Libsyn Directory

Khonmadi: Feeling the Heartbeat of Mother Earth, with Dr Ruby Gibson

Release Date: 07/31/2025

Paul Noiles on, The Malevolent Nature of Emotional Abuse

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes & J’aime Rothbard. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. How do smart, accomplished people end up in emotionally abusive relationships without realizing it? As both a trauma coach and former victim, Paul illuminates how emotional abuse operates through fear, manipulation, and control—and why it's so difficult to recognize and name. He also touches on common signs; chronic invalidation, gaslighting, control disguised as concern, walking on eggshells, confusion, toxic shame, and how our earliest attachments can create susceptibility. In this...

Mandy Rodstrom & Debbie Mason on, Creating Spaces for Stuttering to Exist

The Gifts of Trauma

Mandy Rodstrom & Debbie Mason on, Creating Spaces for Stuttering to Exist Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. What if traditional fluency-focused approaches designed to "fix" stuttering cause more harm than healing? In this conversation, speech therapists Mandy Rodstrom and Debbie Mason share personal and clinical insights that reveal how trauma, nervous system dysregulation and social stigma profoundly impact those who stammer. They highlight the critical importance of connecting people who stutter with supportive communities where stuttering is welcomed and...

Cat McCarthy on Emergent Authenticity & Rewriting Scripts

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. What happens when we stop performing and start being? Cat guides us through her transformational journey from codependent conditioning to embodied authenticity. With wisdom drawn from 30+ years of yoga practice, plant medicine journeys, and navigating her own healing from Breast Cancer, Cat reveals why the answers we seek aren't outside ourselves, but waiting to be uncovered within. Cat reflects on: - How shedding her protective layers enabled her to access her true strength - Her expanded her capacity to be present, hold space for others...

Zach Bush, MD & Eva Dalak on ⁠Relating to Our Original Imprint: Nature & Collective Healing.

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by J’aime Rothbard & Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. What if the path to inner and outer peace—and to the survival of our species—runs through our biology, not just our psychology? In this bonus finale to our Relating Series, Eva and Zach guide us beyond the familiar terrain of human-to-human relating to the new ground of relating to our original imprint. This conversation weaves hard science with systems thinking and spiritual wisdom to show that rather than transcending our humanity, healing our separation wound is about fully embracing our original...

Unsafe! Navigating Domestic, Public and Systemic Violence, with Dr Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John and Jordan Decker

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes and J’aime Rothbard. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This vulnerable conversation continues exploring relating through the LGBTQ+ lens, as Vimalasara and Jordan share insights rarely disclosed to the heteronormative population. Jordan reflects on the inner work required to create safety for others—unpacking his own trauma so he can hold space for someone else's. Vimalasara addresses the harsh realities of domestic violence in LGBTQ+ communities, highlighting the barriers to seeking help—being subjected to transphobia, homophobia, or violence in...

Gender & Identity, From Unconscious to Conscious with Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John and Jordan Decker

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes and J’aime Rothbard. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This thought provoking conversation explores relating through the LGBTQ+ lens, but not only presented to that community. Instead it is a vulnerable and honest sharing in which Vimalarara and Jordan offer insights and perspectives rarely disclosed to the heteronormative population. In this inclusive episode they touch on the: - Use of pronouns can create a sense of safety and inclusion - Perspective of gender as a social construct rather than a personal identity - Historical impact of religious and...

Reducing Relationship Issues Through Proactive Design & Planning, with Dr Stan Tatkin and Leila Bahri-Lucas

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes & Leila Bahri-Lucas. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This episode reminds us that the unconscious processes that drive humans, our memories and survival instincts, often lead to misunderstandings and reactive behaviors. Consequently, most relationship issues, while they may seem personal, actually stem from our innate drives. Stan outlines that rather than being approached casually, successful relationships require deliberate design, shared purpose, defined roles, and agreed-upon principles. We also explore: - The PPPRRR Approach: Couples can...

Polyamory: Attachment, Trauma & Relational Growth Unpacked, with Jessica Fern, David Cooley & JP Bolhuis

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This episode introduces Polyamory, a form of consensual non-monogamy, as a relational style involving multiple loving, consensual, romantic partners simultaneously. It emphasizes trust, open communication (as opposed to secretive ‘cheating’) and mutual agreement. Jessica and David, themselves polyamory practitioners and co-authors of two books on Polyamory, are joined by JP Bolhuis, a Psychosocial Therapist, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner and Private Mentor who recently entered the world of polyamory. Jesica and David...

Rethinking Sex Addiction: Trauma, Shame & Compulsive Sexuality, with Diana Safta & Silva Neves

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by J’aime Rothbard and Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this soft and flowing conversation, Silva Neves differentiates the term "sex addiction" from "sexual compulsivity," as addiction is an independent disorder, while compulsion arises from environmental distress. Like food, sex is a primary drive, and has a natural physiological stopping point not present in other addictions. The analogy of food and diverse cuisines to normalize conversations about sexuality, highlighting that different tastes and preferences in food are accepted, but similar...

Healing Northern Ireland: From Personal Trauma to Societal Change, with Dr Paul Gallagher

The Gifts of Trauma

Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this conversation, Kevin introduces us to Dr Paul Gallagher, a lecturer in trauma studies at Cork University who started his formal education at age 40, after a significant "gap" in his life. Born in Belfast in 1972 at the height of "The Troubles," Paul recounts growing up in a war zone, where at 21, his home was invaded and his family held hostage. During this attack, he was shot and paralysed, and while physical and medical care were provided, psychological support was not. Paul highlights: - The crucial roles of...

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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes, Produced by J’aime Rothbard.

In this magical conversation, Dr. Ruby shares the launch of The Khonmadi Project, which was inspired by a dream. She has since discovered that Khonmadi is known to different indigenous cultures worldwide, as a term that relates to healing Mother Earth. Dr. Ruby also shares her personal and professional journey, which began at age 13. Learning about the emotional roots of physical pain, led her from massage therapy to somatic healing, and the creation of Somatic Archaeologyⓒ which considers the body a "walking library" of information which, when accessed, facilitates deep healing.

Dr Ruby explains:

- How her work supports people's recovery from chronic pain, historical amnesia, cultural trauma, grief, addictions, despair and inherited repetitive familial patterns
- How we can support Mother Earth through mindfulness, respect, and offering prayers
- The role her grandmothers play in guiding her life and work
- How clearing our own internal "debris" allows for greater spiritual connection and contribution

Dr. Ruby concludes by suggesting that we choose to live our lives as warriors, lovers, or magicians. She explains why she personally identifies with the magician, who walks a path of continuous learning, transformation and building bridges that take people from where they are to where they’re going

A certified somatic therapist of Mediterranean / Lakota descent, with 35 years of experience as an international educator, Dr. Ruby’s focus is Transgenerational Healing and Historical Trauma Recovery. In 1995, she developed Somatic Archaeology© to help those in recovery from chronic pain, repetitive familial patterns, historical amnesia, cultural trauma, grief, addictions and despair.

She believes that we can translate historical trauma into present day psychological / spiritual advantage. In 2015, her non-profit group, Freedom Lodge, received a grant to open the Black Hills Historical Trauma Research & Recovery Center in Rapid City, SD. As that work is now completed, Freedom Lodge has relocated to Lakewood, CO where it continues its work to fully heal Native wounds, to reclaim Native heritage and to mend the Sacred Hoop of Life so as to honor the next seven generations.

A seasoned humanitarian who embraces many traditions, Dr Ruby began her spiritual journey at the age of 13 and has spent her life in service to the healing of Mother Earth and the betterment of her community. In empowering people to create generational harmony by providing leadership to their families, colleagues, clients and communities, her objective is two-fold: to lighten the load for future generations, and to integrate unresolved burdens for conscious remembering and earth-centered resourcing. In other words, helping others find the gift within the wound. These are activities of profound responsibility that require consciousness and ethical reflection.

Dr Ruby is a gifted storyteller who authored My Body, My Earth, The Practice of Somatic Archaeology. She is excited to launch her next campaign, the Khonmadi Project, in July 2025.

The mother of 4 children and Grandmother of 5, she has hope for the future.

Promotional Message:
If you're a current Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training Program participant or graduate, you're invited to CI's Experiential Intensive Retreat, in the north of Ireland, from September 8 - 12. Deepen your personal and community connections in the beautiful natural setting of Corrymeela, with beautiful views over the Irish sea. Rest, reflect, and partake in workshops, CI-, body- and nature-based practice sessions, plus delightful evening community celebrations, with home-cooked meals, Irish music and dancing. Tap this link to learn more.

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