From Wounded Warrior to Universal Illuminator, with Juliano Innocenti, PMHNP, MSN
Release Date: 10/09/2025
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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...
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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard This conversation explores how academic learning is impacted by a student's emotional state, prior experiences, and the safety of the learning environment. Bea, who has been teaching in various roles since 1993, saw that traditional teaching methods fail to account for the "whole" students who enter the classrooms. This failure often results in elevated student anxiety and hindered learning: As a teacher committed to evolving current educational institutions and systems, she addresses: - The impact of negative emotions on learning...
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Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This rich conversation explores many topics, from Ester’s personal and professional journeys, to spiritual mysticism, to the parallels between experiencing ‘excellence’ in art, music and transformational trauma healing. Ester began sharing her NDEs and naming,”‘the Divine embrace” as her childhood comfort, the foundation of her healing approach and an enduring influence in her therapeutic practices. She also reflects on: - Why healing is always possible - Art and music as mediums for elevating consciousness...
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