Trauma, Healing & Self-Awareness — Featuring Dr. Paul Hersh

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of What She's Having, Jennifer and Britney sit down with renowned therapist Dr. Paul Hersh for a wide-ranging conversation on trauma, healing, relationships, and emotional maturity. Known for his ability to cut through emotional noise and get to the truth quickly, Dr. Hersh shares decades of insight on why pain is unavoidable, how trauma actually heals, and why emotional growth is less about "moving on" and more about changing our relationship to what hurt us. Together, they explore everything from childhood wounds and grief to marriage agreements, infidelity, narcissism, and the emotional skills most of us were never taught. This episode is raw, compassionate, and full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating relationships, loss, or personal growth—especially after 40. If you've ever wondered why healing takes time, why relationships break down, or how to build emotional resilience without losing yourself, this conversation will stay with you. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why this conversation may change how you see healing 02:20 – Dr. Hersh's background & how early life shapes emotional lenses 05:13 – Formative years, childhood trauma & emotional foundations 09:04 – Why pain and suffering are unavoidable parts of life 11:09 – Parenting, resilience & the danger of the "perfect bubble" 13:03 – Can trauma truly heal? What healing actually looks like 16:10 – "I thought if I started crying, I'd never stop" 19:40 – When does trauma end? How our relationship to it evolves 21:14 – Relationship agreements & emotional accountability 23:14 – Why only one person can "go crazy" at a time 26:18 – Containment, conflict & knowing when to step away 29:11 – Trust in couples therapy: men vs. women 32:03 – Ego, humility & why some partners need "wins" 35:59 – Bickering, memory disputes & letting go of being right 40:58 – Infidelity: can relationships survive betrayal? 47:02 – Why "I'm sorry" may need to last forever 49:30 – Narcissism explained: healthy vs. pathological 52:57 – Choosing friends, outgrowing relationships & emotional alignment 59:13 – Grief: how to survive the unbearable moments 1:03:19 – Creating meaning after loss 1:04:40 – Why deep suffering expands our capacity for joy 1:08:46 – Final reflections & closing thoughts Dr. Paul Hersh 🌐 Website: https://www.drpaulhersh.com 📸 Instagram: @dr.paulhersh Podcast: What She's Having 🎙️ Hosts: Jennifer & Brittney 📸 Instagram: @officialwhatsheshaving 🎧 Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify & YouTube Follow the show: @officialwhatsheshaving Rate & review: Apple Podcasts + Spotify (it helps more than you know!) Share with a friend who's ready to feel better, sleep deeper, and glow from the inside out.