Send us Fan Mail

In this mini-series episode, I revisit number three in the top ten most listened-to episodes: my conversation with Deb Dana, clinician, consultant, author, and the world’s leading translator of Polyvagal Theory — on loss, the nervous system, and what it means to trust your body through grief.

Deb brings both her professional expertise and something deeply personal to this conversation: the recent death of her husband Bob, and her own experience of navigating grief through the Polyvagal lens she has spent years teaching. We explore what the autonomic nervous system actually does in grief, why grief is a physiological experience and not only a psychological one, and how glimmers — micro-moments of safety and connection — can serve as anchors even in the heaviest loss.

This is one of the most honest and grounded conversations in the podcast’s history.

Listen to the original episode: Episode 85 — Deb Dana | Loss Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory

If this podcast is helping you, please consider leaving a 5-star review — it helps more people find this content when they need it most.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome
00:49 Today's episode
01:27 Welcome to the Mini Series
02:50 Top 10 - Number 3
03:24 About Deb Dana
04:58 Polyvagal Theory and grief
06:16 Glimmers and grief
06:57 What resonated with me
07:55 Why it resonated with listeners

Support the show

💡 If today’s episode touched you, please share it with someone who might need it.

🤝 Become a supporter of the show! Starting at $3/month & leave a review.

Stay Connected

• 🌐 Visit nathaliehimmelrich.com
• 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter for resources and updates
• 🎧 Never miss an episode—follow the podcast!
• 💛 Socials Instagram Facebook

Find Support Resources

• 💜 For Grievers – Resources
  https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/grief-trauma-support/
• 💜 For Supporters – Supporting someone https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/supporters-resources/
• 💜 Books – Explore books on grief and healing https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/books/
• 💜 Support – Offers - free and paid
  https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/free-resources-hub/