In this episode of the Zero Disturbance Podcast, we share a powerful story from a beachside restaurant in Portugal — where a loud fire alarm went off, but no one responded. This moment becomes a striking metaphor for how women often experience internal and external “alarms” from trauma, anxiety, or smear campaigns — even when they’re no longer in danger.

We explore how outdated nervous system responses (like panic, overthinking, or fear) often come from childhood survival strategies or abusive dynamics. Through therapy — particularly EMDR and Brainspotting — women can learn to recognize these false alarms, reclaim their power, and stop reacting to chaos that isn’t theirs to manage.

We also break down how narcissistic abuse and smear campaigns are designed to trigger alarm responses — and how women can stay grounded, neutral, and empowered in the face of that noise.

Key Takeaways:

• Not every alarm means danger — pause, assess, and trust your clarity.
• Trauma can be rewired — your nervous system can learn a new way to respond.
• Smear campaigns are strategy, not truth — and often reveal more about the abuser.
• You don’t need to fight the noise — you can live fully despite it.
• Keep dancing, even when the alarm goes off. 

Note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy. If you’re experiencing difficulties, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health provider. All stories, examples, and characters shared are fictionalized or composite representations. Any resemblance to actual persons or situations is purely coincidental and intended solely for educational illustration.

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With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.