147. From Trauma to Trust: Britt Piper on Somatic Healing, Survival, and Finding Love Again

What happens when the pain you’ve been running from becomes the very thing that sets you free? In this moving episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with somatic therapist and author Britt Piper to explore the transformative journey from trauma to healing. Britt shares her deeply personal story—of childhood abandonment, sexual assault, addiction, and eventual redemption—and how somatic therapy became the missing piece in her healing puzzle. Together, they dismantle the silence around pain, trauma, and recovery, while offering tangible tools to begin reconnecting with your body, your story, and your truth.

If you've ever felt like healing was out of reach or wondered if you'd ever be able to trust again—this conversation is your permission slip to begin.

Can We Ever Fully Heal From Trauma We Don’t Remember?

Britt answers this by redefining what healing actually looks like—and how the body always remembers, even when the mind does not.

00:01:13) Who Am I Without My Title? Britt’s Story Begins

• Britt shares how she’s choosing to define herself by her humanity, not her job.
• She opens up about being a survivor of complex trauma—and why authenticity matters now more than ever.
• Introduces somatic therapy and how it differs from traditional talk therapy.
• Describes the moment she realized trauma was stored in her body, not just her mind.

(00:05:50) Early Trauma, Numbing, and Rock Bottom in a Jail Cell

• Britt reflects on growing up in a household that ignored pain and buried emotion.
• She recounts the series of self-destructive behaviors that led to hospitalization and arrest.
• Shares how a judge’s unexpected words became a turning point: “You need to learn how to live with your pain.”
• Describes the raw, detox-like physical process of emotional release while in jail.

(00:13:55) The Healing Power of Somatics: Britt’s Transformation

• Britt explains how somatic experiencing changed her life—and how she got off meds as a result.
• She began training with pioneers like Dr. Peter Levine and launched her own trauma recovery program.
• Her book, Body First Healing, offers a blend of science and memoir to make trauma healing accessible.
• Emphasizes the body’s ability to heal when we stop bypassing it.

(00:17:30) Trust, Attachment & Finding Love After Trauma

• How Britt learned to trust again and build a relationship after abuse.
• She explores attachment styles and how her marriage helped her rewire old trauma.
• Her husband’s wisdom: “You need to learn to love yourself more than you love me.”
• Somatic tools for navigating relationships with grace, even when triggers arise.

(00:24:55) Inner Child Work, Co-Regulation & Somatic Love Language

• Britt breaks down “parts work” and how our younger selves show up in adult relationships.
• The science behind co-regulation and why calm nervous systems heal together.
• How to track body cues (like tightening or softening) to determine if something is a “yes.”
• The role of touch, consent, and boundary mapping in relational healing.

(00:26:48) Healing From Sexual Assault: Where to Start

• Why healing ≠ justice—and why survivors should never be pressured to report.
• Tools for reclaiming agency: from choosing how to share your story to developing a “support plan.”
• The Now What Workbook: Britt’s free guide to navigating life after sexual trauma.
• Key reminder: “You don’t need to relive it to heal it.”

(00:33:52) Motherhood, Panic Attacks & Intergenerational Healing

• How becoming a mom triggered Britt’s own unresolved early childhood trauma.
• The emotional and physical signals that led her to understand her anxiety...