Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide

Cyndi Bennett
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CAREERS

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. 4D AGO

    Leading as a Trauma Survivor: Insights From Both Sides | Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide Ep 42

    "Just create psychological safety by telling your team it's okay to make mistakes!" Everyone nodded. I felt my stomach tighten. Because I remembered being that employee - the one whose manager said all the right things, then subtly punished every misstep. When you've been on both sides of the desk - both the employee hoping for safety and the leader trying to create it - you have a perspective most leadership development programs don't address. In this episode, I explore what it's like to lead as a trauma survivor, including: The gap between what leaders think they're communicating and what trauma survivors actually hear Why popular leadership advice often falls flat (or causes harm) The dual perspective advantage: what survivor leaders see that others miss What we have to navigate that traditional leaders don't Leading from integration, not despite your trauma history If you're a leader carrying your own trauma history, this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Hook: When Leadership Training Misses the Mark 0:30 - The Problem: When Leaders Don't Know What They Don't Know 4:00 - What Sounds Good But Falls Flat 4:00 - "We Have an Open Door Policy" 5:15 - "Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities" 6:30 - "Take Care of Yourself" 7:45 - "I'm Here to Support You" 11:00 - The Dual Perspective Advantage 15:30 - What We Have to Navigate That Traditional Leaders Don't 18:30 - Leading From Integration, Not Despite Trauma 21:00 - Moving Forward: Your Dual Perspective Is Your Superpower 22:00 - Join the Waitlist for Leading at the Nervous System Level Ready to lead from integration? Join the waitlist: https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/tilwaitlist 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

  2. JAN 29

    Trauma Informed Leadership: Team Recovery from Toxic Leadership | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 41

    Three months after the toxic executive left, Maya had hired an excellent replacement and implemented new policies. So why were her strongest performers resigning? Why was the team angrier than ever? Because she didn't understand the real timeline for healing from toxic leadership. In this episode, I break down the actual phases teams go through when recovering from toxic leadership - and why things often get worse before they get better. This is essential information for any leader navigating team recovery. We explore: * Month 1-2: Shock and suspicious relief (and why early improvement is misleading) * Month 3-4: Delayed response and regression (when things seem to fall apart) * Month 5-6: Rebuilding trust through pattern recognition * Month 7-9: Integration and sustainable culture building What makes the difference between teams that heal and teams that stay fractured If you're supporting a team through recovery from toxic leadership, this episode will help you understand what you're seeing and how to respond. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Hook: When Things Get Worse After Toxic Leadership Leaves 0:30 - The Problem: Expecting Linear Recovery 4:00 - Month 1-2: Shock and Suspicious Relief Phase 6:30 - Month 3-4: Delayed Response and Regression Phase 11:00 - Month 5-6: Rebuilding Trust Through Pattern Recognition 14:00 - Month 7-9: Integration and Sustainable Culture Building 16:30 - What Makes the Difference: Core Elements 20:00 - Moving Forward: Timeline to Transformation 22:00 - Join the Waitlist for Leading at the Nervous System Level Ready to support your team's recovery with trauma-informed leadership? Join the waitlist: https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/tilwaitlist 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. JAN 20

    Trauma Informed Leadership: Recognizing High Performer Burnout | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 40

    Sarah arrives at 7 AM every morning, stays past 7 PM most nights, and delivers ahead of schedule. Marcus stays calm during every crisis. Both are high performers. Both are also quietly struggling with trauma responses that masquerade as professional excellence. In this episode, I break down how fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses disguise themselves as your most valued workplace behaviors - and what leaders need to understand about the difference between authentic excellence and survival-based performance. We explore: * When intensity reads as leadership (but is actually hypervigilance) * When productivity masks avoidance through constant motion * When calm conceals emotional disconnection and dissociation * When people-pleasing powers performance (at tremendous cost) * What creates space for optimal functioning vs. effective survival If you're a leader who wants to support sustainable excellence in your team, this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Hook: High Performance That's Actually Survival 0:30 - When Survival Looks Like Success 4:30 - The Four Trauma Responses at Work 4:30 - Fight Response: When Intensity Reads as Leadership 6:00 - Flight Response: When Productivity Masks Avoidance 7:30 - Freeze Response: When Calm Conceals Disconnection 9:00 - Fawn Response: When People-Pleasing Powers Performance 13:00 - Creating Space for Optimal Functioning 13:30 - Building Psychological Safety That Actually Works 14:45 - Redefining Performance Metrics 16:00 - Supporting Regulation Without Requiring Disclosure 17:00 - Developing Trauma-Informed Leadership Capacity 18:30 - Moving Forward: From Recognition to Response 20:30 - Join the Waitlist for Leading at the Nervous System Level Ready to lead at the nervous system level? Join the waitlist for my Trauma-Informed Leadership Coaching Intensive: https://resilientcareeracademy.myflodesk.com/tilwaitlist 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

  4. JAN 19

    The Role of Peer Support in Professional Spaces w/ Jade Miller | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 39

    Ever wondered what makes peer support different from therapy—and why it matters for your career? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Jade Miller, a peer support worker specializing in dissociative experiences, to explore how peer relationships create unique healing spaces that traditional approaches often miss. Jade shares why the power dynamics in peer support matter so deeply for trauma survivors, how to start building authentic professional connections when you're barely making it through your workday, and the real truth about "bringing your whole self to work" (spoiler: they don't actually mean that). We dig into practical wisdom about: * Understanding the difference between peer support and therapy * Navigating authenticity versus professional polish in the workplace * Building trust gradually when your nervous system is dysregulated * Creating safe community connections without adding more demands to your energy * The power of accompaniment in healing and professional growth About Jade Miller: Jade is a peer support worker who coaches people with dissociative experiences. After spending seven years helping clients find resources that didn't exist, she's now building Safe Harbor—a peer respite center specifically for people with trauma and dissociative experiences. You can find her at Peer Support for Multiples on Instagram and at peersupportformultiples.com. Resources mentioned: Peer Support for Multiples: www.peersupportformultiples.com Instagram: @peersupportformultiples Substack: "Apart" by Jade Miller Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and welcome 01:00 - What is peer support and how it differs from therapy 03:00 - The power of accompaniment in healing 04:00 - What makes peer relationships unique 06:00 - Teaching from lived experience 07:00 - Red flags in "expert" approaches 09:00 - Why healing happens in community 10:00 - Building Safe Harbor: A peer respite center 12:00 - Why professional spaces trigger trauma survivors 14:00 - The myth of "bringing your whole self to work" 16:00 - Handling triggers in the workplace 18:00 - Between-session support models 19:00 - The power of "How can I help?" 21:00 - Starting small with community connection 23:00 - Community as rest, not another demand 25:00 - Practical decompression strategies 26:00 - Authentic networking versus transactional relationships 28:00 - Setting clear expectations in professional connections 30:00 - One small step to break isolation today 31:00 - Connect with Jade Miller 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.

    32 min

  5. JAN 6

    2026 Word of the Year: Collaboration | Your Trauma Wise Career Guide Ep 38

    What happens when you stop protecting your progress and start sharing it? This episode explores the powerful shift from building community to co-creating through collaboration—and why this matters deeply for trauma survivors navigating career development. If you've spent years learning to trust yourself, the idea of sharing control can feel revolutionary or terrifying. But collaboration isn't about losing your authentic identity—it's about bringing your full self to the table and allowing what you create together to become more than you could protect alone. I share my personal progression from "unhindered" (2023) to "connection" (2024) to "community" (2025) and now to "collaboration" (2026), revealing how each year built the foundation for the next. You'll discover why collaboration requires something different from cooperation or coordination, and how it asks trauma survivors to practice profound courage. In this episode, you'll explore: * The crucial difference between cooperation, coordination, and true collaboration * Why sharing control doesn't mean losing your authentic identity * How collaboration builds on the foundation of safety, connection, and community * The vulnerable courage required when trauma survivors choose co-creation * Practical ways collaboration might show up in your career journey Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The word that keeps appearing 02:15 - Defining collaboration vs. cooperation and coordination 05:30 - The vulnerability of shared ownership 08:45 - My progression: From unhindered to collaboration 12:20 - 2024: Connection to self and others 14:40 - 2025: Building community and finding your people 17:30 - 2026: When community becomes co-creation 20:15 - What collaboration might look like in practice 22:45 - Your invitation to build together Ready to explore how collaboration could transform your career development? Book a discovery call at https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min to discuss working together. 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

  6. 12/16/2025

    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

  7. 12/09/2025

    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

  8. 12/02/2025

    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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide
  • Show Website
    Your Trauma-Wise Career Guide