In this powerful episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Julianna Burmesch — former school principal, speech pathologist, early brain development trainer, and author of the memoir Life With Less of Me (releasing June 23rd).
Julianna shares her deeply personal story of growing up in a home marked by alcoholism, physical abuse, and chronic unpredictability — and how those adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shaped her brain, her body, and her life well into adulthood. From PTSD and Anxiety to sepsis, Cancer, and necrotizing fasciitis, Julianna connects the science of trauma to real-world Health outcomes in a way that is both eye-opening and deeply human.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- · How ACEs and childhood trauma rewire the developing brain
- · The long-term physical and Mental Health effects of growing up in a traumatic environment
- · Practical grounding techniques for managing trauma triggers
- · What parents, educators, and policymakers can do to protect children’s long-term wellbeing
- · Why Investing in children — through universal childcare, birth support, and trauma-informed Education — is one of society’s most important priorities
- · Whether you’re an educator, mental health professional, parent, or survivor, this episode offers both science-backed insight and profound human connection.
🎙️ Julianna Bio and Contact Information
Julianna Burmesch is a former school principal, speech pathologist, early brain development trainer, parent educator, and child advocate. In writing her memoir, “Life with Less of Me” (Books Fluent, June 23, 2026), she wants to help people understand the effects of adverse childhood experiences and unresolved trauma on one’s long-term physical and mental health. Julianna is a mother, grandmother, potter, and occasional jewelry artist. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, John, and her beautiful dogs, Bella and Ruby.
Links —
Website – https://www.juliannaburmesch.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Julianna-Burmesch-Author/61568035880501/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianna-burmesch-69476674/ Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250813693-life-with-less-of-me Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Life-Less-Me-Julianna-Burmesch-ebook/dp/B0G32LQHQR/
📚 Book: Life With Less of Me — available June 23rd
To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com
David J. Roberts, LMSW, became a parent who experienced the death of a child, when his daughter Jeannine died of cancer on 3/1/03 at the age of 18. He is a retired addiction professional and an adjunct professor in the psychology child life department at Utica University in Utica, New York. Dave also teaches psychology classes at Pratt MWP School of Art and Design. He is the host of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, which can be found on Apple, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
Dave has presented workshops at national conferences of The Compassionate Friends as well as for the Bereaved Parents of the USA. He was also a keynote speaker at the 2011 and 2015 national gatherings of the Bereaved Parents of the USA. Dave also co-presented a workshop titled “Helping Faculty After Traumatic Loss” for the Parkland, Florida community in May of 2018, in the aftermath of the mass shootings at Stoneman Douglas High School.
Roberts has been a past HuffPost contributor and has contributed articles to Medium, Open to Hope Foundation, Mindfulness and Grief, Thrive Global, and the Recovering the Self Journal. He has also appeared on numerous podcasts, as well as Open to Hope Television. In 2021,he co-authored and published a book with Reverend Patty Furino titled, When The Psychology Professor Met The Minister.
