Not Just the Big Stuff: A Gentle Introduction to Trauma

Trauma, Now What? Part 2: Healing After Awareness

In Part 1, we explored what trauma is, how it impacts the nervous system, relationships, identity, and the ways it can quietly shape our lives without us even realizing it. But awareness is only the beginning. So… what do we do with our trauma once we understand it? In this episode, we dive into the next phase of healing: learning how to work with your trauma instead of fighting against yourself because of it. We talk about why insight alone doesn’t automatically create change, how healing actually happens in the body and nervous system, and the importance of safety, self-compassion, boundaries, and connection in the recovery process. We’ll explore: * Why trauma responses make sense * The difference between understanding your trauma and healing it * How to regulate your nervous system without “fixing” yourself * The role of relationships, grief, and self-trust in recovery * What healing realistically looks like (and what it doesn’t) * Small, practical ways to begin reconnecting with yourself This conversation is for anyone who has started recognizing their patterns and is wondering where to go from here. Healing isn’t about becoming someone new — it’s about creating enough safety to become more fully yourself again.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a crisis or need immediate help, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a local emergency service. Resources To locate crisis intervention services in different states, consider the following resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: This nationwide service connects individuals to local crisis centers. By dialing 988, you'll be routed to a crisis center in your area. For a directory of crisis centers by state and U.S. territory, visit their Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory page. State and Local Health Departments: Many state health departments provide information on mental health services and crisis intervention. For example, the Texas Health and Human Services website offers details on crisis services available within the state.211 Information and Referral Services: By dialing 211, you can access information about local resources, including mental health and crisis intervention services. This service is available in many areas across the United States. ⁠Wikipedia⁠ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. Their Crisis Intervention page offers information on crisis services and how to find local support. These resources can help you identify and connect with crisis intervention services tailored to specific states or regions.

Not Just the Big Stuff: A Gentle Introduction to Trauma

In this episode we begin unpacking what trauma really is—and challenge the common idea that it only comes from major, life-altering events. While big experiences absolutely matter, trauma can also take shape through smaller, repeated moments that leave a lasting imprint on how we think, feel, and relate to the world. We’ll explore how the brain and body hold onto these experiences, why certain moments seem to “stick” more than others, and how even subtle emotional wounds can shape our daily lives without us realizing it. This episode offers a compassionate, judgment-free introduction to understanding trauma in all its forms—and why acknowledging it is a powerful first step toward healing. Think of this as the foundation. In our next episode, we’ll go deeper into how trauma shows up in real life and what you can begin to do about it. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a crisis or need immediate help, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a local emergency service. Resources To locate crisis intervention services in different states, consider the following resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: This nationwide service connects individuals to local crisis centers. By dialing 988, you'll be routed to a crisis center in your area. For a directory of crisis centers by state and U.S. territory, visit their Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory page. State and Local Health Departments: Many state health departments provide information on mental health services and crisis intervention. For example, the Texas Health and Human Services website offers details on crisis services available within the state.211 Information and Referral Services: By dialing 211, you can access information about local resources, including mental health and crisis intervention services. This service is available in many areas across the United States. ⁠Wikipedia⁠ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. Their Crisis Intervention page offers information on crisis services and how to find local support. These resources can help you identify and connect with crisis intervention services tailored to specific states or regions.

Feelings 101: Understanding What You Feel (and Why It Matters)

Ever feel overwhelmed by your emotions or unsure how to even name what you’re feeling? In this foundational episode, we break down the basics of emotions in a simple, approachable way. From identifying core feelings to understanding why they show up in the first place, this is your crash course in emotional awareness. We’ll explore how emotions function as internal signals, the difference between primary and secondary feelings, and why avoiding emotions can sometimes make things harder. Whether you tend to overthink, shut down, or feel everything all at once, this episode offers practical tools to help you better recognize, label, and respond to your emotional world. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a crisis or need immediate help, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a local emergency service. Resources To locate crisis intervention services in different states, consider the following resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: This nationwide service connects individuals to local crisis centers. By dialing 988, you'll be routed to a crisis center in your area. For a directory of crisis centers by state and U.S. territory, visit their Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory page. State and Local Health Departments: Many state health departments provide information on mental health services and crisis intervention. For example, the Texas Health and Human Services website offers details on crisis services available within the state.211 Information and Referral Services: By dialing 211, you can access information about local resources, including mental health and crisis intervention services. This service is available in many areas across the United States. ⁠Wikipedia⁠ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. Their Crisis Intervention page offers information on crisis services and how to find local support. These resources can help you identify and connect with crisis intervention services tailored to specific states or regions.

Man in the Mirror- Breaking the Silence Around Men's Mental Health

In this episode of Prescribed Vibes, Sierra is joined by guest host Marion Rogers from the My Beard is Haunted podcast while Stefanny is out. Together, they explore Marion’s personal mental health journey and what it means to truly look in the mirror as a man navigating vulnerability, relationships, and healing. This conversation places a strong focus on breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health—challenging the long-standing messages that tell men to suppress emotions, avoid therapy, and “tough it out.” Marion speaks candidly about what it took for him to open up, seek support, and begin unpacking the attachment patterns that were showing up in his relationships. Through an honest and grounded dialogue, this episode highlights how healing requires self-reflection, accountability, and the willingness to confront what’s beneath the surface. It also serves as an invitation for men to step into a different narrative—one where emotional awareness and therapy are not weaknesses, but powerful tools for growth and connection. Whether you’re working through your own attachment patterns, supporting a partner, or questioning the messages you’ve been given about mental health, this episode offers a real and necessary perspective on what it looks like to break cycles and choose something different. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a crisis or need immediate help, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a local emergency service. Resources To locate crisis intervention services in different states, consider the following resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: This nationwide service connects individuals to local crisis centers. By dialing 988, you'll be routed to a crisis center in your area. For a directory of crisis centers by state and U.S. territory, visit their Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory page. State and Local Health Departments: Many state health departments provide information on mental health services and crisis intervention. For example, the Texas Health and Human Services website offers details on crisis services available within the state.211 Information and Referral Services: By dialing 211, you can access information about local resources, including mental health and crisis intervention services. This service is available in many areas across the United States. ⁠Wikipedia⁠ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. Their Crisis Intervention page offers information on crisis services and how to find local support. These resources can help you identify and connect with crisis intervention services tailored to specific states or regions. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-beard-is-haunted/id1871013509 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-beard-is-haunted/id1871013509]

The Anxious–Avoidant Dance: Why One Chases and the Other Withdraws

If you’ve ever felt like you’re asking for “too much” while your partner feels overwhelmed by emotional closeness, you may be caught in the anxious–avoidant attachment cycle. In this episode, we break down how anxious and avoidant attachment styles trigger each other’s deepest wounds—creating a loop of pursuit, withdrawal, resentment, and longing. We’ll explore what’s really happening beneath the surface, why logic doesn’t fix attachment pain, and what healing looks like for both sides of the dynamic. This episode blends attachment theory with compassion, clarity, and practical insight for anyone wanting healthier, more secure relationships. Further reading: Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller and Secure Love by Julie Menanno. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a crisis or need immediate help, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a local emergency service. Resources To locate crisis intervention services in different states, consider the following resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: This nationwide service connects individuals to local crisis centers. By dialing 988, you'll be routed to a crisis center in your area. For a directory of crisis centers by state and U.S. territory, visit their Crisis Centers by State and U.S. Territory page. State and Local Health Departments: Many state health departments provide information on mental health services and crisis intervention. For example, the Texas Health and Human Services website offers details on crisis services available within the state.211 Information and Referral Services: By dialing 211, you can access information about local resources, including mental health and crisis intervention services. This service is available in many areas across the United States. ⁠Wikipedia⁠ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. Their Crisis Intervention page offers information on crisis services and how to find local support. These resources can help you identify and connect with crisis intervention services tailored to specific states or regions.