🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy (HHWW)! In this compelling episode, host Mary Meyer sits down with Dr. Davena Longshore, Executive Director of Research, Operations, and Development at the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health. With a powerful blend of lived experience and deep academic expertise in trauma, policing, and correctional psychology, Dr. Longshore opens up about her journey working in high-security prisons, her pivotal role in law enforcement wellness research, and her mission to bridge divides between law enforcement and marginalized communities. Recorded on Juneteenth, this episode is an honest, nuanced conversation about institutional trauma, empathy, bias, police mental health, and the complex roots of systemic challenges—plus, real-world solutions and hope for change.

🌟 Topics Covered: -Dr. Davena Longshore’s background in correctional psychology and trauma -The origins and mission of the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health -Wellness and mental health programs for law enforcement -The intersection of race, bias, and policing in America -Personal trauma and its impact on work in corrections and policing -Challenges and resistance to implementing mental health programs for police -Understanding the role of implicit bias and schemas in human behavior -Community-driven solutions to law enforcement and public trust -Best practices for bridging divides and creating officer/community wellness programs

Key Takeaways: -Empathy and trauma-informed care are essential in high-stress professions like corrections and policing, but they come with significant personal cost. -Acknowledging and addressing historical and systemic biases is crucial for real reform in law enforcement practices. -Programs aimed at officer wellness must also address masculinity norms, depression, PTSD, and substance use among officers—and should come from inside communities themselves. -Entrenching oneself in the lived experience of “the other”—whether that’s law enforcement or marginalized groups—can break down bias and foster understanding. -Positive, community-based policing—where officers become true members of the community—reduces crime, enhances trust, and creates real human connections.

Some Questions I Ask: -Can you share about the Cummings Foundation’s origins and mission in behavioral health? -What was it like working in a level four double-max security facility, and how did it shape your empathy and understanding of trauma? -How does trauma impact the personalities and home lives of corrections staff and law enforcement? -What are the systemic barriers to officer wellness, and how are your programs confronting resistance from police forces and communities? -How can people recognize and address their implicit biases—both inside and outside of law enforcement settings? -What are some real-world examples where community policing and wellness programs have made a measurable difference? -For listeners who want to bring these programs to their own communities, where should they start?

Learn More About Our Guest: -Connect/Get Support/Collaborate: Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health – https://cummingscfbh.org -Contact: info@cummingscfbh.org (general inquiry – see website)

Resources List: -Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health: https://cummingscfbh.org -Harvard Implicit Bias Tests: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/ (for testing your own biases) -American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/ -American Academy of Clinical Psychology: https://www.aacpsy.org/ -Society for Criminal and Police Psychology: https://www.scpdchiefs.org/ -Community Policing Resources (examples mentioned): [General reference, check your local community policing programs]
— Follow and subscribe for more stories that inspire healing, growth, and solutions for a healthier, happier, wiser, and wealthier world. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @HealthyHappyWiseWealthy.

If you’d like to bring law enforcement wellness programs to your area, or to support community healing, visit https://cummingscfbh.org or email the foundation for more information.

🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy (HHWW)! In this powerful and insightful episode, host Mary Meyer sits down with trauma and grief recovery specialist Jolyn Armstrong. With an impressive background in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), polyvagal theory, somatic practices, and breathwork facilitation, Jolyn walks us through the practical ways to heal from deep personal loss and navigate life’s toughest chapters—including experiences related to incarceration, grief, and high stress. Discover how healing the nervous system can transform your emotions and reclaim your power, whether you’re facing sudden loss, chronic anxiety, or emotionally manipulative environments.

🌟 Topics Covered:

• Trauma vs. grief: How to identify and address both
• Coercive control, cults, and emotional manipulation
• Supporting families affected by incarceration
• Breathwork techniques for stress and anxiety
• Radical acceptance and building resilience
• Jolyn’s workbook for trauma recovery and daily practice

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional trauma is NOT a sign of weakness or intelligence—it can happen to anyone and deserves compassion, not shame.
• There’s a difference between a hard event and trauma: trauma overwhelms the nervous system, takes away your control, and disrupts your identity.
• Radical acceptance and reframing “I can’t” to “I choose not to right now” can dramatically shift your sense of power and agency.

Some Questions I Ask:

• How can families support loved ones in prison, and what are the most common emotions they struggle with?
• How do you define coercive control or cult environments, and what warning signs should people look for?
• When should someone seek help for their nervous system or emotional well-being?
• What’s the story and intention behind your trauma recovery workbook?

Learn More About Our Guest:

• Website: grapevineinnerwellness.com
• Podcast: “The Grapevine Wellness Show” (featuring Reno-Tahoe wellness community)
• Book: “Trauma Recovery” workbook available on Amazon or through her website

(Mary mentions Jolyn sends personalized copies to her clients! Contact via website for info.)

Mary Meyer is the host of the Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy podcast. Mary is a media consultant who helps businesses expand their reach through video, audio and digital storytelling. Media training can grow your brand visibility, and we are here to help.
This is a video and audio podcast; the audio portion can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

🌟 Connect on Instagram and Facebook @HealthyHappyWiseWealthy

Resources List:

• Grapevine Inner Wellness
• Book: “Trauma Recovery” (Jolyn Armstrong) – available on Amazon
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
• Polyvagal theory resources (intro guides, books by Stephen Porges)
• Jolyn’s “The Grapevine Wellness Show” Podcast
• Bad Vegan documentary (referenced regarding coercive manipulation)
• DBT, CBT, and Somatic Practices – mental health education resources

YouTube Chapters:

Trauma, Grief, and When to Seek Help

Navigating Manipulation: Coercive Control, Cults, & Shame

Supporting Families of Incarcerated Loved Ones

Jolyn’s Workbook: Daily Practices for Healing

#TraumaRecovery #NervousSystemHealing #HealthyHappyWiseWealthy #MindfulnessTools #GriefSupport #PolyvagalTheory #SomaticHealing #BreathworkPractice

Whether you’re navigating grief, anxiety, or the shadow of a difficult relationship, this episode is packed with real tools to support your healing—plus the reminder that compassion and self-acceptance are always within reach. Subscribe for more wisdom on living a Healthy, Happy, Wise, Wealthy life! 🌱

🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy (HHWW)! In this powerful and insightful episode, host Mary Meyer sits down with trauma and grief recovery specialist Jolyn Armstrong. With an impressive background in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), polyvagal theory, somatic practices, and breathwork facilitation, Jolyn walks us through the practical ways to heal from deep personal loss and navigate life’s toughest chapters—including experiences related to incarceration, grief, and high stress. Discover how healing the nervous system can transform your emotions and reclaim your power, whether you’re facing sudden loss, chronic anxiety, or emotionally manipulative environments.

🌟 Topics Covered:

• What is DBT, and how does it differ from CBT?
• Reframing self-talk and empowering new perspectives
• Introduction to polyvagal theory and the vagus nerve
• Practical tools for nervous system regulation
• Understanding and applying somatic exercises
• Trauma vs. grief: How to identify and address both

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma and grief are nervous system injuries, not just mental states—true recovery comes from regulating your body, not just your thoughts.
• DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) introduces mindfulness and reframing, helping you hold multiple truths and empowering change.
• Polyvagal theory offers insight into why your body reacts the way it does and provides immediate grounding tools to restore calm.
• Many somatic and breathwork exercises can be practiced anywhere, helping you respond to stress in the moment.
• Emotional trauma is NOT a sign of weakness or intelligence—it can happen to anyone and deserves compassion, not shame.
• There’s a difference between a hard event and trauma: trauma overwhelms the nervous system, takes away your control, and disrupts your identity.
• Radical acceptance and reframing “I can’t” to “I choose not to right now” can dramatically shift your sense of power and agency.

Some Questions I Ask:

• What’s the difference between CBT and DBT? Why does “reframing” matter?
• Can you walk us through the polyvagal theory and how it applies to stress?
• How can someone know if what they’re experiencing is trauma versus just a hard life event?
• What are simple somatic exercises or breathwork techniques people can use in public or at home?

Learn More About Our Guest:

• Website: grapevineinnerwellness.com
• Podcast: “The Grapevine Wellness Show” (featuring Reno-Tahoe wellness community)
• Book: “Trauma Recovery” workbook available on Amazon or through her website

(Mary mentions Jolyn sends personalized copies to her clients! Contact via website for info.)

Mary Meyer is the host of the Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy podcast. Mary is a media consultant who helps businesses expand their reach through video, audio and digital storytelling. Media training can grow your brand visibility, and we are here to help.
This is a video and audio podcast; the audio portion can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

🌟 Connect on Instagram and Facebook @HealthyHappyWiseWealthy

Resources List:

• Grapevine Inner Wellness
• Book: “Trauma Recovery” (Jolyn Armstrong) – available on Amazon
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
• Polyvagal theory resources (intro guides, books by Stephen Porges)
• Jolyn’s “The Grapevine Wellness Show” Podcast
• Bad Vegan documentary (referenced regarding coercive manipulation)
• DBT, CBT, and Somatic Practices – mental health education resources

YouTube Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Jolyn’s Credentials

04:28 Cognitive vs. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CBT vs. DBT)

10:30 Polyvagal Theory Explained + Grounding Exercises

15:30 Somatic Practices & Releasing Trauma from the Body

22:40 Reframing, Radical Acceptance & Real-World Applications

29:00 Breathwork for Stress—Easy At-Home Techniques

33:55 Trauma, Grief, and When to Seek Help

#TraumaRecovery #NervousSystemHealing #HealthyHappyWiseWealthy #MindfulnessTools #GriefSupport #PolyvagalTheory #SomaticHealing #BreathworkPractice

Whether you’re navigating grief, anxiety, or the shadow of a difficult relationship, this episode is packed with real tools to support your healing—plus the reminder that compassion and self-acceptance are always within reach. Subscribe for more wisdom on living a Healthy, Happy, Wise, Wealthy life! 🌱