Send us a text

Five years and 125 episodes later, what began as a trembling voice in a closet recording booth has blossomed into a sacred journey of healing, faith, and community. Wednesdays with Watson was born not from expertise but from raw necessity—a desperate search for understanding my own PTSD during the early, uncertain days of the 2020 pandemic.

Lying in a hammock when the world suddenly stopped, I confronted a truth that had followed me since childhood: trauma wasn't just a chapter in my story; it was the paper my story was written on. Abuse, abandonment, and neglect had whispered lies that I was too broken to be loved, too damaged to be useful. But something miraculous happened when I dared to speak these truths aloud—I began to heal, and others began to listen.

This anniversary episode unpacks how sharing my journey through childhood trauma and domestic violence created space for others to feel less alone. The podcast transformed from a personal healing project into a ministry, ultimately setting me on a path toward completing a doctorate in trauma and community care. What started as a way to make sense of my own symptoms became a lifeline for a community of trauma survivors seeking hope in their darkest moments.

The most profound lesson from these five years is simple yet revolutionary: faith doesn't erase pain—it gives it purpose. Every time you tune in, share an episode, or send a message about how this podcast has touched your life, you affirm that God doesn't waste pain. To every survivor who has ever felt defined by their trauma, to every person questioning if healing is possible, to every listener new and old: You are seen. You are known. You are heard. You are loved. You are valued. And I'm honored to continue walking this journey together.

You ARE:
SEEN KNOWN HEARD LOVED VALUED

Send us a text

Follow Amy On Socials

https://linktr.ee/amywatsonauthor

Victory Trauma Consulting Book a 15-minute call with Amy.

Trauma leaves invisible marks that often surface in adulthood as anxiety, relationship struggles, and even physical symptoms. For Child Abuse Awareness Month this April, we're diving deep into the complex ways childhood trauma shapes our adult lives by answering the ten most common questions listeners have submitted about their trauma responses.

What exactly constitutes childhood trauma? Many people wonder if their experiences "count" when they didn't endure extreme abuse. The truth is that trauma isn't just about major events—it's anything that pushed you beyond your capacity to cope. Those persistent feelings of anxiety, disconnection, trust issues, or boundary struggles might be your nervous system's way of protecting you from past wounds.

Boundary setting emerges as one of the most challenging areas for trauma survivors who learned early that keeping peace was safer than speaking up. Setting boundaries isn't selfish—it's essential. The healing journey requires practicing small boundaries and remembering that "no" is a complete sentence. Similarly, emotional numbness and pushing people away despite craving connection reflect survival mechanisms rather than character flaws.

Perhaps most surprising to many is how trauma manifests physically. When your nervous system remains stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it can lead to chronic pain, autoimmune issues, and various physical ailments. Healing requires regulating your nervous system through mindfulness, movement, and somatic practices that help release trapped trauma from your body.

For those struggling with self-worth or wondering if complete healing is possible, there's hope. While some scars may remain, they needn't define your identity or limit your capacity for joy, connection, and purpose. Your trauma is not your identity—your strength and resilience are. As we explore these questions together, remember that every step toward understanding is a step toward healing.

Have you noticed trauma patterns in your own life? Share your experiences or ask questions by sending a text message through our podcast app. You are seen, you are known, you are loved, you are heard, and you are valued.

Song "Safe In Your Arms" by Josh Baldwin used by permission, musicbed.com subsribtion

You ARE:
SEEN KNOWN HEARD LOVED VALUED

Send us a text

Amy's Story Part 1

Amy's Story Part 2

Amy's Story Part 3

Book A Consultation

Five years after launching this podcast as a "pandemic pivot" from my hammock, I'm marking this milestone by returning to the fundamentals of trauma and PTSD. This episode kicks off a comprehensive series that will guide you through understanding trauma's profound impact on mind, body, and behavior as we build toward PTSD Awareness Month in June.

Trauma isn't simply about what happens to us—it's about what happens inside us when events overwhelm our natural capacity or "window of tolerance." I explain why comparing trauma experiences misses the point entirely and how traumatic responses actually represent your body functioning exactly as designed when pushed beyond its limits. You'll discover why physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances often accompany emotional and behavioral changes, and why "the body keeps the score" is more than just a catchphrase.

The episode demystifies Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, exploring why many experts (myself included) now prefer dropping the "disorder" label. I share insights from my journey from trauma survivor to trauma specialist, drawing connections between unhealed trauma and autoimmune conditions that developed through decades of avoidance.

I answer poignant listener questions about preventing intergenerational trauma transmission and navigating complex trauma healing when traditional therapies feel overwhelming. The episode culminates with an exciting announcement about Victory Trauma Consulting, my new venture offering personalized trauma support services with sliding-scale pricing.

Whether you're struggling with your own trauma history, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking education, this episode provides the foundational understanding necessary for healing. The only way through trauma is through it—and this series aims to light that path forward with clarity, compassion, and hope.

You ARE:
SEEN KNOWN HEARD LOVED VALUED