Dr. David Spiegel, Wilson Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, brings over 40 years of expertise in trauma, hypnosis, and mind-body medicine to this fascinating conversation. Drawing from decades of scientific research, Dr. Spiegel reveals how hypnosis serves as "controlled dissociation," offering a powerful pathway for trauma recovery by allowing people to revisit difficult experiences while maintaining physical comfort. The conversation takes us deep into the neuroscience of tr...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice. If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners. Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today! ----- This episode is also sponsored by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). The Internati...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Season 5 of the How We Can Heal Podcast is sponsored by SimplePractice. If you want to simplify the business side of your work, I highly recommend Simple Practice! Right now they’re offering a special 7-day free trial with 70% off your first 4 months for How We Can Heal listeners. Go to https://www.simplepractice.com/howwecanheal to take advantage of this offer today! ----- This episode is also sponsored by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). The Internati...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Facing the unimaginable pain of losing a child, Anna Ratnathicam Diab opens her heart to share the story of her daughter Carolina, who passed away suddenly at age 11 during a family trip to Uganda in 2019. What unfolds is a raw, honest conversation about navigating grief's unpredictable terrain and finding meaningful ways to honor a child's memory. Anna vividly recalls Carolina's vibrant personality—her love of bright colors, her notorious sweet tooth, and her habit of wearing "pattern on patter...
Jun 09, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Award-winning author of "The Yoga of Parenting," Sarah Ezrin shares how yoga philosophy provides a framework for navigating parenthood's chaos with grace and self-compassion. The yoga practice she once knew - with its hours on the mat and meditation cushion - has transformed into what she calls "yoga snacks": micro-moments of mindfulness chosen throughout her day. These might look like lighting a favorite candle amid dinner preparation madness, taking five deep breaths during an argument between...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 8
What if the transformation into parenthood isn't just about survival, but offers a unique window of opportunity for profound growth? In this illuminating conversation, classical singer and Alexander Technique practitioner Madison Smith challenges the harmful notion that we should "bounce back" after childbirth, offering instead a revolutionary perspective on the neurological shifts that occur during this major life transition. "Your body's not coming back, and I don't say that negatively," Madis...
May 26, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 7
What if sports were designed around athlete wellbeing instead of profit? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Diane Williams shares the buried history of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), an organization that flourished in the 1970s and early 1980s with a radical vision for collegiate athletics centered on education and student development. Dr. Williams, a professor of kinesiology at McDaniel College and former NCAA All-American athlete, reveals how this women-led ...
May 19, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 6
What happens when a casual curiosity about trail running transforms into a life-changing journey of service? Bugi's remarkable story unfolds as she recounts her evolution from a nervous first-timer at a Brazen Racing event to becoming "the other Kenyan" – an ultra runner who now feeds 42 children daily through her foundation in rural Kenya. The magic of the trail running community shines throughout this conversation as Bugi describes finding her people through those long, vulnerable hours spent ...
May 12, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 5
This episode is sponsored by Ultrasignup, the leading marketplace for discovering, registering, and managing trail running events across the United States. With a mission to promote the spirit of trail running and outdoor adventure, UltraSignup hosts a diverse range of races and events. When you visit Ultrasignup.com you’ll find over 5000 events – about half of which are NOT ultra-distance. You’ll also find stories highlighting runners, race directors, training tips, running destinations, and th...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Lucja Leonard's journey from forging sick notes to avoid PE class to completing a 300-mile ultramarathon across the Arizona desert reveals the transformative power of pushing beyond perceived limits. Just five days after finishing this monumental race, Lucja shares how she navigated extreme sleep deprivation, 90-degree heat, and those inevitable moments where every life decision is questioned. The conversation dives deep into what pulls someone toward such extreme challenges. For Lucja, it's the...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Dion Leonard's life changed forever when a small dog joined him for 80 miles of a grueling 155-mile ultra-marathon across the Gobi Desert in China. Their story of connection, separation, and eventual reunion became a New York Times bestseller, but behind this heartwarming tale lies an equally powerful journey of personal healing. Before becoming a world-class endurance athlete, Dion was a pack-a-day smoker who couldn't run around the block. His transformation began with a drunken bet about a hal...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Dr. Frank Corrigan joins us to share his groundbreaking approach to trauma healing called Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR). With his melodious Scottish accent and over 30 years of experience as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Scotland's National Health Service, Frank explains how his quest to help severely traumatized patients led to this innovative method that addresses trauma at its deepest neurobiological roots. The magic of DBR lies in its focus on a critical moment most approaches miss – the milli...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Welcome back to the How We Can Heal Podcast! Season 5 is coming April 14th With new episodes dropping every Monday . You've probably heard the saying, "time heals all wounds," and while healing often does take time, there are other elements and skills that can support the process. This season we'll focus on those moments, choices, and approaches that help us choose and experience healing. In addition to highlighting the voices of stellar clinicians and mental health professionals this season, yo...
Apr 09, 2025•5 min
Healing the Cultural Betrayal of Black Women & Girls: Bringing the Dreamstorm to Life In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk speaks with Dr. Jennifer Gomez about cultural betrayal trauma, particularly in the context of black women and girls. This in-depth discussion explores the complexities of holding perpetrators accountable, transforming cultural expectations, and the importance of small wins in the healing process. Dr. Gomez also shares insights from her rece...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr
BEHIND THE SCENES CONVERSATIONS WITH DR. KATHLEEN KENDALL-TACKETT In this behind-the-scenes episode of the 'How We Can Heal' podcast, psychotherapist Lisa Danylchuk welcomes health psychologist Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, an expert in women's health, trauma, and maternal mental health. They delve deep into the science and practical interventions to support mothers, highlighting Dr. Kendall-Tackett's extensive research and recent publications. The episode covers the significance of community su...
Sep 09, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Psychoneuroimmunology, Depression and Maternal Mental Health with Dr. Kathleen Kendall Tackett In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, psychotherapist Lisa Danylchuk engages in an insightful discussion with Dr. Kathleen Kendall Tackett, a health psychologist expert in women's health. The conversation delves into Dr. Kendall Tackett's research on breastfeeding, maternal mental health, and postpartum depression. Key topics include psychoneuroimmunology, oxytocin's role in stress regulation...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 10
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF TRAUMA AND DISSOCIATION WITH DR. LAUREN LEBOIS In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk welcomes Dr. Lauren Lebois, a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in trauma and dissociation. They discuss the neurobiology of PTSD, dissociation, and DID, highlighting key brain regions and their functions. Dr. Lebois shares insights from her research, the importance of neuroplasticity, and the vital role of repair in healing. They also delve into indigenous p...
Aug 26, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Traumatic Narcissism and Cult Dynamics With Dan Shaw In this episode of the How We Can Heal Podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk welcomes Daniel Shaw, a psychotherapist trained in psychoanalysis and trauma-informed therapies, to discuss traumatic narcissism and cult dynamics. Daniel shares his personal journey from being an actor early in life to becoming a member of what he discovered over time was a spiritual cult. Today he shares how these experiences spurred his interest in trauma, and why he coined...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Secular Spirituality and Healing From Religious Trauma with Britt Hartley In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk interviews Britt Hartley, a secular spiritual director and author of 'No Nonsense Spirituality.' Britt shares her journey from Mormonism, explores the concept of spirituality without dogma, and emphasizes the importance of connection, presence, and personal rituals in daily life. They discuss how spiritual practices can be integrated into everyday activiti...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Mentalizing For Healing, Connection & Growth with Janne Øestergaard Hagelquist In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk welcomes Janne Øestergaard Hagelquist, a licensed psychologist from Denmark, to discuss trauma treatment and mentalization. Janne shares her professional journey and experience in working with children, adolescents, and families affected by neglect, abuse, and violence. The conversation explores the mentalization theory, trauma recovery, and its p...
Aug 05, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 6
LEADING & HEALING WITH DIGNITY WITH DR. DONNA HICKS In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, host and psychotherapist Lisa Danylchuk delves into a rich conversation with Dr. Donna Hicks, the Harvard psychologist who operationalized and popularized the concept of dignity. This episode explores Dr. Hicks' impactful work in international conflict resolution, how she arrived at her 10 elements of dignity, and how to identify and address dignity violations. Dr. Hicks outlines the profound ...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Trauma & Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems With Joanne Twombly LICSW In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, psychotherapist and trauma specialist Lisa Danylchuk continues Season 4 with an insightful conversation featuring guest Joanne Twombly, a seasoned psychotherapist with expertise in complex PTSD and dissociative disorders. They discuss the nuances of trauma treatment and the implications of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, touching upon groundbreaking aspects ...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Anti-Racist Psychotherapy & Racial Trauma Recovery with David Archer LMFT In this episode of the How We Can Heal podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk interviews psychotherapist David Archer, a specialist in trauma therapy and an advocate for LGBTQ, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. They delve into David's transformative journey from software engineering to trauma therapy, his development of the rhythm and processing approach, and the philosophy behind his books on anti-racist psychotherapy and...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Deb Dana LCSW on Polyvagal Theory and Healing Your Nervous System In this episode of the 'How We Can Heal' podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk converses with Deb Dana, an expert in complex trauma, on polyvagal theory's role in trauma resolution. The discussion unpacks the nervous system's hierarchy, neuroception, co-regulation, and practical insights for therapists and clients. Additionally, personal experiences of managing life's transitions are shared, highlighting self-regulation's importance in fos...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Exploring Deep Brain Reorienting and Neurofeedback with Dr. Ruth Lanius In this episode of the 'How We Can Heal' podcast, host Lisa Danylchuk returns from parental leave to engage in an enlightening discussion with Dr. Ruth Lanius, a leading expert in the field of trauma and dissociation. Dr. Lanius explores her groundbreaking work on the neurobiology of PTSD, particularly focusing on Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) and neurofeedback as therapeutic modalities. She elaborates on how DBR targets the ...
Jul 01, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Season 4 of the How We Can Heal podcast is coming July 1st!
Jun 26, 2024•2 min
We’ve reached the final episode of season 3. Together with the help of my partner Alex, we’re answering listener questions, recalling some of the most important things we’ve learned from our guests about dissociation and trauma, and discussing some of our favorite moments from the past season. For full transcript: https://howwecanheal.com/podcast/ This episode was produced by Bright Sighted Podcasting.
Jun 29, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Across the world, hypnosis is often misunderstood and treated like a gimmick. It’s used for entertainment at shows, overly dramatized in television and movies, and we rarely learn the power it has to help us access our own inner wisdom. Our guest today, Wendy Lemke, has been using hypnosis for decades to support people recovering from trauma in accelerating their healing. Wendy is a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of clinical experience. She now trains, offers consultation, and runs her...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In the world of trauma recovery you can be an expert, and still find it challenging to navigate your own trauma recovery. In today’s episode Guy Macpherson shares his personal path through earning a doctorate in clinical psychology, treating early psychosis, and sharing expert insights on trauma and healing through his podcast. With all the training and knowledge he has gained, Guy shares that authenticity, connection and “humanness” lay at the heart of healing. He shares how challenging it can ...
Jun 06, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Why is dissociation so hard for even mainstream psychologists to understand? How can we better diagnose Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Our guest, Dr. Simone Reinders, helps us explore the answers. Dr. Reinders is a leader and international expert in the neurobiology of dissociation. She was the first to provide evidence that DID is related to early traumatization, and her research has been pivotal in our understanding of it. As a Senior Research Associate & Lecturer at the Department ...
May 30, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 9
