Dr. Amy Apigian on the fascinating and often overlooked—biology of trauma. 

• [00:00 ] Introduction and shared connection around trauma, resilience, and Armenian heritage.
• [05:00 ] Story of becoming a foster parent during medical training and first encounter with childhood trauma.
• [15:00 ] Struggles of supporting traumatized children without adequate tools or professional guidance.
• [25:00 ] Personal health breakdown leading to chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and a deeper look into trauma biology.
• [35:00 ] Discovery that therapy alone wasn’t enough — biology and physiology also play key roles in trauma.
• [45:00 ] Explanation of stress at the cellular level, mitochondria changes, and the “cell danger response.”
• [55:00 ] Distinction between stress, overwhelm, trauma, and how burnout develops.
• [01:05:00 ] How trauma is stored in memory and physiology, with a personal story illustrating hidden trauma.
• [01:20:00 ] Exploration of chronic pain, sleep issues, IBS, and how they relate to a dysregulated nervous system.
• [01:35:00 ] Survival mode shuts down detoxification and accumulates toxins over years, leading to illness.
• [01:45:00 ] Why nervous system regulation is the essential first step in healing — but not the full solution.
• [01:55:00 ] Introduction of cellular repair to address oxidative stress, DNA damage, and generational trauma.
• [02:10:00 ] A holistic framework for healing: mind, body, and biology working together (“small hinges move big doors”).
• [02:25:00 ] Guidance on where to start: choosing manageable steps that build momentum and confidence.
• [02:35:00 ] Closing reflections on living more fully alive, plus resources, book, and social links.

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