A Trauma Survivor Thriver’s Podcast

Conversations with Gen Zers

A Pew Research Study shows Generation Z as the most racially and ethnically diverse generation and are on track to be the most well-educated yet. But world events in their short lifetime have also taken a toll on their mental health. This is the generation shaping the social, political and economic landscape of the country. Join Gen Z'ers Sarah Correa-Dibar and Mike Robb to hear how they are shaping the future.

 

 

 

Where the War Ends

On this Veterans Day, Tom Voss, military veteran, advocate, national liaison for Project Welcome Home Troops and Author of Where War Ends joins Lorilee Binstock for episode 18. After his return home from service, Voss found himself trapped in a world of chaos in his mind.  In a last ditch effort to heal from his PTSD, he embarked on a 2,700 mile journey towards recovery. Find out how he found his reason to live and his purpose to help others. 

A Wild Ride to Healing

Being a mom is hard enough, but being a mom in the military can take its toll especially if both parents are enlisted. Major Annette Whittenberger, military veteran, entrepreneur, author, and host of The Truths We Hide Podcast joins Lorilee Binstock to discuss being a victim of military sexual abuse and being a mom in the military. 

Military Sexual Trauma

In Episode 16, Sgt. Karalyn Martin joins A Trauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast to share her story of unbelievable resilience. Sergeant Martin has endured extreme traumas in her life including multiple sexual abuse by family members. She joined the Marine Corps to escape her past only to find herself in a similar situation. However, she found her passion and life's work at a time she was just about to give up on herself. Learn how this warrior survived and thrived to help others find purpose through adversity.

The Truth Prescription

Dr. Seku Gather's Joins A Trauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast.

Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking may not look like how you imagine and you may not realize how close to home it really is.

In episode 14, Katherine McGibbons, Human Trafficking Survivor and Co-Founder of Twelve11 discusses her personal experience of being trafficked and how she was able to escape. Katherine also gives us the facts about human trafficking and how you can identify it in your community.

Although the words human trafficking may invoke an idea of moving humans around, the truth is it can take place within a single country, or even within a single community or even in a single home. It's the process of trapping people through the use of violence, deception or coercion and exploiting them for financial or personal gain.

 

Informed Consent

In this episode of A Trauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast, learn about what consent really means. Melissa Hoppmeyer,Chief of Special Victims and Family Violence Unit at Prince George County State Attorney's Office explains consent in accordance to the law, domestic violence, how to deal with trauma-focused investigations and more.

Melissa Hoppmeyer, Esq. has assisted in drafting numerous legislative bills and has testified before the Maryland General Assembly on numerous occasions to help implement stronger criminal laws for crimes of violence and to ensure that domestic violence and sexual assault victims are treated fairly throughout the civil and criminal judicial system. She also serves as a technical trainer for law enforcement, fellow prosecutors and the community on issues including consent education, sexual assault laws, child abuse investigations and prosecutions, domestic violence, criminal procedure, and how to properly conduct trauma-focused investigations. Hoppmeyer is also the co-founder of Right Response Consulting, focused on sexual assault/harassment/title IX training and investigations and co-host of No Grey Zone Podcast.

Childhood Trauma

Lorilee Binstock takes an in-depth look at the short and long-term effects of childhood trauma, featuring  Dr. Samantha Sweeney, child psychologist and Elementary Youth Development Senior Manager Melanie Holland Orr of Horton's Kids, a mentor program for children and teens living in at-risk neighborhoods in Washington, DC.

Dr. Sweeney discusses the damaging effects of childhood trauma and the debilitating consequences of not treating mental illness, especially when it stems from trauma. Melanie then joins the podcast to share the amazing work Horton's Kids are doing and why recognizing trauma in at-risk communities will contribute to the success in children in those communities.

Anti-Asian Sentiment During COVID

Since the beginning of the COVID Pandemic, Asian Americans have been forced to endure acts of bigotry and hate from verbal abuse to physical attacks. On September 17, 2020, the House passed a resolution condemning anti-Asian sentiment. But what kind of trauma does this xenophobic rhetoric create in our society while many officials are fanning the flames. Dr. Helen Hsu, Asian American Specialist, Psychologist, Stanford University Lecturer and former consultant for the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, joins me to answer that question. We also discuss the mental health stigma surrounding Asian cultures.

Suicide Survivors

The content of this podcast may contain trigger information. Discretion is advised.

According to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates for adults in the US are on the rise.

Each person who dies by suicide leaves behind an estimated six or more “suicide survivors” — people who’ve lost someone they care about deeply and are left grieving and struggling to understand.

Teresa Amelia, wellness coach and suicide survivor who lost two family members to suicide shares her traumatic experiences after losing two family members to suicide.