Welcome back to The Trauma Safe Lab! In this episode, host Jennifer Nanda sits down with Dr. Nicole Francis Ford, a scientist, herbalist, and specialist in the mind-body-spirit connection. Dr. Ford shares her unique perspective, blending her background as a government contractor for NASA and the Department of Defense with her deep passion for healing through science and spirituality.
Together, they dive into the ways trauma especially generational and suppressed trauma can manifest in our bodies as physical symptoms, from high blood pressure to chronic pain. Dr. Ford draws on research like The Body Keeps the Score and It Didn’t Start With You to illuminate how our environment, emotions, and even inherited memories shape our health.
Throughout their conversation, Dr. Ford offers practical tools for healing, including mindfulness, meditation, ritual, creative expression, and the power of plant-based medicine. She encourages listeners to reclaim control through small daily habits and self-care, and discusses the importance of social support, storytelling, and rediscovering a sense of personal power.
If you’re curious about how science is catching up with ancient wisdom or if you’re looking for actionable strategies to break out of survival mode, this episode is for you. Settle in as we explore how the intersection of mind, body, and spirit holds the key to real, lasting healing.
Timestamps:
00:00 "Understanding Trauma: Mind-Body-Spirit Connection"
04:37 Sickle Cell Anemia Origins Theory
08:43 Mindfulness, Brain Functions, and Relaxation
13:17 Living in Constant Survival Mode
15:14 Reclaiming Personal Time
18:16 "Perceived Support Affects Parenting"
22:29 "Linking Trauma to Chronic Pain"
25:50 Toxic Leadership Dynamics
31:00 Ways to Stay Mentally and Physically Active
34:32 Healing Through Mindful Courage
37:10 "Join Unicorn Biopharma Life"
Introduction & Background
Dr. Nicole Francis Ford’s personal background
Family military history
Hometown (Baltimore, MD) and current location (Washington, D.C. area)
Professional experience
Work as a government contractor for NASA and DoD
Transition to focusing on the intersection of science and spirituality through her company, Unicorn Pharmacopoeia
Understanding Trauma and the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Concept of trauma and survival mode
Living in survival mode without recognizing ongoing trauma
Impact of generational trauma
References to key literature
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
"It Didn’t Start With You" by Mark Wolynn
Interplay between social/emotional experience and physical health
Effects of stress related to socio-economic factors
Physical manifestations of trauma (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
Scientific Perspectives: Genetics, Generational Trauma, and the Body
Physiological and genetic impacts of trauma
Sickle cell anemia and theories linking it to the Middle Passage and ancestral conditions
Passing down of trauma responses across mouse generations in scientific studies
Inherited trauma in humans
Holocaust survivor studies and familial repetition of trauma-related behaviors
Physical Responses to Trauma
How trauma affects the brain and nervous system
Role of the limbic system and amygdala in fear and stress response
Chronic tension and its effects (e.g., high blood pressure, muscle tension, readiness to react)
Living in fight-or-flight or survival mode
Physiological changes and long-term health risks
Pathways to Healing: Modalities and Approaches
Importance of ritual, repetition, and control in healing
Establishing mindfulness and daily rituals
Creating a sense of personal agency
Meditation and mindfulness
Strengthening the prefrontal cortex
Deliberate creation of positive habits for brain structure shifts
Herbal and plant-based medicine
How herbs impact the limbic system
Cautions and tips (e.g., chamomile’s effects on pregnancy and menstruation)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and related practices
Brain rewiring through therapy, rapid eye movement, and breathing techniques
Relationship to sleep quality and healing
Social Support, Connection, and Community
Role of perceived social support for parents and adolescents
Research correlations between perceived support and healthy behaviors
Importance of building community and meaningful relationships
Effects of isolation (referencing COVID lockdown experiences)
Creative and Expressive Outlets for Healing
Art and self-expression as part of trauma recovery
Use of painting, drawing, and other creative activities
Personal symbolism in art (discussion of flowers and their meanings)
Writing and storytelling
Journaling and memoir-writing as means of reclaiming narrative and power
Case study: client writing a book about sexual abuse as part of healing
Recognizing and Addressing Unresolved Trauma
The connection between physical ailments and unresolved trauma
Chronic pain and medical conditions linked to childhood or adult trauma
Specifically, muscle and nerve pain in survivors of abuse
The process of uncovering “who you are” beyond roles and job titles
Leadership styles and their roots in personal trauma
Group exercises to explore identity and unresolved pain
Holistic and Energy Work
Integrating spirituality, energy work, and religious beliefs into healing
Flexibility to align with client beliefs (Christianity, Native American practices, etc.)
The role of touch, Reiki, and belief in the healing process
Discussion of cultural/religious interpretations and limitations
Loss and adaptation of traditional spiritual healing within African diaspora
Openness in interpretation and inclusion of various spiritual perspectives
Practical Tools and Next Steps
List of actionable healing practices
Exercise and movement (including dance, worship)
Learning new skills and cognitive stimulation for older adults
Writing, journaling, and storytelling as therapeutic outlets
Emphasizing the challenges and courage required for healing
Acknowledgment of the difficulty and process of healing from trauma
Conclusion & Resources
Assurance to listeners: "You’re not crazy, it’s not your imagination, and it’s not your fault"
Dr. Nicole’s website and offerings (Unicorn Biopharma Life)
Information about classes, one-on-one work, and community resources
Plans for future episodes and ongoing conversation with Dr. Nicole
Show Website - https://traumasafelab.com/
Jennifer Nanda - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansjen/
Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/