Episode 97: Nurture as Trauma Prevention with Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum

In this episode with neuroscientist, author, momma, and doula Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, we…

discuss nurture and the science of how nurture actually has the capability to prevent trauma
talk about how the infant brain is wired and how both nature and nurture play crucial roles; it’s not one or the other
tenderly explore parenting regret, mom guilt, and “I didn’t know what I didn’t know” when it comes to raising children
discuss why quality of nurturing is more important than quantity of nurturing
share why trauma prevention is where our focus must be as the collective mental health crisis gets worse
discuss the worsening mental health crisis even in the face of people getting more therapy and having more awareness of their trauma and nervous systems
talk about the high level of support all parents need to nurture their babies
explore how systems of capitalism and patriarchy condition us to pathologize our children’s normal human emotions and needs
shift the conversation from “what’s wrong with my baby and me?” to “what about my child’s environment needs to change so they are set up for a gentler, more regulated adolescence and adulthood?”

Links

NEW WORKSHOP!

Join me on 6/14 for ⁠UN-TRIGGERED⁠: a workshop to explore, face, and overcome triggers and emotional flashbacks through the lens of the limbic brain and the autonomic nervous system

In UN-TRIGGERED, you will learn…

how to be aware of when we’re triggered
what’s going on in our limbic systems (survival brain) when we’re triggered
why your brain and nervous system don’t know that what triggers you is actually in the past, and you’re just reacting in the present moment
all 4 trauma responses, their unconscious reactions, and how to make conscious choices when you meet those trauma responses with awareness
why literally anything has the potential to be a trigger
changing how we relate to our sensations and to our bodies, whether you lean more toward “hypoaroused” or “hyperaroused”
primary and secondary nervous system states
the differences between healthy nervous system responses and dysregulated responses
how our triggers can lead us into deeper self-love, self-trust, and consciousness if we allow them to
the difference between being dysregulated and being triggered
what I personally believe about trigger warnings on social media

In his book The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk writes, “The bottom line is that the threat-perception system of the brain has changed, and people’s physical reactions are dictated by the imprint of the past.”

In UN-TRIGGERED, I will hold you in a safe and loving container to explore your own reactions that are dictated by the past. ⁠Join UN-TRIGGERED for $77.