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Trauma Rewired

Elisabeth Kristof & Jennifer Wallace
Trauma Rewired
Latest episode

302 episodes

  • Trauma Rewired

    Why Trauma Changes the Brain: Complex Trauma, Inflammation & Neuroplasticity

    09/07/2026 | 1h 4 mins.
    Trauma doesn't just shape your memories. It changes how your brain predicts, interprets, and responds to the world.
    In this episode, Jennifer and Elisabeth sit down with clinical neuroscientist Dr. Mbemba Jabbi to explore the biology of complex trauma through the lens of neurogenetics, affective neuroscience, inflammation, and neuroplasticity. Together they unpack how early adversity reshapes emotional brain networks, why survival adaptations become deeply encoded, and what current neuroscience reveals about the connection between trauma, chronic disease, and healing.
    From the anterior insula and amygdala to inflammatory biomarkers like C-reactive protein, this conversation bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with practical understanding for survivors and practitioners alike. Most importantly, it offers hope: the brain remains plastic throughout life, and healing is possible.
     
     
    In This Episode
    Why trauma is an ongoing conversation between the brain, body, and environment—not simply a past event.

    How the brain's emotional networks continuously evaluate safety through sensory input.

    The role of the anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala in emotional regulation and threat detection.

    Why many trauma responses are adaptive suppressions rather than deficits.

    How survival patterns formed during childhood often repeat throughout adulthood.

    The relationship between chronic trauma, inflammation, and long-term physical health.

    What C-reactive protein may reveal about the biological impact of childhood trauma.

    Why early childhood sexual trauma produces distinct biological effects compared with other forms of adversity.

    How genetics and environment interact to shape emotional health without determining destiny.

    Why neuroplasticity gives us the capacity to build new patterns throughout life.

    How nervous system training, supportive relationships, and therapeutic interventions help create lasting change.

    Why emotions are not separate from the body—they are deeply integrated with every system involved in survival and wellbeing.

     
     
    Featured in This Episode
    🧠 Start your FREE two-week Rewire Trial
    Learn the same neurosomatic tools discussed throughout the podcast and begin training your nervous system with live classes, expert guidance, and an extensive on-demand library.
    https://www.rewiretrial.com
     
    RESOURCES
     
    ✨ 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
    Explore Jennifer's educational videos on psychedelic neuroscience, preparation, integration, and harm reduction.
    https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23
    📖 The Wayfinder Journal
    A guided psychedelic preparation and integration journal designed to help you embody insight and create lasting change.
    https://stan.store/illuminated
     
    Connect with Us
    🌐 Website
    https://www.traumarewired.com
    📸 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired
    👥 Facebook Community
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846
     
     
    Exclusive Offer
    🥬 Receive a FREE bottle of AG1 with your subscription.
    https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired
     
     
    Podcast 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 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.
    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. Decisionsregarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare
    professionals and in accordance with applicable laws.
    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
  • Trauma Rewired

    Undiagnosed TBI: Why Brain Injuries Are Often Missed and Misunderstood

    08/31/2026 | 49 mins.
    Traumatic brain injuries are incredibly common, yet many mild TBIs and concussions go unrecognized. And when the symptoms of a brain injury overlap with the effects of complex trauma, it can become difficult to understand what is actually driving changes in cognition, emotional regulation, behavior, energy, and capacity.
    In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by Amanda Smith, certified brain injury specialist, applied neurology pain and performance coach, NSI educator, and founder of Amanda's Way, to explore the intersection of traumatic brain injury and complex trauma.
    Amanda shares her own experience recovering from concussion and whiplash and explains why symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, irritability, emotional reactivity, poor concentration, sleep disruption, sensory sensitivity, and reduced capacity can easily be attributed to trauma, anxiety, depression, or stress when an underlying brain injury may also be contributing.
    Together, they explore how TBI can change the brain's ability to process visual, vestibular, sensory, and cognitive information; why everyday inputs can require significantly more resources after injury; and how reduced fuel and capacity can affect everything from relationships and work to emotional regulation and rehabilitation.
    The conversation also examines why practitioners working with trauma and the nervous system need a foundational understanding of concussion and TBI—and why those working with brain injury populations benefit from understanding the effects of complex trauma, chronic stress, and nervous system patterns.
    Rather than pushing through symptoms, recovery begins with understanding what the nervous system is actually experiencing, assessing capacity, working with the minimum effective dose, and recognizing when additional rehabilitation, referral, or collaborative care may be needed.
    In This Episode
    What traumatic brain injury and mild TBI can look like

    Why many concussions and mild TBIs go undiagnosed

    The overlap between TBI, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and complex trauma symptoms

    How brain injury can affect emotional regulation, cognition, memory, vision, and behavior

    Why irritability, withdrawal, overwhelm, and reduced capacity may emerge after concussion

    The relationship between complex trauma and persistent post-concussion symptoms

    Why women and other vulnerable populations may experience additional barriers to recovery

    How TBI can increase the energetic demands placed on the brain

    Visual, vestibular, sensory, and cognitive processing after brain injury

    Why pushing through symptoms can create diminishing returns

    Fuel, capacity, assessment, reassessment, and the minimum effective dose

    How Neurosomatic Intelligence can support individualized nervous system work

    Why practitioners need to recognize when referral or collaborative care is appropriate

    Beginning with simple awareness of breath, energy expenditure, restoration, and capacity

    The importance of compassion for ourselves and others when we cannot see what another nervous system has experienced

    Featured in This Episode
    BECOMING TBI & CONCUSSION INFORMED — LIVE WORKSHOP
    If you work with the nervous system, understanding concussion and traumatic brain injury is essential. Post-concussion symptoms can present as fatigue, overwhelm, emotional reactivity, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to sound or light, inconsistent progress, or reduced capacity for stress.
    Join Amanda Smith on September 17 for Becoming TBI and Concussion Informed, a live workshop designed to help practitioners understand how a history of concussion, mild TBI, or head and neck trauma may be affecting what they observe in their clients.
    Learn to ask better questions, adapt your approach, recognize when referral or collaboration is needed, and work with greater clarity and confidence.
    neurosomatic.com/concussion
    Amanda Smith is a certified brain injury specialist, applied neurology pain and performance coach, founder of Amanda's Way, and educator in the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification. Her work integrates applied neurology, nervous system education, and rehabilitation to support people navigating traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms.
     
    Offerings & Resources
    START HERE — FREE NERVOUS SYSTEM TRAINING
    Begin learning how to work with your nervous system with our free two-week Rewire Trial:
    rewiretrial.com
    NEUROSOMATIC INTELLIGENCE COACHING CERTIFICATION
    Learn to work with the nervous system through an integrative framework combining applied neurology, somatics, trauma-informed education, and nervous system assessment.
    neurosomaticintelligence.com
    WATCH TRAUMA REWIRED ON YOUTUBE
    YouTube: youtube.com/@TraumaRewired
     
    EXPLORE JENNIFER'S WORK 
    Explore psychedelic neuroscience, nervous system preparation and integration, neuroplasticity, and harm reduction with Jennifer on Sacred Synapse:
    youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23
    www.illuminatedwithjennifer.com
     
    JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
    Connect with the Trauma Rewired community on Facebook:
    facebook.com/groups/761101225132846
     
    CONNECT WITH TRAUMA REWIRED
    Instagram: instagram.com/trauma.rewired


    Podcast 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 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
  • Trauma Rewired

    The Science of Feeling Safe in Your Body: Emotional Regulation and Trauma

    08/24/2026 | 1h 2 mins.
    Episode Summary
    Why do you know you're safe logically, but your body still reacts as though you're in danger?
    Emotional regulation isn't about staying calm, avoiding difficult emotions, or suppressing how you feel. It's about your brain and nervous system working together to accurately interpret what's happening inside and around you so you can respond with flexibility instead of survival.
    In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by NSI educator Matt Bush to explore the neuroscience of emotional regulation through the lens of brain integration, interoception, sensory processing, and neuroplasticity.
    Together they unpack why trauma disrupts communication between key brain networks, how chronic stress creates fragmented emotional processing, and why many people remain stuck in cycles of overwhelm, shutdown, perfectionism, dissociation, binge eating, emotional flooding, or emotional numbness despite years of personal development or therapy.
    The conversation also explores why emotional regulation is a trainable neurological skill, how simple nervous system practices improve brain integration, why sensory mismatch contributes to chronic stress, and how properly preparing the nervous system creates safer, more effective emotional processing—including during psychedelic experiences.
    If you've ever wondered why insight alone doesn't create lasting change, why your emotions sometimes feel bigger than the situation, or why your body seems to react before your mind can catch up, this episode offers a neuroscience-based roadmap toward regulation, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.
    In This Episode We Discuss
    What emotional regulation actually is—and what it is not

    Why emotional regulation depends on brain integration

    The roles of the insula, anterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex

    How trauma disrupts communication between brain networks

    Why chronic stress creates fragmented emotional processing

    The relationship between interoception, proprioception, and emotional regulation

    Sensory mismatch and its hidden impact on nervous system health

    Emotional flooding, shutdown, perfectionism, binge eating, and dissociation

    Why "fake it until you make it" comes with a physiological cost

    The neuroscience behind predictive coding and emotional interpretation

    Why emotions are physiological—not simply psychological

    How movement, vocalization, and nervous system regulation support emotional processing

    Brain-body integration and the limits of insight alone

    Emotional regulation during psychedelic and peak somatic experiences

    Building nervous system capacity through daily regulation practices

    Practical neuroscience tools that support resilience and post-traumatic growth

     
     
    Featured in This Episode
    NSI Foundations Bundle
    Learn the foundational neuroscience and practical nervous system tools behind everything taught inside the NeuroSomatic Intelligence Certification.
    https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/foundations
     
     
    Start Here
    FREE 2-Week Rewire Trial
    https://www.rewiretrial.com
    Learn More About NeuroSomatic Intelligence
    https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com
     
     
    Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes
    YouTube Channel:
    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 
    https://illuminatedwithjennifer.com
    Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace
    Learn more about psychedelic neuroscience, applied neurology, Neurosomatic Intelligence, and nervous system-informed psychedelic preparation and integration 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 Community:
    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.
  • Trauma Rewired

    Boundaries, Attachment, and the Fear of Losing Connection

    08/17/2026 | 1h
    Most people think boundaries are about saying "no," protecting themselves, or keeping others at a distance. But from a nervous system perspective, boundaries are something much deeper. They are not walls that separate us from connection—they are the foundation that makes authentic connection possible.
    In this episode, Jennifer Wallace, Elisabeth Kristof, and returning guest Margie Faltin explore boundaries through the lens of neuroscience, attachment, co-regulation, and post-traumatic growth.
    Together they examine why boundaries can feel so threatening after trauma, why receiving someone else's boundary can activate abandonment, and how early attachment experiences shape the way we relate to authenticity, conflict, and connection throughout our lives.
    Whether you've struggled with people-pleasing, over-functioning, conflict avoidance, or feeling guilty for putting your needs first, this conversation offers a compassionate, science-backed framework for understanding boundaries as an expression of nervous system health rather than emotional distance.
    Together they explore why boundaries become easier as nervous system capacity grows, how self-attunement changes the way we communicate our needs, why authenticity requires safety, and how learning to both set and receive boundaries creates stronger relationships, greater resilience, and lasting post-traumatic growth.
    Key Takeaways
    Why boundaries are a nervous system skill—not simply communication techniques.

    How attachment patterns shape the way we set and receive boundaries.

    Why receiving a boundary can feel like abandonment after trauma.

    The neuroscience of oxytocin, co-regulation, and the "tend-and-befriend" stress response.

    Why people-pleasing and fawning are survival adaptations rather than personality traits.

    The difference between reactive boundaries and boundaries rooted in regulation.

    Why self-attunement is foundational to authentic relationships.

    How rupture and repair help build secure attachment over time.

    Practical nervous system exercises for strengthening boundary capacity.

    Why authentic connection requires truth—not performance, perfection, or self-abandonment.

    If you've ever worried that speaking your truth would cost you love, feared disappointing others, or found yourself constantly prioritizing everyone else's needs above your own, this episode offers another perspective: healthy boundaries are not about pushing people away. They are about creating the safety, authenticity, and nervous system capacity that allow genuine connection to grow.
     
    Resources
    🧠 Start Your Nervous System Journey — FREE for Two Weeks
    https://rewiretrial.com
    🌿 NeuroSomatic Intelligence (NSI) Certification
    https://neurosomaticintelligence.com
    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
    🎧 Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@traumarewired
    📖 The Wayfinder Journal
    https://stan.store/illuminated
     
     
    Podcast 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 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.
    The BrainBased.com site and RewireTrial.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.
  • Trauma Rewired

    Sexual Fawning: When Survival Gets Mistaken for Intimacy

    08/10/2026 | 57 mins.
    Why do so many trauma survivors say "yes" when every part of their body is saying "no"?
    In this deeply compassionate episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by somatic educator Luis Mojica to explore one of the least understood trauma adaptations: sexual fawning.
    While many people recognize fawning as people-pleasing, sexual fawning often remains hidden beneath shame, confusion, and self-blame. Together, they unpack how the nervous system can mistake compliance for safety, why intimacy can become intertwined with survival, and how early developmental experiences shape adult relationships.
    You'll learn why fawning is not a personality trait but an intelligent physiological adaptation, how developmental trauma creates "over-couplings" between fear and pleasure, and why healing begins not with forcing different behaviors, but by learning to recognize the body's earliest protective signals.
    This conversation also explores the relationship between attachment wounds, body boundaries, shame, freeze responses, compassion, and nervous system capacity—offering a new framework for understanding sexuality through the lens of neuroscience, somatics, and post-traumatic growth.
    Whether you've experienced childhood trauma, struggle to maintain boundaries, or simply want a deeper understanding of how survival responses influence intimacy, this episode offers practical insights and profound hope for healing.
    In This Episode
    What the fawn response actually is—and why it's far more than people-pleasing
    The difference between fawning and sexual fawning
    How developmental trauma couples fear, shame, and arousal
    Why sexual fawning often occurs inside loving, committed relationships
    The physiology behind compliance, dissociation, and body boundaries
    How freeze and fawn work together during traumatic experiences
    Why shame is a physiological state—not a character flaw
    Understanding over-coupling and how the nervous system learns survival
    The difference between present danger and nervous system triggers
    How to recognize the first body signals before a fawn response occurs
    Why compassion can feel threatening to a traumatized nervous system
    The relationship between chronic people-pleasing, chronic illness, and nervous system capacity
    Practical somatic practices for interrupting the fawn response and rebuilding body trust
    Start Here
    If today's conversation resonated with you, these resources are a powerful next step:
    🧠 The Nervous System Rewire Mini Course
    Learn the foundational practices for regulating your nervous system and creating lasting change.
    https://rewirecourse.com
    🧠 Try Brain-Based Membership Free for Two Weeks
    Join Jennifer and Elisabeth for live nervous system training.
    https://rewiretrial.com
    🧠 NSI Foundations
    Begin understanding how applied neurology and Neurosomatic Intelligence create lasting nervous system change.
    https://www.rewiretrial.com
    Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes
    If this conversation resonated, continue exploring these related episodes:
    Understanding the Fawn Response
    Why Boundaries Feel Like Rejection After Trauma
    From Shame to Self-Expression: Healing Body Boundaries After Trauma
    Emotional Flashbacks and Complex Trauma
    Why Being Yourself Can Feel Dangerous After Trauma
    The Freeze Response Explained
    Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn: Understanding Survival States
     
     
    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.
    If you're interested in the intersection of neuroscience, psychedelics, interoception, and nervous system preparation, explore Jennifer's educational YouTube channel:
    Sacred Synapse
    https://www.youtube.com/@SacredSynapse
    New videos every week exploring applied neurology, neuroplasticity, trauma physiology, and psychedelic harm reduction.
    The Wayfinder Journal
    Healing doesn't happen through insight alone.
    The Wayfinder Journal was designed to help you develop greater self-awareness, nervous system attunement, and embodied reflection between sessions and episodes.
    Explore the journal here:
    https://stan.store/traumarewired
    Exclusive Offer
    🥬 Receive a FREE bottle of AG1 with your subscription.
    https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired
     
    Podcast 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 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.
    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. Decisionsregarding psychedelic use should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare
    professionals and in accordance with applicable laws.
    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
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About 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.
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