- 45 minutes 39 secondsBeyond Attachment Styles: Secure Relating & Trauma Healing with Dr. Ann Kelley, Therapist UncensoredAttachment styles aren't your identity. Dr. Ann Kelley explains secure relating, modern attachment theory, trauma healing, nervous system regulation, relationship repair, shame reduction, and why emotional security is something we actively practice—not something we permanently achieve.
How can we, as therapists, help people better understand themselves, improve their relationships, and reduce the shame that accompanies emotional struggles that are often rooted in relational trauma?
It's a basic question at the root of our work and host Emily Ruth invites psychologist, author, and fellow podcaster Ann Kelley, Ph.D., to address it by demystifying the principles of modern attachment theory. Ann draws on her clinical work, research, and experience as co-creator of the podcast Therapist Uncensored to present a compassionate, up-to-date view of attachment that replaces rigid labels with practical strategies for meaningful relational growth.
The conversation also delves into the importance of remaining curious and willing to challenge the limits of our own educational or experiential bias as information evolves. This skill is on full display in Secure Relating: Holding Your Own in an Insecure World, the book Ann co-authored with her "neuronerd" colleague and co-host Sue Marriott, LCSW, CGP.
Transforming Trauma thanks Ann for sharing her hopeful yet practical approach to psychological growth. She shares meaningfully on what it means to explore our attachment patterns without judgment or predetermined outcomes.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
8 July 2026, 7:00 am - 43 minutes 41 secondsTherapy for Neurodivergent Clients with Dr. Sean Inderbitzen, author Neural Exercises for AutismHow can therapists avoid the "diagnosis-as-identity" trap with neurodivergent clients?
Working with autistic clients can feel incomplete at times. Newer clinicians or those who aren't neurodivergent may struggle with the dynamics of this unique client/therapist alliance, even as they collaborate on issues related to relationships and empathy. But one autistic psychotherapist and Mayo Clinic researcher urges trauma-informed therapists to stick with this population. He notes that the tools they already use with neurotypical people can also support neurodivergent clients, building capacity for deeper explorations of identity, behavior, and connection in a non-pathologizing environment.
Host Emily Ruth welcomes Dr. Sean Inderbitzen, DSW, LCSW, a psychotherapist, researcher, and author who has dedicated his practice to advancing autism therapy through innovative, evidence-based approaches. The conversation explores ways clinicians can help neurodivergent clients avoid the "diagnosis-as-identity" trap, focusing instead on what is within their control. And finally, Sean guides our audience through a simple yet effective practice for reclaiming a sense of safety and well-being during periods of dysregulation.
Transforming Trauma is grateful to Sean for sharing his experiential point of view and for preparing our audience to better support the neurodivergent community.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
24 June 2026, 7:00 am - 44 minutes 50 secondsLiving Alongside Grief: Boundaries, Love and What Doesn't Resolve with Samantha MontemayorHow do therapists and survivors live alongside grief that never fully ends?
Some grief doesn't resolve. It doesn't end when a relationship does, when someone gets sober, or when you finally set the boundary you'd been avoiding. Instead, we can learn to live alongside grief in ways that lead to healthier relationships and genuine intimacy.
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Samantha Montemayor to discuss the effects of grief on our relationships, emotional resources, and boundary-setting abilities. Samantha also recalls her professional journey and the deeper relational approach that the NeuroAffective Relational Model® encourages in healing from grief. The pair also explore Samantha's personal experiences with grief, her cultural relationship to grief as a Latina, and how NARM® has supported her through its ongoing ebbs and flows.
Finally, Samantha guides our audience through a poignant meditation on grief and closes the conversation with a poem.
Transforming Trauma thanks Samantha for reminding the NARM® community that grief is a lifelong companion. Our healing isn't about becoming finished or perfectly regulated but developing the capacity to hold joy, sorrow, and connection at the same time.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
10 June 2026, 7:00 am - 53 minutes 56 secondsWhat If Narcissism Is a Trauma Adaptation? with Dr. Mark EttensohnDr. Mark Ettensohn explains why narcissistic personality disorder is often misunderstood online—and how complex trauma, shame, attachment wounds, and identity shape pathological narcissism.
Narcissism has become a buzz word on social media. It has moved from a psychological understanding to a term that is used for blaming, scapegoating, and other emotionally charged narratives. This polarization has led to casting someone with narcissist traits as a villain who is intentionally cruel, manipulative, and beyond help.
While those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can exhibit difficult or even harmful traits, social media has erased the distinction between mental illness and moral defect. One clinician cautions that this "narcisso-sphere" content contributes to the despair of an already vulnerable population and even suicidality among those who identify with the diagnosis.
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emilly Ruth welcomes Mark Ettensohn, Psy, D. Mark is the founder of Heal NPD, a clinical and educational platform focused on the understanding and treatment of narcissistic personality disorder. His work explores the developmental and relational roots of narcissism, including trauma, dissociation, and identity. Mark is also the author of Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life and shares widely followed educational content through his Heal NPD YouTube Channel.
Transforming Trauma thanks Mark for sharing his expertise with our community. His empathetic approach to NPD invites curiosity over confrontation and genuine relational support over social media simplification.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
27 May 2026, 7:00 am - 40 minutes 45 secondsHealing Shame and Guilt using NARM® with Dr. Laurence HellerWhy shame isn't an emotion—but an adaptive survival process. Dr. Laurence Heller unpacks how the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) reframes shame, identity, and developmental trauma for more effective clinical work.
How do you define shame? Would you describe shame as an unproductive emotion or self-reproach? Or, would you dive headlong into examples, chronicling instances when you felt deserving of blame? Either answer is an invitation to probe deeper, to assess how this complex adaptive strategy has limited your ability to relate to yourself, your community, and the world.
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is honored to welcome back Dr. Laurence Heller, creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) and author of the new book Healing Shame and Guilt: The Developmental Roots of Chronic Shame and Guilt and How the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) Can Help You Heal and Reconnect.
Transforming Trauma is grateful to Dr. Heller for helping us get a deeper understanding of shame and guilt as universal human experiences, the ways they harm us, and how we can heal from them.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
13 May 2026, 7:00 am - 43 minutes 47 secondsMusic, Connection and Community with Tracy Rae ClarkFrom altered states to embodied presence: Tracy Rae Clark on healing, music, and therapist development.
We share stories to inform, inspire, and connect. They also serve as maps, helping people commemorate life experiences that have shaped their journeys. One NARM® practitioner inspires others by putting her stories into poems and lyrics, helping guide others in their own path to healing.
Host Emily Ruth welcomes singer-songwriter and long-time NARM practitioner Tracy Rae Clark, LCSW, CPC, for a deeply introspective conversation. The pair explores how trauma, creativity, music, spirituality, and relational healing converged in Tracy's search for genuine connection and well-being.
Transforming Trauma thanks Tracy for sharing her journey. Her honesty and commitment to healing represent what's possible when we stop trying to "fix" ourselves and instead spontaneously move toward connection and health.
GUEST BIO
First and foremost, Tracy Rae Clark (LCSW, CPC) is a human on a lifelong journey of aliveness, authenticity, and connection. A therapist, coach, consultant, and educator, Tracy works primarily with therapists, spiritual and business leaders, and individuals pursuing depth-oriented personal growth, supporting them to reconnect with their authentic selves.
Since 2018, Tracy has been deeply immersed in the study and practice of NARM. She assists in the NARM Master Therapist Training programs through CTTC and is part of the Post-Master Fellow Certificate Program through the NARM Training Institute. In addition to NARM, Tracy practices Deep Brain Reorienting and studies Transformative Couples Therapy. With a rich background that includes work in a maximum-security women's prison, a trauma treatment center, and a Fortune 500 company, she brings a global and compassionate perspective to her work. A singer-songwriter, Tracy recently returned to music, now facilitating group singing to help others access their unique aliveness.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
29 April 2026, 7:00 am - 45 minutes 27 secondsDissociation Isn't What You Think: DID, Structural Dissociation & Therapist Confidence with Kathy Steele
Have you ever slipped so far into a daydream that you felt detached from reality, your emotions, or your sense of self? Brief moments of dissociation are understandable and can even preserve our mental well-being in times of intense stress. Persistent dissociation, however, is something else entirely. It's a maladaptation that often hints at layers of complex trauma—and that can intimidate therapists.
One clinician invites us to reconnect with the deeply human experience of "spacing out" and remain curious about the mind's capacity to protect and survive before referring our clients to another practitioner.
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth invites trauma and dissociation specialist Kathy Steele, MN, CS, to share professional observations from her 40+ years of experience working with clients, supervising therapists, and developing treatment guidelines for dissociative disorders and complex PTSD.
While Kathy acknowledges that it's unsettling the first time a therapist encounters DID, she reaffirms that clinicians have the basic skills to begin treating those clients. "These are normal defenses that anybody would develop in the face of severe trauma. They just take on a life of their own," she says. "It's just like anything else. You need some practice in working with it."
Transforming Trauma is grateful to Kathy for destigmatizing DID and empowering our community to approach dissociative clients with curiosity and understanding.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
15 April 2026, 7:00 am - 38 minutes 45 secondsNarcissism and Borderline Dynamics from the Inside-Out with Brad Kammer, CTTC Training Director & Faculty
Today's clinicians have access to more advanced theories, protocols, and clinical models than at any other time in our profession's history. Yet, despite all that learning, something essential is often missing: our own humanity.
Many therapists enter this field wanting to grow and heal alongside others. But most of the training focuses almost entirely on the client. The result? A profession suffering from high rates of burnout and too few opportunities for therapists to embark on journeys of self-discovery — until now.
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is thrilled to welcome back Brad Kammer, Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) Director, SPACE Inner Development Program creator, NARM® Senior Trainer, author, and executive producer of this podcast. The pair introduces us to the Inside-Out Learning Series: Transforming Clinical Work from the Inside-Out, a virtual workshop series for professionals committed to deep personal and clinical transformation. Brad also shares his motivation for creating the Inside-Out series and what participants can expect from the workshops' immersive, experiential, and supportive environment.
Reserve your spot in upcoming Inside-Out Learning Series workshops.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart – and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
We want to connect with you!
1 April 2026, 7:00 am - 56 minutes 21 secondsHereditary Cancer Testing: Grief, Identity, and Self-Connection with Sarah Champie, LCSW
"I'm so concerned about that being a fracturing of our psyche, in which we only allow empowerment... Can we just have someone to stand with us in that space? So that the process, no matter what we choose, is a process of self connection." - Sarah Champie
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Sarah Champie (LCSW), a licensed trauma therapist and NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) practitioner who specializes in supporting individuals and families navigating hereditary cancer, genetic testing, and preventative surgery decisions. Sarah is also the creator and host of the podcast Walking the Genetic Line.
Sarah draws on her own experience as a BRCA1 carrier and the childhood loss of her mother to ovarian cancer to illuminate what she calls the "portal moment" of receiving genetic testing results. Together, Emily Ruth and Sarah explore why empowerment-only narratives fall short, how NARM® survival styles shape our responses to medical urgency, and the critical gap in emotional care for those facing life-altering body decisions. Sarah makes a compelling case that healing in this space means holding agency and grief at the same time, honoring the complexity of identity shifts, projective memory, and the deep longing for connection that surfaces when mortality enters the room.
We invite you to listen to the full episode and follow Transforming Trauma on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.
***
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC also offers the SPACE Inner Development Program for Therapists, providing a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
***
We want to connect with you!
18 March 2026, 5:00 pm - 47 minutes 52 secondsFrom Music to Trauma Therapy with Elizabeth Remic Simonian, Integrative and Somatic Therapist
"NARM® opened a whole new world to me... it's not just something you put on. NARM is, for me, a way of life. It's not just something you throw at somebody." - Elizabeth Remic Simonian
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Elizabeth Remic Simonian, an integrative and somatic therapist based in Rotterdam, Somatic Experiencing practitioner, and trained jazz vocalist, for a deeply heartful conversation about how the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) transformed not only her clinical work but her entire way of being in relationship with others.
Elizabeth traces her journey from conservatory-trained musician to trauma therapist, sharing the pivotal moments that called her toward depth and healing. She reflects on how encountering NARM for the first time revealed something she had never experienced in years of therapy: being asked what she actually wanted. From there, Elizabeth explores the profound shifts that unfolded as she began tracking her own efforting, reclaiming authenticity, and understanding that leaving yourself out of the equation is its own form of disconnection. She also shares how bringing NARM's relational presence into her music teaching created a palpable shift in her students' openness and creative freedom, and how singing with more embodiment and less shame changed her relationship with her own voice. The conversation closes with a tender example from Elizabeth's clinical practice, illustrating what it looks like to meet a client's vulnerability with genuine humanity rather than professional distance.
We invite you to listen to the full episode and follow Transforming Trauma on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.
***
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC also offers the SPACE Inner Development Program for Therapists, providing a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
***
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4 March 2026, 6:00 pm - 56 minutes 36 secondsFrom White Supremacy to Radical Human Connection with Frank Meeink
"Whatever your trauma is, just know that somehow, some way it could be used to help another human being."
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Frank Meeink, former white supremacist turned peer support specialist and recovery advocate, for a candid conversation about how honesty, humility, and service transformed his relationship with himself and others. Frank shares how decades of addiction, loss, and repeated relapse eventually led him to a moment of spiritual surrender, and how that turning point reshaped everything.
From his daily "God walks" and the personal mantra STAY (Stop Thinking About Yourself) to his work as an undercover recovery specialist connecting unhoused individuals with resources in downtown Los Angeles, Frank illustrates what it looks like to convert lived pain into genuine connection. The pair explores why saying "me too" can break through isolation, how letting go of resentments and the need to be the center of attention builds real self-esteem, and why highlighting someone's strengths alongside their struggles creates space for lasting change. Frank also reflects on the power of the "broken vessel" metaphor, the importance of sharing our stories only in service rather than performance, and why recovery is not about willpower but about surrendering to something greater and showing up for others each day.
We invite you to listen to the full episode and follow Transforming Trauma on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.
***
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
***
The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC also offers the SPACE Inner Development Program for Therapists, providing a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
***
We want to connect with you!
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/complextraumatrainingcenter/
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https://www.instagram.com/complextraumatrainingcenter/
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/complex-trauma-training-center/
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18 February 2026, 6:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App