Trauma Rewired

Elisabeth Kristof & Jennifer Wallace
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated weekly

The Podcast that teaches you about your nervous system, how trauma gets stored in the body and what you can do to heal.

  1. 9 hr ago

    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

  2. 13 Jul

    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.

  3. 6 Jul

    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.

  4. 29 Jun

    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

  5. 22 Jun

    How Trauma Turns Fear Into Hustle, Overworking & Burnout; The Flight Response.

    In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore the flight response through the lens of trauma, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and Neurosomatic Intelligence. The flight response doesn't always look like physically running away. More often, it shows up as chronic busyness, overworking, overtraining, perfectionism, emotional avoidance, and the inability to slow down. What many people call discipline, productivity, or high performance may actually be a nervous system mobilized for survival. Jennifer and Elisabeth unpack how fear becomes wired into the body through developmental trauma, emotional neglect, structural trauma, and chronic stress. They explore why the nervous system learns to associate stillness with danger, how chronic flight becomes reinforced by modern culture, and why so many people feel trapped in constant motion despite desperately needing rest. In this episode you'll learn: • What the trauma flight response actually is • Why stillness can feel unsafe after trauma • How fear gets expressed through overworking, urgency, perfectionism, and burnout • The role of interoception in emotional awareness and regulation • Why high-functioning coping strategies often mask nervous system dysregulation • How structural trauma and hustle culture reinforce chronic flight patterns • Practical neurosomatic approaches for building safety, emotional tolerance, and capacity The conversation also explores CPTSD, burnout, anxiety, emotional suppression, fear, neuroplasticity, and the relationship between nervous system regulation and emotional processing. If you feel stuck in constant motion, struggle to rest, or find yourself disconnected from your body, emotions, and capacity for presence, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Trauma Rewired for more conversations on trauma healing, nervous system regulation, emotional health, somatics, neuroplasticity, CPTSD, and 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  6. 15 Jun

    The Fight Trauma Response: Suppressed Anger, Inner Critic & Nervous System Repatterning

    Fight response isn't just anger or "being reactive." It's a nervous system adaptation shaped by experiences where safety, protection, repair, or authenticity were missing. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explore the neuroscience of the fight response, how suppressed anger turns inward as a harsh inner critic or outward as criticism and control, and why the body stays braced for threat long after the danger has passed.  This conversation explores parentification, emotional suppression, hypervigilance, chronic stress patterns, and the hidden ways fight response impacts relationships, health, and self-trust. The hosts break down how trauma wires survival patterns into the nervous system—and how daily neuro practices can help recondition those pathways toward safety and connection.   You'll learn: • Why fight response is protection, not a personality flaw • How suppressed anger impacts the nervous system and body • The connection between parentification and chronic fight states • Why the inner critic is often internalized fight energy • How nervous system patterns shape relationships and emotional reactivity • The neuroscience of emotional suppression, stress, and survival responses🎧 Listen to more episodes of Trauma Rewired for conversations on trauma, emotional processing, nervous system healing, and post-traumatic growth.   🔗Resources mentioned:   🎯 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  7. 8 Jun

    How Trauma Shapes the Brain, Body, and Nervous System

    What if your chronic stress, emotional triggers, anxiety, or exhaustion are not a mindset problem, but signs that your nervous system has learned protective survival patterns? In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace explore the science of nervous system regulation and unpack a common phrase in trauma spaces: "trauma lives in the body."  While the body plays a central role, they discuss how trauma may be more accurately understood as patterns of brain-body communication, interpretation, prediction, and response shaped through experience. Through the lens of predictive processing and applied neuroscience, they explore how the nervous system uses past experiences to anticipate safety and threat, influencing emotions, behaviors, and physical symptoms in the present.  Together they break down the autonomic nervous system, fight and flight responses, interoception, chronic stress, and why nervous system healing is not about forcing calm or chasing a quick reset. Instead, recovery happens through small, consistent practices that help create greater flexibility, resilience, and new experiences of safety over time. Timestamps 00:00 – Triggers and the Nervous System 02:15 – The Nervous System as the Body's Operating System 05:35 – Autonomic Nervous System and Stress Responses 08:30 – Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic States 12:05 – Nervous System States and Emotional Patterns 16:50 – Triggers as Nervous System Reset Opportunities 18:05 – The Stress Response and Survival Mode 23:25 – Trauma and Nervous System Dysregulation 28:40 – Chronic and Complex Trauma Effects 36:10 – Emotional Processing for Nervous System Healing Topics discussed in this episode: How to restore the nervous system after chronic stress and trauma How nervous system regulation improves emotional resilience and physical health How the autonomic nervous system works (sympathetic vs. parasympathetic explained) How trauma imprints on the nervous system and keeps you in survival mode How to use nervous system healing practices like breathwork, movement, and interoception How to exit fight or flight safely when the danger has passed How nervous system reset supports emotional processing and better decision-making How to use interoception to sense, interpret, and respond to internal body signals How to regulate the nervous system daily with small, consistent practices How dysregulation impacts health and the steps to build lasting nervous system resilience 🔗Resources mentioned:   🎯 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 traumarewired@gmail.com All rights in our content are reserved

  8. 31 May

    When the Nervous System Rewrites Reality: Emotional Flashbacks and CPTSD

    You are not overreacting. Your nervous system is not broken. It is doing exactly what it learned to do in environments where threat was the norm. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof close out Season Five with one of the most important and least understood concepts in complex trauma: emotional flashbacks. Not the cinematic kind, not a sudden memory of a specific event, but the quiet, whole-system state shift that can color an entire day, week, or month in dread, loneliness, shame, and the bone-deep certainty that nothing will ever be okay. The episode opens with a reframe that changes everything: an emotional flashback is not a regression to the past. It is a real-time nervous system state that reorganizes how the brain filters reality. Perception shifts. Interpretation shifts. What feels possible shifts. And because it happens at the level of the whole predictive network, not just a single memory, it does not feel like the past. It feels like now. It feels like truth. Elisabeth and Jennifer trace exactly how this works through the lens of neuro somatic intelligence, constructed emotion theory, and the science of predictive processing. They explain what neuro tags are and how they get activated, why the amygdala hijack model is outdated and what a more accurate understanding of emotional flashbacks actually looks like, and why calling these states irrational or disordered misses the point entirely. The nervous system is not malfunctioning. It is preparing for threat based on what it has reliably learned to expect. Both hosts share vivid and honest personal examples. Elisabeth describes a recent subtle flashback triggered by being sick, underresourced, and feeling unsupported by her partner, and how quickly the narrative spread to her business, her relationships, and her sense of being completely alone. Jennifer shares the story of a red hummingbird feeder in her backyard that unlocked an entire somatic memory of loneliness and isolation she had not yet consciously connected to childhood. The episode also addresses something practitioners often ask about: how to tell the difference between emotional dysregulation that needs regulating, and an emotion that needs to be felt and moved through. The answer is not a clean line but a question of capacity, flexibility, and what the nervous system can hold in that moment. This is the final episode of Season Five and a natural bridge into Season Six, where Jennifer and Elisabeth will be expanding the lens from individual healing to collective nervous system dynamics, cultural structures, and what becomes possible when this work moves beyond the personal. Chapters 0:00 - Emotional Flashbacks Are Not Regressions. They Are Reality Shifts. 0:38 - Welcome: Closing the Season With Emotional Flashbacks 1:59 - What Neuro Tags Are and How They Get Activated 3:43 - Why Emotional Flashbacks Are Hard to Identify, Especially at First 4:42 - Constructed Emotion Theory and How the Brain Builds Emotional Reality 6:22 - How Physiology Shifts Perception: The Whole System View 7:37 - What It Feels Like From the Inside 9:22 - When You Have Lived in Flashbacks So Long They Feel Like Reality 10:31 - Elisabeth's Recent Subtle Flashback: Sick, Underresourced, and the Narrative That Spread 12:21 - Why Emotional Flashbacks in Complex Trauma Last Days, Weeks, or Longer 14:11 - How to Start Recognizing When You Are In One 15:22 - Moving Beyond Amygdala Hijacking: A More Accurate Model 18:27 - What Modern Neuroscience Actually Says About Emotion and the Brain 21:31 - Emotional Flashbacks as Coherent State Shifts, Not System Failures 23:42 - Why Sensory Precision Matters and What Happens When It Decreases 25:38 - Implicit Memory: How the Past Lives in the Body Without a Story 29:07 - Jennifer's Story: The Red Hummingbird Feeder 30:30 - How Safety States Open New Memory Files 31:41 - The Disproportionate Feeling and the Shame That Comes With It 32:30 - The Flashback Voice Speaks in Absolutes 33:26 - What Triggers Emotional Flashbacks: Sensory Cues, Patterns, and Relational Shifts 36:15 - It Is Not Trying to Remember. It Is Trying to Prepare. 36:42 - Dysregulation vs Emotion That Needs to Be Processed: A Real Question 40:45 - Flexibility as the Key Marker of Growth 41:41 - How NSI Practices Help Shift Neuro Tags in Real Time 43:44 - Closing the Season and a Preview of Season Six Ways to Engage with Neurosomatics    Join us inside Rewire: This is where you actually experience the practices Jennifer and Elisabeth talk about on the podcast that brought us freedom, self-attunement, a new relationship with food and our body.  rewiretrial.com   Explore the neurosomatics of boundaries: boundaryrewire.com   Introduction to neurosomatics for practitioners, coaches and therapists - The NSI foundations Bundle: https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/workshops/   Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence: https://stan.store/illuminated   Join Jennifer on Sacred Synapse to explore the intersection of neurosomatics and Psychedelic neuroscience: https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23   Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors:  FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: 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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About

The Podcast that teaches you about your nervous system, how trauma gets stored in the body and what you can do to heal.

Information

  • Creator
    Elisabeth Kristof & Jennifer Wallace
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    293
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © @2025
  • Show Website
    Trauma Rewired

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