The Story of Our Trauma

When you think of the four-day work week, how does it make you feel? In this episode, Dr. Shauna Springer speaks with Alex Soojung Kim-Pang. Alex is a consultant, speaker, and author of some pretty interesting works like SHORTER: Work Better, Smarter, and Less - Here’s How; REST: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less; and The Distraction Addiction. The two discuss creating a world of work that is much better than we're used to, how toxicity in the workplace can cause trauma, and the focus we can give ourselves with that extra day off.

Since her time in the Army as a K9 handler, Mary Cortani has understood how our four-legged friends have healing benefits. She founded the organization Operation Freedom Paws - a non-profit that empowers veterans and individuals with disabilities to restore their freedom to live life through a special therapeutic canine-human relationship. In this episode, Dr. Springer and Mary talk about the therapeutic benefits of canines for many different types of trauma survivors and how Operation Freedom Paws has incorporated Stella’s innovative SGB treatment into their programming.

Kyle Maynard is an entrepreneur, speaker, best-selling author, award-winning extreme athlete, and the first man to bear crawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation that left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees, Kyle has accomplished these incredible feats because of who he is, not despite his condition. Join Dr. Shauna Springer and Kyle as they discuss reconciling with trauma, overcoming adversity, and getting in a metaphorical ring with one of the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Jordan.

How quickly can trauma intercept a seemingly perfect life? For Deborah Liverett, it was months. The prominent Chicago philanthropist spent much of her time helping women in disadvantaged situations and gave millions to education, healthcare, and the arts, but when faced with the health of her ailing parents, racism in an unfamiliar town, and the loss of her son, trauma built a wall. Listen in as Deborah, and Dr. Shauna Springer talk about these traumas, how she dealt with them, and her experience with our sponsors, Stella, and one of the fastest-growing trauma treatments worldwide.

What is perfectly hidden depression, and why is it more important than you think? In this episode, Dr. Shauna Springer is joined by Dr. Margaret Rutherford, the host of the popular Self Work podcast, and a Harvard classmate, Crescent Muhammad; two women who share their extraordinary points of view on trauma from a place of expertise and vulnerability. This episode is relatable for anyone who has hit a wall in their life whether professionally or personally. Even those curious to discover the different walls there are throughout our lives.

What does it mean to fully forgive? It can be a long and difficult process filled with resentment, anger, and vengeance. It took years for Tasreen Khamisa to come face to face with Tony Hicks, the man that murdered her brother, Tariq, in a gang-related robbery. But for Tasreen, a Shia Ismaili Muslim who was raised on the belief of helping others, it was to find a feeling of inner peace and to move forward. Not only for her family but for Tony's as well. Today, they consider one another family and work together to spread awareness of restorative justice with the Tariq Khamisa Foundation. Listen in as Tasreen, Tony, and Dr. Springer talk about the challenges of forgiveness, their relationship, and moving forward together.

How does trauma affect the trajectory of your life? At 17, Jeff Wallace was tried as an adult and sentenced to 11 years in prison. The trauma Jeff faced behind bars, like acts of violence from guards and the incarcerated, and adjusting to life post-incarceration, shaped his life in a way he never thought. Jeff has now spent a large part of his life studying the effects of the criminal justice system policies and procedures on at-risk youth. Listen in as Jeff and Dr. Springer talk about the challenges of pre-existing traumas, approaches to life, and shaping identities. Let’s dive into the conversation.

Adoptee. A word that can be both welcoming and isolating at the same time, especially for an intercountry adoptee like Lynelle Long - A Vietnamese adoptee residing in Australia. Long struggled with concepts like her identity and where she belonged. And though her family welcomed her with warmth, she was faced with harsh anti-Asian sentiments from her new community. Long has since founded the InterCountry Adoptee Voices - an extensive worldwide network amongst the intercountry adoptee community that provided one of the first platforms worldwide for intercountry adoptee-led organizations and individuals to collaborate, share, and encourage one another, regardless of sending or adoptive country. Listen in as Dr. Springer and Lynelle talk about the challenges of intercountry adoption, her experience in a place that wasn’t home, and creating a network for adoptees and their families.

How does a community heal from a collective trauma like the Columbine High School tragedy? It was 23 years ago today that two gunmen took the lives of 12 students and a teacher in Littleton, CO. And, 23 years of collective community grief. But, for Frank DeAngelis, the principal of Columbine High School during the tragedy, it's been decades of help, reflecting, and pushing forward. Listen in as he and Dr. Springer dive into how this event impacted him and his family, the community, and the emotional trauma that comes with every anniversary.

How can a person feel compassion for others if they cannot feel compassion for themselves? The Story of Our Trauma and Dr. Shauna Springer welcomes Paul Gilmartin, comedian, and host of the podcast, The Mental Illness Happy Hour. Gilmartin's trauma began at a young age but it wasn't until adulthood that the former host of TBS' Dinner and a Movie fully recognized how they shaped life - A creative life battling depression and addiction. Gilmartin has been sober since 2003. Listen in as he and Dr. Springer dive into his trauma, addiction recovery, and how his podcast has been helping artists and others in a battle of their own.

Is it possible our traumas can still be present even if we feel we've addressed them appropriately? The Story of Our Trauma and Dr. Shauna Springer welcomes Dr. Katya Burdo, a Clinical Psychologist, and our guest on our special episode on refugees. She faced insurmountable persecution throughout her childhood against her religion and views of a better way of life, a driving force behind her attempted defection from Russia to the United States at 14. Dr. Burdo now practices psychology in the Boston area and has expertise in psychotherapy, depression, anxiety, and much more. Listen in as she and Dr. Springer dive into her childhood in Russia, how trauma can change your identity and her experience with psychedelics.

When does a hero, who saved over 200 lives, say, "right now, I need some help too?" Kevin Briggs has dedicated his life to suicide intervention. He spent years helping those in need come back over the railing on the Golden Gate Bridge. His impact was so tremendous that the media dubbed him the Guardian of the Golden Gate. Briggs' understanding of trauma, having experienced many traumatic events himself, heart surgeries, a cancer diagnosis, a divorce, helped mold his approach. Even the most skilled and caring people can miss the cries for help in those they love. Kevin is no exception. He shares his own experience helping countless strangers in distress, and helping the people in his immediate family during their most dangerous times. Listen in as Dr. Shauna Springer, Ph.D. talks to Kevin Briggs about his experience on the Golden Gate Bridge, his personal traumas, and his healing journey with the Stellate Ganglion Block treatment by Stella.

Refugee. When you hear that word, who do you think of? In this special edition episode, we welcome you to listen to the story of a refugee - A popular buzzword, especially in the last half-decade in the wake of Syria, Honduras, and the Russia - Ukraine conflicts. Dr. Katya Burdo, a Clinical Psychologist, and our episode 8 guest, faced insurmountable persecution throughout her childhood against her religion and views of a better way of life, a driving force behind her attempted defection from Russia to the United States at the age of 14. Two years later, at 16, Dr. Burdo and her family successfully left Russia, only to face a new challenge that is often forgotten when talking about refugees - Successfully adapting to a better way of life. A note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.

How does someone, who came up triumphant in their battle against cancer, find their purpose again after having their life and career derailed? Dr. Elana Miller's path to healing was difficult, but her work as a psychiatrist before her diagnosis helped prepare her mind for her turbulent journey. Now, she has an integrative psychiatry private practice where she combines Eastern perspectives on mindfulness and spirituality into the Western view of the mind and brain. Miller gives Dr. Springer 10+ years of insight into trauma, overcoming mental and emotional obstacles, and living a purposeful, happy, and thriving life. A note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.

At what moment do you admit, “yes, I have trauma?” It took decades for magician Andrew Bennett to identify and acknowledge he has experienced trauma. Yet, living through so many extreme traumatic challenges from a young age, like the loss of family both metaphorically and literally, not only shaped Bennett into the person he is today but molded his view on how to live and approach trauma. Listen in as Bennett shares the three-part phrase that has guided his personal and professional life and how his big and small traumas still impact him equally today at 60-years-old. A note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.

How is one family forced to flee a country they called home for all of their lives, and who is there to help them escape when there seems to be no way out? Johnny Walker fought desperately as an Iraqi Navy SEAL interpreter to make Iraq a safe and thriving constitutional republic. Still, with the war growing more threatening towards his family, it was time to find a way out. After many sleepless nights, his friend and Navy SEAL, Jason Tuschen, found a way. Listen in to hear the heroic story of how Jason and Johnny became lifelong brothers. A quick note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.

Sally Wolf’s life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She stepped away from her role as a media executive and her new mission in life was to inspire others. She talks with Dr. Springer about her time at Harvard, her diagnosis, and taking pleasure in the simple things, like being an “auntie” to her nephew and nieces. For Sally Wolf, there’s always something special when you look for it, even on the most challenging days. A quick note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.

When it comes to support for mental health providers, who heals the healers? Guy Macpherson has been answering that question for the better part of a decade. MacPherson sits down with Dr. Springer to discuss the broader definitions of trauma, his number one rated trauma podcast, and The Trauma Therapist, and The Trauma Therapist Project - an organization that creates an educational and supportive community for therapists and trauma workers. A quick note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.

How did Ron Self find himself in a situation that had him pulling the trigger in an attempted hit on a doctor’s life? The events of Self's past shaped his traumatic and turbulent future. Listen in to how this U.S. Marine overcame his trauma and went from being an inmate of the country's most notorious prisons to becoming the founder of Veterans Healing Veterans. A quick note of caution that content in this episode may be sensitive to some listeners.