Beyond Labels: The Sean/A Smith Story

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts talks with Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison, a trauma psychologist and founder of Soul Wise Solutions. They discuss Harrison's journey of working with individuals undergoing deep psychological and spiritual transformations, including her experiences with dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, and near-death experiences. A significant part of the conversation centers on Harrison's relationship with Shauna, an intersex woman with schizophrenia. They discuss Shauna's resilience, her experience of homelessness, and her advocacy for dignity and inclusion through her life story co-authored in the book 'I, Shauna.' The episode emphasizes the importance of compassion, destigmatizing mental illness, and the value of interconnectedness and community support.Kirsten’s Bio and Contact InformationDr. Kirsten Viola Harrison is a trauma psychologist, spiritual integration expert, and the founder of Soul Wise Solutions. For over 25 years, she has worked with individuals facing deep psychological and spiritual transformation — including those with dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, and near-death experiences. Her passion lies in helping people navigate life’s most complex transitions with compassion and clinical insight. Her groundbreaking new book, “I, Sean/a: The Story of a Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired a Community,” co-authored with Sean/a Smith, tells the riveting true story of an intersex woman living with schizophrenia who defied all odds. Together, they challenge outdated medical practices and advocate for dignity, inclusion, and soul-deep healing.Social Media Links:https://www.tiktok.com/@soulwiseteamhttps://www.instagram.com/soulwiseteamhttps://www.facebook.com/soulwiseteam/https://www.youtube.com/@SoulWiseTeamABOUT THE BOOK: "I, Sean/A" tells the riveting true story of resilience, identity, and the power of human connection. Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessornadminister.com