You Are Not The Problem

Is violence ever justified? Instead of giving a simple answer, we slow things down and look at what is really happening underneath these moments. We talk about how stories in the media and culture often leave out important context, especially when it comes to abuse, survival, and who gets believed.We also explore how abuse is often only recognized when it becomes physical, even though harm can show up in many other ways that are harder to see or talk about.This conversation is about learning to sit with complexity, especially in situations where the truth is not clear-cut.Primary Topics:Reactive Abuse: What reactive responses can look like in situations of harmWhat is DARVO: How stories get flipped in the media and who is seen as the “victim” or “abuser”Understanding Domestic Violence: Why emotional and psychological harm is often overlookedThe Risks of Being a Whistleblower: What it can cost people to speak out or tell the truthSystems of Power: How systems and social narratives shape who is protected and who is notInequity in Justice: Why justice does not always look or feel equal for everyonePractical Healing Tools:Learning how to hold self-responsibility without harsh self-blameUnderstanding your emotional and body responses to stress or dangerGetting more clarity on unhealthy or confusing dynamicsBuilding support outside of relationships that feel unsafe or isolatingNoticing how shame can cloud your ability to see clearlyRemembering that doing everything “right” does not always guarantee safetyComing back to what feels grounded and true for youOur goal is not to give you simple answers, but to help you slow down and think more clearly about situations that are often rushed or oversimplified.There is a lot of pressure in the world to immediately decide who is right and who is wrong. But real life is often more complicated than that, especially when harm, power, and survival are involved.So take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and move gently with yourself as you reflect on this episode.So, join us each month for a new theme in our unhinged exploration of trauma, power, and what it really means to heal.And remember, you are not the problem…unless you are.Ways to Connect & Support:If you love the show, the best way to support it for free is by listening daily, leaving a review, and subscribing or following in your favorite podcast appSign up for Doris’ upcoming workshops:Get Beyond Burnout: Not Your Usual Wellness Workshop on April 18th, 2026 at 9a and May 13th, 2026 at 7p REGISTER: https://www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com/eventsDownload Some Freebies!Read the Get Better Sleep E-book from Doris: https://www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com/full-shop/p/thewinddown Check Out Camille’s Self-Love Tarot Spread: https://camille-a-saunders.kit.com/selflovespreadRelax & Listen to Isabella’s Self-Protection & Emotional Boundaries Meditation: https://heal.risebeyondtrauma.org/ Email us your thoughts, questions, feedback, and more at: [email protected]  Learn More About Your Podcast Hosts:Camille A. Saunders: https://www.camilleasaunders.com/Doris Taylor: https://www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com/Isabella Koepf: https://risebeyondtrauma.org/

Love is often portrayed as something that should sweep us off our feet. It is the fairy tale of intensity, devotion, and grand gestures, all embedded in the belief that love conquers everything.But what happens when those same dynamics become harmful?In this episode, we explore what it looks like when love turns toxic. We unpack narcissism, gaslighting, emotional abuse, and the ways our culture sometimes glorifies traits and behaviors that are deeply harmful in relationships.From the classic rom-com trope to society’s obsession with notorious criminals, we examine the cultural narratives that blur the line between passion and manipulation. We also explore why so many people believe they can change someone through love and why leaving harmful relationships is far more complex than people often assume.This conversation goes beyond simply identifying red flags. We also explore practical tools for recognizing unhealthy dynamics, building self-awareness, and reconnecting with your inner clarity and strength.Episode Primary Topics:What narcissism looks like in relationshipsHow gaslighting and emotional abuse distort realitySociety’s fascination with narcissistic personalities and infamous criminalsThe myth that love can heal or change someone who does not want to changeCultural narratives around romance, Valentine’s Day, and “cuffing season”The pressure to be in a relationship and the stigma around being singleLove bombing and the normalization of extreme romantic gesturesMedia portrayals of stalking and obsession as romanceUnderstanding love addiction and sex addictionEpisode Practical Healing Tools:Taking off the “rose colored glasses” and seeing relationships clearlyPracticing equanimity and learning to see reality as it isBuilding self-accountability without falling into self-blameRecognizing emotional abuse and expanding the definition of domestic violenceThe role of isolation in keeping people stuckThe importance of a supportive, non-judgmental communityHealing abandonment and attachment woundsBuilding self-confidence and nervous system capacityUnderstanding toxic dynamics is not about blaming survivors; it is about helping people see reality clearly and reclaim their power.So, join us each month for a new theme in our unhinged exploration of trauma, power, and what it really means to heal.And remember, you are not the problem…unless you are.Ways to Connect & Support:If you love the show, the best way to support it for free is by listening daily, leaving a review, and subscribing or following in your favorite podcast appSign up for Doris’ upcoming workshopsTwice a month Healing Huddle March 12th and 26thGet Beyond Burnout Workshop March 18thJoin Camille and Isabella at our Spring Equinox Online Mini-RetreatMarch 21st 12-3pm PSTEmail us your thoughts, questions, feedback, and more at: [email protected]  Learn More About Your Podcast Hosts:Camille A. Saunders: https://www.camilleasaunders.com/Doris Taylor: https://www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com/Isabella Koepf: https://risebeyondtrauma.org/

In our very first episode, we unpack the meaning behind the creation of this podcast, the title “You Are Not the Problem”, and why this idea sits at the heart of everything we do.People are often harmed by others or by the systems they live and work in, yet walk away believing the harm is their fault. This episode is about naming that pattern, understanding how it happens, and beginning to loosen the grip of shame and self-blame.We also share our personal stories and professional experiences that brought us here, from decades in healthcare and mental health, to domestic violence work, burnout, and moments that made it impossible to keep pretending the system was working.This podcast touches on the realization that naming that you are not the problem is not about bypassing responsibility. It is about compassionate accountability, reclaiming inner authority, and remembering that your core self is not broken.Episode Primary Topics:Why we chose the name You Are Not the ProblemWhat our combined 30+ years in healthcare taught us about burnout, disillusionment, gaslighting, and these broken systemsDoris’s story of what inspired her to create this podcast and her experiences as a nurse with burnout due to the demands of the healthcare industryIsabella’s experiences in domestic violence work and how these systems retraumatize survivors through shame and self-blameCamille’s internship story and how mental health workers themselves are often unsupported, leading to a broken systemHow our identity can become entangled with our careers, which keeps people trapped in cycles of burnoutWhat brought the three of us together, and why these conversations are so essential Episode Practical Healing Tools:How to work with shame and self-blame through psychoeducation and self-compassionUsing inner child work and reconnecting with the part of you that was never broken to facilitate internal healingHow to advocate for yourself within systems while staying connected to your own wisdomThe grounding power of tangible practices like gardening, mindfulness, community support, and finding validating spacesHarnessing self-trust and remembering that you know yourself best, and honoring that truthAt the core, this episode sets the foundation for our ongoing podcast series. We are not just naming the problem; we are beginning the work of reclaiming healing and placing it back into the hands of individuals and communities.So, join us each month for a new theme in our unhinged exploration of trauma, power, and what it really means to heal.And remember, you are not the problem…unless you are.Ways to Connect & Support:If you love the show, the best way to support it for free is by listening daily, leaving a review, and subscribing or following in your favorite podcast appSign up for Doris’ upcoming workshops:Getting Beyond Burnout Workshop January 24th at 0900 PSTBetter Sleep Webinar February 7th at 0900 PSTJoin Camille and Isabella at our Spring Equinox Online Mini-Retreat! March 21st 12-3pm PSTEmail us your thoughts, questions, feedback, and more at: [email protected]  Learn More About Your Podcast Hosts:Camille A. Saunders: https://www.camilleasaunders.com/Doris Taylor: https://www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com/Isabella Koepf: https://risebeyondtrauma.org/ 

You Are Not the Problem: A Podcast on Trauma, Power, and PossibilityYou are not broken. You are not crazy. You are responding exactly as your body was designed to, in a world that profits from your disconnection.This podcast dismantles the myths of the healing industrial complex and dives into the collective unconscious that keeps us stuck in cycles of shame, burnout, and self-blame.We explore how trauma lives in systems, and how rediscovering your intuition, body, and community can become a radical act of resistance. Because maybe it’s not you that needs fixing – maybe it’s the world. Our wholeness was never lost, only forgotten.Join us for a new theme each month in our unhinged exploration of trauma, power, and what it really means to heal.Check out the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nottheproblempod/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nottheproblempod Learn more about your Podcast Hosts:Camille A. Saunders: https://www.camilleasaunders.com/Doris Taylor: https://www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com/Isabella Koepf: https://risebeyondtrauma.org/