Brain, Hope, Reality: PTSI not PTSD | Hosted by Dr. Eugene Lipov

Dr. Eugene Lipov
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Many survivors of severe psychological trauma suffer from a diverse set of troubling emotions that are compounded by harrowing behavioral conditions. And too often, the impact takes a destructive toll on lives. When identified, the condition of post-traumatic stress (PTS) is usually thought of / talked about / diagnosed as a “disorder.” That’s unfortunate and it’s incorrect. Brain, Hope, Reality: PTSI not PTSD, a new podcast by Dr. Eugene Lipov, shines a light on a relatively new understanding that connects the mental and emotional struggles of post-traumatic stress (PTS) to a biological change — one that is observable and measurable in the brains of survivors. And yes, it’s treatable! Throughout the series, you can expect to hear from patients that Dr. Lipov cares for, trauma experts, and even some insights from the world of neuroscience — all presented in an easily digestible, non-clinical way. Stay tuned!

  1. SEP 11

    EP18 | Trauma, Birth & Recovery | Guest: Ahna Mikl, Birth Doula, Detox Specialist & Regenerative Health Practitioner

    Birth doula Ahna Mikl joins Dr. Lipov to share how trauma shows up in the female body — and how SGB may offer a new path to healing, fertility, and nervous system repair. - -  In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Eugene Lipov speaks with birth doula and regenerative health practitioner Ahna Mikl, who shares her own healing journey—and the profound impact of the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) in unlocking long-held trauma stored in the body. Together, they explore nervous system dysregulation, infertility, painful menstrual cycles, and how unresolved trauma can affect everything from digestion to sexual health to generational wellbeing. Ahna offers intimate reflections on postpartum depression, orgasms as healing, and the need to center maternal health in conversations about collective wellness. Dr. Lipov responds with accessible science, linking PTSD and sympathetic nervous system overdrive to infertility, IBS, vaginismus, and disrupted bonding. This episode lays the groundwork for an emerging collaboration between Ahna and Dr. Lipov to bring the benefits of SGB to women suffering from postpartum depression—offering hope, connection, and a reminder that healing is possible.

    49 min

  2. SEP 11

    EP17 | PTSD Is Not Forever | Guest: Juan Perez, Marine Veteran, Retired Police Officer

    Marine veteran and retired officer Juan Perez joins Dr. Lipov to talk identity, chaos, and why PTSD isn’t a life sentence — it’s an injury with a path to healing. - -  In this raw and revealing episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov sits down with Juan Perez, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Chicago police officer better known as JP, The Veteran Coach. A combat veteran of Afghanistan and former scout sniper, JP opens up about the long arc of trauma in his life—how military culture taught him to suppress pain, how years in law enforcement kept him in survival mode, and how admitting he had PTSD felt like admitting defeat. Together, he and Dr. Lipov unravel the damaging narrative that PTSD is a life sentence, instead presenting it as a biological injury that’s both measurable and treatable. JP shares his experience receiving a stellate ganglion block (SGB) as part of his journey toward healing, reflecting on the immediate sense of calm he felt and the possibilities it opens for veterans still suffering in silence. Dr. Lipov details the science behind SGB and the fight to change the name from PTSD to PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury)—not just for accuracy, but to save lives by reducing stigma. Their conversation ranges from chaos addiction and secondary PTSD to the physiology of trauma, aging, and norepinephrine overload. With clarity, conviction, and mutual respect, the episode is a rallying cry for change, a dose of science-backed hope, and a powerful reminder that trauma may be part of your story—but it doesn’t have to define your future.

    36 min

  3. SEP 11

    EP16 | Make Trauma Understandable | Guest: Lauren Ungeldi, 10x Bestselling Author

    Dr. Lipov and bestselling author Lauren Ungeldi discuss storytelling, neuroscience, and why hope — not stigma — should define how we talk about trauma. - - In this inspiring episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov welcomes Lauren Ungeldi — 10x bestselling author and Lipov's co-writer of the soon-to-be-released The God Shot — for a lively discussion about writing, healing, and the science of storytelling. Known for her work with global leaders and elite military veterans, Ungeldi brings a unique perspective to the conversation, rooted in human triumph and emotional truth. Together, they reflect on their collaboration for the upcoming Brain Hope Reality book, which aims to make neuroscience and trauma recovery both approachable and empowering for everyday readers. Ungeldi shares insights from her past work with subjects like Bibi Aisha (the Afghan woman once featured on the cover of TIME) and former Delta Force operators, touching on identity, chaos addiction, and the ripple effects of trauma. Dr. Lipov explains the biological reality of PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury), the importance of changing the name from PTSD, and how modalities like Stellate Ganglion Block can reverse the physiological damage caused by trauma. The two speak candidly about inter-generational wounds, the science of hope, and how metaphor, humor, and visual storytelling can help make the invisible visible. At its core, the episode—and the forthcoming book—is a declaration: trauma is real, healing is possible, and you are not alone.

    27 min

  4. SEP 11

    EP15 | The Gut-Brain Connection | Guest: Rachel Scheer, Functional Medicine Nutritionist

    Functional medicine nutritionist Rachel Scheer joins Dr. Lipov to explore trauma, gut health, and the surprising science linking mental health to the microbiome. - -  In this science-rich episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov sits down with Rachel Scheer, a functional medicine nutritionist, public speaker, and founder of Rachel Scheer Nutrition. A former competitive bodybuilder, Scheer shares how her personal health crisis — including chronic gut issues, hormone imbalance, and years of misdiagnosis — led her to reframe healing from the inside out. Their conversation explores the connections between trauma, sympathetic nervous system activation, and gut dysfunction, with a shared belief that mental health is deeply biological and profoundly treatable. Scheer introduces the emerging field of psychobiotics — specific probiotics and microbial strains that can improve mood, sleep, anxiety, and even PTSD symptoms via the gut-brain axis. The two discuss candidiasis, SIBO, leaky gut, and how low-diversity gut flora can impair vagal tone and emotional resilience. As someone who’s both a patient and a practitioner, Scheer reflects on the healing power of integration — pairing nervous system regulation (like Dr. Lipov’s stellate ganglion block treatment) with gut-targeted protocols and root-cause nutrition. With clarity and conviction, this episode offers a new framework for recovery: one that respects physiology, empowers patients, and invites collaboration across medical disciplines.

    28 min

  5. SEP 11

    EP14 | PTSI: PTSD Is Not a Disorder | Guest: Stefi Cohen, World-record-holding Strength Athlete, Physical Therapist

    Dr. Lipov sits down with world-record athlete and entrepreneur Stefi Cohen to talk trauma, treatment, and what it really takes to rewire the brain—and the system. - -  In this high-impact episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov is joined by powerhouse guest Dr. Stefi Cohen—a world-record-holding strength athlete, physical therapist, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. Together, they discuss the physiological roots of trauma, the limitations of traditional mental health frameworks, and the urgent need for new tools, language, and transparency in treatment. Dr. Cohen shares her personal experience living with anxiety and panic attacks from a young age—and how years of talk therapy and medications often failed to address the biological drivers of her symptoms. The conversation dives deep into the neuroscience of PTSD and what it would mean to reframe the diagnosis as an injury (PTSI) rather than a disorder. Dr. Lipov outlines the physiology behind stellate ganglion block (SGB) as a treatment, the flawed resistance within the medical establishment, and the tragic consequences of stigma. Cohen offers a patient’s perspective, sharing her initial skepticism and eventual sense of serenity after undergoing SGB herself. Equal parts clinical and candid, this episode is a compelling argument for bridging science, patient experience, and policy reform—with courage, curiosity, and a lot less pharmaceutical noise.

    34 min

  6. SEP 11

    EP13 | Women, Trauma, and Power | Guest: Laisa Sol, Co-founder Women’s Circle Retreats

    Women’s coach Laisa Sol joins Dr. Lipov to explore healing through movement, breath, and self-discovery—and why mental health should never be a last resort. - - In this soul-centered episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov welcomes international women’s coach and retreat leader Laisa Sol (https://www.instagram.com/laisa_sol/ ) for a deeply personal conversation about healing, embodiment, and feminine resilience. Known for her work creating Women’s Circle Retreats in Bali, Miami, Brazil, and beyond, Sol shares her belief that physical, emotional, and energetic healing are deeply interconnected. Drawing from her background in somatic coaching, inner child work, and active meditation practices rooted in white tantra, Sol emphasizes the power of breath, stillness, movement, and community to help women reconnect with their authentic selves. Together, she and Dr. Lipov reflect on the biology of trauma, the need to reframe PTSD as PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury), and the dangers of suppressing mental distress—both for the individual and for the immune system. Sol speaks candidly about how her own heartbreak led her to start healing circles for women, offering spaces where emotional release is not only safe but sacred. The episode concludes with a calming guided breath meditation and a call to remember that trauma may shape us, but it does not have to define us. Hope, after all, is always within reach—and sometimes, all it takes is one deep breath.

    29 min

  7. SEP 11

    EP12 | PTSI: Witness to Healing | Guest Gia Galligani, Filmmaker

    Filmmaker Gia Galligani joins Dr. Lipov to share how a friend’s treatment for PTSI became a documentary—and why changing one word could change how the world sees trauma - -  In this episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov welcomes filmmaker Gia Galligani, whose latest documentary project was sparked by witnessing close friends undergo treatment for PTSD at the Stella Center. Their journey—both emotional and medical—serves as a powerful lens into the broader campaign to redefine PTSD as PTSI: Post-Traumatic Stress Injury. Galligani discusses what led her to tell this story, how the treatment visibly changed her friends within days, and why storytelling can be as life-saving as science. The conversation ranges from the stigma of the word “disorder” to the measurable biology of trauma, including how mental health impacts aging, cardiovascular health, and immune function. Galligani reflects on the experience not only as a filmmaker but as a witness to healing—and becomes a voice for families and caregivers, who are too often left out of the trauma conversation. Dr. Lipov outlines the scientific and grassroots effort to push the American Psychiatric Association to change the DSM’s terminology and calls on listeners to join the letter-writing campaign via itsptsi.com. Together, the episode offers a compelling blend of clinical insight, lived experience, and a call to action: trauma is treatable, and words matter.

    27 min

  8. SEP 11

    EP11 | Changing the Name: PTSD to PTSI | Guest: Bill Kubota, Journalist

    PTSD is treatable — and may be biologically reversible. Dr. Lipov joins journalist Bill Kubota to discuss science, stigma, and why renaming the condition could save lives. - -  In this special Veterans Day episode of Brain Hope Reality, Dr. Eugene Lipov is joined by journalist and fellow advocate Bill Kubota for a candid discussion on the urgent campaign to rename Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI). Dr. Lipov explains why the term “disorder” perpetuates stigma, discourages treatment, and ignores the growing body of biological evidence showing that PTSI is a measurable, physiological injury. Drawing on historical context, brain imaging studies, and decades of military and civilian trauma cases, Lipov presents a clear, science-backed case for why the DSM must evolve. Kubota, a longtime reporter and ally in amplifying voices from the veteran and trauma-impacted communities, engages Lipov in a wide-ranging conversation that includes suicide prevention, trauma inheritance, and public health messaging. They discuss the impact of advocacy work by figures like General Pete Chiarelli and Dr. Frank Ochberg, as well as the challenges in breaking through national media silence. Lipov shares updates on his formal proposal to the DSM Steering Committee and urges listeners to support the movement through a public letter campaign. Together, they reflect on how a simple name change—backed by science and compassion—could save countless lives and reshape how we talk about trauma across generations.

    31 min
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About

Many survivors of severe psychological trauma suffer from a diverse set of troubling emotions that are compounded by harrowing behavioral conditions. And too often, the impact takes a destructive toll on lives. When identified, the condition of post-traumatic stress (PTS) is usually thought of / talked about / diagnosed as a “disorder.” That’s unfortunate and it’s incorrect. Brain, Hope, Reality: PTSI not PTSD, a new podcast by Dr. Eugene Lipov, shines a light on a relatively new understanding that connects the mental and emotional struggles of post-traumatic stress (PTS) to a biological change — one that is observable and measurable in the brains of survivors. And yes, it’s treatable! Throughout the series, you can expect to hear from patients that Dr. Lipov cares for, trauma experts, and even some insights from the world of neuroscience — all presented in an easily digestible, non-clinical way. Stay tuned!

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