Welcome to another episode of The Trauma Safe Lab! This week, host Jennifer Nanda sits down with Emily Knife, a registered nurse, founder of Somatic Nursing, and the creator of Modern Nurse Fest. In this insightful conversation, Emily shares her journey into healthcare, shaped by her own experiences with trauma and burnout, and dives deep into the world of neuroplasticity, exploring how our brains can rewire and heal after trauma.
Together, Jennifer and Emily unpack why so many nurses and helpers are drawn to their professions, often with high ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores, and how their personal histories shape the way they care for others and themselves. Emily explains the basics of neuroplasticity and neural pruning, making complex brain science accessible, and discusses how trauma interrupts our nervous system’s wiring early in life. She shares practical, somatic tools for bringing awareness back to the body, using movement, touch, and breath to signal safety and promote healing from the inside out.
You’ll also hear candid stories about the lived reality of burnout, the hidden layers of trauma that show up at the bedside, and ways practices like somatic nursing, EMDR, and even simple daily habits can support nervous system regulation and growth for both patients and nurses alike. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, someone working through personal trauma, or just curious about how the mind and body connect, this episode offers actionable takeaways and plenty of “aha” moments.
Tune in as Jennifer and Emily break down the science, share laughs, and give permission to let healing, and pleasure, back into our lives.
Timestamps:
00:00 Nurses' Motivation: Overcoming Adversity
09:15 "Nurses' Stress and Nervous System"
10:58 Somatic Nursing: Emotional Processing Essentials
18:36 Impact of Childhood Abandonment
23:28 Life as a Fun Game
29:31 "Everyone Has Experienced Trauma"
33:01 "Ancient Healing vs. Modern Medicine"
39:00 Embrace Physical Release
44:29 Healing Through EMDR Therapy
47:45 Genesight: Personalized Mental Health Solutions
54:50 Healing Through Tactile Experiences
01:00:54 "Embrace the Present Moment"
01:07:48 "Mindfulness: Present Safety and Calm"
01:12:45 Neonatal Frequencies & Mindfulness Benefits
01:14:16 Revive Joyful Habits Luxuriously
01:20:57 "AI: Tool or Mental Health Risk?"
01:25:00 "Modern Nurse Fest: Celebrating Nurses"
1. Introduction to Neuroplasticity and Trauma
Explanation of brain plasticity (adaptability of the brain)
Conditions supporting neuroplasticity: safety, somatic awareness, co-regulation, and connection
2. Personal Journeys into Nursing and Healthcare
Emily’s background and motivation for becoming a nurse
High prevalence of childhood trauma (high ACE scores) among nurses
Jennifer’s personal background (autism, ACE score, cancer, military experience)
3. Burnout and Embodiment in Nursing
Early warning signs and symptoms of nurse burnout (fatigue, irritability, strained relationships, impulsive behaviors)
The disconnect between nursing education and body awareness
Need to move beyond a burnout identity in nursing
4. The Role of the Nervous System in Trauma
The concept of somatic nursing and its integration into nursing practice
The importance of nervous system awareness and regulation
Fascia’s role in nervous system function and body communication
Techniques for self-soothing and self-massage to release tension
5. Neural Pruning and Developmental Trauma
Explanation of neural pruning in early childhood
How trauma and caregiver loss change neural pathways
Personal accounts of abandonment and its lifelong effects
6. Trauma and the Shaping of Neural Patterns
Trauma as a disruptive force for neural pathways (the “interrupted train” analogy)
The body’s immediate response to trauma before conscious awareness
Differentiating between experience, trauma, and “good trauma”
7. Rewiring the Brain: Practices and Techniques
Impact of movement and somatic practices on the nervous system
Importance of body-based releases (dancing, shaking, celebration)
Encouraging sensory integration and self-soothing for emotional regulation
8. Trauma-Informed Therapy Modalities
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): how it works, why safety is crucial
DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy): behavioral skills for post-EMDR processing
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique/Tapping): mechanics, connection to Chinese medicine and meridians
Bilateral stimulation and its role in memory integration
9. Lifestyle Habits and Daily Routines for Healing
The value of ritual, creative expression, and tactile experiences
Building pleasure into daily life (luxurious self-care, gratitude, reframing scarcity)
Use of hobbies and small, pleasurable acts to foster neural healing
10. Mindfulness, Meditation, and Present-Centered Practices
Mindfulness as a tool for presence and nervous system regulation
Movement meditation and sensory mindfulness (walking, dishwashing, water play)
Debunking myths about mindfulness (doesn’t always require stillness)
11. Creativity, Learning, and Positive Brain Change
The role of new experiences and creativity in building new neural pathways
The concept of “pattern interrupts” for breaking negative habitual cycles
Reclaiming pleasure and expression lost due to trauma or chronic stress
12. Leveraging AI for Somatic Self-Reflection and Support
How AI prompts can guide self-inquiry, problem-solving, and emotional support
Logical, non-judgmental feedback as a tool for self-regulation
Limitations and safe use guidelines for AI in mental health contexts
13. Resources, Community, and Next Steps
Modern Nurse Fest and somatic education opportunities
Availability of further resources and connections with Emily Knife
Invitation for ongoing learning and self-discovery
Show Website - https://traumasafelab.com/
Jennifer Nanda - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansjen/
Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/