hey girlies! This episode is part 2 of "why women of color carry stress differently". We talk about "how to get better" after discussing nervous system healing from part 1 = nervous system + healing + community vibes 💭

Dr. Niloufer Merchant, Gina Kim, and Helen Bass break down Nervous System Regulation (Polyvagal Theory) in real life—especially for women of color.

They talk morning routines, ancestral roots, and how grief/loss hits your body, not just your mind.Big themes:

* healing isn’t solo—it’s community + family

* grief stays, but you can still stay connected

* therapy isn’t just “fixing problems,” it’s understanding your storyThey also get into:* generational trauma + ancestral wisdom

* why healing takes time (no quick fixes fr)

* trust, safety, and nervous system awareness in therapy

* co-regulation = healing through real human connectionBasically: slow healing, deep roots, and learning your nervous system is key

🔑Links/Books Mentioned:

Dr. Stephen Porges: https://www.stephenporges.com/

Deb Dana Website: https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/about

Dr. Niloufer Merchant: https://www.nmmerchant.com/

Gina Kiem: https://ginakiem-goldcounsel.com/

Helen Bass Website: https://www.sincerepractice.com/

Meaning of Your Life Book: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Morning Reflections

03:03 Polyvagal Theory in Daily Life

06:01 Honoring Our Ancestors

08:45 The Importance of Family and Ancestral Connections

11:53 Understanding Loss and Its Impact on the Nervous System

14:58 Navigating Grief and Connection

18:09 The Role of Community in Healing

29:52 Navigating Loss and Connection

36:04 The Role of Nervous System in Therapy

49:16 Problem Solving in Therapy

54:14 Healing from Family Trauma

57:28 Understanding the Nervous System and Individual Profiles

58:20 The Slow Process of Healing and Understanding Trauma

01:00:13 Intergenerational Trauma and Its Impact

01:02:11 The Importance of Relationship in Therapy

01:04:52 Navigating Client Relationships and Trust

01:06:12 The Role of Patience in Therapy

01:09:36 Co-Regulation and Therapist's Own Nervous System

🤍 Hey girlies! This episode explains how body-based healing (like polyvagal theory) can be used in therapy that respects culture and identity. Guests Gina Kiem and Dr. Neela Fur talk about feeling safe in different spaces, code switching, and simple practices that help women of color feel more grounded, connected, and supported.

Resources from Dr. Niloufer Merchant -

Here are the links to both articles by Elana Curtis and colleagues:

2025 article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12063315/

2019 article https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-019-1082-3

Follow Dr. Niloufer: https://www.nmmerchant.com/

Follow Gina Kiem: https://ginakiem-goldcounsel.com/

Follow Helen on All Socials/Website - https://bio.site/helenbass

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Polyvagal Theory and Cultural Competence

04:34 Personal Experiences with Polyvagal Theory

09:51 Cultural Contexts and Personal Backgrounds

15:15 Navigating Cultural Practices and Co-Regulation

20:39 The Impact of Code Switching and Allostatic Load

34:26 Navigating Subtle Cues and Allostatic Load

37:45 Cultural Specificity in Therapeutic Practices

43:46 Cultural Safety and Power Dynamics

50:36 Embodied Practices and Nervous System Awareness

59:24 The Intersection of Polyvagal Theory and Cultural Context

This episode includes candid conversations about postpartum depression, anxiety, and cultural stigma around mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, the Postpartum Support International helpline is available at 1-800-944-4773.

In many Asian households, mental health isn't something you talk about. You push through. You perform.

And when motherhood breaks you open — you're expected to do that silently too.Today on The Sincere Practice Podcast, I sit down with Peggy and Jasmine — the hosts of Healing the Tigress, a podcast dedicated to AAPI maternal mental health. Peggy is a licensed clinical social worker and perinatal mental health therapist. Jasmine is a Doctor of Pharmacy.

Both are certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). And both are Taiwanese American mothers who survived postpartum depression and anxiety.We talk about:

🐯 Why postpartum depression hits differently when your culture says "just be grateful"

🐯 The role of therapy AND medication in postpartum recovery🐯 Reparenting yourself while raising your own children

🐯 Breaking generational patterns in Asian American families

🐯 How Healing the Tigress is creating space for AAPI moms to heal

🎙️ Learn more about Healing the Tigress:

🔗 https://healingthetigress.buzzsprout.com/

📌 Connect with The Sincere Practice:https://www.sincerepractice.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Healing the Tigress

01:00 The Journey into Podcasting

03:03 Understanding Postpartum Mental Health

06:05 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health

08:51 Cultural Perspectives on Therapy

11:46 Navigating Treatment and Healing

14:29 Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience

17:17 The Power of Friendship in Motherhood

22:10 The Blossoming of Friendship

25:44 Navigating Motherhood and Identity

30:29 Inner Work and Breaking Generational Patterns

39:30 Future Aspirations for Healing the Tigress

#PostpartumDepression #MaternalMentalHealth #AAPImentalhealth #PerinatalMentalHealth #PostpartumAnxiety #Reparenting #AsianAmericanMoms #TherapyStigma #HealingTheTigress #MomMentalHealth #PostpartumRecovery #Motherhood #WomensHealth #MentalHealthAwareness