It wouldn’t be the final season of the Flourishing With PTSD podcast is Shey wasn’t on it! Founder of We Are The Evidence, Shey sits down with me to talk about what her life has looked like after going through the court process following a sexual assault, and losing the case. You can find Shey on Instagram @wearetheevidence and find more resources and blog posts on WeAreEvidence.com.

Yet another episode full of challenging vulnerability, join me as the countdown continues toward the final episode. Relationships are precious, and when they end because of trauma, we don’t always get closure. Sit with me while I process my thoughts on that aloud.

Healing is highly individual. There is no grand rule book - as much as we sure wish there was. Lauren, founder of the MTMV Community Support Network talks about the realities of being a survivor in the advocacy world and the relationship of those identities with the ability to heal.

Join me as I sit down with Zinette to talk about how life has shifted in the last few years as she watches her children grow up. You do not have to be a parent to benefit from this episode!With every milestone comes a new set of conversations to aid in the autonomy of her children, and hopefully along the way bring some healing to that inner child that did not get to have these conversations. You can find Zinette on Instagram @zinetteleader

**TRIGGER WARNING** (mentions and explicit depictions of child sexual abuse and child domestic abuse) Join me as I sit down with Lu, a survivor of CPTSD of 40+ years, to hear how she found her way to healing after enduring unrelenting childhood domestic and sexual abuse. Lu goes on to share how she has taken her experiences and uses them to help others now as a Reiki Master, a certified Emotional Freedom Technique and Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner, and is now a certified Master Life Coach specializing in overcoming fear beliefs and finding self-worth. She is the author of Tortured to Triumphant, her spiritual journey through Complex PTSD, and an advocate for mental health because it all starts with what we are programmed to think.

**TRIGGER WARNING** (mentions of self harm, death, suicidal thoughts) This is one of the most vulnerable episodes I think I have ever published. Join me as you hear how I went from being at my lowest point when I was ready to throw in the towel to being at my highest point and finding more consistency in my mental health! If you or someone you love needs help, please consult one of the following hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. National Hopeline Network: 1-800-442-4673. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. These numbers and more can be found in therecoveryvillage.com Website mentioned: https://www.apa.org/topics/depression

Join me as I sit down with Daylyn, who speaks to her experience about being stalked during her final semester of college. It is clear in the way she expresses her story that the issue of stalking is not taken as seriously as it should be, nor is it talked about enough. Daylyn did not settle with getting through the experience and leaving it behind. Though it impacted her mental health and her sense of security, she took action that will protect the future student body on her college campus even after she graduated.

Kirin Taylor is back for another episode to discuss wellness and peace skills. It’s important not just to talk about it, but practice it! Join us as Kirin walks us through affirmations and a meditation, followed by our reflections on strategies that have helped ease the struggle of navigating PTSD and intervening on symptoms at the time of onset! Let’s flourish with PTSD!

The educational setting is seeing so much added pressure to teachers and students during the pandemic, and mental health conversations are more important than ever. Join Kirin R. Taylor (@kirinrtaylor) and I as we discuss the presence of mental health struggles in the classroom, and strategies and mindsets that help to host a trauma-informed space. Kirin is a peace educator and adjunct professor. She is the co-creator of Taylor-Adepoju Group (@tayloradepojugroup) and co-founder of Peace International Political Party. You can find more information on her website https://linktr.ee/kirinrtaylor . Kirin’s Educator Peace Pledge: https://ce7a2284-0d32-4bbb-ba5f-1d156a20733b.filesusr.com/ugd/1ec6ad_c3dec15a94ba44e79577eac7f28e37ae.pdf

Many of us our familiar with the two famous trauma responses: Fight or Flight. Others are familiar with the three famous responses: Fight, Flight, or Freeze. We call these the Three Fs. Did you know there is a fourth response that can occur in the face of trauma? We call this the Fawn response. Some of you may know it as Feign… join me as I dissect this fourth response, what it looks like, where it came from, and some linguistic changes that may assist with dismantling the stigma around this response with the assistance of the article written by Cathie Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/202106/understanding-fight-flight-freeze-and-the-feign-response

Did you know that those with PTSD can be eligible for a Service Dog? Typically a Service Dog can be VERY expensive, and most people out there can’t just go out and afford to buy a Service Dog. Listen to Natalie share her story about her German Shepherd, Driggs, how he started out as an Emotional Support Animal, and how at the time of this recording, just three weeks ago, was certified to be a Service Dog. She tells of how she was able to navigate getting Driggs trained and certified that DID NOT cost $30,000. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is anecdotal and should not be taken for legal advice. If you are interested in pursuing having a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in your life, please consult with a therapist and do your own research. You can start with the following links and also please find Natalie on both her small business Instagram @lagombynatalie and her personal account @natalieheileson. You can also find her small business, Lagom By Natalie here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LagombyNatalie Emotional Support Animal Info: https://www.esaregistration.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lWM5pxEbS4mFoffAirqZJS-Rsww4EULYxzzGNWZvAyQeRA1_X45y3RoCsQEQAvD_BwE. Service Dog Info: https://usserviceanimalregistrar.org/hawk-front-page/?utm_term=service%20dog%20certification&gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lRYfPIGzmCARIm5vpawgux_LbCKyrHG-9-HcsvTsn2kEY6CvVwUZfBoCpGYQAvD_BwE and https://www.federalservicedogregistration.org/services/service-dog-registration/

Lately I have had one constant thought: Was I THIS busy before lockdown? The amount of things I have been booking for myself and doing in a single 24-hour period is CRAZY!!! And if not careful, that can lead to burnout. What is burnout? What does that look like? How can you recover? How can you avoid it for next time? All these questions are answered by Shey, founder of We Are The Evidence (Insta: @wearetheevidence and weareevidence.com) and I, along with the help of some sources which are posted below. Join us! https://vetxinternational.com/the-five-stages-of-burnout-spot-the-sign. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-it/201706/how-give-others-without-burning-out. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201907/4-things-do-when-youre-burning-out-work

“Can someone heal from PTSD?” “Is my life over now that I am struggling with PTSD?” “Am I stuck in this living hell?” These are all questions that trauma survivors all over the world have been asking… and I have the same questions too, which is why special guest, Dr. Pam Hall, Ph.D. sat down with me to discuss the barriers and stigma surrounding PTSD mostly in the context of - but not limited to - combat-related trauma. Not only the consequences of these barriers and stigmas, but whether or not PTSD is really a lifelong sentence. Make sure you get your copy of Dr. Pam’s book, PTSD Unplugged (https://laforensicpsychologist.com/ptsd-unplugged/) and check out her website: https://laforensicpsychologist.com/ She also has a blog: https://laforensicpsychologist.com/ptsd-blog/ and find her on social media @ptsdunplugged and on Twitter: @pamelahallphd Also check out the app: PTSD Coach to track PTSD symptoms!

There is little out there that compares to the fear one experiences when trying to navigate the world after a trauma happens to you… and then adding a PTSD diagnosis into the mix of the unknown, and ADHD! Join in and listen as Natalie shares not only her journey with PTSD and ADHD, but how cannabis (marijuana) helped her to manage her PTSD

Ladies! Finally, after submitting a poll to the Flourishing With PTSD community on Instagram, many agree that a topic that is constantly left alone is going to see a gynecologist after surviving a sexual assault or sexual abuse. After being told and conditioned to protect that private part of the female body for so long, then being attacked by someone else, and then to go to the doctor to get an exam where you’re supposed to ditch that kind of protective mindset? It’s all insanely overwhelming for anyone, but adding PTSD into the mix can make that all the more challenging, scary, and upsetting. I recently had an ER visit in relation to horrible period pain, and I thought this would be a great time to talk about “those” exams where a doctor is kind of “all up in your business.” The purpose of this episode is to normalize the struggles that many women struggle with, and how to communicate with doctors about your fears and still be able to make sure all is well down there. https://www.healthline.com/health/navigating-medical-exams-after-sexual-assault

The rainbow flags that have beautifully painted our atmosphere so prominently this month of June make it hard to miss the fact that it is Pride Month. I know I’m on the latter end of it, but I wanted to make sure the conversation was as authentic and real as possible. Join guest speaker and friend, Autumn (she/they) and I as Autumn tells their story of encountering mental illness and the things she had to face as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. TRIGGER WARNING*** mentions of suicidal thoughts and ideation, depression, anxiety, and tough mental health struggles. You can find Autumn on Insta @anxietybugblog and find their website anxietybug.org. If you would like more information on The Trevor Project, please visit thetrevorproject.org to donate, observe resources, and make sure to take a look at the mission and find out how you can do your part to support this community! If you are interested in the app discussed during this episode: The Tapping Solution (blue and green swirls on it).

Many survivors of trauma have heightened baselines of anxiety, and one way that can be seen is through “absolute thinking.” When survivors face a trauma, there is a conditioned thinking pattern that can take place... “I need to be careful of how I react, because if they get upset, they might.... etc.” Check out the episode to hear more! You can follow Bre Lasley @biamovement and find her merch on thebiamovement.com

Mental health struggles often take a toll on our self esteem. I know it sure has on mine. But how? What does that look like? And more importantly, how can we move in a direction toward building up our self esteem in the wake of a trauma or when we struggle with anxiety?

TRIGGER WARNING** Mentions of Suicide.... Something that’s been on my mind as a 22 year old woman is the future... many of my acquaintances and friends are getting engaged, getting married and having kids. Having kids has never been something I’ve wanted in my life... It was like I’d seen too much, felt too much pain... and the idea of bringing someone into this world to potentially experience that pain is something that makes me spiral. However I can’t help but wonder about it. Join in on the convo I had with Zinette, who talks about the specifics of parenting with her own history of surviving and living with trauma. You can find Zinette on YouTube and Instagram: @_Zinette_ and her blog at Zinetteleader.com.

Have you ever heard of that saying, “The body remembers?” Maybe you have had an experience where something, a smell, a taste, a touch, a sound happens and you remember something that you didn’t remember before? Or maybe you had forgotten? Can the body hold memories that our brains forget? Join me as I learn from our guest and friend, Lauren (she/her), who is the creator of MeToo Many Voices, she is a Victim Advocate and Trauma Educator, and she is a survivor! Listen in on the knowledge she has to give us about the relationship between PTSD and the brain, and the brain and the body! You can find Lauren on social media @metoomanyvoices.