18 episodes

Welcome to the Trauma Chats podcast with me, MacKenzie Mae! As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I have found community and connection to be an integral part of my healing journey. I strive to be the person I longed for growing up: someone to relate to, feel less alone, empower, inspire hope, and educate. If you are a survivor, a loved one of a survivor, or someone who seeks to learn about sexual trauma, its impacts, and how to support survivors, this podcast is for you! Learn, heal, and grow alongside a fellow survivor on our collective journey to not only survive, but thrive after experiencing sexual trauma.

Trauma Chats with MacKenzie Mae MacKenzie Mae

    • Health & Fitness
    • 5.0 • 14 Ratings

Welcome to the Trauma Chats podcast with me, MacKenzie Mae! As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I have found community and connection to be an integral part of my healing journey. I strive to be the person I longed for growing up: someone to relate to, feel less alone, empower, inspire hope, and educate. If you are a survivor, a loved one of a survivor, or someone who seeks to learn about sexual trauma, its impacts, and how to support survivors, this podcast is for you! Learn, heal, and grow alongside a fellow survivor on our collective journey to not only survive, but thrive after experiencing sexual trauma.

    Managing the Nonlinear Path of Healing (with Journal Prompts)

    Managing the Nonlinear Path of Healing (with Journal Prompts)

    Healing journeys are a roller coaster of ups, downs, and everything in between! In this episode, I'll be chatting about the nonlinear path of healing, embracing the understanding that everything in life is temporary, and sharing personal insights and experiences that highlight this phenomenon. Towards the end, I'll provide journal prompts that have helped me find balance and rediscover myself during challenging times. So take a listen to explore the nonlinear path of healing, find peace in impermanence, and discover the transformative power of journaling to bring us back to our center in order to move forward.
    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. 3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673
    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    • 18 min
    How Trauma Impacts Memory

    How Trauma Impacts Memory

    Trauma can significantly impact a survivor's brain and memory making it difficult to recall details of traumatic experiences, the sequence in which they played out, and sometimes the entirety of the experience. However, there are proven ways to retrieve repressed memories, work through them, and ultimately heal your brain to live a more peaceful reality.

    In this episode, I chat about how the brain responds to trauma, how explicit and implicit memories are impacted, and most importantly 4 healing strategies to lower the intensity of traumatic memories and move forward in your healing journey.

    Sources:
    NICABM Infographic https://www.nicabm.com/trauma-how-trauma-can-impact-4-types-of-memory-infographic/
    Somatic Therapy Info https://meridianuniversity.edu/content/a-holistic-path-to-healing-somatic-therapy
    CBT Info https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610
    EMDR Info https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/
    Trauma and Memory https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/3/1/5
    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. 3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673
    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    • 31 min
    Tips on Embracing Change (+ Life Update!)

    Tips on Embracing Change (+ Life Update!)

    Change is inevitable, but the excess stress and anxiety associated with it don't have to be. In this episode, I chat about practical tips to help you minimize stress and anxiety, allowing you to approach change with a more calm and centered mindset using mindfulness, self-care, and creating adaptable routines and plans. 
    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. 3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673
    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    • 26 min
    How to Feel Safe Again After Sexual Abuse

    How to Feel Safe Again After Sexual Abuse

    Sexual assault or abuse can impact survivors' relationship with their bodies through disassociation, negative body image, hypervigilance, and/or difficulties with sexual intimacy. In this episode, I share practical tips, strategies, and coping mechanisms that I've been using and may help other survivors to reclaim a sense of safety in their bodies after experiencing sexual trauma.

    SAPREA: https://youniquefoundation.org/resources-for-child-sexual-abuse-survivors/
    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. 3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673
    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    • 33 min
    Ask a Sexual Abuse Survivor (Q&A)

    Ask a Sexual Abuse Survivor (Q&A)

    In this episode, I answer questions ranging from overcoming feeling like "damaged goods" to if I've thought about what my life would be like if I never endured child sexual abuse. I also cover a lot on how I've managed to cope from my trauma. Hopefully, some of my insights will help you!

    Healing Resources! https://youniquefoundation.org/resources-for-child-sexual-abuse-survivors/
    Survivor Stories https://www.rainn.org/stories
    Male Survivors' Stories https://1in6.org/male-survivor-stories/
    CPTSD Info https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24881-cptsd-complex-ptsd
    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. 3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673
    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    • 26 min
    CSA Prevention is Possible and Reporting is Crucial

    CSA Prevention is Possible and Reporting is Crucial

    Ending child sexual abuse is truly an adult issue. Children cannot be expected to fend off sexual predators. Which means we as adults must do our job to protect our children. The more this topic is discussed, the more people are aware, the more children can grow up in safe environments free of sexual abuse.

    Find your local child advocacy center https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/nca-members/?postal_code=&miles=50&search=
    Darkness to Light https://www.d2l.org/education/5-steps/
    Saprea (prevention conversations)https://defendinnocence.org/child-sexual-abuse-risk-reduction/
    https://www.rainn.org/articles/if-you-suspect-child-being-harmed
    Healing requires energy, vulnerability, and hard work. It’s a lifelong journey and it's never linear. Whatever season you're in on your healing journey, hold on to hope. 3

    I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!
    Love,
    MacKenzie Mae


    For help NOW!
    RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
    For boys and men specifically: 1-800-656-4673
    More resources here! https://linktr.ee/traumachatspodcast

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

Nicky_Eman ,

A Must Listen

MacKenzie’s ability to tackle heavy topics with such a hopeful and inspiring tone is truly remarkable! She shares so many useful tools for coping with trauma and delivers her message in such an empowering way! I highly suggest you read the NBC article on her… it really highlights her courage and speaks volumes to her overall character. Looking forward to following this journey!

SirBoomer ,

Great podcast!

Brava

Ipad2isMyMedium ,

Love this podcast!

Mackenzie is riveting with her descriptive words and her strength. Her story was on NBC! Thanks for this podcast!

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