Episode 370: From Trauma to Regulation to Resilience with Neurobiologist Dr. Bruce Perry

Raising Boys & Girls

That Sounds Fun Network

Religion & Spirituality, Kids & Family, Christianity, Parenting

4.9 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 28 April 2026

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Dr. Bruce Perry unpacks the difference between stress, adversity, and trauma, helping parents shift from asking “what’s wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?” He explains how moderate, predictable stress actually builds resilience, while overprotection can limit a child’s growth. He also highlights the powerful role of relationships—especially how a regulated parent can calm a dysregulated child—and offers practical ways to foster connection through rhythm, movement, and presence. Ultimately, he reminds us that understanding a child’s story is key to helping them heal and grow. Resources mentioned: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential—and Endangered by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey . . . . . . Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. HOPE SPRINGS: Listen along to Hope Springs, https://tinyurl.com/RBGHopeSprings, a family audio drama series following the lives and adventures of a few Colorado kids QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. NIV ILLUSTRATING BIBLE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGNIVIllustratingBible to learn more about the NIV Illustrating Bible. EVERYBODY GET A JUICE BOX: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGJuiceboxPodcast to learn more about this podcast on neurodiverse parenting. SHOPIFY: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGShopify to learn more about Shopify!CASPER: Save up to 30% on mattresses and up to 35% on everything else when you go to Casper.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	When was the last time you stopped and listened to your body?
0:03.0	Here's a Holland and Barrett ad break to do just that.
0:06.0	Go on. Have a listen to your gut.
0:10.0	Is that a gurgle?
0:12.0	A rumble?
0:14.0	Is it straining after lunch?
0:16.0	Or is it saying...
0:18.0	You've got to show me love.
0:42.1	We know what your body's asking for. In store online on the app. Back Your Raising Boys and Girls podcast.
0:43.4	I'm Sissy Goff.
0:47.8	And I'm David Thomas, and we're so glad you've joined us for this conversation.
0:49.1	Let's dive in. Over the last 30 years, Dr. Bruce Perry has been an active teacher, clinician, and researcher in children's mental health.
1:03.6	His work on the impact of abuse, neglect, and trauma on the developing brain has impacted clinical practice, programs, and policy across the world.
1:13.7	Dr. Perry is the author of The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, a Best Selling Book based on His Work with Maltreated Children, and Born for Love, Why Empathy is Essential and Endangered.
1:25.7	Dr. Perry's most recent book, What Happened to You, Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, has been translated into 26 languages, and it's been on the New York Times bestseller list for over 100 weeks after becoming number one on the list in April of 2021. You all stick around at the end of the
1:47.8	conversation. He talks about this magic equation of being parallel and patient. It's incredible.
1:55.6	He doesn't just talk about what it is. He talks about practical ways to do it. You are going to love
2:00.5	this conversation.
2:02.3	Thank you for having me.
2:04.5	I'm honored to be here.
2:07.2	I look forward to the conversation.
2:09.3	And I have to say, I get a little bit too much credit for that language about changing the way you view things from what's wrong with you to what happened
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from That Sounds Fun Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of That Sounds Fun Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.