Through The Eyes of Trauma

In this episode, Dr. Salena unpacks the science behind early childhood imprinting , how the brain and body record experiences from conception to age six, and how those imprints shape behavior long after childhood is over. You’ll learn the difference between memory and body-based imprinting, how to map emotions to their origins, why sensory safety heals deeper than words, and how micro-predictabili...

What happens when a child acts before they think? Before their brain fully understands the ripple effect of that decision?  Join Dr. Smith and her special guest, podcaster and mentor Derrick Smith, as they take a deeper look into the behaviors of children with adverse experiences.

In this episode of  Through the Eyes of Trauma , Dr. Salena unpacks enmeshment;what it is, how it develops, and the subtle ways it can shape a child’s identity and emotional well-being long into adulthood. Often rooted in past abandonment or abuse, enmeshment can blur boundaries and make it difficult to distinguish where one person ends and another begins. This conversation explores how love can b...

What happens when a child has experienced so much trauma that a “normal” classroom no longer feels safe? When sitting still, following directions, or trusting adults isn’t a choice—but a neurological impossibility? In this powerful episode of  Through the Eyes of Trauma , Dr. Salena dives into the reality of students who carry more than backpacks into school—they carry fear, loss, instability, and...

In this episode of  What No One Told Me… , Dr. Salena explores the trauma of identity loss — when roles shift, titles disappear, relationships end, or life doesn’t unfold as planned. Through a powerful story of cumulative loss and psychological insight, this episode unpacks how identity trauma shows up emotionally and somatically, and how to rebuild self-definition with intention. If you’ve ever s...

In  From Triggers to Triumph: Cultivating Self-Regulation After Trauma , Dr. Salena Smith explores why our bodies react before our minds can catch up—and how those reactions are often rooted in past trauma and early attachment experiences. This episode breaks down what self-regulation really is, why unresolved wounds can leave us feeling emotionally hijacked, and how we can retrain our nervous sys...

In  Finding Your Tribe: Building Community for Wellness in Education , Dr. Salena and other educators explore how connection and community are essential tools for educators navigating secondary trauma. This episode examines how finding your “tribe” at work can foster resilience, emotional safety, and sustainability in the profession. Through reflection and practical insight, listeners are invited...

In this episode of  Through the Eyes of Trauma , Dr. Salena explores a truth many discover mid-healing: your mind can want peace while your body runs from it. Drawing on neuroscience and a powerful real-life story, this conversation unpacks why unfamiliar safety can feel threatening, how early exposure shapes the body’s “appetites,” and why calm can trigger fight-or-flight. This episode helps list...

In this episode, Dr. Salena Smith explores the truth no one talks about; healing isn’t linear, and sometimes it asks to be revisited inside our closest relationships. When old wounds resurface unexpectedly, they can create confusion, rupture, and even a sense of betrayal for the partner who didn’t know the trauma was there. This conversation unpacks how triggers emerge long after we thought we wer...

Join us for part 2 of our informative conversation with Danyelle Bridges, the founder Ingenuity Consultants (The Classroom Connector), as she empowers us with more strategies and insights!

Essential Question: How can setting boundaries enhance teacher wellness and improve classroom effectiveness while maintaining personal and professional balance?

Essential Question: How can you pursue your goals and responsibilities in 2025 while prioritizing healing and well-being?

Essential Question:   How can we set realistic, trauma-informed intentions for the new year that prioritize healing and self-compassion?

Essential Question: How can we identify and let go of the people, situations, and habits that disrupt our peace and hinder our growth?

Essential Question: What can we do to prepare for the potential emotional roller coaster of emotions around being with family for the holidays?

Essential Question How can cultivating gratitude improve mental health and transform the way we approach challenges in life?

Essential Question : How can resilience reshape our approach to personal and professional challenges, turning struggles into strengths?

Essential Question: How can we recognize and manage anxiety effectively so it doesn’t interfere with our ability to live fulfilling lives?

Essential Question: How can trauma-informed education create safer, more supportive learning environments that promote mental health and well-being for students?

Essential Question  is: How can schools and educators address the stigma of mental illness in students?

Essential Question: How can educators build effective partnerships with parents to support student success and well-being?

Essential Question: How can creating moments of silence and reflection in the classroom support emotional growth and learning for students dealing with trauma?

Essential Question: How can educators shift from listening to respond to listening to understand, in order to build stronger relationships with students and create a more supportive learning environment?

Essential Question: How can educators and parents recognize and respond to the emotional "color zones" students operate in, ensuring they return to a balanced state where healing and learning can thrive?

Essential Question: How can educators recognize and respond to the "Meerkat", "Owl", and "Tiger" within students to create a balanced, trauma-informed learning environment?