Stop Living to Work → Start Living as Your Whole Self | Dr. Melanie Gray

When Being Invisible Was How You Survived | Kristan Swan

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt safer being invisible, struggled to take up space, or wondered who they are after years of trying to be what everyone else needed. Stick around to the end of the episode for this week's reflection question to take this episode a little deeper. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, abuse, and other potentially sensitive topics that may be activating for some listeners. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. Your well-being is what matters most. In this episode of Life After Trauma, I’m joined by Kristan Swan for a conversation about invisibility as a survival skill, the stories we carry from childhood, and what it means to begin discovering who we are beyond the roles we learned to play. Kristan shares how growing up in a chaotic environment taught her to stay small, be helpful, anticipate others’ needs, and become easy to overlook. Together, we explore how those early survival strategies can follow us into adulthood through people-pleasing, over-responsibility, perfectionism, self-abandonment, and the belief that it is unsafe to be seen. By listening to this episode, you will walk away with: * A deeper understanding of how invisibility, people-pleasing, and hypervigilance can become survival skills * Insight into why self-knowledge can be more healing than constantly trying to improve or fix yourself * A new way to think about the stories you inherited, the stories you tell yourself, and the stories you are ready to rewrite * Gentle reflection on how trauma can shape your sense of lovability, visibility, identity, and self-worth * Encouragement to begin getting curious about who you are beneath the roles, expectations, and survival patterns * A simple invitation to use journaling, reflection, or quiet walks as tools for reconnecting with yourself Resources and links Connect with Kristan Swan: https://kristanswan.com/ [https://kristanswan.com/] Clouds to Clear Skies Clarity Workbook free download https://kristanswan.com/clouds-to-clear-skies/ [https://kristanswan.com/clouds-to-clear-skies/] Learn more about 1:1 Guided Sessions with Jess: https://www.jessicavanrose.com/guided-sessions [https://www.jessicavanrose.com/guided-sessions] If you haven’t already, it would mean the world to me if you subscribe, and if you learned something new or found inspiration from this episode, please leave a review and share this episode. Until next time, take care of your mind, body, and soul. 💛 Connect with Jess: Website: www.jessicavanrose.com [www.jessicavanrose.com] IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose [https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose [https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose] 🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Curing Isn’t Healing: Rebuilding Self-Trust After Trauma | Bee Doyle

What if trauma healing isn’t about curing what’s “wrong” with you… but learning how to feel safe in your body again? In this episode of Life After Trauma, Jess is joined by Bee Doyle, nurse practitioner, trauma-informed healer, and breathwork guide, for a grounded conversation about nervous system healing, self-trust, and spiritual reconnection after trauma. If you’ve done years of therapy, tried somatic work, explored breathwork, or read every book on PTSD and still feel hypervigilant, disconnected, or unsafe inside yourself — this episode is for you. Together, we explore: • How trauma can quietly shape identity • Why healing isn’t the same as curing • The difference between true healing and self-monitoring • How nervous system regulation creates real safety • The role of self-compassion in long-term trauma healing • Rebuilding self-trust after PTSD • Breathwork as a simple, holistic healing practice • Why community support matters in recovery This conversation bridges science and spirituality, exploring holistic healing in a way that feels both practical and embodied. Whether you’re navigating burnout, autoimmune symptoms, identity shifts, or simply longing to feel at home in your body again, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how healing unfolds and how to approach it with more grace. You are not broken. You are healing. ✨ Connect with Bee Doyle: Website: https://doublelibraastrology.com/ [https://doublelibraastrology.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublelibracoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/doublelibracoaching/] Subscribe for more conversations about trauma healing, nervous system regulation, identity, and life after survival. 🌿 Explore Jess’s meditation series: When You’ve Been Holding It All Together https://www.jessicavanrose.com/when-youve-been-holding-it-all-together [https://www.jessicavanrose.com/when-youve-been-holding-it-all-together] 💛 Connect with Jess: Website: www.jessicavanrose.com [www.jessicavanrose.com] IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose [https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose [https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose] 🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How Trafficking Really Happens + The Shame That Keeps It Hidden | Jennisue Jessen

Human trafficking doesn’t usually look like the headlines. In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Jess sits down with Jennisue Jessen, a survivor of human trafficking and Founder & CEO of Compass 31, to unpack what exploitation actually looks like, why it so often goes unnoticed, and how shame keeps survivors silent. Jennisue shares parts of her lived experience, including being trafficked beginning at a very young age, and the long journey of healing, identity reclamation, and stepping into leadership after trauma. Together, they discuss common myths about trafficking, prevention and red flags, systemic complicity, the role of shame, and what it truly means to move from survival into agency and empowerment. This episode is for survivors, parents, educators, caregivers, and anyone who wants a deeper, more honest understanding of exploitation, resilience, and the human capacity to heal. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, human trafficking and exploitation, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. Your well-being matters. 🔗 Learn more about Jennisue and the work of Compass 31: https://compass31.org/ [https://compass31.org/] 💛 Connect with Jess: Website: www.jessicavanrose.com [www.jessicavanrose.com] IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose [https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose [https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose] 🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Stop Living to Work → Start Living as Your Whole Self | Dr. Melanie Gray

In this conversation, Jess Vanrose and Dr. Melanie Gray explore the profound effects of trauma on identity, relationships, and everyday functioning. They discuss how trauma manifests in hyper-functioning behaviors, the importance of setting compassionate boundaries, and the journey of forgiveness and reclaiming personal power. Dr. Gray emphasizes the need for self-care and intentional actions to foster healing and resilience, encouraging listeners to view themselves as valuable gifts regardless of their past experiences. Takeaways * Trauma can shape our identity and how we relate to others. * Hyper-functioning can lead to burnout and disconnection from self. * Forgiveness is essential for personal freedom and growth. * Setting boundaries is crucial for self-care and mental health. * Living from power means focusing on possibilities, not pain. * Self-care practices are vital for long-term well-being. * It's important to recognize the secondary gains from pain. * Intentional actions are necessary for meaningful change. * We should not let our past define our future. * Everyone is a valuable gift to the world.  Chapters 00:00 Understanding Trauma's Impact on Identity 07:45 The Cost of Hyper-Functioning 14:32 Nervous System and Healing 20:47 The Power of Forgiveness 31:40 Living from Power, Not Pain Connect with Dr. Melanie Gray: https://www.drmelaniegraytheconfidencecoach.com/ [https://www.drmelaniegraytheconfidencecoach.com/] Keywords trauma, identity, hyper-functioning, forgiveness, boundaries, healing, mental health, trauma-informed care, self-care, resilience 💛 Connect with Jess: Website: www.jessicavanrose.com [www.jessicavanrose.com] IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose [https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose [https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose] 🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Self Abandonment to Self Trust

In this solo episode of Life After Trauma, Jess Vanrose shares her personal journey of navigating a challenging year marked by a chronic autoimmune diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, presence over performance, and the need to acknowledge one's struggles while not allowing them to define identity. Jess discusses the creation of a meditation series designed to support those feeling overwhelmed and highlights the significance of building self-trust and setting boundaries. The episode concludes with an invitation for community engagement and a reminder that listeners are not alone in their struggles. When You've Been Holding It All Together Meditation Series: www.jessicavanrose.com/when-youve-been-holding-it-all-together [www.jessicavanrose.com/when-youve-been-holding-it-all-together] Takeaways * Presence over performance is essential in our lives. * Sometimes we need to pull back to take care of ourselves. * It's normal to go through hard seasons. * A chronic illness can challenge our identity. * Finding ways to live with what we cannot control. * You can go through a hard season without letting it define you. * Building self-trust is crucial for personal growth. * Setting boundaries is necessary for self-care. * You're not alone in your struggles. Keywords trauma, health, self-care, chronic illness, meditation, personal growth, identity, self-trust, community, podcast 💛 Connect with Jess: Website: www.jessicavanrose.com [www.jessicavanrose.com] IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose [https://www.instagram.com/jessvanrose] TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose [https://www.tiktok.com/@thejessvanrose] 🎙️🤩 Want to be a guest on Life After Trauma? Send Jess a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/jessicavanrose] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.