I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging ...
“when trauma becomes your identity, that’s a dangerous thing” [preview]
What's shaping our identities today? It seems like 'trauma' is the word on everyone's lips. From personal battles to cultural debates, the concept has infiltrated our conversations and our consciousness. But when did our traumas start defining us? In this episode, inspired by a revealing interview from the Financial Times with Bessel van der Kolk, we unravel how trauma is not just a personal ordeal but a cultural phenomenon that's shaping our very fabric. Van der Kolk, a pioneering psychiatrist whose life's work has centered on understanding trauma, argues that our darkest experiences do more than just linger—they shape our identity. Through his insights, we'll explore the profound impact that trauma has on our personal lives and societal structures. From childhood adversities to the collective traumas of societies, van der Kolk’s perspectives challenge us to rethink our approaches to mental health. Diving deeper, this episode examines van der Kolk's critiques of modern psychiatric methods and his advocacy for alternative healing modalities. Why does he believe that traditional talk therapies often fall short, and how might practices like MDMA-assisted therapy or yoga offer more profound healing? We'll dissect the science and the stories behind these methods, understanding their potential to rewrite the narratives of trauma in our bodies and minds. Moreover, we connect these themes to broader societal shifts witnessed in recent years—from the isolation heightened by digital communication to the global rise of trauma as a ubiquitous topic. How has our understanding of trauma changed in the wake of the pandemic and social media's ascendancy? What does this mean for our future as individuals and communities trying to heal? Join me as we navigate the treacherous waters of trauma with Bessel van der Kolk, whose insights challenge us to not just recognize but truly transform our wounds into wisdom. This episode isn’t just about understanding the scars that trauma leaves; it's about learning how to rise above them. How do we acknowledge the pain without letting it anchor our entire existence? How do we move from being victims of our past to architects of our future? Tune in as we explore these poignant questions, discovering pathways not just to survive but to thrive beyond our past pains.✧ Source Article: Psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk: ‘When trauma becomes your identity, that’s a dangerous thing’ via the Financial TimesEnjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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31:43
the inner temple: an ASMR ceremony of self-initiation
You are about to step into a liminal space—a threshold between the seen and unseen, the known and the infinite. What you will hear is not merely words but a vibration, a key that unlocks the forgotten corridors of your soul. This is an invocation, an initiation, a whisper from the eternal. Whether you listen in stillness or on a walk, in deep meditation or while you sleep, these messages are designed to work within you, speaking to the layers of your being both conscious and unconscious. They will not tell you what to think but guide you to remember. Those with the eyes to see and the ears to hear will find the doorway waiting. Will you walk through?Disclaimer: This episode is a freely offered audio experience, created with the intention of serving the highest good. To honor its purpose, all ads have been disabled, ensuring it remains a pure and uninterrupted space for reflection and transformation. May it bring clarity, peace, and inspiration to all who listen.Closing song: Devi Prayer – Hymn to the Divine Mother by Craig Pruess and Ananda Devi acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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1:35:43
do you act like you were never held as a baby? (how unmet needs in infancy might be sabotaging your ability to find love)
You’ve likely heard variations of the phrase: 'Wow, you must not have received enough love as a child,' or 'you’re acting like you were never held as a baby.' It’s a common enough saying—often delivered as a joke—but it actually hints at a deeper truth we all recognize: our childhood experiences shape how we love and seek connection as adults.But what if the real story runs much deeper than we think? What if many of our romantic struggles aren't just personal issues or emotional wounds, but are also woven into the very fabric of our society's expectations and the scripts handed down by our caregivers, which were likely given to them by theirs? In this episode, I'll take you on a journey to uncover the unconscious ways in which our earliest needs, unmet by our caregivers, set the stage for how we pursue love and intimacy. We'll explore how cultural narratives further embed these patterns, often steering us into cycles of seeking the parental love we lacked through our partners.By zooming out, we'll also examine how these personal patterns extend into the way we parent our own children, unconsciously continuing the cycle of emotional deprivation. This isn’t just about understanding relationship dynamics; it’s about connecting the dots between our individual emotional blueprints and broader societal structures. You’ll leave this episode with a profound understanding of the root causes of your relationship issues—insights that go beyond mainstream mental health discourse, shining a light on the shadows of your emotional past and generational wounds to foster real healing and change. Tune in to discover how to break free from the chains of your upbringing and rewrite your script for love and connection. This is more than an episode; it’s a key to unlocking the deeper truths about your emotional world. Don’t miss out—your journey to deeper, more conscious relationships starts here.Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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1:36:47
could your entire life be a virtual simulation? (unveiling what lies beyond the illusions we accept as reality) [preview]
Have you ever considered that what you see and experience every day might not be the whole truth? What if the reality we interact with is just a simplified version, like a veil pulled over our eyes? This is the provocative idea from Donald D. Hoffman, a cognitive psychologist who believes our perceptions are more about survival than seeing the truth. First, we dive into Hoffman's theory. It suggests that our sense of space and time is similar to icons on a computer screen—designed not to reveal the full complexity of reality, but to help us navigate life effectively. Why do our brains do this? We’ll explore the evolutionary benefits that might be driving this phenomenon. Then, imagine handling life like you would a narrative video game, such as Red Dead Redemption, where every choice you make shapes the story. What if we viewed our daily choices with the same strategic importance? We'll look into how this mindset could help us be less reactive and more proactive, potentially reshaping our life’s narrative. Next, we'll tackle how this view could fundamentally alter our approach to deep personal struggles. Could understanding life as a game with hidden rules offer new ways to deal with chronic feelings of emptiness or even suicidal thoughts? Finally, we link Hoffman's modern insights with ancient teachings from mystery schools that believed we only see parts of reality. As modern physics starts to sound similar to these age-old beliefs, it's clear that our understanding of the universe is still evolving. Are you ready to question the reality you’ve always known? Let’s peel back the layers together.TIME STAMPS: 00:00 – 26:12.26: PART 1 (Exploring Donald D. Hoffman's theory that perceptions of space and time are like a virtual reality interface, with insights into how viewing life decisions as strategic choices in a game could reshape our understanding and responses to everyday challenges.) 26:17.55 – 52:42.39: PART 2 (Delving into how Hoffman’s theory impacts our approach to psychological suffering, exploring life as a game for meaningful engagement, and drawing parallels between modern physics and ancient teachings that suggest our understanding of the universe is fundamentally incomplete.)Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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27:48
are you turning self-care into a form of self-punishment? (moving beyond hyper-control, emotional numbing and the body-mind disconnection)
Have you ever found yourself neglecting essential needs like eating, drinking, or moving your body, only to spiral into a state of reactivity and emotional turmoil? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll delve into how trauma and past experiences shape our self-care habits, leading to hyper-control, emotional numbing, and a harmful disconnect between mind and body. Join me as we explore the often self-sabotaging relationship we have with our own bodies. I'll share my personal journey—a journey that may resonate deeply with you—revealing how self-care can morph into self-punishment, leaving us feeling drained and detached. Through my struggles and recent epiphanies, we’ll uncover the transformative power of Somatic Experiencing and bodywork in healing these divides. By the end of this episode, you'll gain valuable insights on bridging the gap, reconnecting with your body, and approaching self-care with compassion and kindness.Click here to read the original article on Substack.Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.
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I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging behaviors aren’t evidence of disorder or dysfunction, but adaptive strategies that once kept you safe. My goal is to help you shift from asking ‘What’s wrong with me?’ to ‘What happened to me?’Many highly sensitive people who identify with the seemingly never-ending list of diagnostic mental health labels contained within the DSM share the same underlying sense of being irreparably broken, disconnected from their intuition, and overwhelmed by life’s existential questions. I believe the resulting—and perfectly understandable—chronic feelings of emptiness and spiritual starvation are the TRUE causes of our current collective ‘mental health crisis.’ Together, we’ll dive into depth psychology, mythology, human consciousness, critical psychiatry, and the impact of trauma to help you begin the process of emotional alchemy. This exploration will help you get to the root cause of your suffering and free yourself from the toxic shame, limiting beliefs, and mental programming that have kept you locked in the chains of your past.In an era where mental health and spirituality are too often commercialized, I’m not here as a guru with a quick fix to sell you. I don’t believe anyone is ever truly ‘healed’ or ‘cured.’ There is no return to some mythical state of pre-trauma purity, but rather a continuous spiral of unbecoming, unlearning, and transformation. As a fellow seeker, I will be there in your ear, walking alongside you on your path toward wholeness as a sort of parasocial big sister. That, I CAN promise. By integrating the concepts we explore together, you’ll begin to see that anyone—even you—can come back from the borderline.Overwhelmed about where to start? Visit backfromtheborderline.com today to access my introductory episode and dive straight into my most transformational series.
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