Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, founder and director of The Trauma Stewardship Institute, discusses the concept of trauma stewardship and the importance of creating space for grief and mourning in order to navigate overwhelm. She emphasizes the need to interrupt isolation and acknowledges the harm that can occur when individuals numb themselves to their own emotions. Laura also reflects on the challenges of the mental health system and the importance of seeking help and support. Overall, she encourages listeners to remember that they are not alone in their struggles and that there are many options for finding help and healing.

About Laura van Dernoot Lipsky:

Laura is the founder and director of The Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of Trauma Stewardship and The Age of Overwhelm. She is the host of the podcast Future Tripping, which is dedicated to conversations about overwhelm. Widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure, she has worked nationally and internationally for more than three decades. Much of her work is being invited to assist in the aftermath of community catastrophes - whether they are fatal storms or mass shootings. Simultaneously, she has long been active in community organizing and movements for social and environmental justice and has taught on issues surrounding systematic oppression, structural supremacy, and liberation theory. Laura is on the advisory board of ZGiRLS, an organization that supports young girls in sports. She is a founding member of the International Transformational Resilience Network, which supports the development of capacity to address climate change. Laura also served as an associate producer of the award-winning film A Lot Like You, and was given a Yo! Mama award in recognition of her work as a community-activist mother.

The Trauma Stewardship Institute

Future Tripping Podcast

@futuretrippingwithlaura

Episode Timestamps:

• (01:50) Defining trauma stewardship
• (07:30) The negative impact of isolation
• (09:45) The trauma history among those in trauma-related work and the importance of self-awareness
• (15:30) Numbing out prevents us from gauging if we are doing harm
• (21:25) Lack of mental health support and accessibility
• (23:10) Uncertainty about the future
• (27:05) Future Tripping; balancing self-care and helping others
• (28:50) Reaching out for help and knowing you're not alone

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796