Let's Talk About Trauma

Hi Pod Pals!

We are taking a small break to prepare for the launch of SEASON TWO- which we cannot WAIT to share with all of you! Listen to today's quick episode for more info

To stay in touch: send us a message via the 'work with me' button:

https://instabio.cc/20190425j0gPiEin

or connect with Cayla on TT + IG @CaylaMeredith

Today I welcome self care coach, self love advocate, wellness consultant (+ trainee therapist) Cassie of Cassie's Cure to the podcast!

After ending an emotionally toxic relationship, Cassie dove deeper into investing into her own well being and sharing this on her blog along the way.

After much success, her blog became a business and Cassie now works to help women practice unapologetic self care in all aspects of their life. Today we discuss individualized self care and what that actually means, why self reflection is necessary in order to self care, and the #1 thing that needs to be addressed before creating a self care plan. Conversations about self care are more important now than ever, and learning how to properly self care can be an incredible tool for those that have experienced trauma.

Connect with Cassie: @CassiesCure on all platforms

Connect with Cayla: @CaylaMeredith on all platforms

Join Tiff + Cay as we read through questions that our pod' community has submitted via social media!. Here's a peek at what we talk about: (also TW for discussions around assault, depression, grief)

Q#1- I'm becoming more aware of my sadness as I heal; is it ok to fluctuate in mood?

Q#2- My perpetrator was forgiven by the church; in adulthood I still struggle with this...

Q#3- I had a heartbreaking experience in a city that I now feel I can never return to...

*TW grief, loss, suicide. It is an honour to welcome dancer + choreographer Christos Tsiantoulas to the podcast! In 2004, Chris lost his mother to suicide. While we do talk about important insights around offering and seeking support for those who are struggling, as well as mental health stigmas, we also talk about the impact his Mom had on him and how he's used this to continue to develop personally, heal, and create his own legacy. Chris also shares his thoughts around being a kind human + leaning into positivity, and offers ideas as to how we might process loss and emotions through dance + movement.

To connect with Chris: @christos_tsiantoulas on IG

To connect with Cayla: @CaylaMeredith on IG + TikTok

Join Tiff + Cay as we read through YOUR questions!

Q#1- I've tried to be open and honest about breakthroughs in healing family trauma but my siblings are uncaring. How do I navigate this?

#2-Trauma aside, I feel like the world (or at least the US) is legitimately unsafe (ie ignored pandemic, late stage capitalism, systemic oppression, climate change etc. How are we supposed to feel safe in this world?

Q#3- Does feeling betrayed as a result of trauma count if the ab*se was largely neglect or parenting your parents related? I feel this strongly and don't know how to let it go

*Noting here these are thoughts and should not be substituted for medical advice or as a therapeutic intervention

One morning back in 2011, Libby DeLana carved out time to begin an intentional walking practice. She initially planned these walks as a short term challenge but soon noticed the positive impact that occurred in so many aspects of her life as a result of this solo time spent outside in nature.

Not only has Libby walked every day since; her walk has evolved into a mindset + way of being. Libby has shared the power of 'This Morning Walk' in her book, 'Do Walk: Simple Steps to Change Your Life', via her podcast, This Morning Walk, and she also joins us today to discuss the ways in which this practice has changed her life- and the ways in which it could change yours too!

We also discuss cold plunges, self and community care, our favourite snacks- and so much more!!

Connect with Libby: @ParkHere on IG // thismorningwalk.com

Connect with Cayla: @CaylaMeredith on IG/@CaylaMeredith_ on TT

Buy Libby's Book: thedobook.co

I am so excited to welcome Andrea Constand to the podcast(with her dog Chase, making a cameo!!)

In 2018, Bill Cosby was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison and designated as a sexually violent predator. In 2021 the supreme court overturned his conviction and released him from prison despite the 60+ humans that had come forward, all with similar stories, alleging sexual assault. Of these 60, the reason Cosby was convicted was largely due to one person's testimony: Andrea Constand.

Today we sit down with Andrea to talk about the case + healing in its aftermath, including radical self care, defining consent, leaning into the power of your voice + Andrea's non-profit, Hope, Healing + Transformation, which offers sexual assault survivors resources, connection and community support on their healing path

To connect with Andrea: HopeHealing.ca

To connect with Cayla: @CaylaMeredith

Download the SAFEAPP via HopeHealing.ca

In today's mini episode, we do a deep dive into a topic of your choosing: crying after sex. Sexual intimacy-especially when there is past trauma- can bring up a LOT of emotions and can feel incredibly vulnerable. So today, Tiff and I read through your comments and discuss brain/body detachment, what happens when dissociation occurs + the vulnerability of an intimate moment (and a few other things as well, like fruit punch and australian accents): all while doing our best to provide a soft place to land b/c this topic is incredibly nuanced! TW for talk of SA + alcohol

*TW* CSA, Death, Religious Trauma* Today I sit down with Virgin Radio host Shannon Burns to discuss something that unfortunately, so many people experience in silence; childhood sexual abuse. At 12 years old, Shannon's stepfather started grooming her, and at 13 years old, the sexual abuse began. This abuse continued every day until Shannon's first year of college. Today we talk about the intricacies of her story, including the intersection of the abuse occurring within her church-going family, her realizations about her own sexual identity during the timeframe of the abuse, what happened when she disclosed the abuse was happening, and so much more.

To connect with Shannon: @ItsShannonBurns across all platforms

To connect with Cayla: @CaylaMeredith on IG @CaylaMeredidth_ on TikTok

Today I'm joined by Persis and Sarah of GirlxGirl podast, where we talk about how Persis first navigated her own sexuality as a queer desi woman (including coming out to her friends at a McDonalds, the YouTube channel that changed Persis' life + how incredibly important representation is). We also talk about mental health + therapy with Sar, the importance of naming, acknowledging, and outletting anger, and how anger can be used as a valuable tool in growth and healing

Connect with GirlxGirl: @GirlxGirlPodcast on IG

Connect with Cayla: @CaylaMeredith on IG / CaylaMeredith_ on TT