Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast

In this episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Tim Smith shares his story of surviving childhood abduction and reclaiming his life after trauma. Tim’s story is not only about what happened to him, but about what it took to reclaim his life afterward. From fragmented memories and early trauma to the long road of healing, identity, and recovery, this conversation offers a meaningful look at how trauma ca...

Trauma doesn't just affect what happens around us—it can separate us from who we truly are. In this episode, Scott Moore shares how trauma creates internal fragmentation and why healing is ultimately a journey back to ourselves. We explore practical recovery tools including breathwork, cold exposure, sauna, and jiu-jitsu, and discuss how these experiences can help regulate the nervous system,...

Why do the same relationship patterns keep showing up in our lives? Why do we struggle with people-pleasing, over-functioning, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting others, or constantly managing everyone else's emotions? In this powerful episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with renowned psychologist, author, and trauma expert Dr. Tian Dayton to explore how childho...

After multiple traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts, Hal Hughes wasn't sure he would survive. In this powerful episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with psychotherapist, former police officer, and TBI survivor Hal Hughes to discuss trauma, resilience, recovery, and the journey from suffering to purpose. Hal shares his deeply perso...

In this exciting episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with world-renowned trauma pioneer Dr. Peter Levine — creator of Somatic Experiencing® and a leading voice in nervous system healing and trauma recovery. Dr. Levine explains how trauma becomes trapped in the body, why so many people stay stuck in survival mode, and how healing begins through reconnecting with the nervous...

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) really like? In this episode of Trauma Meets Recovery , Dr. Mark McNear sits down with Mike Cuevas —author, advocate, and survivor—to break down the truth about DID, trauma, and the mind’s incredible ability to adapt. 🧠 DID isn’t chaos. It’s not weakness. It’s a powerful survival response developed when safety wasn’t available. In this conversation, we...

What if the key to healing trauma isn’t just in your thoughts—but in your nervous system? In this powerful episode of the Trauma Meets Recovery podcast, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with renowned clinician and author Deb Dana to break down Polyvagal Theory into simple, practical tools you can use in everyday life. Together, they explore how your nervous system constantly scans for safety and danger t...

Grief healing and trauma healing are possible—and Brainspotting may be the missing piece... In this powerful episode, we sit down with Deborah Antinori, Licensed Professional Counselor with 35+ years of experience, Brainspotting US Trainer, and grief specialist, to explore what healing really looks like after loss and trauma. Deborah shares insights from decades of clinical work, her experience tr...

In this powerful episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark sits down with Dr. Christopher Willard—author, Harvard Medical School professor, and global leader in mindfulness and trauma-informed care. Dr. Christopher Willard discusses addiction, early sobriety and a life-changing experience with Thich Nhat Hanh to becoming a global leader in mental health, sharing his powerful journey—and what actu...

If you constantly feel responsible for others, struggle to set boundaries, or carry deep shame you can’t explain — complex trauma may be at the root. In Episode 2 of Trauma Meets Recovery, we explore the connection between CPTSD (Complex PTSD), codependency, boundaries, and toxic shame, drawing from the teachings of Tim Fletcher, a leading voice in complex trauma recovery. Complex trauma often cre...

Trauma is inevitable — but healing is possible. In this premiere episode of The Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast , Dr. Mark McNear and Joe Schweighardt, LPC, discuss trauma recovery, nervous system dysregulation, Brainspotting EMDR, somatic therapy, and the power of story work in healing trauma. If you’re struggling with emotional wounds, past trauma, or feeling overwhelmed in your nervous system, th...

Every recovery story begins somewhere. This is where ours begins. In the very first episode of The Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast , Dr. Mark McNear shares the heart, vision, and clinical foundation behind this new space for honest conversations about trauma and lasting recovery — joined by guest host, Joe Schweighardt, who helps unpack the “why” behind the work.  Episode 1 launches Tuesday, Februar...