Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 07/31/2025

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

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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