In this episode, we’re opening up an honest conversation about trauma and how it shapes the way we respond to the world around us. As two people navigating daily life with severe mental illnesses, we share our personal experiences with both past and present trauma, exploring how our minds and bodies react when we feel threatened, overwhelmed, or unsafe.

We dive into the four common trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—what they can look like in everyday situations, how they show up in our lives, and how our reactions can change over time. We also reflect on the differences between how we responded to trauma when we were younger and how we respond now, recognizing that every traumatic experience is unique, and so is each person’s response.

Through honest stories, shared experiences, and reflection, we explore the ways trauma continues to affect us, how our responses can evolve, and what it means to better understand ourselves with compassion rather than judgment.

Because sometimes, the reactions we struggle to understand today are the survival skills we learned yesterday.

A reminder: Every trauma is different, every response is valid, and healing looks different for everyone.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

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Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com