People who survived childhood trauma know things. We often don't have the words to describe what we know and why and how we know it, but it's there. These are things like the ability to read facial expressions and body language, knowing who we can trust and who we need to keep at a distance. Things like knowing how to release tension by making a joke or redirecting conversations that get heated to an entirely different topic that distracts others from the emotionally charged subject. Things like knowing when someone else is having a hard time without them ever having to say a word. Many of us don't give ourselves credit for all these things and for knowing how to survive and for our automated responses to perceived threats against us and the people we care about. In this episode we talk about the things we know that others don't. The point of it all is to help YOU, a survivor of hard things to give yourself credit for everything you've gone through and to help YOU use all those things you know to create a successful life. (We'll talk about what real success is in a different podcast so be sure to subscribe and come back.) Successful Survivors podcast is by and for survivors of childhood trauma (abandonment, neglect, chaos, dysfunction, abuse, trafficking or any other cause of trauma). It's real, raw and funny--like us. All hosts and guests are survivors of childhood trauma. If that's you, WE ARE YOUR TRIBE, and you are safe here. We come from every background, culture, race, ethnicity, age group, etc., so we don't agree on everything. (It would be pretty boring if we did!) Survivors do better in life when we're connected. We push through troubles, we persevere, we encourage each other, and we get through hard times--usually with a few laughs. Victims of childhood trauma can find their way out of the pain, the depression, the continued victimization, the PTSD and all of the other things that accompany the pain that stays with many people for their entire lives. Post Traumatic Stress GROWTH is real! The hosts of Successful Survivors Podcast prove it. Much work has been done in the area of PTSG, and you can be part of it. Through this podcast, successful survivors of childhood trauma tell how they overcame their painful pasts and created good lives. If we can do it, YOU CAN DO IT! To contact us go to https://www.successfulsurvivors.org/join. There's no cost or obligation to join--just purpose, meaning and connection. Here's how to contact our hosts: Rhonda Sciortino www.rhonda.org Amber Jewell, LMSW www.amberjewell.org Leigh Esau www.fostercarecloset.org Diana Moshier www.iamdianamoshier.com Chris Chmielewski www.fosterfocusmag.com Dawn Windle www.facebook.com/dawn.windle