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

If you constantly feel responsible for others, struggle to set boundaries, or carry deep shame you can’t explain — complex trauma may be at the root.

In Episode 2 of Trauma Meets Recovery, we explore the connection between CPTSD (Complex PTSD), codependency, boundaries, and toxic shame, drawing from the teachings of Tim Fletcher, a leading voice in complex trauma recovery.

Complex trauma often creates patterns of people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, and feeling responsible for other people’s emotions. These patterns are deeply tied to shame and survival strategies developed in childhood.

In this episode we discuss:

• How CPTSD shapes codependent patterns

• Why shame becomes a core wound in complex trauma

• The connection between trauma and people-pleasing

• Why boundaries can feel so difficult for trauma survivors

• What recovery and healing can actually look like


If you’ve ever felt like you lose yourself in relationships, struggle to say no, or carry a sense of shame you can’t explain, this conversation may help you better understand the impact of complex trauma — and the hope that recovery brings.

Healing is possible.

🎙 @TraumaMeetsRecoveryPodcast ​

Trauma is inevitable — but healing is possible.

In this premiere episode of The Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast, Dr. Mark McNear and Joe Schweighardt, LPC, discuss trauma recovery, nervous system dysregulation, Brainspotting EMDR, somatic therapy, and the power of story work in healing trauma.

If you’re struggling with emotional wounds, past trauma, or feeling overwhelmed in your nervous system, this mental health podcast offers practical tools, clinical insight, and hope.

When trauma meets recovery, healing begins.

Learn more & explore resources: traumameetsrecovery.com

Every recovery story begins somewhere.

This is where ours begins.

In the very first episode of The Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast, Dr. Mark McNear shares the heart, vision, and clinical foundation behind this new space for honest conversations about trauma and lasting recovery — joined by guest host, Joe Schweighardt, who helps unpack the “why” behind the work.

Episode 1 launches Tuesday, February 24th.

Follow now so you don’t miss the beginning.