• Managing the Nonlinear Path of Healing (with Journal Prompts)
    Jun 20 2023

    Healing journeys are a roller coaster of ups, downs, and everything in between! In this episode, I'll be chatting about the nonlinear path of healing, embracing the understanding that everything in life is temporary, and sharing personal insights and experiences that highlight this phenomenon. Towards the end, I'll provide journal prompts that have helped me find balance and rediscover myself during challenging times. So take a listen to explore the nonlinear path of healing, find peace in impermanence, and discover the transformative power of journaling to bring us back to our center in order to move forward.

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

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    19 mins
  • How Trauma Impacts Memory
    Jun 8 2023

    Trauma can significantly impact a survivor's brain and memory making it difficult to recall details of traumatic experiences, the sequence in which they played out, and sometimes the entirety of the experience. However, there are proven ways to retrieve repressed memories, work through them, and ultimately heal your brain to live a more peaceful reality.

    In this episode, I chat about how the brain responds to trauma, how explicit and implicit memories are impacted, and most importantly 4 healing strategies to lower the intensity of traumatic memories and move forward in your healing journey.

    Sources:
    NICABM Infographic https://www.nicabm.com/trauma-how-trauma-can-impact-4-types-of-memory-infographic/
    Somatic Therapy Info https://meridianuniversity.edu/content/a-holistic-path-to-healing-somatic-therapy
    CBT Info https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610
    EMDR Info https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
    Trauma and Memory https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/3/1/5

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

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    32 mins
  • Tips on Embracing Change (+ Life Update!)
    May 23 2023

    Change is inevitable, but the excess stress and anxiety associated with it don't have to be. In this episode, I chat about practical tips to help you minimize stress and anxiety, allowing you to approach change with a more calm and centered mindset using mindfulness, self-care, and creating adaptable routines and plans.

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

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    26 mins
  • How to Feel Safe Again After Sexual Abuse
    May 9 2023

    Sexual assault or abuse can impact survivors' relationship with their bodies through disassociation, negative body image, hypervigilance, and/or difficulties with sexual intimacy. In this episode, I share practical tips, strategies, and coping mechanisms that I've been using and may help other survivors to reclaim a sense of safety in their bodies after experiencing sexual trauma.

    SAPREA: https://youniquefoundation.org/resources-for-child-sexual-abuse-survivors/

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

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    33 mins
  • Ask a Sexual Abuse Survivor (Q&A)
    May 2 2023

    In this episode, I answer questions ranging from overcoming feeling like "damaged goods" to if I've thought about what my life would be like if I never endured child sexual abuse. I also cover a lot on how I've managed to cope from my trauma. Hopefully, some of my insights will help you!

    Healing Resources! https://youniquefoundation.org/resources-for-child-sexual-abuse-survivors/
    Survivor Stories https://www.rainn.org/stories
    Male Survivors' Stories https://1in6.org/male-survivor-stories/
    CPTSD Info https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24881-cptsd-complex-ptsd

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

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    27 mins
  • CSA Prevention is Possible and Reporting is Crucial
    Apr 25 2023

    Ending child sexual abuse is truly an adult issue. Children cannot be expected to fend off sexual predators. Which means we as adults must do our job to protect our children. The more this topic is discussed, the more people are aware, the more children can grow up in safe environments free of sexual abuse.

    Find your local child advocacy center https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/nca-members/?postal_code=&miles=50&search=
    Darkness to Light https://www.d2l.org/education/5-steps/
    Saprea (prevention conversations)https://defendinnocence.org/child-sexual-abuse-risk-reduction/
    https://www.rainn.org/articles/if-you-suspect-child-being-harmed

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

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    26 mins
  • Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
    Apr 18 2023

    Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is far more common than society thinks. Knowing the signs of abuse is critically important to save a child from enduring abuse or to stop abuse that a child is already experiencing. Please share this episode with anyone you know who has children of their own or is frequently around children <3

    The following sources were used in creating this episode.
    https://www.rainn.org/articles/warning-signs-young-children
    https://childusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Delayed-Disclosure-Factsheet-2020.pdf
    https://www.d2l.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/all_statistics_20150619.pdf

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • 10 Common Misconceptions of Sexual Assault
    Apr 12 2023

    It's April, meaning it's Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. This episode covers 10 common misconceptions or myths of sexual assault or abuse that everyone needs to know about so, as a society, we can correct misinformed comments, shift these misconceptions to the truth, prevent further abuse, and best support survivors.

    Sources used to create this episode:
    https://www.d2l.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/all_statistics_20150619.pdf
    https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent
    https://www.taalk.org/resources/signs-of-abuse/244-sexual-acts-between-minors
    https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/Publications_NSVRC_Overview_False-Reporting.pdf

    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. <3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673

    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins