Through The Eyes of Trauma

This week on Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena is joined by special guest Derrick Smith, The Thought Engineer of Man-Talk Mondays, for a powerful conversation on how to Heal Before You Holiday.Together, they unpack how unresolved trauma, old family dynamics, and emotional triggers can collide during the holiday season, and how to approach it with intention, regulation, and resilience.Youll learn trauma-informed strategies to protect your peace, break patterns, set boundaries, and create healthier moments of connection, without losing yourself in the process. Because healing before you holiday isnt optional...its essential.

Episode Description:In this episode, Dr. Salena unpacks the science behind early childhood imprinting , how the brain and body record experiences from conception to age six, and how those imprints shape behavior long after childhood is over.Youll learn the difference between memory and body-based imprinting, how to map emotions to their origins, why sensory safety heals deeper than words, and how micro-predictability rewires the nervous system.This episode offers practical, non-repetitive strategies rooted in neuroscience,  and a trauma-informed approach to rewriting your story with compassion

In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores how growing up in instability; never knowing when youd have to move, change schools, or run for safety, can wire the brain to live in constant survival mode. Through a powerful story of a child forced to pack up in the middle of the night to escape danger, Dr. Smith unpacks how unpredictability becomes a silent trauma that follows us into adulthood. This episode breaks down how chaos becomes familiar, why peace feels threatening, and how we can rebuild predictability, safety, and trust in our homes, classrooms, and within ourselves.

In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores what it truly means to heal while you lead. Many parents unknowingly repeat the same patterns of pain they grew up with, mistaking control for care or silence for strength. Through a moving story of a mother and daughter caught between old wounds and new ways of love, Dr. Smith reveals how unhealed trauma can shape our parenting and how awareness, grace, and self-regulation can transform it.

Episode Description:In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores what it really means to feel safe; not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and socially. Through the story of a young boy whose classroom triggers were hidden in plain sight, Dr. Smith reveals how safety looks different for every child and how what comforts one may terrify another.From classrooms to homes to communities, this conversation challenges us to move beyond safe-looking spaces and start creating safe-feeling ones because safety isnt about dcor, routines, or rules; its about peace, trust, and presence.

In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores the truth that every behavior tells a story. From the heartbreaking story of a young girl whose pain showed up as defiance, to her own moment of learning to regulate before you relate, Dr. Smith reveals how trauma shapes the way students show up in the classroom, and how educators can respond with empathy instead of escalation.Because behavior isnt defiance,its communication. And when we learn to look beyond the actions, we begin to see the experiences that shaped them.

What do you do when a child has been through so much that they simply cant function in a normal classroom? In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith unpacks what it means to teach children who are still living in survival mode.  When behavior isnt defiance, its protection. Through a real story of a foster student on the brink and the educators trying everything to reach her, Dr. Smith shares trauma-informed strategies to stabilize before you strategize, redefine success, support teachers, and reframe the environment so healing can finally begin.Because you cant teach a child whos fighting to survive; you have to help them feel safe enough to learn.

Feeling worn out from the work of healing? Youre not alone. In this lighthearted episode, Dr. Salena Fenceroy-Smith explores what to do when trauma keeps peeking its head even on your tired days. From the Healing Lite Menu and The Pajama Rule to pulling out your Trauma Timeout Card and leaning into Cozy Replacements, youll learn simple, snack-sized strategies to keep moving forward without burning out. Because sometimes, the bravest healing work you can do is resting in pajamas with a little humor and a lot of grace.

Love can heal, or it can harm. In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena explores the double-edged power of love: parental love that controls instead of guides, career love that consumes, romantic love that erases identity, and the love of a dream that can cost everything, like in the film Acrimony. With stories, strategies, and takeaways, this conversation challenges us to ask: Is the love in your life lifting you or breaking you?

Many of us grew up believing that emotions are weakness. But the truth is what we dont release emotionally, our bodies hold onto physically. In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith unpacks why you have to feel to heal, weaving in Danielles story from OutDaughtered, the science of psychosomatic stress, and practical strategies for safe emotional release.Because tears arent weakness, theyre medicine.Listen now on the Alive Podcast Network or wherever you stream podcasts.

Homework is supposed to reinforce learning, but for many students, it creates stress, shame, and even retraumatization. In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores whether homework truly helps or hurts, why assignments like family trees or summer essays can be harmful, and how teachers can design trauma-informed alternatives.Youll also hear practical ways families can reinforce learning at home without traditional homework, from cooking and grocery store math to bedtime stories and board games. Because learning should build confidence, not hardship.

One of the first things trauma steals is trust; trust in others, trust in the world, and even trust in yourself. And yet, rebuilding trust is one of the most powerful medicines for healing.In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith unpacks how trust, built through small, consistent acts, can calm the nervous system, restore safety, and open the door to connection. With real stories from the classroom and everyday life, Dr. Smith explores what it looks like to offer trust as medicine to others, and how to begin rebuilding self-trust after trauma.

They say the two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why. But what happens when unhealed trauma and adverse experiences cloud that whymaking life feel more about survival than meaning?In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores how trauma tries to steal purpose and how healing creates clarity. Joined by special guest Derrick Smith, Clarity Life Coach, this conversation dives into the connection between trauma, clarity, and discovering purpose.Through real stories, strategies, and practical steps, listeners will learn how to move beyond survival mode, reclaim their identity, and take steps toward uncovering their why. Tune in now on the Alive Podcast Network or wherever you stream your favorite shows.

or some students, summer break is a season of rest, joy, and family vacations. For others, its two long months of instability, loss of structure, and survival mode. When these students return to school, they bring more than backpacks, they carry the emotional weight of what theyve experienced.In this episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith unpacks how the Circle of Couragebelonging, mastery, independence, and generositycan guide teachers and families in creating safe, healing-centered spaces for students returning from uncertain summers.

In this powerful episode of Through the Eyes of Trauma, we dig into a raw and necessary conversation at the intersection of parenting, trauma, and the classroom. As a new school year begins, we explore how children often carry the unspoken stories of their home lives into the classroom, and how their behavior can reflect much more than meets the eye. Join us as we unpack the lessons they bring with them, discuss ways educators can respond with empathy instead of judgment, and share strategies to create a safe, healing-centered learning environment from day one.

In this episode of Through The Eyes of Trauma, Dr. Salena Smith explores how seemingly ordinary events can leave lasting emotional imprints on others. Titled "What Was Just Another Tuesday To You Was Trauma To Me," this candid conversation uncovers the often invisible weight of unacknowledged trauma. Whether it's a comment, a moment, or a decision, what may be a routine day for one person could mark the beginning of emotional turmoil for another. Dr. Smith brings her professional insight and lived experience to help listeners recognize the importance of empathy, validation, and trauma-informed interactions. This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and reframe how we understand the experiences of those around usbecause healing begins with being seen and heard.

In a world filled with breaking news, economic uncertainty, global unrest, and personal pressures, its easy to feel overwhelmed even paralyzed. In this powerful episode, we take an honest look at the rise of panic attacks and anxiety in the midst of chaos. Drawing from personal experience, cultural observations, and spiritual insight, we explore: Why panic attacks are becoming more common How modern chaos impacts your nervous system What the Bible says about peace in the storm Practical tools to manage anxiety without shame Why acknowledging the chaos is the first step to overcoming it If youve ever felt like the weight of the world is crushing your chest or that you're spiraling with no way out, this conversation is for you. Whether you're a believer trying to hold onto faith or someone just looking for peace in the madness, this episode offers clarity, comfort, and a call to deeper trust.

Listen in to this riveting insight on how we get accustomed to the chaos.

Listen in to this riveting episode that taps into the reality of getting older and the challenges that come along with it.

Some of the most toxic families are not overtly violent and abusive. Some of them subtly constrict until it's hard to breathe. Join Dr. Smith as she explores this all to familiar family dynamic.

Do parent's underestimate the impact of their personal issues on their children?

Essential Question:  What is the weight of family secrets?

Essential Question: How can you heal the parenting that you survived to show up as the parent that your child needs?

Essential Question: How can parents become emotionally available and developmentally supportive during summer break while also nurturing their own emotional wellness?

Essential Question: How can parents confront and heal from their own trauma so they don't pass emotional wounds on to their children?

Essential Question: How can we decode challenging behaviors in children and adults to respond with empathy, strategy, and support instead of control?

Essential Question:How can we build emotional agility so that both kids and adults can pause, process, and choose healthier responses instead of acting impulsively?

What happens when a child acts before they think? Before their brain fully understands the ripple effect of that decision?  Join Dr. Smith and her special guest, podcaster and mentor Derrick Smith, as they take a deeper look into the behaviors of children with adverse experiences.

Essential Question: Can we hold space for both accountability and compassion when behavior is rooted in unhealed trauma?

This episode, and conversation with our special guest licensed professional counselor, Amma Pennick, seeks to understand how an uncommon inheritance can affect the lives of generations.Essential question: What happens when you have trauma that is not your own?

Essential Question:"How can we identify and rewrite the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck, so we can step into the life we were meant to live?"

Essential Question: How do our past experiences shape the way we connect, communicate, and handle conflict in relationships?

Essential Question: "How can we unlearn these automatic responses and cultivate self-regulation to navigate life with more ease and confidence?"

Essential Question: How can we identify and manage hidden triggers from unresolved childhood trauma that affect our adult lives, even when we have no conscious memory of the original events?

Essential Question: How does healing our inner child pave the way for genuine emotional maturity and healthier relationships?

 Essential Question Hook:"How do we stop trauma from repeating itself when we dont even recognize it as trauma?"

Today's episode explores how trauma disconnects us from our purpose and how to reclaim it.

Essential Question: How can finding your tribe in the workplace empower educators to thrive, even in the face of secondary trauma.

Join us for part 2 of our informative conversation with Danyelle Bridges, the founder Ingenuity Consultants (The Classroom Connector), as she empowers us with more strategies and insights!

Essential Question: How can setting boundaries enhance teacher wellness and improve classroom effectiveness while maintaining personal and professional balance?

Essential Question: How can you pursue your goals and responsibilities in 2025 while prioritizing healing and well-being?

Essential Question:How can we set realistic, trauma-informed intentions for the new year that prioritize healing and self-compassion?

Essential Question: How can we identify and let go of the people, situations, and habits that disrupt our peace and hinder our growth?

Essential Question: What can we do to prepare for the potential emotional roller coaster of emotions around being with family for the holidays?

Essential Question How can cultivating gratitude improve mental health and transform the way we approach challenges in life?

Essential Question: How can resilience reshape our approach to personal and professional challenges, turning struggles into strengths?

Essential Question: How can we recognize and manage anxiety effectively so it doesnt interfere with our ability to live fulfilling lives?

Essential Question: How can trauma-informed education create safer, more supportive learning environments that promote mental health and well-being for students?

Essential Questionis: How can schools and educators address the stigma of mental illness in students?

Essential Question:How can educators build effective partnerships with parents to support student success and well-being?