When an adult begins to heal from past traumas, abuse, and unhealthy relationships, they often find that their relationships with their parents doesn't change. But they do. Their perception of acceptable behavior, of healthy relationships, of proper communication change and they find themselves at odds with their parents who continue to exhibit the unhealthy behaviors that led to the trauma to begin with.

In this episode, we explore the dynamic between adults who are healing from childhood trauma and their parents who played a role in the trauma.

In this episode, we dive deep into the early childhood traumas that often lay the foundation for harmful behaviors later in life. We explore the stories of individuals who have caused harm and the painful experiences they endured in their formative years—experiences that shaped their worldview and led to the development of abusive tendencies.

Through personal narratives and expert insights, we examine how abuse is often a learned behavior, passed down through generations, and fueled by the unhealthy coping mechanisms that emerge from witnessing or experiencing violence as children. While understanding the roots of abuse is crucial, this episode does not excuse harmful behavior but seeks to highlight the complexities of how trauma begets trauma.

The takeaway: Abuse is not innate but learned, and breaking the cycle requires empathy, healing, and unlearning deeply ingrained patterns.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood abuse, trauma, and violence, which may be difficult for some listeners.

Listen to our conversation with Ryan, the newest member of The Center's team, as he shares how his perception of domestic abuse and sexual assault have changed after working for an organization treating and preventing these issues.

Matt Huckabay is the Executive Director at The Center leads the conversation and provides insight into some of the common misconceptions the general public has as they relate to the issues.