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Topic: More Episodes

How Childhood Trauma Shapes Who We Become and What Clinicians Want to Know

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If you've ever heard that childhood trauma and chronic illness are connected — and immediately thought "but was mine actually bad enough to count?" — this episode is for you.

Dr. Monica Fitzgerald is a licensed clinical psychologist, trauma researcher, and director of the Center for Resilience and Well-being at the University of Colorado Boulder. And she breaks something open in this conversation that I think a lot of people need to hear: the big T and little T framework? It's outdated. What we now know is that the small, ongoing, repeated things — the criticism, the dismissal, the not-quite-feeling-safe — can wire your nervous system just as powerfully as a single event. Sometimes more.

She walks me through the three E's of trauma: the Event, the Experience, and the Effects. That second E is the one that changes everything. Two siblings can grow up in the same house and have completely different nervous system responses. Because trauma isn't just what happened — it's the meaning your system made of it, in the body of the person you were at that age, with the resources you had.

We also talk about the backpack most people are carrying. Full of moments that made them question themselves, doubt their own experience, feel like they needed to be more or better to deserve love or safety. That backpack doesn't stay in the past. It shows up in chronic pain, in not trusting your body, in handing your healing over to every provider and hoping they fix it. And it starts to get lighter when you stop going at it alone.

Monica's closing thought is something I'll be sitting with: we're not built to do this alone. None of us. And if a therapist you've seen has seemed overwhelmed by your story — that wasn't a sign your story was too much. It was a sign that wasn't the right fit.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

– Dr. Monica Fitzgerald: Resilient Families Therapy

– Center for Resilience and Well-being, CU Boulder

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BTS: What did & didn’t work in 2024 and What’s ahead for 2025

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In this episode, Grace reflects on the lessons learned from 2024 and discusses plans for moving forward into 2025. Key topics include acknowledging and learning from what didn't work, such as overcommitting and not listening to one's own body, and highlighting the importance of being authentic, slowing down, and seeking support. She also emphasises the significance of trusting intuition, building community, understanding the subconscious, and setting personal boundaries for better mental, emotional, and physical health in the coming year.

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The Science of Play: Healing Through Joy and Laughter

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In this episode, we explore the vital role of play in adult life as a powerful tool for healing, stress relief, and overall well-being. Learn about the science behind how play, laughter, and physical activities like dancing can release dopamine, promoting relaxation and healing. Discover practical tips to integrate more play and creativity into your hectic schedule, whether through laughter breaks, spontaneous fun, or rekindling childhood joys. Understand how prioritising play can help soothe the nervous system, make you more present, and significantly reduce stress.

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Understanding Burnout

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In this episode of the Heal with Grace podcast, I share a personal and raw life update regarding my own experience with burnout. I highlights the physical, psychological, and spiritual implications of burnout and how it can stealthily disrupt one's life. I also delve into my personal struggles, the emotional toll of major life transitions like divorce, and my journey through mold toxicity as the tipping point for health issues. I candidly discusses the normalisation of being overly tired, the resultant negative impacts on the nervous system, and my existential reflections during this period, including questioning my own professional authenticity. The episode underscores the importance of self-compassion, nervous system regulation, and emotional awareness in overcoming burnout. Despite the challenges, I demonstrate how resilience and proper tools can guide one through and out of burnout, encouraging listeners to approach their healing journey with grace and understanding.

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Gut Feelings: Unraveling the Connection Between Gut Health and Mental Well-Being

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In this episode of the 'Heal with Grace' podcast, I welcome Dr. Heather Finley, a registered dietitian with a doctorate in clinical nutrition, to discuss the intricate connections between gut health, mental health, and chronic illnesses. Dr. Finley shares her personal journey through years of GI issues and how she discovered the benefits of functional nutrition. The conversation covers the impact of stress, lifestyle, and food variety on gut health, and offers insights into overcoming disordered eating and the importance of a holistic approach to wellness. Key topics also include the significance of microbiome diversity, the role of stress management, and practical tips for establishing a healthier relationship with food and body. Tune in to learn how to achieve long-term gut health and improve overall well-being.

About Dr. Heather Finley:
Dr. Heather Finley is a registered dietitian with a doctorate in clinical nutrition. She and her team help people struggling with bloating, brain fog, hormone imbalances, and GI issues find relief from their symptoms and feel excited about food again.

Heather struggled with her own hormone & digestive issues for nearly 20 years and understands first hand the impact that nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset have on digestive health. Gut health shouldn’t be restrictive, stressful, and all-consuming. She developed a simple way that individuals can reduce digestive symptoms and add foods back into their diet.

Dr. Heather has a doctorate in clinical nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Her work has been featured on Good Morning Texas and in Mind Body Green, Yahoo! Life, and Very Well Health. Dr. Heather is the founder of the gutTogether® program for individuals and the gutPractitioner program for clinicians. 

Take the "Why Am I Bloated" Quiz: https://www.guttogetherprogram.com/healwithgrace

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What holistic chiropractic work looks like

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In this episode of the Heal with Grace podcast, guest host Liana, a holistic therapist, interviews Dr. Chandler Collins, a holistic chiropractor.

Dr. Collins shares his journey to becoming a chiropractor, motivated by a persistent injury. He explains his unique approach to holistic chiropractic care that integrates muscle testing, addressing emotional traumas, and coordinating various aspects of the body’s functionality.

 Liana and Dr. Collins delve into how emotions and chronic conditions impact the body, the complexity of human adaptation, and the integration of brain and body in holistic healing.

Dr. Collins offers insights on the importance of consistent, thorough care for achieving deeper wellness and reflects on the shared goal of practitioners helping patients to uncover the root causes of their problems.

About Dr. Chandler Collins:
Dr. Collins has over two decades of in-depth study of health, physiology, nutrition, and healing.  As part of this journey, he has created a boutique healthcare practice that distinguishes itself by extensive one-on-one work tailored to the individual needs of each patient, in order to address the complete structural, chemical, and psychological health of each person.  Advanced testing techniques allow the treatment session to be guided by the highest priority revealed by that person’s body, in that moment.  With every session focused on finding the root cause of each ailment, a more self-sustaining lifestyle of health and wellness is achieved.

www.CollinsDC.com

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How Grief Impacts Your Mind, Body and Spirit

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Welcome to Episode 13 of the Heal with Grace Podcast!

Today, I take you on a personal journey through the multifaceted experience of grief, exploring its effects not only on our emotions but on our physiological and spiritual well-being.

Drawing from my own recent experiences of loss, I aim to illuminate the path of healing and adaptation, sharing insights and strategies that have offered me solace and strength.

In this episode, I discuss:

  • An exploration into the essence of grief, revealing it as a response not just to death, but to the loss of relationships, jobs, and familiar ways of life.
  • Insight into how grief manifests physically, altering our brain chemistry, hormone levels, and even impacting heart health.
  • A look at grief's activation of our fight or flight response and its potential to lock us into a state of chronic stress if not addressed.
  • The unpredictable nature of grief, highlighting its ability to surface at unexpected times and in various forms.
  • Practical advice on managing the complex emotions and physical responses triggered by grief.

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