Trauma-Informed Lens

Podcasters: Matthew Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Following up last week’s discussion on fixed and victim thinking, this week’s episode explores the power of shifting mindsets. Too often trauma leaves people with a negative view of self and world. Identifying fixed mindsets and replacing it with a growth mindset is critical to establishing hope and the overall healing process. In this episode, Matt, Curt, and Jerry explore the growth mindset and how we can position it as part of our overall approach to care and self-care.

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Here is that article Curt mentioned that will explain all human behavior in a mathematical formula!! 

Podcasters: Matthew Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking research on Growth Mindsets provides a powerful framework for helping those we work with shift from a fix or victim mindset to what Dweck calls a growth mindset. In this episode, Matt, Curt, and Jerry introduce the concept of growth and fixed mindsets and what they tell us about the victim mentality that often results from repeated trauma. Dweck’s ideas help us understand this thinking and how shifting it is an integral part of the healing experience.

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The article that changed Curt’s life: Effects of Uninstructed Verbal Behavior on Nonverbal Responding

Podcasters: Matthew Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Trauma’s impact goes well beyond the brain. Trauma affects all systems in the body. With the evolution of technology, we now can measure heart rate and see how specific stimulus affects bodily reactions. Curt and Jerry discuss an innovative approach to measuring heart rate of those in treatment to gain insight, help clients manage stress, and drive quality initiatives.

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How can we use the trauma-informed lens to help people make meaningful life changes? This question inspired Matt to start a multiyear project that accumulated in his first book Connecting Paradigms: A trauma-informed and neurobiological approach to Motivational Interviewing. In this episode, Matt and Curt discuss Matt’s thought process that evolved into the book and new insight gain during the last year spent talking about the book and presenting its concepts to various groups.

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Podcasters: Dr. David A Treleaven, Matt Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Author of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing Dr. Treleaven joins Matt, Curt, & Jerry to explore Dr. Treleaven’s terrific book and the topic of trauma-sensitive mindfulness. While research demonstrates many benefits of mindfulness for those with unresolved trauma, our approach to teaching and practicing mindfulness with those, we work with it critical to maximize positive results and minimize the chance for re-traumatization. Dr. Treleaven will share his expertise and insights as we explore this critical topic.

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Learn more about Dr. David Treleaven’s work at davidtreleaven.com

Podcasters: Matt Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

In this episode, we build upon our recent discussion on resiliency and explore the role of tolerance and sensitization as it relates to trauma. The type and intensity of the stimulus, including trauma, determine whether the individual builds resiliency or vulnerability. Understanding sensitization and tolerance help us understand certain behaviors and mindsets while providing us with a roadmap for developing trauma-sensitive approaches.

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Podcasters: Dr. Melody Brown, Matt Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Dr. Melody Brown joins Matt, Curt, and Jerry to explore the concept of microaggressions and how repeated experiences, even small ones, of racism, heterosexualism, and other forms of discrimination become traumatic. For too many people, these acts of prejudice and bigotry become part of a person’s narrative or story of themselves. Attention to the effects of these microaggressions are an essential part of trauma-informed approaches and help us expand our definitions of trauma in an important way.

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Dr. Melody Brown’s Contact Information: [email protected] or 720.507.6764

In this episode, Curt turns the tables and asks Matt questions about his life, career, and how this all contributed to his passion for trauma-informed thinking and interventions. Matt’s life changed when he started to learn about the Adverse Childhood Experience Study and the research on trauma and neurobiology. Join us for a fun conversation.

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Podcasters: Matt Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Resiliency is a word that gets thrown around quite a bit in relation to trauma. While building resiliency is crucial in the journey to healing, is it the end destination? In this episode, Matt, Curt, and Jerry will explore resiliency and post-traumatic growth and make sense out of the different language we use to describe healing.

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Chris Bliss’ Ted Talk: Comedy is Translation

Podcasters: Matt Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Building on the research discussed in Episode 36, Matt, Curt, and Jerry explore how the research concerning social networks and the contagious nature of emotions influence helper and helping organization. What are the consequences for those of us who spend the majority of our time with those struggling with trauma and mental illness? What challenges does this reality present for leadership and all of us as we try to establish and maintain healthy and productive organizations and schools? These questions and more are tackled in this important episode.

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