It Wasn’t Your Fault: Understanding Trauma Responses
⚠️ Content Note: Sexual Trauma This episode discusses sexual assault, trauma responses, and the neurobiology of survival. Please listen only when you feel safe and supported, and take breaks as needed.
In this transformative episode of Happiness On Tap, Leann Herron sits down with Nishita Rao—the first and only Indian AASECT-Certified Sex Educator, interdisciplinary researcher, and global leader in trauma-informed, culturally responsive sexual wellness. Drawing on her background in behavioral neuroendocrinology, sexology, and spiritual healing, Nishita breaks down the neurobiology of sexual trauma with unflinching clarity and deep compassion.
Together, we explore why your brain and body are not broken, but perfectly designed to protect you—even in moments of unimaginable harm.
We discussed:
How the brain functions (the difference between anticipatory vs. reactionary survival responses).
Survival Responses - why some survivors freeze, comply, or dissociate rather than fight or flee.
Survival Responses - habitual responses (fawning) and extreme survival reflexes (freeze, immobility, unconscious).
Unlearning and relearning.
How trauma impacts memory, making recall unclear or fragmented - this one is huge.
Why physiological arousal can occur during assault—and what that really means.
How cycles and patterns of abuse and trauma re-enactment take hold in the nervous system.
Tips for leaving an abusive situation.
Breaking the cycle of repeating similar situations with new partners.
The impact of gendered trauma and what systemic healing could look like.This conversation is a beacon of science, empathy, and hope—equipping survivors and allies alike with the understanding that healing is not only possible, but deeply human.
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Episode Resources:
Nishita Rao:
Affiliations & Alliances/Pillow Talk with Nixi: https://www.pillowtalkwithnixi.com/
Eros Coaching: https://www.eroscoaching.com/2025/06/nishita-rao/
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF): https://www.kapprofessionals.org/
About Nishita Rao https://www.pillowtalkwithnixi.com/about
Neuroscience Consultation https://cal.com/nishita-rao-ptwn
Trauma-Informed Care https://cal.com/soul-sync-sanctuary
Free Library https://www.pillowtalkwithnixi.com/sexscholarslibrary
You can also find her on Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
Leann Herron
Finding Resilience with Leann:
Website: https://findingresiliencewithleann.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannherron/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/findingresiliencewithleann
GET MORE SUPPORT👉Grab My FREE Ultimate Guide to Overcoming Overwhelmhttps://findingresiliencewithleann.co
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