Rewired -Triumph Over Trauma: Recent Episodes
Paula D Walters
This is a show about a lifelong journey to triumph over trauma. I am a survivor of child abuse, rape, domestic violence, and a traumatic brain injury caused by abuse. In 2006, I was a victim of a domestic violence incident that involved near-fatal strangulation. That 2006 event led her to an excruciating 13-year medical nightmare. My frustrating journey has resulted in an inspirational story of recovery, healing, and triumph. I am committed to raising awareness and providing education on breaking the cycles of abuse, recognizing unhealthy environments, and rewiring the brain so people can live healthy, happy, and productive lives.
Paula Walters and Kerri Walker wanted to introduce themselves to their new audience. This is Kerri Walker talking about herself, her history, and her excitement in taking this new journey with Paula!
Paula and Kerri discuss the biology of trauma, chemicals and hormones affected and how it can make us feel, think, react, and behave!
In this episode, I introduce my friend and colleague Kerri Walker. We have a conversation about how childhood trauma can change the way your brain wires itself. We talk about how children raised in homes with abuse, trauma, and neglect often get wired for protection and the long-term impacts of that into adulthood. There are differences in children who are raised in loving homes versus those who are raised in homes with trauma, neglect, and abuse. Below you can see Kerri Walkers' Bio and her contact links.
My name is Kerri and I'm a Certified Trauma and Resiliency Life Coach, a Certified Trauma Support Specialist, and Advocate. I am also the Owner/CEO of Invisible Wounds: Healing from Trauma, which includes a weekly podcast, website, YouTube channel, and social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I am a writer, speaker and content creator and am passionate about helping others overcome the impacts of trauma.
I've worked with survivors of Intimate Partner Violence for over 12 years and with those who have Traumatic Brain Injury for 8 years. I work collaboratively with brilliant and wonderful professionals and groups around the world in this field! We work to promote research, provide education, training, and develop programs, tools and protocols for any organization, system, or group and to help those who've experienced Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury personally. I am a survivor of both, and I have lots of lived experience with trauma, beginning from my earliest childhood memories onward.
I started my podcast, websites, and YouTube channel as a way of connecting different shared experiences we may have with trauma, and steps we can take in order to heal, build resiliency, and grow! I can relate my story to others and talk to them about what has worked for me in recovering from a lifetime of trauma, brain injury, and adversity. Using a Trauma-Informed Care approach, I provide real world, relatable, and easy to use exercises in each podcast episode. Listeners can have tools to use to help them become more grounded, relaxed, and gain understanding around how trauma has impacted them and how they can heal one step at a time.
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5saWJzeW4uY29tLzQ1NzgxNS8?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEirKggrT-AhVyh-4BHWVuDHYQ9sEGegQIARAC
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMzV7oNVzLJpxFKjfvcaFDA
https://invisiblewoundshealingfromtrauma.com/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-violence-tbi_n_7488168
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-wounds-healing-from-trauma/id1669069096
It takes a long time to find who you are when you are raised living in fear and just trying to survive. I have started and stopped podcasting several times over the last two years. 2023 was a huge year for me. I had a year of reflection and rest. I have traveled all over the Country speaking and training which has opened my eyes so much to what my purpose is. I have spoken to advocates, judges, law enforcement, nurses, child welfare workers, church groups, politicians, prosecutors, first responders, and the list goes on. My journey has been relevant in all groups that I have spoken to. I have learned that the gaps in the medical and legal system's understanding of the invisible injuries of trauma are systemic and they need to be addressed. I have become passionate about changing the conversations from what is wrong with them to what has happened to them. It is in understanding trauma that we can each come along with survivors to better help them heal and live lives where they break cycles of violence. This is my relaunch episode sharing a little bit about what to expect in this podcast.
As a survivor of abuse and trauma, I have learned that survivors are not set up for success. I have often felt like you can't win as a survivor. I've rarely felt like there were safe places to talk about what happened to me. I was often met with shame and blame. I didn't know how messed up my childhood was till I realized how messed up my childhood really was if that makes any sense.
As I started to realize there were a lot of things about me that needed to be changed, I started having a lot of complex medical problems. It was through that medical mayhem that I realized how broken the system was and how judgemental a large number of people were against domestic violence survivors. I went to doctor after doctor trying to figure out what was wrong with me. With each doctor I went to, I was given more and more medical diagnoses and medicines. The more doctors I went to, it seems the less serious doctors took me.
It was when I was at rock bottom and contemplating suicide that I found hope. I grasped at a final straw and went to Minnesota to see a functional neurologist. I came back from a week-long intensive a completely different person and full of hope. I learned that all of those medical providers were part of the reason I was so sick. I learned so much out there about reaching wellness. It was then that I became hungry to learn more and to continue this amazing new healing I had found.
I have spent the last 4 years researching and researching to find one place that helps survivors like me to understand how trauma impacted them and to help them reset themselves so they can move on past the trauma. Guess what, there isn't a place. I wanted to use this podcast as a way to share my experiences as a trauma survivor. I believe this is my calling from God and my way to help others know that there is hope.
As a survivor of multiple forms of abuse starting at the earliest memories of my life, I have dealt with the impacts of trauma on my physical and mental health. I have gone to dozens of doctors across multiple states and until 2021, no one really put it all together. As I have tried to work on recovery, I have realized that the system is not set up for the benefit of the survivors. Each part of the recovery has its own path and that very much made me feel like I was told different things by different providers. I found healing when I found a doctor who dealt with and educated me about what was going on inside of me. It was through addressing the root and addressing everything at one time collectively that I was able to really get a hold of recovery. I am now living a journey to healing, love, peace, and joy. This is just the pilot episode touching on all the things to come in this weekly podcast of a lifelong journey to triumphing over trauma and living the best life possible.
In this episode, I talk with one of my functional neurologists as I head to Minnesota for treatment the week of November 14th, 2022. Dr. Erik Reis DC, DACNB, CBIS, and Dr. Michael Hennes help me navigate brain injury recovery after being misdiagnosed for over 13 years. After working with Dr. Reis over the last year and a half, I have learned there is so much more to wellness than I thought. We talk about my symptoms and why Dr. Ries focused on the areas of recovery he did for me. We talk about nutrition, vision, and the "3 friends". If you would like to get in contact with Dr. Reis you can reach him by email at drreis@theneuralconnection.com or Dr. Hennes at drhennes@theneuralconnection.com. You can learn more about The Neural Connection at https://theneuralconnection.com/
After launching Rewired a year and a half ago, I had a lot of life get in the way. Sometimes God puts you in a place of waiting because He needs to work on you a little bit more before He lets you move forward. I have found a new purpose and passion with my story. It felt like I was trying to weave in and out of lanes between domestic violence, child abuse, near-fatal strangulation, and sexual assault. When I went to visit Dr. Erik Reis at The Neural Connection, the trajectory of my life changed. After a week of intensive with Erik, I felt like a completely different person and all of my symptoms were virtually gone. As much as I appreciated the treatment I received, I absolutely loved the education and awareness I received from my doctor. I now have this different outlook on my recovery and my focus is now driven toward total body wellness. Take a listen to the relaunch and what is coming in the months ahead.
Paula and Karen took a much-needed break. Life happens to us all and at times life slides out of control. The girls have had some huge changes including Paula having to restart a lot of her therapies. Karen had some huge life changes as well including some that her husband will be joining her in. In recovery and rewiring, plans and routines are often wanted but rarely received. The girls are trying to adapt to life and its' always-changing ways.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula and Karen talk about how childhood trauma wired them both for messiness as an adult. This is part two of a three-part series. Childhood trauma can lead to adults wired for fear, anger, addictions, abuse, and mental health problems. Paula talks about one of her favorite books regarding childhood trauma. The girls discuss some articles regarding how childhood trauma leads to fear and anger.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
The girls talk about their weeks and Paula goes on a rant from her soapbox. The girls talk about dating and how one person commented to Paula that talking about child abuse is something that some men don't want to date.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula and Karen talk about how childhood trauma wired them both for messiness as an adult. This is part one of a three-part series. Childhood trauma can lead to adults wired for fear, anger, addictions, abuse, and mental health problems. The girls discuss their journies into adulthood.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula and Karen discuss their week. Karen had an important doctor's appointment and Paula releases her new podcast. The girls talk about Taylor Swift's new song All Too Well. Paula and Karen talk about medical journeys and how survivors are often left at the mercy of meeting insurance companies' demands instead of getting what their doctors actually want for them.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Karen and Paula talk about how trauma impacts a child as early as conception. The girls talk about the "wiring" of a victim. Season two digs deep into generational abuse, the wiring of a victim, and will answer that age-old question of "why don't he/she leave. The girls talk about how children are impacted by trauma in the womb. When a child is exposed to trauma in utero, they are exposed to the fight or flight of the mother. The long-term impact of that is children that are wired for fear and anxiety.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula and Karen discuss their week. Paula and Karen talk about how being survivors of childhood messiness can leave you with secrets that come at you at different times in your life with no warning. Paula talks about how she almost broke herself down to bite-size bits for people because they keep telling her she is too this and too that. Karen had an eventful, emotional, and enlightening week but she will keep us in suspense till she wraps her head around the details. Karen and Paula took a break last week from posting a podcast, they explain why.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula and Karen discuss their week. Paula and Karen talk about what is coming in season 2. Paula is still dealing with the impacts of her concussion. Karen talks about her week and dealing with her medical stuff.
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Karen and Paula talk about what is to come in season two. The girls talk about the "wiring" of a victim. Season two digs deep into generational abuse, the wiring of a victim, and will answer that age-old question of "why don't he/she leave. Season 2 will touch on being wired for chaos (abuse, addictions, mental health struggles, and medical issues to name a few).
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula and Karen discuss their week. Normally they discuss their weeks beforehand, however they just hit the record button and started talking, this is raw conversations (unedited). Paula was feeling the effects of the accident she was in the previous week, and the struggles of working so much to maintain her health. Karen's week was busy with doctors appointments for her mother and running one of her dogs to the emergency vet's (thought they were going to put her dog down).
Discussions that season one is ending and the plans for season 2 on being wired for chaos (abuse, addictions, mental health struggles, and medical issues to name a few).
***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This is an episode where Paula and Karen, mostly Paula, talk about a mixture of stuff including what is coming next week when they start season 2. The girls will be starting the education part next week and looking more in-depth at the wiring of abuse. The girls give us a sneak peek as to what is coming ahead. This episode touches on a touchy subject of what is going on in the world too. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This week Karen talks about how the key to having healthy relationships is having one with yourself first. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Welcome to week six of a Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This week both girls have had challenges. Paula had an accident with a deer Karen had some therapy. Paula is fighting to establish boundaries. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Welcome to week five of a Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This week both girls have had several challenges. Paula is dealing with many various triggering events. Karen had a major trigger of her own. The girls actually needed a second episode to talk about all that was going on for them both. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This is where Paula starts talking about the first two steps in the recovery process. You need to have certain things in place before you start working on being rewired. Paula wishes she would have had these steps at the beginning instead of being well into her recovery. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Welcome to week five of a Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This week both girls have had several challenges. Paula is dealing with many various triggering events. Karen had a major trigger of her own. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This week the girls focus on what is abuse and the blurred lines that go with it. Person to person the definitions of abuse change. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This week Karen talks about domestic violence month and how it came about. She touches on what abuse is and how you can help someone you know who may be in this sort of relationship. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Welcome to week two of a Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This week Paula talks about her extremely busy week as evidenced by her saying week 3 instead of week 4 in the into. She also discussesthe difficulty of navigating friendships and dating. Paula had to make a decision to walk away from someone in her life who wouldn't respect boundaries and desire to put self care first. Karen talks about her moms fall this week. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This week the girls focus on what is abuse and the blurred lines that go with it. Person to person the definitions of abuse changes. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Welcome to week two of a Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This week we talk about the Gabby case making headlines and a few odds and ends. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This week the two survivors talk about their experiences with triggers and establishing boundaries. This is part one of a two-part series. As survivors of abuse learn in their road to recovery, triggers come in all forms and in all different directions. What methods can survivors use to learn what their triggers are and how to address them when they figure them out? These questions are discussed in this two-part series.
In this episode, Karen introduces her Tuesday solo podcast where she focuses on how to have healthy relationships after abuse. When you are a survivor, boundaries and expectations in relationships get blurred. How do we have healthy relationships with family members? What do friendships look like? How do you move into dating so that you do not allow yourself to end up picking the same type of person? These are all things to come in Karens' Tuesday solo discussions.
Welcome to week two of a Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This week we talk about the Gabby case making headlines and Karen had a HOT week in Florida. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
This week the two survivors talk about their experiences with triggers and establishing boundaries. This is part one of a two-part series. As survivors of abuse learn in their road to recovery, triggers come in all forms and in all different directions. What methods can survivors use to learn what their triggers are and how to address them when they figure them out? These questions are discussed in this two-part series.
In a new weekly recording, Paula and Karen will be doing separate recordings on each of their own strengths. This week, Paula gives her opening look at what it looks likes to approach trauma recovery from a total body healing perspective. Paula is at the peak of her health and looking to only grow healthier from here. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
With a change in plans, here is a new Sunday series where Karen and Paula talk about their weekly highs and lows of living transparent as they navigate through the Rewired journey. This first episode is a whopper full of difficult conversations. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
Paula's new co-host Karen Rossbach joins and tells a little bit about her journey and why she decided to come on this podcast. Like Paula, Karen is a survivor of multiple forms of abuse. ***“Trigger Warning: This podcast will discuss people's personal experiences with abuse. This may be triggering to listeners with similar experiences.”
After a long period away, I am back with some much-needed changes. There is no planning when it comes to brain injury, trauma healing, and God's timing. After taking some time to clear up some medical issues and find the focus, I am back with some reinforcements.
Becoming rewired wasn't just an option for me, it was a must. Two years ago today, I journaled a plan to take my life if I didn't get answers in Minnesota at the doctors I was going to. It has been a long journey these last two years that have resulted in a new me. I have realized that I had a life, but I was not living. Now, I work on becoming rewired and live each day with intention.
There are so many people who do not realize how much they are impacted by events of their past. Hurt people, hurt people. When you have childhood trauma, it often impacts you whether you are conscious of it or not.
Welcome to the Rewired-Triumph Over Trauma pilot episode. I give a look forward to what is going to be in the coming episodes. I also give a look back to let you know where I have been and why I am doing this podcast.