I grew up in a deeply unhealthy and dysfunctional household. From an early age, I remember saying to myself, “When I have kids, I will never…” Even as a child, I knew I wanted something different. I knew I wanted to be a mother.

As a child, fear [of ICE] lived quietly in the background of my life. It was present in ways that were easy to overlook from the outside but impossible to escape from within. It shaped how I paid attention to the world. It shaped how I understood safety.

Women who have endured complex trauma often pour themselves deeply into motherhood. Parenting becomes more than a role—it becomes a purpose, a place of safety, and sometimes a way to rewrite the past.

We’ll hear from Dr. Kane about lifelong and intergenerational trauma that is specific to African Americans, particularly the trauma of invisibility. He will also share his insights on how everyone—regardless of race—processes trauma and the ABCs of living IN vs. living WITH one’s trauma.

We will focus on the challenges of parenting after childhood trauma AND what we do to control the narrative (what we share about our families) even at a young age.

I’m telling this story because I want you all to understand that when I say I get it, I really mean it. I’m committed to doing everything I can to make sure our national office provides world-class support to all its Alliance members. Because that’s where we’re improving and even saving lives—on the ground, in communities, one person at a time.

The book is about resilience, perseverance, mental health struggles, addiction—the roller coaster of life packed with a punch of trauma.

This episode focuses on Dawn's story of being violently raped at gunpoint 31 years ago. More than anything, it is a story of resilience.

Because I really wanted to know what it was that I had repressed as a child, I decided to have EMDR therapy.

Imagine not being able to remember your childhood. Any of it. Because of trauma. Because of repressed memories. This is Dawn's story.

A life of advocacy built on difficulty in elementary school, an alcoholic father and a violent rape.

How adverse childhood experiences and a passionate interest in people’s stories led to a lifetime of advocacy.

People who have experienced trauma will recognize the role these steps play in healing. Others will see fundamental truths that help anyone.

Healing from trauma can be a long process. For me my healing journey is never ending. I work daily to find the joy in everything.

We’ll talk about healing from trauma on both a personal and a collective level.

My mom and I had a tight-knit relationship. I know a lot of people can say that about their moms, but ours was bonded by trauma so thick.

Our guest will be Candace Sanchez. We are going to focus on the impact that mental health challenges place on our children.

The turning point in my healing journey came when a compassionate leader recognized behaviors and characteristics rooted in my trauma.