Welcome back to The Trauma Safe Lab, where we explore how trauma shapes our bodies, minds, and everyday connections. In this episode, host Jennifer Nanda welcomes emergency physician and restorative justice advocate Dr. Ruby J. Long for a deep dive into the emotional responses that reveal hidden trauma.

Together, they unravel why trauma doesn't always look like classic flashbacks or anxiety; instead, it can show up as irritability, shutdown, anger, or even people-pleasing. Dr. Ruby Long shares her frontline experiences from the ER, illuminating how trauma is stored in the body, why emotional and physical symptoms often overlap, and how survival mechanisms like fawning, fighting, and emotional dissociation take root, especially for those in marginalized communities or high-stress workplaces.

Throughout this insightful conversation, the episode offers practical grounding techniques and discusses the vital role of emotional safety in healing for both patients and providers. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a trauma survivor, or simply curious about how emotional reactions are clues to deeper wounds, this episode will get you thinking about the invisible armor we all carry and how we might begin to lay it down.

Timestamps:

00:00 Listening to the body's signals
03:57 Emotional health and medical response
09:32 Understanding children's fear responses
12:51 Understanding Fawning as a Defense Mechanism
16:48 Managing Difficult Patient Interactions
18:02 Using restorative justice principles
21:56 Understanding emotional self-protection
27:34 Personal relaxation techniques
29:42 Potential as a children's book author
32:20 The power and impact of shame
35:48 Shame and cultural misunderstandings
38:42 Cultural shame and patient trust
43:15 Reconciling dual personalities
45:06 Privilege and personal defenses discussion
48:18 Living with PTSD and autism
53:21 Stress relief techniques in tough situations
57:37 Discovering Restorative Justice in Healthcare
58:51 Finding Dr. Ruby online

Show Website - https://traumasafelab.com/

Jennifer Nanda - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansjen/

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”