Traces of Trauma

Reach us via text message!009. Mourning & Grief w/ Liz AllenBy Brian Arbor | September 3, 2025About Liz Allen:Liz Allen is a 23-year Board Certified Chaplain and Grief Counselor, working in hospitals with individuals and families to support their emotional and spiritual needs. Prior to her current work, she was a registered Occupational Therapist for over 30 years. The scope of her practice included working with pediatrics, rehabilitation, nursing homes, acute medicine, and mental health patients.In addition, Liz has a Master’s Degree in Education and taught at the University of Wisconsin Occupational and Physical Therapy Schools for several years.In this episode: In this episode, Brian speaks with Liz Allen just weeks after the death of her younger sister. Despite nearly three decades of working with loss, Liz finds herself navigating grief she's never experienced before: losing a sibling. She shares what it means to let yourself have grief rather than avoid it, the difference between grief and mourning, and why the parts of people we resisted in life are often what we miss the most.Key Conversations:Survivor’s GuiltGrief vs. Mourning & How to HealThe Lakota Teaching on GriefQuote from Liz Allen on How to Grieve:"You write about it, you talk about it, you art about it, you dream about it, you share about it with someone. Get it out of you. Give it its own life... You need to let it be so it can let you be."How to Connect with Liz:  Please send all connection requests to [email protected], and we will facilitate an introduction.Traces of Trauma Podcast is currently sponsored by the following:Embrace The Darkness: Somatic Breathwork for Grief and Healing  |  embracethedarkness.org Practical Sanctuary: Sensory Interior Design  |  practicalsanctuary.comConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!By Brian Arbor | November 27, 2025About Our GuestDr. Larry Brant is a U.S. Navy chaplain of 16 years with 25 years of previous experience as a local minister and has a proven track record dealing with PTSD and moral injury. He is also the author of Restoring the Broken: A Ministry Leader’s Guide to Understanding and Healing Moral Injury. While written for ministry leaders, the book is intended for anyone seeking to understand moral injury and how to support those affected by it.Episode SummaryTogether we navigate an in-depth conversation on moral injury, how it is distinct from PTSD, and its impact on identity, values, worldview, and personal faith. We explore how moral injury shows up across military service, faith communities, sexual abuse, and more, and why traditional trauma frameworks often fail to provide remedy.Core TopicsWhat is Moral Injury - and How Does It Differ from PTSD?The Impact On Faith and Challenges of Returning to Spiritual PracticeRestoring Connection, Finding Safe Companionship, and the Path Toward RestorationKey TakeawaysMoral injury is not a lack of belief, but a loss of connection.This can result in withdrawal, self-punishment, and a belief in one’s own unforgivability rather than fear or hypervigilance.Moral injury doesn’t need answers - it needs companionship.Healing these wounds is best supported by sitting compassionately with someone’s pain and listening without judgment, and resisting the urge to offer solutions or changes in perspective.Safe spaces enable healing across disciplines.Whether in therapy, faith communities, families, or peer groups, restoration begins when individuals are met with steadfast companionship in their darkest inner landscapes, are allowed to be fully seen, and are received with quiet love and grace.Memorable Quote“People don’t need quick fixes. They need someone to sit with them in the ashes long enough to believe that beauty can rise from it.” Connect w/ Our Guest:Website: https://restoring-the-broken.com/99¢ BOOK DOWNLOAD: Get it on Amazon on release day, February 3rd, 2026!Or visit his website to get on the waitlistWith Gratitude for Our Sponsors:Embrace The Darkness: Somatic Breathwork for Grief and Healing  |  embracethedarkness.org Practical Sanctuary: Sensory Interior Design  |  practicalsanctuary.comConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!About Dr. Fred Moss:Dr. Fred Moss has served in the mental health industry for almost four decades, consulting with patients, practitioners, medical facilities, non-profit organizations, and community groups. He is committed to shifting the conversation of mental illness on a global scale. His services include mental health coaching, speaking/consulting, telepsychiatry training, and expert witness testimony. He is also a life optimization coach, author, and a podcaster.Dedicating his efforts to his Welcome To Humanity brand, Dr. Fred serves as a beacon of hope as a "non-diagnosing psychiatrist". He believes that communication, connection, creativity, and self-expression are core to all healing, including in our mental health. His unwavering commitment to these principles shapes a legacy that continues to impact and transform lives, echoing the essence that, just as we are, we are whole and perfect. In this episode: Brian Arbor and Dr. Fred Moss discuss the nature of healing and challenge some of the widely accepted standards for identifying trustworthy and effective support. We also explore the possibility that trauma may simply be a result of something that happened to us that exceeded our capacity to absorb and effectively process what occurred - and what influence we may be able to exercise in the recurring reappearance of our traumas and emotional surges. Throughout this conversation is a recurring theme that community and compassionate integration of these experiences are both critical to long-term healing.Key Conversations:  - The power of resonant conversation and community  - Recognizing not all doctors are healers  - The Pros & Cons of medication for mental healthQuote from Dr. Fred:“The possibility that there’s nothing wrong with you is a good place to start.”Connect with Dr. Fred:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drfredmossmdLinkedIn URL: http://linkedin.com/in/drfredmossInstagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/drfredmoss/A Gift for Our Listeners from Dr. Fred:Schedule a 1:1 call with Dr. Fred to discuss how you can become a true healer without needing a licensehttps://drfred.as.me/schedule/47be68f5Connect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!Collective Trauma & Systemic Healing w/ Dr. Sailesh RaoBy Brian Arbor | October 29, 2025In this episode of Traces of Trauma, we meet with Dr. Sailesh Rao, Executive Director of Climate Healers and author of "There Is a Planet B." Dr. Rao brings a systems engineer’s perspective to the urgent issues of collective trauma and eco-anxiety, challenging the narrative that humanity is a mistake and instead offering a vision of hope: that we are evolving into the planet’s (and out own) caretakers.Our conversation explores the connection between personal healing and global responsibility. Dr. Rao shares his personal journey from engineering to environmental activism and reveals how individual choices—like adopting healthy habits and reconnecting with nature—can spark collective change. He explores the parallels between generational trauma in families and the trauma experienced by our planet, and offers practical wisdom for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world.Join us for a conversation that might just change the way you see yourself—and the world.About Dr. Sailesh Rao:Dr. Sailesh Rao is the Executive Director of Climate Healers, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing collective trauma and eco-anxiety by fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility toward the planet. Originally a systems engineer, Dr. Rao shifted his focus from electrical engineering to environmental systems, advocating for humanity’s role as a “caretaker species” of Earth. He is the author of "There Is a Planet B" and is recognized for his work in promoting holistic healing—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—at both individual and collective levels.Most Memorable Moment:“We have been gathering strength so that we can become the caretaker species of the planet. And now that we have understood our strength, now we can say, ‘Okay, we belong. We belong as the caretaker species of the planet.’ And so we have never been separated from nature because separation is a delusion.”~Dr. Sailesh RaoKey Takeaways:Recognizing Collective Trauma and Eco-Anxiety: Dr. Rao discusses how humanity’s separation from nature has led to a collective trauma, manifesting as eco-anxiety. He reframes this narrative, suggesting that humans are not a mistake but are evolving into the planet’s caretakers.The Power and Responsibility of Humanity: Rao emphasizes that with the collective power humanity wields comes the responsibility to heal ourselves and the planet. He draws parallels between generational trauma in families and the trauma experienced by the planet, advocating for healing at both levels.8 Risky Behaviors & Personal Healing: Dr. Rao shares his personal journey of adopting healthy habits - tied to the 8 Risky Behaviors (that contribute to 15 different chronic conditions): Poor Diet, Lack of Exercise, Smoking, Lack of Health Screening, Poor Stress Management, Lack of Sleep, Poor Standard of Care, & Excessive Alcohol or Drug Consumption. He encourages others to find their own tailored approaches, highlighting that individual healing contributes to collective transformation.Connect with Dr. Sailesh Rao:  Website: www.rejoicingwithoils.comYouTube: Connect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!Military Sexual Trauma & Rejoicing With Oils w/ Christina GrayBy Brian Arbor | September 21, 2025In this episode of Traces of Trauma, host Brian Arbor welcomes Christina Gray, an Army veteran and essential oil practitioner. They discuss Christina's challenging experiences as a military spouse and how her journey led her to discover the healing power of essential oils. Christina introduces her unique three Rs method—revelation, restoration, and rejoicing—and shares the impact of essential oils on managing trauma, particularly in veterans. The conversation delves into the complexities of military trauma and the importance of finding compassionate avenues for healing.About Christina Gray:Christina Gray is an essential oil practitioner and founder of Rejoicing With Oils. Her passion for natural healing stems from a deeply personal place. As a military veteran and spouse living in South Korea, she faced the heartbreaking challenges of my daughter's ADHD and Tourette Syndrome diagnoses as well as the aftermath of her own military sexual trauma. Having experienced and witnessed the side effects of traditional treatment and medication provided by the military, she knew there had to be another way and her quest for answers led me to the transformative power of essential oils. Key Takeaway:The Rejoicing With Oils “3R’s method”:Revelation:     Using advanced scans to uncover hidden imbalances within the body, especially on an emotional levelRestoration:     Creating personalized protocols with essential oils to restore balance and promote restorationRejoicing:     Celebrating the rediscovery of wholeness and vibrant health, and all the steps along the wayConnect with Christina Gray:  Website: www.rejoicingwithoils.comFacebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/RwOrejoicingInstagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/queengray2003/A Gift from Christina Gray:15- minute free consult   https://www.rejoicingwithoils.com/contact-usConnect with Brian:Website: tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arbor/Facebook podcast page: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Traces of Trauma Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarborTraces of Trauma Podcast is sponsored by the following:Embrace The Darkness: Somatic Breathwork for Grief and Healing  |  embracethedarkness.orgConnect with Host, Brian Arbor:  Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arborFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/tracesoftraumaConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!Lucid Flow & A Safe WorldBy Brian Arbor | September 2, 2025 About Morgan Jay Cummings:Morgan Jay Cummings is a Connecticut-based private practice Integrative psychotherapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, creativity, spirituality, and LGBTQIA and men's issues, as a practicing clinician since 1999. After obtaining his MSW from the University of Connecticut, he earned his Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Clinical Social Work licenses, certification in Clinical Supervision, and training in EMDR and Internal Family Systems psychotherapy. He served many years on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Certification Board, with 2 years as Vice President of the Executive Board, as faculty at Easton Mountain retreat center (Bear Your Soul), as adjunct professor at Manchester Community College, and as Enrollment Coordinator for the New England Area Council of the ManKind Project. He is currently studying for teaching certification in Kundalini Yoga (expected graduation in 2024) and is also collaborating in developing evidence-based Recovery mind/body/spirit treatments and support for GBTQ men healing from chemsex addictions.Connect with Morgan Jay Cummings::  Website Link: lucidflowtherapy.comFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mjaycummingsLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-jay-cummings-68255719/Other: https://www.shalommountain.com/jay-cummingsLink to Gift:Free consultation for trauma therapy, brain training and entrainment.https://lucidflowtherapy.com/Connect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arbor/Facebook podcast page: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Traces of Trauma Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/BadassDirectSalesMasteryTraces of Trauma Podcast is currently sponsored by the following:Embrace The Darkeness - Somatic Breathwork for Grief and Healing: embracethedarkness.orgConnect with Host, Brian Arbor:  Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arborFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/tracesoftraumaConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!Jenny Cayo Ferguson: Guts and GlimmersBy Brian Arbor| August 18, 2025 About Jenny Cayo Ferguson:Jenny Cayo Ferguson is a creative brand strategist and designer who runs Specs Creative Agency. She calls herself a “creative brand therapist,” and it fits—her work is all about helping people make sense of who they are and how they show up, especially after life knocks them sideways. Jenny brings a grounded, collaborative approach to design and identity, shaped by her own experiences navigating chronic illness, burnout, and rebuilding from the inside out. She’s here to talk about how lived experience shapes identity—and how we can take all of that, the messy and the real, and turn it into a powerful brand without having to pretend to be someone you’re not.Connect with Jenny Cayo Ferguson:  Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/specscreativeagencyLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-cayo-ferguson-52a6a560/A Gift from Jenny Cayo Ferguson: Free 30-minute conversation over coffee and zoom to identify what's working in your brand and what opportunities you can take immediate advantage ofhttps://clientportal.specscreativeagency.com/schedule/63f9028f357440099c1cfc45Connect with Host, Brian Arbor:  Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arborFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/tracesoftraumaConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!Breathwork & Shadow with Stephen StottBy Brian Arbor | August 3, 2025 About Stephen Stott:Stephen has over two decades of experience guiding people in remembering who they are beneath their grief. He is a Columbia University School of Social Work alum who spent the last decade working with people through grief and trauma through psychotherapy. All of that changed when he became certified in somatic breathwork, started Embrace The Darkness LLC, and noticed that breathwork can allow people to be with their grief without reliving thier pain. Stephen believes that grief is not an illness that needs a cure - it’s a reminder of the special connection that we have with others--and even with ourselves.Recommended Reading:The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.Breath, by James NestorConnect with Stephen Stott:  Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/EmbracingGriefLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-j-stott-/Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/embracinggrief_/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmbraceTheDarknessLLCA Gift from Stephen Stott: Free 5-minute breathwork practice - audio downloadhttps://embracethedarkness.org/traces-of-traumaConnect with Host, Brian Arbor:  Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arborFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/tracesoftraumaConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor

Reach us via text message!Traces of Trauma is a gentle space for exploring the lingering impact of trauma and the quiet, courageous work of healing. This podcast is for the community of people impacted by trauma. Together we will explore resources as well as sharing and honoring the stories we carry and the strength it takes to move forward—with grace, truth, and connection.About Jennie Bellinger:Jennie Bellinger is a talented, entertaining and dynamic coach and public speaker and podcaster of over 10 years, helping her clients in direct sales to create businesses that exceed their financial goals and allow them to dream bigger dreams.Jennie started her adult life as a middle school science teacher, became a St. Louis stay at home mom of two girls, started a direct sales business and became internationally recognized at her company within two years. She realized that she absolutely loved helping people promote to reach their goals, whether they were on her team or not.As a Certified Professional Coach, Jennie is now working with mid-level leaders in direct sales, multi-level marketing and network marketing companies as well as solo entrepreneurs in need of focus, motivation, accountability and resources (and more resources... and more resources... and MORE resources!).Trained in Neurolinguistic Programming, Jennie partners with clients to adjust their thought process and language into positive, forward moving thoughts beliefs and verbiage aimed at advancing goals.In this episode, Brian Arbor and Jennie Bellinger discuss:Why this podcast? And why now?What kinds of content will we include as we grow?Who is this podcast for?What guests and resources can the audience expect?Where can you connect with us?Key Takeaways:Brian’s exposure to trauma as an Army combat Veteran, and his entrance into trauma and professional recovery practices after exhausting personal development and transformational recovery models.The inspiration behind creating this podcast and the need for both a safe space and a community for the expression and understanding of trauma recovery work.The ways trauma keeps sneaking in, even years later, and the challenge of being compassionate with ourselves and with others who are still impacted and healing.This is only the beginning of a long journey of recovery and insight. Stay tuned.Connect with our guest, Jennie Bellinger:  Website: https://badassdirectsalesmastery.com/Podcast: https://badassdirectsalesmastery.com/bdsm-podcast/Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/jbellingerPLFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/BadassDirectSalesMasteryInstagram: https://instagram.com/BadassDirectSalesMasteryPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedirectsalesdomme/Connect with Host, Brian Arbor:  Email:  [email protected] personal page: https://facebook.com/brian.arborFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/tracesoftraumaConnect with Brian:Website: https://tracesoftrauma.com/Email:  [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/tracesoftraumaFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracesoftraumaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracesoftrauma/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/brianarbor