Growing Tall Poppies : Thrive After Trauma

Dr Nat Green
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Growing Tall Poppies: Thrive After Trauma is the podcast for anyone ready to heal from trauma, reclaim their power, and step into post-traumatic growth. Hosted by trauma therapist, coach, and author Dr. Natalie (Nat) Green, this empowering podcast blends real-life survivor stories, expert insights, and practical strategies to help you move beyond pain and create a life filled with purpose, resilience, and joy. Each episode dives deep into the psychological and emotional journey of thriving after trauma—exploring identity, values, nervous system healing, resilience, and renewed purpose. You’ll hear how others overcame adversity, plus learn tools you can use to regulate your nervous system, rewire your mindset, and accelerate your growth journey. What You’ll Gain from Growing Tall Poppies: Thrive After Trauma 🌱 Real Stories of Resilience – Inspiring conversations with survivors who turned trauma into strength and transformation. 🧠 Expert Guidance & Healing Tools – Proven strategies from leading professionals on trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, and mental health. ✨ Empowering Insights – Explore the mindsets, practices, and Trauma Archetypes that unlock post-traumatic growth and freedom. 💡 Psychology Meets Coaching – Innovative approaches that bridge science, therapy, and coaching to fast-track healing and thriving. With over 35 years’ experience and her own lived journey of trauma and growth, Dr. Nat Green—creator of the ABS Method® and Archetypes of Transformation—is dedicated to ending trauma-associated suffering. Through her podcast, bestselling books, and transformative programs, she guides survivors and professionals alike to rediscover their identity, align with their values, and shine brightly beyond adversity. If you’re ready to not just survive trauma but truly thrive after it, this podcast is your roadmap to resilience, healing, and post-traumatic growth.

  1. When Trust Is Broken: What It Does To Your Nervous System

    3D AGO

    When Trust Is Broken: What It Does To Your Nervous System

    Send us a Message to connect When trust is broken, your nervous system doesn’t forget — it adapts. In this episode, Dr Nat Green explores what really happens when trust is disrupted — not just emotionally, but physiologically. Because trust isn’t just relational. It’s something your nervous system experiences as safety. And when that safety is compromised, your system adapts in ways you may not even realise. You may find yourself more “on,” more controlling, more self-reliant… without understanding why. 🌿 In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why trust is not just emotional — it’s neurological and physiological How your system registers “this isn’t safe” The subtle signs of nervous system activation after broken trust  Why you may start overthinking, controlling, and holding more The difference between:  👉 “I need to trust more”  👉 vs “My system doesn’t feel safe yet”  How to begin restoring safety without forcing change 🔥 Key Insight: It’s not that you don’t trust. It’s that your system doesn’t feel safe to. 🧠 Notice this:  Are you more “on” than usual?  Are you holding more responsibility?  Are you finding it harder to switch off? Your system may be responding to a perceived loss of safety. 🌿 Gentle ways to support your system:  Slow your breath  Soften your body  Let something be unfinished  Reduce the need to control everything 🔗 Go deeper: Take the Archetypes of Transformation quiz 👉here  If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    15 min
  2. I Thought It Was a Strategy Problem... But It Was a Nervous System Trust Pattern

    APR 27

    I Thought It Was a Strategy Problem... But It Was a Nervous System Trust Pattern

    Send us a Message to connect What if it’s not a strategy problem… but a safety pattern? In this episode, Dr Nat Green shares a powerful insight from a recent mastermind retreat — a moment that completely reframed what she thought was holding her back. Going in, Nat believed she needed better systems, structure, and processes. What she uncovered instead? A deeper trust pattern rooted in nervous system safety. 🌿 In this episode, we explore:  Why what looks like a strategy problem is often a nervous system issue The hidden reason high-functioning women struggle to delegate, let go, or trust support How control and over-responsibility can be adaptive safety responses  Why patterns don’t simply disappear — they can reveal themselves again at deeper levels of growth The connection between body tension (shoulders, neck, back) and holding responsibility  How your Archetypes of Transformation© shape your patterns of control and trust 🔥 Key insight: You don’t stay stuck because you don’t know what to do. You stay stuck because a part of your system… 👉 doesn’t yet feel safe to let go. 🧠 Reflect on this:  Where are you holding more than you need to?  Where are you controlling instead of trusting?  What doesn’t feel safe to release yet? 🎧 This episode is for you if:  You’ve “done the work” but still feel stuck  You struggle to delegate or let go  You feel like you’re carrying everything  You’re a high-functioning woman who looks fine… but feels the pressure underneath 🔗 Ready to go deeper? Discover your unique pattern with the Archetypes of Transformation quiz 👉 here  If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    16 min
  3. The Cost of Holding It Together: Why High-Functioning Women Burn Out Quietly

    APR 20

    The Cost of Holding It Together: Why High-Functioning Women Burn Out Quietly

    Send us a Message to connect You’re getting everything done… but it’s costing you more than anyone can see. From the outside, it looks like you’re handling life. You’re showing up.  You’re achieving.  You’re the one people rely on. But internally? There’s tension.  Exhaustion.  A nervous system that never fully switches off. In this week's episode, Dr Nat Green explores the hidden cost of “holding it together” — and why so many high-functioning, self-aware women are quietly burning out beneath the surface. Drawing from both her professional expertise and lived experience, Dr Nat unpacks the nervous system patterns, identity layers, and trauma adaptations that keep you stuck in a cycle of constant doing… without ever truly feeling settled. 🌿 In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why “holding it together” is often a trauma response, not a strength  How hypervigilance can disguise itself as productivity and high performance The concept of quiet burnout — and why it often goes unnoticed  How your identity (the strong one, the capable one) keeps the pattern in place  What nervous system regulation actually looks like (beyond rest and self-care)  How your unique Archetype of Transformation© shapes the way you hold stress in your body 🔥 The deeper truth: You don’t burn out from doing too much. You burn out from holding too much… for too long… without release. 🧠 Understanding Your Pattern Not all “holding it together” looks the same. In this episode, Nat walks you through her 7 Archetypes of Transformation©, helping you recognise: How you hold it together Where your body carries that tension  And why it’s been so hard to let go Because when you understand your pattern… You can finally start working with your nervous system — instead of pushing against it. ✨ Ready to discover your archetype? If this episode resonated, your next step is to uncover your personal pattern. Take the free Archetypes of Transformation quiz to identify:  Your dominant archetype  Where your system holds stress  What’s been keeping you in the cycle of holding it all together 👉Take the Quiz now 💬 Let’s continue the conversation If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And as always — take a moment today….to soften. To breathe. And to remind your system… you don’t have to hold it all alone. We’re honoured to be nominated again in the Women Podcasters Awards 🎉 If this podcast has impacted you, your vote would mean so much. 👉 Vote here If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    29 min
  4. The Cost of Not Being Heard — Betrayal, Nervous System Impact & Reclaiming Your Voice

    APR 13

    The Cost of Not Being Heard — Betrayal, Nervous System Impact & Reclaiming Your Voice

    Send us a Message to connect There are moments in life that change everything. Not gradually. Not gently. But in an instant. In this deeply personal and powerful 100th episode of Growing Tall Poppies: Thrive After Trauma, Dr Nat Green marks a significant milestone — reflecting on the journey of the podcast, expressing heartfelt gratitude to listeners and guests, and celebrating its nomination in the Women Podcasters Awards. But this episode is more than a celebration. It’s a turning point. After receiving an outcome that brought no further action and no opportunity to be heard, Dr Nat shares a raw and honest exploration of what happens when systems fail — and the profound emotional and nervous system impact of not being heard. Drawing on both personal experience and over 35 years in the trauma space, she explores the deeper layer of betrayal trauma — particularly when harm comes from systems meant to protect — and how this can lead to self-doubt, confusion, and erosion of self-trust. Woven throughout the episode is the powerful concept of The Overview Effect — the psychological shift astronauts experience when they see Earth from space. Dr Nat uses this as a metaphor for her own experience: A moment of clarity. A shift in perspective. And a point of no return. Because once you see something clearly…You can’t unsee it. This episode gently guides you through the transition from: 👉 Waiting for justice to 👉 Choosing what to do with what you now know From: 👉 Waiting to be heard to 👉 Reclaiming your voice 🌿 In This Episode, We Explore:  The emotional cost of not being heard and unresolved experiences  The impact of betrayal trauma, especially within systems meant to protect  How systemic processes can create nervous system dysregulation, confusion, and self-doubt Why some systems are not designed to hold complexity, humanity, or lived experience The concept of the Overview Effect and how perspective changes everything  The identity shift from “waiting to be heard” → “choosing to speak” How to move forward when closure or justice doesn’t come in the way you expected This Is For You If:  You’ve ever felt dismissed, unheard, or invalidated You’ve experienced frustration with systems that were meant to support or protect you You’re navigating unresolved experiences or lack of closure You feel stuck between wanting justice and needing to move forward You’re ready to shift from waiting → reclaiming your voice and agencyNot all justice is delivered through systems…  sometimes it’s created by what you choose to do next. We’re honoured to be nominated again in the Women Podcasters Awards 🎉 If this podcast has impacted you, your vote would mean so much. 👉 Vote here If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    23 min
  5. Living in the Unknown: Trauma, Identity & Finding Serenity in Life’s Hardest Moments

    APR 6

    Living in the Unknown: Trauma, Identity & Finding Serenity in Life’s Hardest Moments

    Send us a Message to connect There are moments in life that change everything. Not gradually. Not gently. But in an instant. This week on Growing Tall Poppies, I’m joined by someone incredibly special to me — my dear friend Bron Watson — and this is a conversation that will stay with you. Bron is a nurse educator, entrepreneur, mother of five boys… and someone who has faced not one, but two life-altering cancer diagnoses. But this conversation isn’t just about cancer. It’s about identity, uncertainty. It’s about what happens when life forces you to stop… and ask: “Who am I now?” 🌿 Bron’s Story Bron shares being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 while running an intensive business program — a moment that forced her to confront just how much she had been sacrificing her own health to keep everything going. She made the difficult decision to shut down that part of her business… with no plan B. Then in January 2023, after years of unexplained low neutrophils, Bron was diagnosed with incurable multiple myeloma. What followed was chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and stepping into what she describes as both a “marathon”… and a “pool of uncertainty.” And yet, through all of this, Bron has found a way to live — not just survive. 🌿 In this episode, we explore: What it really feels like to have your life turned upside down overnight The moment Bron realised her way of living was no longer sustainable The identity crisis that follows trauma and major life disruption Why “doing all the work” doesn’t always mean you’re truly living in alignment The nervous system impact of chronic overgiving, overdoing, and being “the strong one” The concept of “the pool of uncertainty” — and how we learn to stay afloat How grief and gratitude can exist side by side The power of “A = A” — and why we need to stop catastrophising the future What it actually means to live in the moment (beyond the cliché) And Bron’s deeply grounding reminder:  “Be where your feet are.” What Serentiy really means and how to LIVE IT 🌱 Connect with Bron Watson 🌐 Website: https://serenityproject.com.au 🎙️ Podcast: Serenity Rising 📱 Instagram  Facebook   LinkedIn:  Bron's Husband Paul joined us on Season 2, Episode 54 and shared more around Bron's journey from a Carer's perspective. Listen here  If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    48 min
  6. From Self-Hatred to Self-Worth: The Nervous System Shift That Changes Everything

    MAR 30

    From Self-Hatred to Self-Worth: The Nervous System Shift That Changes Everything

    Send us a Message to connect In this week's episode I’m joined by Ramona Kossowan — Gentle Trauma Release Practitioner, fitness professional, and food relationship coach — who shares her deeply personal journey from self-hatred to self-worth. Together, we unpack how trauma, life experiences, and long-held survival patterns shape the way we feel about ourselves….often without us even realising it. ✨ What We Explore In this powerful conversation, we dive into:  How self-hatred can form quietly beneath the surface  The impact of childhood experiences, environments, and emotional safety  What “muscle armouring” and dissociation actually look like in the body  Why you can appear confident… but not feel at ease within yourself  The nervous system patterns that keep you stuck in self-protection  Why midlife often activates unresolved trauma The connection between trauma, body image, and food noise Why midlife and life transitions often bring these patterns to the surface  How gentle trauma release creates real, lasting change ✨ Practical Takeaways Ramona shares simple, accessible ways to begin:  Engaging your senses to bring your body out of survival mode  Creating small rituals that signal safety Moving your body in ways that build strength and connection Shifting your relationship with food from control → trust ✨ Who This Episode Is For This episode is for you if:  You’re in midlife and feel like you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way You’ve done a lot of inner work… but still don’t feel fully at ease  Your relationship with your body or food feels harder than it should  You’re navigating a big life transition and questioning what’s next You want to feel confident, connected, and at home in yourself again✨ Connect with Ramona & Resources Mentioned  Ramona’s websites:  👉 Ramonakcoaching.com 👉 gentletraumacoach.com FacebookInstagramLinked InYouTube    Free Resources:Food Archetypes GriefParts Reflection GuideIf this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    51 min
  7. You’re Too Bold to Stay Silent: Healing Trauma, Shame & Identity with Dr Louise Hayes

    MAR 23

    You’re Too Bold to Stay Silent: Healing Trauma, Shame & Identity with Dr Louise Hayes

    Send us a Message to connect What if the very parts of your story you’ve hidden… are the exact parts that hold your power? In this deeply moving and honest conversation, I’m joined by Dr Louise Hayes — clinical psychologist, author, educator, and meditation teacher — as she shares her extraordinary journey from childhood trauma, poverty, and shame… to becoming a global leader in psychology and human connection. This episode is a powerful reminder that post-traumatic growth isn’t about erasing your past — it’s about transforming your relationship with it. We explore:  How trauma shapes identity (and how to reclaim it)  The hidden cost of shame and silence  Why vulnerability creates deeper connection and healing  The role of values in guiding a meaningful life  How small, consistent steps create profound transformation  The difference between “head knowledge” and embodied healing  Why community and connection are essential for recovery Dr Louise’s story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring — and a beautiful example of what it means to rise, not in spite of your past, but because of it. 🔑 Key Takeaways  You don’t need to “have it all together” to make an impact  Healing happens in connection, not isolation  Your story is not something to hide — it’s something to integrate  Growth doesn’t come from giant leaps, but from one small step at a time The nervous system doesn’t need more pressure — it needs safety  True transformation happens when we reconnect with the head, heart, and gut💬 Powerful Quotes from This Episode  “You’re too bold to live in the closet. You have too much to share.”  “I really thought I had made it… but only on the outside.”  “It wasn’t instant — it was a drip feed of becoming more myself.”  “You make stronger relationships when you let people see you.”  “All of this starts with one small step.”  “We need to find a way to be together.” 🌏 About Dr Louise Hayes Dr Louise Hayes is a clinical psychologist, author, educator, and internationally recognised trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is passionate about helping individuals and professionals reconnect with what truly matters and live in alignment with their values. Through her work — including transformational retreats in Nepal — she supports people to move beyond survival and into meaningful, connected living. 💛 Resources & Links  Website: Learn more about Dr Louise Hayes: https://www.louisehayes.com.au  Pearl Lotus Fund (supporting education in Nepal) details hereIf this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    49 min
  8. When Old Trauma Resurfaces: Identity Shifts, Nervous System Memory & The Invisible Ceiling

    MAR 16

    When Old Trauma Resurfaces: Identity Shifts, Nervous System Memory & The Invisible Ceiling

    Send us a Message to connect Have you ever done years of personal development or therapy… and still found old patterns resurfacing when life becomes challenging again? In this episode of the Growing Tall Poppies podcast, Dr Nat Green explores why past experiences can suddenly reactivate — even when you’ve already done significant healing work. Through a deeply personal story about her own health crisis and her children’s recent ankle injuries, Nat shares how the nervous system stores experiences in the body and why old protective patterns can quietly shape our decisions, identity, and sense of safety. You’ll learn why high-functioning people can still feel blocked despite years of growth work — and how understanding your three internal intelligence systems can help you reconnect with your deeper knowing. This episode is part of the Hidden Cost of Protection mini-series exploring identity fractures, nervous system protection patterns, and the invisible ceilings that can quietly limit our expansion. If you’ve ever felt like something inside you knows the next step… but another part of you quietly holds the brakes — this episode will deeply resonate. In This Episode We Explore • Why old trauma and past experiences can resurface years later  • How the nervous system stores memories in the body  • What happens when we override our gut instincts  • The concept of identity shifts and the identity gap • Why high-capacity people often silence their own internal knowing • The three intelligence systems within the body: head, heart and gut • How protective patterns can quietly create what Dr Nat calls the Invisible Ceiling Key Takeaway Sometimes the next phase of growth isn't about pushing harder or understanding more. It's about helping your nervous system feel safe enough to release the protective patterns it learned during earlier experiences. Reflection Question Where in your life might you be overriding your own inner knowing? And what might change if you began listening to that deeper intelligence again? Resources Mentioned 🎧 Episode 63 – Dr Nat’s personal health journey 🎧 Episode 95 – The Hidden Cost of Protection (Part 1) Connect with Dr Nat If this episode resonated with you, you can connect with Dr Nat here: Instagram Facebook Or join the weekly newsletter for reflections and tools on identity, nervous system integration, and post-traumatic growth. If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

    22 min
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Growing Tall Poppies: Thrive After Trauma is the podcast for anyone ready to heal from trauma, reclaim their power, and step into post-traumatic growth. Hosted by trauma therapist, coach, and author Dr. Natalie (Nat) Green, this empowering podcast blends real-life survivor stories, expert insights, and practical strategies to help you move beyond pain and create a life filled with purpose, resilience, and joy. Each episode dives deep into the psychological and emotional journey of thriving after trauma—exploring identity, values, nervous system healing, resilience, and renewed purpose. You’ll hear how others overcame adversity, plus learn tools you can use to regulate your nervous system, rewire your mindset, and accelerate your growth journey. What You’ll Gain from Growing Tall Poppies: Thrive After Trauma 🌱 Real Stories of Resilience – Inspiring conversations with survivors who turned trauma into strength and transformation. 🧠 Expert Guidance & Healing Tools – Proven strategies from leading professionals on trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, and mental health. ✨ Empowering Insights – Explore the mindsets, practices, and Trauma Archetypes that unlock post-traumatic growth and freedom. 💡 Psychology Meets Coaching – Innovative approaches that bridge science, therapy, and coaching to fast-track healing and thriving. With over 35 years’ experience and her own lived journey of trauma and growth, Dr. Nat Green—creator of the ABS Method® and Archetypes of Transformation—is dedicated to ending trauma-associated suffering. Through her podcast, bestselling books, and transformative programs, she guides survivors and professionals alike to rediscover their identity, align with their values, and shine brightly beyond adversity. If you’re ready to not just survive trauma but truly thrive after it, this podcast is your roadmap to resilience, healing, and post-traumatic growth.

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