Mastering Change | The trauma, mental health & wellbeing podcast

“Genes don’t control your life – your life controls your genes,” says Dr. Leo Pruimboom in the eleventh episode of Mastering Change. A clinical psychoneuroimmunologist, researcher and pioneer in systems-based medicine, Dr. Pruimboom is challenging everything we think we know about trauma, disease, genes, psychology and mental health. “You can take a human being out of nature, but you can’t take nature out of the human being.”  Dr. Pruimboom makes a compelling case for the role of environment, connection, and behavioural agency in reversing modern illness. As he explains, we’re currently living in – and desperately trying to adapt to – a world we’re not made for. But thankfully, we have the capability to adapt: he reports the research showing that 120mins in nature per week can down regulate our blood pressure. We discussWhy most autoimmune diseases are misnamed (and aren’t autoimmune diseases at all) How loneliness rewires our organs The power of purpose – and how purpose of life intervention can shrink tumour size by 50%  That genes do nothing on their own: it’s our environment or choice that activate or silence them The importance of spontaneous neural activity – and how doing nothing is medicine 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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

"Trauma is in our bones. We inherit it through our lineage. And science supports that,” says Dr. Christy Gibson. This week on Mastering Change, we speak with Dr. Gibson – a physician and global trauma advocate – about trauma as a systemic issue, not just a personal one. It’s a powerful, inspiring conversation that reimagines the role of doctors, communities and systems in the face of trauma. Dr. Gibson isn’t your traditional physician, she’s creative and passionate about democratising trauma research, leaning into TikTok to educate (@tiktoktraumadoc). Her book, The Modern Trauma Toolkit, aims to improve health literacy and is written specifically for patients – to provide clarity and help people feel compassion for themselves.   “I see really traumatised people causing more trauma at a political and industry level.” In this episode, she unpacks how trauma spreads and causes chaos on a global scale, explaining that most people don’t mean to cause harm, but do inadvertently. Medical professionals, she says, can unknowingly traumatise patients simply by failing to explain what they're doing. We exploreWhy the future of healthcare must be community-driven and holistic The importance of removing bias from diagnoses How trauma can hide in plain sight in clinical settings The power of storytelling and creative reframing in healing Why being a doctor today means stepping outside the ‘expert’ role She invites us to shift our entire perception of trauma – to look beyond individuals and recognise the hidden architecture of trauma within our systems. We tend to think of ourselves as powerless, but Dr. Gibson reminds us that while systems may feel immovable, change begins with community. Her mission isn’t just about her own power as a physician, but about activating collective agency. After all, as she puts it: If you want to help people, you need to change the system that hurt them. 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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

Is it possible that the most profound breakthroughs in trauma therapy come from altered states of consciousness? Healing trauma isn’t just about repair, it’s about reclaiming wholeness and reconnecting with the soul. This week on Mastering Change, we welcomed clinical psychologist and trauma healing expert Dr. Chantell Thomas and explored the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Dr. Thomas is the executive clinical director of Windrose Recovery – a residential addiction treatment centre that offers detoxification and integrated ketamine-assisted psychotherapy programmes. Over the past decade, she has also worked on clinical trials for other substances including MDMA and psilocybin – work that, she says, ‘helped me become a better therapist’.  ‘Psychedelics are a trauma-reprocessing and resourcing tool’  Dr. Thomas points to psychedelics’ capacity to help individuals reconnecting with their own internal strength, clarity and healing mechanisms – especially when those inner resources have been depleted or blocked by trauma. We discussHow psychedelics can disrupt patterns, bump us out of thought loops and reveal something to us from inside. Who is best placed to facilitate psychedelic-assisted journeys – what characteristics, skills and qualifications are important and whether the facilitator needs personal experience with the substance. That it’s often it’s the relationship between the therapist and the patient that really determines the success of the intervention. How true healing is not about “fixing” but about returning to a sense of innate wholeness. The misinformation around the topic of psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy. How follow-up integration work after a psychedelic journey is key for healing. How funding needs to be redirected towards new therapeutic modalities to make them more accessible Dr. Thomas is an advocate for the thoughtful, ethical use of ketamine, psilocybin and MDMA in therapeutic settings. She’s witnessed firsthand the relief, hope and possibility psychedelic therapy offers. But she’s also quick to remind us that it shouldn’t be viewed as a silver bullet – as with all forms of therapy, healing is a process that takes time and isn’t always easy.   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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

Oliver Barnett, a functional medicine practitioner blending somatic therapies with trauma-informed care, explains how childhood trauma can prime the immune system and show up as chronic illness. He discusses nervous system dysregulation, body-held emotion and integrating IFS, somatic work and functional medicine. He also explores prevention through parenting, schools and multidisciplinary care.

"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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

‘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. 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. We discussCurrent 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. 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.Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

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. We discussHow 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! 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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

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. 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. We exploreRoot 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. 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. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

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.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. We discussWhat 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  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.  Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.