In this powerful continuation of our Vagus Nerve series, hosts Susan Robbins (certified epigenetic human performance coach) and Kate King (licensed psychotherapist and award-winning author) welcome one of the most respected voices in trauma recovery: Dr. Arielle Schwartz.

A clinical psychologist, author of The Complex PTSD Workbook and The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma, and founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, Dr. Schwartz brings both deep science and profound compassion to the conversation on nervous system healing.

What is Polyvagal Theory, And Why Does It Matter?

Unlike traditional models of the vagus nerve, polyvagal theory expands our understanding of how connection, safety, and early life experiences shape our stress responses and long-term health.

Inside This Episode:

• What polyvagal theory teaches us about trauma, survival, and healing
• The link between early attachment wounds and adult stress responses
• How to re-parent and rewire your nervous system at any age
• Natural vagus nerve stimulation: small, daily practices that shift everything
• Why community, compassion, and co-regulation are vital to health
• The power of yoga, breathwork, and touch in restoring vagal tone
• How over-empathy and caretaking can become dysregulating

Your body remembers, and it’s doing the best it can to protect you. But healing is possible. You can learn to work with your nervous system, not against it. And in doing so, you not only change your health.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Arielle Schwartz:

Dr. Arielle Schwartz is a clinical psychologist, internationally sought-out teacher, and leading voice in the healing of trauma. She is an internationally sought-out teacher, leading voice in the field of trauma recovery, and author of seven books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, and Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga. As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, she offers a mind-body approach to therapy for trauma and informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. She believes that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart.

About Susan Robbins and Kate King

Susan and Kate come from two very different, but perfectly complementary, worlds in the health and wellness space. Together, their synergy is magnetic. Think: science meets soul, strategy meets intuition, real talk meets radical transformation.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Arielle Schwartz:

Website: www.drarielleschwartz.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5LUxnXbReV7I5cEzvb46sQ

Learn More about Dr. Arielle’s Books:

https://drarielleschwartz.com/books-by-dr-schwartz/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/08/25/episode72

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

In this raw and eye-opening conversation, co-hosts Susan Robbins (certified epigenetic human performance coach) and Kate King (licensed psychotherapist and board-certified art therapist) welcome Dr. Navaz Habib, aka “The Vagus Nerve Doc,” to unpack one of the most overlooked superpowers in your body: the vagus nerve.

Dr. Habib shares how stress, inflammation, and poor vagal tone can silently erode your health, and why your heart rate variability (HRV) is the key biomarker you should be tracking. From sleep and gut health to resilience and emotional regulation, your vagus nerve plays a starring role in how you feel and function every day.

Whether you’re a health nerd, a burnt-out parent, or someone in your 30s–60s wondering why your “brakes” feel fried, this episode is packed with empowering science and actionable tools. Learn the game-changing V.A.G.U.S. Protocol (Validate, Activate, Gut-Brain, Unburden, Sustain) and find out how to start rewiring your stress response, no matter your age.

In this episode:

• The science of vagus nerve regulation and HRV
• Why most people are living with worn-out “brakes”
• Signs of low vagal tone, and how to rebuild it
• Dr. Habib’s V.A.G.U.S. Protocol for lifelong resilience
• Why breathwork (and even mouth taping!) can change your life
  
  

Learn more about Dr. Habib’s work at healthupgraded.com and check out his book Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve. You can also find him on Instagram @drnavazhabib and listen to his podcast The Health Upgrade.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Navaz Habib on the episode show notes!

About Susan Robbins and Kate King

Susan and Kate come from two very different, but perfectly complementary, worlds in the health and wellness space. Together, their synergy is magnetic. Think: science meets soul, strategy meets intuition, real talk meets radical transformation.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Navaz Habib:

Website: https:/healthupgraded.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib
Books: Activate Your Vagus Nerve, Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Dr-Navaz-Habib/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ADr.%2BNavaz%2BHabib

TruVaga Device: https://www.truvaga.com/

The Oxygen Advantage - Patrick McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Oxygen-Advantage-Scientifically-Breathing-Techniques/dp/0062349473

Breath - James Nestor: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art-ebook/dp/B0818ZZNLR/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/08/18/episode71/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Ever feel like one part of you wants to say yes... while another part screams no?

You're not crazy, you’re human. And today’s episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable. dives into why that happens, and how to work with it, with Kate King leading the conversation on Parts Work and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

IFS is a powerful, non-pathologizing therapeutic model that helps you understand the different "parts" of your personality, like your inner perfectionist, your people-pleaser, or your avoidant protector. These parts aren’t problems. They’re protectors trying their best to keep you safe… even if their strategies no longer serve you.

In this episode:

• What IFS (Internal Family Systems) is and how it works
• Why parts form in childhood, and how they affect us in adulthood
• The difference between exile, manager, and firefighter parts
  The 8 C’s of True Self: a compass for inner healing
• How to tell when you’re being “flooded” by a part (and how to come back to center)
• The surprising connection between parts work, epigenetics, and nervous system regulation
• Creative tools like journaling and “Parts Cards” to start exploring your inner world
• When to seek professional support and how to begin your IFS journey
• And why there are no bad parts, only misunderstood ones

Whether you’re feeling out of alignment, curious about how past wounds shape present behaviors, or just want to understand yourself better, this episode offers deep insight, humor, and hope.

RESOURCES:

Kate's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheRadiantLifeProject

IFS Playlist on Kate's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLD14_nXiLme65kY8fzBoNvHi9J9jMEO1

Richard Schwartz’s book No Bad Parts:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=no+bad+parts+by+richard+c+schwartz&hvadid=694915120712

Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/08/11/episode70/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast