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Trauma Isn't Just In Your Head (It's In Your Cells)
Trauma is not a single moment. It is an ongoing dialogue between your brain, body, and environment. In this conversation, Dr. Mbemba Jabbi explains how neuroplasticity and affective neuroscience help us understand protective patterns like hypervigilance, shutdown, and dissociation. We explore the roles of the insula, amygdala, and cingulate networks in sensing threat, shaping emotions, and connecting brain states with bodily signals such as heart, gut, and breath. Dr. Jabbi also discusses research that associates early childhood trauma, including sexual trauma, with higher inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, while emphasizing that biology interacts with environment and change is possible. You will hear how sensory training, co-regulation, psychotherapy, and supportive practices may help repattern responses over time. This is a grounded, science-informed look at why survival strategies make sense in context and how compassionate, skills-based work can support nervous system health. If you or your clients live with complex developmental trauma, this episode offers language, frameworks, and first steps that respect lived experience and prioritize safety. Timestamps: 0:00 Protective patterning and repeating environments 1:00 Meet Dr. Jabbi and his research lens 7:10 Brain circuits in emotion and stress 13:20 Insula, interoception, and body-brain links 18:00 Survival values and environmental context 26:00 Adaptive suppression vs. underdevelopment 40:00 Inflammation and childhood trauma (C-reactive protein) 49:00 Treatment implications and tracking biomarkers 56:00 Fast and slow fear pathways, behavior outputs 59:50 Key takeaways for practitioners and individuals 1:02:00 Repatterning for joy and post-traumatic growth 1:03:30 Where to practice the tools in the community Key Takeaways: Emotions are functional survival signals that reflect whole-body states. The insula, amygdala, and cingulate form networks that integrate sensory input with bodily responses. Protective outputs like numbness or shutdown are learned adaptations that supported safety. Studies associate early childhood trauma with elevated inflammation markers, while outcomes are shaped by environment and support. Neuroplasticity means skills, relationships, and practice can help repattern responses over time. Resources Mentioned: BrainBased community: https://BrainBased.com Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification (NSI) Explore classes and community trial: https://rewiretrial.com Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin Call to Action: If this episode resonates, follow and review Trauma Rewired so more people can find trauma-informed education. Ready to practice the tools we discussed? Start your free trial at rewiretrial.com Disclaimer: Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. All rights in our content are reserved.
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1:04:07
The Emotional Block That No One Talks About
Have you ever drawn a blank when asked how you're feeling? Or maybe you experience constant inner buzzing, numbness, or anxiety without any words to describe it. You’re not broken—and you’re not alone. In this deeply informative and compassionately nuanced episode, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and guest Matt Bush unpack alexithymia: a common and often misunderstood trauma-related trait that involves difficulty identifying, describing, or connecting with emotions. More than emotional “numbness,” alexithymia involves disrupted communication between the body and brain, making healing feel elusive. The hosts break down the neurological roots of this trait, how it differs from emotional numbing in PTSD, and why traditional talk therapy often isn’t enough. You’ll learn how interoceptive training—like what's taught in NeuroSomatic Intelligence (NSI)—can help bring emotional awareness back online. Whether you're a practitioner, trauma survivor, or someone just feeling disconnected, this conversation offers hope and concrete tools to rewire the nervous system for emotional clarity, embodiment, and relational healing. Timestamps: 0:43 – What Is Alexithymia? 3:00 – Why It’s Common After Trauma 4:40 – The TAS-20 Scale: 3 Key Features 7:00 – Lived Experience + Relationship Impact 10:00 – Alexithymia vs. Emotional Numbing 14:40 – Trauma’s Impact on Emotional Mapping 17:00 – Neurological Underpinnings (Insula, DMN, etc.) 20:00 – Substance Use, Shutdowns & Coping 26:00 – Functional Freeze & Stress Sensitivity 30:00 – How Neuroplasticity Supports Change 33:00 – NSI Tools for Rewiring Emotional Awareness 36:00 – Practical Steps to Start Feeling More 40:00 – Emotional Expression, Relationships & Health Outcomes Key Takeaways: Alexithymia is not a disorder but a trainable trait, often shaped by trauma and nervous system adaptations. Traditional talk therapy may not fully address alexithymia due to its neurological roots—interoceptive training is key. It differs from emotional numbing in PTSD; each involves distinct brain networks (e.g., DMN vs. salience network). Emotional awareness isn’t just about language—it starts with sensing the body. Healing emotional disconnect can improve not just mental health, but physical health and relational dynamics. Resources Mentioned: NeuroSomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification → www.rewiretrial.com Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) Referenced Studies: Vandervoort Meta-analysis (2013) Journal of Global Health Reports (2025) Gharlic & Doba (2015) Brewer & Kuehnerberg (2016) PTSD + Alexithymia Therapy Outcomes (2008) If this episode gave you clarity, comfort, or tools for your healing, share it with someone who needs it. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite audio platform or hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode. 👉 Want to learn how to rewire your nervous system and support others in doing the same? Explore the NeuroSomatic Intelligence Certification at www.rewiretrial.com Healing is possible—and it starts with knowing how to listen to your body. Disclaimer: Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. All rights in our content are reserved.
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39:34
The Duality of Emotions: Why Ambivalence Isn't Confusion
Ambivalence isn’t confusion or weakness, it’s your nervous system doing its job. Feeling both joy and grief, relief and loss, fear and excitement, is not dysfunction but survival wisdom. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack ambivalence as a neurobiological phenomenon: how the brain and body construct emotions, why conflicting truths arise during transformation, and how to metabolize them without collapse. You’ll learn to notice the tug-of-war between emotions, expand capacity to sit with duality, and reframe ambivalence as part of post-traumatic growth. By honoring both sides, joy and sorrow, fear and courage, you can create deeper connection with yourself and move through change with clarity and trust. Timestamps 00:00 – Leaving Toxic Love: Relief and Grief Together 01:07 – Ambivalence Defined: Not Confusion, But Wisdom 03:07 – Brain and Body: How Emotions Are Constructed 05:42 – Building Capacity for Emotional Duality 06:39 – Transformation, Identity, and Misread Confusion 08:18 – Neuroscience of Ambivalence: Prediction, Insula, Signals 12:50 – Embodiment and Emotional Vocabulary 24:10 – Boundaries, Family Dynamics, and Attachment Chaos 27:40 – Sitting in Discomfort, Finding Safety Inside 30:59 – Loss of Identity, Grief, and Gratitude 38:08 – Joy Can Be Scary Too Topics Discussed in This Episode Ambivalence as a nervous system signal, not self-sabotage. Why leaving toxic relationships brings both relief and grief. How emotions are constructed in the brain and body. Expanding capacity for emotional regulation and duality. The role of interoception and emotional vocabulary in healing. Transformation and identity shifts as triggers for ambivalence. Attachment needs versus authenticity during change. Why joy and fear often arise together. Practical strategies to metabolize ambivalence and grow. Ambivalence as a gateway to post-traumatic growth. 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowth.com
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51:13
When Attachment Overrides Authenticity: The Fawn Trauma Response
Fawn is a nervous system survival strategy, not a personality flaw. It helps you keep connection and avoid threat by overriding your needs, smiling through discomfort, and saying yes when you want to say no. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack how fawn forms around attachment and safety, why it shows up in daily life and in sex, and how to gently rebuild self trust. You will learn to notice gut and throat signals that precede a reflexive yes, set small boundaries without collapse, and grow capacity to feel both the difficult and the good, so connection can be real, not a performance. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Rebuilding trust with the body – learning to honor yes/no signals, expanding capacity for both positive and negative feelings. Definition of the fawn trauma response – people pleasing, keeping peace, self-abandonment to preserve attachment. Nervous system mechanisms – how fawn is not just psychological but a survival adaptation deeply wired into the body. Everyday patterns of fawning – saying yes when you want to say no, constant smiling, hugging, avoiding conflict, relational perfectionism. Impact on relationships – depletion, shame, freeze states, loss of authenticity, confusing real connection with trauma responses. Attachment vs authenticity (Gabor Maté concept) – how children often sacrifice authenticity to maintain attachment. Personal trauma story (kidnapping experience) – how fawn played a role in survival and how fight/flight responses eventually emerged. Sexual fawning – difficulties with consent, disconnect between cognitive yes and bodily no, patterns of unsafe or unwanted intimacy. Healing practices – developing awareness of body signals, small boundary setting, self-compassion, nervous system regulation, emotional release practices. Outcome of healing – creating genuine connection with self, others, and the environment rather than survival-based attachment. 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage? Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired This episode was produced by ClipGrowth – Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowth.com Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowth.com
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55:36
The Freeze and Flop Trauma Responses and What’s Really Happening in Your Nervous System
Functional freeze is not laziness. It is a learned survival strategy that lets you function on the outside while feeling numb or shut down on the inside. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack freeze, tonic immobility, and flop, and show how functional freeze can look like “getting by” while feeling numb inside. They map the differences between freeze and burnout, explain why interoception goes offline, and share gentle, minimum-effective-dose practices to thaw safely and rebuild capacity.. You will learn how chronic stress blunts interoception, why your voice disappears in hard conversations, how shame loops keep the pattern in place, and why high performers often miss freeze because it hides behind perfectionism and people pleasing. Topics Discussed in This Episode: The freeze spectrum, acute freeze, tonic immobility, flop Functional freeze vs burnout Interoception and emotional numbness Relationship patterns, shutdown, flat affect, rupture and repair Language masking, shame loops, lost voice High performers, people pleasing, perfectionism, hidden freeze Whole system view, not only the vagus nerve Minimum effective dose, breath, voice, tiny mobilizations Resourcing and capacity building before big emotional work From dissociation to embodiment and agency 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com
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