Invisible Scars

In this week's episode, Jessalynn is joined by the incredible Mira Simone, who shares her story of love, loss, and navigating grief. With just 7 weeks between her husband Brian's devastating cancer diagnosis and his passing, Mira found herself not only processing her own grief but also stepping into the role of a solo parent for their young daughter. Mira shares how she leaned on her writing as an outlet, found a community of others navigating grief through social media, and faced the unique challenges of grieving alongside their young daughter. She also offers insight into the programs and retreats available through her platform, New Moon Mira, a space where those navigating grief can connect and lean on others who are experiencing something similar. Mira's story is a testament to the strength of leaning on community, writing, and somatic practices in the face of profound loss.  Be sure to visit Mira on Instagram @newmoonmira and her website! Don't forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, visit her website, and check out her shop at Doted Boutique  If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment. 

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

This week, Jessalynn is joined by the inspiring and resilient Kaleb Dahlgren, a philanthropist, author, former elite hockey player, and survivor. From a young age, Kaleb always knew he wanted to be a hockey player, but at the age of 4, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which put his hockey career at risk. Despite the challenges he faced, he advanced to the elite level, where he became the assistant captain of the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Team at the age of 20 in Saskatchewan, Canada. On April 6, 2018, Kaleb was one of thirteen survivors of the tragic Humboldt Broncos Bus crash that shook the nation and took the lives of sixteen of his teammates, friends, and coaches. Today, Kaleb joins Jessalynn to share his story of resilience, a story that began long before 2018 and offers insight into his healing journey and his positive outlook on life when things don't go to plan. Kaleb is dedicated to helping others through sharing his story, his volunteer work, and his mentorship program, Dahlgren's Diabeauties, a mentorship program designed in 2017 to give back to children with Type 1 diabetes. He is also the bestselling author of his memoir, Crossroads, the story of his life thus far. Kaleb's story is truly inspirational, and we can't wait for you to hear this episode.   Be sure to visit Kaleb on Instagram @kalebdahlgren, his website, and in his memoir, Crossroads by Kaleb Dahlgren. Don't forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, visit her website, and check out her shop at Doted Boutique  If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment. 

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

TW: Child Sexual Assault, RapeIn this episode, Jessalynn is joined by Ali Kates, an Emotional Health Coach and trauma survivor. In May 2019, Ali's life was turned upside down when she received a diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease, just three weeks before her wedding. In the years prior to her diagnosis, Ali was navigating trauma that she had buried from a young age and it all came to the forefront when her and her husband lost 3 friends within a year of each other.These tragic losses brought forth the immense pain she had been disassociating from for a long time, igniting her journey of healing, strength, and resilience. Ali opens up about her personal story, how she transitioned into the coaching space, and together they discuss the various resources available for those navigating trauma. Additionally, she shares her own experiences of what strategies worked for her and what didn't during her healing process.Be sure to visit Ali on Instagram @alikates.co and learn more about her services on her website! Don't forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast and check out her shop at Doted BoutiqueIf you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment.

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

TW: Child Sexual Assault, Abuse, Neglect This week, Jessalynn sits down with Catherine Pennington, a certified professional coach and registered professional counsellor. Catherine shares her passion for her work and gives insight into what a typical session with her looks like, whether it's individual therapy, couples counselling, in-person, or virtually. A key theme of today's episode is exploring Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)-its history, diagnosis, and association with borderline personality disorder. Catherine shares the key differences between PTSD and CPTSD while detailing the most common symptoms of each diagnosis. In a touching moment of vulnerability, Catherine opens up about her personal experience with trauma and the resources she's leaned on. She shares her work with compassionate inquiry and discusses how it has helped her personally in her healing journey. Lastly, they discuss how trauma can manifest in the body, and Jessalynn shares how she was constantly sick due to the impacts of unresolved trauma from childhood. This episode will resonate with anyone who has encountered trauma, navigated CPTSD, or provided support to a loved one on a similar journey.  Episode Links:  Inkblot by GreenShield: Online portal for accessible mental health services Additional Resources from Catherine:  Books  Stephanie Foo - What my Bones Know (C-PTSD)  Gabor Mate - The Myth of Normal, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Bessel Van Der Kolk - The Body Keeps the Score  Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey - What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing Alice Miller - The Drama of the Gifted Child  Videos: The Wisdom of Trauma: https://thewisdomoftrauma.com/ Everything you Know about Addiction is Wrong (Ted Talk) - Johann Hari Podcasts: Dr Gabor Maté on Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture: Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee Bessel van der Kolk, MD | The Body Keeps the Score The long arm of Childhood Trauma: Road to Resilience Podcast  Be sure to visit Catherine on Instagram @momentum_coaching_services and learn more about her services on her website! Don't forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast and check out her shop at Doted Boutique  If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment. 

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

This week, Jessalynn is joined by Emily Parsons and Alisha Heffernan to recount the transformative Paris trip that came a pivotal time in Jessalynn's life. Emily and Alisha are both photographers behind Emily Jane Photography and in 2022, they organized the amazing opportunity to have a small group travel together to visit Paris and participate in two gorgeous photoshoots right in the city. The three discuss the importance of taking time for oneself, the healing power of travel, and discuss how immersing oneself in new experiences can positively impact the process of personal growth and self-discovery. Alisha and Emily discuss the behind-the-scenes organization of this transformative trip, which involved coordinating 11 individuals over the course of 8 days and their experience witnessing the remarkable transformation of each individual on the trip.  Be sure to visit @emilyjanestudios.ca and @whitewillowbridalboutique.ca on Instagram and learn more about their photography services on their website!  Be sure to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast and check out her shop at Doted Boutique If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment. 

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

TW: Sexual assault, mention of attempted suicide Welcome to Episode 2 of Invisible Scars, where we continue with Part 2 of Jessalynn's personal story. In this episode, Jessalynn shares the remaining chapters of her personal experience, including the arrest of her abusers and the subsequent trial. Joining her is Susie Sidsworth, a trusted counselling psychologist and close friend. Jessalynn opens up about her home life, revealing her relationship with her mother and grandfather after the abuse became known. She also details her decision, at just 12 years old, to leave home and enter the foster care system, along with the troubles she faced despite having a positive relationship with her foster family. She candidly discusses the challenges with our justice system and the lack of support available to victims following an arrest. Lastly, she highlights the turning point that prompted her to seek help in her healing journey and the resources she leaned on, offering a glimmer of hope for others facing similar circumstances.  Be sure to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast and check out her shop at Doted Boutique If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment. 

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

Trigger warning: Child sexual assault, Child GroomingWelcome to Episode 1 of Invisible Scars! In this episode, Jessalynn will sit down with one of her closest friends, Susie Sidsworth, who is a trained counselling psychologist and therapist, to discuss Jessalynn's personal story of trauma and healing following her experience of being a survivor of child sexual assault at 9 years old. Growing up in Prince George, BC, Jessalynn was one of eight survivors of the Willow River, BC, Child Pornography case in the 90's involving James Bennet and Crystal Hendricks. In part 1 of today's episode, topics will include Jessalynn's difficult relationship with her family at home, her introduction to her abusers, and her suspicion and discovery of what was really going on behind closed doors. Be sure to tune in next week for part 2, where we'll hear the remainder of Jessalynn's story, including how her abusers were caught, her relationship with her family following the abuse, and her journey into adulthood carrying the weight of this trauma.  Be sure to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast and check out her shop at Doted Boutique If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to [email protected] to book an appointment. 

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟

✨ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Invisible Scars! ✨

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more people who need these stories.

💬 Continue the Conversation:
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblescarspodcast/

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Explore my e-book on healing from narcissistic abuse → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/store
🎧 Listen to more episodes → https://www.invisiblescarspodcast.com/home

🌟 You are not alone in your healing journey. Keep going. 🌟