Aware and Prepared Podcast cover graphic episode on neurobiology healing and polyvagal theory

How to Help Your Nervous System Feel Safer After Trauma: Polyvagal Theory

Podcast
October 10, 2026•2 min read
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Summary

What if the reason therapy hasn't "worked" for you isn't you at all? After 36 years and more than 34,000 psychotherapy sessions, trauma therapist Ruby Jo Walker discovered what graduate school got wrong: just talking about trauma doesn't heal it for many. The issues are in the tissues.

In this episode, Mandi sits down with Ruby Jo, founder of Southwest Trauma Training and an expert in polyvagal theory and the neurobiology of trauma, talks about her three maps for finding where a nervous system is stuck, and why freezing, fawning, and appeasement are normal survival responses, not something to be ashamed of. Whether you're healing from complex PTSD, domestic violence, or sexual assault, or you support survivors as a therapist or advocate, this conversation will change how you see trauma recovery.

Resources


Southwest Trauma Training - Ruby Jo's organization offering her Post-Traumatic Growth Somatic Therapy training for clinicians, plus trainings for agencies, advocates, and domestic violence and sexual assault programs.

  • Ruby Jo's Book on Polyvagal Theory, Resilience, and Post-Traumatic Growth - Applying polyvagal theory to resilience and post-traumatic growth. Listed on her website.

  • Somatic-Oriented Therapies - Book co-edited by Stephen Porges, founder of polyvagal theory, with a chapter by Ruby Jo..

  • Polyvagal Institute - Ruby Jo teaches a clinician training here

  • Neuroplasticity Training - integrative online platform tailored for individuals with various forms of neuromuscular disorders

  • Previous Episode: Resilience Isn't a Personality Trait: It's a Skill You Can Build Through Nervous System Work - Mandi's Recap of Ruby Jo's Conference Session

  • Previous Episode: How To Stop People Pleasing and Heal Codependency After Trauma

Connect with Ruby Jo Walker:

Connect with Mandi:

Approximate Timestamps



[03:30] 36 years in the field, going beyond talk therapy

[05:00] Ruby Jo's new book

[06:30] EMDR, Hakomi, and "the issues are in the tissues"

[08:30] Mandi's happy accident: neuromuscular treatment also helping her complex PTSD

[11:00] Safety is the treatment: green, yellow, and red nervous system states

[12:30] The three maps of treatment

[15:30] Softening the imprint and returning to your essence

[17:00] Why one size doesn't fit all: breathwork and cold plunges

[18:00] Interoception and agency

[20:30] Neuroception, intuition, and trusting yourself again

[22:30] Ruby Jo's trainings and books

[26:00] Freeze, shutdown, and fawning: taking out the judgment

[28:00] Nervous system bias: fighter, flight, or shutdown

[29:00] Self-defense and thwarted impulses

[31:30] Fawning vs. appeasement: two different responses

[33:00] Jaycee Dugard and why connection is survival

[35:00] The student who talked her way to safety

[36:30] Appeasement as a "super survivor" skill

[38:00] Where to find Ruby Jo and close

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.

polyvagal theoryneurobiology of traumasomatic therapycomplex PTSD healingpost-traumatic growthfawn responseappeasement vs fawningtrauma and the nervous systeminteroception and traumaneuroceptionwhy talk therapy isn't enoughtrauma-informed self-defensehealing after sexual traumadomestic violence trauma recoverytrauma training for advocates
Mandi Pratt

Mandi Pratt

I speak about trauma-informed resilience, mental health and empowerment offering authenticity with practical solutions to help others live safer with more peace.

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