If you’re feeling the weight of past Trauma and struggling to heal, then you are not alone! The journey to healing from abuse and trauma is often filled with challenges, and finding the right tools to navigate this journey can be overwhelming. But what if there was a resource that could guide you through this process and help you cultivate well-being?

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Explore the transformative power of Therapy in healing from abuse and trauma and reclaiming your well-being.
• Uncover the impact of narcissism in church leadership and gain insights into navigating the complexities of this issue.
• Discover the invaluable benefits of professional Mental Health support and how it can positively impact your healing journey.
• Understand the profound connection between attachment issues and trauma recovery and how it influences your healing process.
• Embrace the role of self-regulation in effective leadership and learn how it can enhance your personal and professional Growth.

My special guest is Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Dr. Chuck DeGroat, a professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the podcast. With a background in therapy, spiritual direction, and as a licensed therapist, Chuck specializes in navigating issues of abuse, trauma, pastoral and leadership health, and doubt. His profound insights and compassionate approach make him a thought leader in the space of healing from workplace abuse and trauma. Chuck’s dedication to helping individuals understand and heal from the impact of abuse and trauma, combined with his extensive experience in training clergy and consulting with churches, makes him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking insight and guidance in their healing journey.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 – Introduction to the Podcast

00:01:40 – Chuck DeGroat’s Background

00:03:22 – Evolution of Chuck DeGroat’s Approach

00:11:03 – Faux Vulnerability in Church Leadership

00:13:09 – Misuse of Self-Work for Immunity

00:13:40 – Dysfunctional Dynamics in Churches

00:14:58 – Toxic Leadership and Manipulation

00:19:06 – Nervous System Dysregulation

00:22:10 – Healing Attachment Wounds

00:25:52 – Transformation and Non-Anxious Presence

00:26:17 – Recognizing Patterns of Toxic Behavior

00:27:24 – Accountability and Systemic Change

00:29:15 – Rebuilding for the Future

00:30:49 – Understanding Shame Dynamics

00:35:15 – Rediscovering the Goodness of the Heart

00:39:20 – Men Doing Deeper Work

00:40:02 – Bullying and Women

00:41:15 – Complimenting Each Other’s Work

00:41:39 – Encouraging Curiosity and Healing

00:42:42 – Embracing Curiosity and Healing

00:53:11 – Finding Healing and Freedom

00:53:32 – Hope in “Healing What’s Within”

Trauma is not what happens to us, but what happens within. – Chuck DeGroat

• Order Healing What’s Within by Dr. Chuck DeGroot on his website chuckdegroat.net or through major book retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository.
• Join the Patreon community at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, one you don’t want to miss an exclusive with Dr. Chuck DeGroat.
• Listen to our first episode with Dr. Chuck DeGroat about his book When Narcissism Comes to Church
• Explore additional resources recommended by Dr. Chuck DeGroot at the end of each chapter, such as Dan Allender’s To Be Told: Know Your Story, Shape Your Life and Frederick Buechner’s Telling Secrets.
• Engage in introspective and mindful practices to support your healing journey, such as deep breathing, visualization, EMDR and brainspotting.
• Gift Healing What’s Within to friends or loved ones who could benefit from the valuable tools and insights shared in the book.

Connect with us:

• https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com
• Linkedin
• YouTube
• FaceBook
• Instagram
• Threads
• Patreon
• Bluesky
• TikTok

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Lori Adams-Brown Podcast Host & Producer

Lori Adams-Brown is Senior Manager, Global Leadership and Development in a Silicon Valley tech company, hosts the A World of Difference podcast, speaks internationally on global leadership development and sits on the board of Justice Revival where she is helping to pass the ERA with people of faith. As a former international relief & development leader, Lori has led diverse global teams in multiple cultures and has lived in Singapore, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Jason and 3 teens.