Enhancing Bodywork & EFT (Tapping) with Compassionate Inquiry with Pam Sommer
Release Date: 05/29/2025
Psychedelics, Hakomi, and the Gift of Self-Discovery, with Tony Hoare
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. Tony shares his personal journey, from growing up gay in the 60s, to experiencing sexual trauma and seeking healing in his 50s. He views safety, kindness, and gentleness as essential for healing, as they invite us to lower our shields and ‘just be.’ Having worked in the psychedelic world for 2 decades, Tony stresses that profound psychedelic experiences are only valuable if they lead to a greater sense of ease and conscious awareness with which we can navigate our challenging world. He also recounts: - The development of gentler, more...
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The Trauma of Infertility, with Leila Bahri-Lucas
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this gentle, heart-felt conversation, Leila guides us through the emotional landscape of infertility debunking common myths and misconceptions. She also shares her personal story, from 11 rounds of IVF to complete emotional collapse, which led her to agency, freedom, a new beginning and a baby. Leila also addresses: - How Infertility, as a trauma in its own right can unearth feelings of shame and worthlessness - Why trauma-informed support can ease the emotional toll of infertility medical interventions...
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Menopause: From Estrogen Washing to Social Silence, with Dr Aisling Quiery & Rati Roberta Riccardi
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this conversation, our guests forge a link between childhood trauma and the severity of menopausal symptoms. Aisling, a GP who is herself experiencing perimenopause, notes that the menopausal women who consult her often carry immense stress from being "sandwiched" between their peak career responsibilities and caring for children, grandchildren and aging parents. Together Aisling and Rati contrast: - "Estrogen Washing" a term Aisling coined to suggest that HRT often serves as a "wash" which may offer temporary relief but is...
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Menopause: From Multitasking Queen to Second Girlhood, with Dr Priya Duggal and Rosio Fuentes
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard Join us for this wide ranging conversation between a Menopausal Naturopathic doctor and a Therapist who lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome while mothering a neurodivergent family and experiencing Menopause. Together, Rosie and Priya address the many physiological, emotional and practical implications of Menopause "tipping points" for women’s health. They highlight that: - Living an inauthentic life (always "doing" for others) can create physical symptoms, likewise addiction patterns may emerge or intensify if unmet...
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Menopause Pruning: Clearing Space for Authenticity, with Inés Zabalaga & Kate Hazlitt, ND
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard This conversation moves from the medicalization of menopause to reclaiming it as a natural process; an important, transformative life stage marked by growth, development, and renewal, not an illness or pathology. Kate and Inés advocate for shifting from symptom management to trusting the body's innate capacity and involving the entire community in understanding this transition. Inés and Kate highlight:: - Brain Pruning which "chops away" old ways of thinking and being, making way for authenticity, new identity, and a...
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Unveiling Indian Cultural Trauma, with Mansi Poddar
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This conversation exposes the impact of cultural trauma on Indian mental and emotional well-being and the conflicts these cultural pressures can cause. After outlining how therapeutic approaches can ease the pain, transform lives and begin to shift cultural norms, expectations and beliefs, Mansi asserts that having dreams, desires, and boundaries is an expression of one's wholeness, not a betrayal of others. Cultural dynamics explored include: - The expectation that women will sacrifice their personal happiness for family...
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Invisible Made Visible: Authenticity, Healing, and Impact, with Barbara Brangan
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J'aime Rothbard. Our guest, an expert grant writer for charities, social enterprises, and Indigenous organizations, shares her profound transition from a deep sense of invisibility to authentic visibility and happy invisibility. Barb also describes how integrating spiritual wisdom, trauma-informed healing and self-introspection ultimately directed her to surrender to her unique gift for impactful social justice work. Barb delves into: - Her own "happy childhood" myth, hiding the pain of her childhood medical trauma. - The value of Cosmic...
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From Wounded Warrior to Universal Illuminator, with Juliano Innocenti, PMHNP, MSN
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J'aime Rothbard. In this episode, Juliano shares his personal journey from the trauma of in utero addiction and premature birth, to being raised in the foster system, to his healing through expressive arts and Compassionate Inquiry®(CI). As a psychopharmacologist with time-limited patient prescription assessments, Juliano describes how incorporating CI practices into these sessions can help patients uncover years of hidden suffering, validate their lived experiences, question false narratives and potentially end trauma cycles He emphasizes the...
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Peace Activation Begins Within, with Eva Dalak
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This conversation explores Eva’s transformative journey from traditional peacework to a trauma-informed, soul-centred approach. Her own experience of progressive vision loss forced her into two years of deep shadow work. In this process she identified and released unhelpful core beliefs and avoidant patterns Today, Eva believes she lost her eyesight to rediscover her true vision and destiny, through embracing her Palestinian-Israeli identity She clearly explains why: - Sustainable peace begins within us - Traditional...
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Technology & AI : Benefits & Hazards, with Sat Dharam Kaur, ND
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by J’aime Rothbard, Kevin Young and Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. Join us as we explore the overall impact of technology and AI on human attachments, relationships, dependence, skills, wellbeing and our environment. AI is examined in therapeutic contexts, along with the considerable ethical and societal concerns around its use in that capacity, and the documented damage it can inflict on vulnerable populations. Sat Dharam addresses a number of ‘hot’ tech and AI topics including the: - Potential future implications of transferring human attachment...
info_outlineHosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard.
In this intimate, flowing conversation, Pam unravels the interconnections of emotions and physical sensations, particularly pain, in therapeutic settings including Massage Therapy, RMT, Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT (tapping), and Compassionate Inquiry® CI. She shares the therapeutic effects on her anxiety and physical pain she experienced while training in EFT and CI, highlighting that while both issues are still present, she now has the tools to manage them.
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Pam also touches on:
- Generational trauma and how earlier generations shaped her emotional responses and behaviors
- Her experience as a CI Facilitator with Indigenous participants, the alignment of CI with their traditional healing practices, and how both emphasize understanding and respect
- The emotional aspects of registered massage therapy
- The importance of personal and communal healing, emotional well-being and support systems
- Why she undertook training to be a Death Doula, and how that supported her emotional healing
A significant theme for Pam is trusting her own intuition and body knowledge. She closes the interview by encouraging listeners to recognize that they already have the answers within themselves.
About Pam Sommer
Pam’s journey into wellness began with experiences that sparked a deep commitment
to healing and self-discovery.
Today, as a dedicated wellness practitioner,
a Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner and Facilitator, an EFT Practitioner, a Registered Massage Therapist and a Death Doula, Pam’s approach is rooted in empathy, understanding
and a genuine desire to support others on their path to well-being. Together with her clients she creates safe, nurturing spaces for healing and is passionate about helping them live peaceful, fulfilling lives.
Personally, Pam finds joy in simple things— exploring nature through camping and hiking, staying grounded through yoga and exercise.
She lives on an off-grid farm with her partner, Jeremiah, and their two kids, Ethan and Paige, surrounded by a lively crew of freeloading animals who bring joy (and a bit of chaos) to their lives.
Whether working with clients or spending time with her family, Pam strives to live authentically and help others do the same.
Promotional Link: If you are, or have, participated in the Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Training program, please join us from June 17 to 19 at Renewal: a CI Summer Solstice Retreat, hosted by Sat Dharam Kaur and 18 CI Facilitators from around the globe. In this immersive journey into renewal and transformation, you’ll experience guided practices, nature immersions, creative activities, small group workshops, connection circles, meaningful conversations and much more, all designed to support your journey inward, as we celebrate the solstice in community. Tap this link to learn more and secure your place.
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What is Compassionate Inquiry®?
What is Emotional Freedom Technique?
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
What is Registered Massage Therapy?
Article:
Books:
Teachers:
Quotes:
“Wipe those tears away. That's not going to help anybody. They can help the person who's shedding the tears. It’s so healing to just allow, otherwise that grief, that sadness gets bottled up inside.” - Pam Sommer
‘I'm a bird launcher, not an empty nester. - Unknown
“Throw the Goddamn book away, You know what you're doing.” - Pam Sommer’s Mom
Social Media:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/pamsommer/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.sommer1/