We often think of trauma as a deeply personal experience, shaped by our childhood, relationships, and emotional wounds. But what if some of our deepest pain didn’t start with us? What if trauma is embedded in the very systems we’re born into - our medical institutions, cultural ideologies, and societal norms? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr.…

We often think of healing as an individual journey—going inward to process unresolved trauma, grief, and pain from our past. But what about collective trauma, grief, and pain? We rarely consider the healing that must take place beyond ourselves, addressing the unprocessed wounds we carry as a community. True healing requires creating safety both wi…

What happens when your body feels more than your mind can make sense of?In this deeply grounding episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth and Jennifer open up a necessary and often overlooked conversation about peak somatic experiences—powerful moments of healing that happen in the body, not the mind. Whether you’re drawn to psychedelics, breathwork, o…

“Integration” is a word that gets thrown around in the healing world, but what does it really mean? In this powerful episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth and Jennifer unravel the true meaning of integration, not as a final step, but as the heart of sustained transformation. Without integration, even the most profound somatic release, emotional brea…

Society has long framed addiction as a character flaw—but at Trauma Rewired, we know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Addiction isn’t about who we are at our core; it’s about how we’ve learned to survive in chaotic, neglectful, or unsupported environments. As humans, we’re always seeking homeostasis. When we don’t have the tools—or the envi…

Our brain and nervous systems are incredibly protective—they can shield us from overwhelming stimuli by shutting out sensations. This mechanism plays a central role in depersonalization and derealization (DPDR), causing you to feel detached and like you are observing yourself from a distance. While these dissociative states can offer short-term pro…

Did you know that Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) wasn't "discovered" but actually created? A group of male psychiatrists voted to define it as a diagnosis, and women, in particular, are disproportionately labeled with it, and it’s often weaponized against them. What if we told you that BPD isn't a disorder at all, but rather a logical and ra…

OCD is often reduced to intrusive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors, but let's be real—it’s so much more than that. These are just the surface-level symptoms of a much deeper survival mechanism rooted in childhood brain development and trauma stored in the nervous system. This limited view is part of what keeps so many stuck in the cycle of OCD, s…

Join us for a special re-release of a profound conversation with Kate Northrup, renowned author of "Do Less," an expert in creating easeful financial business strategies, and a NSI coach. This episode remains one of our most beloved, resonating deeply with many who grapple with the concept of rest in a culture that glorifies constant productivity a…

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you something truly transformative. Our host, Elisabeth Kristoff, recently joined Kate Northrup on her podcast, Plenty, for a raw and eye-opening conversation that dives deep into the intricate relationship between the nervous system and financial success. The insights were so powerful, we knew we had to share thi…

Why is it that financial abundance comes easier for some, while others struggle? What if we told you it's not about how hard you work for money, but about how your nervous system is patterned? Money is a tricky subject, because it is the foundation for our survival and security. So we can unconsciously create unhealthy relationships with money that…

The statistics on early childhood sexual abuse are heartbreaking. One in four girls and one in thirteen boys have experienced some form of childhood sexual trauma—at least the cases that get reported. It's hard to wrap your head around how something so dark can be happening so often. This is why talking about childhood sexual trauma is so difficult…

When unresolved trauma lingers in our bodies, it often manifests as chronic health issues or diseases, such as cancer. The medical community is just beginning to uncover the powerful link between trauma, ACE scores, and cancer. With trauma-informed care now being integrated into medical practices, we’re seeing a shift towards more holistic approach…

Did you know that women are twice as likely to experience depression, yet less than 40 percent of research includes them? This statistic is staggering, highlighting society's inadequate attention to women's mental health and the complexities of their nervous systems. Often overlooked in scientific studies, women's experiences, particularly regardin…

Receiving a diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, especially when it triggers feelings of shame. Shame can create a whirlwind of emotions—unworthiness, failure, guilt, and loss—which compounds the stress of dealing with a diagnosis. These emotions form a toxic cycle that exacerbates the condition, leading to significant nervous system dysreg…

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, hosts Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace, along with guest Matt Bush, delve into the complex relationship between metabolic health and nervous system health. They explore how issues like chronic stress, inflammation, and blood sugar dysregulation can significantly impact both physical and mental health, especi…

Did you know that nearly half of all Americans will experience at least one traumatic brain injury (TBI) in their lifetime? Shockingly, many of these cases go unnoticed or undiagnosed. The symptoms can initially be subtle and easily mistaken for other chronic conditions like CPTS. Without proper diagnosis, individuals can face immense confusion, wo…

Have you ever wondered why some individuals bounce back from trauma while others develop PTSD? The answer might be tied to how our brains encode and process fear memories. According to recent research, resilience isn't just psychological—it’s closely tied to the brain's ability to adapt to stress and process trauma. On today’s episode, Elisabeth an…

We often think of healing as an individual journey—going inward to process unresolved trauma, grief, and pain from our past. But what about collective trauma, grief, and pain? We rarely consider the healing that must take place beyond ourselves, addressing the unprocessed wounds we carry as a community. True healing requires creating safety both wi…

When a child is forced to carry the emotional or practical burdens of their caregivers, it can result in lasting trauma that often manifests in adulthood as emotional repression, perfectionism, and various mental health challenges. Parentified children are deprived of their natural developmental experiences—play, exploration, and carefree living—wh…

In a world obsessed with being competent and perfect, it’s no wonder so many of us slip into the role of a perfectionist. Some of us even wear it like a badge of honor. Sure, it’s helped us in some ways—but let’s be real: at what cost? Perfectionism isn’t the same as striving for excellence. It’s often born out of survival, a way to suppress tough …

A significant portion of the population lives with chronic pain, yet its origins and effective treatments remain some of the least understood aspects of healthcare. Pain is inherently subjective—unique to every individual—and rarely attributable to a single cause. It is a multifaceted experience shaped by a combination of physical, emotional, and n…

It’s that time of year again when society collectively decides it’s time to level up and make meaningful changes in our lives. Whether the goal is to get in shape, eat healthier, limit doom-scrolling, improve finances, or simply be kinder to ourselves, it all boils down to rethinking and reshaping our daily habits. But completing another trip aroun…

The four trauma responses are the brain’s way of protecting us from threat, real or perceived. They are noncognitive, reflexive outputs that are deeply ingrained in those that have experienced trauma, which makes them incredibly difficult responses to rewire. In this episode, we explore the most dangerous F: fawn and sexual fawn response. To help u…

Depression is one of the most researched mood disorders, but if we look a bit deeper into how depression is able to develop, it is more nuanced than we think. This means, treating depression isn’t a one size fits all solution. It is agreed upon that depression is a chemical imbalance and can be treated with SSRIs or SNRIs, etc., which can work for …

The holidays can be a magical time full of celebrations and connection, but they can also evoke feelings of loneliness and overwhelm — especially for those with a history of trauma. This duality of emotions can be hard to navigate, so this episode of Trauma Rewired explores the complex emotions that many experience during this time and strategies t…

In this episode of "Trauma Rewired," hosts Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace delve into the intricate relationship between memory, trauma, and the nervous system. Originally this conversation was recorded and released in two parts and what you are listening to is a combination of them. The discussion underscores the multidimensional nature of …

Believe it or not, empaths and narcissists have foundational similarities. Not only does the brain chemistry look the same, but empaths and narcissists both struggle with nervous system regulation and look to others to help them regulate their emotions. But whereas the narcissist avoids the emotions of others, empaths are deeply affected and have a…

What happens in the brain when a stress response is activated ? How does developmental trauma shapes our nervous system and subconscious reactions as adults? Today, we're answering those questions and diving deeper into how the brain develops through social interactions, why social connection is a survival need, and what happens in the body when we…

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, hosts Elisabeth Kristof, Jennifer Wallace, and Matt Bush delve into the intricate relations between complex trauma, neurodivergence, and brain function dysregulation. The conversation highlights how gradual exposure to non-threatening stimuli can help manage threat responses, and the importance of achieving balanc…

Trauma isn’t just a single event—it’s the ongoing experience that unfolds afterward. Our access to resources, support, tools, and coping mechanisms greatly influences how our brain and nervous system are patterned in response to trauma, which in turn shapes our emotions and behaviors. By understanding these patterns as protective adaptations rather…

This conversation was orignally released in 2022 and the update is coming next week! If you haven’t begun a journey to heal your nervous system, this episode of Trauma Rewired will convince you why NOW is the time to start. In this episode, we’re sharing clips from season 2 that explain how trauma lives in the body and why you should heal it. By ga…

As we unpack the impact of childhood neglect and discuss the ways emotional dysregulation can stem from early experiences, this episode sheds light on the importance of building a relationship with our emotions. The journey of emotional healing starts right where you are, and even the smallest steps—like becoming curious about your emotional respon…

In this episode, we delve into the profound connection between trauma, attachment wounds, and insomnia. We begin by discussing how secure attachments, particularly with family members like grandparents, can mitigate stress but their loss can trigger insomnia and other physical symptoms. Both hosts share personal anecdotes to highlight the pervasive…

Autoimmune diseases are often labeled as "illnesses of the unknown." The medical field has yet to identify the root cause of these conditions, which are frequently considered incurable. However, a significant aspect might be overlooked: the role of trauma. Histories of abuse, trauma, and even early relational trauma during infancy are crucial facto…

The amount of time and patience it takes to heal the body cannot be understated. Pushing our own personal boundaries to create a larger capacity to be witnessed and seen, can feel counterintuitive at times. However, if we can dig deep to understand how the nervous system attempts to protect us, even when it doesn’t feel like it, we can come to a pl…

Our emotional and nervous systems are intricately connected. Our emotional states provide clues about the state of our nervous system, and vice versa. Conditions such as autoimmune diseases, gut health issues, pain, eczema, and psoriasis often trace back to complex trauma and nervous system dysregulation. These physical symptoms are our body’s prot…

For highly sensitive people (HSPs), the intensity of the world often feels magnified. Their heightened sensitivity makes them highly empathetic and deeply attuned to others' emotions. This allows them to form meaningful, compassionate connections. However, it can also lead to overwhelm. Everyday stimuli—like sounds, touch, smells, textures, and col…

We live in an extremely overstimulating society, where information is coming at us from all angles, and the brain is constantly working to make sense of it all. As we continue to unravel and understand ADHD, we're beginning to see it not just as a disorder, but as an adaptive response to the world. With this perspective, we can work with ADHD more …

What is a neurotypical world? Here at Trauma Rewired, we don’t believe it exists. As humans, we are biodynamic, unique, individuals that process the world around us differently. So understanding how that happens is key to unlocking our healing potential. Complex trauma adds another layer to the mix, which we believe is not separate from neurodiverg…

There is a staggering number of adults with ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence, who have yet to be diagnosed. Even in the age of information, many adults don’t realize they are wired differently until their children are diagnosed. This can create all sorts of issues in the nervous system for these folks, by suppressing, repressing, masking their tru…

In a society where we are encouraged, and sometimes forced to conform, life can become quite dysregulating for neurodivergent people. Feeling misunderstood, not good enough, or wanting to fit in, suppresses a person’s ability to be in full self-expression and wreaks havoc on the nervous system. The isolation and shame associated with being neurodiv…

Our beliefs about ourselves and the world are so deeply ingrained in our being that every sensory input is filtered through the lens of these beliefs. Beliefs like, “I am not enough” or “I am unworthy”, can create maladaptive emotions, behaviors, or thoughts, and can cause a ton of stress on our nervous systems and result in illness or disease, esp…

In a society that often equates our worth with productivity, focusing on rest and recovery can feel unsafe, potentially leading to increased stress in both our minds and bodies. By challenging the need to be constantly productive and redefining our relationship with rest, we can uncover a common theme: doing more doesn’t always equate to achieving …

Depression is one of the most researched mood disorders, but if we look a bit deeper into how depression is able to develop, it is more nuanced than we think. This means, treating depression isn’t a one size fits all solution. It is agreed upon that depression is a chemical imbalance and can be treated with SSRIs or SNRIs, etc., which can work for …

magine a flame that isn’t receiving adequate fuel, slowly dying down. This is a great visualization of what happens in the body when we are experiencing burnout. When we push past our capacity and boundaries, while doing things that may not be authentic or aligned with us, we are essentially burning through our reserves faster than we can replenish…

As humans we rely on visual memory the most, but what if we told you that memories, especially memories that were formed before we had language, live primarily in our bodies. It’s safe to say, the body keeps score, more than we know. It can be extremely dis-regulating to try to retrieve memories that live in the body without proper training because…

Explore the intricate world of memory and trauma and delve into how generational trauma impacts our nervous system, behavior, and even our genes. Discover the fascinating science behind neuropeptides, epigenetics, and how your body stores and processes traumatic memories. The hosts explore how generational trauma manifests through behavioral, nervo…