NeuroHeir℠ Podcast: Somatic and Generational Healing Tools for Parents, Therapists, and Cycle Breakers
Did you know you inherit a nervous system shaped by the generations before you? Most of us don’t. Without realizing it, we end up repeating patterns, carrying silence, and holding burdens that were never ours to carry.
The NeuroHeir℠ Podcast is for cycle breakers…young adults, parents, and those in helping roles like teachers, coaches, healers, and therapists…who are ready to understand their nervous system through a generational lens, release what no longer serves, and consciously create the legacy they want to pass on.
This podcast will answer questions such as:
- Why does inherited trauma affect my body, not just my mind?
- How do I regulate my nervous system when I feel anxious, overwhelmed, or shut down?
- What does it really mean to “break cycles” without disowning my family?
- How can I help my kids feel safe and regulated when I’m still learning this myself
- What somatic practices can I use in real time to reset and reconnect?
Inside each episode, you’ll find nervous system education explained through a generational lens, somatic practices you can use right away (including my signature 4N framework: Notice, Name, Nurture, Navigate), research on generational trauma and resilience, and real-life stories through guest conversations and live coaching.
I’m Leanna Hunt, an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor and certified performance coach trained in somatic-based modalities. I use these approaches every day to help clients regulate their nervous systems, release inherited patterns, and reconnect with who they really are.
Subscribe today and take your first step toward becoming a NeuroHeir℠, because you may not have chosen what you inherited, but you can choose what comes next.
NeuroHeir℠ Podcast: Somatic and Generational Healing Tools for Parents, Therapists, and Cycle Breakers
8. Family, Food, and the Nervous System: Finding Regulation Around the Table
The day before Thanksgiving, or any family gathering, can stir up more than recipes and to-do lists. Our nervous system remembers past experiences and prepares us for what’s ahead, often long before the moment arrives.
In this episode, Leanna shares how family, food, and the body intertwine and why our survival patterns at the table are never random. You’ll hear personal reflections, somatic insights, and a gentle guided practice you can use to find your way back to regulation, no matter what dynamics unfold.
Together, we’ll explore:
- How your nervous system “preps” for the holidays before they even happen
- What fight, flight, freeze, and appease can look like around the table
- Why food can become both comfort and protector
- A one-minute grounding and Brainspotting resource practice you can use anytime
- How gratitude anchors safety in the present moment
This episode closes with a powerful reminder:
You can’t control the energy in the room, but you can care for your own nervous system.
Referenced Research & Readings
- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
- Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. New York: W. W. Norton.
- Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers (3rd ed.). New York: Henry Holt.
- Siegel, D. J. (1999). The Developing Mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are. New York: Guilford Press.
- Yehuda, R., Daskalakis, N. P., Bierer, L. M., et al. (2016). Holocaust exposure induced intergenerational effects on FKBP5 methylation. Biological Psychiatry, 80(5), 372–380.
💛 Takeaway Quote
“Gratitude isn’t pretending everything is fine; it’s allowing the body to recognize what is still safe, still steady, still good.”
Connect with me:
Instagram → @aligningwithleanna
Website → leannahunt.com
Disclaimer:
Although I am a licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, The NeuroHeir℠ Podcast is not a substitute for therapy, counseling, or medical treatment. The tools and practices I share are for educational and coaching purposes only. Every nervous system is unique, and what we discuss on this podcast should not replace your own individual therapeutic work or professional support.
The focus of this podcast is my coaching work, which centers on education, nervous system practices, and generational healing tools designed to support—not replace—your personal journey with a qualified provider.
If you are struggling with your mental health or experiencing overwhelming emotions, please seek support from a licensed professional in your area. You don’t have to do this work alone.