Survivor Stories

Podcast: Survivor Stories: Breaking Silence, Changing Stigma
Episode: 6
Guest: Mike
Guest Co-Hosts: Brad and Dakotah
Website: https://internalchainofcommand.com

What happens when the people who know you best ask you to open up about the things you’ve spent years keeping locked away?

In this episode of Survivor Stories, Jarod sits down with Mike, joined by guest co-hosts Brad and Dakotah, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about trauma, family, friendship, and the difficult process of confronting the past.

Brad and Dakotah have known Mike for years, but even the closest friendships can have unspoken stories and emotions beneath the surface. Together, they challenge Mike to begin breaking the chains around the box of experiences he has kept closed for so long.

Mike shares his memories of his father being shot while serving as a police officer, the lasting impact of that traumatic event, complicated family relationships, and his experiences seeking help through counseling. The conversation also explores his journey into understanding complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), including the protective parts that can shape our reactions, relationships, and behaviors.

This episode is about more than recounting what happened. It is about examining how trauma affects us, recognizing the ways we protect ourselves, and learning that opening up does not have to happen all at once.

Sometimes, healing begins with one conversation, a few chains loosened, and the willingness to let someone else see what is inside the box.

This episode contains candid conversations and humor alongside serious discussions of trauma and mental health. Mike shares personal experiences involving suicide, suicidal behavior, violence, police shootings, death, family estrangement, CPTSD, and emotional distress. Some language is explicit.

Please listen in whatever way feels safest for you. Pause, take a break, or step away if you need to.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide in the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Survivor Stories: Breaking Silence, Changing Stigma creates space for honest conversations about trauma, mental health, grief, healing, and survival.

We believe that sharing our experiences can challenge stigma, help others feel less alone, and remind us that we are more than what happened to us.

You don’t have to open every door at once. Sometimes, the first step is simply being willing to turn the handle.

Visit our website for more episodes, personal stories, blog posts, and information about the podcast: http://www.internalchainofcommand.com

If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone who may need the reminder that they are not alone.

Thank you for listening to Survivor Stories: Breaking Silence, Changing Stigma.

Intro and Outro Music: Strong Character (Powerful Fuzz Action Sport Rock) by Lightstockmusic, via Pixabay.

Audio file: https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-strong-character-powerful-fuzz-action-sport-rock-513742/

Used under the Pixabay Content License.

Sound Effects: Sounds from https://quicksounds.com

Used under the Quicksounds Standard License. Please visit the website for sound-effect resources and licensing information.

All music and sound effects are credited to their respective sources.

Podcast: Survivor Stories: Breaking Silence, Changing Stigma
Guest: Brittney Hawks
Hosts: Jarod, Mike, and Lindsey

What happens when the experiences that shape us as children continue to affect our relationships, our self-worth, and the way we navigate adulthood?

In this episode of Survivor Stories, Brittney Hawks shares her deeply personal journey of childhood trauma, unhealthy family dynamics, addiction within her family, difficult relationships, military service, motherhood, and a life-changing battle with cancer.

Brittney opens up about growing up feeling responsible for managing other people’s emotions, learning to put everyone else’s needs before her own, and carrying anger and pain she didn’t fully understand until adulthood. Through therapy, self-reflection, faith, and the support of her husband and family, she began connecting the dots between her childhood experiences and the patterns that followed her into adult relationships.

She also shares her experience with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), setting boundaries with family, and recognizing the importance of accountability in healing. One of the most powerful themes of this conversation is her commitment to breaking generational cycles and giving her daughters the stability, emotional safety, and space to express their feelings that she needed growing up.

This conversation also explores finding the right therapist, different approaches to trauma treatment, and why healing doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

Brittney’s story is a reminder that understanding where our patterns come from can help us choose a different path forward. We cannot change what happened to us, but we can work toward changing what gets passed on.

You are not alone. Your experiences do not define your worth, and it is never too late to begin healing.

Finding a Therapist – Psychology Today

Looking for a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure where to begin. Psychology Today’s therapist directory allows you to search for mental health professionals by location, specialty, insurance, and other preferences.

Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Military OneSource – Confidential Counseling and Support

Military OneSource provides eligible service members and military families with resources and confidential, short-term counseling for challenges such as stress, relationship difficulties, parenting, and grief. Visit the website to learn more about available services and eligibility.

Website: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-counseling/

As discussed in this episode, finding a qualified mental health professional who understands your experiences and with whom you feel comfortable can make a meaningful difference.

Different therapeutic approaches work differently for different people. Trauma-focused work can bring up difficult emotions, so consider working with a qualified professional before attempting intensive trauma-processing exercises on your own.

This podcast shares personal experiences and is intended for conversation, education, and encouragement. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care or medical advice.

This episode includes discussions of childhood emotional and physical abuse, family addiction and substance use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, sexual assault within marriage, emotional manipulation, cancer and medical trauma, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).

Please listen in whatever way feels safest for you. You can pause, skip sections, or step away whenever you need to. Your well-being comes first.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Have you ever recognized a pattern in your life that you wanted to change? What has helped you take steps toward healing?

We invite you to reflect, share your experiences when you’re comfortable, and help us continue creating space for honest conversations about trauma and mental health.

If Brittney’s story resonated with you, consider sharing this episode with someone who might need the reminder that they are not alone.

Survivor Stories: Breaking Silence, Changing Stigma.

Because we are more than what happened to us.

Trigger Warning

This episode of Survivor Stories contains discussions of suicide, suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, and suicide loss. It also includes personal accounts of childhood abuse, sexual assault and rape, being held hostage, abusive relationships, trauma, PTSD, mental illness, grief, and the loss of a daughter to suicide.

Some portions of this conversation include detailed descriptions of traumatic experiences and a past suicide attempt, which may be difficult or triggering for some listeners.

Please take care of yourself while listening. You are always free to pause, step away, or skip this episode if the content feels overwhelming.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 in the United States, or contact your local emergency services if there is immediate danger.

Connect With Kat

KAT BADGER ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/Kat.Badger2019

Kat’s Books

More Than Her Last Goodbye: Loving My Daughter Beyond The Darkness Of Suicide

Kat shares the story of her daughter Alyssa, her own experiences with trauma and suicide, and the journey of finding hope and healing after unimaginable loss.

BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON:
More Than Her Last Goodbye: Loving My Daughter Beyond The Darkness Of Suicide: Badger, Kathryn: 9798254606383: Amazon.com: Books

Still Here

Kat’s poetry book, sharing another part of her journey and experiences.

BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON:
Amazon.com: Still Here : Poems On Grief And Love After Loss eBook : Badger, Kathryn: Kindle Store

Trigger Warning

This episode of Survivor Stories contains discussions of trauma, sexual assault and military sexual trauma, childhood trauma, substance and alcohol abuse, abusive relationships, depression, postpartum depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and planned suicide involving a firearm. Some of these experiences are discussed in significant detail.

Please take care of yourself while listening. If any of these topics may be difficult or triggering for you, consider listening when you feel safe and supported, or skipping this episode altogether.

Listener discretion is advised.