Dr. Nadine Burke Harris explains how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) trigger lasting biological changes—dysregulating stress response systems, altering brain development, and increasing risks for chronic disease, addiction, and early mortality. Drawing from the landmark CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, she highlights that two-thirds of people have at least one ACE, and risk escalates cumulatively. She details how trauma affects the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and cortisol pathways—and how nurturing relationships, sleep, exercise, and mindfulness can biologically buffer these effects, partly via oxytocin. Her work pioneered de-identified ACE screening in California to encourage honest reporting without fear of punitive consequences. She reframes ACEs not just as risk factors but as sources of adaptive strengths—like heightened perception or resilience—forged through survival. Personal reflections on her mother’s schizophrenia, the loss of her son, and racialized stress underscore how identity and inequity compound biological burden. Crucially, she emphasizes that healing is neurobiologically possible: one safe relationship, consistent self-care grounded in science, and systemic, trauma-informed care can interrupt intergenerational cycles and advance health equity.