Healing Out Loud

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I talk about something that used to really worry me, my memory.I used to think my bad memory meant something was wrong with me. Through CPTSD and therapy, I learned it’s often a nervous system doing its best to survive, not a broken brain.This episode explores how trauma can affect memory, attention, and presence, not as a character flaw, but as a nervous system doing its best to keep you safe.It’s honest, a little funny at times, and a reminder that you’re not broken, you’re adapting.If your brain has ever felt like it’s running on spotty Wi-Fi… this one’s for you.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I talk about CPTSD, emotional ambiguity, and that strange in-between space where you look fine on the outside… but internally everything feels a bit unlabelled, noisy, and hard to pin down.We get into the “I’m Fine. I Think. Maybe. Hold On.” moments, when your nervous system is scanning for danger, your brain has 47 tabs open, and you’re trying to function while not fully sure what you’re actually feeling.This episode explores what it’s like when confusion gets mistaken for crisis, why emotional “muck” isn’t always a malfunction, and how healing often looks less like clarity, and more like learning to stay with yourself in uncertainty.

Being “low maintenance” can sound like a compliment.Easygoing. Chill. No drama.But for many with CPTSD, it isn’t a personality trait, it’s a survival strategy.In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack explores how constantly saying “I’m fine” or “you pick” can quietly turn into self-abandonment, and how the fawn response shapes the way we show up in relationships.Because real connection doesn’t come from being easy to deal with…It comes from being known.

Some days you feel nothing. Other days it all hits at once, and neither feels “right.”In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack talks about the messy, unpredictable nature of healing, especially when you’re living with CPTSD. The emotional whiplash, the quiet numbness, the sudden overwhelm… it’s all part of the process, even when it makes no sense.This isn’t about fixing it or getting it “right.”It’s about learning to stay with yourself through the shifts.If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re coping the way you’re supposed to… this one’s for you.

We all know healing isn't east. It’s messy, confusing, and occasionally makes you wonder, “…who the hell am I?” In this episode, I dive into the weird, awkward, and surprisingly familiar shifts that happen when you start untangling trauma from your personality. Expect laughs, honesty, and a little “CPTSD shitathon” survival tips along the way. I’m Jack, I have CPTSD, and I’m figuring out what it really means to show up for yourself… and for you.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack dives into why getting an official diagnosis of Complex PTSD can be a game-changer for your healing journey. With symptoms that often overlap with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more, CPTSD can be misdiagnosed, or worse, misunderstood. Jack explains why the “C” matters, how naming your trauma can shift shame into understanding, and why the right diagnosis gives you a roadmap to navigate your nervous system instead of fighting it.Whether you’re questioning your own mental health, advocating for yourself, or supporting someone you care about, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a little bit of humor to remind you: you’re not broken, you’re responding to survival.

Have you ever stopped mid-thought and asked, "Am I overreacting?" In this episode, Jack tackles a listener's question that hits at the core of the healing journey: the tendency to gaslight our own trauma because it doesn't feel "serious enough" compared to others.In this episode, we discuss:Why the "Body Receipt" matters more than a police report.How "Comparative Suffering" keeps us stuck in the messy middle.Three questions to help you identify whose voice is actually in your head.Why the size of the "weapon" doesn't determine the depth of the wound.It happened. It hurt. And it mattered. It’s time to stop being your own toughest prosecutor and start being your own advocate. (And yes, there will be cookies.)

Healing isn’t just about escaping the storm, it’s about learning how to live in the quiet that comes after.In this episode, Jack explores the disorienting reality of "Stage 2" recovery. What happens when the smoke finally clears, the sirens stop, and you're standing in a life you don't know how to lead? We’re dismantling the idea that purpose is a grand mission you "earn" and rediscovering it as a quiet, radical act of staying present in your own body. If you've ever reached the shore only to realize you’ve forgotten how to walk on dry land, this one is for you.

Why does sleep feel like a cruel joke when you’re living with CPTSD?In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack dives into the 2 a.m. ceiling-staring marathons your nervous system insists are “necessary.” When you're stuck in trauma mode, your body doesn’t power down at bedtime; it stays on guard, running a 24-hour security drill while you’re just trying to rest.If you’ve ever felt exhausted but wired, or safe but on edge, you’re not failing at sleep; you're just well-guarded.Press play to join the 2 a.m. Overthinkers Club.(Warning: Snacks are anxiety-flavored.)

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I notice that activated my anxious attachment,” when what you really meant was, “That hurt my feelings”?In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I dive into the performance trap of recovery, how the language of therapy can quietly become a new kind of armor. We’ll talk about why clarity feels like power when you grew up in chaos, how healing can slide into identity, and what it looks like to step out of “walking insight machine” mode and back into being a messy, fully human person.Because growth is powerful.But it’s not a personality.

Healing isn’t linear, and neither is the realization that you have CPTSD. For many of us, trauma wasn't one "big bang" event, it was the water we were swimming in.In this episode, Jack breaks down the "quiet devastation" of realizing your foundation was tilted from day one. We’re moving past the labels and looking at the context: from the exhaustion of "living in the ocean" to the heavy waves of grief and anger that follow a diagnosis.It’s time to stop asking "What’s wrong with me?" and start understanding how you adapted to survive.Grab your floaties. We’re swimming through this together.Note: This podcast reflects personal experiences and is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Toxic shame is more than just a feeling; for those with CPTSD, it is a survival strategy. In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack explores why we experience "collapse" instead of accountability, how our inner critic mimics our own voice to keep us safe, and why trauma recovery often makes shame panic before it settles.We often think of shame as a moral verdict, proof that we are fundamentally "wrong." But your nervous system didn’t choose shame because you are broken; it chose it because it worked.In this episode, we discuss:The difference between "I did something wrong" and "I am something wrong."Why we "over-own" other people's moods and mistakes.The "Internal Manager": How shame monitors our tone and edits our thoughts.Moving from self-judgment to internal integrity and curiosity.Why visibility feels dangerous after childhood trauma.Shame thrives in isolation, but healing begins when we name the "survival mask" for what it is. If you’ve ever felt like you’re apologizing for existing, this conversation is for you.Connect with the show:Host: JackTopic: CPTSD & Trauma RecoveryKeywords: Mental Health, Self-Compassion, Inner Child, Emotional Healing, Recovery.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I dive into the messy, complicated work of reclaiming my emotions after surviving sexual abuse. I talk about the rules I was taught as a kid, how to suppress, hide, and edit my feelings, and the ongoing tension that healing creates.I share how therapy helped me start noticing and giving space to the parts of me I’d long been trained to hide, and why, even now, I refuse to let anyone dictate how I should feel.If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “too much,” silencing yourself, or living under invisible rules about your emotions, this episode is for you. Let’s talk honestly, vulnerably, and out loud.Website - https://aboutthatjack.com

The holidays can be beautiful, and brutal. In this episode, Jack talks about navigating the season with CPTSD, where twinkly lights meet old triggers and quiet grief. It’s a reminder that you can’t do the holidays wrong when you’re doing them honestly, and that protecting your peace is its own kind of joy.

The latest Jeffrey Epstein documents are out, and for survivors of child sexual abuse, the impact can be devastating. I’m Jack, from Healing Out Loud, and today we’re unpacking the emotional shockwaves these files send through survivors, including me.This episode isn’t about politics or headlines, it’s about trauma, survival, and the ways systems can fail us. I share grounding tools, reflections on emotional triggers, and why it matters to honor your story even when the world seems to look away.If you’re feeling triggered, pause, breathe, and know you’re not alone. Your experience matters. Your healing matters. And your voice is part of a bigger shift toward truth, accountability, and empathy.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack dives into one of the toughest, most empowering parts of healing: accountability. Living with CPTSD can make life messy, from intrusive thoughts and flashbacks to impulsive decisions and deep shame. But accountability isn’t about blame or perfection; it’s about taking ownership of how you respond, the choices you make, and how you show up for yourself and others.Join Jack as he shares personal insights, practical steps, and a little humor along the way, helping you step out from under the weight of trauma and into real, grounded healing.

In this bite-sized episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack dives into the painful truth about growth: not everyone will see or accept the changes you’ve made. After a blog post struck a chord with listeners, he explores the quiet ache of realizing that healing isn’t about proving your worth to others, it’s about learning to honor your own journey, even when those who mattered most may never recognize it.Jack talks about acceptance without permission, carrying the weight of your progress without validation, and why this is one of the bravest forms of healing. If you’ve ever felt invisible in your growth or frustrated that people cling to old versions of you, this episode is a reminder that your work matters, even if no one else sees it.

Sometimes the hardest part of healing is stepping away from the people who should have been your safe space. In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack talks about why creating distance from family can be necessary for your survival and growth, how to set boundaries without guilt, and why protecting your peace is not only allowed, it’s brave.If you’ve ever felt torn between love and self-preservation, this episode is for you. Learn how reclaiming your space can help you heal, break generational trauma, and pave the way for a safer future, for you and your children.

Join Jack, a CPTSD survivor, as he dives into the messy, human, and often taboo sides of sexuality after trauma. In this episode, Jack busts common myths about kink, explores how trauma shapes desire, and shows why reclaiming your body and pleasure is an act of healing, not shame. Expect warmth, honesty, a touch of humor, and a few moments that might make you blush.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack opens up about one of the hardest parts of surviving childhood sexual abuse , learning to live inside the body that remembers it all. From years of quiet self-disgust to slowly rebuilding trust with his own reflection, Jack shares what it’s like to grieve a body that never got to just be a body, and how therapy, truth, and time helped him see it not as the enemy, but as the survivor.This one’s raw, honest, and deeply human. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body or struggled to make peace with what it’s carried, this episode is for you.

Healing from CPTSD and trauma can feel isolating, like you’re carrying the weight of the world alone. In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I talk about why finding a community that truly understands matters more than you might realize. I talk about the people who’ve shown up for me, how connection can help us heal, and why giving support is just as powerful as receiving it. If you’ve ever felt alone in your journey, this episode is for you, because you’re not, and you never have to be.

Forget the buzzwords and Instagram aesthetics, this episode dives into practical, everyday ways to show up for yourself. Jack breaks down what reparenting really means, why it feels awkward, and how small, consistent acts of care can slowly rewire your nervous system to believe, “I’m safe now. I matter.”Perfect for anyone ready to take the small steps toward healing and self-compassion.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I dive into the messy, terrifying, and surprisingly freeing process of learning who I really am beneath the layers of trauma and CPTSD. We talk about the in-between space where old survival patterns are loosening, the small shifts that signal progress, and why it’s okay not to have all the answers.If you’ve ever felt disoriented in your healing journey, or wondered whether you’re “doing it right,” this one’s for you. Let’s sit in the messy middle together, notice the shifts, and celebrate the quiet progress along the way.

Ever been told to “just get over it” or “think positive” when dealing with trauma? In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack, who has CPTSD, breaks down the worst advice he’s ever received about trauma, and why these clichés are unhelpful, harmful, and sometimes downright ridiculous.Through humor, personal stories, and honest reflection, Jack explores what actually supports healing and self-compassion. He also invites listeners to share their own experiences with bad trauma advice, because sometimes, the most unhelpful guidance deserves a spotlight.

Grief isn’t just about losing someone, it shows up in many forms for people with CPTSD: lost childhoods, lost trust, lost safety, and even lost versions of ourselves. In this episode, I explore how grief quietly shapes our healing journey, why it’s so easy to overlook, and how acknowledging it can actually help us move forward.#CPTSD #HealingOutLoud #Grief #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealth

Jack opens up about why he feels safer with women than men, how childhood trauma shaped his trust, and what healing looks like as he learns to navigate relationships on his own terms.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I dive into a truth nobody really warns you about: healing doesn’t start with relief, it starts with breaking. I share what it’s like to tear down the walls that kept you alive, face pain you’ve been avoiding for years, and confront the parts of yourself that survival has shaped. Raw, honest, and sometimes messy, this episode is for anyone in the middle of their healing journey, or curious what it really feels like to start.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack dives into the invisible impact of trauma on survivors of CPTSD. From emotional flashbacks to the body’s survival responses, he explores how triggers show up in everyday life, especially when public events and headlines amplify past wounds. Jack shares practical ways to protect your peace, set boundaries, and stay informed without being consumed, while also speaking to allies about the role they can play in supporting survivors.Tune in for an honest, heartfelt conversation about surviving, coping, and finding your way back to center, step by step.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, Jack courageously shares his story as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse and living with CPTSD. He breaks the silence around a subject often shrouded in stigma and shame, addressing the complex emotions survivors carry, from guilt and hypervigilance to the struggle of being believed.If you or someone you love is navigating life after sexual trauma, this episode offers hope, validation, and a reminder: healing happens on your terms.Resources mentioned:Visit 1in6.org - a trusted support organization specifically for male survivors of sexual abuse.Explore more stories, support, and writing at AboutThatJack.com.

Thirteen years later, the anniversary of my abuser’s death still hits hard, because grief doesn’t follow rules. In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I talk about complicated grief, messy feelings that resurface years later, and how to hold space for healing when closure never came.

What happens when your trauma isn’t in the manual?In this episode, we dive into why Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is so often misdiagnosed or ignored in the U.S. mental health system, and what that means for those of us living with it. From therapy to family court, workplace disputes to immigration, CPTSD goes unnamed and unprotected.I share my personal experience with being overlooked and mislabeled, and explore how systems fail trauma survivors while profiting off their silence.If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported, this conversation is for you.

Ever felt like letting someone in meant risking everything? Like if they saw the real you, they'd walk away? You're not alone. In this honest reflection, Jack explores the quiet ways CPTSD teaches us to hide, and how we can begin to unlearn the lie that we’re unlovable. It's time to flip the switch from survival to self-worth.

Ever stared at your phone so long it felt like it was staring back? Yeah, me too. Today’s episode is about that CPTSD-flavored panic spiral that can hit after sending, or not sending, a simple text. The overthinking. The shame. The imaginary arguments. All over a few words on a screen.Let’s talk about what’s really going on when a message hits us like a tidal wave, and how to catch ourselves before we drown in it.

Healing isn’t a polished glow-up or a perfectly staged Instagram moment. It’s like digging through a cluttered, dusty basement full of old boxes, confusing, overwhelming, sometimes gross, but absolutely necessary. Hosted by Jack, this podcast gets real about the raw, tangled, and often uncomfortable process of healing from trauma, CPTSD, and life’s toughest challenges. No filters, no quick fixes, just honest conversations about sorting through the mess to find the parts of yourself worth keeping.

Jack gets real (and a little sarcastic) about living with CPTSD, the daily triggers, the spirals, and why self-awareness might just be the weirdest superpower. Tune in for laughs, honesty, and a reminder you’re not alone.📍 aboutthatjack.com

A warm welcome to AboutThatJack.com, where we talk CPTSD, healing, shame, humor, trauma, and surviving the madness of it all without pretending it’s pretty.Whether you're deep into your own trauma work or just realizing that maybe, maybe, you’re not broken, this is for you.Let’s unhide together.Listen in, then visit AboutThatJack.com.