Childhood trauma, grief, healing, and unlikely courage

In this deeply moving episode of Walk With Me Conversations, we sit down with Alicia Johnson-Niles, founder of Unlikely Courage and author of the forthcoming book Angel in Arlington. Alicia's story begins with a devastating loss—her father was murdered when she was just two years old. Though she grew up surrounded by love and stability, the trauma of that loss quietly shaped her inner world for decades, manifesting as anxiety, fear, people-pleasing, disordered eating, and a constant sense of bracing for the worst. In this conversation, Alicia courageously explores what it means to grieve someone you don't consciously remember—and how unresolved childhood trauma can live in the body and nervous system long into adulthood. She shares how facing the truth about her father's death in her 30s became a turning point, opening the door to healing, spiritual connection, and ultimately, freedom. This episode is a powerful reflection on: Childhood grief and complex PTSD How trauma shapes our sense of safety and self-worth The role of spirituality and meaning-making in healing Giving ourselves permission to feel, grieve, and remember Finding courage in the places we once avoided At its heart, this is a story about reclaiming your voice, honoring love that never disappears, and discovering the strength you didn't know you had. 🌿 About the Guest Alicia Johnson-Niles is the founder of Unlikely Courage, a platform dedicated to helping people overcome trauma by accessing the courage already within them. She is also the author of Angel in Arlington, a true story weaving together grief, spirituality, true crime, and personal transformation. 🔗 Connect with Alicia Unlikely Courage: https://unlikelycourage.com Angel in Arlington: https://angelinarlington.com 👉 Call to Action If this conversation resonated with you, we invite you to explore more stories like this. Visit 🌐 WalkWithMeConversations.com to: Listen to more episodes Learn about upcoming guests Dive deeper into conversations about healing, resilience, and the human experience And if this episode spoke to your heart, please consider sharing it with someone who might need it today. You don't have to walk alone. 💛