May 22, 2026

112: Finding Yourself Again After Childhood Trauma

57 minutes

There are some wounds that change the course of a life, and some healing journeys that change it again. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, I sit down with author and memoirist Heather Conn to talk about surviving childhood incest, the long and layered process of healing, and the unexpected path that eventually led her toward forgiveness. Heather shares how years of therapy, body-based healing, creativity, meditation, writing, and spiritual practice helped her reconnect with herself after trauma disconnected her from her body, emotions, and relationships.

Together, we talk about the difference between forgiveness and condoning harm, the complexity of family relationships, the courage it takes to tell the truth, and why healing is never linear. Heather also opens up about the backlash she received after publishing her memoir, “No Letter in Your Pocket,” and why she chose compassion anyway.

Please take care of yourself as you move through this episode.

What You’ll Learn

Why forgiveness is not the same thing as excusing harm
How compassion and accountability can coexist
What “bearing witness” means in healing trauma
The impact of family silence and emotional suppression
What survivors should consider before telling or publishing their story
How forgiveness helped Heather reclaim joy, peace, and self-understanding

Heather will send a free copy of “No Letter in Your Pocket” to the first message she receives on her website! Visit: www.heatherconn.com

Get your copy of “No Letter in Your Pocket”: https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Your-Pocket-Memoir-Biography/dp/177183787X

Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SixStinkyFeetandaSasquatch

Connect with Heather LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hconn/

Watch "Journey to Forgiveness": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Ukq86zVdo

Resources:

Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/

Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60

Brenda’s Website/Links