Wired for Connection: A Polyvagal Podcast Dr. Peter Levine on Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, and Healing Trauma
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Jan 16, 2026 
Dr. Peter Levine, developer of Somatic Experiencing and an authority on trauma, shares insights into how trauma manifests physically. He discusses the vital role of the vagus nerve and interoception in healing, emphasizing the need for felt safety and curiosity. Levine introduces practical techniques, like the 'voo' sound for calming and strategies for completing unfinished defensive responses. He also connects trauma healing to deeper embodiment and spirituality, advocating for a shift towards body-centered therapies that foster profound transformation.
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Trauma Is A Bodily Wound
- Trauma is a wound held in the body, not just a story in the mind.
- Because trauma lives in the body, healing must occur through the body.
Meeting Stephen Porges
- Peter A. Levine describes meeting Stephen Porges and discovering shared bottom-up ideas about the nervous system.
- Their collaboration grew from mutual interest in vagal signaling and mind-body processes.
Use The "Voo" Breath To Signal Safety
- Breathe fully and exhale with a low "voo" sound from the belly to send calming gut signals to the brain.
- Use this to shift afferent vagal input toward safety and present-moment regulation.
