Getting Past Survivor

A Journey to Wholeness

Blog & Podcast

Hey there! Welcome to "Getting Past Survivor, A Journey to Wholeness," a blog and podcast where I openly share my personal journey of triumphing over trauma and loss. And, through my writing and speaking, you'll hear stories from other trauma survivors who really want to share their own experiences but prefer to remain anonymous, entrusting me to speak on their behalf.

This podcast is dedicated to creating a safe haven for vulnerability and fostering meaningful connections. Through sharing my stories, my aim is to offer guidance, hope, and inspiration to those who may be navigating their own healing paths. Together, we will unravel the complexities of trauma and loss, unearthing the strength within us to overcome adversity.

Whether you have encountered personal hardships or are looking to understand and support others who have, "Getting Past Survivor, A Journey to Wholeness" is here to accompany you on your journey. I firmly believe that by acknowledging our pain and embracing our vulnerabilities, we can discover the inner strength necessary to triumph over any challenge.

To read more about my story: The Reason for Getting Past Survivor

Categories

Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Downside of Speaking Goals

Discover the surprising downside of sharing your goals aloud in today's digital age. Uncover how the social reality effect can hinder your progress, leaving you feeling satisfied without taking meaningful steps forward. Learn practical strategies to navigate this phenomenon and stay focused on your aspirations. Read on for tips on selective sharing, action-oriented planning, and celebrating real milestones. Find the balance between external validation and internal drive. Dive into the full blog for insights and actionable advice.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Boost Your Self-Esteem: Transformative Tools for Positive Change

Explore the transformative journey of overcoming low self-esteem, guided by the concept of mindful debugging. Uncover the power of self-guided experiences through purposeful workbooks designed for personal growth. Discover tangible benefits and witness the transformative process that leads to a more empowered and resilient self and ultimately raise your self-esteem!

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Power of Words

Our words shape our brains. Expressions like "I feel depressed" reinforce negativity. Discussing problems offers temporary relief but often leads to frustration and limited change. Positive affirmations benefit those with high self-esteem but may worsen negative beliefs for those with low self-esteem due to confirmation bias. Understanding how our brains interpret language, including sensory experiences, is crucial for lasting change and personal growth.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

From Chaos to Clarity

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation as you explore the profound insights of hypnosis and the unconscious mind. Through these posts, unlock practical tools to accelerate your personal growth and understand yourself on a deeper level. Gain invaluable insights into how your subconscious influences your actions and learn to harness this power for positive change. Dive into the fascinating revelation that the brain reacts before conscious awareness, offering a new perspective on the mysteries of your mind.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Turning to Belief

Imagine this: a battle within, one part cheering, "You deserve the best!" The other whispers, "No, you don't.” You try to believe, to break free from doubts. Looking back, you long for that confident step into a fulfilled life.

Ever notice resistance holding you back? What if you could let it go, embracing your truth and transforming your life?

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Listen to CSA Survivors

In this blog post, I shine a spotlight on a critical message: The significance of listening to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Join me as I emphasize the importance of providing survivors with a safe space to share their stories. By lending an empathetic ear and validating their experiences, we can help survivors heal and contribute to a more compassionate society.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

What Propels You?

This blog post explores two mindsets: "go-getter" (enthusiastic and goal-oriented - moving towards) and "avoider" (cautious and problem-focused - moving away from). Let’s talk about the importance of language patterns in shaping our reality and encourage a balanced communication style that considers both pursuing goals and addressing challenges.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Communication

Creating, welcoming, accepting communication is desperately needed as a foundation of being human - a healthy human. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, rape, bullying, and abuse are all taught to keep their mouths shut. The perpetrators NEED our silence in order to survive. Because of the nature of abuse, we comply as best as we can. As a mom I was determined to protect my kids, and creating open communication was paramount in that. Here’s another step in my journey of Getting Past Survivor so my kids don’t have to.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Family Dinner

When my children were growing up, our dinner table was a special place. Each night, one of them would be the moderator, asking questions that brought us closer together. We shared the best and worst parts of our day, what made us laugh and cry, something we learned, and our favorite memory. These conversations created a bond that will forever be cherished.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Map is Not the Territory

The map and territory are metaphors used to illustrate the difference between the actual world and our understanding of the world as we perceive it to be. The ‘map’ is our understanding of the ‘territory’ of reality, and we must be careful to remember that the map is not the territory! Let's talk about how distorted maps affect relationships so we can become more aware of how we're seeing the world. The more we understand our views, the more we can update our maps, the better we can relate to others and with ourselves!

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Childhood Sexual Abuse & The Dentist

The dentist office is a scary place for most people I know. It’s even worse for survivors of sexual abuse. Here is some insight for both survivors, and professionals who serve them, so we can create a feeling of safety in the dentist chair.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Rules, Traditions & Beliefs

From the moment we’re born, we are all given a set of rules, traditions, and beliefs to live by from the family or system we’re born into. But do they actually serve us? Use this set of questions on your journey of self-discovery.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Empathetic Heart

We talked about what she was feeling and I shared a comparison between an empathetic heart and a sympathetic heart.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Midol, Part 2

In the heat of the moment, when I’m reacting to situations, it’s not Master’s Degree Helen talking, it’s Little Survivor Brain Helen defending herself. This wasn’t work, this was personal. This was life.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Midol, Part 1

One little phrase can impact us for decades . . . Here’s one of the most impactful I’ve experienced.

Read More
Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

This Too Shall Pass!

Let’s talk about choosing to thrive instead of merely surviving during challenging times, including health and political issues. It emphasizes shifting from negative, fear-driven responses to positive, growth-oriented mindsets, embracing hope, resilience, and connection. We have the choice to focus on our common humanity and make positive changes in our lives and the world.

Read More