The Science of Trauma & Joy with Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald - Trauma Researcher, Speaker and Author

🧠 Episode Overview:

In this compelling episode, we’re joined by Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, a trauma researcher affectionately called the “Brené Brown of trauma.” Dr. McDonald brings a deeply compassionate, science-backed perspective on trauma and healing—reframing the trauma response not as a weakness, but as a strength-based adaptation.

We explore why joy can actually feel threatening to people with a history of trauma, and how we can begin to retrain the nervous system to trust, feel safe, and reconnect with joy, peace, and hope.

🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:

✨ Why joy can feel scary
For trauma survivors or those in chronic stress, joy often feels unsafe. Dr. McDonald explains why our nervous system may reject joy as a protective defense—and how to gently change that.

✨Hope isn’t Fluffy, it’s Neuroscience

How joy and hope rewire the brain for resilience.

⚠️ The 6 barriers to joy
Learn the six common blocks that keep us from experiencing joy and hope:

1. Hypervigilance
   
   
2. Emotional numbing
   
   
3. Fear of loss
   
   
4. Conditioning
   
   
5. Guilt
   
   
6. Shame
   
   

🧠 Fear vs. Hope
Fear inhibits imagination, creativity, and joy. But here's the twist—hope can inhibit fear. Discover how reclaiming hope helps calm the fear center in the brain.

🔁 The problem with numbing
You can’t selectively numb your pain without also numbing joy. Find out why numbing as a coping strategy keeps you stuck—and how to reawaken your emotional life gently and safely.

🌿 Joy as a healing practice
Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s a form of nervous system regulation. Dr. McDonald shares practical tools like the “20-second joy practice” to prove to your brain and body that joy is safe.

🌟 Trauma reframed
You are not broken. Your trauma response is your body’s brilliant way of keeping you safe. And you can heal. Learn how to honor the wisdom of your nervous system while helping it learn new patterns of safety.

🛠️ Resources & Links:

• Visit Dr. McDonald’s website: alchemycoaching.life
  
  
• Connect on Instagram: @alchemycoaching.life
  
  
• Explore her books, trauma curriculum, and online courses to begin your healing journey.
  
  

🎧 Listen now and learn:

• Why joy and gratitude regulate the nervous system
  
  
• How trauma impacts your belief that things will be okay
  
  
• How to slowly and safely reintroduce joy into your daily life
  
  
• Why your nervous system might be afraid of letting its guard down—and how to teach it that it’s safe now
  
  

Whether you're a trauma survivor, a clinician, or simply someone looking to reconnect with hope and wholeness, this episode offers deep insights and gentle, actionable tools to begin reclaiming joy—one breath at a time.

🎙️ Turning Trauma into Triumph with Alisa Gracheva
🌐 Website: https://since.life/
📱 Follow Alisa on social media for healing insights and inspiration. https://www.facebook.com/alisagracheva89 and @alisa_art

💫 "Every experience in our life, no matter how traumatic, can lead us to something much greater—maybe even our purpose." – Alisa Gracheva

In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Linda’s Corner, I sit down with licensed psychotherapist and trauma specialist Alisa Gracheva to explore how we can transform deep wounds into meaningful growth, resilience, and even our life's purpose.

Alisa shares her own inspiring story—growing up in the Soviet Union, arriving in the U.S. at 18 with no money and no English, and rising through perseverance and healing to become a guide for others. She reminds us that trauma doesn’t have to be dramatic to be damaging. Even subtle emotional wounds or unmet childhood needs can shape our lives in painful ways—until we find the courage to face and heal them.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How generational trauma affects us, and how to begin healing inherited wounds
  
  
• Why spirituality (in any form) can help us shift perspective and restore safety
  
  
• The importance of logotherapy and meaning-making, inspired by Viktor Frankl
  
  
• Alisa’s 3-step healing process:
  
  
  1. Become self-aware
     
     
  2. Be willing to explore your past and patterns
     
     
  3. Be ready to change — intentionally and courageously
     
     
• Tools for healing, including EMDR, somatic work, and rewriting self-limiting beliefs
  
  
• Why chaos is a necessary part of change—and how it can lead to freedom
  
  
• How to shift out of autopilot, end self-sabotage, and truly live
  
  

🛠️ Healing is not easy. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re willing to do the inner work, there is hope, freedom, and a fulfilling life waiting for you on the other side.

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired to begin your own transformation from trauma to triumph.

✨ “There’s always a solution. You’re not broken. You’re just stuck—and you can get unstuck.” – Alisa Gracheva

🔗 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
#TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastForHealing #AlisaGracheva #SinceLife #Logotherapy #SelfAwareness #RewriteYourStory #YouCanHeal #LindasCornerPodcast #HolisticHealing #FromStuckToFree #EMDR #SpiritualHealing #HealingIsPossible

Becoming Your Best Self with Beth Young: Small Steps to Big Change

In this inspiring episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, I sit down with Beth Young — keynote speaker, health and wellness coach, founder of The Great Calm, and recipient of the Houston Women in Excellence Award — to talk about how to become your best self through small, consistent changes.

Beth’s life is a testament to the power of intentional living. Raised in a home surrounded by smoking and drinking, she made a bold decision early on: “That’s not how I want to live.” That choice, rooted in self-awareness, would go on to serve her through some of life’s toughest challenges — including surviving a brain tumor and a traumatic brain injury from a devastating car accident. Her neurologist was amazed by her recovery, saying, “You’re six months ahead of others with the same injury because you live your 5 pillars.”

Beth shares her powerful 5 Pillars of Health:

1. Nutrition
   
   
2. Movement
   
   
3. Relationships
   
   
4. Quality Sleep
   
   
5. Mindfulness
   
   

These pillars are simple, accessible, and profoundly effective — especially when practiced consistently. “It’s not rocket science,” Beth explains. “We just do the basics, and we do them consistently.”

We also dive into:

• A unique breathing technique that can prevent anxiety attacks
  
  
• The importance of “starting small” when making life changes
  
  
• Why movement-based meditations, like tai chi, are perfect for those who struggle with traditional meditation
  
  
• How “walkie talkies” — walking with a friend — can enhance both physical and emotional wellness
  
  

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “Did you know you cannot have an anxiety attack if you're getting enough oxygen to your brain? So I'm going to show you this really cool, unique way to breathe...”

This episode is a beautiful reminder that becoming your best self doesn’t require perfection — just consistent, mindful effort.

Connect with Beth Young:
🌐 https://thegreatcalm.com/

Instagram @findthegreatcalm