In this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Bahar Esmaili, a clinical dentist that became airway centered, whose daughter's health crisis became the catalyst for a complete shift in her life's work. What began as a mother's concern over her daughter's health unraveled into a deep exploration of breathing, nervous system regulation, and the hidden forces shaping human vitality.

Tim and Dr. Esmaili explore how posture, breathing, gravity, and stress all shape the human experience and why most chronic disease may actually be a loss of adaptive capacity rather than a specific pathology.

Connect with Dr. Esmaili:

Instagram: @theairwayqueen

YouTube: @TheAirwayArchitect

Website: thevivosinstitute.com

In this episode of The Inciting Incident, Tim speaks with Dr. Mark Sherwood, former professional baseball player, SWAT officer, and law enforcement veteran turned functional medicine practitioner, about the moments that redirected his life and redefined his understanding of service.

A single statistic about first responder life expectancy became the catalyst for a profound shift in Dr. Mark's life. What began as a mission to protect and serve on the streets of Tulsa evolved into a global calling to help people reclaim their health, their agency, and their lives.

Along the way, Dr. Mark shares the story of a childhood dream carried for 15 years, a calling delivered through an unforgettable dream, and the realization that wellness is about far more than prescriptions.

Connect with Dr. Mark:

Personal Website: drmarksherwood.com

Company Website: fmidr.com

Instagram: @drmarksherwood

YouTube: @livingyourwellnesslife

What if the reactions running your life aren't conscious choices—but unprocessed memories stored deep in your body?

Licensed marriage and family therapist, trauma resolution specialist, and bestselling author Laurel Wiers joins Tim Shields to unpack how trauma, betrayal, and early attachment wounds quietly shape our relationships, nervous systems, and sense of self. From the science behind the amygdala and fight-or-flight responses to the profound healing power of inner-child work, Laurel explains why talk therapy often hits a ceiling—and what actually creates lasting change.

Together, they explore how subtle childhood moments can echo for decades, why betrayal is uniquely destabilizing, and how regulating the nervous system can unlock freedom, clarity, and authentic connection.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why trauma isn't the event—it's what never got processed
• How the nervous system drives relationships, triggers, and attraction
• What real healing looks like when you stop outsourcing safety and rescue yourself

If you've ever wondered why awareness isn't enough—or why your body reacts before your mind—this conversation might be your inciting incident.

Host: Tim Shields
🎙️ The Inciting Incident with Tim Shields
📸 Instagram: @timshieldswriter
🌐 Website: therealtimshields.com

Guest: Laurel Wiers
🧠 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist | Trauma Resolution Specialist
📘 Author of Betrayed Not Broken