Are you a manager struggling to support employees with sudden performance changes or unexplained workplace behaviors? This episode reveals how to become a trauma-informed leader who creates psychological safety while maintaining accountability.

Hosts Cyndi Bennett and Holly Dillon explore critical skills every manager needs to recognize trauma responses and respond with compassion and effectiveness.

What You'll Learn:

• How to distinguish trauma responses from performance issues
• Warning signs managers miss: hypervigilance, people-pleasing, emotional dysregulation
• Communication strategies that promote safety without requiring disclosure
• Language to avoid that triggers trauma survivors
• Giving feedback without activating shame or fear responses
• Creating accommodations while maintaining standards
• Building trust with power-differential awareness
• Managing team dynamics when trauma affects workplace relationships

Key Takeaway: Trauma-informed management isn't about lowering standards—it's about helping employees succeed by addressing their needs for safety, choice, and collaboration.

Perfect for managers, HR professionals, team leaders, and anyone interested in trauma-informed workplace practices and inclusive leadership strategies.

Subscribe for more trauma-informed career development strategies and workplace mental health insights.

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

5 Signs You're Ready to Take the Next Step

Have you ever wondered if you're truly ready to advance your career after trauma, or if you're just pushing yourself too hard? Trauma-informed career coach Cyndi Bennett reveals five subtle but powerful signs that indicate you're moving from survival mode to genuine readiness for career growth.

What You'll Learn:

• The invisible transition from survival to stability most people miss
• Why traditional career advice fails trauma survivors
• 5 signs you're ready for your next career step: 
  • Energy extends beyond daily survival
  • Can sit with discomfort without derailment
  • Can envision an exciting future
  • Support system feels genuinely supportive
  • Trust your own judgment most of the time
• How to distinguish healing perfectionism from genuine readiness
• Why trauma experience is your greatest professional asset

Perfect for trauma survivors who:

• Feel stuck between wanting growth and fearing they're not ready
• Question if healing disqualifies them from career success
• Need permission to trust their readiness
• Want career advice honoring their healing journey

Cyndi shares her personal recognition moment and why readiness isn't about perfection—it's about capacity.

Key Takeaway: Your trauma doesn't disqualify you from success—it uniquely qualifies you for it. The world needs what you offer now, with all the wisdom your journey has given you.

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Trauma as Professional Asset 00:52 Understanding Readiness in Recovery 01:27 Five Signs: Survival to Stability 04:35 Sign One: Energy Beyond Survival 05:14 Sign Two: Tolerating Discomfort 05:43 Sign Three: Envisioning Future 06:17 Sign Four: Supportive Relationships 06:45 Sign Five: Trusting Judgment 07:23 Overcoming Perfectionism 08:09 Recap and Next Steps 09:05 Personalized Guidance Invitation 10:13 Final Thoughts: Trust Your Readiness

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

Career Pivots & Entrepreneurship with Dr. Adrian Fletcher | Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide

What happens when the career path you've mastered no longer serves your highest purpose? How do you pivot from healing others one-on-one to creating systems that transform thousands of lives?

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Adrian Fletcher—licensed psychologist, keynote speaker, and author with a master's from Columbia University. As a survivor of familial child trafficking with lived experience of dissociation and complex trauma, Dr. Fletcher transformed her deepest wounds into a mission extending far beyond traditional therapy.

After years providing trauma and PTSD care for veterans, Dr. Fletcher made a pivotal 2023 decision: she stopped seeing patients and created entrepreneurial ventures to scale her impact. Now with multiple businesses in speaking, consulting, continuing education, and a forthcoming institute, she's redefining healing through entrepreneurship.

Key insights:

• Navigating major career pivots while honoring trauma histories
• Why entrepreneurial paths aren't always linear—and that's okay
• Managing emotional capacity during multiple life changes
• Setting boundaries and fees as a trauma survivor entrepreneur
• Creating exit strategies from toxic work environments
• Building wealth as a tool for freedom and giving back

Dr. Fletcher shares her authentic journey—including the messy parts—from community mental health to a successful Scottsdale practice, to ultimately closing it for speaking and education ventures.

🔗 Dr. Adrian Fletcher: https://www.drfletch.com/ 🌟 FREE consultation: https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min 📱 Resilient Career Academy: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/rcalearningcommunity

 #TraumaWiseCareer #CareerPivots #Entrepreneurship #TraumaSurvivors #DrAdrianFletcher 

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

Unlocking Your Career Potential: Trauma-Informed Achievement Documentation

In this episode of 'Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide,' host Cyndi Bennett discusses the challenges trauma survivors face in articulating their professional achievements. She introduces the RISE method, a trauma-informed framework for documenting accomplishments that honors personal growth and resilience. Learn why capturing both visible and invisible achievements is crucial for self-advocacy and career development. 

Cyndi also shares practical tips to make the process less overwhelming and more sustainable, helping trauma survivors transform a critical career skill into a healing practice. Tune in to discover how to build a foundation of self-advocacy and unlock opportunities by clearly articulating your professional contributions.

00:00 Introduction: The Struggle to Articulate Achievements
02:19 Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Career
03:51 Introducing the RISE Method
05:36 Implementing the RISE Method
07:38 The Importance of Documenting Achievements
09:15 Taking Action: The Resilient Career Academy
10:43 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🔗 Book your FREE trauma-informed career consultation: https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min
📱 Connect with me: [email protected]
🌟 Join the Resilient Career Academy: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/rcalearningcommunity

#TraumaWiseCareer #AchievementDocumentation #SelfAdvocacy #CareerDevelopment #HealingJourney

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

The Six Pillars of Trauma-Informed Management: Creating Psychologically Safe Workplaces with Holly Dillon | Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide Ep. 008

Have you ever received feedback that left you feeling shattered for days? Or watched a workplace change send colleagues into anxiety spirals? In this comprehensive episode of Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, I'm joined by trauma-informed leadership expert Holly Dillon to explore why traditional management approaches often re-traumatize employees—and what leaders can do instead.
We dive deep into SAMHSA's six proven pillars of trauma-informed management that transform workplace dynamics and create environments where everyone can thrive:

Safety: Building psychological safety through predictable communication and clear expectations
Trustworthiness & Transparency: Creating trust through honest, bounded communication—even during difficult situations like layoffs
Peer Support: Establishing workplace communities that provide co-regulation and mutual support
Collaboration & Mutuality: Involving employees in decisions about their workload and career development
Empowerment, Voice & Choice: Giving employees control and options in how they accomplish their work
Cultural Considerations: Understanding how personal history, military background, career transitions, and trauma experiences shape workplace needs

Holly shares specific scripts for difficult conversations, including how to say "I'd like to discuss something I've noticed" instead of "we need to talk." We explore real workplace scenarios, from managing trauma survivors to navigating organizational changes with compassion.

Welcome to Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, the podcast reimagining career development for trauma survivors. I'm your host, Cyndi Bennett, founder of the Resilient Career Academy, helping create workplaces where healing and professional growth coexist.

🔗 Download your FREE Trauma-Informed Management Quick Reference Guide: https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/timqrg

📱 Connect with Holly Dillon: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recentreltd/
email: [email protected]
https://instagram.com/recentreltd?igsh=OG05emJwdWVmbmI4

🌟 Join the Resilient Career Academy: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/rcalearningcommunity

00:00 Introduction to Trauma-Informed Management

03:04 Understanding Psychological Safety

07:40 Trustworthiness and Transparency

17:36 The Importance of Peer Support

26:09 Collaboration and Mutuality

27:38 The Impact of Unfair W

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

Why Traditional Mentors Fail Trauma Survivors (And How to Find One That Won't)

Have you watched colleagues advance through powerful mentorship while you struggle to form these critical connections? In this revealing episode of Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, I explain why this happens to trauma survivors and why it's not your fault.

As someone who once wore armor at work, keeping potential mentors at a distance because it felt safer, I share why traditional mentorship models fundamentally fail trauma survivors. These conventional approaches ignore our trust barriers, risk retraumatization, lack trauma-informed guidance, and miss the structured support we need to engage safely.

Discover what trauma-informed mentorship truly looks like:

• How psychological safety becomes the foundation rather than an afterthought
• Why addressing power dynamics openly transforms the mentoring relationship
• The critical role of transparency and predictability in building trust
• How healthy boundaries create the safety needed for genuine growth
• The power of a strengths-based approach that recognizes your trauma journey as a source of professional assets

You'll learn my practical "nervous system litmus test" for identifying safe mentors and concrete strategies for finding mentorship that honors both your professional potential and healing journey.

Welcome to Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, the podcast reimagining career development for trauma survivors. I'm your host, Cyndi Bennett, founder of the Resilient Career Academy, helping you access career advancement tools that respect your unique needs and experiences.

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

Trauma and Team Dynamics: The 6-Step ANCHOR Framework for Workplace Healing

Do you find yourself withdrawing during team meetings despite having brilliant ideas? Does a simple comment from your team lead send your heart racing? In this powerful episode of Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, I reveal how these aren't random reactions—they're invisible threads connecting past trauma to your current professional relationships.

As both a trauma survivor and trauma-informed career coach, I share how unaddressed trauma responses lead to career stagnation, burnout, and isolation in workplace teams. You'll discover my proven 6-step ANCHOR framework that has helped hundreds of trauma survivors transform these challenges into opportunities for profound professional growth:
* Awareness of emotional triggers in team settings
* Naming recurring patterns in your professional interactions
* Compassion practice for yourself and colleagues
* Healthy boundaries to protect your nervous system
* Open communication strategies for difficult conversations
* Regulated responses to stay grounded during workplace triggers

Learn practical tools to feel more confident in team environments, communicate your needs effectively, and build the collaborative relationships essential for career advancement—all while honoring your healing journey.

Welcome to Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, the podcast reimagining career development for trauma survivors. I'm your host, Cyndi Bennett, founder of the Resilient Career Academy, helping you transform workplace dynamics without compromising your well-being.

00:00 Introduction: Connecting Past Trauma to Professional Life

01:32 Understanding Trauma's Impact on Career Development

05:33 The ANCHOR Framework: Practical Strategies for Trauma Survivors

07:44 Implementing the ANCHOR Framework in Team Dynamics

10:16 Personal Story: Transforming Team Dynamics with Trauma-Informed Perspectives

12:31 Conclusion: Embracing Your Unique Gifts in the Workplace

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

SAFE Networking for Trauma Survivors: A Gentle Approach to Professional Connections
In this episode of Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, I tackle why traditional networking advice often fails trauma survivors and can trigger overwhelming anxiety and avoidance. As someone who's navigated this challenge personally, I share how trauma fundamentally reshapes our experience of professional relationship-building.

Discover my exclusive SAFE networking framework developed specifically for trauma survivors:
* Setting Boundaries that honor your nervous system's needs
* Aligning with Your authentic Strengths rather than forced interactions
* Finding Safety Anchors in networking environments
* Engaging on Your Own Timeline, not someone else's expectations

I share vulnerable stories from my own healing journey, practical implementation steps, and how to recognize when "standard" career advice conflicts with your trauma recovery. You'll learn specific techniques to transform networking from a dreaded obligation into a genuinely empowering experience that respects your history and supports your healing.

Welcome to Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, where I reimagine career development for trauma survivors. I'm your host, Cyndi Bennett, founder of the Resilient Career Academy, helping you build meaningful professional connections without compromising your emotional well-being.

🌟 Download my SAFE Networking Worksheet: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/resources
📱 Connect with me: [email protected]
🔗 Learn about the Resilient Career Academy: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/rcalearningcommunity

#TraumaWiseCareer #SAFEnetworking #ProfessionalRelationships #TraumaSurvivors #CareerHealing

00:00 Introduction to Trauma-Informed Networking
01:23 Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Careers
03:19 The SAFE Networking Framework
04:50 Putting the Framework into Practice
05:38 Invitation to the Resilient Career Academy
06:22 Personal Story and Final Thoughts
08:29 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

Transforming Workplaces with Trauma-Informed Leadership

Why does your talented colleague suddenly miss deadlines? Why do organizational changes trigger profound anxiety? In this episode of Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, I explore the hidden prevalence of trauma in workplaces and its powerful impact on professional performance and well-being.

As a trauma survivor turned trauma-informed career coach, I reveal why traditional management approaches often feel disconnected for employees carrying trauma histories. You'll discover the comprehensive SAMHSA framework for trauma-informed leadership that transforms workplace dynamics and creates environments where healing and resilience can flourish.

Key insights include:
* Understanding trauma's invisible influence on workplace behavior
* The six core principles of trauma-informed management
* How trauma disrupts professional relationships and communication
* Practical implementation strategies that honor both productivity and healing
* Creating psychological safety within organizational structures

Welcome to Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, the podcast reimagining career development for trauma survivors. I'm your host, Cyndi Bennett, founder of the Resilient Career Academy, helping leaders create workplaces where everyone—regardless of their trauma history—can truly thrive.

🔗 Download my Trauma-Informed Management - Quick Reference Guide: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/resources
📱 Connect with me: [email protected]
🌟 Learn about the Resilient Career Academy: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/rcalearningcommunity
#TraumaInformedLeadership #WorkplaceSafety #HealingCenteredWork #TraumaWiseCareer #ResilienceAtWork

00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Impact of Trauma in the Workplace
01:46 Understanding Trauma's Prevalence and Effects
04:12 Introducing Trauma-Informed Approaches
05:21 The Six Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Workplaces
06:01 Challenges for Leaders with Trauma Histories
07:16 What Trauma-Informed Management Is and Isn't
08:08 Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices
09:14 Join the Resilient Career Academy
10:11 Upcoming Episode Preview
11:40 Conclusion: Embracing Trauma-Informed Career Success

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

Reconnecting with Your Natural Strengths: A Trauma-Informed Approach

In this episode of Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, I explore how trauma obscures your inherent strengths and why trauma survivors often struggle to recognize their authentic talents. As a trauma-informed career coach, I share a gentle framework for awakening forgotten strengths while honoring your healing journey.

Discover how to:
* Differentiate between authentic talents and survival strategies by examining energy impact
* Break through the normalization barrier that hides your natural abilities
* Overcome trauma response confusion that masks your true strengths
* Move beyond the survival ceiling that limits your career fulfillment

You'll learn practical, trauma-sensitive techniques including creating safety for self-exploration, recognizing personal energy patterns, and gathering external reflections. I'll also introduce my Contrast Reflection Method—a powerful technique to identify authentic strengths without triggering trauma responses.

Welcome to Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide, where I reimagine career development for trauma survivors. I'm your host, Cyndi Bennett, founder of the Resilient Career Academy, helping you discover sustainable energy from work that truly aligns with your genuine strengths.

🔗 Access additional resources: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/resources
🎙️ Connect with me: [email protected]
🌟 Join the Resilient Career Academy: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/rcalearningcommunity

#TraumaWiseCareer #AuthenticStrengths #HealingJourney #CareerDevelopment #TraumaSurvivors

00:00 Introduction: Trauma and Hidden Talents
00:28 Understanding the Strength Identification Gap
01:19 The Impact of Trauma on Career Navigation
01:58 Discovering Your Natural Strengths
04:24 Differentiating Strengths from Survival Strategies
07:58 A Trauma-Informed Approach to Strength Discovery
09:37 Breaking Through the Survival Ceiling
13:21 The Contrast Reflection Method
16:04 Conclusion and Next Steps

When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:

1. Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
2. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
3. Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]

DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.