Kathy Andersen
Helping Adults
Overcome The Impacts of
Child Sexual Abuse
"It's never too late to overcome
the effects of child sexual abuse
and step into happiness.
Let's do this together!"
Ranked #1 Podcast by Feedspot
for Child Sexual Abuse podcasts.
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42 Million adult survivors of child sexual abuse experience ongoing trauma, triggers, and turmoil.
Season Five
Welcome to Season Five! In this season, we have a fantastic line-up of world-renowned experts and guests as we continue our journey of healing, growing and thriving beyond child sexual abuse and trauma. Throughout this season, we’re going to take an even deeper dive into new knowledge and insights, and we’re going to explore even more practices that can help us each day to shift the way we feel—in our minds and our bodies—so we can move through each day in the driver’s seat on this journey—and be free to make choices to step into all the happiness and well-being we want in our lives.
Season Launch Episode
WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?
Trauma, Resilience, & Healing
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024.
Today we’re joined by Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D.,Ph.D. Dr. Perry's book, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, has been translated into 26 languages and was on the New York Times Bestseller list for over 100 weeks after becoming #1 on the list in April of 2021, and has sold over one million copies.
In bold on Amazon is the statement, “This book is going to change the way you see your life.” And for all of us who have read the book, I think we would all agree. In What Happened To You?, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Perry provide a groundbreaking and profoundly powerful shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
In the opening of the book, Oprah shares, “Through my work with Dr. Perry, my eyes have been opened to the fact that although I experienced abuse and trauma as a child, my brain found ways to adapt. This is where hope lives for all of us—in the unique adaptability of our miraculous brains.” …Oprah continues, “As Dr. Perry explains in this book, understanding how the brain reacts to stress or early trauma helps clarify how what has happened to us in the past shapes who we are, how we behave, and why we do the things we do. Through this lens we can build a renewed sense of personal self-worth and ultimately recalibrate our responses to circumstances, situations, and relationships. It is, in other words, the key to reshaping our very lives.
Dr. Perry has been extensively featured across major media outlets including 60 Minutes, National Public Radio, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC and CBS News, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah's Super Soul. AND his work has been featured in documentaries produced by Dateline NBC, 20/20, the BBC, Nightline, CBC, PBS, as well as dozen international documentaries. Many print media have highlighted the clinical and research activities of Dr. Perry including a Pulitzer-prize winning series in the Chicago Tribune, The Sun Magazine, US News and World Report, Time, Newsweek, Forbes ASAP, Washington Post, the New York Times and Rolling Stone.
I’m so thrilled and grateful that Dr. Perry is joining us today to talk about What Happened to You? and all of his profoundly powerful work to help us all on our journeys to understand and overcome our childhood trauma.
To see more of Dr. Perry's work, visit www.bdperry.com
TRAUMA RECOVERY
Mind & Body
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024.
Today, Dr. Arielle Schwartz returns to join us—and we’re talking about her two most recent books that continue to help us overcome the impacts of childhood trauma in our adult lives. Dr. Schwartz is a renowned trauma expert, licensed psychologist, registered yoga teacher, and prolific author, and Dr. Schwartz joined us previously as a guest in season two.
In Dr. Schwartz’s Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery Flip Chart, released in August of last year, we’re given an array of yoga, breathing, and meditative practices to balance, energize, and calm the body, especially to help overcome the impacts of trauma on our minds and bodies.
In her just-released book, Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga: Therapeutic Practices for Emotional Health, Dr. Schwartz takes us into a deeper dive to understand the interrelationships between mind, emotions, physiology, and behavior, and introduces us to practices that aid in rewiring our nervous systems including vagal toning, conscious breathing, mindful movement, and meditation—all of which combine to cultivate a felt sense of ease and safety; enhance our capacity to handle challenges; and recover from stress and anxiety quickly and efficiently.
When I learned of Dr. Schwartz’s new books, I couldn’t wait to work through them and to invite Dr. Schwartz to talk with us once more because I knew we would gain great new learning and new practices to help us on our continuing journeys.
And so I’m so incredibly grateful that Dr. Schwartz has taken the time amidst her consuming schedule to join us today.
To see more of Dr. Schwartz's work,
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Mastering "Skills Over Pills."
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024.
Today, Dr. Meg Jay returns and we’re talking about her new book that has just been released, The Twentysomething Treatment. Dr. Jay’s new book focuses on essential skills that we need to handle uncertainties—around work, love, friendship, mental health, and more. While Dr. Jay’s book and specialization focus on the "Twentysomething" age group, we share how mastering these skills is so essential for all of us to handle uncertainties through and beyond the twenty-something decade.
Throughout Dr. Jay’s book, she takes us through an array of “How To” ways to manage through uncertainties with specific skills, and advocates for “skills over pills” to deal with life’s struggles. Meg puts forward that medication is sometimes, but not always, the best medicine, and argues that most 20 somethings don’t have disorders that must be treated: they have problems that can be solved… and reading Meg’s work, you can’t help but feel that might be said for many of us across our decades.
The one big thing that struck me as I was reading Dr. Jay’s book was whether childhood trauma "blocks" some of the skill development that can and should take place during our twenty-something years. I reflected that it took me well beyond my twenty-something years to move through the "How to” skills that Dr. Jay provides. And I wonder whether many of you listening might feel the same way—finding yourself still moving through and trying to master the "how to" skills that we may have missed because we were so immersed in survival mode—and that now, we’re still catching up, if you like, on "lost years."
And so in this podcast, we’ll talk about all of this and deep dive into Dr. Jay’s “how to” ways to move through life’s struggles and uncertainties.
To see more of Dr. Jays work,
visit www.megjay.com
Season Four
Join us in Season Four for "The Top 10 Series." In the season, we're taking time to step back and listen to the top ten episodes from the last three seasons. I think the value of The Top 10 is in reinforcing that trauma shows up in many different ways in our daily lives, but also in many ways that are similar.
I hope this Top Ten Series gives you that “little extra help” so that you can keep stepping beyond the trauma you experienced as a child, and tap into the power you have to thrive in all that is ahead.
TOP 10 Series
#1
101 WAYS TO HEAL—
Practices To Heal Trauma & Thrive.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024.
Today, we’ve reached our #1 most popular episode, 101 WAYS TO HEAL—PRACTICES TO HEAL TRAUMA & THRIVE, with special guest Linda Curran.
Linda is a trauma specialist, clinician, best-selling author, film producer, and a sought after national trainer on trauma.
When I read Linda’s book,101 Trauma-Informed Interventions, I knew I needed to introduce Linda to you all because she brings together so many different tools for healing and trauma recovery that we can learn about and try out—in our time and our own space, and see which ones fit and which might be for another time. Now, 101 interventions might sound over-whelming, but it’s actually a world of possibilities for us – and this is what this podcast is all about – enabling each of us to find new ways to overcome the impact of child sexual abuse in our daily adult lives, step by step, day by day.
Linda is an international speaker on the treatment of trauma, and has developed, produced, and presents multi-media workshops for clinicians and clients. Linda’s multi-media projects include a four-part video program as part of The Master Clinician Series, including Trauma Treatment: Psychotherapy for the 21st Century, Power Therapies: EMDR and Beyond, EMDR: Step by Step, Treating Complex Trauma: Beyond Competency, and Addiction, Trauma, & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Linda constantly advocates for accessible and integrative trauma treatment for all of those affected by trauma.
TOP 10 Series
#2
TRIGGERED TO HEAL—
Experiencing Release, Peace & Growth.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024.
Welcome to the Top 10 Series. Today, we’re at our #2 most popular episode, Triggered To Heal—Experiencing Release, Peace & Growth, with Dr. Karen Baikie, PhD.
I started this podcast series in search of knowledge and experiences that can shift us beyond our abuse and trauma, because, as Maya Angelou encouraged us, “When we know better, we do better." But, turning knowing into doing requires us to experience shifts that are deep and powerful enough to stop our habitual responses that hinder us rather than help us, and that happen faster than the speed of light when we are triggered in every day moments. That’s frustrating and it’s incredibly tiring for us all.
In this podcast, I’m handing over the reigns to Karen to take me, and you, through three Hakomi experiences to tap into our places of safety, meet a part of ourselves that holds unresolved trauma, and gently and safety release some of the “stuckness” of that trauma that keeps us responding in old and harmful ways. It’s a journey—and I hope you experience some potentially life-shifting moments in this slightly longer podcast. By the end, I think you’ll be glad you hung in there! I was!
TOP 10 Series
#3
BREAKING MYTHS & REVEALING PATHS TO HAPPINESS (Part 1).
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
Today, we’re jumping into our #3 most popular episode, Breaking Myths and Revealing Paths to Happiness, Part 1, with Dr. Meg Jay.
Join me with the extraordinary Dr. Meg Jay PhD (Dr. Jay’s TED Talk is one of the most viewed TED Talks with almost 12 million views—that’s because she is truly an inspiration and a voice of wisdom and knowledge!).
In Part 1 of this podcast episode, we’ll break myths and leap into discovery and tools to help overcome child sexual abuse: New insights that help us to understand how childhood trauma affects adults; the notion of “normal” and how that helps or harms us; and how our adult choices, not our childhood abuse, can lead to living a life that is happy and fulfilled.
TOP 10 Series
#4
TRAUMA, BETRAYAL & COURAGE—Moving from Silence to Strength.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024
Today, we’re leaping into our #4 most popular episode, Trauma, Betrayal & Courage—Moving from Silence to Strength, with Dr. Jennifer Freyd.
Join me as I talk with Dr. Jennifer Freyd PhD, to understand how betrayal from childhood trauma “show ups” in our adulthood, and ways we can overcome those effects.
Dr. Freyd is the founder of The Center for Institutional Courage and Affiliated Faculty at the Women's Leadership Lab at Stanford University.
Dr. Freyd is world-renowned for her work on Betrayal trauma, Institutional Betrayal and Courage, and for her framework (DARVO) that identifies strategies used by abusers to manipulate their victims.
This framework is so widely-known that actress, political activist, and sexual assault survivor, Ashley Judd, referenced it when discussing the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations in an interview with Diane Sawyer in 2017.
Dr. Freyd has also been interviewed extensively by media in relation to the Harvey Weinstein case, and is sought internationally to talk about ways individuals can overcome childhood trauma, and how institutions play a role through betrayal and courage. Dr. Freyd’s books and speaking appearances have reached millions of people around the world.
TOP 10 Series
#5
HEALING SEX—BEYOND SEXUAL TRAUMA.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024.
Today, we’re at the #5 most popular episode, Healing Sex—Beyond Sexual Trauma, with special guest, Staci Haines.
Staci is a national leader in Somatics, the field of connecting mind, body, brain, and behavior to allow us to release deep patterns of stress, anxiety and trauma that are stuck in our bodies.
Staci has been in the field of somatics and engaged in social change work for almost 30 years. Staci is the author of The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing and Social Justice which is based on her work to transform the impact of individual and social trauma, and strengthen the interdependence of personal and social change. Staci is also the author of Healing Sex: A Mind Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma – which is what we’ll be diving into in this podcast.
There’s so much in this book and as Staci writes, “Many survivors have a difficult relationship with their bodies. You may struggle with body hate, feeling that your body has betrayed you or that your body is an unsafe place to live. Having a body at all may be a problem for you.” So today, we’re going to learn a lot and experience some powerful practices to shift our bodies into healing – to heal our sexual trauma from the past and to experience sexual healing in our lives today.
TOP 10 Series
#6
BREAKING MYTHS & REVEALING PATHS TO HAPPINESS (Part 2).
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023
Today, we’re at the #6 most popular episode, Breaking Myths & Revealing Paths to Happiness – Part Two, with Dr. Meg Jay (and just as a little spoiler, Part One is also coming up as we get closer to #1).
Dr. Jay’s TED Talk is one of the most viewed TED Talks with almost 12 million views—that’s because she is truly an inspiration and a voice of wisdom and knowledge!
In Part 2 of this podcast with Dr. Meg Jay PhD, we'll break more myths, and dig deeper into insights and tools to help overcome child sexual abuse: we'll start by talking about "Naming It To Tame It” - the negative impact of keeping secrets and the freedom in sharing; then, we'll talk about depression– acknowledging it, tending to it, and overcoming it; and finally, we'll talk about the “thing” that makes your life yours – deciding what you want and fully living it!
TOP 10 Series
#7
BEYOND DAMAGING PARENTS
Living Happily Ever After.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023
Today, we’re leaping into our #7 most popular episode, Beyond Damaging Parents—Living Happily Ever After, with special guest, the wonderful Dr. Lindsay Gibson. Dr. Gibson dramatically and importantly spotlights how the “emotional immaturity” of parents can hinder and hold us back in our adulthood, and how we can regain trust in ourselves and break free from the destructive and confusing effects of negative “programming” from childhood.
In her book, Who You Were Meant To Be, Dr. Gibson focuses on how people can reconnect with their true self and sense of purpose, especially after experiencing negative parental impacts in childhood. In her subsequent books, Dr. Gibson introduces “Emotionally Immature Parents” and provides learning and tools to overcome the impacts of these parents, and how to rely on our own emotional guidance, strengthen our self-awareness, and increase our energy to live a full, happy, and purposeful life in adulthood.
TOP 10 Series
#8
THE BODY HOLDS THE KEYS
Healing & Growing.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023
Today, we’re leaping into our #8 most popular episode, The Body Holds The Keys—Healing & Growing, with special guest, Dr. Pat Ogden, PhD. Dr. Ogden is a pioneer in somatic psychology, and the creator of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy method. Dr. Ogden is founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and co-founder of the Hakomi Institute; she is trained in a huge range of somatic and psychotherapeutic approaches to healing and wellness, and has over 45 years of experience working with individuals and groups.
The body holds our trauma, but it also holds the keys to our healing.
In this podcast, Dr. Ogden shares with us how the body has the innate intelligence and wisdom to reveal where and how we need to heal trauma that is still showing up in our adult lives—and that sometimes we’re not even aware of that trauma until it’s triggered in every day, present moments. In these moments, we have the choice to listen to the signals, sensations, and suggestions from our bodies to guide our next steps and respond differently to move forward into wellness and happiness.
TOP 10 Series
#9
BEYOND TRAUMA & LOSS
BREAKING THE SILENCE CYCLE.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023
Today, we’re leaping into our #9 most popular episode, Beyond Trauma & Loss, Breaking the Silence Cycle, with special guest, Katherine Barner.
Katherine is a counsellor, coach, grief & trauma expert, author, speaker, and advocate against child sexual abuse. Katherine experienced child sexual abuse when she was fourteen, and her journey through abuse and other life trauma have fueled her journey to help others in the work to which she dedicates herself.
Katherine encourages people, “The truth is, life is tough and sometimes really bad things happen. I know because I've had my share—from abuse to divorce, to financial hardship, and loss. But one of the things you’ll hear me say frequently is, “life happens to all of us, but the true story is told in how we respond to what has happened.””
TOP 10 Series
#10
UNBLOCKING TRAUMA
RELEASING STUCK PAIN & COMING ALIVE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023
Today, we’re starting with our #10 most popular episode, Unblocking Trauma: Releasing Stuck Pain & Coming Alive, with special guest Deanna Hansen. Deanna is the founder of Block Therapy and Fluid Isometrics and is also a certified athletic therapist. For over 20 years, Deanna has helped thousands of people around the world heal from physical and emotional trauma through her programs, including her new 90-Day Trauma Relief program.
Season Three
SEASON THREE FINALE
101 WAYS TO HEAL
PRACTICES TO HEAL TRAUMA & THRIVE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
Today, we’re joined by Linda Curran. Linda is a trauma specialist, clinician, best-selling author, film producer, and a sought after national trainer on trauma. When I read Linda’s book,101 Trauma-Informed Interventions, I knew I needed to introduce Linda to you all because she brings together so many different tools for healing and trauma recovery that we can learn about and try out—in our time and our own space, and see which ones fit and which might be for another time. Now, 101 interventions might sound over-whelming, but it’s actually a world of possibilities for us – and this is what this podcast is all about – enabling each of us to find new ways to overcome the impact of child sexual abuse in our daily adult lives, step by step, day by day.
Linda is an international speaker on the treatment of trauma, and has developed, produced, and presents multi-media workshops for clinicians and clients. Linda’s multi-media projects include a four-part video program as part of The Master Clinician Series, including Trauma Treatment: Psychotherapy for the 21st Century, Power Therapies: EMDR and Beyond, EMDR: Step by Step, Treating Complex Trauma: Beyond Competency, and Addiction, Trauma, & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Linda constantly advocates for accessible and integrative trauma treatment for all of those affected by trauma.
To see more of Linda's work, programs, and books, visit www.trauma101.com
THE ELENA MORGAN STORY
A MUST-HEAR STORY OF OVERCOMING.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022
Today, I’m so grateful to be joined by Elena Morgan, formerly known as Ellen Morgan and prior to Ellen, known as Hilary Foretich. Elena’s mother, Elizabeth Morgan, was jailed for over 2 years in 1987 for protecting Elena from her sexually abusive father. Why was she jailed? Because after Elena revealed that she was being sexually abused by her father, and her mother sought custody through the courts, the judge ordered Elena’s mother to allow her abusive father to have unsupervised visits of Elena at her father’s house.
Knowing Elena would suffer continued abuse, Elena’s maternal grandparents took Elena to New Zealand, defying the court order. When Elena’s mother would not reveal Elena’s whereabouts, the judge sent her to jail. Her abusive father remained free.
In 1989, after extensive efforts, Rep. Frank Wolf introduced a bill that became the District of Columbia Civil Contempt Imprisonment Limitation Act. As a result, in that year, Elizabeth Morgan was freed after 759 days in prison, and joined her daughter and parents in New Zealand.
In 1992, the story of the case was made into a television film, A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story.
Elena is now a physician and continues to look for ways to help overcome injustices that still confront victims of child sexual abuse.
MEDICINE FOR LIFE!
LIVE IN "WHOLE HEALTH" BEYOND TRAUMA
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2022
Today, I’m so grateful to be joined by Dr. Patrick Fratellone, MD. Patrick transformed my thinking and feeling about how doctors can help us heal and overcome the physical and emotional impacts of child sexual abuse in our adult lives. But that’s also because Patrick is not your conventional doctor—I hope he’ll do the same for you in this podcast!
Dr. Fratellone’s guiding philosophy is a raw, real, and highly individualized approach to health and well-being. Patrick is guided by his personal mission to serve, empower and partner with his patients on the path to wellness, transformation, and wholeness, beyond what he came to see as conventional “cookbook medicine” that can too often leave patients unhealed and hooked on medications. Born with an undiagnosed congenital heart disease, and inspired by his grandparents’ use of herbs and plants as remedies, Dr. Fratellone become passionate about nurturing the intrinsic healing of the whole person.
Sobriety has become a cornerstone of Patrick’s own healing, not only for his physical healing, but also for his healing from childhood sexual trauma. That journey remains a source of strength for Patrick and helps him to be the best partner to his patients through an innate intuition and empathy to “get real and raw” in order to help us heal “wholly” from our deepest physical and emotional challenges.
To see more of Dr. Fratellone's work, writing, and areas of practice, visit www.fratellonemedical.com
PUTTING BACK THE PIECES
GETTING OUT OF FUNK & INTO LIFE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022
Today, we’re joined by Kathy Steele. Kathy is a psychotherapist, consultant, trainer, and author. In this podcast, we’ll be diving into skills and insights to help manage and heal the fragmented pieces of ourselves from our childhood abuse that often still sabotage us in adulthood. Kathy’s award-winning book, Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients and Therapists was winner of the 2011 International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) Pierre Janet Writing Award.
Kathy is a Past President and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), and has also served two terms on the Board of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Kathy served on the International Task Force that developed treatment guidelines for Dissociative Disorders, and on the Joint International Task Force that has developed treatment guidelines for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She has received a number of awards for her work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSTD, an Emory University Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Cornelia B. Wilbur Award for Outstanding Clinical Contributions from ISSTD.
To see more of Kathy's work, writing, and trainings, visit Kathy's web site at www.kathy-steele.com
WHEN THE RAIN STOPS
FROM AN ABUSED BOY TO HOLLYWOOD
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
John Callas is a Hollywood writer, director, and producer, and his work ranges from the worldwide release of feature films to motion picture trailers, national and international commercials, live action title sequences, and more.
John’s book, When The Rain Stops, tells John’s own story of a young man who rose from the ghetto and struggled against neglect and abuse to become a Hollywood director. Facing his experiences was too painful at first, so John started writing When The Rain Stops as a fictional novel, but then started over to tell his real life story.
John has worked with actors including Mel Gibson, Walter Matthau, Jack Nicholson, Madonna, Eddie Murphy and Mel Brooks, and John's work can be seen on live action teasers for movies including Ransom, Dennis The Menace, Body Of Evidence, The Golden Child, Spaceballs, The Glass Menagerie, Cocoon II, Poltergeist III, Betrayed, My Girl, As Well As Title Sequences For The Two Jakes and A Few Good Men.
Some of the awards John has received include THE NEW YORK CRITICS CHOICE, THE CLIO and BELDING, the prestigious BEST OF THE WEST, and an MTV AWARD.
John holds a Master Degree from Occidental College, and is a member of The Directors Guild Of America. He lives in Santa Monica, CA with his wife, Linda and has two sons, Stephan and Nicholas.
To learn more about John Callas, visit
UNBLOCKING TRAUMA
RELEASING STUCK PAIN & COMING ALIVE!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Today, we’re joined by Deanna Hansen. Deanna is the founder of Block Therapy and Fluid Isometrics and is also a certified athletic therapist. For over 20 years, Deanna has helped thousands of people around the world heal from physical and emotional trauma through her programs, including her new 90-Day Trauma Relief program.
I only found out about this recently, I tried it, and it’s been mind-blowing for me – so I had to share it with you.
Block Therapy and Fluid Isometrics are approaches to softening and relieving the connective tissue of fascia throughout our bodies where pain and trauma have been stored—sometimes for decades. The fascial system connects the body from head to toe. In Block Therapy, we lie on a small therapeutically designed and crafted block of wood for a minimum of three minutes in various positions across the body. With gravity, body weight, and diagpramatic breathing, the block sinks deeply into the root of stuck tissue and trauma, releasing layers of restrictions that show up as physical and emotional health issues in our bodies and minds.
I’ve been blocking now for only about six weeks and it has been one of the most powerful and shifting practices I have ever felt to release the illness and tension and stress that I still feel in my physical and my mental being from my childhood of sexual abuse—and that so many of us still do.
That’s why I wanted to share this with you all and have Deanna as a guest, so you can decide if this feels right for you to try as another practice on your journey of healing and growth.
To learn more about Block Therapy and Deanna's work, visit
HEALING SEX
POSITIVE SEX BEYOND ABUSE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Today, I’m so excited to be joined by Staci Haines. Staci is a national leader in Somatics, the field of connecting mind, body, brain and behavior, to allow us to release deep patterns of stress, anxiety and trauma that are stuck in our bodies.
Staci has been in the field of somatics and engaged in social change work for almost 30 years. Staci is the author of The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing and Social Justice which is based on her work to transform the impact of individual and social trauma, and strengthen the interdependence of personal and social change. Staci is also the author of Healing Sex: A Mind Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma – which is what we’ll be diving into in this podcast.
There’s so much in this book and as Staci writes, “Many survivors have a difficult relationship with their bodies. You may struggle with body hate, feeling that your body has betrayed you or that your body is an unsafe place to live. Having a body at all may be a problem for you.” So today, we’re going to learn a lot and experience some powerful practices to shift our bodies into healing – to heal our sexual trauma from the past and to experience sexual healing in our lives today.
To see more of Staci's work, books, workshops, and more, visit https://thepoliticsoftrauma.com/about
Enter code AFFIRM15 for a 15% discount
Self-SOULstice HEALING
A PROCESS OF SELF-HEALING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022
Today, I’m joined by Dr. Dionne Bates. Dionne is a licensed professional counselor who holds a B.A. in sociology, an M.A. in counseling psychology, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Dr. Bates works with her clients to help them reach optimal mental health by
teaching them to affirm themselves, affirm others, and live authentically. After almost 20 years in clinical practice, Dionne has observed that the root of much mental and emotional distress is our inability to integrate our “true” selves into various realms of our lives.
Dionne recently published the Emotional Lifeline and Mapping Journal as a tool to help us connect with, and navigate through, our emotions; and is the author of Six Steps to an Emerging Authentic, Affirmed Self. Dionne created a self-healing model, The Self-SOULstice Self-Affirmation Model to help us all move through an empowered process of self-healing.
To see more of Dionne's work, books, workshops, and more, visit Dionne's web site at www.drdbates.com
JOURNALING TO GROWTH
THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS & YOUR STORY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
Today, I’m joined by the very special, Merle Saferstein. Merle is an educator, speaker, and author. Since 1974, Merle has amassed a collection of 380 journals, 359 of which have been turned into Vol 1 of her book, Living and Leaving My Legacy. Through Merle’s journaling, we experience the power of journaling to help us each move through our lives—the highs, the lows, and everything in between, through trauma, marriage, parenting, grief, career, spirituality, and so much more. Among those highs and lows, Merle shares how she moved through the revelation that her daughter was sexually abused as a child by someone trusted by the family, and the healing and growth that she and her daughter continue to experience through that.
When our beautiful mutual friend Sheryl Sandberg tragically lost her husband, Dave Goldberg, the father of their two young children, Merle’s guidance helped Sheryl journal through a horrifically tragic time, and that journey ultimately led Sheryl to write her book, Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, with Wharton professor, positive psychologist and best-selling author, Adam Grant.
Merle has also created Living and Leaving Your Legacy®, a program that focuses on preserving and passing along the essence of one's life. And through classes, workshops, and lectures, Merle has guided thousands of people through journaling, sacred legacy work, and writing for wellness.
To see more of Merle's work, books and more, visit Merle's web site at www.merlesaferstein.com
EXPRESS YOURSELF!
MOVE, DANCE, HEAL, & BE FREE.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by the spirited and energetic, Bernadette Pleasant! Bernadette is a fiery and sensual speaker, somatic healer, Founder of The Emotional Institute, Creator of Femme!, a mind-body wellness program, and creator of 400 Years, a somatic-based anti-racism program. She is known for channeling her personal journeys and radical empathy into transformative, immersive experiences that support and celebrate people of all genders, colors, ages and sizes. She has transformed the lives of thousands of people around the world, inspiring them to become more self-expressed and empowered as their own, as Bernadette says, “badass selves.”
With certifications in Emotions-Centered Coaching, Somatic Healing, Integrated Energy Therapy and studies in African, Tribal, and Free Dance, Bernadette promotes emotional freedom through movement and empowerment. She also facilitates deep dialogues on emotional healing, grief, and unlearning racism.
A woman of color, Bernadette comes from a long line of natural healers who have used touch and movement to help others find peace and wellness. Her classrooms, both online and in person, welcome participants and support all to experience comfort and pleasure in their own skin.
To see more of Bernadette's work, visit Bernadette's web site at www.theemotionalinstitute.com
THE ART OF HOLDING SPACE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Heather Plett. Heather is known internationally as an expert in the art of holding space. What does it mean to become an expert in “holding space?” Well, as Heather reflects, “ In my case, it took a lot of grief and trauma and many years of fumbling…” and she says, “I think it’s true that many of us end up teaching what we most need to learn.”
I first met Heather through her online workshop, The Art of Holding Space, named after her book. Through her book and her workshops, Heather takes us through how to “hold and support ourselves” as we form a deep connection to ourselves and open ourselves to others on our journey of healing and growth. Heather is an international speaker, facilitator, and writer whose workshops and seminars span six continents. Her writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review among other publications, and she has been quoted in multiple books, and contributed to training curriculum for nurses, hospice care workers, yoga teachers, facilitators, and military chaplains. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with her three daughters, and she is just a beautiful soul.
To see more of Heather's work, including her book and workshops, visit Heather's web site at www.heatherplett.com
Season Three Launch Episode with
AGAPI STASSINOPOULOS
SPEAKING WITH SPIRIT
HEALING & GROWING WITH YOUR HIGHER POWER
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022
I'm so grateful to be launching Season Three with the beautiful Agapi Stassinopoulos. I first met Agapi, and her equally beautiful sister, Arianna Huffington, when we were creating well-being programs for Arianna’s new endeavor Thrive Global. Right away, Agapi’s inner light filled every part of the room.
Agapi’s latest book, Speaking With Spirit, is a beautiful journey of deep connection to "source," and I found it a profoundly powerful experience of connecting to our innate wisdom and our power to heal and grow. Today, we journey into Speaking With Spirit and also through Agapi’s own story and spiritual journey. Agapi is a best-selling author and speaker who inspires audiences around the world, and her previous books include Wake Up To The Joy of You; Unbinding the Heart, and Conversations With The Goddesses. Our conversation today is filled with wisdom and guidance from Agapi’s life experiences and spiritual insights that help us all heal and grow and live in happiness, fulfilment, and joy. I hope you love it!
To see more of Agapi's work, books, videos, meditations, and more, visit Agapi's web site at www.wakeuptothejoyofyou.com
Season Two
Season Two Launch Episode with Jack Canfield
STARTING, HEALING, & STAYING
ON PATH & PURPOSE!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021
In this episode, I'm thrilled to be launching Season Two with the extraordinary, amazing, and so beautiful and generous, Jack Canfield. Jack is probably most famous as the creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series – and he lives his life to help others create all they desire in their lives! Jack is a Multiple New York Times bestselling author of —The Success Principles, The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win, The Key to Living the Law of Attraction, Living the Success Principles, Coaching for Breakthrough Success, and he also featured in The Secret.
Jack has taught millions of people around the world how to transform their lives and live with meaning, joy, purpose and happiness and we’re going to talk all about that today – how we can each overcome all of the bad stuff, and with our full intention and awareness and positive choices, make changes to step into all that truly makes us happy and leap out of bed each morning – we can live that life – it’s never too late – to start, to heal, and to stay on our journey to living our fullest and happiest lives — and that’s what this podcast is all about!
TRIGGERED TO HEAL ~
EXPERIENCING RELEASE, PEACE & GROWTH
SEASON TWO FINALE! THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022
Today, in this finale episode for Season Two, I’m truly thrilled to be joined by Dr. Karen Baikie—all the way from Australia! I started this podcast series in search of knowledge and experiences that can shift us beyond our abuse and trauma, because, as Maya Angelou encouraged us, “When we know better, we do better." But, turning knowing into doing requires us to experience shifts that are deep and powerful enough to stop our habitual responses that hinder us rather than help us, and that happen faster than the speed of light when we are triggered in every day moments. That’s frustrating and it’s incredibly tiring for us all.
So, I found Dr. Karen Baikie – an expert in The Hakomi Method, which enables us to experience those deep and powerful shifts, and turn the triggers that frustrate us, into allies that help us identify where and how we need to resolve trauma, and change our present day reactions into helpful and healthy growth-oriented responses. Through the Hakomi Method, Karen helps us tap into the innate wisdom and intelligence in our bodies to safely lead us through healing and into restoration and growth.
In this podcast, I’m handing over the reigns to Karen to take me, and you, through three Hakomi experiences to tap into our places of safety, meet a part of ourselves that holds unresolved trauma, and gently and safety release some of the “stuckness” of that trauma that keeps us responding in old and harmful ways. It’s a journey—and I hope you experience some potentially life-shifting moments in this slightly longer podcast. By the end, I think you’ll be glad you hung in there! I was!
To find out more about Karen's work, books, and other resources, please visit www.growmindfully.com.au and www.karenbaikie.com.au
GROWING BEAUTIFULLY ~
LIVING GREATER THAN OUR TRAUMA
NEW! THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022
Today, I’m joined by Naomi Halpern, Director of Delphi Training and Consulting which has achieved international recognition for its pioneering work in the fields of complex trauma, attachment, PTSD and dissociative disorders. Naomi is also co-author of the book Trauma Model Therapy, and a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
Naomi points us to the words of Viktor Frankl in one of her favorite quotes, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
In this podcast, we dive into how we can grow and achieve our freedom as we all continue on our journeys to overcome the impacts of child sexual abuse and trauma in our daily lives so we can be all we are here to be!
To find out more about Naomi's work, her books, and other resources, please visit www.delphicentre.com.au
BEYOND TRAUMA & LOSS ~
BREAKING THE SILENCE CYCLE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
Today, I’m joined by Katherine Barner - counsellor, coach, grief & trauma expert, author, speaker, and advocate against child sexual abuse. Katherine experienced child sexual abuse when she was fourteen, and her journey through abuse and other life trauma have fueled her journey to help others in the work to which she dedicates herself. In this podcast, we’re going to talk about Beyond Trauma and Loss – Breaking The Silence Cycle.
Katherine encourages people, “The truth is, life is tough and sometimes really bad things happen. I know because I've had my share—from abuse to divorce, to financial hardship, and loss. But one of the things you’ll hear me say frequently is, “life happens to all of us, but the true story is told in how we respond to what has happened.””
Katherine earned her BA in Psychology from Spelman College, and a Masters in Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas. She is a certified crisis responder, Clinical Trauma Specialist, and trained EMDR practitioner.
To find out more about Katherine's work, her book, and other resources, please visit www.katherinebarner.org
GROWING BEAUTIFULLY ~
LIVING GREATER THAN OUR TRAUMA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022
Today, I’m joined by Naomi Halpern, Director of Delphi Training and Consulting which has achieved international recognition for its pioneering work in the fields of complex trauma, attachment, PTSD and dissociative disorders. Naomi is also co-author of the book Trauma Model Therapy, and a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
Naomi points us to the words of Viktor Frankl in one of her favorite quotes, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
In this podcast, we dive into how we can grow and achieve our freedom as we all continue on our journeys to overcome the impacts of child sexual abuse and trauma in our daily lives so we can be all we are here to be!
To find out more about Naomi's work, her books, and other resources, please visit www.delphicentre.com.au
TOO TIRED TO HEAL ~
OVERCOMING RECOVERY FATIGUE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined once again by Dr. Clare Marriott. Clare is a Clinical Psychologist working in the UK. In 2006, Clare completed her doctoral thesis, investigating factors promoting resilience in adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Clare focuses her work on recovery, and in finding things that sustain people outside of the therapy room. During her time as a Clinical Psychologist, Clare has worked with people with chronic mental health challenges and is currently Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Interim Clinical Lead for the Recovery Pathway in Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust in the UK.
Clare first joined us in Season One of Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse, and we both realized there was an important conversation to be shared on Recovery Fatigue—how we keep on our path to all we want for our lives without feeling exhausted and so tired along the way that we give up, or lose hope. Our path is here for us to experience all the happiness and meaning we desire, so today, we’re going to talk about how to move through recovery fatigue, and share some learning and practices to help us keep overcoming our childhood trauma and move forward with energy, motivation, and the power of our unlimited possibilities.
STRENGTH-BASED HEALING: MIND & BODY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022
Dr. Arielle Schwartz, PhD., encourages us, “You are not broken, in need of fixing. Rather, you are deeply hurt, in need of care.” Dr. Schwartz holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and a Master's degree in Somatic Psychology, as well as a Bachelors degree in in Psychology.
As a practicing clinical psychologist, Dr. Schwartz helps people navigate the difficult challenges we have in our lives by focusing on the whole person – mind and body - to help recover from traumatic events, find relief from depression or anxiety, develop and keep meaningful and nurturing relationships, and break free from destructive habits that can derail our lives.
Dr. Schwartz’s books include: The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, Trauma Recovery: A Mind-Body Approach to Becoming Whole, The Complex PTSD Workbook, and EMDR Therapy & Somatic Psychology, among others.
To find out more about Dr. Schwartz's work, her books, and other resources, please visit www.drarielleschwartz.com
HEALING ON OUR TERMS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021
Today, we’re joined by Timika Chambers. Timika is a thriving survivor – a lioness, as she describes herself. Timika was born in Memphis, Tennessee. At the age of 4 ½, Timika’s mother bought one-way bus tickets for herself and her three children – all under the age of 5 – to leave an abusive marriage. But for TImika, soon after, that journey turned into what she describes as, “the dark wilderness of sexual abuse by two family members.”
Timika found purpose in healing herself and others through nursing, and then, even more-so, through writing. Today, Timika shares her story of finding purpose and healing with us. Timika holds a Master’s degree as a Nurse Educator and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and has over 20 years experience in the healthcare industry.
To find out more about Timika's work and resources, please visit www.timikaschambers.com
BEYOND DAMAGING PARENTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021
Today, we’re joined by the wonderful Dr. Lindsay Gibson. Dr. Gibson dramatically and importantly spotlights how the “emotional immaturity” of parents can hinder and hold us back in our adulthood, and how we can regain trust in ourselves and break free from the destructive and confusing effects of negative “programming” from childhood.
In her book, Who You Were Meant To Be, Dr. Gibson focuses on how people can reconnect with their true self and sense of purpose, especially after experiencing negative parental impacts in childhood. In her subsequent books, Dr. Gibson introduces “Emotionally Immature Parents” and provides learning and tools to overcome the impacts of these parents, and how to rely on our own emotional guidance, strengthen our self-awareness, and increase our energy to live a full, happy, and purposeful life in adulthood.
To find out more about Dr. Gibson's work, her books, and other resources, please visit www.drlindsaygibson.com
THE BODY HOLDS THE KEYS
Healing & Growing With Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Pat Ogden, PhD - a pioneer in somatic psychology, and the creator of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy method. Dr. Ogden is founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and co-founder of the Hakomi Institute; she is trained in a huge range of somatic and psychotherapeutic approaches to healing and wellness, and has over 45 years of experience working with individuals and groups.
The body holds our trauma, but it also holds the keys to our healing.
In this podcast, Dr. Ogden shares with us how the body has the innate intelligence and wisdom to reveal where and how we need to heal trauma that is still showing up in our adult lives—and that sometimes we’re not even aware of that trauma until it’s triggered in every day, present moments. In these moments, we have the choice to listen to the signals, sensations, and suggestions from our bodies to guide our next steps and respond differently to move forward into wellness and happiness.
To find out more about Dr. Ogden's work, her books, and other resources, please visit www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org
NO BAD PARTS
Healing Trauma & Restoring Wholeness
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021
Today, I feel so deeply deeply grateful to have Dr. Richard C. Schwartz PhD with us. I was so powerfully moved by Dr. Schwartz’s work before I spoke with him, and as you’ll hear, I have been even more powerfully moved by his work—unexpectedly in this podcast! —and I hope you will find that helpful during this experience today, as well as on your ongoing journey.
In his most recent book, No Bad Parts, which features a foreword by Alanis Morissette, Dr. Schwartz shows us empowering new ways of understanding and healing the many parts that make us who we are. As Dr. Schwartz teaches, “Our parts can sometimes be disruptive or harmful, but once they’re unburdened, they return to their essential goodness. When we learn to love all our parts, we can learn to love all people - and that will contribute to healing the world.”
OLD TRAUMA. NEW RESPONSES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, author, speaker, and consultant specializing in using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma and create ways of living that allow us to positively re-train and shift our nervous system responses. Deb’s work helps us master the skills to become more aware of our nervous system in each moment—and change the way we respond to the big and small challenges of life—especially after childhood abuse and trauma.
Deb trains therapists and organizations around the world, and conducts workshops internationally to bring this very powerful Polyvagal understanding to the ordinary, and often extraordinary, experiences of our daily living, especially beyond childhood trauma.
Deb developed the Rhythm of Regulation Clinical Training Series and lectures internationally on ways Polyvagal Theory helps trauma survivors. Deb is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, and her publications include The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation; Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices; and the Polyvagal Flip Chart: Understanding the Science of Safety.
Deb is the creator of the Audio Program Befriending Your Nervous System, in partnership with SoundsTrue. Deb’s just-published book is a must-read – It’s called Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory.
Season One Podcasts
Dr. Dyan speaks on a broad range of topics to professionals, to the public, in podcasts and summits. Sleep has become her particular area of expertise and has lead her to become a VIP contributor to
Arianna Huffington’s
wellness site, www.thriveglobal.com.
FREE TO HEAL
Sleep, Hypnosis, and Somatic Healing
THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021
In this final episode for season one, we talk about our freedom to heal and some profoundly powerful practices that can help us transform our trauma into healing. That's our freedom, and it's the choice we have. You may be surprised that practices we may have dismissed or don't fully understand, can be the keys to shifting our minds and bodies into a state of daily healing. Day by day, those small shifts can add up to "tip" us from ill-being into well-being—in our physical health and in our states of mind. I am so grateful that Dr. Dyan Haspel-Johnson is joining us to share some learnings and practices that give us the opportunity to think, feel, and heal differently. In particular, we're going to talk about how the three practices of sleep, hypnosis and somatic healing, can be keys to shifting our physical and mental well-being, and waking up each day feeling energized, at ease, and excited to journey forward into all you want for your life. It's never too late, and it's our freedom to heal!
Dr. Dyan earned her Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis on Health Psychology from Saybrook University, after completing a Bachelor of a Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design (Dyan will share why she changed from fashion design to psychology as we talk today!). Dr. Dyan holds licenses from the California, Colorado and Texas Boards of Psychology, is a Consultant for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, is Co-Founder of the Los Angeles Erickson Institute, and is a member of the Society of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis, American Psychological Association, Division of Hypnosis. She also holds a certificate as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner®. Dr. Dyan spent 8 years as the Vice President of Continuing Education Programs for the Southern California Society for Clinical Hypnosis, and became President of that organization. She co-taught the year-long Clinical Hypnosis seminar at UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry.
Access Dr. Dyan's FREE guide and video by clicking here,
and learn more about Dr. Dyan and all of her work to help people
sleep, live, and heal better at her web site
YES YOU, YES NOW!
Happiness Beyond Hardship
THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021
"Not me, not now" can be one of our most limiting thoughts as we move beyond our hardships and into our happiness. In this podcast episode, I'm doing things a little differently! I'll share a glimpse into the draft of my upcoming book, Yes You, Yes Now! In particular, we'll focus on "Seeing the "All" of You in the Mirror." As we look in the mirror, we can choose to see our unlimited selves, beyond the struggles and uncertainties we face in our lives.
We'll also step into some practices, including a guided visualization, to help shift our "Not Me, Not Now" thoughts into "Yes Me, Yes Now!" As we journey together, we can be inspired by the words of Michelangelo, “I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” With each practice, you are carving a piece of the block of marble that will ultimately reveal your “all” and set you free.
I hope you join this slightly "different" podcast episode and take a journey with me!
Cracking Ourselves Open To Allow
The Light To Enter
THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021
Join me and Dr. Sousan Abadian, PhD, as we talk about “cracking ourselves open to allow the light to enter,” and Sousan’s upcoming book, Free Me To Love. I first met Sousan at Harvard Kennedy School 15 years ago and I was immediately captivated by her spirit, her wisdom, and her visionary work to help communities recover from trauma in order to move forward. Over the years, I’ve come to learn so much more of Sousan’s personal story of overcoming trauma, and it is profoundly powerful, moving, and inspiring. I know it will help so many people.
Sousan has an amazing background—she is an Iranian-born scholar who dedicates herself to the work of enhancing human capabilities and well-being. She has an independent practice teaching, speaking, and consulting internationally on leadership, collective trauma, and personal, social, and cultural change. She earned a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University, an M.P.A. in International Development from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and an M.A. in the Anthropology of Social Change and Development, also from Harvard University.
In Free Me To Love, Sousan shares her story of “the day her life fell apart” and how that shockwave shattered so many parts of her life, despite her outward success—as she shares, “This is my story of how woundedness kept knocking and I ignored it, until its rap and insistence grew and cracked me open to allow the light to enter.”
In this episode, we begin by talking about our self beliefs and perceptions—overcoming the tangled childhood stories we still tell ourselves; then we talk about how trauma and wounds affect the roles we play in our adult lives—as wives, mothers, and professionals; and we end by talking about choosing and co-creating a positive and thriving future—moving through, within, and “beyond” childhood trauma.
To learn more about Sousan's work, and her retreats and resources,
visit her website at www.SousanAbadian.com
UNBOUND!
Beginning Life Again In Love
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021
In this episode, I'm joined by the love of my life, Laura Kozelouzek. When we met, my life began again—beyond abuse and beyond all the things that hold us back and limit us. "Unbound" defines how Laura and I love each other, how we step into each day together, how we overcome the challenges of our past, and how we adventure forward together. As soon as Laura and I saw each other, we both felt a thousand lifetimes coming together as one. We both have our tragedy and trauma, and we both have our "unbinding" and breaking free. Now, unbound with each other, we are beginning life again in love.
In this episode, we'll talk about: Growing together through vulnerability and truth; Confronting the triggers that can break us and our relationships; Sharing our traumas and tragedies (Laura reveals her family tragedy); and, Living limitlessly together "unbound," and adventurously "beginning again" in each moment!
All of us have the opportunity to live "unbound" and to "begin again" each day—with the dreams we have, the choices we make, the thoughts we think, and the actions we take. We share our story to put ourselves fully "out there," and "as is," with you on our journey—and hope you find connection between our story and yours. After all, we are all connected in this imperfect, yet perfect, experience of life, love, tragedy, trauma, and overcoming limitlessly!
The Courage to Confront & Heal
Broken Family Relationships & Our Wounded Self
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
Join me with author, Chandra Moyer, as we talk about The Courage To Confront & Heal Broken Family Relationships & Our Wounded Self. We'll share Chandra's story and dive into three topics: 1. Finding power and peace in confronting and healing our childhood trauma, 2. The good, the bad, and the ugly of telling our mothers and family members of abuse, and 3. Loving ourselves and family beyond abuse and into happiness.
Chandra is a sought-after speaker, author, life coach, and a decorated former Army officer. Chandra is also a survivor of incest who only recovered her memories of abuse later in life after a traumatic adult experience triggered memories of a childhood of abuse. Chandra’s recent book, I Met Her Before, tells her story to help others come to terms with their truth and move forward into the full and happy life we all desire and deserve. Chandra’s story not only confronts her own shattered past, but also the broken family relationships that are part of healing and becoming who we’re fully here to be—and often healing those family relationships is just as challenging as healing ourselves. We'll dive into this together in this podcast. I know this will be a conversation that will move you and hopefully help you as we all continue to heal ourselves and our relationships on our paths to happiness.
Building Resilience & Positive Growth Habits
To Live The Life You Want.
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021
In this episode, join me and distinguished clinical psychologist, Dr. Clare Marriott PhD., as we talk about ways to build resilience and positive growth habits to help step beyond childhood trauma and into a life determined by our choices, not by our abuse. Dr. Marriott's work has focused on factors that build resilience among survivors of child sexual abuse. Many of us never had the chance to tap into resources to help us ~ many of us were simply in survival mode. Child sexual abuse was a topic that was taboo, and seeking help was often beyond us. Today, there is more understanding and more tools to help. We'll talk about, 1. Building Resilience: What we know and what we can do now in adulthood, 2. C.H.I.M.E ~ A personal recovery and growth framework to help step into a happy life beyond abuse, and 3. Leaving unhealthy coping habits behind and creating positive growth habits in our daily lives. Join us! It's never too late to overcome the impact of child sexual abuse ~ let's do it together!
Trauma, Betrayal & Courage:
Moving from Silence to Strength.
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021
Join me as I talk with Dr. Jennifer Freyd PhD, to understand how betrayal from childhood trauma “show ups” in our adulthood, and ways we can overcome those effects. Dr. Freyd is the founder of The Center for Institutional Courage, and Professor Emerit of Psychology, at the University of Oregon. She’s also Affiliated Faculty at the Women's Leadership Lab at Stanford University. Dr. Freyd is world-renowned for her work on Betrayal trauma, Institutional Betrayal and Courage, and for her framework (DARVO) that identifies strategies used by abusers to manipulate their victims. That framework is so widely-known that actress, political activist, and sexual assault survivor, Ashley Judd, referenced it when discussing the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations in an interview with Diane Sawyer in 2017. Dr. Freyd has also been interviewed extensively by media in relation to the Harvey Weinstein case, and is sought internationally to talk about ways individuals can overcome childhood trauma, and how institutions play a role through betrayal and courage. Dr. Freyd’s books and speaking appearances have reached millions of people around the world.
Breaking Myths and
Revealing Paths to Happiness.
PART 1
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021
Join me with the extraordinary Dr. Meg Jay PhD (Dr. Jay’s TED Talk is one of the most viewed TED Talks with almost 12 million views—that’s because she is truly an inspiration and a voice of wisdom and knowledge!). In Part 1 of this podcast episode, we’ll break myths and leap into discovery and tools to help overcome child sexual abuse: New insights that help us to understand how childhood trauma affects adults; the notion of “normal” and how that helps or harms us; and how our adult choices, not our childhood abuse, can lead to living a life that is happy and fulfilled.
PART 2
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021
In Part 2 of this podcast episode with Dr. Meg Jay PhD, we'll break more myths, and dig deeper into insights and tools to help overcome child sexual abuse: we'll start by talking about "Naming It To Tame It” - the negative impact of keeping secrets and the freedom in sharing; then, we'll talk about depression– acknowledging it, tending to it, and overcoming it; and finally, we'll talk about the “thing” that makes your life yours – deciding what you want and fully living it!
Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse ~ The Podcast
Trailer
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021
Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse is a positive and uplifting podcast series to help overcome the struggles that remain in our adult lives from experiences of child sexual abuse. In this series, Kathy Andersen, award-winning self-development author and survivor of a childhood of sexual abuse, brings together leading experts and inspiring contributors in areas including positive and clinical psychology, self-mastery and development, and trauma recovery to share practical approaches and new learnings to help adults break free from the ongoing trauma, triggers, and turmoil of child sexual abuse and create a life filled with authentic happiness. It's never too late to overcome abuse and live the life that sets you free! Let's do this together!
Subscribe & Stay On The Journey With Us!
We'll send you a link to the latest podcast each week so you can stay with us on the journey!
Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse is a positive and uplifting podcast series
to help overcome the struggles that remain in our adult lives from experiences of child sexual abuse.
In this series, Kathy Andersen, award-winning self-development author and survivor of a childhood of sexual abuse, brings together leading experts and inspiring contributors in areas including positive and clinical psychology, self-mastery and development, and trauma recovery to share practical approaches and new learnings to help adults break free from the ongoing trauma, triggers, and turmoil of child sexual abuse and create a life filled with authentic happiness. It's never too late to overcome abuse and live the life that sets you free!
Additional Resources
Important Note:
The Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse podcast is a general educational and information resource and is not intended to provide expert advice for specific circumstances or individual situations.
To gain help for your individual situation, please reach out to local resources, your medical provider, and 24/7 helplines, including:
Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline: 800.422.4453
Online: https://childhelphotline.org
National Suicide Prevention 24/7 Lifeline: 800.273.8255
Online: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
For Emergency Help for Yourself or Loved Ones:
Call 911
.