Straight Talk With Love: Addressing Childhood Trauma

Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren who have experienced trauma, struggling to break cycles of silence and create an emotionally healthy home? Do you worry about how your own childhood wounds impact your family’s well-being? Are you searching for real-world strategies to help your grandchildren heal in a world that feels very different from the one you grew up in?I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this episode, “Straight Talk with Love – Addressing Childhood Trauma,” we sit down with licensed professional counselor and trauma survivor Stacy Schaffer, author of With Love from a Children’s Therapist. Together, we dive into the transformative power of play, storytelling, and authentic connection as tools to address trauma and foster intergenerational healing. You’ll hear candid stories of resilience, practical conversation starters for building trust, and expert insights on tackling shame, stigma, and the emotional complexities that grandparents and kinship caregivers face. If you want to learn how to recognize hidden pain beneath “shiny” behavior and create a foundation of safety and understanding for the children in your care, this episode is for you. To read more about Stacy and her work, please visit her website.Join our supportive community as we honor your journey, break the silence around childhood trauma, and discover hopeful new ways to nurture your family.Send us Fan MailRethink the child welfare system—what if the real issue isn’t funding, but the questions we ask? If you’re passionate about social justice, child welfare, or systemic reform—this episode will challenge your perspective and inspire new ways to advocate for change. Join us in shifting the focus from crisis management to family-centered solutions. Reshape the future of child welfare—listen now.  In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook