In this episode, I welcome Robin Stokes, a social worker, U.S. Army veteran, author, and the visionary behind Mastering Experiences, for an honest conversation about surviving domestic violence, reclaiming her voice, and finding a path toward healing.
...Adrienne shares how traumatic experiences shaped her sense of safety and affected different areas of her life. She also discusses the practices that have supported her healing, including prioritizing self-care, connecting with supportive people, listening to her intuition, and practicing gratitude.
...Sinta’s professional training includes work as a First Responder, Resilience Practitioner, Strategic Life Coach, Complementary Therapist, Trauma Debriefing Specialist, Holistic Counsellor, Parenting Coach, Separation and Divorce Mentor, and Training Provider.
...During our conversation, Lizbeth shares more about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the idea of the “multiple mind.” We talk about how the different parts of us can carry pain, fear, and old experiences, and how getting to know those parts can help us better understand ourselves and our healing.
...Karly Stein is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, international speaker, advocate, and trauma survivor who has transformed adversity into purpose. Through creativity, authentic storytelling, and community advocacy, she inspires others to embrace resilience, self-acceptance, and the belief that even life’s greatest challenges can become sources of strength.
...Devorah Hake Brinckerhoff is a professional artist and transformational guide who developed Soul Portraits, a healing methodology that combines artistic expression with spiritual and emotional work to help people transform trauma into empowerment.
...With over two decades experience in healthcare, the beauty industry, education, and the performing arts, Dr. Melissa brings a refreshingly unique perspective to holistic wellness. As a plus-size burlesque performer, she has experienced firsthand the transformative power of embracing visibility, pleasure, and confidence in a world that often encourages women to take up less space.
...Tina Andrews is an educator, lawyer, and entrepreneur, and the Founder and Director of Adore Family Services, Inc., a therapeutic foster care agency serving children and families across Northern Virginia and promoting adoption through foster care.
...Maurine Xavier is a Speaker and Guide for Trust, Clarity, and Peaceful Living. She supports successful women who feel overwhelmed, stuck in their thoughts, or caught in patterns of self-doubt, overthinking, and second-guessing.
...John P. Boyle is an engineer, entrepreneur, executive advisor, and author whose life and work reflect a blend of Appalachian grit, business leadership, and principled purpose. Born into a multi-generational family of coal miners and raised in Kingwood, West Virginia, John’s story is rooted in hard work, resilience, and deep respect for the people and places that shaped him.
...Cyndee has worn many hats throughout her life, teacher, counselor, wife, mother, widow, patient, and writer. After spending more than 25 years in education, she now shares her own journey of grief, chronic illness, resilience, and hope to encourage others who may be walking through difficult seasons.
...JULIE BARTH is a writer, mother of six, trauma survivor, and founder of the Colin James Barth Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women-led households in times of crisis. Julie’s memoir, NOTES FROM A BLACKBERRY, is a deeply moving account of love, loss, and resilience, chronicling her journey as a special needs parent while navigating the heartbreaking realities of her first husband’s battle with cancer.
...Maribeth Swan is guided and grounded by the power of ritual connection to the Divine calling us into deeper relationship with all aspects of Nature, including our own. Her intuitive and trauma informed work focuses on unraveling unproductive patterns through the alchemy of custom flower essences, compassionate inquiry, and holding sacred space.
...Christina Braver writes steamy, contemporary romance usually set in the Pacific Northwest. Her stories are character driven and feature strong heroes with softer sides, heroines who make it happen, and the guaranteed happily-ever-after we all need.
...Kendra is an eclectic therapist who is passionate about her clients becoming healthier versions of themselves and believes that anyone who is willing to put forth the genuine effort to achieve personal growth could transform the narrative of their healing journey. Kendra balances accountability and support while helping her clients navigate their daily struggles but also encourages them to take back their power to be autonomous. Kendra advocates for the improved quality of therapeutic services from the person-centered approach and feels that her determination to be a change agent on the local/state government level will have a positive impact on legislation in the near future.
...Beth Wilson is an intuitive guide, energy healer, international best-selling author and Biomagnetism practitioner. Her work is Spirit-driven and deeply personal. She offers support, guidance, and healing for those navigating transformational shifts, emotional blocks, or a desire to be more fully aligned with soul expression and integrated wellness. She began her career in the U.S. Congress, eventually moving into publishing and media. Her first book, Meditations for New Mothers was a run-away bestseller, selling over 1 million copies. Beth published five additional parenting books to great success. During media tours—radio, TV and speaking—she profoundly connected with others while voicing the joys, anxieties and challenges of parenthood.
...Lauren Kappel is a sales leader and the founder of Your Boss Vibe, a coaching platform focused on helping women own and articulate their value so they can create better opportunities, increase their income, and show up more confidently in the rooms that matter.
...At the heart of her work, Dr. Gertrude Lyons has a deep commitment to helping every individual understand, realize, and own their inherent value, guiding them toward living the life they’ve always dreamed of. Whether it is through her writing, on her retreats, in her corporate workshops (Google, Junto, Accuity Group…), and in her one-on-one coaching, she works directly with people, coaching them with a nurturing, mothering energy that helps them find balance between creating the life they choose to embody and releasing what no longer serves them.
...Amy Vincze has been a dedicated professional in the health and wellness industry for over 20 years. As a certified Massage Therapist, Nutritional Therapist, Colon Hydrotherapist, Reiki Master, and Tapping Coach, she brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Since earning her certification as a Tapping Coach 16 years ago, Amy has witnessed profound transformations—both in her own life and in the lives of her clients. She has even used tapping to heal herself from painful, chronic medical conditions. As the founder of the Soar with Tapping App, Amy is on a mission to make the life-changing benefits of tapping accessible to people everywhere. She firmly believes that tapping is one of the most powerful and transformative healing tools available today.
...Aly Angel is a Nurse Practitioner and U.S. Army Veteran. She began her career caring for the underserved, uninsured and underinsured community. She believes in the importance of giving back and paying it forward. She has lived in different states and countries and has a wealth of knowledge of cultural awareness and cultural competence. She has served on various committees in a variety of organizations. She is alumni of the AANP Executive Leadership Program. Aly l has served as an item writer, item reviewer and now serves on CMSRN Test Development Committee for the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB). She currently serves on the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing (ISAPN) Awards Committee and Program Committee. She is the Nurse Practitioner in Women’s Health (NPWH) Regional Community Chair for the Great Lakes Region.
...Linda Feig Knipe is a retired Medina High School counselor. Knipe is a Rotarian, sits on the board of Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council, and is an active church member. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam and a Master’s Degree and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Counselor Education from SUNY University at Buffalo.
...Lisa Happ is a Certified Trauma and Divorce Coach, Grief Specialist, Certified Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach, and Breakup Recovery Mentor. She supports women navigating heartbreak, betrayal, loss, and the aftermath of toxic or abusive relationships—guiding them toward healing, clarity, and empowerment.
...Therapist confronts childhood abuse, sharing a powerful story of survival, resilience and empowerment in new memoir
SEATTLE – Seasoned psychotherapist Carol Odell’s memoir “Girl, Groomed: A Therapist’s Memoir of Trauma” (She Writes Press, April 22, 2025) is an unflinching exploration of her journey to confront and heal from the complex trauma of childhood sexual abuse within the world of Virginia’s equestrian show-jumping circuit.
Lisa Tickel is a resilient survivor of childhood abuse, dedicated to an inspiring journey of healing and transformation. After spending many years in survival mode, simply trying to get by, Lisa worked diligently to heal and reach a new chapter in her life. Her personal experiences have empowered her to help others embark on their own healing journeys. Her goal here is to help others shorten their suffering and she offers two ways to help others.
...Gina Economopoulos was born in Syosset, NY, to a strong Italian and Greek-loving family. She graduated from Eastern CT State University and bartended before embarking on a 12-year convent journey after her mother’s passing. Settled on the Jersey Shore, Gina now works as an End-of-Life Doula, extending her compassionate heart to those in their final chapter. She found solace in sobriety as a proud Alcoholics Anonymous member, and her story of resilience through tragedy and faith inspires others to face life’s challenges.
...Melissa Saleh is a force of nature—former lawyer and journalist turned serial entrepreneur, masterful storyteller, and advocate for survivors of trauma. With a career spanning technology, media, and brand strategy, she has shaped the narratives of Fortune 500 giants and startups alike, helping them carve out their place in a fast-moving world.
...Melissa Crook is a woman in her 50’s who currently lives in Fresno, CA with the great love of her life, best friend, spouse, and father of their children, Brady Crook. Melissa loves her husband, her daughters, her son-in-law, the beach, the lake, sunsets, mountains (you can take a woman out of the
...PATRICIA BONIS is a renowned interior designer who has spent more than three decades designing the homes, offices, and embassies of some of the world’s most influential leaders, including top CEOs, ambassadors, and international financiers.
...Experiencing childhood trauma often means you have a hard time dealing with your emotions in a healthy way. Have you noticed this? This can lead to what’s called complicated grief when you experiences losses as an adult. Complicated grief is like being stuck in a deep sadness that doesn’t get better with time. This happens because the old hurts that were never sorted out come back up when you are mourning, making it hard for you to find peace and closure.
...DR. DAVID CHOTKA has taught nationally and internationally on prayer principles and equipping for more than twenty-five years. He is the founder and director of Spirit-Equip Ministries, an organization designed to help people grow in the spiritual disciplines one small step at a time (www.spiritequip.com).
...R. Scott Holmes is a quantum healing practitioner, transformational coach, and Amazon bestselling author whose work bridges science, spirit, and the human heart.
...Tonya has always been intuitively blessed with a multitude of skills and has been able to gain a broad array of employment opportunities both as a teenager in Ohio and as a single mom here in California. As a single parent for over 10 years, Tonya has always possessed a strong work ethic and the ability to train, teach, motivate, and facilitate these skills in others with her “We Can” attitude.
...Emily Taylor Van De Ven is the founder of Taylor Made Triumph. In January 2022, her husband, Ben, was tragically attacked while volunteering in Peru, leaving him in a vegetative state for nearly three years before his passing. This season of deep grief and profound loss reshaped everything Emily thought she knew about life, faith, and purpose.
...Tracie Root is a dynamic speaker, transformational retreat leader, podcast host, and founder of *The Gather Community*—a vibrant nationwide network where women entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and rise together. With over a decade of experience coaching women leaders to take bold, decisive action in life and business, Tracie brings unmatched energy and heart to every stage, microphone, and mastermind she leads.
...Tami DeMello grew up in an environment marked by deprivation and trauma, and she discovered that writing became a powerful path toward healing. Through consistent journaling, she experienced profound personal benefits and now shares that practice with others.
...Michelle Parker is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over 19 years of experience, working with clients from all walks of life and helping them navigate through life’s challenges. Michelle has a background in psychology and counseling, which allows her to provide a holistic approach to counseling. Michelle holds an independent license in three states. She offers supervision for LMSWs.
...Gloria K. Vanderhorst has 50 years of experience helping preschoolers through adults examine emotional needs and heal from trauma. She has worked with individuals, families, groups, and schools. Our brains record experiences from the moment we are born. Our storehouse of experiences can be used to help us or harm us.
...Shelli Roberts is a Life Alchemist, Transformational Energy Healer, and Success Mentor who works with Awakened Souls who are feeling the Call to Be, Do, and Have more out of their life. Her life experience of narcissistic abuse trauma and inner healing uniquely enable her to empower, guide, and foster healing for spiritual individuals on this same recovery journey so they may understand themselves in new ways that will enable them to become more confident, more successful, more joyful, and to unleash their passion into all aspects of their lives – a lot faster than she did!
...Laura K. Connell is a trauma-informed author and coach who helps people heal from the devastating impact of family scapegoating and narcissistic abuse. She writes about these and other dysfunctional family dynamics at her website, laurakconnell.com.
...Jen Rigley is an author, motivational speaker and personal transformation expert focused on women’s empowerment and living your best life after 50. Her mission is to inspire and empower women in midlife to create a new story for their life, especially after facing significant challenges and trauma.
...Tammy is a Somatic Wellness Coach living in Cleveland, OH. Originally from Missouri, she grew up in poverty, surrounded by domestic violence. At 17, she made the decision to leave Missouri and never look back. She became an emancipated minor and joined the military, arriving in Germany for her first duty station at 17 years old. From there, she built my life from the ground up.
...When trauma survivors begin their healing journey, they often start with the mind using methods such as talk therapy, journaling, or mindfulness. While these tools are helpful, true transformation happens when you address how trauma lives in your body, especially in your energy systems.
...When experiencing complex trauma—especially ongoing abuse, neglect, or betrayal—it doesn’t just affect your thoughts and emotions. It affects your body’s energy system too. One area particularly affected by trauma are your chakras. Chakras are the body’s energy centers. There are seven main chakras, and each is responsible for different aspects of your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. When trauma enters our lives, these centers can become blocked, overactive, or out of balance.
...Many trauma survivors spend years trying to heal through traditional therapy, only to find themselves stuck (physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, mentally, and energetically.). That’s where CoreTalk™ energy healing offers something different. This revolutionary method, developed by the Self Health Institute, gives clients the opportunity to communicate directly with their body’s core intelligence, the super subconscious, that part of one’s being that knows exactly what needs to heal and how.
...Have you ever felt heartbreak like a tightness in your chest? Or experienced stomach issues when under stress? These aren’t just emotional reactions—they’re physical signals. Science and holistic health experts now recognize what many of you have long felt: unprocessed emotions can get stuck in your body and contribute to physical disease.
...Have you ever had a strong emotional reaction that didn’t seem to match the situation? Or felt a deep ache in your body that has no clear medical explanation? You’re not alone. These experiences may be signs of unprocessed or “stuck” emotions that have been stored in the cells of your body. This can happen when you suffer any type of upset or trauma.
...Stephanie McAuliffe speaks, writes and teaches on our human condition. She brings awareness to the impact of our internalized trauma, our patterns, and how we heal. She’s found incredible transformation in her own journey through healing sexual abuse, and more recently healed her relationship with God via healing breast cancer.
...Jennifer Westcott is a therapist, artist, mother, wife, and passionate advocate for the well-being of mental health professionals. Her mission is to help therapists feel supported, human, and compassionate toward themselves—because she knows firsthand how vital this is.
...Timothy, The Magical & Mystical Fairy Tale Wizard: Educating, Enchanting, Empowering Everyone, has authored more fairy tales than the legendary Hans Christian Andersen, 181 so far.
...For many complex trauma survivors, the idea of meditating can feel anything but peaceful. Sitting still might trigger anxiety, flashbacks, or even a full-body freeze response. If that’s true for you, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Despite being a trauma recovery therapist for many years, I often still resist meditation.
...In the summer series I’m hosting, Healing Our Bodies After Trauma, I’m noticing my clients and students struggling with meditation. Thus, it prompted me to write this post. Meditation is often praised as a powerful tool for healing just about anything and everything. If you are anything like me, meditation or being still in silence is difficult, and thus feelings of inadequacy can get triggered. What is interesting to me, as a trauma recovery expert, is that most (not all) of my recovering clients struggle with meditation too.
...Kathryn Z. Berg, is the owner of Lotus Homeopathy, Inc. and she is a Certified Classical Homeopath. The thing that really drives Kathryn is solving problems and being an advocate for those who need help getting their problems solved. She has been working as a homeopath since 2001. Kathryn also worked as a volunteer lobbyist at the Minnesota State Legislature for 10 years to help protect our health freedom laws which enables her to practice and for you to use the services of all sorts of natural health practitioners.
...Sharon Hughes is a multi-award-winning author celebrated for her best-selling book “The Girl In The Garage: 3 Steps to Letting Go of Your Past.” She is dedicated to empowering individuals from all walks of life to build confidence and self-worth, helping them excel in leadership roles, break free from people-pleasing habits, embrace their bodies, and overcome self-doubt.
...Jennifer is a single mom and entrepreneur who lives with Complex PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder from childhood trauma. Throughout her life, Jen has learned valuable coping skills and has made it her mission to help others to better understand their own emotions.
...At the core of Carolyn’s mission lies a profound commitment to our planet. As a dedicated Earthling, she harnesses the power of her real estate license as a catalyst for environmental stewardship. Leading by example, Carolyn serves as the President and Managing Director at Clear Blue Commercial, a trailblazing entity in the realm of commercial real estate.
...The first step is to become aware of your self-sabotaging behaviors. Notice when you’re avoiding tasks, procrastinating, or engaging in negative self-talk. Awareness is the foundation of any change. The easiest way to track your patterns is by keeping a journal. Each day, track events that bothered or triggered you, your thoughts/beliefs, your emotions/feelings, and of course, your behaviors or actions. It is much easier to work on change once you see your patterns.
...Healing and empowerment seem elusive for those of us who have survived abuse and trauma. Understanding WHY you do WHAT you do speaks to the awareness needed in order to address and heal. Understanding the roots of your behaviors is essential. You don’t need to remember every single detail of your trauma, but you do need to know the connection between your current maladaptive/unhealthy behaviors and your trauma.
...For many trauma survivors, healing and recovery is not just about overcoming the past; it’s also about battling maladaptive behaviors like addiction that often follow. Addiction, whether to substances like alcohol and drugs (including prescribed medications) or behaviors like overspending, pornography, food binging, or gambling – often emerge as coping mechanisms for those of us who have experienced and survived abuse or trauma. Here’s a closer look at why trauma survivors struggle with addictions and the importance of addressing both issues together.
...The holiday season often conjures up images of warmth, joy, and togetherness with family and loved ones. Doesn’t this remind you of the sappy Hallmark movies? For many of us, the holidays can feel heavy. Just even thinking about the holidays can bring up unpleasant memories as well as a fair share of family drama and stress. Whether it’s disagreements, unresolved conflicts, or simply the pressure to have a perfect holiday, coping with family dynamics during this time can be challenging.
...Your journey to healing after relationship trauma begins with self-compassion. Refuse to carry feelings of guilt or shame (don’t claim the shame for behaviors you didn’t do or were forced to do, or manipulated in doing). You may not have done something differently to prevented the abuse or betrayal. Recognize your feelings are normal but unhelpful is important for your healing.
...Betrayal trauma is one of the deepest, painful forms of emotional wounds, leaving scars resistant to healing. Betrayal trauma occurs when you depend on another for your emotional, mental, or even physical well-being—such as a spouse, close friend, or family member— and they break your trust in a devastating way. It’s not just about a single event; it’s about the ripple effect that spreads into every part of your life, impacting how you see yourself and the world around you. The pain you feel is real, long lasting, and often feels crippling. It can impact your day to day functioning.
...Trauma can and does impact your relationships. I know this may be hard to read, or maybe you are already aware of this based on your history. You may have thought your trauma impacted you only. Altering the way your perceive yourself, others around you, and relationships outside of your personal circle. When you experience trauma, it can disrupt your whole world, including your emotional, spiritual, mental, energetic, physical, and relationship health.
...As we navigate through the depths of Nancy’s personal experiences, we unearth the transformative power of confronting our shadow beliefs – those elusive, often subconscious convictions that hold us back from living authentically and embracing true inner peace. Join us as we explore how Nancy’s courageous quest to confront her shadow beliefs became a catalyst for authentic healing and empowerment, offering invaluable insights for anyone seeking to embark on their own journey of self-discovery and growth.
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