The Toxic Effects of Isolation & How to Improve Your Connectability- With Anna Runkle

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Dec 3, 2025

Anna Runkle, an author and trauma coach, discusses the profound impact of psychological trauma on human connection. She shares insights on how disconnection can manifest as shame and anxiety and highlights the significance of addressing childhood connection wounds. Anna emphasizes the importance of self-regulation and personal connection before fostering relationships with others. Her personal journey through trauma inspires listeners to embrace healing practices and recognize the benefits of connection for overall well-being.

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ADVICE

Spot Covert Avoidance Patterns

Recognize covert avoidance when you unconsciously keep others at arm's length.
Do honest self-checks to spot patterns like choosing unavailable partners or cancelling plans.

INSIGHT

Stress Switches Off Reasoning

Trauma can deactivate the left frontal cortex under stress, lowering reasoning and raising emotion.
That neural shift explains impulsive, risky choices and difficulty predicting consequences.

ADVICE

Re-Regulate Before Reacting

When dysregulated, first re-regulate, then speak and decide.
Learn quick on-the-spot regulation to avoid covert avoidance like cancelling or numbing.

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Human connection is truly at the core of human health and happiness. But today, more than ever, it’s easy to be disconnected from others. With the rise in prevalence of issues like addiction, trauma and mental health conditions, true human connection is something we need to be intentional about adding into our lives. On today’s show, you’re going to learn about how trauma can block you from connecting with others and living your best life.

Our guest on today’s show is author and trauma coach, Anna Runkle. Her mission is to help folks across the world heal their trauma symptoms with self-directed regulation exercises. In this interview, Anna is sharing her story of overcoming trauma and how to break toxic patterns of loneliness, isolation, and unhealthy relationships.

You’re going to unlock the mindset shifts and tools you need to break the cycle of negative patterns. This episode is all about tapping into healing and connection so you can find true peace and joy. I hope you enjoy this interview with Anna Runkle!

In this episode you’ll discover:

How psychological trauma can affect you physically. (6:11)
What dysregulation is. (6:45)
How a childhood connection wound impacts the nervous system. (7:43)
The ways that feeling disconnected can affect your life. (10:21)
What covert avoidance is. (19:30)
How a connection wound can manifest as shame and anxiety. (23:56)
Why learning to connect with yourself first is essential. (25:10)
What to do when you feel dysregulated. (26:08)
The link between connection and boundary setting. (27:17)
How your nervous system can read other people and situations. (37:29)
Why talking about trauma can be dysregulating. (41:10)
How strengthening your ability to connect can help you heal from trauma. (51:29)
What The Daily Practice is. (1:01:34)
Why learning regulation helps level the playing field. (1:08:30)

Items mentioned in this episode include:

Paleovalley.com/model - Use code MODEL for 15% off!
Organifi.com/Model - Use the coupon code MODEL for 20% off + free shipping!
Connectability by Anna Runkle - Grab your copy of the book here!
The Daily Practice - Check out Anna’s FREE course!
Connect with Anna Runkle Website / Instagram / YouTube

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This episode of The Model Health Show is brought to you by Paleovalley and Organifi.

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