Embodied Dialogues for Healing Trauma and Addiction

Nightmares: Treating with Polyvagal Theory & Felt Sense of the Body with Dr. Leslie Ellis

Nightmares are robustly linked with trauma and many other forms of psychological injury, including a 4x greater risk of suicide. Yet they are vastly under-treated — which is a shame because nightmare treatment is simple, effective and evidence based. Guest Dr. Leslie Ellis shares:
how polyvagal theory helps us to understand why we or our clients have nightmares
how the body holds nightmares in the nervous system
how to use nightmares to diagnose and track clinical progress
how to help those who suffer from disturbed dreaming
Dr. Ellis is a leading expert in the use of experiential and somatic approaches in psychotherapy, in particular for working with dreams, nightmares and the effects of trauma. She is the author of A Clinician’s Guide to Dream Therapy. As adjunct faculty at Adler University, she taught clinical skills and trauma treatment. She is a Certifying Coordinator and past president of The International Focusing Institute, and former vice president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Website: https://drleslieellis.com/Request her article she mentioned during the show here: https://drleslieellis.com/pre-pub-solving-the-nightmare-mystery/

Polyvagal Meets 12 Steps

Jan Winhall with Patrick McA, Elizabeth Moitoza, Robert Ragucci, Ann Dowsett Johnston Join us in this special 2-hour edition of the Embodied Dialogue Series for an enlightening exploration of how Polyvagal Theory and Twelve-step Programs can intersect to enhance addiction treatment. Since the 1930s, Twelve-step Programs have been a cornerstone in helping millions overcome addictive behaviors through accessible, global support groups rooted in the concept of a ‘higher power.’ Founded by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, these programs view addiction as a brain disease and emphasize community and spiritual connection.Polyvagal Theory, introduced by neuroscientist Stephen Porges in 1994, offers a fresh perspective by framing addictions as adaptive survival strategies linked to the autonomic nervous system’s regulation of emotional states. This approach highlights how trauma influences our nervous system responses, providing new insights into why individuals might engage in addictive behaviors. In this event, we will discuss how these differing views can inform one another. What can the Twelve Steps learn from Polyvagal Theory’s focus on physiological triggers and trauma? How can Polyvagal-informed approaches benefit from the long-standing community and spiritual support of Twelve-step Programs? Join us as we delve into these questions and work together to reshape the conversation around addiction treatment, emphasizing safety and emotional regulation in recovery.
https://janwinhall.com

Dr. Stephen Porges Ask Me Anything

Polyvagal Theorist Dr. Stephen Porges joins Jan Winhall in February 2022 with a live audience to address questions about how the nervous system interprets safety and threat and how it's felt in the body.

Spiritual Alchemy for Trauma: Embodied Healing & Pathways to Wholeness

Guest Julianne Del Cano Kennard and host Jan Winhall explore the spiritual alchemy of trauma, the process by which pain, when consciously met, becomes a catalyst for transformation. Julianne will share about her upcoming book and the Wholality® framework to explain how the patterns and blocks within our human experience are not problems to fix, but signals pointing toward what wants to be healed and harmonized.

Autism in Polyvagal Terms: Neural Exercises to Cultivate Safety for the Neurodiverse

Jan Winhall hosts guest Sean Inderbitzen, author of Autism in Polyvagal Terms, for a rich dialogue on the intersection of polyvagal theory and neurodiversity, especially autism. They share a neural-exercise framework with practical tips to deepen connection, ease “stuckness,” and enhance quality of life by activating the ventral vagal system for greater safety, flexibility, and meaningful relationships.