Send us a text In this episode, Jason, Becky, and the team discuss the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome. They explore how imposter syndrome affects people in various stages of life and professions, including high achievers, graduate students, and trauma survivors. They share personal experiences and symptoms associated with the syndrome, such as fear of failure, self-doubt, and difficulty accepting praise. The conversation shifts to strategies for coping with these feelings, emphasizing the ...
Dec 19, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 175
Send us a text What if enhancing your communication skills could transform your relationships and personal journey? This episode promises to equip you with the tools to cultivate deeper connections through refined communication techniques. We explore the nuances of active listening and articulate expression, crucial skills in our hurried world, and share personal reflections on overcoming past trauma and stepping from the shadows of victimhood to survivor strength. By understanding how to naviga...
Dec 12, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 174
Send us a text What if embracing your insecurities could become your greatest strength? In our latest episode, we explore the transformative impact of trauma on self-identity and self-worth. Through personal stories, we uncover how challenging limiting beliefs can help rebuild a more authentic sense of self. Our "Enjoy the Ride" segment features a listener's inspiring journey, highlighting the healing power of trying new things after trauma. By facing the current pain of identity struggles, we o...
Dec 05, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 173
Send us a text What if the very place that's supposed to nurture and protect you becomes your personal nightmare? In this gripping episode, we follow the harrowing journey of Susie Spencer, a beacon of resilience who opens up about her tumultuous past filled with abuse and survival. Her courageous testimony sheds light on the oppressive silence enforced upon her and the profound liberation she now experiences by breaking it. Through Susie's powerful narrative, we confront the haunting legacy of ...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 172
Send us a text What if resilience wasn't just an innate trait, but a skill we could all develop and strengthen? Join us on this transformative journey as we explore how embracing life's challenges can lead to personal empowerment and growth. With a touch of humor and warmth, we share personal stories, from baking a cake on a barbecue during a power outage to confronting the serious challenge of battling melanoma. Through these anecdotes, we highlight how resilience is not a superpower but a musc...
Nov 21, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 171
Send us a text What happens when grief strikes out of the blue, and the old five-stage roadmap doesn't seem to fit? Join us as we unpack the tangled web of emotions that come with loss, whether it's the passing of a loved one, a painful breakup, a career upheaval, or the disruption of daily life. Jake shares his heart-wrenching experience of losing a friend, and we delve into the messy, non-linear process of grieving, acknowledging that the journey is as unique as the individual experiencing it....
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 170
Send us a text After years of seeking ways to manage the emotional fallout of a traumatic childhood, I finally unlocked the power of a personal "coping kit"—a collection of strategies that are vital for healing. Join us as we uncover the efficacy of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping skills, and how societal norms shape our perceptions of what's healthy. We discuss the importance of distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms and share personal anecdotes on the transfo...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 169
Send us a text What if you could transform isolation into empowerment through the power of connection? Join us as we welcome Suzy to a heartfelt discussion about the essential role social support networks play in the healing journeys of survivors. By exploring different types of support—emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal—we uncover how each contributes uniquely to overcoming loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging. Through personal stories, like a simple picnic with a fr...
Oct 31, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 168
Send us a text What if you could unlock the silenced parts of yourself and transform your healing journey through the power of creative expression? This episode is your guide to discovering the profound impact of expressive therapy, where art, music, and movement become more than just hobbies — they become tools for emotional release and personal growth. Sharing personal stories of how practices like journaling and painting have unearthed hidden emotional patterns, we explore how embracing these...
Oct 24, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 167
Send us a text Could you imagine using "no" as a complete sentence and feeling liberated rather than guilty? We promise that by the end of this episode, you'll see boundary-setting as a transformative act of self-care and self-respect. We explore the crucial role boundaries play across all life dynamics, from romantic entanglements to professional environments, and how they can empower us to prioritize our well-being. Hear from Emily, a dedicated ER nurse, as she shares her personal struggles an...
Oct 17, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 166
Send us a text Can your thoughts really shape your reality? Imagine your mind as an old house in need of renovation – that's what we'll explore today with cognitive restructuring. David shares his personal "My Brain's Renovation" story, revealing how transforming negative thought patterns into empowering beliefs can be life-changing. We'll discuss the importance of distinguishing between a negative mindset and unhealthy thoughts, and why realistic perspectives matter more than forced positivity....
Oct 10, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 165
Send us a text Can healing from trauma truly be a shared journey? Join us as we explore the profound inspirations behind our life coaching and video series aimed at helping individuals navigate their trauma recovery journeys. In this episode, we dive into the impact of social media algorithms on mental health and the importance of a well-rounded toolkit of resources, including videos, reading materials, and journaling techniques. We highlight the non-linear nature of healing and emphasize the ne...
Oct 03, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 164
Send us a text What would your life look like if you could transition from merely surviving to truly thriving? Join us for a special bonus episode where we trace the heartwarming journey of our podcast's inception, driven by the unwavering support of Susie, Becky, and Jason. Susie shares her emotional bond with Becky, forged during a support group retreat for sexual assault survivors, which ignited a shared dream of tailored healing. Becky, with her 16-year dedication to addiction recovery, disc...
Oct 01, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 162
Send us a text Join Susie and David as they explore #emotional regulation and healing with special guest Shana Forrestall, a multi-talented actress and producer. Shana shares her personal #journey of #grief, resilience, and tips for managing anxiety. The discussion also includes the transformative power of music and art therapy, especially featuring creative projects by young individuals on the autism spectrum. Dive into various healing modalities, including plant medicine, and learn the importa...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 163
Send us a text Can laughter be a lifeline after enduring trauma? Join us as we sit down with Ashley Easter to uncover the power of humor in reclaiming joy and control. Ashley's story is both heartbreaking and uplifting, as she navigates the absurdity of her past life in a fundamentalist religious cult. Her small acts of rebellion and the discovery of humor as a coping mechanism provide a fresh perspective on finding light amid darkness. This conversation is a testament to the resilience of the h...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 163
Send us a text Curious about how mindfulness can transform your life? Discover the profound impact of self-awareness as we share personal stories and insightful analogies, including Susie's memorable takeaway from "The Golden Girls." We'll explore how understanding our thoughts, feelings, and emotional triggers is like upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone, unlocking new dimensions of personal growth and clarity. This episode promises to equip you with the tools to manage your emotions and...
Sep 12, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 161
Send us a text Can you imagine rebuilding a sense of safety and stability after trauma through simple practices? Discover the transformative power of grounding and relaxation techniques as we explore their critical role in building resilience. This episode is packed with practical strategies to help you manage overwhelming emotions and reconnect with the present moment. Personal stories and expert insights illustrate how consistent practice can help you regain a sense of security and balance, li...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 160
Send us a text What if the mind under chronic stress is like a city struck by recurring meteors? Join us as we explore this compelling metaphor on this episode of "The Process." We share personal stories and insights to highlight the profound impact of trauma on our brain and body. Susie dives into the essential concepts of big T and little T trauma, explaining how these events affect our amygdala and hippocampus, and why taking breaks and seeking support is crucial for healing. We challenge the...
Sep 05, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 159
Send us a text Ever felt swamped by a flood of new ideas and hobbies, only to find yourself too overwhelmed to take action? We get it. David recounts a day filled with ambitious plans for spirituality and health, which turned into a cluttered mess of unfulfilled aspirations. Suzy and David navigate the intricate concept of preloading—how it can be a double-edged sword that leaves you paralyzed by possibilities. Learn practical tips to balance inspiration with action and prevent that dreaded burn...
Sep 05, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 158
Send us a text What if healing from trauma wasn't just about surviving, but thriving and growing together as a community? Meet our new co-host, Susie Spencer, who brings her powerful story of overcoming childhood trauma and finding strength through community support. In this transformative episode, we unveil the exciting shift from "Surviving Podcast" to "The Process." Our conversation is filled with honest reflections on why we needed to rebrand and how listener feedback has helped shape our ne...
Aug 29, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 157
Send us a text Imagine navigating life with a profound sense of gratitude despite facing intense trials. Audrey Nicole, our remarkable guest from Charlotte, North Carolina, shares her courageous journey towards authenticity and self-acceptance. She opens up about her upcoming book, "Transition," and reflects on the impact of her first book, "Broken Through a Shattered Glass." Audrey's story is filled with early struggles, severe bullying, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path towards livi...
Aug 22, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 156
Send us a text Imagine being placed in the back of a squad car with the very person who took your mother’s life. This unfathomable nightmare was Nikki Wasilishin's reality. Join us as Nikki recounts the tragic night her mother, Stacey Marie Wasilishin, was murdered and the years-long journey she embarked upon to seek justice. With raw honesty, Nikki reveals how repressed memories and a mishandled investigation have fueled her relentless pursuit of the truth, using her own TikTok channel to creat...
Aug 08, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 154
Send us a text What happens when you combine the ancient wisdom of psilocybin with the expertise of a trauma coach? Join us in a transformative conversation with Phoenix Gould, as we uncover the profound healing impacts of her recent psilocybin therapy session. Phoenix, a dedicated trauma coach, shares the raw and powerful journey of confronting long-held fears and trauma. Discover the life-changing insights she gained and how these sessions are reshaping her path to reclaiming joy and personal ...
Aug 01, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 153
Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it takes for men to break free from societal expectations and openly discuss their mental health? Join us on this insightful episode of Surviving Podcast where we welcome Jon Emery, the host of Life's Checkmark, as he shares his transformative journey toward mental health awareness. John's mission to create an open space for sharing life stories is not only inspiring but also deeply necessary in today's world. We dive into the significant impacts of soc...
Jul 25, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Send us a text Tamara’s story is nothing short of extraordinary—a tale of survival, resilience, and the ultimate quest for joy beyond the shadows of a dark past. This week, we have the privilege of hearing from Tamara, a brave woman who escaped a cult over 25 years ago, along with her three children. Her journey from the grip of religious indoctrination and domestic violence to a life filled with self-expression and empowerment is a powerful testimony to human strength and the transformative pow...
Jul 18, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Send us a text Ever wondered how the weight of generational trauma impacts men's mental health? This episode of "Surviving Podcast" features a heartfelt conversation with Terance Dawkins, a licensed clinical social worker who has dedicated his career to breaking the cycle of emotional suppression in men. Inspired by his mother’s battles with depression and anxiety, Terance shares his thought-provoking philosophy of life as a puzzle, piecing together experiences for a clearer picture of well-bein...
Jul 11, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 151
Send us a text How did growing up in an era where expressing emotions was frowned upon shape Simon Rinne from Mindful Men's journey into mental health advocacy? Discover the answer as Simon opens up about his personal experiences during the 80s and 90s, and how the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point for breaking the stigmas around men's mental health. You'll hear about how he transformed his own struggles into a mission to promote authenticity and vulnerability among men, ultimately leadin...
Jun 27, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 150
Send us a text Can you imagine being whisked away from a normal Thanksgiving celebration to a life of strict rules and harsh punishments? This episode shines a spotlight on Melanie from Wales, who courageously shares her harrowing experiences within the troubled teen industry (TTI). From growing up in care to enduring abuse at the hands of her adoptive family, Melanie's story takes a chilling turn when she is sent to the New Beginnings Girls Academy in the U.S., a supposed place of rehabilitatio...
Jun 20, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 149
Send us a text Imagine waking up to a regular morning only to be confronted with a life-altering tragedy. Join us as we sit down with Ashley Stoker, a TikTok advocate and survivor, to hear her deeply personal account of losing her parents in a horrific accident caused by an impaired driver. Ashley opens up about the dreadful day her brother hydroplaned, setting off a chain reaction that led to her parents' untimely deaths. Her mother's love for photography, surprisingly, became a beacon of hope,...
Jun 13, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 148
Send us a text What if breaking decades-old societal norms could lead to profound personal and collective healing? Join us as we welcome Taylor, a veteran, Wounded Warrior, and seasoned victim advocate with over 20 years of experience. Taylor shares their incredible journey from personal trauma to becoming a beacon of hope and support for others. Learn how a transformative experience with a dedicated therapist specializing in domestic violence survivors ignited Taylor's passion for advocacy, emp...
Jun 06, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 147
