Traumatic Brain Injury, Long-Haul COVID, and Neuroinflammation: Unlocking Brain Recovery with Scott Bukow

We Are Participants in Our Future Wiring: Brain Plasticity and Emotional Mastery with Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver

In this episode of NeuroAlchemy, Dr. Sarah Young sits down with licensed psychotherapist Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver for a hopeful and empowering conversation about neuroplasticity, emotional resilience, and the idea that we actively participate in shaping our future wiring. After more than three decades working in community mental health, Beatriz began asking an important question: What if emotional resilience could be taught before people reached a breaking point? That question became the foundation of her work in prevention-based mental health and the Triumph Steps framework, which focuses on emotional regulation, identity reconstruction, and the brain’s ability to adapt and change over time. Together, Sarah and Beatriz explore how repeated thoughts shape the nervous system, why emotional regulation is a trainable skill, and how small daily practices can begin rewiring identity, behavior, and emotional patterns. Topics explored include: • neuroplasticity in everyday life • emotional regulation as a learned skill • prevention-based mental health • fear, stress, and nervous system responses • identity reconstruction after adversity • visualization and future self wiring • repeated thoughts and neural pathways • cultivating internal peace and resilience At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: Your brain is not fixed. Your patterns are not permanent. And healing begins when we recognize that we are active participants in who we are becoming. 🌿 Micro Practice Invitation: The GLAD Practice For the next seven nights, spend a few minutes reflecting on four simple prompts: G — Granted What is something you usually take for granted that you can appreciate today? L — Learned What did you learn today, even in a small way? A — Achieved What did you accomplish today? D — Delighted What brought you even a brief moment of delight? This simple practice helps rewire the brain toward resilience, gratitude, and awareness of resources rather than fear and threat. 🧠 Connect with Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver https://www.triumphsteps.com [https://www.triumphsteps.com] https://www.healthyconnectionscmhc.org [https://www.healthyconnectionscmhc.org] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrizmartinez-penalver [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrizmartinez-penalver] Instagram: @TriumphSteps_coaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triumphstepsUS/ [https://www.facebook.com/triumphstepsUS/] YouTube: @triumphsteps 🌿 Connect with Dr. Sarah Young https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935 [https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935] https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth [https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth] If this episode resonated with you, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. That’s how these conversations travel and reach the people who need them most. You are not broken. You are becoming.

Emotional Healing, Internal Family Systems, and Reclaiming Feeling States with Gloria K. Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

In this episode of NeuroAlchemy, Dr. Sarah Young sits down with psychologist Dr. Gloria K. Vanderhorst for a thoughtful conversation exploring emotional healing, Internal Family Systems, Emotion Focused Therapy, and the lifelong process of reconnecting with parts of ourselves that may have been suppressed or disconnected over time. Drawing from nearly five decades of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, Dr. Vanderhorst shares insights into emotional development, childhood conditioning, emotional intelligence, and the ways early experiences shape identity, relationships, and emotional regulation later in life. Together, Sarah and Gloria explore what happens when people lose access to important feeling states, why emotional awareness matters, and how reflection, compassion, and curiosity can help people reconnect with themselves in healthier and more authentic ways. Topics explored include: • Emotion Focused Therapy in everyday language • Internal Family Systems and “parts” work • emotional suppression and disconnection • childhood experiences and adult relationships • raising emotionally intelligent boys • reclaiming lost feeling states • self-reflection as a catalyst for healing • emotional awareness and personal growth At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: Emotional awareness is not weakness. It is part of being fully human. And healing often begins by reconnecting with the parts of ourselves we learned to silence. 🌿 Micro Practice Invitation Spend 10 to 15 minutes each day sharing experiences, observations, or thoughts with someone you trust. Talk about: • something you noticed today • an experience you had • a thought you are still processing Small moments of emotional connection help strengthen awareness, communication, and relational safety over time. 🧠 Connect with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst Website: https://www.drvanderhorst.com [https://www.drvanderhorst.com] Email: gkvanderhorst@gmail.com [gkvanderhorst@gmail.com] Facebook: gloria.vanderhorst.7 Instagram: @gkvanderhorst YouTube: @gloriakvanderhorst LinkedIn: gloria-vanderhorst-ph-d-730826b/ 🌿 Connect with Dr. Sarah Young https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935 [https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935] https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth [https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth] If this episode resonated with you, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. That’s how these conversations travel and reach the people who need them most. You are not broken. You are becoming.

Traumatic Brain Injury, Long-Haul COVID, and Neuroinflammation: Unlocking Brain Recovery with Scott Bukow

In this episode of NeuroAlchemy, Dr. Sarah Young sits down with researcher Scott Bukow for a conversation exploring traumatic brain injury, long-haul COVID, neuroinflammation, and the often-overlooked mechanisms involved in neurological recovery. Many people navigating brain injury or post-viral symptoms are told their scans look normal, yet they continue experiencing brain fog, fatigue, cognitive changes, sensory overwhelm, and nervous system dysregulation. Together, Sarah and Scott explore why that disconnect exists and what may actually be happening beneath the surface. This episode examines the overlap between traumatic brain injury and long-haul COVID, including the role of neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, autonomic imbalance, blood-brain barrier disruption, and the gut-brain axis. Topics explored include: • overlooked mechanisms in brain injury recovery • the connection between TBI and long-haul COVID • neuroinflammation and nervous system dysregulation • the gut-brain axis and brain health • neuroplasticity and cognitive recovery • environmental and inflammatory stressors • rebuilding trust after neurological change • integrative and functional approaches to healing At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: Healing is rarely linear. The brain is adaptable. And recovery often begins by reconnecting the pieces that were previously overlooked. 🌿 Micro Practice Invitation Choose one small supportive action for your brain this week. It could be: • stepping outside for natural light • reducing overstimulation • practicing slow breathing • adding one nourishing habit Small, repeated inputs help the nervous system relearn safety and support neuroplasticity over time. 🧠 Connect with Scott Bukow https://scottbuco.com [https://scottbuco.com] https://www.mybrainmechanic.com [https://www.mybrainmechanic.com] LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/scottbuco [https://linkedin.com/in/scottbuco] 🌿 Connect with Dr. Sarah Young https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935 [https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935] https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth [https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth] If this episode resonated with you, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. That’s how these conversations travel and reach the people who need them most. You are not broken. You are becoming.

Intuition, Somatic Healing, and Nervous System Regulation: Reconnecting with Inner Wisdom with Tracy Fance

In this episode of NeuroAlchemy, Dr. Sarah Young sits down with Tracy Fance for a grounded conversation exploring intuition, somatic healing, nervous system regulation, and reconnecting with inner wisdom. Together, Sarah and Tracy discuss how healing is not only mental, but deeply embodied. They explore how stress and trauma shape the nervous system, how intuitive signals are often quieted by overwhelm, and how reconnecting with the body can restore clarity, trust, and alignment. This conversation bridges neuroscience, emotional healing, and spiritual awareness in a practical, accessible way for listeners seeking deeper connection with themselves. Topics explored include: • the connection between intuition and nervous system regulation • how trauma is stored in the body • somatic healing in everyday language • learning to trust intuitive signals • spiritual and human alignment • emotional regulation and body awareness • releasing tension through somatic practices • small daily practices for healing and self-trust At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: Healing is not about becoming someone new. It is about reconnecting with what is already within you. 🌿 Micro Practice Invitation Take a few quiet moments this week to notice your internal signals. Instead of asking, “What should I do?” Try asking, “What am I noticing in my body right now?” Notice your breath, sensations, and emotional tone without judgment. This small shift can begin rebuilding trust with your inner guidance system. 🧠 Connect with Tracy Fance Website: https://tracyfance.com [https://tracyfance.com] Instagram: https://instagram.com/tracyfance [https://instagram.com/tracyfance] 🌿 Connect with Dr. Sarah Young https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935 [https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935] https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth [https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth] If this episode resonated with you, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. That’s how these conversations travel and reach the people who need them most. You are not broken. You are becoming.

Spiritual Parenting in an Artificial Age: Raising Children Who Stay Real with Phil Kobald

In this episode of NeuroAlchemy, Dr. Sarah Young sits down with Phil Kobald, author of Spiritual Parenting and host of the Holistic Circle platform, for a thoughtful conversation about parenting, authenticity, spirituality, and raising children in an increasingly artificial world. Together, Sarah and Phil explore what it means to cultivate inner alignment before trying to shape outward behavior, why children learn more from embodiment than correction, and how spirituality can become a grounded, practical part of everyday family life. This conversation invites listeners to slow down, reconnect with authenticity, and reflect on how nervous system regulation, modeling, mindfulness, and self-awareness shape the emotional environments children grow up within. Topics explored include: • spirituality in everyday language • spirituality versus religion • authenticity and emotional modeling • parenting in a technology-driven culture • inner alignment and nervous system regulation • mindful parenting and embodiment • helping children stay grounded in who they are • balance, self-awareness, and emotional presence • curiosity and spiritual development • creating meaningful ripple effects in family systems At the heart of this episode is a reminder: Children learn more from what we embody than what we say. Authenticity matters. And parenting begins within. 🌿 Micro Practice Invitation Pause for one intentional breath before responding to your child this week. Notice your own nervous system first. Then respond from presence rather than reactivity. Small moments of awareness create powerful ripple effects over time. 🧠 Connect with Phil Kobald Holistic Circle Platform Book: Spiritual Parenting 🌿 Connect with Dr. Sarah Young https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935 [https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935] https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth [https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth] If this episode resonated with you, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. That’s how these conversations travel and reach the people who need them most. You are not broken. You are becoming.