From Wounded Warrior to Universal Illuminator, with Juliano Innocenti, PMHNP, MSN
Release Date: 10/09/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineHosted 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 importance of:
- Authenticity, compassion, and self expression
- Both being honoured by others, and honouring others
- Finding wisdom in one's own lived experiences
- The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s charitable works
- His "dissociation superpower" in his work supporting others’ healing
Juliano also describes his profound connection with Gabor Maté, who honored him as a "wounded warrior." The conversation ends with Juliano producing this 12-word mantra for living authentically, on the spot: "When you follow your heart's true desire, the universe conspires for you."
About Juliano Innocenti, PMHNP, MSN
A Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practicing in California since 2011, Juliano is a Compassionate Inquiry focused prescribing provider who views patient-centered care as family-, community-, relationship- and workplace-focused. He offers diagnostic assessments and ongoing medication management for many conditions including; depression, anxiety, substance abuse, PTSD, psychotic, personality and adjustment disorders, OCD, hoarding, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, gender dysphoria, and many more.
Born prematurely addicted to meth and cocaine, Juliano was taken from his mother and placed in a NICU without the comforts of touch or adult protection. Growing up in the foster system, he found wisdom in his own traumas. Having dissociated from grief during bereavement as a survival strategy, today he uses his ‘dissociation superpower’ to help patients experiencing mortality and existential fears. Juliano also specializes in helping those experiencing chronic HIV/AIDS and cancer, and serving the LGBTQ community’s unique needs.
A dedicated and active member of San Francisco's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Juliano (Sister Shalita Corndog) is currently serving his 3rd term as a Board Member-at-large. He also serves as Co-Legislative Board Member for the California Association of Nurse Practitioners, Bay Area Chapter, lobbying for legislation to improve his profession and the lives of individuals in need of care.
Along with his best friend, Mrs. Bari Littles (his Pomeranian) Juliano enjoys long walks in nature and adventures by the ocean. While his favorite place on earth is Durban, South Africa, he seeks solace from a noisy world in Muir Woods (Marin County, CA) or any Redwood forest.
Promotional Message:
If you've been listening to our podcast and are curious about the Compassionate Inquiry approach developed by Doctor Gabor Maté and Sat Dharam Kaur, consider joining the Professional Training Program. It's open to all healing professionals, including naturopaths, physicians, body workers, coaches, and therapists. In addition to learning how to use compassion to support your clients in their most vulnerable moments with greater empathy and authenticity, you'll also deepen your own internal process. If you're interested, tap this link to learn more
Resources:
Websites:
Official Sister Shalita Corndog Profile:
Related Links:
Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training
Quotes:
“Safety first, sexy second” - Safety first campaign
“When people ask me my pronouns… I just say, call me anything you want that's not used in a derogatory way.” - Juliano Innocenti
“Most of humanity is our tribe. We just are taught to see difference and separate. We're not different. We've just been pulled apart.” - Juliano Innocenti
“The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence… there's two parts of our mission. [1] To expiate stigmatic guilt. [2] To promulgate universal joy. When you are in the presence of a sister, you feel joy.” - Juliano Innocenti
Social Media:
IG: @innocenti113
Threads: @innocenti113