Bob Gardner
Bob Gardner
What exactly IS trauma?
What exactly IS trauma?
What exactly IS trauma?
Wednesday 28th January 2026
Explore the nature of trauma as habitual responses in this eye-opening episode of 'Alive and Free'.
12 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Encouraging
Eye-opening
Honest
About this podcast
Author:
Bob Gardner
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Spiritual & Personal Growth Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Mindful Recovery
Entrepreneurship for Personal Growth
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Episodes:
290 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Rethinking Trauma: Habits, Responses, and Freedom
Episode Overview
- Trauma may be a habit of responding to contexts rather than a fixed mental injury.
- Understanding trauma as learned behaviour can simplify addressing it.
- Our identity and reactions are fluid and context-dependent.
- Developing new response patterns can lead to emotional freedom.
- Mental health skills should be accessible to everyone.
"Consider the possibility that nobody on the planet has trauma."
What secrets to maintaining sobriety can be uncovered? This episode of 'Alive and Free' challenges conventional views on trauma and addiction. Bob Gardner, the host, shares his unique perspective on trauma, suggesting it's more about habitual responses to situations than a permanent mental injury. Through anecdotes, like the story of a priest in Cyprus dealing with trauma and depression, Gardner explores how society's understanding of trauma has evolved.
He questions whether trauma is merely a label for our reactions to challenging contexts and whether it might be more helpful to view it as a series of learned responses. Gardner emphasises the importance of re-training our reactions to better cope with life's challenges. He argues that trauma isn't a fixed state but rather a habit that can be unlearned.
By drawing parallels with everyday habits, like opening a stubborn jar, Gardner makes the complex topic of trauma relatable and accessible. The episode is packed with humour and practical insights, encouraging listeners to reconsider their own perceptions of trauma and mental health. Could changing our response patterns lead to true freedom from addiction and emotional pain? Tune in to find out.