Middle of Chaos

Wilma Dunn
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  • Mental Health
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A Story of Survival and Strength Growing up as a middle child in a large, deeply religious household, I learned to survive in the space between, unseen, unheard, and absorbing more than my share of chaos. THIS is a personal storytelling podcast about childhood trauma, family dynamics, faith, resilience, and reclaiming a voice that was never meant to stay quiet. I was a textbook middle child, the observer and peacemaker , and also the one who asked questions, talked too much. Through honest, real-life stories, I share my journey of surviving, healing, & finding my voice, one episode at a time.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 23: When the Pieces Started Connecting

    A conversation with my sister brought up emotions and realizations I wasn't expecting. In this episode, I reflect on feeling heard and believed, the fears I still carry around rejection and being unwanted, and what it means to finally use my voice. I also revisit stories from my childhood and look at them through a different lens—from the circumstances surrounding my birth to a time when I stopped speaking completely. Sometimes healing isn't about changing the past. It's about finally understanding how the pieces fit together and realizing just how far you've come.

  2. Oct 6

    22 — The Road to Somewhere New (part 2)

    The road trip continues, and this time you're riding along with me through a little bit of everything. I share an update on becoming a Clarity Breathwork practitioner, the story of my battle with Lyme disease and blood clots, a recent car accident, and some of the unexpected moments that happen when you're traveling across the country alone. There are caverns, Cadillac Ranch, a night sleeping in my car, a few memorable roadside stops, and finally—the beautiful landscapes of Arizona. Sometimes the journey isn't just about where you're going. It's about everything you discover along the way.

  3. Sep 30

    Episode 21: Finding Faith, Losing Myself

    This episode is a little different—you’re coming along with me on a road trip across the country. As the miles pass, I look back at a time when I was ready to give up on church altogether, only to find a place that felt like the family and community I had been searching for. I became deeply involved, gave everything I could, and somewhere along the way, I lost parts of myself. Looking back now, I can see how that church helped me, shaped me, and, in some ways, held me back.

  4. Jul 28

    Episode 20: Finding My Place

    After high school, I thought I knew exactly where life was headed. Instead, I found myself juggling college, multiple jobs, searching for a church where I belonged, and discovering that the career I planned wasn't the one I ended up with. In this episode, I share the unexpected turns that shaped my early adult years and the lessons I learned along the way.

  5. Jul 26

    Episode 19: Police, Tickets, and a Motorcycle Burn

    A listener's question about one of my teenage adventures sent me down memory lane. In this episode, I share stories involving unexpected visits from the police, getting stuck in a swamp, car accidents, traffic tickets, a suspended license, and the painful lesson I learned from a motorcycle exhaust. Looking back now, these are the kinds of stories that make me laugh—most of the time.

  6. Jul 17

    Episode 18: The Dad I Hardly Knew

    It's been a while since I've talked about my dad, mostly because there never seemed to be much to say. In this episode, I share the memories I do have—from flowers for the garden and card games to hunting trips, forgotten promises, and trying to understand the quiet role he played in my childhood. Sometimes the people who shape us the most aren't the ones who speak the loudest. Content Note: This episode contains discussion of depression, suicide, and family loss. Please listen with care.

  7. Jul 7

    Episode 17: Leaving Home Didn't Mean Leaving the Chaos

    My senior year was different. For a while, it actually felt like my mom and I were getting along. But that didn't mean life suddenly became easy. In this episode, I share what graduation day was really like, the rumors spread about me at church, why I moved in with my aunt, and how my mom's own insecurities nearly damaged that relationship too. Sometimes leaving home is the beginning of finding yourself—but it doesn't mean you've left the chaos behind. Thank you for listening and for continuing this journey with me.

  8. Jul 5

    Episode 16: The Childhood I Thought Was Normal

    It's been a little while since my last episode, so thank you for sticking with me. I'm glad you're here. Between traveling abroad and getting back into the swing of things, this episode took a little longer than I had planned to share. In this episode, I share a few stories I haven't talked about before, including Mother's Day, growing up, and some of the little moments that have stayed with me all these years. Looking back now, I'm realizing that some of the smallest memories have had the biggest impact on who I became.

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About

A Story of Survival and Strength Growing up as a middle child in a large, deeply religious household, I learned to survive in the space between, unseen, unheard, and absorbing more than my share of chaos. THIS is a personal storytelling podcast about childhood trauma, family dynamics, faith, resilience, and reclaiming a voice that was never meant to stay quiet. I was a textbook middle child, the observer and peacemaker , and also the one who asked questions, talked too much. Through honest, real-life stories, I share my journey of surviving, healing, & finding my voice, one episode at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Wilma Dunn
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Wilma Dunn
  • Show Website
    Middle of Chaos