Triggers and Transformation: Managing Rage After TraumaIn this episode of the FOF podcast, sexual trauma specialists Claire Horner and Dr. SaDohl Jones discuss anger and rage, particularly in the context of healing from sexual trauma. They explore the differences between anger and rage, the impact of past experiences on current emotions, and the role of triggers such as loss, trust issues, and hypervigilance. They also delve into the influence of sensory inputs and unmet expectations on rage, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing these intense emotions. The episode aims to create a space for survivors to recognize their feelings, identify triggers, and explore healthy expressions of rage.01:52 Today's Topic: Rage and Anger03:32 Understanding Rage in Relationships07:15 Triggers and Responses13:51 The Role of Safety in Rage18:33 Understanding Incongruence in Emotions19:08 Identifying Triggers and Intense Anger19:49 Healthy Expression of Rage20:46 The Role of Senses in Anger and Rage20:58 Loss and Secondary Trauma23:27 Attachment Styles and Rage23:40 Physical and Sensory Triggers27:22 Unmet Expectations and Anger28:51 Motherhood and Emotional Reactions31:46 Conclusion and Upcoming Live Discussion September 23, 2025

Welcome to the FOF (Freak Out Free) Podcast, where we assist survivors, helpers, and allies of sexual trauma in their healing journey. Hosted by Claire Horner and Dr. SaDohl Jones, who are both sexual trauma specialists, this episode delves into the complexities of healing from sexual trauma without getting stuck in triggering situations. Claire and Dr. SaDohl share their extensive 40 years of combined experience while emphasizing that you are your own best resource.

This episode also explores the ongoing P-Diddy trial from a trauma therapist's perspective, dissecting the patterns, trends, and aftermath, particularly concerning the victims, survivors, and the people around the trial. The hosts also discuss the broader implications of corporate manipulation and power dynamics, highlighting the experiences of former artists like Day 26 and Danity Kane. This heartfelt episode aims to foster a supportive, non-triggering space for all seeking peace, safety, and confidence in their lives post-trauma.02:02 Today's Topic: The P-Diddy Trial04:29 The Impact of Power and Manipulation10:20 Diddy's Children and Their Heartbreaking Experience16:57 Survivors and Their Stories21:06 Day 26 and the Aftermath of Trauma26:10 Brotherhood and Emotional Support27:41 Navigating Difficult Conversations29:08 The Impact of Trauma on Mental Health31:11 Men's Mental Health and Vulnerability33:39 The Dark Side of Fame39:02 Sacrifices in the Entertainment Industry44:12 Coping Mechanisms and Consequences50:01 Finding Comfort in Shared Experiences53:54 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. SaDohl and Claire (CJ) come together for a deeply personal and unflinchingly honest conversation about the film Promising Young Woman. Released in 2020, the movie struck a cultural nerve with its raw depiction of trauma, gender-based violence, gaslighting, and institutional complicity—and the co-hosts are revisiting it now because its themes remain heartbreakingly relevant.

Before diving in, Dr. SaDohl and Claire invite listeners to take a grounding moment together, recognizing the emotional weight of the topics ahead. This is not just a movie review—it's a reflection on how films like this can evoke personal experiences, reveal societal patterns, and become mirrors for our collective healing.

They share their initial reactions to the film, including Claire’s emotional in-flight viewing and Dr. SaDohl’s need to watch it in parts due to its intensity. They unpack how Promising Young Woman challenges viewers by blurring the lines between justice and revenge, and by confronting the uncomfortable truth that some of the most damaging acts are committed by people within our circles—friends, peers, colleagues.

Together, they explore the importance of understanding your own healing journey before engaging with media like this, and they introduce the idea of a “freakout-free” approach: preparing emotionally and mentally before diving into heavy content. Dr. SaDohl and Claire walk through key trigger warnings—including sexual assault (SA), suicide, PTSD, secondary trauma, and systemic injustice—and explain why these elements are essential to address before watching or discussing the film.

The episode also delves into the significance of the film’s title, referencing the societal tendency to center male potential over female harm—the "promising young man" defense—and how this mindset reinforces cycles of harm and silence. Through it all, they provide space for both outrage and hope, discussing the complex emotional landscape the film presents and why its ending, while difficult, can also offer a sense of closure or redemption for some.

Whether you've already seen the film or are deciding whether it's right for you, this episode provides a thoughtful, compassionate lens for engaging with Promising Young Woman—and the real-life conversations it sparks about justice, healing, and the stories we still need to tell.

• Promising Young Woman

• sexual assault awareness

• trauma and healing

• restorative justice

• gaslighting and secondary trauma

• feminist film analysis

• movie-trigger warnings

• justice vs. revenge

• survivor stories

• emotional safety in media

• Gen X film reflection

• college sexual assault

• mental health and media

• SA survivor conversation

• freakout-free discussion

• grief and guilt

• women-led storytelling