Warning: Some of the topics discussed in this episode may be triggering or upset persons sensitive to content related to trauma.
The goal of this platform has been to blow the doors off topics that for decades have been taboo, ignored, or shameful in some way. Generational trauma can be a bad word in our community. The cycle of trauma is passed down across generations and impacts families physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. It is important to understand that trauma can stem from biological or learned behaviors and can happen to an individual or group of people.
The most commonly known generational trauma can derive from abuse, such as domestic violence, and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse but there are others. Substance abuse, depression, poverty, genocide, emotional numbness, slavery, war, natural disasters, and even difficulty trusting others. We may not necessarily pass on the traumatic experience but can transmit the anxiety to our younger generations, as early as, in utero.
Like many of us, April Hernandez-Castillio has lived through generational trauma but has broken the cycle. The Actress, Author, Speaker, and Creative Director at Lionchaser Media is best known for her performance in the film "Freedom Writers," starring Hillary Swank. In it, she played the character Eva, the convincing role of a tough Latina gang member. Her career had just started to take off but behind the scenes in her real life, April was secretly dealing with a traumatic past.
The Latina grew up in the mean streets of The Bronx in New York City during the crack epidemic era. Her struggles began at home with a mother who was dealing with her own trauma, while April was in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend during her teenage years. It was a lot to handle, to say the least. But her story is one of resilience and forgiveness and she shared her journey with AW from trauma to strength.
To learn more about April, visit her Instagram@Aprilhernandez, and LinkedIn@April Hernandez or her website. Her book "Embracing Me" is available on Amazon.