Trauma Is Your Superpower: Turning Pain into Purpose with Dr. Louise Stanger

Trauma Is Your Superpower: Turning Pain into Purpose with Dr. Louise Stanger

In this special episode of Ask Dr. Louise, the tables are turned as transformational coach and Fieldswell founder Lauren Fields interviews Dr. Louise Stanger about her powerful new book, Trauma Is Your Superpower. Together, they explore how life's most painful experiences can become the foundation for resilience, healing, personal growth, and purpose. Drawing from her own deeply personal experiences—including the suicide of her father when she was a child, multiple sudden losses, and decades of work helping others navigate adversity—Dr. Louise shares how trauma shapes us, challenges us, and ultimately offers opportunities for transformation. Rather than viewing trauma solely through the lens of suffering, Dr. Louise introduces a compelling new perspective: every superhero has an origin story, and our greatest wounds often become the source of our greatest strengths. Through storytelling, practical exercises, and compassionate insight, she encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability, develop resilience, and discover the hidden gifts that emerge from life's most difficult chapters. In this episode you will hear about: * Why every superhero has an origin story—and so do we * The difference between trauma, resilience, and post-traumatic growth * Dr. Louise's personal story of losing her father to suicide * How hidden trauma shapes identity and behavior * Why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness * The power of sharing your story with trusted people * Moving beyond victimhood and into growth * How grief evolves over time * The importance of empathy versus sympathy * Developing boundaries, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness * How trauma can become a source of purpose and service * Why healing isn't linear * Learning to "fall up" after life's setbacks Connect with Dr. Louise: Website: https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/ [https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/ [https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/ [https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger [https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger]

Do We Still Matter? Beth Saunders on Identity, Purpose, and Life’s Next Chapter

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Ask Dr. Louise, Dr. Louise welcomes swimmer, teacher, volunteer, mother, and wellness advocate Beth Saunders for a deeply meaningful conversation about identity, aging, purpose, resilience, and what it truly means to “matter.” Beth shares her journey from raising three daughters and navigating the empty nest transition to finding renewed purpose through substitute teaching, coaching swimmers, volunteering, and embracing lifelong learning. Along the way, she opens up about living with arthritis, undergoing two hip replacements, and continuing to thrive physically and emotionally through movement, connection, and service. Together, Dr. Louise and Beth explore how women can rediscover themselves after caregiving years, why community and authenticity matter more than perfection, and how simple acts of kindness can profoundly change lives. This episode is a beautiful reminder that every stage of life offers opportunities to grow, contribute, connect, and live fully. Connect with Beth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth2022/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth2022/] Connect with Dr. Louise: Website: https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/ [https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/ [https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/ [https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger [https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger]

Inside the Mind of a Hollywood Costume Designer with Ernesto Martinez

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Ask Dr. Louise, Dr. Louise sits down with acclaimed costume designer Ernesto Martinez for an intimate conversation about creativity, courage, recovery, and living a life fueled by gratitude. From designing costumes for films and hit television series like Song Sung Blue, Physical, and Veep, to discovering the healing power of horses and the life-changing lessons of 12-step recovery, Ernesto shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped both his career and his character. Together, they reflect on their unforgettable friendship that began during the early SoulCycle days in Los Angeles, the collaborative magic behind bringing characters to life on screen, and the importance of remaining teachable no matter where life takes you. Ernesto opens up about caring for his mother during her final years, overcoming fear and self-doubt, and why listening may be the greatest superpower of all. This episode is a moving reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, walk through fear, and create a meaningful life filled with purpose, creativity, and connection. Connect with Ernesto: https://www.instagram.com/ernestito1/ [https://www.instagram.com/ernestito1/] Connect with Dr. Louise: Website: https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/ [https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/ [https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/ [https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger [https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger]

Unlocking Potential with Jack Vaughn: A Journey of Mentorship and Growth

In today's episode of Ask Dr. Louise podcast, Dr. Louise interviews Jack Vaughn, COO of Youth Prevention Mentors (YPM), about how he entered youth mentoring and case-support work. Jack describes struggling as a rebellious student, later pursuing self-understanding and psychology, and how caring for his father during a serious cancer battle and learning from his mother’s recovery coaching prepared him for high-acuity support roles. He recounts his first major YPM case—joining a barricaded young man using an invitational approach and motivational interviewing, ultimately accompanying him to a distant behavioral health treatment center—and how that work led to ongoing collaboration with Dr. Louise and Max. Jack also discusses a later case involving addiction recovery, traumatic loss, and academic collapse, which prompted him to develop an executive-functioning curriculum focused on initiation, follow-through, grit, and self-control. He shares plans to expand this work through Launch Go, a separate virtual coaching service paired with a productivity platform (currently soft-launched in beta) designed to support clients at the “point of performance,” and he provides a phone number for families seeking help. Connect with Jack: Website: https://www.youthpreventionmentors.com/ [https://www.youthpreventionmentors.com/] Connect with Dr. Louise: Website: https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/ [https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/ [https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/ [https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger [https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger]

From Photography to Storytelling: Cheryl Fox’s Artistic Journey

Cheryl “She Fox” on Storytelling Through Photography, A Few Good Women, and Creative Joy Dr. Louise Stanger hosts her first podcast with photographer and storyteller Cheryl “She Fox,” recalling how they met through a photoshoot with Louise’s daughter Sydney and later collaborated at the Sunset Marquis, where their session led to Louise’s book Reflections on Aging and a signing at Morrison Hotel Gallery. Cheryl discusses her career path from a Hampton University suspension to studying sociology, learning photography in a darkroom, and training at the School of Visual Arts as a mother of two. She describes entering the fine art world with behind-the-scenes hip hop images and working with artists like Pharrell, Snoop Dogg, and Rihanna, while managing difficult sets by removing “outside noise.” Cheryl addresses being underestimated as a woman of color, her “happy heart,” advice to stretch imagination, and plans for A Few Good Women as a second edition and docuseries plus brand partnerships. She also shares illustrating her son Jamani’s children’s books using AI and collaborating with Louise on a “Trauma is your superpower” comic concept.   * 00:00 Meet Cheryl Fox * 00:48 How We Met * 02:59 Reflections on Aging * 03:58 A Few Good Women * 06:45 Finding Her Lens * 09:46 From Hobby to Pro * 11:15 Hip Hop Fine Art * 15:09 Seeing Beyond Surface * 18:15 Favorite Celebrity Shoots * 19:35 Handling Set Drama * 20:55 Breaking Into Galleries * 24:13 Morrison Gallery Memories * 25:00 Sunset Marquis Home Base * 26:52 Underestimated Photographer * 28:46 Finding Joy Daily * 30:53 Creative Storytelling Advice * 32:11 A Few Good Women Next * 36:14 AI Kids Books Breakthrough * 38:12 Trauma Superpower Comic * 40:01 Closing Thanks Sponsors Connect with Cheryl: Website: https://www.cherylfoxphotography.com/ [https://www.cherylfoxphotography.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfoxmorethanaphotographer/ [https://www.instagram.com/cfoxmorethanaphotographer/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cfoxphotography/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cfoxphotography/] X: https://x.com/cfoxphotog [https://x.com/cfoxphotog?lang=en] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@cfoxmorethanaphotographer [https://www.threads.com/@cfoxmorethanaphotographer] Connect with Dr. Louise: Website: https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/ [https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/ [https://www.facebook.com/allaboutinterventions/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/ [https://www.instagram.com/drlouisestanger/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger [https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisestanger]