Play as a tool for connection | Debi John | #013 Mastering Change
Why is it that play – something so natural to children – becomes so elusive for adults? This week on Mastering Change, we speak to Debi John – founder of Play Healing CIC and a self-described “play pollinator” – about the science, spirit and social value of play. In the modern digital age where we feel increasingly stressed and overstimulated, play is more important than ever. Debi is on a mission to help adults reconnect with creativity, expression and their nervous system through play – as well as bond with children. “There’s pressure to be constantly jovial and playful with children, but it can feel fake. And I don’t think children need us to be like that.” In this open and honest conversation, Debi breaks down what it means to play and how it isn’t just a parenting technique or a child’s pastime – it’s a vital nervous system state, and an act of self-compassion. “Play is that ventral vagal state – the optimum state of performance – that we actually want to be in as adults.” We discuss: Why adults are afraid of play and why that needs to change Why play can feel pressuring, not freeing, especially for parents The difference between forced playfulness and authentic emotional presence How heartbreak, anxiety and creative expression are all linked How “play-fuelling” your life can help you find clarity, calm and connection How comparison kills joy which kills the desire to explore and play Whether you’re a parent, practitioner or simply someone feeling disconnected from joy, this episode might just reframe the way you see play – and how you play – forever. Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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Parenting gender diverse children | Rachel Hulstein-Lowe | #012 Mastering Change
“People say ‘it’s just biology’ but it’s more complex than we think.” Confusion and misinformation reigns around gender issues so in this episode we speak to Rachel Hulstein-Lowe – an expert in gender diversity and parent coach. As a parent of a non-binary child herself, Rachel advocates for young people navigating identity and is determined to bring a spotlight onto the needs of these children and families. “When a young person says, ‘this is who I am’ our number one job is to believe them.” In this episode, we discuss: The spread of misinformation around gender and sex and common misconceptions The need in Western society for binary and why it exists That it’s ok to not have all the answers; to sit in the discomfort What it means to really listen to children and how we can bridge build Rachel’s lived and learned experience as a professional and as a parent Closing the gap between professional knowledge and lived experience The political climate surrounding trans and gender-diverse youth and its impact on wellbeing Where to channel good intention and how to do it right Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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How loneliness and purpose determine your wellbeing | Leo Pruimboom | #011 Master Change
“Genes don’t control your life – your life controls your genes,” says Dr. Leo Pruimboom in the eleventh episode of Mastering Change. A clinical psychoneuroimmunologist, researcher and pioneer in systems-based medicine, Dr. Pruimboom is challenging everything we think we know about trauma, disease, genes, psychology and mental health. In this episode we discuss: Why most autoimmune diseases are misnamed (and aren’t autoimmune diseases at all) How loneliness rewires our organs The power of purpose – and how purpose of life intervention can shrink tumour size by 50% That genes do nothing on their own: it’s our environment or choice that activate or silence them The importance of spontaneous neural activity – and how doing nothing is medicine “You can take a human being out of nature, but you can’t take nature out of the human being.” Dr. Pruimboom makes a compelling case for the role of environment, connection, and behavioural agency in reversing modern illness. As he explains, we’re currently living in – and desperately trying to adapt to – a world we’re not made for. But thankfully, we have the capability to adapt: he reports the research showing that 120mins in nature per week can down regulate our blood pressure. Find out more by listening the whole conversation. PS. You can watch Dr. Pruimboom live at this year’s Transform Trauma Oxford by Masters Events – Europe's largest trauma conference. His talk, Everything is Everywhere at the Same Time will explore how the intricate connections between cells, organs and the environment shape mental health, emphasising the importance of relationships at every level of life in maintaining wellbeing. More info and Early Bird Tickets are here: https://mastersevents.com/oxford-2025/ Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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If you want to help people, change the system that hurt them | Dr Christy Gibson | #010 Mastering Change
"Trauma is in our bones. We inherit it through our lineage. And science supports that,” says Dr. Christy Gibson. This week on Mastering Change, we speak with Dr. Gibson – a physician and global trauma advocate – about trauma as a systemic issue, not just a personal one. It’s a powerful, inspiring conversation that reimagines the role of doctors, communities and systems in the face of trauma. Dr. Gibson isn’t your traditional physician, she’s creative and passionate about democratising trauma research, leaning into TikTok to educate (@tiktoktraumadoc). Her book, The Modern Trauma Toolkit, aims to improve health literacy and is written specifically for patients – to provide clarity and help people feel compassion for themselves. “I see really traumatised people causing more trauma at a political and industry level.” In this episode, she unpacks how trauma spreads and causes chaos on a global scale, explaining that most people don’t mean to cause harm, but do inadvertently. Medical professionals, she says, can unknowingly traumatise patients simply by failing to explain what they're doing. In this episode we discuss: Why the future of healthcare must be community-driven and holistic The importance of removing bias from diagnoses How trauma can hide in plain sight in clinical settings The power of storytelling and creative reframing in healing Why being a doctor today means stepping outside the ‘expert’ role She invites us to shift our entire perception of trauma – to look beyond individuals and recognise the hidden architecture of trauma within our systems. We tend to think of ourselves as powerless, but Dr. Gibson reminds us that while systems may feel immovable, change begins with community. Her mission isn’t just about her own power as a physician, but about activating collective agency. After all, as she puts it: If you want to help people, you need to change the system that hurt them. Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
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Psychedelic therapy for trauma | Chantelle Thomas | #009 Mastering Change
Is it possible that the most profound breakthroughs in trauma therapy come from altered states of consciousness? Healing trauma isn’t just about repair, it’s about reclaiming wholeness and reconnecting with the soul. This week on Mastering Change, we welcomed clinical psychologist and trauma healing expert Dr. Chantell Thomas and explored the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Dr. Thomas is the executive clinical director of Windrose Recovery – a residential addiction treatment centre that offers detoxification and integrated ketamine-assisted psychotherapy programmes. Over the past decade, she has also worked on clinical trials for other substances including MDMA and psilocybin – work that, she says, ‘helped me become a better therapist’. ‘Psychedelics are a trauma-reprocessing and resourcing tool’ Dr. Thomas points to psychedelics’ capacity to help individuals reconnecting with their own internal strength, clarity and healing mechanisms – especially when those inner resources have been depleted or blocked by trauma. In this episode we discuss: How psychedelics can disrupt patterns, bump us out of thought loops and reveal something to us from inside. Who is best placed to facilitate psychedelic-assisted journeys – what characteristics, skills and qualifications are important and whether the facilitator needs personal experience with the substance. That it’s often it’s the relationship between the therapist and the patient that really determines the success of the intervention. How true healing is not about “fixing” but about returning to a sense of innate wholeness. The misinformation around the topic of psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy. How follow-up integration work after a psychedelic journey is key for healing. How funding needs to be redirected towards new therapeutic modalities to make them more accessible Dr. Thomas is an advocate for the thoughtful, ethical use of ketamine, psilocybin and MDMA in therapeutic settings. She’s witnessed firsthand the relief, hope and possibility psychedelic therapy offers. But she’s also quick to remind us that it shouldn’t be viewed as a silver bullet – as with all forms of therapy, healing is a process that takes time and isn’t always easy. Tune in for grounded, expert-led insights on a topic that continues to spark discussion and debate. Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2025 for more details.
About Mastering Change | The trauma, mental health & wellbeing podcast
Welcome to Mastering Change, a podcast co-hosted by Emma and Araminta, where we engage in meaningful conversations centred around healing. In this series, we bring together leading experts, innovative thinkers, and emerging voices to connect knowledge with real-world impact in the areas of trauma, mental health and wellbeing. Each episode features insightful discussions with respected figures as well as promising new contributors to the field. We explore a range of topics with a focus on making this knowledge available for anyone interested in supporting their own healing journey or that of others. At Mastering Change, we understand the significance of conversation as a means of fostering understanding and growth. Our aim is to create a ripple effect, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and establishing a community where impactful voices are heard. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, we invite you to engage in thoughtful discussions that can inspire meaningful change in your practice and personal life. Join us as we explore critical insights and perspectives, encouraging a shared commitment to healing trauma.
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