Emotional Inheritance with Dr Galit Atlas
Podcast Release
The stories we carry are not just our own. They are threads woven into the fabric of our being—passed down through generations, stitched together with love, resilience, pain, and silence. These inherited narratives, often unspoken and invisible, shape our emotions, behaviors, and choices in ways we rarely pause to examine. Yet, they live in us—deep in the marrow of our bones, the beat of our hearts, and the subtle shifts of our nervous systems.
A few weeks ago for In This Body, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Galit Atlas, a psychoanalyst, clinical supervisor, and author whose groundbreaking work illuminates the concept of emotional inheritance. In her book, Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma, Dr. Atlas invites us to explore how the experiences of our ancestors live on within us, shaping our emotions, relationships, and even the way we inhabit our bodies. Her work, deeply grounded in psychoanalytic theory and enriched by personal storytelling, offers a compassionate lens through which we can understand the silent imprints of trauma, desire, and unspoken family legacies.
Dr. Atlas’s, a trained analyst, book is deeply aligned with the wisdom of depth psychology, which holds that the unconscious is not only a repository for individual experience but also a vessel for the collective stories of those who came before us. Jungian analyst Marion Woodman often wrote about how the body holds the residues of unprocessed grief, unmet desire, and ancestral wisdom. She suggested that the psyche seeks integration through the body, which acts as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious realms.
As Woodman said, “The body knows... it remembers, and it will speak if we listen.”
This listening is at the heart of intergenerational healing. The body is not just a vessel of personal experience but a sacred container for the legacy of those who came before us. Epigenetics adds a scientific layer to this understanding, revealing how trauma experienced by one generation can leave chemical marks on the DNA of subsequent generations. These changes do not alter the genetic code itself but influence how genes are expressed—shaping stress responses, emotional regulation, and even physical health in descendants.
As we consider this, I invite you to reflect:
What patterns or sensations do you notice in your body that might reflect an ancestral story? Pause and listen to your body. What arises when you hold this question?
What emotions feel larger than your own experience? Consider whether a fear, grief, or longing might belong not just to you but to the generations before you.
Dr. Atlas’s exploration of emotional inheritance reminds us that these inherited imprints are not solely burdens; they are also a source of wisdom. When we bring awareness to the stories embedded in our bodies, we honor not just the wounds but also the resilience and strength of our ancestors. Healing becomes a process of integrating what has been forgotten, silenced, or buried.
Jungian thought encourages us to see this work as a kind of alchemy—the transformation of inherited shadow material into gold. This transformation requires us to sit with discomfort, to feel into the tensions that arise when we confront the legacies we carry. As Marion Woodman wrote, “The pain of transformation is that we must live through our darkness and come to know our shadow.”
To begin this process, ask yourself:
What does my body remember that my mind does not? Place a hand on your heart or belly, close your eyes, and allow yourself to feel. What sensations, images, or emotions surface?
What would it mean to honor the wisdom of my ancestors? Consider ways you can bring ritual or intentionality into your life to acknowledge their stories—whether through journaling, creating art, or simply speaking their names aloud.
Through her clinical work and writing, Dr. Atlas shows us that intergenerational healing is not about severing ties to the past but about creating space to hold and integrate it. This integration allows us to move from reactive patterns rooted in inherited trauma to a more intentional, embodied way of living.
Depth psychology and epigenetics converge in their acknowledgment that transformation requires both an inner and outer turning. It is not enough to understand these legacies intellectually; we must embody the healing process. As we do, we create new pathways—not just for ourselves but for future generations.
As you listen to this episode of In This Body, consider the ways in which your own story is interwoven with those who came before you. Reflect on what you wish to carry forward and what you are ready to release.
You can listen to the full conversation with Dr. Galit Atlas here.
Connect with Dr. Galit Atlas
Website: galitatlas.com
Instagram: @galit_atlas
Books:
Stay Connected
Learn more about Ailey Jolie:
Website: aileyjolie.com
Instagram: @aileyjolie
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Website: in-this-body.com
Instagram: @inthis.body
Email: hello@in-this-body.com
Through this work, we are invited to pause, listen, and honor the interconnectedness of our personal and ancestral stories.