Ep18: Grounding in Chaos: Jennie Pool on Healing and Safety

Unfamiliar Isn’t Unsafe: Healing the Nervous System After Trauma.On the Irene Podcast, therapist Jennie Pool returns to discuss healing and nervous system safety, emphasizing that “unfamiliar is not the same as unsafe” and that change requires building nervous-system capacity to tolerate the unfamiliar rather than relying on willpower. They explore how people may loop back to harmful patterns because the nervous system prefers familiar pain, how grounding and rest help recalibrate, and how nature, movement, and personal rituals (like walking, fresh air, or earthing) reduce tension. They describe challenges after abusive relationships, including expecting “the other shoe to drop” in healthy relationships, and how safe partners and secure attachment bonds help reorient to peace. Practical steps include identifying safe places and people, connecting to community resources, rebuilding self-care routines, and using 24/7 tools for support. They also cover helping adult children heal from abusive homes through invitations to therapy, respecting window of tolerance, listening, apologizing, and modeling repair.00:00 Welcome Back Jennie00:44 Familiar Versus Safe02:16 Rewiring For Safety03:46 Rest And Recovery04:13 Grounding In Nature06:46 City Energy And Adaptation07:55 Ocean Healing Ions09:24 Safe Love After Chaos12:42 Attachment As Anchor14:32 Daily Grounding After Abuse16:29 Micro Self Care Steps17:04 Movement And Fresh Air20:33 Community Resources Help21:18 Helping Adult Children Heal23:03 Window Of Tolerance24:57 Be A Safe Parent29:50 Hold Space And Repair32:31 Apologies Teach Skills33:42 Podcast Wrap UpJennie with Mend CounselingWebsiteInstagramCheck out Irene Cares on other platforms:- Irenegpt.ai- Instagram- TikTok- Youtube