Welcome to Between the Before & After, where we delve deep into the stories and insights of remarkable individuals who've faced adversity and emerged stronger than ever. In today's episode, we're joined by the incredible Mary Giuliani, an author, and a passionate advocate for healing from addiction and trauma. She takes us on a profound journey of personal transformation, shedding light on the hidden connections between trauma and addiction, and how finding compassion within ourselves can pave the way to recovery.

Episode Highlights:

The Hidden Roots of Addiction:

• Mary Giuliani shares her own journey of addiction, emphasizing how she struggled for years without realizing the underlying trauma behind her addictive behaviors.

Reframing Addiction:

• "My addiction history has been an attempt to solve a problem. It hasn't been like I'm a hedonist or I just want to be a party animal." Discover how understanding addiction as a trauma response can shift the narrative from blame to understanding.

Healing in Safe Relationships:

• Our guest highlights the importance of relational trauma being healed within safe relationships, whether it's with a therapist, coach, or supportive friend.

Beyond Talk Therapy:

• Delve into the limitations of talk therapy in healing trauma and the need for body and brain-based interventions to truly address the impact of trauma.

The Power of Compassion:

• Mary Giuliani emphasizes that healing begins with self-compassion. "You're not bad or broken, and you can heal with the right support." Discover how embracing self-compassion can be transformative.

Understanding Childhood Adversity:

• Explore the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study and how it reveals the deep-rooted connection between childhood trauma and adult struggles like addiction, mental illness, and obesity.

Taking the First Step:

• Our guest offers a message of hope to anyone listening: "You're not bad or broken, and you can heal with the right support." It all starts with taking that first step towards understanding your own journey.

Conclusion: Today, Mary Giuliani has shared a compelling narrative of her own journey, transforming her perspective on addiction and trauma. Her insights shed light on the hidden struggles that many individuals face and remind us that healing is not only possible but essential. If you or someone you know has experienced trauma or struggles with addiction, this episode of Between the Before & After is a beacon of hope, guiding us towards understanding and recovery.

Remember, healing begins with self-compassion and the right support. Thank you for joining us on Between the Before & After. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and empowering insights in the episodes to come.

Keywords: Addiction, Trauma, Healing, Self-Compassion, Relational Trauma, Talk Therapy, Childhood Adversity, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mary Giuliani