How We Can Heal

What does it truly mean to show up whole and authentic in a world that encourages fragmentation? Dr. Thema Bryant doesn't just talk about integration—she embodies it as a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister leading transformative work in trauma healing and relationship building. Dr. Bryant shares her excitement about merging different aspects of her identity and work,...

Dr. Judith Herman, a towering figure in trauma studies and author of the landmark books "Trauma and Recovery" and "Truth and Repair," takes us on a journey through the evolution of trauma understanding from the 1970s—when we didn't even have terminology for what victims experienced—to today's complex landscape of healing and justice. Drawing from decades of clinical w...

Ready to transform your healing journey? Season six of the award-winning How We Can Heal podcast brings fresh perspectives and powerful insights every Monday. We've assembled an extraordinary lineup of powerhouse healers, teachers, athletes, researchers, and even actors who will share their unique approaches to personal and collective healing. This season dives deep into transformative concep...

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 diffic...

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 s...

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 s...

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 vi...

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 m...

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...

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...

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 s...

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...

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...

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 pac...

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 neurob...

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 experi...

 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,...

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...

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 hea...

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 impo...

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 spi...

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...

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,...

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...

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...