Choosing Help with Tracy Stecker, PhD

The Hidden Health Cost of Loneliness (and How Connection Heals)

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a biological condition that can impact everything from your immune system to your ability to heal. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Teresa Kelechi explore groundbreaking findings linking loneliness to gene expression, inflammation, and chronic illness. You’ll learn why some people don’t heal despite receiving the best medical care—and how connection can literally change the body. This conversation offers both science and hope, with practical insights on how small, meaningful connections can transform health outcomes.

The Healing Power of Laughter: Why Humor Is Essential for Mental Health

Laughter isn’t just a reaction—it’s a powerful tool for healing. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker explores the science and soul of laughter with storyteller and former comedian Dee Kennedy. Together, they dive into how humor lowers stress, strengthens connection, and helps us navigate even the most difficult experiences. Through candid stories about family dynamics, recovery, caregiving, and grief, Dee shares how laughter became both a coping mechanism and a gift she offers others. This conversation reminds us that while life can be heavy, we still have the ability to shift perspective, find connection, and experience joy. Because sometimes, choosing help starts with choosing to laugh.

PTSD, Addiction, and Healing: How Treatment Really Works (with Dr. Sudie Back)

Trauma and addiction often go hand in hand—but recovery is possible. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Dr. Sudie Back, a leading expert in PTSD and substance use disorders, about how trauma affects the brain, why people turn to substances, and what real, effective treatment looks like. They explore: * The difference between trauma and PTSD * Why avoidance keeps people stuck * How substance use becomes a coping tool * The power of integrated treatment like COPE * How therapy helps people regain control, connection, and meaning This is an honest, compassionate conversation about healing—and why choosing help can change everything.

Overcoming Stigma: Why Choosing Help for Mental Health & PTSD Can Save Lives

Stigma keeps too many people from getting the mental health support they need. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stacker breaks down why stigma is one of the most powerful barriers to treatment—especially for veterans, families, and those living with PTSD or substance use challenges. Through real stories, cultural examples, and practical guidance, this episode offers hope and tools for anyone trying to support a loved one who says, “I don’t want anyone to know.” Because when we choose help, we choose life.

Cultural Betrayal Trauma with Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez

In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by psychologist and researcher Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez for a profound conversation about Cultural Betrayal Trauma—a form of trauma that occurs when harm is committed within one’s own marginalized community under conditions of systemic inequality. Dr. Gómez shares how cultural betrayal adds layers of silence, identity conflict, and fear to already devastating experiences, and why many survivors struggle to seek help when systems don’t feel safe. Together, they explore symptoms such as dissociation, depression, and shame, as well as pathways to healing that include—but are not limited to—therapy. From radical healing frameworks and creative expression to boundary‑setting within families and cultivating hope, this episode offers permission, validation, and possibility for anyone navigating trauma. Choosing Help is about breaking stigma and opening doors to understanding—because when we choose help, we choose life. 📖 Learn more about Dr. Gómez’s work and book: 🌐Website: https://jmgomez.org/cultural-betrayal-trauma-theory/ [ https://jmgomez.org/cultural-betrayal-trauma-theory/] 📁 Article: https://theconversation.com/the-unique-harm-of-sexual-abuse-in-the-black-community-114948 [https://theconversation.com/the-unique-harm-of-sexual-abuse-in-the-black-community-114948] 📹Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemMIJuv0Uo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemMIJuv0Uo]