logo
episode-header-image
Aug 11
45m 3s

How Trauma Lives in the Body and Why Hea...

Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof
About this episode

What if your constant stress, emotional triggers, and exhaustion aren’t a mindset problem, but a sign your nervous system is stuck in survival mode? 

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore the science of nervous system reset, nervous system regulation, and how to restore the nervous system after chronic stress and trauma. Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof unpack how the autonomic nervous system governs your reactions, why trauma is stored as patterns in the body, and how to begin the process of nervous system recovery without forcing or overwhelming yourself.

You’ll learn how the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches work together, why dysregulation is not a personal failure, and how practices like movement, breathwork, and interoception can help you regulate more effectively. This conversation also covers the difference between “big T” and “small T” trauma, why nervous system healing requires both individual and collective approaches, and how to build resilience so you can meet life’s challenges without staying stuck in survival mode.

This episode is both a science-backed education and a compassionate guide for anyone ready to experience a genuine nervous system reset.

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

This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy
https://ClipGrowthAgency.com

Up next
Aug 18
The Neuroscience of the Fight Trauma Response, Anger, and Boundaries
Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage?Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com The fight response is often misunderstood as a personality flaw, but it’s actually a deeply wired survival adaptation shaped by past experiences and trau ... Show More
54m 59s
Aug 15
Working with Neuroplasticity and Neurosomatics to Rewire Emotional Resilience in your Nervous System
Your brain is constantly scanning your body and environment, deciding in split seconds whether you’re safe or unsafe, and those decisions shape everything from your emotions to your physical health. In this episode, we dive into Applied Neurology and Neuro Somatics, revealing how ... Show More
45m 40s
Aug 4
How the Nervous system translates emotions into symptoms
What if the emotions you were never allowed to feel are the same ones making you sick? In this powerful episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore the lifelong impact of emotional neglect and suppression, and why emotional processing is often the hardest part of healing. From childhoo ... Show More
38m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Talking about Trauma won't heal you
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Talking about trauma doesn’t heal trauma. For a lot of people, it makes them feel much worse especially if you have PTSD. This is one thing that sets human brains ap ... Show More
22m 17s
Jul 26
The Science Of Safety & The Polyvagal Theory Q & A With Deb Dana
In this rerelease conversation, returning guest therapist & author Deb Dana answers your questions. Deb delves into the Polyvagal Theory, explaining its significance in understanding the autonomic nervous system and its impact on our daily experiences. She discusses the hierarchy ... Show More
37m 19s
Aug 2024
Trauma Healing : Living In Your Head To Moving Into Your Body With Deb Dana
You cannot to heal from Trauma until you gently learn to become friends with your nervous system. May survivors have adapted to trauma by shutting down or disconnecting from their feelings and sensations.This makes sense when you live in a dangerous and threatening environment. H ... Show More
30m 22s
Jul 16
Part Two: The Science Behind Trauma: How it Impacts Our Biology, the Surprising Connection to Inflammation, Autoimmune Diseases and Depression & How You Can Start to Heal
Is Your Body Secretly Trapped in Trauma? Discover the Hidden Science with Dr. Aimie Apigian Could your chronic fatigue, anxiety, or autoimmune symptoms be signs of unresolved trauma stored in the body? Dr. Aimie Apigian, trauma expert and author of The Biology of Trauma, explains ... Show More
1h 32m
Jul 15
The Science Behind Trauma: How it Impacts Our Biology, the Surprising Connection to Inflammation, Autoimmune Diseases and Depression & How You Can Start to Heal
Is Your Body Secretly Trapped in Trauma? Discover the Hidden Science with Dr. Aimie Apigian Could your chronic fatigue, anxiety, or autoimmune symptoms be signs of unresolved trauma stored in the body? Dr. Aimie Apigian, trauma expert and author of The Biology of Trauma, explains ... Show More
55m 16s
Dec 2024
Re-Regulating your Nervous System after CPTSD with Crappy Childhood Fairy Anna Runkle
Learn the skills to regulate your emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out Anna's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZlDCbFTqHkzV_rUP4V5bg In this episode, we delve into the concept of complex PTSD and how dysregulat ... Show More
42m 42s
Mar 2025
How To Control Your Inner Voice & Fix Your Negative Self-Talk | Dr. Ethan Kross
Ethan Kross is a Professor in the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department and Ross School of Business. He is the director of the Emotion & Self-Control Lab. His research examines how people can control their thoughts, feelings and behaviors to improve their lives.Today on ... Show More
46m 31s
Mar 2025
The Ongoing Reality of Healing Trauma With Benjamin Fry
In this episode of the Healing Trauma Podcast, Guest Host, Dr. Mark McNear interviews Benjamin Fry, a psychotherapist and founder of Khiron Clinics. Benjamin shares his personal journey through trauma, detailing his experiences with anxiety, suicidal ideation, and the impact of h ... Show More
40m 29s
Aug 8
Healing Trauma: The Body's Role In Recovery With Pat Odgen
In this episode of the Healing Trauma Podcast, host Monique Koven engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Pat Ogden, the founder of Sensory Motor Therapy. They explore the critical role of the body in healing complex trauma, emphasizing that trauma affects not just the mind b ... Show More
31m 38s
Nov 2024
How Childhood Trauma Affects the Brain and Body - The ACES Study
Learn how to regulate your nervous system in my FREE online course: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd Childhood trauma can have a direct, lasting impact on physical health, mental health, and ability to function in society. But we ... Show More
13m 1s