Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide

Cyndi Bennett
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Traditional career development not working for you as a trauma survivor? Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide reimagines professional success with your healing journey in mind. Join trauma survivor turned trauma-informed career coach, Cyndi Bennett, MBA, M.Ed., for strategies that actually work for trauma survivors seeking career growth. Subscribe for weekly tips on building a career that honors your healing journey.

  1. DEC 16

    When the World Celebrates and You Clock In | Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide Ep 37

    If you're heading into work while everyone else is opening presents or sitting down to holiday meals, this episode is for you. We're talking about the invisible weight shift workers carry during the holidays—and why it's completely valid whether you're missing celebrations you wish you could attend OR feeling relieved to have a legitimate reason to skip triggering family dynamics. I'm breaking down what makes holiday shift work particularly challenging for trauma survivors, how to create meaningful moments on your own terms, and the professional strengths you're building (even if it doesn't feel like it right now). This isn't toxic positivity—it's real talk about navigating work when the rest of the world is celebrating. Timestamps: 00:00 - Hook: You're not alone in working while others rest 00:07 - Introduction: What we're covering today 02:00 - The invisible weight shift workers carry 05:30 - The double-edged reality (grief AND relief) 09:00 - What you're building (whether you realize it or not) 12:30 - Creating your own meaningful moments 16:00 - Building sustainable patterns for your well-being 18:30 - Closing & call to action What You'll Explore: * Why shift work during holidays hits differently for trauma survivors * The double-edged reality of missing celebrations (grief AND relief) * Developing personalized regulation strategies for holiday shifts * Creating alternative rituals that honor your reality * Translating shift work resilience into career advancement Whether you're in healthcare, hospitality, emergency services, retail, or any role that keeps you working when others rest—you're not alone, and your experience matters. Resources mentioned: Discovery call booking: https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    15 min

  2. DEC 9

    Why Performance Reviews Trigger Trauma Responses | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 36

    Traditional performance management wasn't designed for the 61% of employees who've experienced trauma. In this episode, we explore why annual reviews, feedback sandwiches, and stretch goals often backfire with trauma survivors - and what trauma-informed performance management looks like instead. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Hook: Why performance reviews trigger trauma responses 01:30 - The hidden trauma-performance connection 03:45 - Why traditional approaches backfire 03:45 - #1: The annual review trap 06:00 - #2: The feedback sandwich fallacy 07:00 - #3: The stretch goal problem 07:30 - #4: One-size-fits-all metrics 08:00 - What trauma-informed performance management looks like 09:00 - Principle 1: Predictable, frequent connection 10:00 - Principle 2: Strength-based development 11:00 - Principle 3: Collaborative goal setting 12:00 - What this looks like in practice 14:00 - The business case (statistics) 16:00 - What you can do today 17:30 - Call to action & resources You'll learn about: The hidden trauma-performance connection that managers miss Why self-evaluations create impossible double-binds for trauma survivors The business case for trauma-informed approaches (43% reduction in turnover) Practical alternatives that improve outcomes for everyone Whether you're managing a team or navigating performance reviews yourself, this episode reveals how to create conditions where everyone can perform at their best. Download the Trauma-Informed Management Quick Reference Guide: https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/timqrg When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    19 min

  3. DEC 2

    Decision Paralysis or Trauma Response? | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 35

    Are you stuck on a business decision, unable to tell if you're being strategic or if your nervous system is activated? In this episode, we explore how to distinguish between strategic thinking and trauma responses that disguise themselves as due diligence. You'll learn the specific characteristics of each, which types of decisions are most likely to trigger trauma responses, and practical strategies for moving forward when you're stuck. This episode is essential listening if you find yourself circling the same decisions endlessly, requiring certainty that doesn't exist, or feeling frozen when it's time to take action in your business or career. Timestamps: 0:00 - Hook: Is this strategic thinking or your nervous system? 0:07 - Introduction: Strategic vs. Trauma Response 1:30 - Why This Is So Confusing for Trauma Survivors 4:00 - What Strategic Thinking Actually Feels Like 8:30 - What Trauma Response Looks Like 13:00 - Decisions That Trigger Trauma Responses 16:30 - How to Move Forward When You're Stuck 23:00 - Your Intuition Is Still Valid 25:00 - Closing & Call to Action What You'll Learn: * Why trauma survivors struggle to distinguish between strategic thinking and trauma responses * The specific characteristics of strategic thinking versus trauma-based paralysis * Which types of decisions are most likely to activate your nervous system * Practical strategies for moving forward when you're stuck in freeze response * How to honor your trauma-informed intuition while still making necessary decisions Resources Mentioned: * The Resilient Career Academy Career Coaching Community (waitlist): https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/resilientcareercoaching-waitlist * Book a Discovery Call to explore working together: https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    21 min

  4. NOV 25

    Taking a Career Break for the Holidays Permission Granted | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 34

    If you're exhausted just thinking about the holidays while everyone else seems to be celebrating... this one's for you. In this episode of Your Trauma Wise Career Guide, I'm giving you explicit permission to take a career break during the holidays - not because you're failing, but because it might be the most strategic career move you can make right now. What We Cover: 🎯 Why career breaks feel forbidden for trauma survivors (and why your nervous system makes rest feel dangerous) 🎯 What a "career break" actually means during the holidays (hint: it's not quitting your job) 🎯 The strategic value of rest for your professional success (backed by real client stories) 🎯 How to actually take a break when everything in you is screaming to do more 🎯 What to do instead of career development that actually supports your long-term success 🎯 How to return to career focus after the holidays without losing momentum TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Hook: Feeling exhausted about the holidays? 0:07 - Introduction: Why this episode matters right now 1:30 - Why career breaks feel forbidden for trauma survivors 4:30 - What a "career break" actually means 7:00 - The strategic value of rest (Maria's story) 10:00 - How to actually take a break (5 practical strategies) 13:30 - What to do instead of career stuff 15:30 - Returning to career focus after the holidays 17:00 - Call to action & final permission THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF: ✓ You feel guilty about not working on your career during the holidays ✓ You're exhausted but feel like you can't afford to rest ✓ You're managing trauma responses while trying to navigate family gatherings ✓ You're worried that taking a break will make you fall behind ✓ You're in early to mid-stage healing and work feels like survival ✓ You need permission to prioritize your nervous system over productivity KEY TAKEAWAYS: → Your body's need for rest is not a character flaw - it's information → Rest IS productive. Survival IS an accomplishment. → Taking a career break during the holidays doesn't mean you've given up on your goals → A regulated nervous system is the foundation for sustainable career success → You can pause and restart - rest doesn't destroy what you've built RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free workplace survival guides and boundary-setting tools: cyndibennettconsulting.com/resources When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    16 min

  5. NOV 18

    Redefining Success: A Trauma-Informed Approach | Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide Ep 33

    What if the success you're chasing was never designed for someone like you? During one of my recent open houses, someone asked me: "How do you define success?" It's such a simple question, but the answer is anything but simple—especially for those of us who've been through trauma. Most success metrics we see in the professional world weren't created with trauma survivors in mind. They measure achievement without accounting for the energy it takes just to show up. They celebrate advancement without honoring the healing journey that makes sustainable growth possible. In this episode, I share how I define success for trauma survivors: Success is making intentional progress toward meaningful goals while honoring your capacity and supporting your continued healing. 🎯 What You'll Learn: *Why traditional success metrics create exhaustion for trauma survivors *The problem with treating success as a destination *How to define success through intentional progress, meaningful goals, honoring capacity, and supporting healing *What success looks like at different stages of your healing journey *How to develop your own trauma-informed definition of success The world needs your version of success. Not the watered-down, trauma-ignoring version that traditional career advice pushes. The real version—the one that honors your healing, leverages your wisdom, and creates sustainable impact. Remember, your healing journey isn't a detour from your career path—it's part of what makes you an extraordinary professional. Ready to build a career that honors both your ambition and your healing? Schedule a discovery call: cyndibennettconsulting.com/contact 📧 Subscribe for weekly trauma-informed career insights 👍 Like this video if it resonated with you 💬 Comment below: How do YOU define success? #traumasurvivors  #CareerDevelopment #TraumaInformed #HealingJourney #ProfessionalGrowth When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    14 min

  6. NOV 15

    When Workplace Relationships Break Rupture & Repair | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 32

    It took you six months to believe your coworker was safe. It took six seconds for your nervous system to decide they weren't. Building professional trust when you carry trauma isn't casual—it's architecture. The patient, anxious work of constructing something you desperately want but have every reason to believe will eventually collapse. And when that carefully built relationship experiences a rupture? The trust doesn't just crack—it shatters. In this episode, I'm breaking down why workplace ruptures feel so catastrophic for trauma survivors, what's actually happening in your nervous system during these moments, and the seven essential components you need to address for genuine repair. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: * Why trauma survivors overreact to small workplace disconnections * How past trauma entangles with present professional conflicts * The 7 components of trauma-informed workplace repair * How to distinguish between past triggers and present reality * When workplace relationships are safe to repair (and when they're not) * How to communicate in repair without over-apologizing * Why your ability to navigate rupture IS your career advancement ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Hook: The Disproportionate Math of Trauma 01:00 Why Workplace Ruptures Feel Catastrophic 03:00 How Trauma Responses Show Up at Work 05:00 When Past Trauma Meets Present Conflict 07:00 Component 1: Distinguishing Between Then and Now 08:00 Component 2: Regulating Your Nervous System for Connection 10:00 Component 3: Assessing Relationship Safety 11:00 Component 4: Communicating Without Over-Responsibility 13:00 Component 5: Making and Receiving Repair Bids 14:00 Component 6: Rebuilding Trust Through Small Actions 15:00 Component 7: When Repair Isn't Possible 17:00 Why This Matters for Your Career 19:00 Integration, Not Perfection 20:00 Call to Action & Closing 💡 KEY INSIGHT: Your trauma taught you that rupture is dangerous, repair is impossible or comes at too high a cost, and safety requires either perfect performance or complete withdrawal. Your healing gets to teach you something different: that rupture is inevitable in human relationships, repair is possible when there's mutual willingness, and safety can be rebuilt through small, consistent, authentic actions. When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    22 min

  7. NOV 15

    The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Trauma | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 31

    If you're working twice as hard as your colleagues but getting half the recognition, your trauma responses might be costing you more than you realize. In this episode, we're diving deep into the hidden career costs of unprocessed trauma and what it really takes to move from survival mode to sustainable success. 🎯 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: * The three main ways unprocessed trauma shows up in your career (and why they're so hard to see) * Why hypervigilance, people-pleasing, and perfectionism are costing you recognition—even though they look like strengths * The "invisible load" that trauma survivors carry at work that nobody else can see * Why traditional career advice fails trauma survivors (and what actually works instead) * What integration-focused career development looks like—and how it's different from both therapy and traditional coaching * How to start working WITH your trauma responses instead of against them 💡 THE RECOGNITION GAP You're doing exceptional work. You're bringing unique insights born from lived experience. You're emotionally intelligent, resilient, and deeply committed to excellence. But so much of your energy is going into managing trauma responses that you're invisible in the ways that lead to career advancement. You're not advocating for yourself because it feels unsafe. You're not highlighting achievements because visibility feels dangerous. You're not building strategic relationships because trust is complicated. This isn't because something is wrong with you—it's because you're carrying an invisible load that others aren't carrying. 🌟 WHAT'S POSSIBLE When you start working with your trauma responses instead of against them, everything shifts. You stop feeling like you're working twice as hard for half the recognition. Your healing journey stops being a detour from your career and becomes preparation for it. The insights you've gained, the resilience you've built, the empathy you've developed—these become your professional superpowers. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The Hidden Cost 0:07 - Introduction 1:00 - The Invisible Load of Trauma at Work 5:00 - Why This Is So Hard to See 9:00 - What Integration-Focused Career Development Looks Like 13:00 - Taking the Next Step: Beyond Survival Mode Training 15:00 - Closing Message When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    17 min

  8. NOV 15

    How to Verify LinkedIn Connections Safely | Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide Ep 30

    If you've ever stared at a LinkedIn connection request for 20 minutes trying to decide if it's real or a scam, you're not overthinking it—you're being smart. Your distrust of LinkedIn isn't paranoia; it's intelligence. In this episode, I'm sharing a systematic approach to verifying LinkedIn connections and job opportunities that honors both your need for safety AND your need for professional connections. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • How your two assessment systems (intuitive and analytical) work together • The 4-step profile authentication framework • Red flags to watch for in messages and job opportunities • How to create your personal safety protocol • When to trust your gut (even when everything checks out logically) • How to distinguish protection from paralysis This isn't generic LinkedIn advice—this is a trauma-informed approach to professional networking that works WITH your protective instincts, not against them. 📥 FREE DOWNLOAD: Get your free LinkedIn Safety Checklist for Job Seekers—a practical, printable guide with clear checkpoints for every connection request or job opportunity.https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/linkedinchecklist 💬 NEED PERSONALIZED SUPPORT? If LinkedIn networking triggers more anxiety than it should, or you'd like help developing a verification system that works with your nervous system, schedule a free discovery call. Schedule here: https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction: Why Your LinkedIn Caution Is Smart 01:00 - The Reality of LinkedIn Scams 02:00 - Understanding Your Two Assessment Systems 03:00 - How Both Systems Can Be Right (or Wrong) 04:00 - Profile Authentication Framework: 4 Key Areas 05:00 - Red Flags in Profile Consistency 06:00 - Evaluating Messages and Connection Requests 07:00 - Verifying Job Opportunities 08:00 - Creating Your Personal Safety Protocol 09:00 - Setting Information Boundaries 10:00 - When Your Gut Says No 11:00 - Resources and Next Steps 💙 ABOUT YOUR TRAUMA WISE CAREER GUIDE: Trauma impacts how we navigate our careers, but most career advice ignores this reality. This podcast reimagines career development for trauma survivors—helping you feel confident and safe at work while honoring your healing journey. Hosted by Cyndi Bennett, trauma survivor turned trauma-informed career coach and founder of the Resilient Career Academy. When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey: Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips. Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching] DISCLOSURE: Some links I share might contain resources that you might find helpful. Whenever possible I use referral links, which means if you click any of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation at no cost to you.

    12 min
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About

Traditional career development not working for you as a trauma survivor? Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide reimagines professional success with your healing journey in mind. Join trauma survivor turned trauma-informed career coach, Cyndi Bennett, MBA, M.Ed., for strategies that actually work for trauma survivors seeking career growth. Subscribe for weekly tips on building a career that honors your healing journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Cyndi Bennett
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide
  • Show Website
    Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide