be truly known. Learn the practices discussed in this episode in the new NSI Shame workshop: https://neurosomatic.com/shame Start training your nervous system with a free two week trial of guided neurosomatic classes at rewiretrial.com If this conversation gave you a new way to think about shame and belonging, subscribe to Trauma Rewired and share it with someone who could use it. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 05:10 Defining belonging: absolute, relative, and personal 11:13 Shame as a signal, not a verdict 17:08 Social media and the illusion of belonging 25:13 Shame as a neurotag 32:02 The shame shield and accountability 36:50 Working through shame in real life 44:45 How culture co-opts shame 52:18 Grief as a relational skill Featured in This Episode 📚 NSI Neurotags Workshop Why can a pattern continue even after you understand where it came from? In this new NeuroSomatic Intelligence workshop, Matt Bush and Elisabeth Kristof explore neurotags, how these networks become highly practiced, what may maintain them, and how targeted sensory input can help create new options. Designed for coaches, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding how the nervous system learns and changes. Learn more and register: neurosomatic.com/neurotag NeuroSomatic Resources 🧠 Train your nervous system through live applied neurology and somatic practices designed to build greater capacity, adaptability, and resilience. Get two free weeks https://www.rewiretrial.com ↗️ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 🌱 WORK WITH JENNIFER Neurosomatic psychedelic preparation, integration, and private mentorship www.illuminatedwithjennifer.com ️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Explore the intersection of psychedelics, neuroscience, complex trauma, and the nervous system through education grounded in preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you explore your nervous system, intentions, experience, and the changes you want to carry forward. https://www.stan.store/illuminated Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S6 · E306
    October 19 · 59 min· Video

    More Than Regulation: What Nervous System Healing Is Really About

    Nervous system regulation has become part of the everyday conversation, from therapy and coaching to wellness culture and social media. But as the language spreads, it gets simplified. Regulation gets framed as staying calm all the time, activation becomes a sign that something is wrong, and "reset your nervous system" promises a quick return to some original setting. Living systems don't work that way. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof unpack what regulation actually means and why they often prefer the word modulation: the flexibility to move through activation, rest, and recovery rather than flatlining into calm. They push back on the idea that nervous system work is about suppressing emotion, explaining how building capacity is often what makes a rich emotional life possible in the first place. They also talk about why they don't hand out one-off tools online, why "drop into your body" isn't the right starting point for everyone, and why there's no single tool for anxiety when two people with the same symptoms can have completely different root drivers. Elisabeth shares how sensory mismatch and chronic hyperventilation were behind her own anxiety, and Jennifer reflects on years of re-patterning that changed her relationship with shame and her inner critic. The conversation closes with the differences between trauma informed, trauma sensitive, and trauma attuned practice, the risks of spiritual bypassing in medicine and spiritual spaces, and why nervous system work was never meant to be an individual project. Healing isn't one and done. The deeper possibility is becoming more able to move, feel, rest, and stay present in relationship with each other and the world. Start training your nervous system with Elisabeth and the team of Neuro Somatic Intelligence certified practitioners. Get a free two week trial with five live classes a week plus an on demand practice library at rewiretrial.com Learn about neurotags and how to assess the nervous system in the new NSI workshop with Elisabeth and Matt: https://neurosomatic.com/neurotag If this conversation resonated, subscribe to Trauma Rewired and share it with someone navigating this work. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:25 What nervous system regulation actually means 11:49 Nervous system work is not emotional suppression 18:21 Why we don't share tools online 27:19 The problem with "resetting" your nervous system 38:47 No single tool for anxiety: finding the root drivers 45:17 Trauma informed, trauma sensitive, and trauma attuned 51:24 Co-regulation and moving beyond the healing loop Featured in This Episode 📚 NSI Neurotags Workshop Why can a pattern continue even after you understand where it came from? In this new NeuroSomatic Intelligence workshop, Matt Bush and Elisabeth Kristof explore neurotags, how these networks become highly practiced, what may maintain them, and how targeted sensory input can help create new options. Designed for coaches, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding how the nervous system learns and changes. Learn more and register: neurosomatic.com/neurotag NeuroSomatic Resources 🧠 Train your nervous system through live applied neurology and somatic practices designed to build greater capacity, adaptability, and resilience. Get two free weeks https://www.rewiretrial.com ↗️ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 🌱 WORK WITH JENNIFER Education & Neurosomatic psychedelic preparation, integration, and private mentorship illuminatedwithjennifer.com ️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Explore the intersection of psychedelics, neuroscience, complex trauma, and the nervous system through education grounded in preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you explore your nervous system, intentions, experience, and the changes you want to carry forward. https://www.stan.store/illuminated Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S6 · E305
    October 12 · 47 min· Video

    Beyond the Triune Brain: The Neuroscience of Prediction, Emotion and Change

    What if your brain isn't divided into separate systems for survival, emotion, and rational thought? And what if understanding how the brain actually works could change the way you think about your patterns, your identity, and your capacity for change? For decades, the triune brain model shaped how we understood human behavior, suggesting that our reptilian, emotional, and thinking brains operate as distinct layers. While this model helped make neuroscience accessible, modern research offers a more integrated picture: the brain operates through dynamic, interconnected networks that continuously influence how we perceive, predict, feel, and respond to the world. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof welcome back applied neurology educator and Next Level Neuro founder Matt Bush to explore network neuroscience, predictive processing, and the emerging science of how our experiences are constructed. Together, they examine why survival doesn't simply shut down our higher capacities, but can reorganize how those capacities are used. They explore how patterns propagate through neural networks, how sensory experiences help update predictions, and why emotions, beliefs, and even our sense of identity emerge from the interaction of multiple systems rather than isolated brain regions. You'll also discover why meaningful change requires more than cognitive insight or finding the perfect nervous system tool. Through repeated sensory experiences and individualized neurosomatic practices, we can begin reorganizing established patterns and creating new possibilities for how we experience ourselves and the world. The conversation expands beyond individual healing to consider how increased nervous system capacity influences relationships, communities, and collective change. When our patterns change, the way we participate in the world can change, too. In this episode, we explore: ● Why the triune brain model is outdated and what network neuroscience reveals about brain function ● How survival states reorganize emotional, relational, and cognitive capacities ● Why neural networks operate through prediction rather than isolated brain regions ● How protective and adaptive patterns propagate throughout the nervous system ● The role of interoception, sensory input, and constructed emotion in updating predictions ● How emergence and neurotags help explain complex emotional and behavioral experiences ● Why there is no single nervous system tool for anxiety, shame, or other patterned responses ● How greater capacity can support agency, connection, and changes in our environments ● Why individual nervous system change has implications for our larger relational and social networks Featured in This Episode 📚 NSI Neurotags Workshop Why can a pattern continue even after you understand where it came from? In this new NeuroSomatic Intelligence workshop, Matt Bush and Elisabeth Kristof explore neurotags, how these networks become highly practiced, what may maintain them, and how targeted sensory input can help create new options. Designed for coaches, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding how the nervous system learns and changes. Learn more and register: www.neurosomatic.com/neurotag NeuroSomatic Resources 🧠 Train your nervous system through live applied neurology and somatic practices designed to build greater capacity, adaptability, and resilience. Get two free weeks https://www.rewiretrial.com ↗️ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 🌱 WORK WITH JENNIFER Neurosomatic psychedelic preparation, integration, and private mentorship www.illuminatedwithjennifer.com ️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Explore the intersection of psychedelics, neuroscience, complex trauma, and the nervous system through education grounded in preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you explore your nervous system, intentions, experience, and the changes you want to carry forward. https://www.stan.store/illuminated Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E304
    October 4 · 1 hr 4 min· Video

    We Are Shaping Each Other: The Science of Co-Regulation

    Co-regulation has become almost synonymous with calm: the steady voice, the safe person, the nervous system that helps another nervous system settle. But what if that definition is far too small? We are always co-regulating. The question is: what are we organizing around? In the Season 6 premiere of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof welcome back applied neurology expert Matt Bush to explore what actually happens when nervous systems interact. Eye contact can prime neural networks involved in learning. The presence of someone we trust can change the brain's response to threat without changing the threat itself. And repeated patterns between people can eventually shape the expectations of families, workplaces, communities, and cultures. Through the science of synchrony, hyperscanning, predictive processing, attachment, and social baseline theory, this conversation moves co-regulation beyond "helping someone calm down" and toward a much bigger question: If our nervous systems are continually shaping one another, what are we creating together? Key Takeaways Why co-regulation is much more than feeling calm with another person. How other people become sensory input that influences prediction, interpretation, and nervous system response. What hyperscanning research reveals about neural synchrony during human interaction. How eye contact can influence neural network activation and learning. Why co-regulation can increase activation and threat as well as connection and calm. How attachment patterns can be understood as learned predictions and responses rather than fixed identities. Why insight alone may not be enough to change a deeply practiced nervous system pattern. How social baseline theory helps explain why trusted relationships can function as resources when we encounter stress. Why self-attunement helps us remain connected to ourselves while connecting with someone else. How a practitioner's nervous system can influence the relational environment of an intervention. How repeated patterns within groups can begin shaping workplaces, communities, and cultures. Why discernment matters when choosing the people, groups, and environments that influence your nervous system. The nervous system is continually learning in relationship. And because those patterns can change, our relationships can become places where new predictions, new responses, and new possibilities are built. The work we do with our own nervous system does not stop with us. It changes how we participate with other people and what we contribute to the environments we create together. Featured in This Episode 📚 NSI Neurotags Workshop Why can a pattern continue even after you understand where it came from? In this new NeuroSomatic Intelligence workshop, Matt Bush and Elisabeth Kristof explore neurotags, how these networks become highly practiced, what may maintain them, and how targeted sensory input can help create new options. Designed for coaches, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding how the nervous system learns and changes. Learn more and register: neurosomatic.com/neurotag NeuroSomatic Resources 🧠 Train your nervous system through live applied neurology and somatic practices designed to build greater capacity, adaptability, and resilience. Get two free weeks https://www.rewiretrial.com ↗️ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 🌱 WORK WITH JENNIFER Neurosomatic psychedelic preparation, integration, and private mentorship illuminatedwithjennifer.com 🎙️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Explore the intersection of psychedelics, neuroscience, complex trauma, and the nervous system through education grounded in preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you explore your nervous system, intentions, experience, and the changes you want to carry forward. https://www.stan.store/illuminated Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E60
    September 28 · 54 min· Video

    Why Safety Matters More Than Intensity in Psychedelic Healing

    Peak somatic experiences can create profound shifts in awareness, emotion, and perception—but intensity alone does not create healing. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore why preparation, nervous system capacity, and integration matter far more than the intensity of any psychedelic or peak somatic experience. Through the lens of Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI), they explain how psychedelics influence neuroplasticity, emotional processing, interoception, and implicit memory while also addressing the often-overlooked risks for individuals living with complex trauma, chronic dissociation, or nervous system dysregulation. Rather than promoting psychedelic experiences as a universal solution, this conversation offers a trauma-informed perspective on who may benefit, who should proceed with caution, and why lasting transformation happens after the experience—not during it. Whether you're curious about psychedelic healing, preparing for a peak somatic experience, or simply wanting to better understand how trauma is stored and processed in the body, this episode provides a balanced, neuroscience-informed foundation. In This Episode What defines a peak somatic experience through the lens of Neurosomatic Intelligence How psychedelics influence neuroplasticity and brain function Why increased neuroplasticity can strengthen both helpful and unhelpful patterns The role of the Default Mode Network in psychedelic experiences How trauma changes emotional processing and implicit memory Why somatic memories may emerge without conscious recollection The relationship between interoception, embodiment, and healing Why complex trauma and chronic dissociation require additional caution How preparation increases nervous system capacity before a psychedelic experience Why integration—not intensity—is what creates lasting change The importance of working with trauma-informed practitioners Why "more medicine" is not always more therapeutic How emotional breakthroughs become lasting nervous system change The collective responsibility of healing beyond individual transformation Featured in This Episode 🌿 Work with Jennifer Wallace Jennifer specializes in Neurosomatic Intelligence-informed psychedelic preparation, nervous system education, and integration support, helping individuals develop the capacity to safely receive, process, and embody transformational experiences. Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. 🎥 Sacred Synapse Looking for deeper conversations about psychedelic neuroscience, nervous system healing, preparation, and integration? Subscribe to Jennifer's YouTube channel, Sacred Synapse, for educational content rooted in neuroscience, harm reduction, and embodied transformation. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal The Wayfinder Journal is Jennifer's guided psychedelic preparation and integration companion, designed to help you cultivate insight before, during, and after peak somatic experiences. Download your copy here: https://stan.store/illuminated 🧠 Start with Nervous System Training Build regulation, resilience, and capacity with the FREE 2-week Neurosomatic Intelligence trial. https://www.rewiretrial.com 🎓 Become NSI Certified Learn how to assess and work with the nervous system through the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification. https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com Podcast Discalimer 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E60
    September 21 · 1 hr· Video

    Why Post-Traumatic Growth Requires Nervous System Reorganization

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-68a73dcf-4c38-8326-821b-000c1c4d216f-2" data-turn-id-container= "request-68a73dcf-4c38-8326-821b-000c1c4d216f-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-30" data-turn="assistant"> Post-traumatic growth is often described as finding meaning after adversity, but insight alone does not reorganize a nervous system that is still predicting threat. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by Matt Bush, lead educator for Neurosomatic Intelligence, to explore post-traumatic growth through the lens of neuroplasticity, sensory processing, relational healing and nervous system reorganization. Together they examine why trauma can persist long after an experience has ended, how protective patterns can become intertwined with identity and why repeatedly revisiting trauma without changing the underlying nervous system patterns may keep us caught in cycles of healing without creating lasting change. They also explore the deeply relational nature of post-traumatic growth. Trauma can disrupt trust, belonging and our capacity to co-regulate, while safe connection provides powerful biological signals that help regulate stress and support nervous system repair. From oxytocin and social synchronization to community, shared rituals and relational safety, this conversation looks at why humans evolved to endure stress together rather than alone. Jennifer, Elisabeth and Matt break down what neuroplasticity actually means, how repeated sensory and emotional experiences shape neural pathways and why safety and repetition matter when we are building new patterns. They also explore peak somatic experiences and psychedelics as potential openings into greater flexibility while emphasizing that an opening is not the same as integration. Lasting change requires us to live and practice new patterns after the insight or experience has occurred. Post-traumatic growth is not about forcing gratitude, forgiveness or meaning onto painful experiences. It is about creating the conditions that allow the brain and body to reorganize around greater safety, connection, possibility and choice. In This Episode We Discuss • What post-traumatic growth actually means and why it is more than a mindset shift • How trauma shapes the brain's predictions of safety, threat and identity • Why forcing forgiveness, gratitude or meaning too soon can lead to suppression and bypassing • The role of relational healing, co-regulation and belonging in post-traumatic growth • How oxytocin and social connection help regulate the human stress response • Why connection itself can feel threatening after trauma • How sensory inputs influence nervous system regulation and threat prediction • Why repeatedly revisiting trauma does not necessarily create healing • How healing itself can become an identity that keeps us caught in a cycle of continually searching for the next breakthrough • What neuroplasticity actually means and how repetition strengthens new neural pathways • Why old protective patterns can reappear without erasing the growth that has already occurred • Peak somatic experiences, psychedelics and the difference between an opening and integration • How sleep, digestion, pain, mood and other nervous system outputs can help us recognize whether change is actually occurring • Why humans may have an intrinsic orientation toward growth while still requiring the right conditions for that growth to emerge Resources 🧠 Featured in This Episode NSI Foundations Bundle Explore the foundations of applied neurology and somatics and learn how the brain and body develop patterns of protection, how to safely work with the nervous system and how to begin creating embodied change. The bundle includes three self-paced, on-demand workshops designed for coaches, therapists and practitioners who want to begin integrating nervous system-informed tools into their work. Lifetime access is $37. neurosomaticintelligence.com/foundations 🎯 Start Here FREE 2-week nervous system training: rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: Neurosomatic Intelligence 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: Trauma Rewired on YouTube 🧠 Learn more about Jennifer's work illuminatedwithjennifer.com Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Learn more about psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology and Neurosomatic Intelligence through educational, harm reduction content. Sacred Synapse on YouTube 📓 The Wayfinder Journal A guided journal designed to help you track nervous system patterns, deepen self-awareness and support psychedelic preparation and integration. The Wayfinder Journal 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: Trauma Rewired on Instagram Facebook Group: Trauma Rewired Facebook Group 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from AG1: AG1 Trauma Rewired Offer 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 contact the 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 neuroscience 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 neurosomatic 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. BrainBased.com and RewireTrial.com are membership sites for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. They are not substitutes for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Jennifer Wallace is also the founder of Sacred Synapse, an educational platform exploring psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology, Neurosomatic Intelligence, and nervous system-informed psychedelic preparation and integration. Any discussion of psychedelics is provided for educational and harm reduction purposes only. Sacred Synapse does not encourage or promote illegal substance use. Psychedelic experiences carry significant psychological and physiological risks and are not appropriate for every nervous system. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow the laws applicable where you live before making decisions related to psychedelic use. 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. If you have any concerns regarding our content, please contact us at traumarewired@gmail.com. All rights in our content are reserved. _:empty]:hidden">

  • S5 · E59
    September 14 · 52 min

    How Trauma Creates High Achievers: Fight Response, Perfectionism & Burnout

    Success can become a survival strategy when the nervous system learns that achievement equals safety. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by entrepreneur and Brain Based partner Margy Feldhun to explore how unresolved trauma can drive perfectionism, relentless productivity, emotional repression, and eventual burnout. Together, they unpack why so many high achievers feel successful on the outside while feeling disconnected, numb, or chronically stressed on the inside. You'll learn how the fight response can masquerade as ambition, why emotional repression often fuels performance until it no longer can, and how nervous system regulation allows success to become something you can actually experience instead of constantly chasing. If you've ever felt like you're accomplishing everything yet still can't relax, this conversation will help you understand why—and show you a different path toward sustainable achievement, healthier relationships, and authentic fulfillment. In This Episode Why high achievement is often rooted in nervous system survival rather than true capacity How the fight response fuels perfectionism, overworking, and burnout The hidden cost of emotional repression in business, leadership, and relationships Why external success cannot create internal safety How perfectionism, shame, and hypervigilance become performance strategies The difference between emotional repression and emotional suppression Why high performers often experience burnout despite outward success How emotional processing improves leadership, decision-making, and resilience The connection between chronic stress, migraines, pain, and emotional repression Why nervous system regulation creates sustainable success instead of survival-driven achievement How learning to process emotions leads to greater presence, authenticity, and healthier relationships Practical first steps for rewiring achievement patterns through Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI). Featured in This Episode 🧠 The 15-Day Nervous System Rewire A guided introduction to nervous system regulation through 15 progressive practices designed to help you build self-attunement, regulate overwhelm, and begin creating lasting change. https://rewirecourse.com 🎁 Try Brain Based Free for Two Weeks Experience daily applied neurology exercises, emotional processing practices, and nervous system training inside the Brain Based membership. https://rewiretrial.com 🎓 Become NSI Certified Learn the neuroscience and practical application of Neurosomatic Intelligence through our professional certification program. https://neurosomaticintelligence.com Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes Watch full episodes and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com Sacred Synapse Interested in the neuroscience of psychedelics, neuroplasticity, and nervous system preparation? Explore Jennifer Wallace's educational YouTube channel dedicated to evidence-informed psychedelic education and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse The Wayfinder Journal Develop greater nervous system awareness through guided reflections, emotional processing prompts, and practical regulation exercises. https://stan.store/illuminated 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 anddisease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seekprofessional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations arehaving 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E58
    September 7 · 1 hr 4 min

    Why Trauma Changes the Brain: Complex Trauma, Inflammation & Neuroplasticity

    Trauma doesn't just shape your memories. It changes how your brain predicts, interprets, and responds to the world. In this episode, Jennifer and Elisabeth sit down with clinical neuroscientist Dr. Mbemba Jabbi to explore the biology of complex trauma through the lens of neurogenetics, affective neuroscience, inflammation, and neuroplasticity. Together they unpack how early adversity reshapes emotional brain networks, why survival adaptations become deeply encoded, and what current neuroscience reveals about the connection between trauma, chronic disease, and healing. From the anterior insula and amygdala to inflammatory biomarkers like C-reactive protein, this conversation bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with practical understanding for survivors and practitioners alike. Most importantly, it offers hope: the brain remains plastic throughout life, and healing is possible. In This Episode Why trauma is an ongoing conversation between the brain, body, and environment—not simply a past event. How the brain's emotional networks continuously evaluate safety through sensory input. The role of the anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala in emotional regulation and threat detection. Why many trauma responses are adaptive suppressions rather than deficits. How survival patterns formed during childhood often repeat throughout adulthood. The relationship between chronic trauma, inflammation, and long-term physical health. What C-reactive protein may reveal about the biological impact of childhood trauma. Why early childhood sexual trauma produces distinct biological effects compared with other forms of adversity. How genetics and environment interact to shape emotional health without determining destiny. Why neuroplasticity gives us the capacity to build new patterns throughout life. How nervous system training, supportive relationships, and therapeutic interventions help create lasting change. Why emotions are not separate from the body—they are deeply integrated with every system involved in survival and wellbeing. Featured in This Episode 🧠 Start your FREE two-week Rewire Trial Learn the same neurosomatic tools discussed throughout the podcast and begin training your nervous system with live classes, expert guidance, and an extensive on-demand library. https://www.rewiretrial.com RESOURCES ✨ Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. 🌿 Sacred Synapse Explore Jennifer's educational videos on psychedelic neuroscience, preparation, integration, and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📖 The Wayfinder Journal A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you embody insight and create lasting change. https://stan.store/illuminated Connect with Us 🌐 Website https://www.traumarewired.com 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired 👥 Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 Exclusive Offer 🥬 Receive a FREE bottle of AG1 with your subscription. https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisionsregarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E57
    August 31 · 49 min

    Undiagnosed TBI: Why Brain Injuries Are Often Missed and Misunderstood

    Traumatic brain injuries are incredibly common, yet many mild TBIs and concussions go unrecognized. And when the symptoms of a brain injury overlap with the effects of complex trauma, it can become difficult to understand what is actually driving changes in cognition, emotional regulation, behavior, energy, and capacity. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by Amanda Smith, certified brain injury specialist, applied neurology pain and performance coach, NSI educator, and founder of Amanda's Way, to explore the intersection of traumatic brain injury and complex trauma. Amanda shares her own experience recovering from concussion and whiplash and explains why symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, irritability, emotional reactivity, poor concentration, sleep disruption, sensory sensitivity, and reduced capacity can easily be attributed to trauma, anxiety, depression, or stress when an underlying brain injury may also be contributing. Together, they explore how TBI can change the brain's ability to process visual, vestibular, sensory, and cognitive information; why everyday inputs can require significantly more resources after injury; and how reduced fuel and capacity can affect everything from relationships and work to emotional regulation and rehabilitation. The conversation also examines why practitioners working with trauma and the nervous system need a foundational understanding of concussion and TBI—and why those working with brain injury populations benefit from understanding the effects of complex trauma, chronic stress, and nervous system patterns. Rather than pushing through symptoms, recovery begins with understanding what the nervous system is actually experiencing, assessing capacity, working with the minimum effective dose, and recognizing when additional rehabilitation, referral, or collaborative care may be needed. In This Episode What traumatic brain injury and mild TBI can look like Why many concussions and mild TBIs go undiagnosed The overlap between TBI, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and complex trauma symptoms How brain injury can affect emotional regulation, cognition, memory, vision, and behavior Why irritability, withdrawal, overwhelm, and reduced capacity may emerge after concussion The relationship between complex trauma and persistent post-concussion symptoms Why women and other vulnerable populations may experience additional barriers to recovery How TBI can increase the energetic demands placed on the brain Visual, vestibular, sensory, and cognitive processing after brain injury Why pushing through symptoms can create diminishing returns Fuel, capacity, assessment, reassessment, and the minimum effective dose How Neurosomatic Intelligence can support individualized nervous system work Why practitioners need to recognize when referral or collaborative care is appropriate Beginning with simple awareness of breath, energy expenditure, restoration, and capacity The importance of compassion for ourselves and others when we cannot see what another nervous system has experienced Featured in This Episode BECOMING TBI & CONCUSSION INFORMED — LIVE WORKSHOP If you work with the nervous system, understanding concussion and traumatic brain injury is essential. Post-concussion symptoms can present as fatigue, overwhelm, emotional reactivity, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to sound or light, inconsistent progress, or reduced capacity for stress. Join Amanda Smith on September 17 for Becoming TBI and Concussion Informed, a live workshop designed to help practitioners understand how a history of concussion, mild TBI, or head and neck trauma may be affecting what they observe in their clients. Learn to ask better questions, adapt your approach, recognize when referral or collaboration is needed, and work with greater clarity and confidence. neurosomatic.com/concussion Amanda Smith is a certified brain injury specialist, applied neurology pain and performance coach, founder of Amanda's Way, and educator in the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification. Her work integrates applied neurology, nervous system education, and rehabilitation to support people navigating traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms. Offerings & Resources START HERE — FREE NERVOUS SYSTEM TRAINING Begin learning how to work with your nervous system with our free two-week Rewire Trial: rewiretrial.com NEUROSOMATIC INTELLIGENCE COACHING CERTIFICATION Learn to work with the nervous system through an integrative framework combining applied neurology, somatics, trauma-informed education, and nervous system assessment. neurosomaticintelligence.com WATCH TRAUMA REWIRED ON YOUTUBE YouTube: youtube.com/@TraumaRewired EXPLORE JENNIFER'S WORK Explore psychedelic neuroscience, nervous system preparation and integration, neuroplasticity, and harm reduction with Jennifer on Sacred Synapse: youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 www.illuminatedwithjennifer.com JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Connect with the Trauma Rewired community on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 CONNECT WITH TRAUMA REWIRED Instagram: instagram.com/trauma.rewired Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E56
    August 24 · 1 hr 2 min

    The Science of Feeling Safe in Your Body: Emotional Regulation and Trauma

    Episode Summary Why do you know you're safe logically, but your body still reacts as though you're in danger? Emotional regulation isn't about staying calm, avoiding difficult emotions, or suppressing how you feel. It's about your brain and nervous system working together to accurately interpret what's happening inside and around you so you can respond with flexibility instead of survival. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by NSI educator Matt Bush to explore the neuroscience of emotional regulation through the lens of brain integration, interoception, sensory processing, and neuroplasticity. Together they unpack why trauma disrupts communication between key brain networks, how chronic stress creates fragmented emotional processing, and why many people remain stuck in cycles of overwhelm, shutdown, perfectionism, dissociation, binge eating, emotional flooding, or emotional numbness despite years of personal development or therapy. The conversation also explores why emotional regulation is a trainable neurological skill, how simple nervous system practices improve brain integration, why sensory mismatch contributes to chronic stress, and how properly preparing the nervous system creates safer, more effective emotional processing—including during psychedelic experiences. If you've ever wondered why insight alone doesn't create lasting change, why your emotions sometimes feel bigger than the situation, or why your body seems to react before your mind can catch up, this episode offers a neuroscience-based roadmap toward regulation, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. In This Episode We Discuss What emotional regulation actually is—and what it is not Why emotional regulation depends on brain integration The roles of the insula, anterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex How trauma disrupts communication between brain networks Why chronic stress creates fragmented emotional processing The relationship between interoception, proprioception, and emotional regulation Sensory mismatch and its hidden impact on nervous system health Emotional flooding, shutdown, perfectionism, binge eating, and dissociation Why "fake it until you make it" comes with a physiological cost The neuroscience behind predictive coding and emotional interpretation Why emotions are physiological—not simply psychological How movement, vocalization, and nervous system regulation support emotional processing Brain-body integration and the limits of insight alone Emotional regulation during psychedelic and peak somatic experiences Building nervous system capacity through daily regulation practices Practical neuroscience tools that support resilience and post-traumatic growth Featured in This Episode NSI Foundations Bundle Learn the foundational neuroscience and practical nervous system tools behind everything taught inside the NeuroSomatic Intelligence Certification. https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/foundations Start Here FREE 2-Week Rewire Trial https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn More About NeuroSomatic Intelligence https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at https://illuminatedwithjennifer.com Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Learn more about psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology, Neurosomatic Intelligence, and nervous system-informed psychedelic preparation and integration through educational, harm reduction content. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 The Wayfinder Journal A guided journal designed to help you track nervous system patterns, deepen self-awareness, and support psychedelic preparation and integration. https://stan.store/illuminated Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 Exclusive Offer FREE 1-Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from AG1 https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 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 contact the 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 neuroscience 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 neurosomatic 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. BrainBased.com and RewireTrial.com are membership sites for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. They are not substitutes for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Jennifer Wallace is also the founder of Sacred Synapse, an educational platform exploring psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology, Neurosomatic Intelligence, and nervous system-informed psychedelic preparation and integration. Any discussion of psychedelics is provided for educational and harm reduction purposes only. Sacred Synapse does not encourage or promote illegal substance use. Psychedelic experiences carry significant psychological and physiological risks and are not appropriate for every nervous system. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow the laws applicable where you live before making decisions related to psychedelic use. 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. If you have any concerns regarding our content, please contact us at traumarewired@gmail.com. All rights in our content are reserved.

  • S5 · E55
    August 17 · 1 hr

    Boundaries, Attachment, and the Fear of Losing Connection

    Most people think boundaries are about saying "no," protecting themselves, or keeping others at a distance. But from a nervous system perspective, boundaries are something much deeper. They are not walls that separate us from connection—they are the foundation that makes authentic connection possible. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace, Elisabeth Kristof, and returning guest Margie Faltin explore boundaries through the lens of neuroscience, attachment, co-regulation, and post-traumatic growth. Together they examine why boundaries can feel so threatening after trauma, why receiving someone else's boundary can activate abandonment, and how early attachment experiences shape the way we relate to authenticity, conflict, and connection throughout our lives. Whether you've struggled with people-pleasing, over-functioning, conflict avoidance, or feeling guilty for putting your needs first, this conversation offers a compassionate, science-backed framework for understanding boundaries as an expression of nervous system health rather than emotional distance. Together they explore why boundaries become easier as nervous system capacity grows, how self-attunement changes the way we communicate our needs, why authenticity requires safety, and how learning to both set and receive boundaries creates stronger relationships, greater resilience, and lasting post-traumatic growth. Key Takeaways Why boundaries are a nervous system skill—not simply communication techniques. How attachment patterns shape the way we set and receive boundaries. Why receiving a boundary can feel like abandonment after trauma. The neuroscience of oxytocin, co-regulation, and the "tend-and-befriend" stress response. Why people-pleasing and fawning are survival adaptations rather than personality traits. The difference between reactive boundaries and boundaries rooted in regulation. Why self-attunement is foundational to authentic relationships. How rupture and repair help build secure attachment over time. Practical nervous system exercises for strengthening boundary capacity. Why authentic connection requires truth—not performance, perfection, or self-abandonment. If you've ever worried that speaking your truth would cost you love, feared disappointing others, or found yourself constantly prioritizing everyone else's needs above your own, this episode offers another perspective: healthy boundaries are not about pushing people away. They are about creating the safety, authenticity, and nervous system capacity that allow genuine connection to grow. Resources 🧠 Start Your Nervous System Journey — FREE for Two Weeks https://rewiretrial.com 🌿 NeuroSomatic Intelligence (NSI) Certification https://neurosomaticintelligence.com Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. 🎙️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse 🎧 Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 📖 The Wayfinder Journal https://stan.store/illuminated Podcast 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 neuroscience 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 NeuroSomatic 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com. All rights in our content are reserved.

  • S5 · E54
    August 10 · 57 min

    Sexual Fawning: When Survival Gets Mistaken for Intimacy

    Why do so many trauma survivors say "yes" when every part of their body is saying "no"? In this deeply compassionate episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by somatic educator Luis Mojica to explore one of the least understood trauma adaptations: sexual fawning. While many people recognize fawning as people-pleasing, sexual fawning often remains hidden beneath shame, confusion, and self-blame. Together, they unpack how the nervous system can mistake compliance for safety, why intimacy can become intertwined with survival, and how early developmental experiences shape adult relationships. You'll learn why fawning is not a personality trait but an intelligent physiological adaptation, how developmental trauma creates "over-couplings" between fear and pleasure, and why healing begins not with forcing different behaviors, but by learning to recognize the body's earliest protective signals. This conversation also explores the relationship between attachment wounds, body boundaries, shame, freeze responses, compassion, and nervous system capacity—offering a new framework for understanding sexuality through the lens of neuroscience, somatics, and post-traumatic growth. Whether you've experienced childhood trauma, struggle to maintain boundaries, or simply want a deeper understanding of how survival responses influence intimacy, this episode offers practical insights and profound hope for healing. In This Episode What the fawn response actually is—and why it's far more than people-pleasing The difference between fawning and sexual fawning How developmental trauma couples fear, shame, and arousal Why sexual fawning often occurs inside loving, committed relationships The physiology behind compliance, dissociation, and body boundaries How freeze and fawn work together during traumatic experiences Why shame is a physiological state—not a character flaw Understanding over-coupling and how the nervous system learns survival The difference between present danger and nervous system triggers How to recognize the first body signals before a fawn response occurs Why compassion can feel threatening to a traumatized nervous system The relationship between chronic people-pleasing, chronic illness, and nervous system capacity Practical somatic practices for interrupting the fawn response and rebuilding body trust Start Here If today's conversation resonated with you, these resources are a powerful next step: 🧠 The Nervous System Rewire Mini Course Learn the foundational practices for regulating your nervous system and creating lasting change. https://rewirecourse.com 🧠 Try Brain-Based Membership Free for Two Weeks Join Jennifer and Elisabeth for live nervous system training. https://rewiretrial.com 🧠 NSI Foundations Begin understanding how applied neurology and Neurosomatic Intelligence create lasting nervous system change. https://www.rewiretrial.com Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes If this conversation resonated, continue exploring these related episodes: Understanding the Fawn Response Why Boundaries Feel Like Rejection After Trauma From Shame to Self-Expression: Healing Body Boundaries After Trauma Emotional Flashbacks and Complex Trauma Why Being Yourself Can Feel Dangerous After Trauma The Freeze Response Explained Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn: Understanding Survival States Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. If you're interested in the intersection of neuroscience, psychedelics, interoception, and nervous system preparation, explore Jennifer's educational YouTube channel: Sacred Synapse https://www.youtube.com/@SacredSynapse New videos every week exploring applied neurology, neuroplasticity, trauma physiology, and psychedelic harm reduction. The Wayfinder Journal Healing doesn't happen through insight alone. The Wayfinder Journal was designed to help you develop greater self-awareness, nervous system attunement, and embodied reflection between sessions and episodes. Explore the journal here: https://stan.store/traumarewired Exclusive Offer 🥬 Receive a FREE bottle of AG1 with your subscription. https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Podcast 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisionsregarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E53
    August 3 · 55 min

    The Fawn Response Explained

    The fawn response is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—trauma adaptations. While many people recognize it as people-pleasing, saying yes too often, or avoiding conflict, fawning is far more than a personality trait. It is a deeply wired survival response designed to preserve attachment, reduce threat, and maintain connection when the nervous system believes belonging is at risk. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore the neuroscience of the fawn response, explaining why so many people learn to abandon themselves in order to maintain relationships. They examine how developmental trauma teaches children to prioritize attachment over authenticity, why boundaries can feel physically threatening, and how chronic self-sacrifice eventually disconnects us from our own needs, emotions, and body. Jennifer also shares deeply personal reflections on her own healing journey, including how fawning shaped her relationships, her experience of people-pleasing, and her recovery after surviving a kidnapping for the purpose of sex trafficking. Together, Jennifer and Elisabeth distinguish between acute survival fawning during life-threatening events and the chronic relational fawning that quietly shapes everyday interactions, work, friendships, and intimate relationships. The conversation also explores sexual fawning—one of the least discussed trauma adaptations—and how nervous system dysregulation can cause people to override their body's own signals in order to preserve attachment, avoid conflict, or maintain connection. They discuss why these patterns often continue inside loving relationships, how dissociation disconnects us from authentic consent, and why rebuilding trust with our own body becomes one of the most important parts of healing. Rather than viewing fawning as weakness or codependency, Jennifer and Elisabeth invite listeners to understand it as an intelligent biological adaptation that once protected survival. Healing isn't about becoming less caring or less connected. It's about expanding nervous system capacity so connection no longer requires self-abandonment. Key Takeaways What the fawn response really is and why it is a biological survival adaptation rather than a personality trait. The difference between acute survival fawning and chronic relational fawning. Why people-pleasing, caretaking, and self-sacrifice are often nervous system responses rather than conscious choices. How developmental trauma teaches us to choose attachment over authenticity. Why boundaries often feel dangerous to the nervous system. The neuroscience of attachment, co-regulation, and social survival. Why connection is a regulated nervous system state—not simply an emotion. How chronic fawning contributes to emotional suppression, shame, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation. How false connection develops through self-abandonment. Jennifer's personal reflections on surviving kidnapping and how fawning functioned during an acute survival experience. The hidden dynamics of sexual fawning and why it often persists inside loving relationships. How dissociation disconnects us from our body's "yes" and "no." Why emotional processing helps restore authentic boundaries and self-expression. Practical ways to begin rewiring the fawn response through daily nervous system practice. If you've ever struggled to say no, felt responsible for everyone else's emotions, or found yourself losing your voice in order to keep the peace, this episode offers a compassionate, neuroscience-informed understanding of why those patterns developed—and how they can begin to change. Healing starts by recognizing that your nervous system was protecting you. Recovery begins when your body learns that authentic connection no longer requires self-abandonment Resources 🧠 Start Your Nervous System Journey — FREE for Two Weeks https://rewiretrial.com 🌿 NeuroSomatic Intelligence (NSI) Certification https://neurosomaticintelligence.com Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. 🎙️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse 🎧 Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired 📖 The Wayfinder Journal https://stan.store/illuminated Disclaimer Trauma Rewired is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological, or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear in this podcast. We share our experiences and explore trauma, nervous system health, emotional processing, 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 listening if these conversations are having a negative impact on your health or well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. If someone's life is in immediate danger, call 911. We do our best to stay current with scientific research, but older episodes remain available and may not reflect the latest findings. We do not warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate, or up-to-date information. It is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual needs, as we are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information shared in this podcast. We occasionally invite guests to share their expertise and lived experiences. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Trauma Rewired or our organization. We do not independently verify every statement made by our guests and do not endorse third-party content. We discuss neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and somatic health for a broad audience, but every nervous system is unique. The information shared is educational in nature and should not replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic care. We are not physicians or licensed medical professionals. We are certified Neurosomatic practitioners, educators, and nervous system coaches. This podcast is not a substitute for working with a qualified healthcare provider who understands your individual history and needs. Brain Based and Rewire Trial provide educational resources focused on nervous system health, stress processing, and somatic practices. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental health condition and are not appropriate substitutes for emergency or crisis care. Any examples shared throughout this podcast are for educational and illustrative purposes. When based on real events, identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelic substances are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. We strive to respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at traumarewired@gmail.com. © Trauma Rewired. All rights reserved.

  • S5 · E52
    July 27 · 45 min

    Why Being Yourself Can Feel Dangerous After Trauma

    What if authenticity isn't a personality trait—but a sign of nervous system capacity? Many people believe they struggle to be themselves because they lack confidence, boundaries, or self-awareness. But after trauma, authenticity can feel physiologically dangerous. When the nervous system has learned that honesty risks rejection, conflict, or abandonment, masking, performing, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and emotional editing become intelligent survival strategies. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore why authenticity is one of the clearest markers of post-traumatic growth. They unpack the neuroscience behind masking, the relationship between performance and attachment, why "little lies" often emerge from protection rather than manipulation, and how increasing nervous system capacity allows authentic self-expression without collapse or self-abandonment. The conversation also explores how psychedelic experiences often create temporary feelings of authenticity and forgiveness—but why those insights only become lasting change through preparation, regulation, and integration. Jennifer also shares a deeply personal reflection on self-forgiveness, relational repair, and how nervous system regulation creates the capacity to tell the truth, remain connected, and experience genuine freedom. In This Episode, We Discuss Why authenticity is a marker of nervous system health—not personality. How complex trauma teaches the body that honesty can threaten attachment. The neuroscience behind masking, performance, and emotional editing. Why perfectionism is a survival strategy rather than a character trait. The relationship between authenticity and post-traumatic growth. How chronic self-suppression increases allostatic load and nervous system stress. Why "little lies" often function as protective nervous system adaptations. The difference between visibility and authentic expression. Oversharing versus authentic vulnerability. How nervous system capacity changes relationships. Why psychedelic insight alone does not create lasting transformation. The role of preparation and integration after psychedelic experiences. Self-forgiveness as a nervous system practice rather than a mindset. Why shame blocks neuroplasticity and learning. Attunement, emotional processing, and authentic change. Forgiveness without bypassing accountability. Breaking intergenerational trauma patterns through regulation and capacity building. Featured in This Episode The Nervous System Rewire Course Learn the foundational practices that help you regulate your nervous system, build self-attunement, and increase capacity through experiential exercises. https://rewirecourse.com Start Here The Rewire Trial Experience the Brain-Based Membership with a two-week trial. https://rewiretrial.com NSI Foundations Bundle Learn the fundamentals of Neurosomatic Intelligence. https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/workshops/ Capacity Gap Workshop Understand why capacity—not willpower—is the missing link in lasting nervous system change. https://rewirecapacity.com Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes Watch full video episodes and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace For deeper education on psychedelic neuroscience, nervous system preparation, integration, and harm reduction, visit Sacred Synapse. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse The Wayfinder Journal Jennifer's guided journal for nervous system awareness, reflection, and post-traumatic growth. https://stan.store/illuminated Exclusive Offer Support your nervous system with AG1 and receive Trauma Rewired's exclusive partner offer. https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Disclaimer The Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological, or other professional advice or services. The information shared by Jennifer Wallace, Elisabeth Kristof, and their guests is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. If listening to this podcast brings up significant distress, please pause the episode and seek support from a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, contact your local emergency services immediately. In the United States and Canada, you can also contact or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, neuroscience and trauma research continue to evolve. Trauma Rewired makes no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or ongoing accuracy of the information shared. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace, Elisabeth Kristof, BrainBased, or their affiliates. Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are educators and practitioners. Unless explicitly stated, they are not acting as licensed medical or mental health providers within the context of this podcast. BrainBased.com, RewireTrial.com, and associated educational programs are intended for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for individualized medical or mental healthcare. Discussions involving psychedelics are presented exclusively for educational and harm reduction purposes. Trauma Rewired does not encourage or promote illegal activity or the unsupervised use of psychedelic substances. Individuals should understand and comply with the laws applicable in their jurisdiction and consult qualified healthcare professionals before making decisions related to psychedelic therapies. Any examples or stories shared on this podcast are for educational illustration. Names and identifying details may be changed to protect privacy. For questions regarding podcast content, please contact: traumarewired@gmail.com © Trauma Rewired. All rights reserved.

  • S5 · E51
    July 20 · 1 hr 4 min

    Grief Is a Body Experience: The Neuroscience of Loss

    Grief is often thought of as an emotional response to death, but grief is much more than that. It is a full-body physiological process that accompanies every meaningful loss, transition, and transformation we experience throughout life. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace, Elisabeth Kristof, and NSI Director of Operations and Continuing Education Piper Rose explore grief through the lens of neuroscience, attachment, and the nervous system. Together, they examine why grief is not something to "get over," but a biological process that reshapes our brain, body, relationships, and identity. Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, your health, a career, a version of yourself, or navigating the changes that naturally accompany healing and post-traumatic growth, this conversation offers a compassionate and science-backed framework for understanding grief as an essential part of being human. Together, they explore why grief can feel physically painful, how our nervous system adapts to loss, why meaning-making often comes too early, and how building the capacity to stay present with grief ultimately expands our capacity for resilience, connection, and love. Key Takeaways Why grief is a biological nervous system process—not simply an emotional experience. How grief reshapes the brain's predictions, physiology, and sense of identity. The relationship between grief, attachment, belonging, and post-traumatic growth. Why grief often shows up as fatigue, heaviness, physical pain, bracing, or shutdown. How survival responses like suppression, over-functioning, and dissociation interrupt the body's natural grieving process. Why growth always asks us to grieve who we once were. Why meaning-making is most helpful after the body has processed loss—not before. Practical ways to support grief through co-regulation, nervous system capacity, and daily "minimum effective dose" grief practice. If you've ever been told to "move on," "look for the silver lining," or simply "stay strong," this episode offers another perspective: grief is not something to overcome. It is a deeply human process that deserves to be witnessed, supported, and experienced with compassion. Featured in This Episode Piper Rose Founder of Shadowplay Coaching and Director of Operations & Continuing Education at NeuroSomatic Intelligence. Frances Weller Author and psychotherapist whose work on grief, ritual, and community is referenced throughout the conversation. Kintsugi The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, used as a metaphor for healing, resilience, and transformation. Resources 🧠 Start Your Nervous System Journey — FREE for Two Weeks https://rewiretrial.com 🌿 NeuroSomatic Intelligence (NSI) Certification https://neurosomaticintelligence.com 🎧 Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired Are you ready to become the woman who can carry the vision? Discover nervous system education, preparation, integration, and resources to support your journey at illuminatedwithjennifer.com. 🎙️ Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse 📖 The Wayfinder Journal https://stan.store/illuminated 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. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  • S5 · E50
    July 13 · 53 min

    From Shame to Self Expression: Healing Body Boundaries After Trauma

    Childhood sexual trauma doesn't end when the event is over. It can shape the nervous system for decades, influencing boundaries, shame, relationships, chronic pain, dissociation, and the way we experience safety in our own bodies. In this deeply personal episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by NSI practitioner Lovee Bradley to explore the lasting neurophysiological effects of childhood sexual abuse and the path toward healing. Together they discuss how early violations of body boundaries shape the developing nervous system, why freeze and dissociation become deeply ingrained survival strategies, and how those adaptations continue to influence adult relationships, emotional regulation, shame, intimacy, and self-expression. Jennifer, Elisabeth, and Lovee also share their own lived experiences with sexual trauma, pelvic pain, chronic bracing, emotional suppression, people-pleasing, and boundary challenges while offering hope through nervous system healing and neuroplasticity. This conversation is not about reliving trauma—it is about understanding the intelligence of survival responses and learning how to safely reconnect with your body, your voice, and your sense of self. If you've ever struggled with shame, chronic freeze, difficulty saying no, intimacy challenges, or feeling disconnected from your own body, this episode offers both education and hope. In This Episode We Discuss • How childhood sexual trauma shapes nervous system development • Why freeze is an intelligent survival response—not a personal weakness • Dissociation, shame, and the long-term effects of developmental trauma • How chronic muscle bracing and pelvic floor tension develop after trauma • Sexual fawning, people-pleasing, and body boundary violations • Emotional regulation and the lasting impact of early attachment wounds • The relationship between shame, chronic illness, and self-abandonment • Why boundaries often feel physically unsafe after trauma • Rebuilding safety, self-expression, and agency through neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation Resources 🧠 Featured in This Episode Working with Shame: A Neurosomatic Approach for Practitioners Learn practical tools for recognizing and re-patterning shame through a nervous system lens. https://neurosomatic.com/shame 🎯 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 🧠 Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace Learn more about psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology, and Neurosomatic Intelligence through educational, harm reduction content. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 📓 The Wayfinder Journal A guided journal designed to help you track nervous system patterns, deepen self-awareness, and support psychedelic preparation and integration. https://stan.store/illuminated 🤝 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 AG1: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 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 contact the 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 neuroscience 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 neurosomatic 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. BrainBased.com and RewireTrial.com are membership sites for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. They are not substitutes for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Jennifer Wallace is also the founder of Sacred Synapse, an educational platform exploring psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology, Neurosomatic Intelligence, and nervous system-informed psychedelic preparation and integration. Any discussion of psychedelics is provided for educational and harm reduction purposes only. Sacred Synapse does not encourage or promote illegal substance use. Psychedelic experiences carry significant psychological and physiological risks and are not appropriate for every nervous system. Always consult qualified medical professionals and follow the laws applicable where you live before making decisions related to psychedelic use. 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. If you have any concerns regarding our content, please contact us at traumarewired@gmail.com. All rights in our content are reserved.

  • S5 · E49
    July 6 · 50 min

    How Self-Compassion Changes the Brain and Rewires Shame

    Shame is one of the most powerful forces shaping the nervous system. It can quietly influence how we think, relate, perform, heal, and even how we experience ourselves. Yet most approaches treat shame as something to challenge cognitively rather than something that has become embodied through years of protective adaptations. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore the neuroscience of self-compassion and why it is not simply "being nice to yourself." Self-compassion is a neurobiological intervention that changes brain function, increases emotional regulation, reduces threat activation, and creates the conditions for genuine nervous system change. Together, they unpack why shame becomes wired into the brain, how protective survival responses reinforce shame over time, and why healing requires more than insight. Through the lens of Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI), they explain how creating safety within the nervous system allows new neural pathways to develop, making lasting transformation possible. If you've ever struggled with perfectionism, chronic self-criticism, people-pleasing, burnout, or the feeling that you're somehow "not enough," this conversation offers both the neuroscience and the practical tools to begin rewiring those deeply learned patterns. In This Episode What shame actually is from a nervous system perspective How chronic shame changes brain function and reinforces survival patterns The difference between guilt, shame, and healthy accountability Why self-compassion is a biological process—not positive thinking How self-criticism activates threat physiology The neuroscience behind safety, neuroplasticity, and emotional regulation Why insight alone rarely resolves shame How early attachment experiences shape lifelong self-perception The relationship between self-compassion and resilience Practical ways to begin rewiring shame through Neurosomatic Intelligence Why shame is often an adaptive survival strategy rather than a character flaw How your nervous system learns patterns of self-protection Why changing your internal dialogue without changing physiology often doesn't last How compassion supports neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation Why healing requires increasing capacity—not forcing change Small practices that help shift the nervous system toward safety and connection Featured in This Episode Throughout this conversation, we mention the following resources: 🧠 15-Day Nervous System Rewire Begin building nervous system regulation with 15 guided practices. https://rewirecourse.com 🎁 FREE Two-Week Brain Based Trial Experience Brain Based free through the Trauma Rewired community. https://rewiretrial.com Start Here 🎓 Become NSI Certified The Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification teaches applied neurology, somatics, and nervous system regulation for professionals and practitioners. https://neurosomaticintelligence.com Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes Watch full episodes and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired Sacred Synapse Interested in the neuroscience of psychedelics, neuroplasticity, and nervous system preparation? Explore Jennifer Wallace's educational YouTube channel dedicated to evidence-informed psychedelic education and harm reduction. https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 illuminatedwithjennifer.com The Wayfinder Journal Develop greater nervous system awareness through guided reflections, emotional processing prompts, and practical regulation exercises. https://stan.store/illuminated Exclusive Offer FREE 1-Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from AG1 https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Disclaimer The 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 and 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 listening if these 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 is experiencing a mental health crisis and you are in the United States, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. If someone's life is in immediate danger, call 911. We do our best to stay current with research, but older episodes remain available. We do not warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate, or up-to-date information. It is important to speak with a qualified medical professional about your individual needs, as we are not responsible for any actions you take based on the information shared in this podcast. We occasionally invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we do not independently verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content, and the views expressed by guests do not necessarily represent those of our organization. We discuss neuroscience and nervous system health in general terms. Every nervous system is unique. These conversations are intended for a broad audience and provide general educational information. They are not personalized recommendations and should never replace individualized care for your specific health concerns, trauma history, or nervous system needs. We are not physicians or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neurosomatic practitioners and nervous system health and embodiment coaches. We are not your healthcare providers, do not know your individual medical history, and this podcast is not a substitute for working with qualified professionals. BrainBased.com and RewireTrial.com are membership platforms that provide education and practices for general nervous system health, somatic processing, and stress processing. They are not substitutes for medical care and are not appropriate interventions for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Discussions related to psychedelics are provided solely for educational and harm reduction purposes. Nothing shared on this podcast or through Sacred Synapse should be interpreted as medical advice, encouragement to use illegal substances, or a recommendation that psychedelics are appropriate for any individual. Decisions regarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals and in accordance with applicable laws. Any examples shared in this podcast are for illustrative purposes only. When based on real events, identifying details and names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved. We've done our best to ensure that our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at traumarewired@gmail.com. All rights in our content are reserved.

  • S5 · E48
    June 29 · 54 min

    Why You Shut Down: Freeze, Flop, and Tonic Immobility Explained

    S5 E48 – Why You Shut Down: Freeze, Flop, and Tonic Immobility Explained Have you ever found yourself unable to speak during an important conversation? Staring at your computer for hours without being able to begin? Feeling emotionally numb, disconnected, or frozen even though you desperately want to move forward? These experiences are often misunderstood as laziness, burnout, or a lack of motivation. But they may actually be signs of a nervous system that has learned survival through shutdown. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore the freeze response in depth, separating several nervous system states that are often mistakenly grouped together: acute freeze, tonic immobility, flop, and functional freeze. You'll learn why freeze is not simply "doing nothing," but an intelligent neurobiological response that helps the brain assess danger before choosing its next survival strategy. You'll also discover why tonic immobility—a last-resort survival response frequently experienced during sexual assault, childhood abuse, and combat—is fundamentally different from the brief freeze response that occurs during everyday stress. Jennifer and Elisabeth unpack how chronic trauma can condition the nervous system to rely on freeze and shutdown long after danger has passed, creating patterns of emotional numbness, dissociation, indecision, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and difficulty accessing authentic connection. The conversation also explores how functional freeze differs from burnout, why emotional numbness is often a loss of access rather than a loss of emotion, and how disruptions in interoception make emotional processing feel nearly impossible. Rather than encouraging people to push through or "snap out of it," they explain why nervous system healing begins with safety, precision, and what Neurosomatic Intelligence calls the Minimum Effective Dose. Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or supporting clients as a therapist, coach, or practitioner, this episode provides a compassionate neuroscience framework for understanding why shutdown happens—and how the nervous system can gradually learn that it is safe to move, feel, and reconnect again. In This Episode We Discuss: • The difference between freeze, tonic immobility, flop, and functional freeze • Why freeze is a temporary survival pause—not the end of the stress response • How tonic immobility differs from everyday freeze and why it often follows inescapable threat • Why survivors often experience shame after tonic immobility • How chronic trauma patterns freeze into daily life • Functional freeze versus burnout: understanding the differences • How freeze affects relationships, communication, and vulnerability • Why emotional numbness is often a protective nervous system response • The role of interoception in emotional awareness and processing • How trauma changes the way the brain interprets internal body sensations • Why you cannot think your way out of freeze • The neuroscience behind emotional blunting and dissociation • Why high performers can live in functional freeze without realizing it • How freeze impacts motivation, purpose, and emotional connection • The difference between numbness and apathy • Gentle, nervous system-informed approaches to thawing out of freeze • Why healing begins with safety, movement, and minimum effective dose—not forcing emotional breakthroughs If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who may finally find language for an experience they've never been able to explain. To learn more about bringing applied neurology, somatics, and nervous system education into your personal or professional practice, visit Neurosomatic Intelligence and explore the Foundations Bundle. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast—it helps us continue bringing evidence-informed nervous system education to more people around the world. 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 Interested in Psychedlic Neuroscience and NSI? Check out Sacred Synapse by Jennifer Wallace https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 🌱 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

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