When the Pain Won't Go Away: Understanding Neuroplastic Symptoms, Fear, and Nervous System Healing with Georgia Thelen

When the Pain Won't Go Away: Understanding Neuroplastic Symptoms, Fear, and Nervous System Healing with Georgia Thelen

What if chronic pain isn't always a sign that something is broken? In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with certified nutritionist, hypnotist, energy healer, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy coach Georgia Thelen to explore the growing field of mind-body healing and neuroplastic symptoms. After developing long COVID and a host of chronic symptoms herself, Georgia found her way beyond diagnoses, medications, and endless medical appointments into a deeper understanding of the nervous system's role in chronic pain and illness. Together, we discuss how fear, stress, hypervigilance, and nervous system dysregulation can contribute to persistent symptoms, and how healing may begin when we learn to relate to those symptoms differently. Whether you're living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the connection between the brain, body, and emotions, this conversation offers both insight and hope. In This Episode: * Georgia's personal journey through long COVID and chronic pain * What neuroplastic symptoms are and how they develop * The connection between fear, stress, and persistent pain * Why nervous system regulation matters for healing * How Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) works * Understanding the fear-pain cycle * The difference between acute and chronic pain * Why symptoms can persist long after an injury has healed * The role of somatic tracking and safety reappraisal * How emotions, stress, and unresolved experiences may influence physical symptoms * Why healing often requires curiosity rather than fear Resources Mentioned: * Dr. John Sarno * Alan Gordon and The Way Out * Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) * Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) * Boulder Back Pain Study Connect with Georgia Thelen: www.healyourchronicpain.org [https://www.healyourchronicpain.org] Instagram - @goodmoodnutritionist [https://www.instagram.com/goodmoodnutritionist/] Facebook- @ Peachy Keen Wellness and Nutrition [https://www.facebook.com/peachykeennutrition] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

What If It Isn't Yours? Intuition, Conditioning, and Coming Home to Yourself with Gwyneth Flack

How do we know what is truly ours? Our thoughts. Our fears. Our beliefs. Our reactions. In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with transformational teacher, intuitive development guide, and author Gwyneth Flack to explore the role intuition plays in helping us reconnect with ourselves beneath the noise of conditioning, expectation, and fear. Gwyneth shares stories from her childhood, including a near-death experience that shaped her understanding of consciousness, her early awareness of the deeper layers of people beyond their outward appearance, and how she learned to distinguish her own feelings from the emotions she was absorbing from others. Together, we explore: * What intuition actually is—and what it isn't * The difference between intuition and anxiety * Why highly sensitive people often carry emotions that don't belong to them * How conditioning can disconnect us from our inner knowing * The importance of embodiment in spiritual growth * Grounding practices that help us access intuition more clearly * The relationship between presence, awareness, and healing * Why learning to ask "Is this mine?" can be transformational Throughout the conversation, we examine the connection between intuition, self-awareness, and living a more aligned life. Whether you're a therapist, healer, highly sensitive person, or simply someone curious about the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, this episode offers an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the wisdom that may already be within you. About Gwyneth Flack Gwyneth Flack is a transformational teacher, soul-body alignment guide, and author of Limitless: Transform Your Life with Intuition and Creativity. Since 2007, she has helped thousands of people develop their intuitive abilities, strengthen self-trust, and create more authentic and fulfilling lives through private sessions, courses, and retreats. Connect with Gwyneth Website: gwynethflack.com [https://gwynethflack.com/] Book: Limitless: Transform Your Life with Intuition  [https://gwynethflack.com/praise-for-limitless-transform-your-life-with-intuition-and-creativity-book/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwynethrflack/  [https://www.instagram.com/gwynethrflack/ ] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554714303930 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554714303930] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

From Ego to Embodiment: Spiritual Bodybuilding, Identity & the Search for Self with Nahum Vizakis

In this follow-up conversation, Nahum Vizakis returns to The Spiritually Curious Therapist to go deeper into the philosophy behind his book, The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding. If you missed part one (released April 20), I highly recommend going back and listening first. In that episode we explored Nahum’s story and the experiences that shaped his path. This time, we move into the deeper questions: * What happens when the pursuit of strength is driven by pain? *  Where is the line between discipline and self-abandonment? *  And what changes when the body shifts from something we control… to something we listen to? Nahum shares his journey from competitive bodybuilding, military life, and performance enhancement into bodywork, somatic experiences, spirituality, and what he now calls spiritual bodybuilding—not building muscles, but building consciousness, embodiment, and self-mastery.  We explore: ✨ Ego versus embodiment in fitness culture  ✨ Bodybuilding as a hero’s journey  ✨ Identity, external validation, and the search for worth  ✨ Performance-enhancing drugs and their physical, emotional, and developmental impacts  ✨ Masculinity, body image, and social media pressures on young men  ✨ Somatic release, stored emotion, and the body as messenger  ✨ Learning to move from intellectual understanding into lived experience  ✨ Nervous system regulation and the importance of slowing down  ✨ Acceptance, self-mastery, and the path back to the heart  ✨ Why Nahum believes “spiritual bodybuilding” is really about mastering body, mind, and consciousness  This episode also touches on something I care deeply about in my own work: How we widen our capacity to be with discomfort, move toward fear instead of away from it, and learn to listen to what the body has been trying to say all along. Whether you come from the world of fitness, trauma healing, nervous system work, spirituality, or simply being human… there is something here. Links & Resources 📖 The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding – Nahum Vizakis [https://www.amazon.com/Biohackers-Guide-Spiritual-Bodybuilding/dp/B0G99N5NNG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YQ9P267XWXLO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s2sYoXjN8OTOpMaZaFRVa_Mi_NhR0FceaNoDCwkeaFGjaVPJk3wvNZrsMcIVPHQo.GBymX1W8-WOKso6yYYGRqbpKXduAGKb-m5u0jJHjSnM&dib_tag=se&keywords=biohackers+guide+to+spiritual+bodybuilding&qid=1779552177&sprefix=biohackers+%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1] 🌐 Nahum’s website and socials: IG: Spiritual_Bodybuilder  [https://www.instagram.com/spiritual_bodybuilder/] Youtube: Spiritual Bodybuilder  [https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritualBodybuilder] Tiktok: Spiritual Bodybuilder Website: www.optimizinghuman.com [http://www.optimizinghuman.com] 🎙️ Missed Part One? Go back to the episode released April 20 where we explore Nahum’s story and the experiences that shaped this work.  Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

When Movement Becomes Healing: Trauma-Informed Embodiment with Emily Young, LCSW-C

In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with Emily Young, a trauma-informed personal trainer, somatic therapist, and founder of The Embodied Trainer, for a conversation about movement, embodiment, trauma, and the nervous system. This conversation explores something that feels increasingly important to me: the idea that healing cannot happen through the mind alone. Emily shares her own journey of integrating the worlds of therapy and personal training after experiencing burnout, chronic pain, and a growing realization that many people are deeply disconnected from their bodies, even while actively exercising them. Together, we talk about: * what it actually means to be embodied * the relationship between trauma and movement * nervous system-informed fitness * chronic stress, chronic pain, and overtraining * why “pushing harder” can disconnect us further from ourselves * mind-muscle connection and interoception * movement as relationship rather than punishment * co-regulation, safety, and sustainable healing * how slowing down can actually expand capacity Emily also shares insights from her newly released book, Trauma-Informed Bodywork, co-authored with Chelsea Haverly, which explores trauma-responsive approaches to movement and body-based healing practices. One of the things I appreciated most about this conversation was the reminder that our bodies are not obstacles to overcome and that they are constantly communicating with us. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, disconnection from your body, chronic symptoms, or a complicated relationship with exercise and performance, I think this episode will resonate deeply. You can connect with Emily at: * TheEmbodiedTrainer.com * Instagram: @theembodiedtrainer And if this conversation speaks to you, Emily encourages listeners to consider purchasing Trauma-Informed Bodywork through a local independent bookstore whenever possible. As always, thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of these conversations exploring the intersection of nervous system healing, embodiment, spirituality, and human experience. Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

Your Body Isn’t the Problem: Trauma, Fitness, and the Nervous System with Gabi Varga

What if the way you’ve been trying to get healthy… is actually keeping your nervous system stuck? In this episode, I sit down with trauma-informed personal trainer Gabi Varga to explore the often-overlooked relationship between fitness, trauma, and the nervous system. Because here’s the thing, so many people are doing all the “right” things: working out, staying active, pushing themselves to be disciplined…but underneath it, their system doesn’t feel safe. And when that’s the starting point, even healthy behaviors can become part of a pattern of overdrive, disconnection, and burnout. Gabi shares her personal journey—from overtraining, unsafe patterns, and disconnection from her body… to discovering somatic work and building a completely different relationship with movement, health, and herself.  Together, we explore what it really means to be embodied and why that matters more than any workout plan. In this episode, we talk about: *  Why over-exercising can reinforce nervous system dysregulation  *  The connection between trauma, validation, and body image  *  What “mind-muscle connection” actually means (and why many people don’t have it)  *  Dissociation and how it shows up in fitness and daily life  *  Why slowing down is often the key to real progress  *  The difference between pushing your body and listening to it  *  How embodiment leads to greater health, fulfillment, and connection  *  Why weight loss is a byproduct—not the goal  A key takeaway: Your body isn’t working against you. It’s responding to patterns—many of which started long before you were aware of them.  And those patterns are changeable. Want to go deeper? If this conversation resonates, I’m hosting a workshop: ✨ Your Body Isn’t Broken: Understanding Neuroplastic Pain and Symptoms We’ll explore how the nervous system creates and maintains symptoms—and how to begin working with your body instead of against it. 👉 https://jsilverman.systeme.io/workshop [https://jsilverman.systeme.io/workshop] Connect with Gabi: Website: thetraumainformedpt.com Instagram: @thetraumainformedpt Tik Tok: @thetraumainformed pt Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@thetraumainformedpt Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]