"You have to get to know yourself over and over again—living with trauma is a constant process of rediscovery."

In this episode, we discussed Jason C. McDonald's story of surviving three traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and his journey of overcoming not just physical trauma but also emotional trauma, in particular:

👉 How TBIs change cognitive abilities and personality over time.

👉 Dealing with society while having an "invisible illness."

👉 The constant process of self-rediscovery.

👉 How surviving TBIs can push to develop resilience.

👉 The importance of empathy in supporting those with invisible struggles.

Join Jason Baum, the therapist by legacy, and Yurii Lazaruk, the therapist by Ilker, in having deep conversations about things you think but don't talk about a lot!

Have a story to share? We want to hear from you! Let's break the stigma together.

Connect with Jasons and Yurii on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/codemouse92/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonebaum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Meet Jason McDonald

(01:48) The First Traumatic Brain Injury

(02:39) Overcoming the Second TBI

(04:16) Emotional Traumatic Brain Injury

(06:24) Living with TBI: Daily Struggles and Misconceptions

(09:19) Coping Mechanisms and Support Systems

(17:48) Navigating Relationships with TBI

(20:42) Setting Boundaries for Self-Protection

(22:20) Coping Mechanisms and Personal Strategies

(25:06) Balancing Work and Health

(28:45) The Exhaustion of Masking Symptoms

#community #communitybuilding #therapy

"Anytime I was achieving something, I do not remember somebody ever telling me congratulations or some kind of support. Maybe it was, but I cannot recall it."

In this episode, we discussed Yurii's story of dealing with feelings of guilt, diminishing self-worth, and the struggle to live up to self-imposed expectations, in particular:

👉 Struggling with guilt and learning self-compassion.

👉 How cultural backgrounds shape our emotional experiences.

👉 Challenges of dealing with unspoken expectations.

👉 Using humor as a coping mechanism.

👉 Importance of community in processing trauma.

Join Jason Baum, the therapist by legacy, and Yurii Lazaruk, the therapist by Ilker, in having deep conversations about things you think but don't talk about a lot!

Have a story to share?

We want to hear from you! Let's break the stigma together.

Connect with Jason and Yurii on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonebaum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Meet Yurii

(00:32) Three Main Points of Trauma

(02:39) Family Systems and Emotional Recognition

(04:38) Childhood Memories and Parental Relationships

(10:03) Cultural Influences and Emotional Impact

(17:50) Generational Trauma and Parenting Styles

(21:45) Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

(22:36) The Power of Conversations and Community

(24:34) Managing Expectations and Empathy

(25:40) Dealing with Guilt and Blame

(28:39) Setting Boundaries and Healthy Relationships

(29:53) The Importance of Processing Emotions

#community #communitybuilding #therapy

"My core value growing up was I'm not enough. So, every decision I made, even up until two years ago, everything I did must improve my self-worth."

In this episode, we discussed Chris Miles's story of enduring child abuse, struggling with depression, and finding hope through family support and a passion for game development, in particular:

👉 Being abused as a child from six years old till fourteen.

👉 Dealing with severe depression and multiple suicide attempts.

👉 Impact of autism and ADHD on Chris's family.

👉 Huge role of Chris's mother in creating a safe space.

👉 What helped Chris to tame depression.

Join Jason Baum, the therapist by legacy, and Yurii Lazaruk, the therapist by Ilker, in having deep conversations about things you think but don't talk about a lot!

Have a story to share? We want to hear from you! Let's break the stigma together.

Connect with Chris, Jason, and Yurii on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-miles-dmm/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonebaum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Meet Chris Miles

(04:17) The Impact of Trauma on Family

(05:27) Overcoming Depression

(09:27) The Role of Family Support

(17:37) The Importance of Sharing and Empathy

(24:01) Finding Solace in Game Development

(24:47) The Power of Purpose

(26:34) Global Depression and Suicide Statistics

(29:20) Understanding Depression

(32:43) Coping Mechanisms and Personal Experiences

(38:25) The Importance of Sharing and Validation

#community #communitybuilding #therapy

"We all deal with trauma. By sharing my story, I hope others will feel it's okay to open up."

In this episode, we discussed Jason's story of losing his dad during COVID and coping with his feelings, in particular:

👉 The triple hit: COVID stress, job loss, and father's illness.

👉 The first time Jason’s daughter saw him cry.

👉 First hospital visits and the impact of restrictions.

👉 Dealing with fear, anger, guilt, and grief.

👉 Process of forgiving oneself and others.

Join Jason Baum, the therapist by legacy, and Yurii Lazaruk, the therapist by Ilker, in having deep conversations about things you think but don't talk about a lot!

Have a story to share? We want to hear from you! Let's break the stigma together.

Connect with Jason and Yurii on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonebaum

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro and Context

(01:13) Losing a Father During COVID

(03:49) The Impact of COVID and Job Loss

(08:05) Hospitalization and Diagnosis

(11:40) The Emotional Toll and Family Dynamics

(23:58) The Final Months

(33:15) Fulfilling Dad's Final Wishes

(34:44) A Christmas Goodbye

(36:20) Finding Purpose in Helping Others

(37:57) Support System During Tough Times

(43:17) Navigating Grief and Relationships

(52:43) The Importance of Therapy and Sharing

#community #communitybuilding #therapy

😲 How do you feel when not receiving feedback on the work you've done?

🤩 Is it social recognition that drives you?

🙌 Why do you have to build relationships constantly?

🤔 What do people feel if you're not answering right away?

🤗 Why community is your therapy?

Let's find it out! 😏

Join Jason Baum, the therapist by legacy, and Yurii Lazaruk, the therapist by Ilker, in having deep conversations about things you think about but don't talk about a lot!

Connect with Jason and Yurii on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonebaum/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction In What's Going On Here

(02:11) Launching into Public Therapy Sessions

(05:02) Exploring the Challenges of Community Engagement and Feedback

(15:03) Navigating the Complexities of Building and Maintaining a Network

(19:52) Finding Solace in Community

(23:13) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Success

(36:52) The Importance of Setting Realistic Expectations

(40:22) Embracing Imperfection and Community Feedback