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To truly heal, we must address both body and energy systems.
Ruthie Smith, an attachment-based psychoanalytic psychotherapist, approaches energy work from a scientific standpoint, challenging the misconception that working with vibrations and frequencies is 'out there'. In this week’s Mastering Change episode, she refers to research that shows how trauma is stored at a cellular level, how ill cells repeat, and that clearing trauma energetically stops the repetition. Ruthie draws from neuroscience, epigenetics, biology, quantum physics, and trauma theory and explains how clients can self-apply energy methods to clear trauma, shame, fear and guilt to create wellness within their body and psyche.
‘We are energetic beings.’
Ruthie’s own personal journey has been fraught, but she shares with us how a profound experience during a Buddhist meditation teaching led her to new perspectives and ultimately energy healing. Today, she trains psychotherapists in these energy-based techniques, bridging the gap between modern science and what ancient traditions have long known.
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
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Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
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Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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What if the pain in your shoulder wasn’t just a physical sensation but unresolved negative emotion stored in your body? What if you could rid yourself of chronic pain by addressing past trauma? What if we viewed energy healing or somatic work, such as yoga or meditation, not as ‘woo-woo’ fringe concepts but as essential tools for transformation?
We still have a way to go, but the evidence increasingly shows that trauma – down to a cellular level – can shape our immune system, gut health and overall wellbeing.
We explore all the above in the latest episode of Mastering Change.
"99% of my patients with chronic illness have a history of unresolved trauma,” says functional medical practitioner and this week’s podcast guest, Oliver Barnett. He’s a leading expert in integrative health and has uncovered patterns in chronic illness where unresolved emotional trauma manifests in the body as physical ailments.
We talk about:
How childhood trauma, immune system priming and nervous system dysregulation contribute to long-term health issues. The limitations of mainstream medicine and how traditional psychotherapy often misses key healing factors Why integrating somatic practices, functional medicine, and trauma-informed care is the future of holistic health. The changes needed in the school system and environment so that from an early age, children feel psychologically safe enough to achieveThe future of medicine must be trauma-informed – or it will continue to fail people. And this is the reason we’re bringing these kinds of conversations to the fore. Enjoy our discussion with Oliver!
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd
Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd
Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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"We’re saving lives in the NICU, but we need to start asking – what kind of lives are we shaping?"
On average, we remember nothing before the age of 3.5. And when we consider which childhood experiences have shaped us as adults, we overlook the most significant of all: our own birth.
This week on Mastering Change, we speak with Texas-based neonatologist Dr. Jaclyn Ruggiero, an expert in premature birth and infant trauma, to explore the profound impact of early-life experiences on human development.
Dr. Ruggiero discusses how trauma, stress and medical interventions in infancy influence long-term health outcomes, highlighting critical issues in neonatal care. She shares:
How NICU experiences shape both babies and parents. The importance of kangaroo care and early skin-to-skin contact. The systemic changes needed to empower mothers and educate medical staff.This episode is essential listening for parents, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in neonatal care, trauma, and attachment. Tune in now!
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd
Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd
Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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‘90% of communication is nonverbal’ so the adage goes. In this week’s episode of Mastering Change, we explore this idea with Gestalt counsellor, group therapist and neuroscientist Aleksandra Vancevska.
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
We dive into the intersection of psychotherapy, science, and art – unpacking how creativity helps externalise and process difficult experiences. As Aleks explains, art therapy allows us to choose what serves us and to ‘leave what’s not ours, or what’s not necessary, on the painting.’
"Psychotherapy begins where science stops”
Science is powerful, but it doesn’t have all the answers. As Aleks highlights, art, therapy, and human connection are what fill in the gaps. She explains that, when it comes to healing, not everything can be controlled or measured – this is where psychotherapy is key. ‘Being in the pain – and accepting it – is important and that’s what is sometimes neglected,’ she says.
In the episode, we also discuss:
Current society’s erosion of creativity and cultural traditions that connect us (e.g. eating, cooking, crafting, dancing together) How creative practices are needed to release trauma from the body How people who grow up in adversity can still choose life and build meaningful, fulfilling futures. The need to redefine vulnerability and model vulnerable dialogue (particularly in the workplace)Aleks’ passion for her work shines through in this conversation, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about the fusion of psychology, science, and creativity as a pathway to healing and growth.
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
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Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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When we think of sleep disorders, we tend to imagine insomnia or sleep apnoea. But did you know there are over 80 different sleep disorders?
This week, we spoke to sleep expert and UKCP-registered psychotherapist Heather Darwall-Smith on the complexities of sleep. Heather, author of The Science of Sleep, holds an MA in Core Process Therapy and has studied sleep medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy at the University of Oxford.
One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was the toxicity of sleep-shaming culture. As Heather highlights, there’s a misleading belief that a perfect sleep routine exists and that everyone should strive for it. In reality, sleep is deeply personal and influenced by biology, culture and lifestyle. It’s about what feels right for you.
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
We also discuss:
💬 How we need to feel safe in order to sleep
💬 How traumatic experiences disrupt natural sleep cycle and why feeling safe is key to restorative rest.
💬 The rise of sleep disorders (such as sleep apnoea)
💬 How sleep disorders effect couples and their relationships
💬 The unregulated sleep supplement market and what to be wary of
Heather’s passion for sleep medicine and her compassionate, science-backed approach make her an invaluable voice in this space. Her insights were both reassuring and thought-provoking – have a listen for yourself!
🔔 New episodes released every Tuesday – available on all streaming platforms, subscribe now!
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
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Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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In this episode of Mastering Change, Dr. Ameet Aggarwal, a Family Constellations Therapist, Naturopathic Doctor, and Gestalt Psychotherapist, unpacks the complex relationship between trauma, physical health, and mental well-being. Dr. Aggarwal explains how anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges are often rooted in hidden causes such as leaky gut, inflammation, liver toxicity, adrenal fatigue, and even ancestral trauma.
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to trauma, mental health and distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.He shares his holistic approach to healing, combining psychotherapy, homeopathy, and natural remedies to address both personal and generational trauma. Dr. Aggarwal also offers practical insights from his online course, where he provides homeopathic remedies for liver detox, gut health, and adrenal balance—essential steps for improving mental health.
This episode sheds light on the mind-body connection, offering actionable tips for listeners to take charge of their mental and physical health.
Topic and Key Points:
Root Causes of Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, and mental health problems can stem from hidden factors such as trauma, leaky gut, inflammation, liver toxicity, adrenal fatigue, and ancestral trauma. Healing Methods for Trauma: Dr. Aggarwal discusses the importance of healing personal and ancestral trauma using Family Constellations Therapy, homeopathy, and natural remedies. Homeopathic Remedies for Mental Health: He shares some of the homeopathic remedies from his online course that help with liver detox, gut health, adrenal balance, and overall mental well-being.Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
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Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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What is cybertrauma?
In our second episode of Mastering Change, researcher, trauma psychotherapist and cybertrauma and online harm expert, Catherine Knibbs, explains.
She shares key insights from her PhD research and her work with cybertrauma survivors, offering a deeper understanding of the often-invisible ways digital environments shape our emotional and psychological well-being. She breaks down:
💭 What constitutes cybertrauma and how it differs from other forms of trauma
💭 The widespread issue of of technology-facilitated sexual abuse
💭 How immersive digital environments blur the lines between virtual and physical trauma
💭 The false sense of safety our screens – and our proximity to them – provide
As Catherine puts it, "Technology has changed the way we experience and process trauma." This makes conversations about cybertrauma more important than ever, and we’re committed to facilitating them for the greater good.
Mastering Change aims to strengthen awareness of pertinent issues around trauma and mental health – and to drive action as a result. Whether you work in this space or are on your own healing journey, we welcome you to be part of these essential conversations.
🔔 New episodes released every Tuesday – available on all streaming platforms, subscribe now!Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
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Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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Join us on this episode of Mastering Change as we speak with Dr Brian Pennie – a former heroin addict who turned his life around to become a doctor of neuroscience and psychology, author, consultant and founder of Change is Possible. Brian shares his personal journey from addiction to recovery and explains how trauma can shift our values and disconnect us from what truly matters.
Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to trauma, mental health and distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.
In this conversation, you will discover:
The Imprint of Trauma on Values: How past experiences can alter our priorities and pull us away from meaningful connections. A Values-Based Framework for Life: Practical steps to help you make decisions that align with your core values. Feelings vs. Values-Driven Choices: The difference between acting on fleeting emotions and making choices that build a more satisfying life.Brian offers clear, actionable insights and memorable quotes such as,
"Trauma isn’t just about the past. It’s about how we respond to the world today."
"Real change happens when we make decisions based on values, not feelings."
Whether you are struggling with anxiety or looking to re-align your life with what matters most, this episode provides practical guidance to help you reconnect with your core self and rebuild meaningful relationships.
The content in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional therapy or medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalised support.
If you have ever felt trapped by anxiety, are struggling with addiction or are overwhelmed by life’s challenges, tune in to learn how to rewrite your story with clarity and purpose - and do share this episode with someone who might need it.
You can see Brian Pennie at Transform Trauma Oxford 2025 Conference with his session "Rebuilding Connection: A Values-Based Framework for Healing Relationships."
Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast
Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd
Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
