The Trauma Therapist

Andy Chaleff is an award-winning author, speaker, and mentor whose work explores the intersection of grief, love, and transformation. His deeply personal books challenge readers to embrace vulnerability and live with greater authenticity. With a background in psychology and decades of experience guiding others through personal growth, Chaleff’s writing is both raw and revelatory. His previous books, The Last Letter, The Wounded Healer and The Connection Playbook, have been recognized for their profound impact on readers worldwide.Andy’s new book is titled Dying to Live: Finding Life's Meaning Through Death (Spiritual Memoir), which traces a journey through trauma, ambiguous loss, and the unraveling of identity.In This EpisodeAndy's websitehttps://substack.com/@andychaleffBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)

Adriene Caldwell has done more than survive—she has thrived. A former foster youth who beat the odds, Adriene is part of the less than 3% who go on to attend college, despite statistics showing that 20% of the U.S. prison population once passed through the foster care system. She doesn’t sugarcoat life’s harsh realities, but instead offers something far more powerful: hope. Hope that trauma will end, that the future can be different, and that life, even after the worst experiences, can improve.Adriene’s story is not an easy one, best captured by the trigger warnings that accompany her book: emotional and physical abuse, sexual assault of a child, the drowning death of a child, extreme poverty, mental illness, homelessness, foster care, pedophilia, graphic sexual descriptions, violence, bulimia, incest, death, and suicide. It is a story of pain, resilience, and ultimately, the possibility of a better life. In This EpisodeAdriene’s websiteAdriene’s bookBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)

Jessica Pride, Co-Founder, is a sexual assault attorney and Managing Partner of The Pride Law Firm with over 20 years advocating for survivors of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, and workplace harassment. She has been named Consumer Advocate of the Year and secured the largest settlement in U.S. history for incarcerated survivors—$117 million. Verna Griffin-Tabor, Co-Founder, has over 40 years of experience addressing sexual assault and relationship violence, serving as CEO of Center for Community Solutions from 1998 to 2023. Under her leadership, CCS achieved numerous milestones, including founding the nation’s first women’s center, operating California’s first temporary restraining order clinic, and running San Diego’s only rape crisis center.In This EpisodeSirona Healing CenterSirona on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)

Samantha Potthoff, M.A., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and co-founder of Therapy Collective of California Samantha specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment issues, and grief, with a unique approach that integrates neuroscience with evidence-informed psychotherapy to address the profound interconnection between mental and physical health.   Samantha's unique approach integrates neuroscience with evidence-informed psychotherapy, moving beyond traditional diagnostic frameworks to create therapeutic partnerships where profound healing can emerge. Her work with complex trauma presentations and commitment to sustainable well-being would resonate deeply with your audience of trauma survivors and fellow therapists.In This EpisodeSamantha’s websiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)

Cheri Bergeron is an author, blogger, public speaker, trained life coach, and founder of the nonprofit Cheri's Choice, guiding women through alternative paths to motherhood.Following a successful career in IT, Cheri now helps single women weigh their options, navigate fertility challenges, and build families on their own terms. Her personal fertility journey included becoming a mother without a partner through IVF treatments and donor conception. She won a landmark Texas family law case (Bergeron v. Saunders) that challenged outdated legislation concerning families formed through assisted reproduction.In her memoir Mission: Motherhood, Cheri shares her experiences with relationships, workplace challenges, and choosing motherhood after 40. She details her struggles with IVF and the realities of "geriatric pregnancy."Today, from her home in Austin, Texas, she empowers ambitious women to reject limiting fairy tales and boldly chart their own paths to motherhood—even without a Prince Charming.In This EpisodeCheri's websiteCher's ChoiceMission: MotherhoodCheri on LinkedInCheri on FacebookCheri on InstagramBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)

Paola DiFlorio, an Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker and co-founder of Counterpoint Films, dives into her unique journey from news to authentic storytelling. She reveals how the documentary on Master Lee transformed into a deeper exploration of his hidden trauma, shaped by his childhood during China’s Cultural Revolution. Paola emphasizes the importance of trust in filmmaking, allowing for profound revelations and healing. Additionally, she shares insights into her upcoming projects, including a film on the Diamond Approach.

MJ Renshaw is a breathwork facilitator, founder of The Being Method, and author of How to Cry. She shares her journey through childhood trauma and how literature and horses became her refuge. MJ discusses the transformative power of somatic breathwork and its ability to help release grief and emotions. She emphasizes choosing to feel both love and pain for true healing. MJ also highlights the scientific connections between emotional suppression and illness, aiming to normalize emotional expression and promote resilience.

Richard Taite, founder of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa and host of the We’re Out of Time podcast, shares his powerful journey through addiction and recovery. He recounts his traumatic upbringing and early substance use experiences. Richard discusses hitting rock bottom, the humbling moment he sought help, and the motivation behind his commitment to aid others in reclaiming their lives. He emphasizes the importance of compassion in treatment and shares how his own recovery informs the supportive environments he creates for clients.

Mark Astor, co-founder of Astor Simovitch Law, brings over 30 years of legal expertise to the conversation. He shares his journey into law driven by a passion for helping families facing crises related to substance use and mental health. Mark discusses the vital role of legal tools in involuntary treatment and emphasizes the importance of clinical collaboration. He addresses the risks of state commitments and advocates for family-led alternatives. With a focus on empowerment, Mark illustrates how compassionate legal advocacy can transform lives.

Harpreet Sangha is a survivor of extreme autonomic and neurological trauma, including post-symapthectomy baroreflex failure and multiple head injuries. Against medical odds, he's lived without traditional medication support, relying instead on conscious cortical regulation, resilience and self-guided recovery strategies. Harpreet now shares his experience to help others facing trauma, offering real-world insights from both the physical and psychological edge. His focus is on honesty, survival and showing that even in extreme cases, there's a way forward.In This EpisodeHarpreet’s websiteHarpreet’s bookBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)