The Uncommon Minds Experience

The Uncommon Minds Experience

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The Uncommon Minds Experience episodes

  • How a Psychotherapist Uses History to Understand Human Behavior – Andrew Erdman

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever wondered what the past can teach us about how we connect, perform, and understand ourselves today.


    Andrew Erdman is a writer, historian, and licensed psychotherapist with a doctorate in theatre studies from the City University of New York Graduate Center . His work sits at the intersection of cultural history and psychoanalysis—exploring how performance, identity, and human behavior have evolved over time.


    He's the author of three books: Beautiful: The Story of Julian Eltinge, America's Greatest Female Impersonator (Oxford University Press, 2024), Queen of Vaudeville: The Story of Eva Tanguay (Cornell University Press, 2012), and Blue Vaudeville: Sex, Morals, and the Mass Marketing of Amusement, 1895-1915 .


    He also hosts the podcast "Feel Familiar? Emotionally Intelligent History," where he applies attachment theory, group psychology, and trauma frameworks to examine historical events like the 1849 Astor Place Theatre Riot—a celebrity-fueled culture war that left two people dead . His work bridges the gap between the broad sweep of history and our very real, inner lives.


    In this episode, we explore:


    🎭 From Vaudeville to Drag: The Psychology of Performance – Andrew discusses his research on Julian Eltinge, the most famous female impersonator of the early 20th century, and how drag and gender performance have evolved over the past century . He explains what "precision drag" looked like before TikTok filters.


    📖 The "I Don't Care" Girl: Eva Tanguay and the Birth of Modern Celebrity – He shares the story of Eva Tanguay, a hugely popular vaudeville comedienne who prefigured Bette Midler and Madonna despite being virtually unable to sing, dance, or act .


    🧠 Emotionally Intelligent History – Andrew explains why he uses attachment theory, group psychology, and trauma frameworks to analyze historical events and collective behavior . He explores how the past informs our present anxieties.


    💬 How History Connects to Our Inner Lives – He discusses how his training in psychoanalysis and his work as a licensed psychotherapist shape the way he writes about and interprets cultural history.


    What Listeners Gain:


    · An understanding of how gender and performance have been viewed throughout history

    · A new lens for analyzing cultural events through attachment theory and group psychology

    · Insight into the psychology behind celebrity culture, past and present

    · A reminder that understanding the past helps us understand ourselves


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Andrew Erdman


    🌐 Website: andrewerdman.com

    🎙️ Podcast: Feel Familiar? Emotionally Intelligent History

    📖 Books: Beautiful: The Story of Julian Eltinge (Oxford UP, 2024), Queen of Vaudeville (Cornell UP, 2012), Blue Vaudeville (McFarland, 2004)


    25 min
  • From Suicide Attempt to Firewalk Instructor: A Story of Redemption and Resilience – Dave Albin

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever hit rock bottom—and wondered if there was any way back up.


    Dave Albin knows this terrain intimately. On June 8, 1988, he put a gun to his head to stop the excruciating pain from both drug and alcohol addiction . That moment—choosing life over death—marked the beginning of a transformation that would take him from the depths of addiction to becoming America's #1 Firewalk Instructor .


    His life story reads like a testament to the power of second chances. Born in Hollywood to a single mother, adopted at age 5, told his adoptive parents weren't his biological parents at age 11, and introduced to alcohol that same year . By 14, he was experimenting with hard drugs. By his early 30s, addiction had nearly claimed his life .


    In this episode, we explore:


    🔥 The Firewalk Phenomenon – Dave shares how he became the #1 Firewalk Instructor in America and what it was like working for Tony Robbins for nearly 20 years as his Firewalk Captain . He explains why firewalking is a 1,000-year-old rite of passage ritual that can change someone's life in four seconds .


    💀 The Day He Almost Died – He opens up about the moment he put a gun to his head in 1988, what stopped him, and how that decision set him on a path to 36+ years of sobriety .


    🧠 Working with Tony Robbins – Dave reflects on his 19+ years with the Anthony Robbins Companies, including setting a World Record in London in 2005 by walking over 12,300 people across hot coals .


    🌍 From Google to NASA – He shares how he landed gigs for major organizations like Google, NASA, Heineken, Chick-fil-A, and the Entrepreneurs Organization, and what he's learned about creating lasting change in corporate environments .


    👣 The Glasswalk Experience – Dave explains what the glasswalk experience is and why it's used alongside firewalking for breakthrough moments .


    👨‍👧‍👦 A Family Legacy – He shares how his children participated in firewalks at the ages of 6 and 9, and why he believes this practice can transform people of all ages .


    What Listeners Gain:


    · An understanding of how facing extreme fear can create lasting change

    · A powerful example of addiction recovery and redemption

    · Insight into the connection between physical challenges and mental breakthroughs

    · Practical wisdom on team building and culture through transformative experiences

    · The reminder that it's never too late to choose a different path


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.

    Connect with Dave Albin


    🌐 Website: firewalkadventures.com

    🎙️ Podcast: Operation Do No Harm (Host)

    📱 Social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn

    29 min
  • How to Build a Culture of Innovation: Practical Leadership for Real Results – J Calvin Shaw

    This conversation is for leaders who want to build organizations that don't just survive change—they thrive on it.


    J Calvin Shaw is a business enthusiast who loves to help others create more opportunity . His focus is developing a culture of innovation that enables businesses and organizations to be prepared for the next challenge presented by their consumer . With an MBA in Entrepreneurship and more than 30 years of experience in management, sales, and organizational leadership, he brings a practical, experience-driven perspective to the conversation about innovation .


    His career spans real estate, retail, and the automotive industry—three very different sectors that taught him one thing: innovation isn't reserved for giant corporations. It's a mindset anyone can develop . He earned a BS/BA in Management with a Concentration in Finance from Boston University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University .


    In this episode, we explore:


    🚀 Why Innovation Readiness Matters – Calvin explains why it's important to have your organization innovation-ready at all times . He shares why waiting until you need to innovate is already too late.


    🧠 The Creative Power of Many – He explores how cross-functional teams strengthen innovative development and why the best ideas often emerge from collaboration, not individual genius .


    🎯 The Incentive to Innovate – Calvin shares practical strategies for incentivizing creativity within organizations . He explains how to create conditions where people want to innovate rather than resist change.


    🔄 How an Idea Transforms into an Innovation – He walks through the journey from idea to innovation, explaining the process and the key ingredients that separate good ideas from genuine breakthroughs .


    🏛️ Leadership's Role in Innovation Culture – He discusses what leadership's role is in developing an innovative culture and why great listeners often make great leaders .


    🏢 Organizational Structure for Creativity – Calvin shares what organizational structure will lend itself to a creative culture and how to design teams and workflows that foster innovation .


    What Listeners Gain:


    · A practical understanding of what innovation actually requires in real organizations

    · Strategies for incentivizing creativity and rewarding innovative thinking

    · A framework for moving from ideas to breakthrough innovations

    · Insight into building teams and structures that support innovation

    · Confidence that innovation is a skill that can be learned and developed


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with J Calvin Shaw


    🌐 Website: jcalvinshaw.net

    📱 Social: Facebook, Instagram


    25 min
  • Healing Without a Rulebook: What I Learned About Change the Hard Way – Kerisma Vere

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever tried to "just try harder"—and found that it didn't work.


    Kerisma Vere knows this experience intimately. She's navigated trauma, mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, addiction, and significant life adversity . Those experiences deeply shaped both her perspective and her approach. She knows what it's like to have little sense of self or self-worth, and she also knows what it's like to slowly rebuild those foundations through compassionate, attuned support .


    Her work grew out of what she learned the hard way: what does and does not actually support healing, regulation, and sustainable growth . She's a holistic wellness coach and the author of The Light Switch Myth: Contemporary Approaches to Creating Lasting Change and the companion journal Ways I Showed Up for Myself . She's also the creator of the seven-module course From Pressure to Path: A Compassionate Framework for Change .


    In this episode, we explore:


    🧠 Why 'Just Try Harder' Doesn't Work – Kerisma explains how trauma, chronic stress, and adversity change the way people experience motivation, discipline, and self-trust . She shares why all-or-nothing approaches to self-improvement often fail and what to do instead.


    🔄 What Her Own Recovery Journey Taught Her – She shares what she learned about what doesn't help healing—even when it's well-intentioned—and how her own experiences shaped her compassionate approach to change.


    🧘 The Role of Nervous System Regulation – Kerisma explains why nervous system regulation is essential for sustainable growth, healing, and quality of life . She shares practical ways to begin regulating when you're stuck in survival mode.


    💡 The Light Switch Myth and Other Metaphors – She introduces the powerful metaphors from her book—the rainbow, the staircase, the teeter-totter, the inchworm—and explains why imagery like this can be so powerful in healing and creating meaningful change.


    📖 The Journey of Becoming an Author – Kerisma shares what led her to write The Light Switch Myth and what she's learned through the writing, publishing, and promotion process that others might find helpful .


    🧭 Personalizing Change and Aligning with Core Values – She explains how to connect change to core values to make it more sustainable and even enjoyable .


    ✨ A Message for Anyone Struggling – Kerisma offers a compassionate message for anyone struggling with trauma, addiction, or self-worth: healing isn't about becoming a completely different person overnight—it's about learning to trust ourselves, honor our progress, and take meaningful steps forward .


    What Listeners Gain:


    · An understanding of why "just try harder" approaches often fail

    · A compassionate framework for creating lasting change

    · Practical tools for nervous system regulation

    · Permission to heal without a rulebook

    · Hope that self-trust can be rebuilt, even after repeated setbacks


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Kerisma Vere


    🌐 Website: towardswellness.ca

    📖 Books: The Light Switch Myth: Contemporary Approaches to Creating Lasting Change, Ways I Showed Up for Myself (companion journal)

    🎓 Course: From Pressure to Path: A Compassionate Framework for Change

    📱 Social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads



    27 min
  • Guide to Relationships, Self-Discovery, and Breaking Toxic Masculinity – Joshua Jones

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, struggled to connect, or wondered why healthy relationships seem so hard to find.


    Joshua Jones grew up as an outsider, never quite fitting in anywhere . He learned to accept himself for who he is and turned the quirks that others disapproved of into traits they now find charming . Today, he helps others find that same charisma and attract their people to them .


    His mission is built on a holistic approach—mind, body, and soul—and he's committed to dismantling the toxic masculine mindset prevalent in today's society . As a relatable "Average Joe," he offers a grounded perspective that resonates with many, making him a valuable gauge into the thoughts of the everyday man .


    In this episode, we explore:


    🧠 Why the Male EQ Seems So Low – Joshua tackles one of the most common questions about modern masculinity. He explores why emotional intelligence often seems underdeveloped in men, what cultural factors contribute to this, and how to begin building better emotional awareness.


    💬 How to Communicate with Your Partner Better – He shares practical strategies for improving communication in relationships, from understanding your partner's perspective to expressing your own needs without defensiveness or shutdown.


    💔 Being Single in This Era – Joshua discusses why being single feels so different in the modern era, and why he wants to help people find deeper connections and understand the reality of finding meaningful relationships.


    🔄 Balancing the Dumpster Fire and the Functional Adult – With trademark humor and honesty, he explores the struggle to balance between chaos and stability, and why learning to navigate that balance is essential for growth.


    🔍 How Men View Relationships – He pulls back the curtain on how men often view relationships, what they're thinking but not saying, and why understanding those patterns is the first step toward better connection.


    What Listeners Gain:


    · A relatable perspective on modern relationships and dating

    · Practical tools for improving communication with partners

    · Insight into dismantling toxic masculinity and building emotional intelligence

    · Permission to embrace your quirks and find your people

    · A roadmap for moving from feeling like an outsider to finding genuine connection


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Joshua Jones


    🌐 Website: https://www.instagram.com/thenotsobadpod?igsh=eDB5a3llbHFxZ3kw

    🎙️ Podcast: The Not So Bad Bachelor Pad

    📱 Social: Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram

    23 min
  • A Social Media App That Blocks AI Content: The Future of Human Connection – Ross Thorpe

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever scrolled through social media and wondered: "Am I even interacting with real people anymore?"


    Ross Thorpe knows this question intimately. As CEO of Rooverse, he's built the only social media platform that blocks all AI-generated content from being posted . No bots. No synthetic identities. No "AI slop." Just real people interacting with real people .


    His mission is built on a startling reality: 71% of images being uploaded every day are made by AI, and some platforms have over 45% of their users as bots . As he puts it: "You are not interacting with people any more. The 'social' has gone from social media."


    In this episode, we explore:


    🛡️ The AI Takeover of Social Media – Ross explains how AI-generated content has flooded platforms, why users can no longer trust what they see, and what it means when your feed is shaped by algorithms, not humans . He reveals why platforms like RedNote and Douyin are tightening rules on AI content while Rooverse has taken a bolder stance .


    🔞 The Scourge of "AI Slop" – He describes the phenomenon of low-cost, AI-generated content designed to maximize clicks, watch time, and engagement . From hyper-realistic tomatoes arguing about relationships to AI-generated babies cooking food, Ross explains why this content is "a snake eating its own tail" and why it's degrading the quality of online interaction .


    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A Wall for People, a Walled Garden Against Bots – Ross explains the core philosophy: Rooverse is a "walled garden" where every user is verified and real, and nothing you see is AI-generated . He discusses how the platform eliminates the anxiety of not knowing whether you're connecting with a human or a bot.


    🌌 Backed Up in Space: The Future of Human Data – In a groundbreaking partnership with Lonestar Data Holdings, Rooverse is the only social media platform that backs up human-generated content in space . Ross explains why authentic human data must be protected for future generations and why data resilience matters .


    📱 A Movement, Not Just an App – Ross shares his vision for a world where human interaction is valued over algorithmic content. As a founding member of the AI Trust Council, he's helping shape the conversation around AI governance and the protection of authentic human communication .


    What Listeners Gain:


    · A sobering understanding of how much AI content dominates social media

    · Insight into why human-only platforms are becoming essential

    · A vision for how technology can preserve authentic connection

    · Knowledge of the emerging movement to protect human data

    · A new perspective on what "social" media could become


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Ross Thorpe


    🌐 Website: rooverse.app

    📱 App Store: Available on iOS and Android

    🔗 LinkedIn: Ross Thorpe



    21 min
  • The App That Spots Dating Red Flags Before You Get Hurt – Justin Smith

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever ignored a gut feeling, dismissed a red flag, or found themselves asking: "How did I not see this coming?"


    Justin Smith knows that question intimately. In March 2024, his partner of eight years completely blindsided him—revealing her true self and attempting to "Gone Girl" him . He couldn't sleep. He couldn't eat. He lost 40 pounds within two months. His resting heart rate was 100 bpm, his blood pressure was around 180/120 for weeks. It literally almost destroyed him both inside and out. He went from a happy-go-lucky person to someone trying to figure out what reality was .


    In the wreckage of figuring out what happened, he realized he needed to come up with a solution to keep this from ever happening to anyone else. He spent 18 months creating Cray—the world's first app that helps people recognize red flags before they turn into red alerts .


    In this episode, we explore:


    💔 The Betrayal That Nearly Destroyed Him – Justin shares what it was like to be completely blindsided by a partner of eight years, the physical toll it took on his body, and the moment he realized he was trying to survive something far more dangerous than heartbreak .


    🔍 The "Gone Girl" Revelation – He reveals the shocking discovery that his partner had transferred large sums of money to herself and her mother within days of the rupture. As he kept turning over rocks to figure out what happened, it was horrific—every single turn .


    🧠 The Psychological and Physical Aftermath – Justin describes the terrifying physical symptoms: losing 40 pounds, a resting heart rate of 100 bpm, and blood pressure around 180/120 for weeks . He also shares his experience in an inpatient trauma treatment center and the long road to recovery.


    📱 The App That Could Save Your Heart – He explains how Cray works: answering questions about a partner's behavior, traits, and background across 70+ red flags in 18 categories, generating a CrayScore™ that breaks down potential risks and a SchemerScore™ that flags manipulative behavior .


    🛡️ Catfish Checks, Background Checks, and Privacy – Justin explains the app's additional safety tools: verifying if a phone number is real and tied to a claimed identity, screening for criminal history, and ensuring everything stays private on the user's device .


    🔄 Rebuilding and Healing – He shares what it was like to navigate the aftermath, the questions he obsessively asked himself during recovery, and how he eventually began to trust himself again.


    What Listeners Gain:


    · An understanding of how manipulative partners operate and why we miss the signs

    · Practical tools for spotting red flags before emotional damage is done

    · A roadmap for rebuilding after traumatic relationship experiences

    · Permission to trust their instincts and date with clarity instead of chaos


    Justin's message is clear: Too many people find out way too late who they're really dealing with . Cray helps you connect the dots—not just on the obvious stuff, but the subtle patterns and shady motives that scream red flag if you know what to look for.


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.

    Connect with Justin Smith


    🌐 Website: cray.app

    📱 iOS App: Search "Cray - Dating Safety" on App Store

    📱 Android App: Search "Cray - Dating Safety" on Google Play

    🔗 LinkedIn: Justin Smith

    📸 Instagram: @cray.app

    📱 TikTok: @cray.app


    24 min
  • Success Doesn't Have an Expiration Date: Reinventing Yourself at Any Age – Chad Betz

    This conversation is for anyone who has done everything they were supposed to do—and still feels like something is missing.


    Chad Betz knows this feeling intimately. Years ago, he was sitting alone in his car in a parking garage after work. On paper, he looked successful. He had built a career, worked hard, taken on responsibility, and done what society tells us we're supposed to do. Yet he found himself staring through the windshield, asking a question many professionals are afraid to say out loud: "After all this work, why doesn't this feel like success?"


    That moment became the catalyst for a journey that led to his book, An Authentic Success: You Aren't Too Old and It's Not Too Late! With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, leadership, turnaround management, consulting, regulatory examination, and executive coaching, Chad has helped organizations solve complex problems and navigate uncertainty . But he discovered that the challenges facing businesses are often the same challenges facing individuals: fear of change, attachment to old strategies, and uncertainty about what comes next.


    In this episode, we explore:


    🔄 Why Smart People Stay on the Wrong Path – Chad explains how the fear of letting go keeps capable people trapped in careers, habits, and identities that no longer fit. He reveals the hidden force that keeps accomplished people stuck despite their success.


    🧠 The Sunk Cost Fallacy in Life and Career – He breaks down how the time, energy, and effort people have already invested can keep them trapped for decades. He shares why walking away from something that no longer serves you isn't failure—it's strategy.


    ⚡ The Frustration Energy Cycle – Chad introduces the concept of the Frustration Energy Cycle—a pattern that keeps professionals spinning their wheels without making meaningful progress.


    🎯 The Difference Between Success and Authentic Success – He defines what he means by "Authentic Success" and explains why many people achieve conventional success but never feel fulfilled.


    🛠️ The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe – He discusses how stability, fear, and comfort quietly create burnout, stagnation, and regret—and what to do about it.


    🌱 Reinvention in Midlife and Beyond – Chad shares why professionals in their 40s, 50s, and beyond have advantages that younger people often overlook. He explains why you're not starting over—you're starting from experience.


    📖 The Three Actions for Anyone Who Feels Stuck – He offers practical first steps for listeners who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or convinced they've missed their chance.


    What Listeners Gain:


    · An understanding of why accomplishment doesn't always equal fulfillment

    · A framework for recognizing the "sunk cost fallacy" in their own life

    · Permission to redefine success on their own terms

    · Practical steps for navigating career transitions at any age

    · Hope that it's never too late to build a life that genuinely fits


    Chad's message is clear: Success doesn't have an expiration date. The skills, experiences, lessons, and even failures you've accumulated are not liabilities—they are assets. You are not starting over. You are starting from experience. And that changes everything.


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Chad Betz


    🌐 Website: anauthenticsuccess.com

    📖 Book: An Authentic Success: You Aren't Too Old and It's Not Too Late!

    📱 Social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn

    28 min
  • From Pulpit to Breacher: An FBI Agent's Journey Through Crime, Terror, and Faith – Eric Robinson

    This conversation is for anyone who's ever wondered what it actually takes to serve in one of the most demanding roles in law enforcement—and how a pastor ended up there.


    Eric Robinson spent 12 years in Christian ministry, pastoring a Baptist church in Western New York, before joining the FBI in 2002 . He served 24 years as a Special Agent, working crimes including white-collar crime, counterterrorism, crimes against children, gangs, drugs, and public corruption . He served as a SWAT operator, a firearms instructor, and a tactics instructor. Two of his cases won the Attorney General's Award .


    The transition from ministry to law enforcement wasn't born from a desire for change—it was born from stress. After two years of carrying the weight of his congregation's problems, Eric developed stress-related headaches every single day. He told his wife, "I have to find a job with less stress"—and that's why he joined the FBI . The irony isn't lost on him: he went from counseling people through their darkest moments to interrogating terrorists, recruiting informants, and dealing with teen prostitutes.


    In this episode, we explore:


    💂 A Career That Defies Convention – Eric shares his unconventional path from the pulpit to the FBI and what that transition taught him about stress, purpose, and resilience .


    ⚖️ What It Actually Takes to Be an FBI Agent – He explains the qualities required to serve effectively, from physical readiness to emotional resilience, and what the FBI looks for in candidates .


    🔍 Inside the Investigations – Eric walks listeners through some of his most memorable cases, including two that won the Attorney General's Award .


    🛡️ The Human and Spiritual Side of FBI Work – He reflects on the emotional and spiritual challenges of working crimes against children, human trafficking, and counterterrorism.


    🗣️ Recruiting Informants and Interrogating Terrorists – Drawing on his background in ministry and HUMINT, he shares what it takes to build rapport, trust, and influence in high-stakes situations.


    💥 The Reality of SWAT Operations – As a 15-year SWAT operator, he provides insight into how law enforcement properly engages with subjects and the split-second decisions made during high-risk operations .


    📚 Preacher to Breacher: The Upcoming Memoir – Eric previews his soon-to-be-released book, a collection of humorous, surprising, and powerful moments from his career .


    What Listeners Gain:


    · A rare inside look at the FBI from someone who served 24 years

    · An understanding of how skills from one career can transfer to another

    · Insight into the human side of law enforcement

    · Perspective on what it takes to work crimes against children, terrorism, and gangs

    · A deeply personal story of faith, identity, and purpose


    Eric's message is clear: the skills he learned in ministry—listening, counseling, understanding people—translated directly into FBI work. He left the pulpit, but he never left the calling to serve.


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Eric Robinson


    🌐 Website: preachertobreacher.com

    📱 Instagram: @_eric_robinson

    🔗 LinkedIn: Eric Robinson

    📖 Upcoming Book: Preacher to Breacher (Coming Soon)

    21 min
  • From Victimhood to Purpose: Finding Your Way After Unimaginable Loss – Susan Snow

    This conversation is for anyone who has ever worn a brave face while quietly falling apart inside.


    On Halloween night in 1985, seventeen-year-old Susan Snow's life changed forever. Her father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, was ambushed and assassinated in a targeted drive-by shooting while picking up her six-year-old brother from school . Susan and her mother arrived at the scene and witnessed the aftermath—glass on the ground, her father's body partially covered, her mother dropping to her knees and screaming .


    For 14 years, Susan successfully masked her severe PTSD, surviving in a constant state of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn . The first therapist told her she was "fine." She wasn't . It wasn't until the live television coverage of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting triggered massive flashbacks that she finally confronted her hidden trauma and sought help from a trauma-informed clinician who named it: PTSD—not a moral failing, not something you "get over," something you learn to manage .


    In this episode, we explore:


    💔 The Night That Changed Everything – Susan shares the chilling details of the assassination that took her father's life on Halloween night in 1985, how he heroically saved her six-year-old brother's life by telling him to duck down, and the moment she and her mother arrived at the scene .


    🎭 The Mask She Wore for 14 Years – She opens up about the psychological toll of hiding trauma, living in survival mode, and the emotional mask she wore while quietly falling apart inside .


    🌀 The Columbine Trigger – Susan explains how watching the 1999 Columbine High School shooting unfold on live TV 14 years later triggered massive flashbacks and finally forced her to confront her buried pain .


    🛠️ The Turning Point: Finding Trauma-Competent Help – She shares what changed when she finally found the right therapist—a trauma-informed clinician who validated her experience and gave her the tools she needed .


    🧠 PTSD and Nervous System Regulation – Susan discusses practical cognitive tools for managing panic attacks and regulating the nervous system, including breathwork, journaling, and grounding techniques .


    📖 Writing Her Book as a Reckoning and a Roadmap – She shares the emotional journey of writing her memoir, The Other Side of the Gun: My Journey from Trauma to Resiliency, and why putting her story on paper became a tool for healing .


    🕊️ Forgiveness and Reclaiming Your Power – Susan shares her powerful definition of forgiveness: taking your power back, not letting the people who hurt you walk with you anymore .


    🛡️ A Message for First Responders and Law Enforcement – She delivers a crucial message for the law enforcement and first responder communities: seeking help for your mental health is never a weakness—it is exactly how you take your power back .


    What Listeners Gain:


    · An understanding of how trauma can be masked for years, even decades

    · Practical tools for managing PTSD and nervous system dysregulation

    · Hope that healing is possible, even after unimaginable loss

    · Insight into the importance of finding trauma-competent providers

    · Permission to seek help without shame or judgment


    Susan's message is clear: you can't change what happened, but you can change how you live with it . Trauma is not a moral failing. Healing is possible. And seeking help is exactly how you take your power back.


    This isn't motivation. It's methodology.


    Connect with Susan Snow


    🌐 Website: susansnowspeaks.com

    📖 Book: The Other Side of the Gun: My Journey from Trauma to Resiliency (Available on Amazon: a.co/d/fFuR4iT)

    📱 Social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok

    🩺 Services: Trauma resiliency coaching

    37 min

About The Uncommon Minds Experience

From the publisher's feed

The Uncommon Mind Experience is a podcast for people who refuse to accept broken systems. Each episode features founders, physicians, engineers, and innovators who sit at the intersection of…