What if the key to healing trauma isn’t just in your thoughts—but in your nervous system?

In this powerful episode of the Trauma Meets Recovery podcast, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with renowned clinician and author Deb Dana to break down Polyvagal Theory into simple, practical tools you can use in everyday life.

Together, they explore how your nervous system constantly scans for safety and danger through a process called neuroception—and how bringing these patterns into awareness can give you something many trauma survivors struggle to access: choice.

Deb Dana walks listeners through the three core states of the nervous system—regulation, fight-or-flight, and shutdown—and explains why healing isn’t about staying calm all the time, but learning how to move out of survival states with awareness and support.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognize your body’s cues of safety vs. danger
• Why trauma keeps us stuck in survival responses—and how to shift out
• The difference between implicit (automatic) and explicit (aware) experience
• How to build a personalized “regulation plan” for moments of overwhelm
• The power of co-regulation and safe connection in healing
• What “glimmers” are—and how tiny moments of safety can rewire your nervous system

This conversation is both deeply insightful and immediately actionable—offering a roadmap to move from reactivity to resilience, from survival to thriving.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in anxiety, shutdown, or emotional overwhelm, this episode will help you understand why—and more importantly, what to do about it.

Grief healing and trauma healing are possible—and Brainspotting may be the missing piece...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Deborah Antinori, Licensed Professional Counselor with 35+ years of experience, Brainspotting US Trainer, and grief specialist, to explore what healing really looks like after loss and trauma.

Deborah shares insights from decades of clinical work, her experience training under Brainspotting founder Dr. David Grand, and her deep expertise in grief therapy—including her award-winning audiobook Journey Through Pet Loss.

🔗 Learn more about Deborah’s work: www.petlossaudio.com

We dive into:

-Why grief isn’t something you “get over”
-How trauma lives in the body
-What Brainspotting is—and why it’s so effective
-Real ways to begin healing after loss

🎧 Whether you’re navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a new perspective on healing and coping with loss.
@traumameetsrecoverypodcast

In this powerful episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark sits down with Dr. Christopher Willard—author, Harvard Medical School professor, and global leader in mindfulness and trauma-informed care.

Dr. Christopher Willard discusses addiction, early sobriety and a life-changing experience with Thich Nhat Hanh to becoming a global leader in mental health, sharing his powerful journey—and what actually helps people heal.

We dive into:

• Why mindfulness can feel hard after trauma

• How trauma impacts the nervous system

• The role of self-compassion in recovery

• Simple, practical tools you can use daily

Recovery is possible.

A grounded, honest conversation about learning to be kinder to yourself—and why that changes everything.

Listen now @traumameetsrecoverypodcast