EP.076|Healing Journey Lessons from 2025 + My Top Book Recommendations
Fri Jan 02 2026
Welcome to Hello Trauma Brain, a podcast where I share my personal journey of living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and the tools and practices I’m using to heal, recover, and grow.
🎙️ In this episode, I reflect on my healing journey from complex trauma over the past year. I share what has worked and what hasn’t, and I talk about how important self-compassion, boundaries, and recognizing the impact of relationships have been in my healing. I also discuss the tools and techniques that have supported my progress, including nervous system regulation and the importance of rest. I celebrate my wins, from personal growth to new therapeutic relationships, and I set intentions for the year ahead.
Takeaways
Healing from complex trauma is a continuous journey.
Self-compassion is crucial in overcoming toxic shame.
Noticing patterns in relationships can lead to healthier boundaries.
Letting go of unrealistic expectations can foster personal growth.
Rest is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
Finding the right therapeutic support is vital for healing.
Celebrating small wins can boost motivation and self-esteem.
Implementing personalized systems can enhance productivity.
Understanding executive function deficits can aid in self-management.
Radical acceptance allows for a healthier perspective on life's challenges.
📚 References (not sponsors)
🧠 Tools & Resources
Notion – build simple websites
https://www.notion.com/help/guides/build-a-website-with-notion-in-seconds-no-coding-required
Seth Perler – Executive Function & ADHD (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3g805SGGjuUY3OmPJ25yRQ
The Executive Function Podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-executive-function-podcast/id1489096143
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7qTyfCMOWe3P0EySzPgBRP
🎬 Mentioned media
That Christmas Movie on Netflix
(search result) https://www.google.com/search?q=that+christmas+movie+netflix
✍️ Writers & websites
Nate Postlethwait
https://natewrites.com/
📖 Book Recommendations
Bluey: The Doctor
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744340/bluey-the-doctor-by-penguin-young-readers-licenses/
Believing Me – Dr. Ingrid Clayton
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B92ZLXWX
I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy
https://www.amazon.com/Im-Glad-My-Mom-Died/dp/1982185821
Half His Age – Jennette McCurdy (pre-order)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735278/half-his-age-by-jennette-mccurdy/
Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything – Alyson Stoner
https://www.amazon.com/Semi-Well-Adjusted-Despite-Literally-Everything-Memoir/dp/1250353491
SurThriving – Franceska McCaughan
https://www.amazon.com/SurThriving-breaking-childhood-poverty-trauma-ebook/dp/B0CGMM27FZ
Fawning – Dr. Ingrid Clayton
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/
The Upside of OCD – Dr. Michael Alcée
https://www.amazon.com/Upside-OCD-Flip-Script-Reclaim/dp/1538191105
It’s Not You – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/710202/its-not-you-by-ramani-durvasula-phd/
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
https://www.amazon.com/Should-Stay-Surviving-Relationship-Narcissist/dp/168261333X
“Don’t You Know Who I Am?” – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-You-Know-Who-Entitlement/dp/1642933570
📝 My writing
Listening to My Screaming Body (free article)
http://magazine.healingandcptsdchronicles.com/books/xkxj/#p=1
Raysa on CPTSD Recovery & Healing (blog Q&A – free)
https://aboutthatjack.com/raysas-journey-cptsd-recovery-and-healing/
🌱 Apps
Finch Self-Care App
https://finchcare.com/
🎧 Recommended Episodes
EP.064|Reclaiming Fawning While Believing Me with Dr. Ingrid Clayton
https://youtu.be/hCZOlAQ7MOg
EP.072|SurThriving with Franceska McCaughan: How Surviving and Thriving Can Coexist
https://youtu.be/jRFrWh1it4U
✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain:
📱 Follow on Instagram
🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Spotify
Amazon Music
💛 If the podcast has been meaningful to you and you’d like to support it, you can make a donation (any amount is so appreciated!) here: PayPal. Thank you for helping me keep this space going.
🔗 More links:
🌐 Official Bio Site (quick links to all platforms 🙂)
🌐 Official Website (currently under construction)
📧 You can reach me at: hellotraumabrain@gmail.com
Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed psychologist or mental health professional. This podcast is simply me sharing my own journey. It’s not meant to replace professional care. If you think you might have Complex PTSD or any mental health condition, please reach out to a qualified provider.
More
Welcome to Hello Trauma Brain, a podcast where I share my personal journey of living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and the tools and practices I’m using to heal, recover, and grow. 🎙️ In this episode, I reflect on my healing journey from complex trauma over the past year. I share what has worked and what hasn’t, and I talk about how important self-compassion, boundaries, and recognizing the impact of relationships have been in my healing. I also discuss the tools and techniques that have supported my progress, including nervous system regulation and the importance of rest. I celebrate my wins, from personal growth to new therapeutic relationships, and I set intentions for the year ahead. Takeaways Healing from complex trauma is a continuous journey. Self-compassion is crucial in overcoming toxic shame. Noticing patterns in relationships can lead to healthier boundaries. Letting go of unrealistic expectations can foster personal growth. Rest is essential for mental and emotional well-being. Finding the right therapeutic support is vital for healing. Celebrating small wins can boost motivation and self-esteem. Implementing personalized systems can enhance productivity. Understanding executive function deficits can aid in self-management. Radical acceptance allows for a healthier perspective on life's challenges. 📚 References (not sponsors) 🧠 Tools & Resources Notion – build simple websites https://www.notion.com/help/guides/build-a-website-with-notion-in-seconds-no-coding-required Seth Perler – Executive Function & ADHD (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3g805SGGjuUY3OmPJ25yRQ The Executive Function Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-executive-function-podcast/id1489096143 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7qTyfCMOWe3P0EySzPgBRP 🎬 Mentioned media That Christmas Movie on Netflix (search result) https://www.google.com/search?q=that+christmas+movie+netflix ✍️ Writers & websites Nate Postlethwait https://natewrites.com/ 📖 Book Recommendations Bluey: The Doctor https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744340/bluey-the-doctor-by-penguin-young-readers-licenses/ Believing Me – Dr. Ingrid Clayton https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B92ZLXWX I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy https://www.amazon.com/Im-Glad-My-Mom-Died/dp/1982185821 Half His Age – Jennette McCurdy (pre-order) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735278/half-his-age-by-jennette-mccurdy/ Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything – Alyson Stoner https://www.amazon.com/Semi-Well-Adjusted-Despite-Literally-Everything-Memoir/dp/1250353491 SurThriving – Franceska McCaughan https://www.amazon.com/SurThriving-breaking-childhood-poverty-trauma-ebook/dp/B0CGMM27FZ Fawning – Dr. Ingrid Clayton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/ The Upside of OCD – Dr. Michael Alcée https://www.amazon.com/Upside-OCD-Flip-Script-Reclaim/dp/1538191105 It’s Not You – Dr. Ramani Durvasula https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/710202/its-not-you-by-ramani-durvasula-phd/ Should I Stay or Should I Go? – Dr. Ramani Durvasula https://www.amazon.com/Should-Stay-Surviving-Relationship-Narcissist/dp/168261333X “Don’t You Know Who I Am?” – Dr. Ramani Durvasula https://www.amazon.com/Dont-You-Know-Who-Entitlement/dp/1642933570 📝 My writing Listening to My Screaming Body (free article) http://magazine.healingandcptsdchronicles.com/books/xkxj/#p=1 Raysa on CPTSD Recovery & Healing (blog Q&A – free) https://aboutthatjack.com/raysas-journey-cptsd-recovery-and-healing/ 🌱 Apps Finch Self-Care App https://finchcare.com/ 🎧 Recommended Episodes EP.064|Reclaiming Fawning While Believing Me with Dr. Ingrid Clayton https://youtu.be/hCZOlAQ7MOg EP.072|SurThriving with Franceska McCaughan: How Surviving and Thriving Can Coexist https://youtu.be/jRFrWh1it4U ✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain: 📱 Follow on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts YouTube Spotify Amazon Music 💛 If the podcast has been meaningful to you and you’d like to support it, you can make a donation (any amount is so appreciated!) here: PayPal. Thank you for helping me keep this space going. 🔗 More links: 🌐 Official Bio Site (quick links to all platforms 🙂) 🌐 Official Website (currently under construction) 📧 You can reach me at: hellotraumabrain@gmail.com Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed psychologist or mental health professional. This podcast is simply me sharing my own journey. It’s not meant to replace professional care. If you think you might have Complex PTSD or any mental health condition, please reach out to a qualified provider.