Trauma Is Disconnection: Understanding "Little t" Trauma and the Path to Healing

“That was traumatic.” The word “trauma” gets thrown around a lot these days. But what does it actually mean for our daily lives, our relationships, and our faith? In this episode of The Work Within podcast, host John Lin talks with licensed therapist Paul McMullen and trauma specialist Jenny Wang to unpack the surprising truth: trauma isn’t just the "bad stuff" that happens to us; it’s the disconnection from our authentic selves that follows.  Drawing on the work of Gabor Maté, Albert Wong, and Peter Levine, the team explores the critical distinction between "Big T" and "little t" trauma, explaining why "too little for too long" (emotional neglect or bullying) can be just as impactful as a single painful event. They discuss: Why your nervous system might be stuck in "fight, flight, or freeze" even if you haven’t experienced a major catastrophe.Why presence is critical to healing. Why we often wait until our 40s to do the deep work, and how to start earlier.How Jesus models "being with" rather than just "fixing."How churches can be trauma-informed.Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or looking to support loved ones, this conversation offers an insightful roadmap back to your authentic self.Chapters[00:00] Redefining Trauma: Beyond the Buzzwords [05:31] Gabor Maté & The Essence of Disconnection [07:04] Trauma and the Imago Dei: Restoring Your Authentic Self [11:22] Is Trauma Part of Everyone’s Story? [12:41] The Empathic Witness: Why Healing Happens in Relationship [15:17] Big ‘T’ vs. Little ‘t’ Trauma: Too Fast vs. Too Long [18:27] The Comparison Trap: Why Your Wounds Matter [20:36] "Deal With Your Trauma or It Will Deal With You" [23:51] Why We Avoid the Past (And How It Shows Up in Parenting) [27:11] The Midlife Pivot: Why We Wait Until Our 40s to Heal [30:55] Jesus as Trauma-Informed: A New Perspective on the Gospel [38:04] Receiving Before Giving: The Importance of Doing Your Work HostsJohn Lin: Director of Partnerships, Watershed Initiative & Executive Director, Sweet Deeds FoundationPaul McMullen, LPC: Founder of WellSpring Process Groups, Licensed Professional Counselor Jenny Wang, LPC-S: Clinical Director of Lifeologie Frisco, Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma SpecialistResources 🎁 THERAPY DISCOUNT: Mention "The Work Within" for 10% off your first 5 sessions (New, Self-Pay). Call/Text 214-414-0378. Companion Article: "Understanding Trauma"ConnectSubscribe & Review: Apple | Spotify | YouTube Follow: Instagram | Facebook Contact: [email protected]