Dr. McNear, Licensed Psychotherapist, sits down with best-selling authors, courageous survivors, and leading global experts to dismantle the stigma of trauma and offer actionable insights for healing. Whether you are a survivor finding your words, a clinician seeking deeper perspectives, or a supporter of someone in pain, join us for honest conversations that prove beauty can be found in the broken places.
J.S. Park on Trauma, Identity & Finding Your Way Back to Yourself
In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with J.S. Park, MDiv, BCC — hospital chaplain, author, and grief & trauma educator — for a conversation about identity, family, culture, grief, and the stories we carry. J.S. reflects on growing up between cultures, losing connection to parts of his Korean language and identity after a painful childhood experience, and the ways therapy has helped him recognize what he once considered “normal.” He also shares why healing can ...
1 Oct 2026
New Conversations, Renewed Hope: Welcome to Season 2
A new season. New voices. More opportunities for connection, understanding, and hope. As Trauma Meets Recovery begins its second season, Joe Schweighardt, LPC, joins Dr. Mark McNear for a special conversation reflecting on the journey so far and looking ahead to what’s next. Together, they revisit the lessons and meaningful moments of Season 1, explore why healing is an ongoing journey rather than a destination, and discuss the importance of compassion, connection, and finding hope along the ...
3 Sept 2026
How to Feel Safer Within Yourself: Healing Is Possible | Dr. Alison Cook
How can we become a safer, more compassionate presence for ourselves—especially when old wounds, shame, or protective patterns still shape how we respond? In the Season 1 finale of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark McNear welcomes therapist, author, and The Best of You Podcast host Dr. Alison Cook for a hopeful conversation about healing from within. Drawing from her new book, The Secure Soul, Dr. Alison explores the wounds created not only by what happened to us, but also by the comfor...
20 Aug 2026
Connect Instead of Correct: Healing Shame and Finding Joy | Andy Carlson
What if healing is not another demand to correct yourself - but an invitation to connect with yourself differently? In this episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with Andy Carlson, a trauma-informed coach, group facilitator, LIFT Online Learning Facilitator + Coach, and co-host of the Time with Tim Fletcher podcast. Andy shares a candid perspective on growing up with constant correction, the nervous-system responses that can remain long after the original experiences, ...
6 Aug 2026
Finding Joy: Learning to Play After Trauma | Sam Jolman, LPC
Can learning to play again become part of healing? Many people think of trauma recovery as processing painful memories—but what if healing also includes rediscovering joy, trust, connection, and the freedom to simply be alive? In this episode of The Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast, Dr. Mark McNear sits down with Sam Jolman, LPC, therapist, author, and speaker, for a thoughtful conversation about the surprising role that play can have in trauma recovery. Together they explore how betrayal and tr...
23 Jul 2026
Your Body Is Not Broken: How Healing Begins After Trauma | Dr. Aimie Apigian
Why can the body continue to feel unsafe—even after the danger has passed? In this episode of Trauma Meets Recovery, Dr. Mark McNear speaks with Dr. Aimie Apigian, a double board-certified physician, trauma expert, and bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma, about the connection between unresolved trauma, the nervous system, and physical health. Dr. Aimie Apigian explains that trauma is not only about what happened. It is also about whether an experience overwhelmed the body’s ability ...
9 Jul 2026
Reclaiming Life After Childhood Abduction | Tim Smith’s Story
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 can shape a life — and how hope can still be found on the other side. Joining the conversation fo...
25 Jun 2026
Radical Healing & Returning to Your True Self | Scott Moore
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, build resilience, and restore a sense of agency. Scott also shares the vision behind Numa Wellness Co...
11 Jun 2026
Why Childhood Trauma Keeps Showing Up in Your Relationships | Dr. Tian Dayton
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 childhood trauma, addiction in the family system, and early survival strategies continue to shape our adult...
2 Jun 2026
Trauma Tried to Steal My Life | Hal Hughes
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 personal story of how severe head injuries during his policing career changed the course of his life—leadin...
19 May 2026
Trauma Expert Dr. Peter Levine | Why Trauma Gets STUCK in the Body
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 system — not just the mind. He provides hope for those whose lives had been impacted by trauma. ...
5 May 2026
Mike Cuevas | D.I.D Isn’t What You Think… Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder & Trauma
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 explore: • What Dissociative Identity Disorder actually is • The truth behind the “mul...
21 Apr 2026
Deb Dana, LCSW | How to Shift From Survival to Thriving: Polyvagal Theory & Your Nervous System
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 through a process called neuroception—and how bringing these patterns into awareness can give you ...
7 Apr 2026
The Hidden Side of Healing After Loss | Episode 4 with Deborah Antinori, LPC
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 training under Brainspotting founder Dr. David Grand, and her deep expertise in grief therapy—inc...
24 Mar 2026
Trauma and Mindfulness with Dr. Christopher Willard
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 actually helps people heal. We dive into: • Why mindfulness can feel hard after trauma • How trauma i...
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 creates patterns of people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, and feeling responsible for o...
25 Feb 2026
When Trauma Meets Recovery ~ Healing Begins
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, this mental health podcast offers practical tools, clinical insight, and hope. When trauma meet...
22 Feb 2026
Every recovery story begins somewhere ~ Full Episode launches February 24th!
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, February 24th. Follow now so you don’t miss the beginning.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact Trauma Meets Recovery Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
