The Aliveness Project: Conversations on Connection

The Aliveness Project: Conversations on Connection is a podcast from the NARM® Training Institute exploring the many dimensions of human connection. Hosted by members of the NARM community, including NARM founder Dr. Laurence Heller, this show invites guests from both inside and outside the world of NARM to share stories and insights from their unique areas of expertise.

Each episode centers around a conversation—sometimes clinical, sometimes personal, often both—that looks at what it means to be in connection: with ourselves, with one another, and with the world around us. Whether you're a therapist, a helping professional, or someone curious about the deeper layers of human experience, these episodes are designed to spark reflection, offer practical insights, and open up new ways of thinking about connection and the healing process.

At its heart, this podcast is about connection, re-connection, and aliveness—our birthright as humans. We’re grateful you’re here.

Guest

Nadine Macaluso, PhD

Dr. Nadine Macaluso (Dr. Nae) is a therapist, writer, and industry expert in narcissistic abuse, trauma bonds, and Complex PTSD. At 22, she married Jordan Belfort—the infamous “Wolf of Wall Street”—believing love could save him. After years in a trauma bond, she left at 30, beginning a journey of deep self-reflection and healing. This led her to pursue a PhD in counseling and somatic psychology, launching a career dedicated to helping others break free from abusive relationships.

Through her private practice, Dr. Nae has supported countless women navigating toxic dynamics, drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience. She is the author of Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds. A mother of five (plus two dogs), a cancer survivor, and a devoted advocate for survivors, Dr. Nae continues to educate and empower those impacted by relational trauma.

https://drnae.com/about-dr-nadine-macaluso/

Guest appearance on:

Surviving Narcissism: Dr. Nadine Macaluso on Trauma Bonds and Healing