Trauma Rewired

Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof
Trauma Rewired

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

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Sleep and Insomnia are Evidence of How Trauma and Attachment Impact the Nervous System

    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 impact of family disruptions and relational stressors on sleep patterns and mental health. The dialogue underscores how medical trauma exacerbates feelings of vulnerability and helplessness, often leading to severe insomnia. The hosts explore the complicated interplay between trauma-related HPA axis dysregulation and sleep cycles. Dysregulated cortisol levels, triggered by trauma, disrupt the natural circadian rhythm, leading to sleep issues such as frequent awakenings and trouble achieving deep sleep. Jennifer and Elisabeth emphasize that while general sleep hygiene recommendations—such as reducing screen time and exposure to natural light—are useful, they often fall short for trauma survivors. For this group, insomnia is connected more deeply to stress and attachment-related issues, necessitating specialized approaches to treatment. Throughout the discussion, the hosts provide insights into the physiological processes governing sleep, such as homeostatic sleep drive (Process S) and circadian rhythm (Process C). They offer practical advice like morning light exposure and winding down before bed. They also explain how REM and non-REM sleep stages contribute to emotional processing and memory consolidation, making sleep an essential component of recovery and mental health. The episode concludes with actionable tips for better sleep hygiene and stress management, acknowledging the intricate challenges faced by those dealing with complex PTSD and trauma-induced insomnia. Topics Discussed Secure Attachment and Stress : The impact of losing secure attachments, leading to stress and insomnia. Family Disruption : How significant family breakdowns and ongoing conflict impact mental health and sleep. HPA Axis Dysregulation : The role of trauma in disrupting the HPA axis and elevating cortisol levels, affecting sleep cycles. Medical Trauma Impact : The link between medical trauma, vulnerability, and insomnia. Trauma and Circadian Rhythm : How trauma-related dysregulation affects the balance between melatonin and cortisol. Sleep Hygiene Tips : Practical strategies for better sleep, such as exposure to natural light and reducing screen time. REM and Non-REM Sleep : The importance of these sleep stages for emotional processing and memory consolidation. Emotional Flashbacks : How nighttime triggers emotional flashbacks associated with past trauma, disrupting sleep. Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com   Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com   Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired   Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846   FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.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 impac

    47 min
  2. SEP 30

    Autoimmune and Complex Trauma

    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 factors in understanding the complex environment where autoimmune diseases may develop, and the role the nervous system regulation can play in the healing of autoimmune diseases.   In today’s episode, our hosts Elisabeth and Jennifer sit down with functional mobility specialist and neuro-coach Anna Gieselman. After being diagnosed with Lupus at 36, Anna embarked on a multifaceted healing journey, utilizing therapy, medicine, and nervous system regulation to manage her autoimmune disease. Anna brings her expertise to this rich discussion about what autoimmune diseases really are and their characteristics, how shame and inflammation is linked, and how emotional processing and nervous system regulation is the key to healing autoimmune diseases, and much more.   Humans are multidimensional beings, and when it comes to dis-ease, if we take a holistic approach, we are not just masking the symptoms with medication, but we are viewing these symptoms as clues to something deeper within us, wanting to finally be healed. Autoimmune disease is not a life sentence, although it may never fully go away, we can work with our bodies to create harmony and regulation in the body so we can reach a state of safety and ease.   If you or someone you know is living with an autoimmune disease, don’t miss this insightful episode—and be sure to share it!   Topics discussed in this episode: Anna’s journey with Lupus What is autoimmune disease and its characteristics Elisabeth’s history of trauma and autoimmune disease The underlying relational component of autoimmune disease Boundaries as an inherent part of our human experience The link between shame and inflammation Working with the body and nervous system to create safety The impact of emotional processing on the health of the body How self expression is a sign of healing Why neuroplasticity needs more “reps” Connect with Anna Gieselman by heading to her website here: https://www.beyondfunctional.net/   Check out Anna Gieselman on Instagram and TikTok here: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_functional/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondfunctional   Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/   Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com   Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com   Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired   Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846   FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.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 cri

    51 min
  3. SEP 23

    Shame, Stress, and Survival: Developmental Trauma Impacts Health

    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 place of deep compassion for ourselves and others to allow our bodies to feel safe again.   In today’s episode, our hosts Elisabeth and Jennifer sit down with somatic practitioner, podcast host, and founder of Holistic Life Navigation, Luis Mojica, to discuss what it means to heal the body to live authentically rather than in a trauma response. In this conversation, our hosts and Luis unravel the complexities of somatic healing and how inflammation shows up in the body as a protective response. They also discuss how shame is actually stress and how that relates to our health, even in the most “optimal” health conditions, and how boundaries are the key to creating more connection with the self and others, and much more.    Healing is not linear, sometimes it feels as if things are getting worse before they get better, however when we are trying to create safety in the body after years of dissociation, or being in our F responses, it takes consistent effort along with a healthy dose of faith and hope that things can and will become easier the more we believe that healing is possible.   Join us to explore these topics and much more!    Topics discussed in this episode: Understanding your capacity in somatic healing Why embodiment does not mean peace Emotional neglect associated with childhood body boundary violation How trauma states cause inflammation in the body Inflammation is the body protecting itself The connection between somatics and nutrition Inflammatory response from prolonged stress from shame The deep healing that comes from being witnessed and witnessing others Fawning vs. Boundaries Supporting constriction in somatic healing Patience that is required in healing the body Connect with Luis Mojica by visiting the Holistic Life Navigation website here: https://www.holisticlifenavigation.com/   Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com   Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired   Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846   FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.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 podcas

    1h 3m
  4. SEP 16

    ACE Scores, Mental Health, and Physical Health

    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 protective responses. Viewing overall health from this perspective offers insights into how we can facilitate true healing by addressing nervous system health, rather than merely masking symptoms with medication. In today’s episode, host Elisabeth Kristkoff engages in a profound discussion with chiropractic practitioner Dr. Scherina, whose dedicated practice focuses on healing the nervous system for enhanced overall health and longevity. This enlightening conversation explores the profound impact of the nervous system on emotional and mental well-being, and conversely, how physical symptoms and diseases serve as signals of deeper underlying issues. Topics include the influence of birth trauma on prenatal nervous system development, the connection between complex trauma and gut health, and more. Traditional medical practices often overlook this holistic approach to healing. Conversations like these, featuring practitioners such as Dr. Scherina, who are committed to uncovering the root causes of bodily issues and promoting internal healing, are crucial. They challenge conventional health paradigms and encourage a reevaluation of what true healing entails. Tune in to this enlightening episode—it’s an opportunity not to be missed! Topics discussed in this episode: Everything in our physical and emotional bodies are connected How emotional repression manifests and tools to express emotion Birth trauma and the impacts of stress on a developing fetus Types of nervous system conditions Dr. Scherina sees in children What shifts Dr. Scherina sees in children when working with the nervous system The link between gut issues and complex trauma How every symptom and disease in the body is a protective output How to know what needs to be rewired Isolation vs. Connection Nervous system regulation is not a flat line There is no fast track to healing Connect with Dr. Scherina on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drscherina/?hl=en   Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/   Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com   Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com   Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired   Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846   FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.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 curre

    43 min
  5. SEP 9

    The Highly Sensitive Person and Sensory Processing Dis-Order

    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 colors—can be particularly dysregulating for HSPs. This is why understanding where we fall on the sensitivity spectrum is crucial. By recognizing how we process sensory input, we can learn to regulate our experiences and harness our gifts, rather than suppressing them for the sake of coping. In today’s episode, hosts Elisabeth and Jennifer discuss the subjectivity of sensory experiences—how they're shaped, how they influence our overall health, and why two people can experience the same environment very differently. They also introduce NSI tools, which help manage overwhelm when sensory input becomes too intense. Finally, Elisabeth and Jennifer explore the behaviors that arise from sensory mismatches, and how high sensitivity influences these responses. While high sensitivity may feel both like a gift and a curse, at Trauma Rewired, we believe it can be transformed into a powerful asset. With NSI tools, anyone can expand their capacity for life and share their unique gifts with the world—free from shame or discomfort. Tune in to learn more about how you can harness your sensitivity and live more fully. Topics discussed in this episode:   How our sensory experience impacts our overall health What is sensory processing disorder? Different ways we try and regulate sensory inputs What is a highly sensitive person? Is it possible to change your sensitivity level? How sensory information is processed in the brain Why it’s important  to train the interoceptive system for accuracy and awareness Sensitivity is an evolutionarily selective trait and an adaptation to trauma What are behavioral activation and inhibition systems? Our subjective sensory experiences How to work with our nervous systems to harness our sensitivity Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/   Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com   Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com   Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired   Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846   FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.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 medica

    51 min
  6. SEP 2

    ADHD, Burnout, and Development

    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 effectively and with greater empathy. In today’s episode, Elisabeth and Jennifer are joined by Neuro-Somatic Intelligence (NSI) Coach Mari Del Luna, who specializes in trauma resolution and works with neurodivergent individuals. This conversation is packed with insights to help you better understand ADHD from an NSI perspective and reframe how it is approached. They explore why ADHD is not actually a deficit in attention, the reasons behind burnout and fatigue in those with ADHD, effective tools for managing ADHD, and how addiction can be a behavioral response to an overstimulating world—plus much more. Our brains and bodies are designed to seek safety and regulation by adapting to an overstimulating society. If we can learn compassionate tools to process information more effectively in the context of ADHD, we have a chance to bring relief to a growing population of neurodivergent individuals. It all starts with reframing and changing our perspective, and that’s what we aim to help you with today. Tune in to hear this and more! Topics discussed in this episode:   Why ADHD is not a deficit in attention Fatigue associated with ADHD Hormonal reaction to sensory stimulus in ADHD How containment tools are key to working with ADHD Understanding high sensitivity in ADHD  The role the cerebellum plays in expressing emotions How complex trauma develops in the brain What is attunement? How interoception works from an NSI perspective Addiction as a behavioral output to provide relief  Alcohol dependency in social settings Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/   Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com   Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com   Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired   Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846   FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.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’

    50 min
4.8
out of 5
248 Ratings

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

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