Dissociated & Disconnected: When Feeling Nothing Was How You Survived w/ Andy CarlsonDissociated & Disconnected: When Feeling Nothing Was How You Survived w/ Andy Carlson
Adult Child
Andrea Ashley talks with Andy Carlson about growing up emotionally disconnected in a hyper-controlled household and how somatic healing helped him rediscover 'aliveness.'
1:37:51•17 Dec 2025
Feeling Nothing: Andy Carlson's Journey from Disconnection to Aliveness
Episode Overview
- Growing up in a hyper-controlled environment can lead to emotional disconnection.
- Somatic practices help reconnect with one's body and emotions.
- Complex trauma often manifests as chronic tension or numbness.
- Finding safety within oneself is crucial for healing.
- Community support can play a significant role in recovery.
“You live in chronic tension. Your shoulders are up to your ears like mine, or your jaws clenched, hips tight, lower back pain.”
What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there? In this engaging episode, Andrea Ashley welcomes Andy Carlson, a trauma coach and co-host of 'Time with Tim Fletcher,' to discuss the art of feeling nothing as a survival mechanism. Growing up in a hyper-controlled religious household, Andy learned early on to disconnect from his emotions and retreat into his mind. He shares his journey of rediscovering 'aliveness' through somatic practices and how he now helps others do the same.
The episode is filled with raw and honest reflections on complex trauma, codependency, and the struggle to feel safe in one's own body. Andy's story is not just about survival but also about finding a way to thrive and reconnect with oneself. Through humorous anecdotes and profound insights, listeners are encouraged to explore their own emotional landscapes and consider the role of somatic healing in their recovery journeys.
If you've ever felt like a 'bodiless head' floating through life, this episode offers a relatable and compassionate look at how to begin the journey back to yourself. So, what drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? How do people find hope in the darkest times? Tune in to find out.
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