0067: The Body’s Language of Grief: Felt Emotion and Mind-Body Healing with Dr. Jenn Rapkin (Part 1)

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella sits down with naturopathic physician and body worker Dr. Jenn Rapkin to explore the body’s role in grief, trauma, and emotional healing. Together, they unpack the concept of “felt emotion” — the physical experience of emotions like grief, anxiety, anger, and overwhelm — and why so many people become disconnected from what their bodies are trying to communicate. Dr. Rapkin shares her personal journey from emotional numbing to deeper mind-body awareness, shaped by experiences with dance, OCD, chronic illness, and healing work. The conversation also explores how emotions can manifest physically, why grief often lives in the body, and how building tolerance for everyday feelings can strengthen resilience during more overwhelming experiences. This episode offers a thoughtful look at nervous system regulation, body awareness, emotional processing, and the importance of learning how to stay present with ourselves in difficult moments. Topics Discussed: • What “felt emotion” means • Why we disconnect from bodily sensations • Grief, anxiety, and trauma in the body • Mind-body healing and nervous system responses • The connection between emotional and physical experience • Building emotional resilience through body awareness • Safety, pacing, and staying present with difficult feelings • Dr. Rapkin’s integrative approach to healing and bodywork Purchase a copy of her book, The Feeling Muscle: https://drjennrapkin.com/ Stay tuned for part 2 dropping next week.