Trauma can feel like a cage, but what if grief, intuition, and the body can help you find the door?

In this episode of Life After Trauma, I’m joined by Laura Hoorweg, a spiritual counselor, intuitive coach, and psychic medium, for a conversation about trauma, grief, intuition, embodiment, and what it means to move toward freedom after survival mode.

In this episode, you’ll walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of how trauma can disconnect us from trust and intuition

• A new perspective on grief as a healing process rather than something to fear

• Signs that you may be avoiding grief or pushing your emotions down

• Insight into the difference between intuition and a trauma response

• Gentle practices for reconnecting with yourself, including meditation, nature, journaling, yoga, dance, and sound baths

• A reminder that life after trauma can mean freedom, presence, and moving from black and white into full colour

Guest Bio:

Laura Hoorweg is a spiritual counselor, intuitive coach, and psychic medium who supports people through life transitions, grief, trauma, and moments of deep self-reconnection. Her work blends grounded guidance with intuitive insight, helping clients reconnect with themselves, release old patterns, and move toward a greater sense of freedom.

Connect with Laura:

Website: spiritspeaks2.me

Facebook: facebook.com/laura.hoorweg

Instagram: instagram.com/hoorweglaura

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurahoorweg

Twitter/X: twitter.com/HoorwegLaura

YouTube: youtube.com/@laurahoorweg

Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/SpiritSpeaksToMe

Work with Jess:

If this episode stirred something in you and you’re craving a space to feel witnessed, supported, and gently guided, I offer 1:1 Guided Sessions for women navigating healing, self-reconnection, and life after survival mode.

These sessions are not therapy, but they are a trauma-informed space to reflect, process, and begin coming back home to yourself.

Learn more: jessicavanrose.com/guided-sessions

Rest & Reset At Home:

Because meditation came up in this episode as one of the first doorways back to yourself, I’d love to invite you to join me for Rest & Reset At Home, a live online guided meditation experience happening Tuesday, June 23rd at 7 PM ET.

This is a gentle 1-hour space for guided meditation, journaling, reflection, and optional sharing, created to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and give your nervous system room to soften.

Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rest-reset-at-home-a-guided-meditation-for-nervous-system-support-registration-1991874259530?aff=oddtdtcreator

Reflection Question:

Where in your life does trauma still feel like a cage, and what would it look like to gently open the door?

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt safer being invisible, struggled to take up space, or wondered who they are after years of trying to be what everyone else needed. Stick around to the end of the episode for this week's reflection question to take this episode a little deeper.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, abuse, and other potentially sensitive topics that may be activating for some listeners. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. Your well-being is what matters most.

In this episode of Life After Trauma, I’m joined by Kristan Swan for a conversation about invisibility as a survival skill, the stories we carry from childhood, and what it means to begin discovering who we are beyond the roles we learned to play.

Kristan shares how growing up in a chaotic environment taught her to stay small, be helpful, anticipate others’ needs, and become easy to overlook. Together, we explore how those early survival strategies can follow us into adulthood through people-pleasing, over-responsibility, perfectionism, self-abandonment, and the belief that it is unsafe to be seen.

By listening to this episode, you will walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of how invisibility, people-pleasing, and hypervigilance can become survival skills
• Insight into why self-knowledge can be more healing than constantly trying to improve or fix yourself
• A new way to think about the stories you inherited, the stories you tell yourself, and the stories you are ready to rewrite
• Gentle reflection on how trauma can shape your sense of lovability, visibility, identity, and self-worth
• Encouragement to begin getting curious about who you are beneath the roles, expectations, and survival patterns
• A simple invitation to use journaling, reflection, or quiet walks as tools for reconnecting with yourself

Resources and links

Connect with Kristan Swan: https://kristanswan.com/

Clouds to Clear Skies Clarity Workbook free download

https://kristanswan.com/clouds-to-clear-skies/

Learn more about 1:1 Guided Sessions with Jess: https://www.jessicavanrose.com/guided-sessions

If you haven’t already, it would mean the world to me if you subscribe, and if you learned something new or found inspiration from this episode, please leave a review and share this episode. Until next time, take care of your mind, body, and soul.

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if trauma healing isn’t about curing what’s “wrong” with you… but learning how to feel safe in your body again?

In this episode of Life After Trauma, Jess is joined by Bee Doyle, nurse practitioner, trauma-informed healer, and breathwork guide, for a grounded conversation about nervous system healing, self-trust, and spiritual reconnection after trauma.

If you’ve done years of therapy, tried somatic work, explored breathwork, or read every book on PTSD and still feel hypervigilant, disconnected, or unsafe inside yourself — this episode is for you.

Together, we explore:

• How trauma can quietly shape identity

• Why healing isn’t the same as curing

• The difference between true healing and self-monitoring

• How nervous system regulation creates real safety

• The role of self-compassion in long-term trauma healing

• Rebuilding self-trust after PTSD

• Breathwork as a simple, holistic healing practice

• Why community support matters in recovery

This conversation bridges science and spirituality, exploring holistic healing in a way that feels both practical and embodied. Whether you’re navigating burnout, autoimmune symptoms, identity shifts, or simply longing to feel at home in your body again, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how healing unfolds and how to approach it with more grace.

You are not broken. You are healing.

✨ Connect with Bee Doyle:

Website: https://doublelibraastrology.com/

Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/doublelibracoaching/

Subscribe for more conversations about trauma healing, nervous system regulation, identity, and life after survival.

🌿 Explore Jess’s meditation series: When You’ve Been Holding It All Together

https://www.jessicavanrose.com/when-youve-been-holding-it-all-together

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human trafficking doesn’t usually look like the headlines.

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Jess sits down with Jennisue Jessen, a survivor of human trafficking and Founder & CEO of Compass 31, to unpack what exploitation actually looks like, why it so often goes unnoticed, and how shame keeps survivors silent.

Jennisue shares parts of her lived experience, including being trafficked beginning at a very young age, and the long journey of healing, identity reclamation, and stepping into leadership after trauma. Together, they discuss common myths about trafficking, prevention and red flags, systemic complicity, the role of shame, and what it truly means to move from survival into agency and empowerment.

This episode is for survivors, parents, educators, caregivers, and anyone who wants a deeper, more honest understanding of exploitation, resilience, and the human capacity to heal.

⚠️ Trigger Warning:

This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, human trafficking and exploitation, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. Your well-being matters.

🔗 Learn more about Jennisue and the work of Compass 31:

https://compass31.org/

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Jess Vanrose and Dr. Melanie Gray explore the profound effects of trauma on identity, relationships, and everyday functioning. They discuss how trauma manifests in hyper-functioning behaviors, the importance of setting compassionate boundaries, and the journey of forgiveness and reclaiming personal power. Dr. Gray emphasizes the need for self-care and intentional actions to foster healing and resilience, encouraging listeners to view themselves as valuable gifts regardless of their past experiences.

Takeaways

• Trauma can shape our identity and how we relate to others.
• Hyper-functioning can lead to burnout and disconnection from self.
• Forgiveness is essential for personal freedom and growth.
• Setting boundaries is crucial for self-care and mental health.
• Living from power means focusing on possibilities, not pain.
• Self-care practices are vital for long-term well-being.
• It's important to recognize the secondary gains from pain.
• Intentional actions are necessary for meaningful change.
• We should not let our past define our future.
• Everyone is a valuable gift to the world. 

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Trauma's Impact on Identity

07:45 The Cost of Hyper-Functioning

14:32 Nervous System and Healing

20:47 The Power of Forgiveness

31:40 Living from Power, Not Pain

Connect with Dr. Melanie Gray:

https://www.drmelaniegraytheconfidencecoach.com/

Keywords

trauma, identity, hyper-functioning, forgiveness, boundaries, healing, mental health, trauma-informed care, self-care, resilience

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of Life After Trauma, Jess Vanrose shares her personal journey of navigating a challenging year marked by a chronic autoimmune diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, presence over performance, and the need to acknowledge one's struggles while not allowing them to define identity. Jess discusses the creation of a meditation series designed to support those feeling overwhelmed and highlights the significance of building self-trust and setting boundaries. The episode concludes with an invitation for community engagement and a reminder that listeners are not alone in their struggles.

When You've Been Holding It All Together Meditation Series: www.jessicavanrose.com/when-youve-been-holding-it-all-together

Takeaways

• Presence over performance is essential in our lives.
• Sometimes we need to pull back to take care of ourselves.
• It's normal to go through hard seasons.
• A chronic illness can challenge our identity.
• Finding ways to live with what we cannot control.
• You can go through a hard season without letting it define you.
• Building self-trust is crucial for personal growth.
• Setting boundaries is necessary for self-care.
• You're not alone in your struggles.

Keywords

trauma, health, self-care, chronic illness, meditation, personal growth, identity, self-trust, community, podcast

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sue McCreadie, MD, is a paediatrician and midlife transformation expert who helps women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s navigate hormones, heartbreak, and healing. In this candid conversation, we explore the fear and shame many of us feel around perimenopause, how to separate identity from emotion, and practical ways to move through self-doubt with love.

We talk about:

• Perimenopause 101: what’s happening in our bodies and why the timeline is so individual
• Naming shame & fear (Jess’s “black ball”) and how to unhook “I am” statements
• Self-doubt in high-achieving women + tiny, loving actions that rebuild confidence
• Masculine structure vs. feminine flow in creativity, business, and healing
• “What would love do?” as a daily compass for boundaries, rest, forgiveness, and courage
• Second callings: surrendering control and following the breadcrumbs

Take the Midlife Personality Quiz:

Uncover your greatest gift, biggest growth opportunity, and 8 personalized ideas to joy as a midlife woman.

https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/6527eb2db315de001400d356

Resources & Links:

Dr. Sue’s website: https://www.drsuemccreadie.com/

Substack: https://drsuemccreadie.substack.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drsuemccreadie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drsuemccreadie/

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply moving conversation, I’m joined by Amanda Durocher, host of the New View Advice podcast. Amanda shares her journey of surviving sexual violence, uncovering repressed memories, and navigating the terror of speaking her truth out loud for the first time. We explore how her healing journey has been shaped by self-compassion, learning to trust herself again, and finding freedom from the weight of trauma. Amanda’s courage in sharing her raw experiences — from the moment she realized she could no longer keep memories buried, to her reflections on anger, body-based healing, and community — offers powerful validation and hope for survivors everywhere.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Amanda’s experience of repressed memories surfacing through dreams
• The terror and liberation of finally speaking her story out loud
• Why trusting yourself is essential after trauma
• How self-compassion shifted her healing journey and saved her life
• The role of the body — and practices like meditation, yoga, and somatic singing — in processing trauma
• Why anger, often seen as “bad,” is actually an important messenger in healing

Connect with Amanda Durocher:

• Website: www.newviewadvice.com
• TikTok: @newviewadvice

Amanda also hosts the New View Advice podcast, where she offers honest and empathetic reflections on what it means to be human.

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Therapist-turned-intuitive mentor Keri Nola joins Jess to explore ego death, shadow work, and the brave act of opening your heart after trauma. We talk boundaries vs. armor, how trauma blocks receiving, and a gentler path to “mature manifestation” so you can reclaim power and let life meet you.

What we cover

• Ego death as a soul nudge toward your next chapter
• Boundaries ≠ armor: why shutdown blocks receiving
• Body-based steps to find & thaw hidden blocks
• Minimizing yourself as a misuse of power (solar plexus work)
• Receptivity vs. receiving vs. taking
• A beginner-friendly journal prompt + two mantras you can use today

May this conversation be a soft place to land as you practice opening again.

This episode contains discussions of trauma, abuse, and other potentially sensitive topics. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. Your well-being matters most.

Chapters

00:00 Ego death, body signals

01:06 Trigger warning + welcome

01:54 Closing a thriving practice

03:25 Following a soul call

05:14 Feeling rooted, fast

06:39 Provision meets truth

08:20 Jess goes all-in

09:50 Boundaries vs. armor

12:13 “What am I afraid of if life improves?”

14:45 Safe support, slow healing

18:31 Parts work & inner conflict

21:11 Self-respect vs. self-compassion

24:00 What shadow work really is

26:24 Facing what’s hidden

27:57 “You’ll only get what you’re ready for”

29:56 Taking up space

31:21 Belonging & being disliked

33:03 Healing isn’t linear

34:47 Oracle reading setup

38:17 Card 1: Uneven Exchange (sacral) + mantra

41:30 Card 2: Power (solar plexus) + mantra

44:56 Womb healing: releasing shame

46:33 Gentle journal prompt

48:10 Receptivity vs. taking

50:11 Mature manifestation

52:09 Curiosity in hard seasons

55:25 Opening the heart again

58:43 Keri’s behind-the-scenes practices

59:56 What “Life After Trauma” means to Keri + where to find her

Resources & Links

• Keri Nola — offerings, readings, journal: kerinola.com
• Mantra (Card 1: Uneven Exchange / Sacral): “I am worthy of being in balanced relationship with giving and receiving in a way that deeply resonates with the full essence of me.”
• Mantra (Card 2: Power / Solar Plexus): “I am worthy of standing firmly in the truth of who I am. This is the home of my divine power.”
• Journal prompt: “If I knew I could trust what would be revealed, I would be willing to open myself to…”
• Declaration: “I’m willing to see what I need to see, hear what it’s time to hear, feel what I’m ready to feel, and heal what is prioritizing for healing.”

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Reflections with Jess episode, I share a moment from a small-town coffee shop where the simple act of someone typing nearby sent my nervous system into high alert. What unfolded was a reminder that healing is not about proving your strength—it’s about listening to your body, honouring your capacity, and choosing yourself.

✨ I’ve started a Fall Solo Date Reels series on Instagram, where each week I travel to a new small town, explore cozy cafés, and share the magic of solo adventures. The first one is live now—and yes, it features the café where this reflection was born. You can watch on @lifeaftertraumapodcast or on my personal account @jessvanrose.

☕ Support the podcast: Buy Me a Coffee

If this episode resonated with you or made you feel seen, I would be so grateful if you follow on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening.

💛 Connect with Jess:

Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose

🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.