I Wrote a Book! What You’ll Find Inside Healing Through the Vagus Nerve
Episode 53: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
View transcript on Buzzsprout
Amanda is officially an author. In this special episode, she opens up about her book Healing Through the Vagus Nerve (publishing May 2025), how the opportunity found her, what makes the book so different from others on the topic, and why it’s more than just another resource—it’s a heart-forward guide to nervous system healing. Part celebration, part behind-the-scenes, part practical education, this episode is your personal invitation to preorder the book and take your healing deeper.
What We Cover in This Episode
- Why Amanda never planned to write a book
- What the vagus nerve is and why it matters
- How low vagal tone impacts mental health
- What’s inside each chapter of Healing Through the Vagus Nerve
- How this book supports nervous system healing with clarity and compassion
From TikTok to Manuscript
Amanda never set out to write a book. But after an editor stumbled upon her TikToks, browsed her website, and sent an email, a spark was lit. The timing was, in her words, “comically inconvenient” (she’d just learned she was pregnant), but the vision was too aligned to ignore.
The book had to be practical, not preachy. Accessible, not academic. Human, not sterile. Amanda insisted that if she was going to write a book about the vagus nerve, it had to be rooted in real-life stories, tangible tools, and holistic education—not just facts and figures.
With the support of a stellar editor and illustrator, Amanda spent six months outlining and writing while preparing for the birth of her son. And the result? A beautifully designed, illustrated book that distills dense nervous system science into something you actually want to read, understand, and apply.
Why the Vagus Nerve Deserves a Book
For those newer to the podcast or nervous system work, Amanda offers a quick refresher:
The vagus nerve is your body’s primary communication highway between brain and body. It governs your parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” state that supports regulation, recovery, and connection. When vagal tone is low, symptoms like anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and emotional reactivity often show up. But here’s the hope: vagal tone can be improved.
Healing Through the Vagus Nerve is your guide to how.
Inside, you’ll learn what the vagus nerve is, how it functions, how to assess your nervous system health, and—most importantly—how to start healing through evidence-based, somatic tools.
What’s Inside the Book?
The book is broken into seven illustrated chapters:
- Understanding the Nervous System: How it works, what it regulates, and why it matters
- The Vagus Nerve: Anatomy, function, and its starring role in healing
- Mapping Your Nervous System: Tools to identify your patterns and track your state
- Vagal Tone: How to assess it, what hurts it, and how to support it
- Vagal Toning Practices: Research-supported tools like breath, movement, and touch
- Tailoring Tools to Your State: What to do when you’re activated vs. shut down
- Building a Regulated Life: How to create a sustainable routine for healing
Each chapter includes real client stories, personal experiences, and space for readers to reflect and apply what they’re learning.
What Makes This Book Different?
There are other books on the vagus nerve. Most are dense, dry, and difficult to get through. Amanda’s book is the opposite. Think of it like sitting down with someone who’s done the research, lived the journey, and wants to walk beside you—not lecture you.
And thanks to its full-color illustrations, the book doesn’t just tell you how the vagus nerve works. It shows you.
Whether you’re a therapist looking for new language, a person healing from trauma, or someone curious about the science of stress, this book was written with you in mind.
Three Tangible Takeaways
- The vagus nerve is central to regulation. Low vagal tone is linked to anxiety, depression, and chronic stress—but it can be improved through intentional practices.
- You don’t have to be a neuroscientist to heal. Understanding your nervous system is a powerful step toward change.
- This book is a tool, not a trophy. It’s meant to be highlighted, revisited, and used in your healing journey.
Looking for more personalized support?
- Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)
- Join me inside the Regulated Living Membership, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)
- Join my Release Class – Monthly guided nervous system regulation class
- Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!
- Download free resources here
*Want me to talk about something specific on the podcast? Let me know HERE.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
