How does trauma shape a child’s mind and behavior, even years after the event?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Brandi Hawk, licensed psychologist and CEO of Red Leaf Psychology, breaks down what every parent, teacher, and caregiver must understand about trauma’s lasting effects on children.

Discover why kids often “act out,” what is really happening inside their bodies and nervous systems, and the practical steps adults can take to support healing, resilience, and emotional growth.

If you care for a child who has been through something difficult, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight into what healing truly requires.

🔗 Learn more or connect:
https://redleafpsychology.com/brandihawk/

🔗 LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-hawk-phd-76931050/

🌿 In this episode, you'll discover:

• How trauma stays in the body and shapes behavior
• Why children “act out” instead of expressing emotional pain directly
• What is happening inside the brain and nervous system during trauma responses
• Why healing takes time and consistency, not quick fixes
• How caregivers can create emotional safety for children
• Practical ways adults can support recovery and resilience
• The long-term impact of trauma—and how growth is still possible

📌 Don’t forget to:
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💬 Comment below — What do you think children need most when they are struggling emotionally?

#ChildTrauma #Parenting #MentalHealth #TraumaRecovery #ChildDevelopment #DrBrandiHawk #RedLeafPsychology #AroBenaiah #MakingOfMePodcast #Resilience #EmotionalHealth #Caregivers

What if the hardest chapter of your life became the very foundation for your greatest impact?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Dr. Angela Thomas shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and transformation. From becoming a mother at just 16 while still in high school, to overcoming family trauma and major life challenges, she reveals how adversity shaped—not limited—her destiny. Through determination and faith, she rose to earn four degrees, build a career in healthcare leadership, and establish She Shed Ministries, inspiring women to believe their past does not define their future.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Angela navigated teen motherhood while continuing her education
• The impact of family trauma and how it shaped her resilience
• Why faith and determination were key to her transformation
• What it took to earn four degrees while raising a child
• Her journey into healthcare leadership and ministry
• How She Shed Ministries was created to empower women
• Why your past does not determine your future

This conversation is for anyone who feels defined by their circumstances and needs a reminder that growth, healing, and purpose are still possible.

🔗 Learn more about Angela Thomas & her work: https://www.angeladthomas.com/
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangeladthomas/

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💬 Comment below — What part of Angela’s journey resonated with you most?

#Resilience #Inspiration #WomenEmpowerment #Faith #OvercomingAdversity #TheMakingOfMePodcast #Transformation #Purpose #Leadership #FaithJourney

How do we protect originality, truth, and creative ownership in a world where artificial intelligence can now generate books, ideas, and entire stories in seconds?

In this insightful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Gordon McClellan, founder and publisher of DartFrog Books, explores the evolving reality of authorship in the age of AI. He breaks down why genuine human creativity still matters, how publishing is adapting to new technology, and what authors can do to protect the integrity of their work in a rapidly changing landscape.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• How AI is reshaping publishing and the meaning of authorship
• Why authentic human voice still matters in storytelling
• The risks and opportunities AI introduces for writers and publishers
• How publishers are thinking about verifying originality and ownership
• What “genuine authorship” means in the modern creative world
• How authors can protect their creative identity and intellectual work
• The future of storytelling in a technology-driven era

This conversation is for authors, creatives, and anyone interested in how technology is transforming creativity, publishing, and the value of human expression.

🔗 Connect with Gordon McClellan & learn more: https://dartfrogbooks.com/
🔗 Follow DartFrog Books on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dartfrogbooks/

📌 Don’t forget to:
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💬 Comment below — Do you think AI strengthens or threatens authorship?

#AI #Authorship #Publishing #Creativity #TheMakingOfMePodcast #GordonMcClellan #Writing #Storytelling #FutureOfWork #ArtificialIntelligence

What does it take to heal from deep shame and finally believe you are worthy of love—without conditions?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Fenix Shepard shares her raw and transformative journey through trauma, addiction, identity struggles, and spiritual healing. Once trapped in shame and self-rejection, she opens up about how she moved from feeling unlovable to discovering unconditional love, peace, and a deeply personal relationship with God beyond religion.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• How shame shapes identity and distorts self-worth
• The impact of trauma, addiction, and emotional pain on personal growth
• Why many people struggle to feel loved—even in spiritual spaces
• The process of healing deep emotional and psychological wounds
• How faith and spirituality can be rediscovered after rejection and pain
• What it means to experience unconditional love in a personal way
• How to begin releasing shame and rebuilding self-acceptance

This conversation is for anyone who has felt rejected, broken, or unworthy of love—and is searching for healing, identity, and emotional restoration.

🔗 Connect with Fenix Shepard & explore resources:
https://www.fenixshepard.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fenix-shepard-a293713a9/

📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if it spoke to your heart
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💬 Comment below — What does unconditional love mean to you?

#TraumaRecovery #Healing #UnconditionalLove #Faith #MentalHealth #TheMakingOfMePodcast #SpiritualHealing #SelfWorth #Testimony #FenixShepard

What if the biggest thing holding high performers back isn’t skill, strategy, or opportunity—but fear they never talk about?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Jay Judkins, certified coach and leadership guide, shares his deeply personal journey through disability, abandonment, life-threatening illness, and career collapse. Through these experiences, he uncovers how hidden fear quietly shapes leadership decisions, performance pressure, and emotional burnout—even in the most successful leaders.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why high-achieving leaders often operate from hidden fear
• How experiences like loss, illness, and failure can shape leadership identity
• The fear patterns that quietly drive performance and burnout
• Why success does not automatically remove insecurity or self-doubt
• How fear shows up in leadership behaviors and decision-making
• What it means to lead from wholeness instead of pressure and performance
• Practical ways to recognize and begin working through hidden fears

This conversation is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to understand the emotional drivers behind success—and learn how to lead with more clarity, courage, and authenticity.

🔗 Connect with Jay Judkins: https://paperbell.me/jay-judkins

📌 Don’t forget to:
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💬 Comment below — What’s one fear you think leaders rarely admit?

#Leadership #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #TheMakingOfMePodcast #AuthenticLeadership #Fear #SelfAwareness #HighPerformance

What actually happens during your first ayahuasca ceremony—and what do most people get wrong about it?

In this deeply honest episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Oliver Glozik, founder of Harmonica Retreat, shares his raw personal experience and insights from guiding hundreds of participants through their first ceremonies. He opens up about the emotional intensity, unexpected challenges, and the life-shifting reflections that often come after the experience.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• What a first ayahuasca experience can actually feel like
• Why emotional discomfort is often part of deep inner reflection
• How expectations can shape (and sometimes distort) the experience
• What people commonly misunderstand about retreat journeys
• How insights from ceremonies translate into real-life change
• Why integration after the experience is just as important as the ceremony itself

This conversation is for anyone curious about personal transformation, inner healing, and what it truly means to face yourself in an unfamiliar but structured environment.

🔗 Learn more about Harmonica Retreat: https://ayahuasca-retreat.com/
🔗 Connect with Oliver Glozik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonica_retreat

📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if it gave you perspective
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💬 Comment below — What’s your biggest question about deep personal transformation?

#Ayahuasca #PersonalGrowth #Transformation #Podcast #TheMakingOfMePodcast #HealingJourney #InnerWork #SelfDiscovery

What if the identity labels we’ve accepted without question are actually built on stories that deserve deeper examination?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Tony El challenges widely accepted narratives around the term “African American,” encouraging listeners to rethink history, identity, and how cultural understanding is shaped. He raises bold questions about origin stories, media influence, and the importance of knowing your true narrative beyond inherited labels.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why Tony El questions the label “African American” and what it represents
• How historical narratives shape identity and collective belief
• The role of media and education in forming cultural perspectives
• Why asking uncomfortable questions is essential for clarity and growth
• How to think critically about origin stories and personal identity
• The importance of reclaiming your narrative through deeper understanding

This conversation is for anyone willing to challenge assumptions, think independently, and explore identity beyond surface-level definitions.

🔗 Learn more about Tony El and his work: http://www.projectthirdiopened.com/
🔗 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyel1787/

📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if it made you think
🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations
💬 Comment below — How do you personally define identity beyond labels?

#Identity #History #Culture #CriticalThinking #TheMakingOfMePodcast #SelfAwareness #Perspective #AfricanAmerican #TonyEl

What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t lack of effort—but lack of alignment in how you think, live, and choose your direction?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Ted Kopecko, author of Finding JOY: Journey of You and founder of Finding JOY, breaks down what it really takes to live a fulfilled, intentional life. Drawing from his background as a commercial architect, entrepreneur, and transformation coach, he reveals how most people are living by default instead of designing their lives with purpose.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• The 4 pillars of a joy-led life: Mindset, Identity, Time, and Direction
• Why busyness without alignment leads to burnout and frustration
• How your identity quietly shapes your results and decisions
• The importance of designing your life instead of reacting to it
• Why clarity of direction changes how you use your time
• How to move from survival mode into intentional living

This conversation is for anyone who feels successful on paper but disconnected on the inside—and is ready to realign their life from the ground up.

🔗 Explore more from Ted Kopecko: https://findingjoy.us/
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-kopecko-author-finding-joy-journey-of-you-36592441/

📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if it gave you clarity
🔔 Subscribe for more meaningful conversations
💬 Comment below — Which of the 4 pillars do you need to realign right now?

#PersonalGrowth #Mindset #LifeDesign #FindingJoy #TedKopecko #TheMakingOfMePodcast #PurposeDrivenLife #SelfDevelopment #Identity #TimeManagement

What does it take for a man to break generational patterns, heal from his past, and step fully into the role his children need most?

In this powerful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Tyler McAdams, founder of Inspiring Father, shares his journey through divorce, emotional struggle, and single fatherhood — and how he refused to repeat the cycle of absence he experienced growing up. Instead, he rebuilt his identity and created the HERO method to help fathers become intentional, present, and purpose-driven leaders in their children’s lives.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to break cycles of absent or disconnected fatherhood
• What it takes to rebuild yourself after divorce and emotional setbacks
• The mindset shift required to become a present and intentional father
• How the HERO method helps dads lead with purpose and consistency
• Why emotional healing is essential to effective parenting
• Practical ways fathers can strengthen connection with their children

This episode is for fathers in transition, men healing from the past, and anyone who wants to understand the deeper impact of intentional fatherhood.

🔗 Explore more from Tyler McAdams: http://theinspiringfather.com/
🔗 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/inspiringfather

📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if it resonated with you
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💬 Comment below — What does being a “hero” father mean to you?

#Fatherhood #Parenting #SingleDad #MentalHealth #SelfGrowth #TheMakingOfMePodcast #InspiringFather #FatherhoodJourney

What if the stories children hear today could shape the strength, confidence, and mindset they carry for life?

In this insightful episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Renaye Thornborrow, founder of Adventures in Wisdom, breaks down how storytelling is more than entertainment — it is a powerful tool for building confidence, resilience, and self-belief in children from an early age.

🎯 In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why storytelling is a powerful tool for shaping a child’s mindset
• The science behind story-based coaching and why it works
• How parents and educators are using stories globally to build confidence in kids
• A simple self-talk technique you can start using at home today
• How early mindset training impacts lifelong success
• Practical ways to help children develop resilience and self-belief

This episode is a must-watch for parents, educators, and coaches who want to raise emotionally strong and confident children equipped for the real world.

🔗 Get your FREE self-talk story & explore programs for parents and coaches: https://adventuresinwisdom.com/
🔗 Connect with Renaye Thornborrow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renayethornborrow/

📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if it added value to you
🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode
💬 Comment below — What’s one story that shaped your mindset growing up?

#ChildMindset #Storytelling #Parenting #Confidence #Resilience #AdventuresInWisdom #TheMakingOfMePodcast #MindsetForKids