Tokyo Trauma Talks - Episode 1: What Even Is Trauma?

Understanding trauma starts with recognizing it's not just about what happens to you—it's about what happens inside you as a result. In this inaugural episode, four trauma-informed professionals explore the landscape of trauma from scientific, psychological, and spiritual perspectives.

Your Hosts:

• Sarah Furuya - Coach & Facilitator
• Mary Stanley - Human Services and trauma student & former hairstylist
• María Paula Farfán - Prison Compassion Project trauma-informed facilitator
• Paula Esguerra - Meditation & yoga teacher

What You'll LearnThe 3 E's Framework

• Event - What actually happened
• Experience - How you processed it
• Effect - The lasting impact on your system

Five Types of Trauma

• Acute trauma (single incident)
• Chronic trauma (repeated exposure)
• Complex/developmental trauma (C-PTSD)
• Collective trauma
• Intergenerational trauma

Key Insights

• Trauma is universal—it happens to everyone, not just through extreme events
• "Hurt people hurt; healed people heal" - What we put into systems spreads
• Self-compassion creates systemic healing when we recognize our patterns

Resources Mentioned

The Wisdom of Trauma - Documentary by Dr. Gabor Maté exploring how trauma shapes society and individual health

James Gilligan's Violence Research - Groundbreaking work connecting shame, trauma, and violent behavior in prison populations

Closing Practice

Paula guides a grounding meditation to help listeners reconnect with safety and presence after discussing difficult material.

For more information head here - https://www.sarahfuruya.com/trauma-talks

Keywords: trauma healing, complex PTSD, childhood trauma, trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, addiction and trauma, intergenerational trauma, trauma recovery, self-compassion, somatic healing

Episode Length: 47 minutes

Next Episode: The Spectrum of Trauma - exploring the continuum from healthy effort to overwhelm

Connect with Sarah

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-everitt-furuya-3727a74/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahfuruyacoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahfuruyacoaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsuS_yVT9fMHjhAylVy8-w