This episode discusses childhood narcissistic abuse, hair-based control, bullying, and physical abuse involving a hairbrush. Please take care while listening and pause or skip if you need to.

In this episode, I share how hair-based control, criticism, and abuse shaped my relationship with my natural curls. I talk about reclaiming my hair through a curly cut, bangs, purple curls, and learning to choose what feels like me.

• I reflect on growing up feeling shamed for my curly hair and having it cut or straightened against my wishes.
• I share how criticism from abusers and bullies affected my confidence and the way I styled my hair.
• I talk about reclaiming my curls, trying a curly cut with bangs, and embracing purple highlights.
• I reflect on what feels authentic now, including the complicated feelings I still have about my gray hair.
• I invite you to consider your own relationship with your hair and what might bring you joy.

00:31 Introduction and episode overview
01:26 Personal hair trauma and its connection to narcissistic abuse
01:58 Cultural influences and childhood experiences with hair
03:15 Healing journey: reclaiming natural hair and joy
04:13 The role of trauma and shame in hair relationships
05:34 Tools and practices for healing hair trauma
09:11 The significance of hair as identity and expression
14:01 Breaking free from abusive conditioning and reclaiming self-love
20:29 The importance of authentic self-expression through hair
25:34 Celebrating natural hair and embracing aging
30:37 Healing invitation: reflecting on your own hair story

• EP.081: Rumination OCD with Dr. Michael J. Greenberg

• Find a Helpline
• In the U.S., call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain:

🎧 Listen on all platforms → hellotraumabrain.riverside.com

🔗 All links in one place → bio.site/hellotraumabrain

⭐ Subscribe + leave a 5-star review wherever you listen

📱 Follow @hellotraumabrain on social → Instagram | TikTok

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and hit the bell

💛 Donate via PayPal → paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising

📧 Email Raysa → hellotraumabrain@gmail.com

In this trailer, I'm announcing Season 4 of Hello Trauma Brain, premiering October 22, 2026. This season, I'm digging into toxic shame, shame that was never mine to carry in the first place, and I'm giving it back to the people it actually belongs to: my abusers.

• Season 4 premieres October 22, 2026
• This season's theme: releasing toxic shame
• A mix of solo episodes, conversations with fellow survivors and trauma experts, and illustration episodes using media to show what narcissistic abuse can look like in real life
• New episodes every other Thursday or as my trauma brain allows
• While you wait, you can catch up on Seasons 1–3 wherever you listen, and subscribe now so you don't miss the premiere
• Remember you deserve to heal

If you're struggling, you're not alone. Support is available right now.

🌍 International: findahelpline.com

🇺🇸 US: Call or text 988

✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain:

🎧 Listen on all platforms → hellotraumabrain.riverside.com

🔗 All links in one place → bio.site/hellotraumabrain

⭐ Subscribe + leave a 5-star review wherever you listen

📱 Follow @hellotraumabrain on social → Instagram | TikTok

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and hit the bell

💛 Donate via PayPal → paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising

📧 Email Raysa → hellotraumabrain@gmail.com

⚠️ Content warning: This episode touches on place-based trauma triggers, institutional gaslighting, references to a dangerous situation (no specific details), financial abuse, and OCD/rumination. Please take care of yourself while listening.

In this episode, I get real about what happened during my latest vacation. It was three days, a lot of layers, some real joy, and some genuinely hard stuff, and my C-PTSD showed up the whole way through. I talk about learning to actually plan for myself instead of winging it and hoping for the best, what happened when old triggers came up on the road, and how I found my way back to myself after a really rough day two. This is also our Season 3 finale, so I'm looking back on the season and sharing what's coming in Season 4.

Chapters

00:30 The Struggles of Taking a Vacation with CPTSD
09:45 Reclaiming Vacationing: A Personal Journey
13:41 Planning for Self-Care: A New Approach to Vacations
17:25 Facing Triggers: A Road Trip Through Memories
24:41 Finding Joy in the Unexpected: Day One of the Trip
24:47 The Challenges of Day Two: A Poorly Organized Event
27:46 Gaslighting and Reflection: The Aftermath of Day Two
30:44 The Aftermath of Burnout and Recovery
32:35 Therapeutic Insights and Validation
34:38 Restoring Faith in Experiences
40:02 Season Three Recap and Lessons Learned
43:45 Looking Ahead to Season Four
43:58 Healing Invitation

Resources mentioned:

• Gregory Alan Isakov's website: gregoryalanisakov.com

Episodes mentioned:

• EP.071 - Transcend Trauma
• EP.072 - SurThriving
• EP.073 - Screaming Body
• EP.074 - CPTSD Q&A
• EP.078 - Home After Abuse
• EP.079 - Unlearning Stuck
• EP.081 - Rumination & OCD

If you need support:

• Find a helpline near you: findahelpline.com
• US: call or text 988

✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain:

🎧 Listen on all platforms → hellotraumabrain.riverside.com

🔗 All links in one place → bio.site/hellotraumabrain

⭐ Subscribe + leave a 5-star review wherever you listen

📱 Follow @hellotraumabrain on social → Instagram | TikTok

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and hit the bell

💛 Donate via PayPal → paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising

📧 Email Raysa → hellotraumabrain@gmail.com