"The Trauma Behind ‘I Am Who I Am’" Feat. Karen Salmansohn

Season 9, Episode 19 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast peels back the workings of a phrase many of us lean on: “That’s just how I am.” But what if that’s just trauma hiding in emotional armor?Izzy sits down with bestselling author and leading Behavior Change Expert, Karen Salmansohn, the creative brain behind NotSalmon.com a former advertising creative director turned writer who’s sold over 2 million books and courses, and whose insights regularly appear on Oprah.com and Psychology Today  Her bold, irreverent style challenges emotional stagnation and invites transformation with tools grounded in psychology, humor, and spiritual insight.In this conversation, they unpack how generational trauma often gets mistaken for personality, how men grow up being told that emotion is weakness, hardening their hearts in the process. Karen’s research-backed belief is clear: “Stubbornness is often just trauma in mask form.” And they tackle the flip side, how embracing healing over performance opens the door to real connection. They question: How long will we let unresolved pain dictate our habits? What if “strength” has kept us silent? And how do we dismantle these defaults when growth feels like betrayal?Plus, Karen’s newest book, Your To‑Die‑For Life, is highlighted as a wake‑up call to live with meaning—pushing readers to write aspirational eulogies, build “to‑die‑lists,” and let mortality fuel clarity and purpose—not fear.This is for the man who’s emotionally overworked, spiritually numb, or just plain tired of playing strong. You can’t outgrow what you won’t confront—but you can choose to heal. Press play. Then, start living.Karen's Social MediaInstagram: @notsalmonWebsite: https://www.notsalmon.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.TrustBuilder Package🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.