Welcome to the very first episode of the NeuroHeir℠ Podcast! In this episode, I share the personal story that sparked both this podcast and my upcoming book, Becoming a NeuroHeir™.

From a recurring dream I carried for years, to the sudden loss of my dad, to the realization that silence in families is never neutral, I take you behind the scenes of how this work began.

Did you know silence isn’t neutral? That silence carries weight? Unspoken stories can shape nervous system patterns for generations.

This episode unpacks:

• Why silence in families impacts more than just communication—it shapes survival responses.
  
• How unspoken stories can ripple through generations, creating anxiety, disconnection, or shutdown.
  
• Why I believe healing begins with awareness and small steps, not giant leaps.
  
• The mission of the NeuroHeir℠ Podcast and what you can expect moving forward.

Research & Context on Intergenerational Trauma

Emerging research in the field of intergenerational trauma supports what many of us feel intuitively: silence, suppression, and unresolved pain can ripple through families across generations, shaping both psychological and biological responses to stress.

Work by Dr. Rachel Yehuda and colleagues has highlighted how trauma may influence offspring through relational patterns, stress-response changes, and possible epigenetic mechanisms (Yehuda & Lehrner, 2018). More recent reviews expand on this idea, exploring how early-life adversity can become biologically “embedded” and potentially affect later generations through stress-related and epigenetic pathways (Zhou & Ryan, 2023).

So when we say “silence carries weight,” it isn’t just a metaphor—it reflects what emerging science and lived experience both reveal.

This episode sets the stage for everything to come. I’m creating a space for stories, science, and somatic practices to help you release what was never yours to carry and consciously choose the legacy you want to pass on.

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to the NeuroHeir℠ Podcast so you never miss a story. And I’d love to hear what stood out for you—DM me on Instagram @aligningwithleanna.

Episode 1 References
Yehuda, R., & Lehrner, A. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: Putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. World Psychiatry, 17(3), 243–257. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20568

Zhou, A., & Ryan, J. (2023). Biological embedding of early-life adversity and a scoping review of the evidence for intergenerational epigenetic transmission of stress and trauma in humans. Genes, 14(8), 1639. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14081639

Connect with me:
Instagram → @aligningwithleanna
Disclaimer:
Although I am a licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, The NeuroHeir℠ Podcast is not a substitute for therapy, counseling, or medical treatment. The tools and practices I share are for educational and coaching purposes only. Every nervous system is unique, and what we discuss on this podcast should not replace your own individual therapeutic work or professional support.

The focus of this podcast is my coaching work, which centers on education, nervous system practices, and generational healing tools designed to support—not replace—your personal journey with a qualified provider.

If you are struggling with your mental health or experiencing overwhelming emotions, please seek support from a licensed professional in your area. You don’t have to do this work alone.