Tag Archives | nervous system

Essentially-You-podcast-bonus-ep-Dr-Mariza-Snyder-sq

758: Why Your Body Can’t Heal Until It Feels Safe: The Nervous System Shift That Changes Everything with Dr. Dave Rabin

June 25, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

What if the reason you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, disconnected, or stuck isn’t because you’re broken—but because your nervous system no longer feels safe?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with psychiatrist, neuroscientist, inventor, and author Dr. Dave Rabin to explore the science of safety, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, resilience, and what it truly means to be alive.

Drawing from decades of work treating patients with PTSD, anxiety, addiction, and chronic stress, Dr. Rabin shares why many traditional mental health approaches often fall short and why healing begins by helping the body relearn safety.

Together, they discuss how modern life, chronic overstimulation, smartphones, loneliness, and constant stress have created what Dr. Rabin calls a “habitat crisis” that is overwhelming our nervous systems and contributing to rising rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and chronic disease.

Dr. Rabin also explains why feeling must come before thinking, how many of our limiting beliefs become subconscious programs during childhood, and how simple practices can help rewrite those stories in real time.

The conversation dives into heart rate variability (HRV), vagus nerve health, emotional processing, play, connection, and the remarkable science behind Apollo Neuro—a wearable technology designed to help the body feel safer, sleep better, and recover more effectively from stress.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in survival mode, disconnected from joy, or exhausted from constantly pushing through, this episode offers a hopeful roadmap back to safety, resilience, and healing.

Dr. Dave Rabin

Dr. Dave Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, inventor, and mental health innovator. He is the co-founder of Apollo Neuro, a wearable technology designed to improve stress resilience, sleep, focus, and recovery through gentle vibrations that activate the body’s safety response system. He is also the author of A Simple Guide to Being Alive, which explores the neuroscience of safety, healing, emotional well-being, and human flourishing.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why nervous system dysregulation is driving so many modern health challenges
How chronic stress, smartphones, and overstimulation contribute to a “habitat crisis”
Why feeling emotions is essential for healing and resilience
How subconscious childhood programming shapes adult behavior and beliefs
The connection between vagus nerve function, HRV, and long-term health
Why sleep quality may be one of the most powerful tools for nervous system recovery
The science behind Apollo Neuro and how it supports safety and resilience
How play, connection, and joy help create lasting healing

QUOTES

“Feeling is required for healing.”

“Pleasure and joy remind us that we are safe.”

“We all have the ability to heal ourselves.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order

Get the “A Simple Guide to Being Alive” book by Dr. Dave Rabin now

Apollo Neuro Website

The Board of Medicine

Dr. Dave Rabin Instagram

Dr. Dave Rabin Facebook

RELATED EPISODES

756: What Low-Grade Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Hormones, Brain & Metabolism with Dr. Mariza

753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner

754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

746: Why ADHD Feels Worse in Midlife and What Actually Helps To Feel More Regulated with Jenna Free

May 14, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is your nervous system stuck in overdrive?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jenna Free, a counselor specializing in ADHD and nervous system regulation, to discuss why so many women in midlife feel overwhelmed, scattered, and exhausted despite their best efforts to stay organized.

Together, they explore how the nervous system gets stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight state, the role of dysregulation in ADHD symptoms, and why traditional productivity hacks simply don’t work when your nervous system is running on empty.

Jenna breaks down her approach to resetting the nervous system and explains how small, consistent changes can lead to massive improvements in mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being.

This conversation offers new insights on how to break free from the cycle of rushing, crashing, and feeling burned out—and provides tangible steps to reclaim control over your brain and nervous system.

Jenna Free

Jenna Free is a counselor specializing in ADHD, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness practices. She is passionate about helping women overcome the chaos of constant overwhelm and hypervigilance by teaching them how to regulate their nervous systems and achieve sustainable productivity. Jenna is the author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation and offers support to those struggling with ADHD and chronic stress

IN THIS EPISODE

How a dysregulated nervous system contributes to ADHD-like symptoms in midlife
The link between survival mode (fight or flight) and chronic overwhelm
Why traditional productivity hacks fail when your nervous system is stuck
Practical tips to help interrupt dysregulation and shift into a more balanced state
The importance of slowing down and creating space for mindful action
How to reframe beliefs and thoughts to support nervous system regulation
Why a regulated nervous system leads to more sustainable energy and better overall functioning

QUOTES

“Being in survival mode is a primal mechanism, but it’s not meant to be how we live in 2026.”

“If you believe that being frantic and rushed is the way to be successful, you will never change.”

“Regulation work isn’t about feeling nice—it’s about functioning better.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ Order

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Order The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation

Jenna Free Website

Jenna Free Instagram

Jenna Free Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

744: The Midlife Brain Reset: How to Protect Your Memory, Focus & Mental Sharpness Starting Now

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

693: Tired All the Time? It Might Be Hidden Problems With Your Mitochondria with Siobhan Mitchell

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

737: Why You Still Feel Off in Midlife (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right) with Dr. Melissa Sonners

April 14, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

How do you retrain your brain and nervous system to seek out safety, joy, and alignment?

In this episode, mind-body alignment expert Dr. Melissa Sonners shares practical ways for midlife women to regulate their nervous system and find calm—even in the chaos of everyday life.

She explains how many of us are unknowingly stuck in a stress-driven state, constantly scanning for what’s wrong, and how this pattern is reinforced by the questions we ask ourselves each day.

Through her simple but powerful tools, she’ll help you learn to easily reset your nervous system and prevent burnout before it builds.

Rather than waiting until the end of the day to relax (and realizing we can’t), she emphasizes creating moments of regulation in real time so we can be more present with our families and actually feel the joy in those everyday interactions.

If you’re navigating the messy middle of midlife and craving more calm, presence, and connection, this episode is for you!

Dr. Melissa Sonners

Dr. Melissa Sonners is a chiropractor and mind-body alignment expert who helps women reconnect with themselves. As the host of the Be Inspired Mama Podcast and founder of Best Friends Book Nook, she creates spaces for self-growth without adding to busy schedules. After overcoming neurological Lyme disease, she discovered the power of small, intentional shifts for transformation. Now, she empowers women to turn inward for confidence and joy. Her upcoming book, The Connection Code, coming in April 2026 with Hay House Publishing, will guide women toward deeper alignment in their lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

1. Navigating the subtle and not-so-subtle symptoms of perimenopause

2. Healthy communication in midlife as things are shifting

3. Understanding and verbalizing your needs throughout your cycle

4. Helpful ways to manage stress in midlife

5. Getting clear on your values, especially in perimenopause and beyond

6. Clarifying your non-negotiables and tapping into what feels best

7. About Book Nook, Dr. Sonners’ Virtual Book Club Community

8. Using reading as a method of nervous system regulation

QUOTES

“We always hear and we always know how much stress can impact your health. But I lived it, and I realized that stress was the catalyst for me getting as sick as I got.”

“Core values become your guiding principles. So when you have decision fatigue at any time, you don’t have to think about it or make an emotional decision. You [say]: whatever one fits this value.”

“When you grab a book in the morning and you sit with it and you use it as an anchor tool, it trains your nervous system. Calm is safe. And that regulation is familiar. And when you do that in the morning, you’re seeding your nervous system to find it throughout the day.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE!

Dr. Sonner’s Website

Pre-order The Connection Code

Dr. Soner’s Podcast: Be Inspired Mama

Dr. Sonner on Instagram

Dr. Sonner on YouTube

RELATED EPISODES

735: The Stress–Metabolism Connection: Why You’re Gaining Weight, Craving Sugar & Struggling with Energy

724: Age Like A Girl: Why Midlife Women Stop Shrinking and Start Leading with Dr. Mindy Pelz

721: No, It’s Not All in Your Head: The Medical Truth About Perimenopause with Dr. Jila Senemar

720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

702: How to Heal Trauma and Rebuild Trust Through Connectability with Anna Runkle

December 11, 2025 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

I’m one of millions of women specifically trying to parent themselves while parenting children… and it can be seriously exhausting. And when childhood trauma still comes back to haunt us in midlife and beyond, life can feel impossible.

That’s why I’ve invited trauma expert Anna Runkle on for this powerful episode to help unpack why so many midlife women are still impacted by old trauma, and how that buried stress shows up in our bodies.

We dive into the hidden ways trauma can lead us to isolate, dysregulate our nervous system, and disrupt key hormones like cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin.

Anna and I break down how this cascade of stress and deregulation can spark inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-sugar swings, and even contribute to autoimmune issues that so many women face.

But most importantly, Anna shares simple, compassionate tools to help regulate your nervous system and finally begin healing the deeper patterns driving overwhelm in midlife.

Ready to feel more grounded in this season of life? Hit play and listen now!

Anna Runkle

Anna Runkle is the creator of the popular YouTube channel, blog, courses, and coaching programs that provide tools for adults to heal dysregulation and other common trauma symptoms, helping them feel better and change their lives. Anna’s methods were developed through research, her mentoring of hundreds of individuals over the years, and her direct experience healing her own symptoms of early trauma. She’s the author of Re-Regulated: Set Your Life Free from Childhood PTSD and the Trauma-Driven Behaviors That Keep You Stuck and Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong.

IN THIS EPISODE

Understanding nervous system deregulation
How Anna learned to adapt after childhood trauma
Symptoms that can manifest from over-functioning
How to manage stressors and stay regulated day to day
Top ways we can start to regulate, especially when deregulated
How connection can be a huge tool for healing
Free resources and where you can find more from Anna!

QUOTES

“All these weird symptoms that I had… It’s neurological dysregulation. It’s really normal. Everybody gets dysregulated sometimes, but those of us who are traumatized as kids are often more prone to it. It happens more easily. It’s more intense. It’s harder to get out of.”

“Early trauma is very strongly correlated later in life with high rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, reproductive disorders, just about everything bad.”

“Those three things– dysregulation, disconnection, and self-defeating behavior– those are the things that can just take you out and keep you stuck in trauma forever. So the good news is you can learn to reregulate.”