Post Traumatic Wisdom

Daniela Tilbrook

Post-Traumatic Wisdom is a podcast exploring what becomes possible after trauma. Hosted by author and coach Daniela Tilbrook, the show features honest conversations with people who have lived through significant trauma and gone on to alchemise their experiences into healing, growth, and wisdom. Alongside these lived-experience stories, Daniela also interviews therapists, coaches, and practitioners who bring trauma-informed insight into how healing actually unfolds. This podcast is not about fixing or rushing recovery, but about understanding trauma, reclaiming agency, and discovering the quiet intelligence that can grow within healing.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 1 – A Sign Post Named Simon: Loving Yourself First

    In the very first episode of Post-Traumatic Wisdom, Daniela welcomes Simon, the "signpost" from her book. They met after a yoga class where a wobbly tree pose and an honest conversation led them both to own their stories. Together they talk about why shame keeps survivors silent for so long, and why finding safe community and knowing "none of us are actually alone" matters. They also talk about attachment wounds, the inner critic, and meeting your own pain with compassion instead of judgement. Simon and Daniela share the small, practical steps that helped them: pausing, taking one breath, and celebrating tiny wins at your own pace. The episode ends on Simon's message: loving yourself first, with no criticism, isn't selfish. It's what lets you show up for others. Content note: this episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse and addiction. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Welcome, and why Simon is the first guest 0:26 – How Daniela and Simon met at a yoga class 2:22 – Refusing to be ashamed, and the power of the wobble 5:16 – Community and support groups: "none of us are actually alone" 6:48 – Why it can take decades to speak about abuse 9:47 – What helps when you feel stuck in the cycle of suffering 12:10 – Calling the Samaritans for a first disclosure 13:35 – Attachment wounds and the "baby part" of us 16:40 – The inner critic and giving it loving kindness 19:13 – A 2:40am wake-up: journalling, breathwork and holding yourself gently 21:11 – Letting go of the wait for external validation 23:04 – Triggers, rejection wounds and the power of the pause 27:45 – Daniela's wellbeing practices and rebuilding after rock bottom 35:29 – Turning toward the light, one small step or one breath at a time 39:53 – No ranking, no comparison: doing what serves you 42:31 – Why loving yourself first isn't selfish 43:20 – Closing thoughts: trauma "alchemized" into compassion SUPPORT AND RESOURCES - Survivors UK (survivorsuk.org): support for men, non-binary and genderqueer survivors. Helpline: 0808 801 0332. - Survivors Together (survivorstogether.co.uk): a London support group for women survivors. Contact: admin@survivorstogether.co.uk. - The Survivors Trust (thesurvivorstrust.org): helpline 0808 801 0818. - NAPAC (napac.org.uk): support line 0808 801 0331, Monday to Thursday 10am-9pm and Friday 10am-6pm. - Samaritans (samaritans.org): call 116 123, free, 24/7. - In an emergency, call 999.

    Episode 1 – A Sign Post Named Simon: Loving Yourself First

About

Post-Traumatic Wisdom is a podcast exploring what becomes possible after trauma. Hosted by author and coach Daniela Tilbrook, the show features honest conversations with people who have lived through significant trauma and gone on to alchemise their experiences into healing, growth, and wisdom. Alongside these lived-experience stories, Daniela also interviews therapists, coaches, and practitioners who bring trauma-informed insight into how healing actually unfolds. This podcast is not about fixing or rushing recovery, but about understanding trauma, reclaiming agency, and discovering the quiet intelligence that can grow within healing.