The Hidden Link Between Trauma and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Aug 13, 2025•22 min
Wednesdays With Watson: Faith & Trauma Amy Watson- PTSD Patient-Trauma Survivor
Amy Watson: Trauma Survivor, Hope Carrier, Precious Daughter Of The Most High God•www.wednesdayswithwatson.com
Welcome to "Wednesdays With Watson," a compassionate and insightful podcast dedicated to exploring the complex journey of healing from PTSD, the role of faith in recovery, and the profound impact of trauma on our lives. Hosted by Amy Watson, a passionate advocate for mental health and a trauma survivor, this podcast aims to provide a safe and empathetic space for listeners to learn, share, and find hope.In each episode, we delve deep into the multifaceted aspects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its far-reaching effects. We bring you riveting personal stories of resilience, recovery, and transformation and expert interviews with psychologists, therapists, faith leaders, and individuals who have walked the path of healing.Our mission is to break mental health stigma and encourage open dialogue about PTSD and trauma. We explore the profound connection between faith, spirituality, and mental well-being, offering insights into how one's faith can be a powerful source of strength and healing.Whether PTSD, faith, or trauma has touched you or someone you know, "Wednesdays With Watson" is here to inspire, educate, and provide practical tools for navigating the healing journey. Join us on this empowering quest towards reclaiming peace, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.Today, subscribe to our community of survivors, advocates, and compassionate listeners. Together, we can heal our hearts and find the path to recovery, one episode at a time.
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Episodes
What Happens After Survival? Exploring Post-Traumatic Growth
Send us a text The journey through trauma is not simply about survival – it can become a pathway to profound personal transformation. In this deeply moving episode, Amy Watson reveals her own path from childhood abuse and a suicide attempt to becoming a trauma therapist and doctoral candidate, introducing listeners to the scientifically validated concept of post-traumatic growth. While trauma itself is never a gift, the struggle with trauma can catalyze remarkable changes in those who face it di...
Jul 23, 2025•31 min•Season 7Ep. 20
When the World Feels Unsafe: How to Protect Your Peace While Living with PTSD
Send us a text The world often feels fundamentally unsafe for those of us living with PTSD, even before we turn on the news. When global events like military conflicts, mass shootings, and political turmoil dominate headlines, our already sensitive nervous systems go into overdrive, confirming what trauma has already taught us – that danger lurks everywhere. Yet finding peace isn't about pretending the world is safe when it isn't. Rather, it's about creating micro-sanctuaries where your nervous ...
Jul 02, 2025•28 min•Season 7Ep. 19
Bipolar Disorder 101: Beyond the Stigma
Send us a text The fog lifts momentarily, only to descend again. The lightning that fuels creativity brings thunder in its wake. This is the reality for millions living with bipolar disorder – not just mood swings, but profound shifts that can transform daily functioning into heroic acts of survival. Bipolar disorder remains one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, carrying heavy stigma despite affecting countless lives. Through Jonah's powerful story, we witness the journey from ...
Jun 04, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 18
Healing's Hard Question
Send us a text "Do you want to get well?" The question Jesus asked a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda seems almost ridiculous on the surface. Why wouldn't someone paralyzed for 38 years want healing? Yet this profound question cuts straight to the heart of our complicated relationship with wellness. Sometimes the most difficult part of healing isn't the pain itself—it's surrendering the identity we've built around being broken. For the man at Bethesda, wellness would mean leaving behind the...
May 11, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 17
Faith Doesn't Erase Pain, It Gives It Purpose, 5 Year Anniversary
Send us a text Five years and 125 episodes later, what began as a trembling voice in a closet recording booth has blossomed into a sacred journey of healing, faith, and community. Wednesdays with Watson was born not from expertise but from raw necessity—a desperate search for understanding my own PTSD during the early, uncertain days of the 2020 pandemic. Lying in a hammock when the world suddenly stopped, I confronted a truth that had followed me since childhood: trauma wasn't just a chapter in...
Apr 23, 2025•18 min•Season 7Ep. 16
Healing From Childhood Trauma: Your Questions Answered
Send us a text Follow Amy On Socials https://linktr.ee/amywatsonauthor Victory Trauma Consulting Book a 15-minute call with Amy. https://booking.appointy.com/VictoryTrauma Trauma leaves invisible marks that often surface in adulthood as anxiety, relationship struggles, and even physical symptoms. For Child Abuse Awareness Month this April, we're diving deep into the complex ways childhood trauma shapes our adult lives by answering the ten most common questions listeners have submitted about thei...
Apr 02, 2025•29 min•Season 7Ep. 15
PTSD 101: Understanding Trauma and PTSD
Send us a text Amy's Story Part 1 Amy's Story Part 2 Amy's Story Part 3 Book A Consultation Five years after launching this podcast as a "pandemic pivot" from my hammock, I'm marking this milestone by returning to the fundamentals of trauma and PTSD. This episode kicks off a comprehensive series that will guide you through understanding trauma's profound impact on mind, body, and behavior as we build toward PTSD Awareness Month in June. Trauma isn't simply about what happens to us—it's about wha...
Mar 12, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 14
Healing Through Trauma: My Journey with PTSD--PART THREE
Send us a text Send a text above to get your question featured on listener episode in two weeks! Text messages are confidential. Part 1 of this series: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1027246/episodes/16606769-what-is-wednesdays-with-watson-part-2.mp3?download=true Part 2:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1027246/episodes/16606769-what-is-wednesdays-with-watson-part-2.mp3?download=true Discover a deeply personal and transformative journey in this episode as I share my battle with post-traumatic stress disor...
Feb 26, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 13
What Is Wednesdays With Watson? Part 2
Send us a text What happens when the very foundations of your safety are shaken, and healing seems out of reach? Join me as I share a deeply personal journey, marking the near fifth anniversary of the Wednesdays with Watson podcast. Born from the solitude of the pandemic and my struggle with PTSD, this episode takes you through the significant moments that shaped my path toward healing. From a life-altering stay in a psychiatric hospital to moving in with a friend who transformed my approach to ...
Feb 12, 2025•34 min•Season 7Ep. 12
So, What is Wednesdays With Watson Anyway? Start HERE
Send us a text This episode centers on Amy Watson's journey through post-traumatic stress disorder, emphasizing the universal nature of trauma and the hope for healing through community and faith. As Amy recounts her personal experiences and insights, she encourages listeners to understand the challenges of PTSD while highlighting the significance of support systems and trustworthy connections in the recovery process. • Exploring personal stories of trauma and healing • Discussing the impact of ...
Jan 29, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Millennial Generation: Finding Strength in Vulnerability and Community with Lydia Garner
Send us a text Lydia Garner returns to share her insights on coping with grief and trauma, focusing on her experiences as a Millennial dealing with the loss of her son. Through her journey, she emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, gratitude, and open conversations about mental health across generations. • Lydia shares the impact of 9/11 on her as a teenager • Understanding how her upbringing shaped her resilience • The cultural shift surrounding mental health in the Millennial generation ...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Navigating Post-Holiday Blues: Setting Mental Health Goals for 2025
Send us a text Ever find yourself feeling low after the holiday lights dim and the festive spirit fades? Well, you're not alone. In our latest Wednesdays with Watson episode, we uncover the post-holiday letdown many experience and offer practical insights into managing those overwhelming emotions. We explore the triggers that might arise from family gatherings and the weight of grief, especially when the winter skies feel endlessly gray. Get ready to learn how setting mental health goals and foc...
Jan 01, 2025•30 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Finding Peace and Healing: Navigating Family Estrangement During the Holidays
Send us a text Have you ever felt the sting of family estrangement, especially during the holidays? Explore the profound emotions tied to separation from loved ones as we seek solace in the timeless story of Joseph. Through his journey of betrayal and eventual forgiveness, we uncover the transformative power of grace and faith. This episode promises to guide you in embracing an eternal perspective, finding hope and healing through God's unwavering presence. As we reflect on forgiveness as a libe...
Dec 18, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Healing and Hope Across Generations ft. Mom McGowan, The Silent Generation
Send us a text Imagine finding strength in silence and wisdom in the unspoken stories of the past. This episode brings you a heartfelt conversation with the extraordinary Mom McGowan, a 91-year-old hero from the silent generation whose resilience during the toughest of times offers us lessons in perseverance. Mom takes us through her life journey, illustrating how the greatest generation weathered the storms of the Depression and World Wars with a stoic determination that often left emotions une...
Dec 04, 2024•53 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Breaking the Cycle: What Can We Learn From The Silent Generation?
Send us a text Imagine a generation shaped by hardship and resilience, yet taught to hide their emotions behind a stoic facade. What happens when those silent struggles are passed down through the family tree? Join us on a thoughtful journey as we explore the legacy of the silent generation, born between 1928 and 1945, and the profound impact of their unaddressed traumas on subsequent generations. From the stark realities of the Great Depression to the seismic shifts of World War II, we paint a ...
Nov 13, 2024•24 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Breaking Free from the Past: Understanding and Healing Intergenerational Trauma
Send us a text The episode about dysregulated nervous system with Lauren Starnes Internal Family Systems Episode Unlock the secrets of your past and discover how the trauma of your ancestors might be affecting your life today. Join us as we explore the intriguing world of intergenerational trauma, where the echoes of wars, slavery, and familial struggles ripple through time, impacting beliefs, behaviors, and even health. Learn how these deep-rooted experiences get etched into our DNA and what sc...
Nov 06, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Building Resilience: Navigating Traumatic Stress and Finding Hope After Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Send us a text Counseling Resources: If you are feeling suicidal please call or text 988. A free, 24/7, multilingual hotline that offers crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters: Call 1-800-985-5990 Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 Spanish speakers can call and press "2" for bilingual support Florida 211 Network : A 24/7 network that provides resources, including mental wellness care and local health and community services. CALL 211 Florida Disaster...
Oct 23, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Protecting Your Peace in Troubling Times: Faith as an Anchor
Send us a text Send us a text Patreon Link Follow on IG Facebook As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida Amy Watson is faithfully trusting in the Lord and His will while preparing to hunker down until the storm passes. Even during this time she always has you, her listeners in her heart and mind and recognizes that during these uncertain times we all need a little extra hope and comfort. Join Amy as we combine two Wednesdays With Watson episodes that put the focus on the Lord during times of trou...
Oct 09, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Living in a World Gone Mad
Send us a text Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the state of the world, finding it difficult to maintain hope and peace? Join us on the season premiere of Wednesdays with Watson as we explore how to navigate these tumultuous times with faith and resilience. In our first chapter, we confront the pervasive sense of hopelessness and anxiety fueled by global and national crises. We emphasize that true hope doesn't come from political leaders or legislation but from the power of God working through ...
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Breaking the Cycle: Healing Trauma for Future Generations
Send us a text Patreon Link Follow on IG Facebook What if breaking the cycle of trauma could change not just your life but the lives of future generations? Join us on this profound journey as we kick off season seven of Wednesdays with Watson, marking four years of commitment to confronting trauma and supporting those affected. We celebrate our achievements, including over 130 episodes that have made a tangible difference, from aiding families impacted by domestic violence to providing scholarsh...
Sep 11, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Super Jubilee: A Journey of Forgiveness, Rest, and New Beginnings
Send us a text As I stood on the cusp of turning 50, I found myself reflecting on the rich tapestry of experiences, triumphs, and struggles that have shaped my life. Join me as I recount the monumental celebration of my 50th birthday, aptly named my "Super Jubilee." We revisit heartfelt memories shared by five influential people from each decade of my life, exploring the profound themes of liberation, freedom, and rest that have steered my journey through 2022. Embrace with me the power of inten...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min•Season 6Ep. 22
The Power of Honest Conversations & Community
Send us a text This is Pt 2 of my conversation with Crissy as we step back into the early days of PTSD diagnosis. Pt 1: on Apple Podcast or Here Ever wondered how to navigate the complexities of PTSD and domestic violence? Join us in this special summer hiatus of the Wednesdays with Watson podcast as we revisit some of our most impactful episodes from the inaugural season. Over the next two months, I'll share my journey of healing, highlighting the immense role my church, community, counseling, ...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Friendship and Faith: Overcoming Trauma's Shadows
Send us a text How do you unjumble memories when PTSD has scrambled them? In this special re-release of our first-ever Wednesdays with Watson episode, we revisit the profound conversation with Chrissy, an essential figure in my journey. Together, we unravel the significance of having a "memory keeper" and the transformative power of Psalm 91 during our most challenging times. Expect an enlightening dive into the science behind PTSD, with practical insights into the roles of the hippocampus and a...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 21
The Path to Recovery: Faith and Connection
Send us a text Connect on Instagram Support Podcast and its mission to help people who can not afford counseling JJ Heller's What Love Really Means Used By Permission (See License) WERE you there in 2020 when we started? These combined throw-back episodes is full of cliffhangers you don't have to wait or listen to another episode, all praise to the Star of the story, wow the growth of the podcast and personal healing, thank you Jesus! What if the journey to healing trauma could be mapped through...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Finding Healing Through Faith and Community: Amy's message from Oak Hill Baptist Church, Waycross, GA
Send us a text Patreon Link What if understanding trauma as a part of life could transform your healing journey? Join us on this heartfelt episode of Wednesdays with Watson as we travel to Oak Hill Baptist Church in Waycross, Georgia, and delve into the profound impact of trauma, faith, and community. I share my personal testimony of overcoming immense challenges to deliver a message that everyone is seen, known, heard, loved, and valued by God. You'll hear about my own journey, from identifying...
Jul 03, 2024•46 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Is It PTSD? Do you want to get well?
Send us a text I am the only one who sees text messages, and I would love to hear from you! Support our efforts by providing counseling scholarships. Contact Lauren Starnes-When The Body Talks Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges, unsure of how to cope? Today, I take you through my personal journey with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sharing the relief and validation that came with understanding my diagnosis. We'll explore the critical importance of seeking professional he...
Jun 19, 2024•34 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Nurturing Hope: The Trauma Informed Foster Parent, ft Laney Gibney
Send us a text Have a question for Laney or me? Send us a text message with your Instagram handle! Amy's Instagram Laney's Instagram Want to help Laney and Matt practically? Gift cards can be sent to Laney. You can send it directly to the Gibney's, center.laney@gmail.com Requested: Jersey Mike's Chic Fila Starbucks McDonalds How do you navigate the emotional labyrinth of foster parenting during a global pandemic? Join us for a special episode featuring Laney Gibney and her husband, Matt, as they...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Trauma Informed Church: The Role of Trauma-Informed Care in Church Communities, ft Dr. Catherine Jackson
Send us a text Did you send a text message? Provide your IG handle and follow on IG for a potential answer to your question: Follow Amy on Instagram Dr. Catherine Jackson on Instagram Have you ever wondered how to carry Christ's love into the challenging spaces where trauma resides? Dr. Catherine Jackson, known affectionately as Dr. J, graces our podcast with her deep understanding of neuropsychology and trauma-informed therapy. As we walk through Mental Health Awareness Month, we peel back the ...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Listening When Your Body Talks: Get Out Of Your Head ft. Lauren Starnes
Send us a text Ever wondered why your body seems to have a mind of its own, especially after experiencing trauma? Join me as I sit down with Lauren Starnes, a compassionate physician's assistant in psychiatric medicine, to uncover the vital interplay between our physical sensations and mental health. In a revealing conversation, we tackle the often-overlooked language of the body post-trauma, discussing how tuning into these messages not only enhances self-awareness but can also be a matter of s...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 16
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