Trauma Rewired

What if authenticity isn't a personality trait — but a measurable marker of nervous system capacity?
In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore authenticity and forgiveness through the lens of post-traumatic growth. We unpack why telling the truth can feel physiologically threatening after trauma, how masking and performance develop as protective strategies, and why forgiveness is not a mindset shift — but a capacity that grows through regulation, integration, and self-attunement.
Authenticity is not about oversharing or abandoning discernment. It's the ability to feel the truth in your body and stay connected while expressing it. That requires nervous system flexibility — not willpower.
Topics Covered:
Why authenticity is a marker of nervous system capacity

How trauma wires masking, performance, and self-editing

Why telling the truth can feel physiologically threatening

Small lies as protective regulation strategies

Masking, perfectionism, and increased allostatic load

The difference between visibility and authentic expression

Why psychedelic honesty is a state shift, not a skill

Oversharing and vulnerability hangovers as capacity issues

Why forcing forgiveness reinforces threat patterns

Self-forgiveness as a neuroplastic learning process

Attunement, interoception, and emotional tolerance

Rupture and repair as mechanisms of growth

Forgiveness without bypassing accountability

Rumination, grievance, and sympathetic dominance

Why post-traumatic growth reflects the capacity to hold truth and connection at the same time

Chapters:
00:00 – Authenticity as Nervous System Capacity 04:30 – Why Truth Feels Like Threat 09:45 – Masking, Performance & Conditional Safety 17:10 – Psychedelics, Peak States & Integration 23:40 – Visibility vs Authentic Expression 29:50 – Self-Forgiveness & Capacity Building 36:15 – Attunement, Shame & Neuroplasticity 41:20 – Forgiving Others Without Bypassing 47:30 – Forgiveness, Faith & Staying Connected
 
Calls to Action:
Neurosomatic Intelligence is now enrolling : https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/nsi-certification

Sacred Synapse: an educational YouTube channel founded by Jennifer Wallace that explores nervous system regulation, applied neuroscience, consciousness, and psychedelic preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence. 

Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence.

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 

Learn to work with Boundaries at the level of the body and nervous system at https://www.boundaryrewire.com

Get a two-week free trial of neurosomatic training at https://rewiretrial.com

Psychedelics are having a cultural moment. Research is promising. Stories of healing are everywhere. But here's the truth: these experiences aren't magic cures. And they aren't right for every nervous system at every time.
 
In this episode, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace slow the conversation down. Instead of asking, "Do psychedelics heal trauma?" They explore a more grounded question: What becomes possible when psychedelic or peak somatic experiences are approached through the lens of nervous system safety, preparation, and integration?
 
If you've been curious about psychedelics, already had experiences, or feel unsure whether they're right for you, this episode offers nuance, research, and deep nervous system perspective.
Because post-traumatic growth isn't about becoming someone new.
It's about becoming more available to the life that's already waiting for you.
 
Topic Covered
Why psychedelics may reorganize meaning, not just reduce symptoms

How trauma fragments narrative and how safety allows integration

The science of psychological flexibility and why it predicts long-term outcomes

What "somatic journeying" is and why it can feel disorienting

The importance of preparation, titration, and facilitator trust

Why intensity does not equal healing

Psychedelics vs antidepressants in research on connectedness

Default Mode Network (DMN), identity rigidity, and belief updating

Why creativity often emerges when survival softens

The risks of over-reliance and "chasing the medicine"

Why discernment and self-trust matter more than hype

 
Chapters 
00:00 – Psychedelics Aren't Magic Cures

03:00 – Meaning-Making & Narrative Reorganization

08:58 – Psychological Flexibility & Emotional Capacity

17:00 – Preparation, Somatic Journeying & Integration

23:29 – Connectedness & Relational Repair

34:33 – Identity, Neuro Tags & the Default Mode Network

41:03 – Creativity as a Byproduct of Safety

48:14 – Discernment, Industry Hype & Self-Trust
 
Calls to Action:
Neurosomatic Intelligence is now enrolling : https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/nsi-certification

Sacred Synapse: an educational YouTube channel founded by Jennifer Wallace that explores nervous system regulation, applied neuroscience, consciousness, and psychedelic preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence. 

 
Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence.

 
FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 

Learn to work with Boundaries at the level of the body and nervous system at https://www.boundaryrewire.com

Get a two-week free trial of neurosomatic training at https://rewiretrial.com




Sources: 
 
Amada, N., et al. "The Transformative Potential of Psychedelic Experiences: A Qualitative Analysis of Meaning-Making and Narrative Reorganization." Journal of Consciousness Studies, vol. 27, no. 7–8, 2020, pp. 122–150.
 
Carhart-Harris, Robin L., et al. "Neural Correlates of the Psychedelic State as Determined by fMRI Studies with Psilocybin." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 109, no. 6, 2012, pp. 2138–2143.
 
Carhart-Harris, Robin L., et al. "The Entropic Brain: A Theory of Conscious States Informed by Neuroimaging Research with Psychedelic Drugs." Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, vol. 8, 2014, article 20.
 
Carhart-Harris, Robin L., et al. "Psilocybin with Psychological Support for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Six-Month Follow-Up." Psychopharmacology, vol. 235, no. 2, 2018, pp. 399–408.
 
Davis, Alan K., Roland R. Griffiths, and Frederick S. Barrett. "Psychological Flexibility Mediates the Relations between Acute Psychedelic Effects and Subjective Decreases in Depression and Anxiety." Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, vol. 15, 2020, pp. 39–45.
 
Davis, Alan K., et al. "Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial." JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 78, no. 5, 2021, pp. 481–489.
 
Erritzoe, David, et al. "Effects of Psilocybin Therapy versus Escitalopram on Depression and Emotional Connectedness in Major Depressive Disorder." The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 384, 2021, pp. 1402–1411.
 
Griffiths, Roland R., et al. "Psilocybin Produces Substantial and Sustained Decreases in Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Life-Threatening Cancer: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial." Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 30, no. 12, 2016, pp. 1181–1197.
 
MacLean, Katherine A., Matthew W. Johnson, and Roland R. Griffiths. "Mystical Experiences Occasioned by the Hallucinogen Psilocybin Lead to Increases in the Personality Domain of Openness." Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 25, no. 11, 2011, pp. 1453–1461.
 
Watts, Rosalind, et al. "Patients' Accounts of Increased 'Connectedness' and 'Acceptance' after Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression." Journal of Humanistic Psychology, vol. 57, no. 5, 2017, pp. 520–564.
 
Weiss, B., et al. "Associations between Naturalistic Psychedelic Use, Psychological Insight, and Changes in Social Connectedness and Personality." Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 12, 2021, article 667987.



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 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 a 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 [email protected].
All rights in our content are reserved.

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof welcome author, speaker, and embodiment coach Preston Smiles for a powerful conversation on the Father Wound — and how paternal presence or absence shapes the nervous system.
Together, they explore how a father's regulation, emotional availability, and play patterns influence brain development, stress physiology, attachment, intimacy, and leadership. Drawing from both lived experience and developmental research, this episode examines the real impact of masculine containment — not through blame, but through understanding.
From childhood patterning to adult relationships, parenting, and community repair, this conversation offers grounded insight, somatic depth, and a hopeful path toward nervous system healing.
Timestamps:
00:00 –  Intro/The Good Boy Pattern

08:00 – The Father Wound

17:30 – Play and Masculine Energy

33:30 – Shame and Reclaiming the Masculine

52:30 – Capacity and Embodied Partnership

Key Takeaways:
The fatherwound isn't just emotional, it's neurological and somatic, shaping how we regulate stress, relate, and play.

Healthy masculine presence supports brain development through movement, physical play, safety, and co-regulation.

Many relational patterns come from what was never modeled, not from personal failure.

Healing happens through embodied experience, safe relationships, and repeated nervous system repair, not just insight.

Resources Mentioned:
The Bridge Method – Workshops led by Preston Smiles: https://www.thebridgemethod.org/

Spiritual Millionaire, by Preston Smiles: https://preston-davis.mykajabi.com/book

Instagram: @PrestonSmiles: https://www.instagram.com/prestonsmiles/

Call to Action:
Neurosomatic Intelligence is now enrolling : https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/nsi-certification

Learn to work with Boundaries at the level of the body and nervous system at https://www.boundaryrewire.com

Get a two-week free trial of neurosomatic training at https://rewiretrial.com

Sacred Synapse: an educational YouTube channel founded by Jennifer Wallace that explores nervous system regulation, applied neuroscience, consciousness, and psychedelic preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence. 

Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence.

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

Sources:
Flinn, M. V. & England, B. G. (2003). Social economics of childhood glucocorticoid stress response and health.
Laurent, H. K. et al. (2013). Synchrony of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in parents and infants.
Feldman, R. et al. (2010). Parent–infant synchrony and the construction of shared timing.
Amato, P. R. & Gilbreth, J. G. (1999). Nonresident fathers and children's well-being.
Ellis, B. J. et al. (1999). Quality of early family relationships and timing of puberty.
Meaney, M. J. & Szyf, M. (2005). Environmental programming of stress responses through DNA methylation.
 
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 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.
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 [email protected].
All rights in our content are reserved.

For many people with a history of chronic stress, attachment wounds, or complex trauma, boundaries don't land as neutral information — they register in the nervous system as abandonment, threat, or loss of connection. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore why that happens and what it actually takes to rewire those responses at the level that matters most: the body.
This conversation reframes boundaries not as walls, ultimatums, or communication strategies, but as a nervous system skill that emerges from regulation, capacity, and internal coherence. Together with our guest, we unpack why setting boundaries from anger can feel easier than setting them from truth, why receiving boundaries can activate shame or collapse, and how post-traumatic growth allows boundaries to become a source of safety rather than disconnection.
If you've ever understood boundaries intellectually but struggled to live them relationally, this episode offers a deeper, more compassionate lens — one rooted in neuroscience, somatics, and the lived process of healing.
In this episode of Trauma Rewired, co-hosts Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by Margy Feldhuhn, co-owner of Brain-Based Wellness, for a grounded, practical conversation about boundaries.
The conversation addresses why boundaries can feel threatening for people with relational or developmental trauma, how control dynamics get confused with protection, and what it looks like to set limits without shame, punishment, or power struggles. Whether you struggle to set boundaries, feel triggered by others' boundaries, or worry about being "too much," this episode offers language and perspective that supports safety rather than disconnection.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro/Why boundaries often get mislabeled as control
07:42 – Trauma, power, and the nervous system's role in boundaries
15:30 – The difference between protective limits and coercion
24:10 – Why boundaries can feel unsafe or activating
33:45 – Common boundary mistakes rooted in trauma responses
44:20 – What healthy, non-controlling boundaries actually look like
Calls to Action
👉Join us for a free NSI workshop Feb 11: Integrating the Nervous System with Precision and Purpose: https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/integration-workshop/
👉Learn to work with Boundaries at the level of the body and nervous system at https://www.boundaryrewire.com
👉Get a two-week free trial of neurosomatic training at https://rewiretrial.com
Research Resources:
Taylor, S. E. et al. (2000) Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight. Psychological Review, 107(3), 411–429. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.107.3.411
Taylor, S. E. et al. (2011) Tend and Befriend: Biobehavioral Bases of Affiliation Under Stress.Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(6), 357–362. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0963721411429454
Heinrichs, M. et al. (2003) Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Biological Psychiatry, 54(12), 1389–1398. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(03)00465-7
Carter, C. S. (2014) Oxytocin pathways and the evolution of human behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 17–39. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115110
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 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 a 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 [email protected].
All rights in our content are reserved.

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore autoimmune conditions through a nervous-system and psychoneuroimmunology lens—moving beyond the idea that the body is "attacking itself." Instead, we examine autoimmunity as an adaptive output of a system that has lived in chronic threat for too long.
Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof unpack how immune response, emotional expression, boundaries, trauma history, and social stress intersect at the level of physiology. Drawing on research from ACEs, chronic inflammation, the HPA axis, the inflammatory reflex, and shame-based immune activation, they explain how the brain's predictions—rather than isolated biology—shape immune behavior.
You'll hear why autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities, how emotional suppression and boundary violations translate into inflammation, and why anger, shame, and safety are biological—not just psychological—processes. The episode closes with a grounded conversation on post-traumatic growth: what it means to live in partnership with the body, retrain predictions through sensory and interoceptive work, and expand resilience alongside medical care. This is an invitation to replace self-blame with curiosity—and to see regulation, expression, and safety as central to immune health.
 
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Autoimmune as protection, not self-attack

08:40 – Autoimmune, ACEs, gender, and nervous system prediction

21:05 – Chronic inflammation, HPA axis & the inflammatory reflex

35:20 – Boundaries, anger, shame & post-traumatic growth

52:00 – Closing reflections & integration

 
 
Key Takeaways
Autoimmune responses can be understood as nervous-system outputs shaped by prediction and chronic threat.

Early adversity, emotional suppression, and social stress significantly increase inflammatory load.

Boundaries are physiological capacities rooted in interoception and proprioception—not just communication skills.

Training safety, expression, and regulation can complement medical care and reduce flare frequency.

 
 
Call to Action:
 
Join us for a free NSI workshop Feb 11: Integrating the Nervous System with Precision and Purpose: https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/integration-workshop/
 
Learn to work with Boundaries at the level of the body and nervous system at boundaryrewire.com
Sacred Synapse: an educational YouTube channel founded by Jennifer Wallace that explores nervous system regulation, applied neuroscience, consciousness, and psychedelic preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence. 
Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence.
FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 
 
Get a two-week free trial of neurosomatic training at rewiretrial.com
Resources Mentioned
NIH – Autoimmune Diseases & Women: https://orwh.od.nih.gov/research/maternal-morbidity-mortality/autoimmune-diseases

Danese & Lewis (2017) Psychoneuroimmunology of Early-Life Stress: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27860545/

Dube et al. (2009) ACEs & Autoimmune Risk: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19234146/

McEwen & Gianaros (2016) Stress, Brain & Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26766224/

Dickerson & Kemeny (2004) Shame, Social Threat & Inflammation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15250837/

 
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 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.
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 [email protected].
All rights in our content are reserved.