Monday, October 13, 2025

Episode 61 with Evan Gatte In the latest episode of "Trauma and Transcendence," Amanda M. Dodd sits down with Evan Gatte, owner of Dale McCutcheon's Martial Arts School, to explore the transformative power of martial arts in trauma healing. Evan shares his journey from student to owner, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and mindfulness in every movement. Discover how martial arts can be a path to resilience, offering a unique blend of physical, mental, and emotional growth. Evan's insights into the mind-body connection and the role of meditation in martial arts provide a fresh perspective on healing. Whether you're seeking self-defense skills or a deeper understanding of yourself, this episode is a must-listen.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it lodges itself in the body and nervous system. After a traumatic event, your system is flooded with stress hormones, your vagus nerve is often stuck in high-alert mode, and you may feel dissociated, numb, hypervigilant, or emotionally overwhelmed. What you do in the hours and days after a trauma matters. In fact, research shows that early, trauma-informed interventions can significantly reduce the likelihood of PTSD developing. Here are 9 science-backed, soul-soothing self-care tools to support your healing right now—no diagnoses or deep diving required. Just gentle, grounding, and effective practices to help your nervous system remember: you are safe now. These tools are not about fixing yourself—they’re about reclaiming your safety, one small, loving act at a time.