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.
...In this powerful episode, I welcome Andi Buerger, JD, international best-selling author, survivor, founder of Voices Against Trafficking, Inc., and global advocate, for an honest conversation about surviving trafficking, reclaiming courage, and using her voice to create change.
...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.
...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.
...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.
...Healing shame involves a deeper self-exploration. Healing also means recognizing that your worth is not defined by your mistakes or how others may judge you. It is vitally important to separate yourself from who you are from what you have done or what’s been done to you. Self-compassion, empathy, and support from others is also crucial to your healing. Focus on building a positive sense of self, focus on your strengths, and connect with people who accept and love you unconditionally can help diminish the power of shame and foster a healthier, more compassionate view of yourself. You are worth this!
...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.
...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.
...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.
...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.
...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.
...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.
...Can abuse jeopardize your physical health? The emotional toll abuse takes on a person is common knowledge, but can abuse harm the victim’s physical health? I have heard that the answer to this question is an absolute “Yes!” But how do we know that statement to be true? How can we know if a person would have developed a particular physical ailment if they had never been a victim of abuse?
...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.
...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.
...Jillian Coburn, a sexual assault survivor, advocate, and entrepreneur, is stepping out to share her story and implement positive change in our government legislation.
Jillian Coburn is an entrepreneur, inventor, writer, outdoors-woman, and mother of three, who is passionately committed to supporting and elevating women who have nowhere to turn and living under the shadows of domestic violence.
...If you never met me before or don’t know about “Heal Thrive Dream”, then let me take a moment to share my bio with you. Karen Robinson, LCSW, is a service driven social worker, therapist, and coach with 24 years of clinical experience. Karen received both her BSW and MSW from the University of Maine, where she is originally from. Karen is a genuine, authentic, compassionate provider. Her specialties are trauma recovery, anxiety, and depression. In her free time, Karen enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.
...Miguel Sierra is a retired Army veteran who has dedicated his life to teaching about suicide prevention. He is passionate about helping people find the joy in life and helping them understand that suicide leaves a dark legacy on family, friends, and coworkers. Join us in listening to this powerful interview.
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