Why does childhood trauma repeat itself?
How do you know if unresolved trauma is affecting your behavior?
And what happens when you realize you might have become the person you once feared?

In this episode of No Hard Feelings…Kinda, we talk about childhood trauma, emotional healing, therapy, and personal accountability with podcast host and former chef Lee Risby.

Lee shares his experience growing up with physical abuse, struggling with self-harm, and building the kind of emotional armor that many people develop when they don’t feel safe. Over time, that armor turned into anger, attitude, and behaviors that began affecting the people around him - including in hismarriage and family.

Then came the moment many people avoid their entire lives:
the realization that unhealed trauma doesn’t just hurt you… it can hurt others too.

In this honest conversation we talk about:

• How childhood abuse affects adult relationships
• Why trauma can turn into anger, control, or toxic behavior
• The psychology behind self-harm and emotional coping mechanisms
• Chef culture, masculinity, and emotional suppression
• Recognizing when you’ve become the bully in someone else’s story
• Divorce, therapy, and radical self-awareness
• How to take accountability without drowning in shame
• Learning how to give and receive love after trauma
• Healthy coping strategies for stress and emotional regulation

This episode is about breaking cycles, facing uncomfortable truths, and learning how to become someone you actually like being.

Also, because this is No Hard Feelings… Kinda, we still manage to laugh - because if we don’t laugh, we’ll all end up sending our therapists voice memos at 2AM.

If you’re interested in mental health, trauma recovery, therapy, self-improvement, or personal growth, this conversation will resonate.

And if halfway through the episode you find yourself thinking,
“Wait… am I the problem?”

Don’t worry.

That’s not a crisis.
That’s self-awareness.

🎧 Listen now:
New episodes of No Hard Feelings…Kinda drop regularly featuring real conversations about mental health, relationships, trauma, and the chaos of being human.

childhood trauma, trauma healing, therapy conversation, breaking generational trauma, emotional healing, mental health podcast, self awareness, toxic behavior psychology, abuse recovery, trauma and relationships, accountability and personal growth, therapy and self improvement, narcissistic abuse recovery, healing after divorce

What happens when a divorced woman stops chasing love…and starts choosing herself?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Shiri, we dive into post-divorce dating, female empowerment, emotional independence, and the unexpected truth: sometimes healing doesn’t make you softer - it makes you selective.

I came prepared to talk about avoiding emotionally unavailable men.

Shiri came ready to admit she was the emotionally unavailable one.

We unpack:

• Dating after divorce

• Reclaiming confidence after marriage

• Ghosting and emotional boundaries

• The difference between empowerment and avoidance

• Trauma patterns in adult relationships

• How self-worth changes your dating standards

• Why “chemistry” isn’t always healthy

• And what it really means to take yourself dancing

This isn’t about hating men.

It’s about understanding patterns.

It’s about recognizing when your nervous system is confusing chaos with connection.

It’s about healing attachment wounds without pretending you’re perfect in theprocess.

If you’re navigating life after divorce, re-entering the dating world, or learning how to stop over-explaining yourself - this episode is honest, funny, and unfiltered.

Because sometimes growth looks like saying:

“I don’t owe anyone access to me.”

Listen to Part 1: I Can Love Me Better for the full arc.

Therapy is expensive. Share your chaos with me…for FREE.

_____________________________________________

The ROAR Gallery is a digital wall of encouragement where people can upload short video messages for individuals and families going through tough times,especially during hospital stays.

You can view examples here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGjde29iQPBJL_Trf3F7yWw

Your ROAR can change a life. Share your story and inspire hospital families to nevergive up.

Upload your ROAR: https://extendtherose.org/roargallery

Welcome to The ROAR Gallery - a movement of hope that starts with you. Here, people from all walks of life share short stories of courage and gratitude, creating a wave of encouragement for children and families fighting tough battles in hospitals. Every ROAR reminds them they’re seen, heard, and celebrated.

Together, we’re flooding hospital rooms with positivity and giving families the strengthto keep going.

A ROAR is a short, positive message - a declaration of the good in your life and a reminder that hope still wins.

Because hope is a team sport. 🌹