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Life can be brutal. Trauma, manipulation, & mental abuse leave scars, but here’s the truth: your pain isn’t your prison—it’s your power. Passion From Pain is the no-nonsense, unapologetic podcast...
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Life can be brutal. Trauma, manipulation, & mental abuse leave scars, but here’s the truth: your pain isn’t your prison—it’s your power.
Passion From Pain is the no-nonsense, unapologetic podcast for those ready to break free from the chains of toxicity, take back their minds, & rise up stronger than ever. Hosted by Amy Pease, a woman who fought her way out of a manipulative & mentally abusive adopted family while raising a son diagnosed with autism, this show is for the survivor. Amy turned her pain into purpose, dedicating her life to helping others reclaim their power after life's brutally painful moments.
www.passsionfrompain.com
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Passion From Pain is the no-nonsense, unapologetic podcast for those ready to break free from the chains of toxicity, take back their minds, & rise up stronger than ever. Hosted by Amy Pease, a woman who fought her way out of a manipulative & mentally abusive adopted family while raising a son diagnosed with autism, this show is for the survivor. Amy turned her pain into purpose, dedicating her life to helping others reclaim their power after life's brutally painful moments.
www.passsionfrompain.com
Support the Podcast
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Transcribed
14 MAR 2026 · Some days split your life in half.
There’s the person you were when the day started…and the person you are after everything changes.
On March 13, 2018, Shaun Free was working a routine propane service job when a 3,000-gallon system exploded. In seconds, the shop disappeared in fire and pressure. Shaun was underneath the truck when it happened. He survived — but 46% of his body was burned, leading to multiple surgeries, pneumonia in both lungs, and a long fight through the brutal reality of burn recovery. But this story isn’t about inspiration clichés. It’s about discipline.
It’s about resilience.
It’s about the decision to keep showing up when your body, your life, and your identity have all been through the fire. In this conversation, Shaun shares the moment of the explosion, the painful truth about recovery, and the mindset that helped him rebuild a life after trauma. Today he uses that experience to help others — training motorcycle riders, speaking about resilience, and turning survival into service. Because sometimes survival isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of rebuilding.
Connect With Shaun Free
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Shaun Free
Facebook
Shaun Free
About Passion From Pain
Passion From Pain is hosted by Amy Pease and explores the real stories behind adversity, trauma, and transformation. This isn’t a show about perfect comebacks. It’s about what actually happens when life breaks something — and the strength it takes to rebuild. If this episode resonated with you, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/passion-from-pain--6594412/support.
🔥🎙️Pain Made You Strong! Passion Made Your Unstoppable!🎙️🔥
20 FEB 2026 · Empty Nest. Empty Tank — The Real-Life Rom-Com Adventures of Zeke and Terri
This is by far the funnest conversation I think I've had on Passion From Pain. 😉😉😉
Zeke and Terri are a breath of fresh air, after their near divorce from a marriage of over 20 years, Zeke and Terri found a way back to each other, through intentional and accidental reinvention in their midlife.
The whole spiral led to their new YouTube Series "Zeke and Terri's Adventures" where they take you along for an unforgetable journey in midlife all around the globe, with the sole mission of teaching you that love is still possible after facing divorce and adventure can begin in midlife!
You Don't want to miss this inspirational and humorus conversation! 🤣
Transcribed
20 FEB 2026 · They almost filed for divorce. After 25 years together, two kids, and a pandemic that cracked everything open, Zeke and Terri Mead looked at each other and said: we're done.
But then they didn't leave. In one of the most honest, funny, and real conversations I've had on Passion From Pain, Zeke and Terri walk us through the breakdown — and the accidental, incredibly intentional rebuilding that followed.
We're talking vulnerability, individual therapy, a whole new approach to intimacy, weekly relationship check-ins, different attachment styles, and the decision to build a travel business together at 55.
This isn't a love story with a clean ending. It's a love story with guts.
If you're in midlife, in a long-term relationship that feels like it's running on autopilot, or wondering if reinvention is still possible — this episode is for you.
In this episode:
• The pandemic moment they said "we're done" — and what happened next
• Why couples therapy failed and individual therapy changed everything
• The weekly check-in questions that rebuilt their relationship from scratch
• Navigating anxious vs. avoidant attachment styles
• Building Zeke and Terri Adventures — travel, YouTube, and business at 55
• Why "someday" is a lie you can't keep telling yourself
Connect with Zeke & Terri: Website: zekeandterri.com | YouTube: Zeke and Terri Adventures Terri's book: pilotingyourlife.com | Retreats: pilotingyourliferetreats.com
🔔 Subscribe, follow, and join the community — your story isn't over. It's just getting real. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/passion-from-pain--6594412/support.
🔥🎙️Pain Made You Strong! Passion Made Your Unstoppable!🎙️🔥
11 FEB 2026 · New Episode landing today! Join me in a fun, yet deep conversation with my guest Deborah Lukovich!
Why do smart, self-aware people keep ending up with the wrong partners?
It's not bad luck.
It's not low self-esteem.
It's your attachment style—and it's been running the show since childhood.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Deborah Lukovich, a clinical psychologist who specializes in attachment theory, trauma bonding, and narcissistic abuse recovery. Deborah breaks down why anxious attachment makes you a magnet for avoidant and narcissistic partners, how your nervous system keeps you stuck in toxic patterns, and what it actually takes to rewire your relationship blueprint.
💥You Don't want to miss this epic epsiode drop!
Explicit
Transcribed
11 FEB 2026 · 💥FREE GIFT from Passion From Pain! Get Amy's Guide: “From Confusion to Clarity: 10 SIgns of a Manipulative & Mentally Abusive Relationship”: https://get.passionfrompain.com/from-confusion-to-clarity
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbERvdzVHZFY1aFlzUEo0bFRrTC01MVpmU3JsQXxBQ3Jtc0tuVUk4dm1selVUOHB0MTZfVXFCZmlhUlc0SGRmOF9hek1Xbkg3VTNxQkd5Umk5ck5qSW1FYjAtSFNVSDRURDFtSzljN1Fwa3ZyMkZwVjlwTGJEenp2LUFNRjk1dHQ1NlNvaXU2cjFjVDRoTEJVbmtzYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fget.passionfrompain.com%2Ffrom-confusion-to-clarity&v=ssfSuxKf-oo Why do smart, self-aware people keep ending up with the wrong partners? It's not bad luck. It's not low self-esteem. It's your attachment style—and it's been running the show since childhood. Join Amy Pease and author Deborah Lukovich for a thought-provoking discussion from "When Sex Meets God: A Midlife Unraveling." The conversation touches upon themes reminiscent of jungian psychology and depth psychology, offering a nuanced perspective.
Listen to the full episode on Passion From Pain, The Podcast!
We go deep on:
- Why you're attracted to emotionally unavailable people (and they're attracted to you)
- The neuroscience behind trauma bonds—and why "just leave" doesn't work -
- How your childhood programmed you to accept less than you deserve -
- The difference between anxious, avoidant, and secure attachment styles -
- What family court battles reveal about narcissistic manipulation -
- Practical tools to break the cycle and build secure relationships
This isn't about blaming yourself.
This is about understanding the invisible patterns controlling your choices—so you can finally choose differently.
If you've ever asked yourself "Why do I keep doing this?"—this episode is for you.
ABOUT DR. DEBORAH LUKOVICH: Dr. Deborah Lukovich is a licensed clinical psychologist, attachment theory expert, and trauma recovery specialist. She works with individuals navigating narcissistic abuse, family court systems, and complex relationship trauma. Her approach combines neuroscience, attachment research, and real-world strategies for healing.
Find Dr. Deborah:
Website: www.deborahlukovich.com When Sex Meets God: A Midlife Unraveling - link on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/When-Sex-Meets-God-Unraveling/dp/B0FY1WSSJZRESOURCES MENTIONED: -
- Attachment Theory 101 -
- Trauma Bonding Explained -
- Nervous System Regulation Techniques
TIMESTAMPS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo - Cold Open https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=164s - Welcome to Passion From Pain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=195s - Meet Dr. Deborah Lukovich https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=320s - The Midlife Unraveling Begins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=585s - The Magazine That Changed Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=750s - When Everything Falls Apart at Once https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=970s - The Unconscious Knows Before You Do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=1165s - The First Twinge of Discontent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=1420s - Depression as Communication (Not a Problem) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=1635s - Sitting in the Dark Night of the Soul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=1850s - When Sex Meets God: The Split Between Desire & Spirituality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=2300s - The Fifty Shades Phenomenon & Cultural Wounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=2555s - Online Dating as Unconscious Work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=2770s - The Transformative Relationship That Changed Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=3025s - Why We Don't Bash Our Exes (Conscious Uncoupling) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=3255s - Dreams: What People Get Wrong About Symbols https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=3533s - Final Message: Your Falling Apart Has Meaning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfSuxKf-oo&t=3606s - Outro & Credits 🔥
ABOUT PASSION FROM PAIN: This is the podcast for survivors of manipulation, mental abuse, and toxic relationships who are rebuilding their lives. No toxic positivity. No fluff. Just raw truth, actionable strategies, and real conversations about the hard parts of healing.
Host: Amy Pease
Website: www.passionfrompain.com
Instagram: @amy.pease.rox
TikTok: @og.passionfrompain
👉Join the Inner Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2hCUHA1SnRQUXdQVVZ2Zm85WDFFTmJESUxpUXxBQ3Jtc0ttT0U0dWJrQXczSEFZZHRyakpDUllzMzRMamk0N2RTYnRHcEdBYTRhUGFNdzB2RmNkRkl0ZUttUEotVEZBeDdwbXcwNFBydy16NlpqWkJ6OWpjLTFxdjRyMkJmbjhkTkg2b1pWeWxFVzJ3eXBvRHNGOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fg%2F15fhocRYaK%2F&v=ssfSuxKf-oo
- FREE GIFT! “From Confusion to Clarity: 10 SIgns of a Manipulative & Mentally Abusive Relationship”: https://get.passionfrompain.com/from-confusion-to-clarity
- SUPPORT THE SHOW: 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes 💬 Comment below: What's your attachment style? Let's talk about it. 📤 Share this with someone who needs to hear it 😎Join Our Patreon (Become a Founding Member!):
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- KEYWORDS: attachment theory, anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, narcissistic abuse, trauma bonding, toxic relationships, why you choose the wrong person, relationship patterns, childhood trauma, emotional unavailability, dating advice, narcissist recovery, family court, custody battle, neuroscience of relationships, how to break toxic patterns https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/passionfrompain https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/attachmenttheory https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/toxicrelationships https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/narcissisticabuse https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/traumabonding https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/anxiousattachment https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/avoidantattachment https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/relationshipadvice https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/healingjourney https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealthpodcast https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/survivorstory https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/emotionalabuse https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/traumarecovery https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/selfawareness https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/healthyrelationships
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you are in crisis, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
© 2026 Passion From Pain. All rights reserved. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/passion-from-pain--6594412/support.
🔥🎙️Pain Made You Strong! Passion Made Your Unstoppable!🎙️🔥
Explicit
Transcribed
6 FEB 2026 · In this powerful conversation, Amy Pease interviews Dr. Lisha Antiqua, Ph.D., a transpersonal psychology expert and holistic trauma-informed coach, about healing trauma that lives beyond memory—inside the body, nervous system, and identity.
Dr. Lisha breaks down why many people stay stuck in “processing the past” and what it looks like to rebuild from the inside out: body, mind, emotions, energy, and soul.
Trigger Warning This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse, trauma recovery, and sexuality/intimacy topics. Please listen with care.
Dr. Lisha Antiqua, Ph.D. is a Transpersonal Psychology expert, Holistic Trauma-Informed Coach, and Founder of Your Own University (Y.O.U.), a global education platform helping women rise from survival to sovereignty through identity healing, soul alignment, and purpose activation. She is the creator of the Amazing YOU Method, integrating body, mind, emotions, and soul for trauma recovery and empowerment.
What You’ll Learn
- Why trauma isn’t “fixed” by retelling it forever—and how to stop looping
- How identity gets fractured by trauma and rebuilt through conscious creation
- Somatic + nervous system tools (EFT/tapping, vagus regulation, movement)
- What “soul-led” healing looks like in real life
- Reclaiming intimacy after trauma with boundaries, self-trust, and a new blueprint
Connect with Dr. Lisha Antiqua
🌐 Website: http://www.LishaAntiqua.com
🎓 School: http://www.YourOwnUniversity.com
🎥 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@DrLishaAntiqua
📘 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DrLishaAntiqua | http://www.facebook.com/YourOwnUniversity
🎵 TikTok: @Dr.LishaAntiquaPhd
📸 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/DrLishaAntiqua
💼 LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/DrLishaAntiqua
🎙️ Podcast: More Than Sex & Secrets (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4e44ybpvHVwCW3HIqdrfym?si=JBiSaB1CThqkJkFJamCK2Q
📩 Email: LishaAntiqua@gmail.com
If this episode hit home… Like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the reminder: healing isn’t just recovery—it’s reclamation
00:00 Intro + why Dr. Lisha’s work matters
00:00 Her origin story: abuse, survival, and the turning point
00:00 Trauma in the body: cancer, adrenal failure, and nervous system lock
00:00 Coaching vs trauma work: why “moving forward” needs foundations
00:00 The Amazing YOU Method: rebuilding identity + reclaiming your power
00:00 Reclaim Intimacy: healing sexuality after abuse (real talk)
00:00 Spiritual healing + transpersonal psychology (what schools won’t say)
00:00 Authenticity + purpose: the “steampunk hat” moment
00:00 Therapy loops: when “processing” becomes a prison
00:00 Training healers: EFT, vagus resets, somatic tools, holding space
00:00 “Quick fix” myth: what real healing speed actually looks like
00:00 Rapid Fire segment (fan favorite)
00:00 Outro + how to connect with Dr. Lisha
🎙️ ABOUT PASSION FROM PAIN:
Passion From Pain is the podcast for survivors of manipulation, mental abuse, and toxic relationships who are done with toxic positivity and ready for brutal truth. Hosted by Amy Pease, we bring you raw conversations with experts, survivors, and healers who understand that recovery isn't about "getting over it"—it's about reclaiming who you were before the pain tried to silence you.
We don't rush healing. We don't waste truth. And we sure as hell don't sugarcoat survival.
💬 LET'S TALK:
What part of this conversation hit you the hardest? Drop a comment and let us know—Dr. Lisha and I are reading every single one.
---
🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO PASSION FROM PAIN:
This channel survives because of YOU. If this episode gave you something you needed, hit subscribe, smash that like button, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. That's how we grow. That's how we reach the people still suffering in silence.
📲 FOLLOW PASSION FROM PAIN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.pease.rox/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@og.passionfrompain?_t=ZT-8ukWSUItiv5&_r=1
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566381470017
Website: www.passionfrompain.com
Join the Inner Circle (free community): https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15fhocRYaK/
Get You FREE Guide from Passion From Pain!“From Confusion to Clarity: 10 SIgns of a Manipulative & Mentally Abusive Relationship”:
https://get.passionfrompain.com/from-confusion-to-clarity
© 2026 Passion From Pain. All Rights Reserved. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/passion-from-pain--6594412/support.
🔥🎙️Pain Made You Strong! Passion Made Your Unstoppable!🎙️🔥
30 JAN 2026 · What happens when the pressure to be perfect creates a secret addiction that lasts two decades?
In this raw and honest conversation, Wesley Farnsworth—pastor's kid, author, and Celebrate Recovery leader—shares his journey from codependency and people-pleasing to a 20-year pornography addiction that nearly destroyed him. This isn't a sanitized testimony; it's a blueprint for breaking shame, confronting hidden addictions, and finding freedom through radical confession and community. If you've ever struggled with codependency, shame, secret addictions, or the weight of religious perfectionism, this episode will validate your pain and show you the path forward.
👏You Don't want to miss this incredible story of redemtion, transformation and what happens when you meet God where he's been wqaiting for you this whole time!🙏
Transcribed
30 JAN 2026 · The Pastor's Kid Addicted to Porn for 20 Years: Codependency, Confession & Freedom | Wesley Farnsworth
What happens when the pressure to be perfect creates a secret addiction that lasts two decades? In this raw and honest conversation, Wesley Farnsworth—pastor's kid, author, and Celebrate Recovery leader—shares his journey from codependency and people-pleasing to a 20-year pornography addiction that nearly destroyed him.
This isn't a sanitized testimony; it's a blueprint for breaking shame, confronting hidden addictions, and finding freedom through radical confession and community. If you've ever struggled with codependency, shame, secret addictions, or the weight of religious perfectionism, this episode will validate your pain and show you the path forward. Wesley reveals how growing up as a pastor's kid created self-imposed pressure to act, speak, and present himself in ways that pleased others—leading to what he calls becoming a "master chameleon."
This people-pleasing pattern evolved into full-blown codependency, where his identity was completely dependent on others' approval rather than his own truth or God's love. A seemingly innocent moment with friends led him down a path to pornography addiction that he couldn't break for 20 years—not because he didn't want to, but because shame kept him isolated and powerless. The turning point? Walking into Celebrate Recovery and being asked one simple question: "Is there anything else?" In that moment, Wesley made the hardest choice of his life—he confessed. And instead of receiving the judgment and rejection the enemy promised, he received grace, acceptance, and the beginning of true freedom.
Today, Wesley is the author of The Blueprint of Becoming: A Practical Guide to Faith, Failure, and Finding Your Way Forward—a book born from his pain that's now helping thousands break free from their own hidden struggles.
In This Episode, We Dive Into:
- How codependency and people-pleasing create the perfect environment for addiction
- The 20-year hidden shame of pornography addiction and why he couldn't stop alone
- The moment of confession that changed everything
- Why community and accountability are non-negotiable for recovery
- The difference between shame (I am bad) vs. guilt (I did something bad)
- How faith after failure looks different than faith before it
- Practical tools for breaking free from codependency and addiction
- Why your mess can become your message—and how to let it
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Cold Open: The Secret That Lasted 20 Years
0:48 - Welcome to Passion From Pain
1:30 - Meet Wesley Farnsworth: Pastor's Kid to Author
3:15 - Growing Up as a Pastor's Kid: The Pressure to Be Perfect
6:40 - Becoming a "Master Chameleon": How Codependency Took Root
9:20 - The Night That Changed Everything: Discovery of Pornography
12:45 - 20 Years of Hidden Addiction: Why He Couldn't Stop Alone
17:30 - The Moment He Walked Into Celebrate Recovery
21:15 - "Is There Anything Else?" The Question That Broke the Shame
25:40 - What Happened When He Confessed: Grace Instead of Judgment
29:50 - Understanding Codependency: Caring More About Others' Approval
34:20 - The Difference Between Shame and Guilt
38:45 - Why Accountability and Community Matter in Recovery
42:30 - Writing The Blueprint of Becoming: Turning Pain Into Purpose
47:15 - Practical Tools: The 10-Week Study Guide for Groups
51:40 - Rapid Fire Round: Faith, Failure, and Freedom
55:20 - Final Wisdom: You're Not Defined by Your Past
57:30 - Amy's Closing Thoughts: Grace and Grit Can Coexist
58:30 - Where to Find Wesley & Connect
RESOURCES MENTIONED: 📖 Wesley's Book: The Blueprint of Becoming: A Practical Guide to Faith, Failure, and Finding Your Way Forward 🌐 Wesley's Website: https://www.blueprintofbecoming.com (Download FREE 10-week study guide + leader/participant materials) 🌐 Connect with Wesley: https://www.wesleyfarnsworth.com 🙏 Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com
CONNECT WITH PASSION FROM PAIN:
🎙 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PassionFromPain
📸 Instagram: @amy.pease.rox
🎵 TikTok: @og.passionfrompain
🌐 Website: https://www.passionfrompain.com
💌 Join the Inner Circle: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15fhocRYaK/
📚Get You FREE Guide from Passion From Pain!
“From Confusion to Clarity: 10 SIgns of a Manipulative & Mentally Abusive Relationship”:
https://get.passionfrompain.com/from-confusion-to-clarity
ABOUT PASSION FROM PAIN: Passion From Pain is the no-BS podcast for survivors of manipulation, emotional abuse, and toxic relationships who are rebuilding their lives. We don't do fluff, toxic positivity, or Instagram healing. We deliver raw truth, actionable strategies, and real conversations about the hard parts of recovery. If you're over 30, done pretending, and ready for bold brutal truth with practical tools, this is your show. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/passion-from-pain--6594412/support.
🔥🎙️Pain Made You Strong! Passion Made Your Unstoppable!🎙️🔥
Transcribed
23 JAN 2026 · Ever met the part of yourself you swore didn't exist? Carol Smaldino—78-year-old therapist and shadow work veteran—tells the story of the moment she realized she had rage she didn't know existed. A scary kid. A fourth-floor window. And the thought: "I could help him jump."
That's where the real work began. This is shadow work—Carl Jung's concept of owning the parts of yourself you're terrified to acknowledge. The anger. The cruelty. The selfishness. The darkness you shove down because "good people" don't feel that way. Except they do.
And when you ignore your shadow? It doesn't disappear. It organizes. Carol's been doing this work for decades as a therapist, a recovering "nice girl," and the creator of Dr. Ethel—her irreverent, orange-clad alter ego. She's worked with abused kids, multi-problem families, and her own psyche. And she's learned that vulnerability without protection is just exposure. That humor can be holy. And that sometimes the most radical thing you can do is admit: "You're better at being mean than me."
💥IN THIS EPISODE:
- The scary kid who pushed Carol to her breaking point
- Why "understanding" trauma isn't enough
- How people-pleasing abandons the self
- The birth of Dr. Ethel (English accent, zero filter)
- Vulnerability as courage vs. performance
- Why kids should be in charge
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Intro: The Nice Girl & The Shadow
1:30 – Carol's Story: Playing Psychologist at 11
8:45 – The Scary Kid Who Changed Everything
15:20 – "You're Better at This Than Me": The Breakthrough
22:10 – What Shadow Work Actually Means
30:15 – Dr. Ethel is Born (Orange Coat & All)
38:40 – Vulnerability Needs Protection
45:30 – Why Kids Should Run the World
52:15 – Carol's Books & Where to Find Her
55:00 – Closing Thoughts: The Shadow Doesn't Disappear
ℹ️ABOUT CAROL: Carol is a licensed clinical social worker, author of "The Human Climate: Facing the Divisions Inside Us and Between Us" and "Vulnerability Protected: Visions of a Dancing Mind"
Find her at http://www.thehumanclimate.com and follow Dr. Ethel on Instagram.
📚GET CAROL'S BOOKS: Available on Amazon
This is Passion From Pain—where we mine the mess.
If this stirred something, good. That's the shadow knocking.
💥Get You FREE Guide:
👉"FROM CONFUSION TO CLARITY: 10 Signs of a Manipulative & Menatlly Abusive Relationship"
https://get.passionfrompain.com/from-confusion-to-clarity
Get your free roadmap to rebuilding after abuse: http://www.passionfrompain.com/clarity
CONNECT:
Subscribe, comment, like, download!
IG: @amy.pease.rox
TikTok: @og.passionfrompain
Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/passion-from-pain--6594412/support.
🔥🎙️Pain Made You Strong! Passion Made Your Unstoppable!🎙️🔥
23 JAN 2026 · Ever met the part of yourself you swore didn't exist? Carol Smaldino—78-year-old therapist and shadow work veteran—tells the story of the moment she realized she had rage she didn't know existed. A scary kid. A fourth-floor window. And the thought: "I could help him jump." That's where the real work began.
This is shadow work—Carl Jung's concept of owning the parts of yourself you're terrified to acknowledge. The anger. The cruelty. The selfishness. The darkness you shove down because "good people" don't feel that way. Except they do. And when you ignore your shadow? It doesn't disappear. It organizes. Carol's been doing this work for decades as a therapist, a recovering "nice girl," and the creator of Dr. Ethel—her irreverent, orange-clad alter ego. She's worked with abused kids, multi-problem families, and her own psyche. And she's learned that vulnerability without protection is just exposure.
That humor can be holy. And that sometimes the most radical thing you can do is admit: "You're better at being mean than me."
You don't want to miss Carol's stories, her humor and her decades of experience that bring this epaiode to life 😊
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Life can be brutal. Trauma, manipulation, & mental abuse leave scars, but here’s the truth: your pain isn’t your prison—it’s your power. Passion From Pain is the no-nonsense, unapologetic podcast...
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Life can be brutal. Trauma, manipulation, & mental abuse leave scars, but here’s the truth: your pain isn’t your prison—it’s your power.
Passion From Pain is the no-nonsense, unapologetic podcast for those ready to break free from the chains of toxicity, take back their minds, & rise up stronger than ever. Hosted by Amy Pease, a woman who fought her way out of a manipulative & mentally abusive adopted family while raising a son diagnosed with autism, this show is for the survivor. Amy turned her pain into purpose, dedicating her life to helping others reclaim their power after life's brutally painful moments.
www.passsionfrompain.com
show less
Passion From Pain is the no-nonsense, unapologetic podcast for those ready to break free from the chains of toxicity, take back their minds, & rise up stronger than ever. Hosted by Amy Pease, a woman who fought her way out of a manipulative & mentally abusive adopted family while raising a son diagnosed with autism, this show is for the survivor. Amy turned her pain into purpose, dedicating her life to helping others reclaim their power after life's brutally painful moments.
www.passsionfrompain.com
Information
| Author | Amy Pease |
| Organization | Amy Pease |
| Categories | Self-Improvement , Mental Health , Education |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| amy@passionfrompain.com |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
