A life can begin in chaos and still choose compassion. 

In this powerful episode of 1 in 3, Ingrid sits down with Malisa to explore healing complex trauma shaped by childhood neglect, addiction, and domestic violence. Together, they unpack trauma not as a single event, but as years without safety—and why healing often begins with who showed up when it hurt.

Malisa shares how perfectionism, achievement, and “being the golden child” became survival strategies for many Gen X and elder millennials, and how unspoken expectations can create lifelong patterns of shame and betrayal. Using the Finding Peace method, archetypes, and clear language for emotional wounds—loss, neglect, betrayal—Malisa shows how naming pain helps triggers finally make sense.

This conversation also dives into nervous system regulation after burnout. Instead of labeling every low cycle as depression, Malisa reframes it as depletion—learning to anticipate emotional highs and lows, meet exhaustion with rest and warmth, and build a repeatable self-care toolkit without judgment.

We talk about:

• Healing complex trauma without self-blame
• Nervous system regulation and burnout recovery
• Shame, self-forgiveness, and emotional neglect
• Somatic tools to return to the body
• Breaking generational cycles and changing family scripts
• Why your worth was never up for debate

This episode is for anyone healing from childhood trauma, emotional neglect, or chronic burnout—and learning how to love themselves with more ease.

If this resonates, follow 1 in 3, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find these conversations.

Malisa’s Links: 

https://www.1in3podcast.com/guests/malisa-hepner/

https://empoweredwithmalisahepner.org/

https://open.spotify.com/show/09lCA0fq3845NGMDwMvMRt?si=1fc6867ab8cc41d8&nd=1&dlsi=02a37d9fb8fc455e

https://www.instagram.com/malisa.hepner/?hl=en

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

1 in 3 is intended for mature audiences. Episodes contain explicit content and may be triggering to some.

Support the show

If you are in the United States and need help right now, call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or text the word “start” to 88788.

Contact 1 in 3:

• Send your emails to [email protected]
• Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @1in3podcast
• Check out the website https://www.1in3podcast.com/

Thank you for listening!

Cover art by Laura Swift Dahlke
Music by Tim Crowe