Overcoming PTSD with Brad Schipke

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
Relationship Boundaries for PTSD Recovery: How to Say No Without GuiltHow to Stop Letting People Walk All Over You After TraumaPTSD, Relationships, and Boundaries: Protecting Your Peace Without Blowing UpFrom People-Pleasing to Self-Respect: Trauma-Safe Relationship BoundariesHow to Set Boundaries With Family While Healing from PTSDWhen Love Hurts: Relationship Boundaries Every Trauma Survivor NeedsHow to Enforce Boundaries with Toxic People in PTSD RecoveryStop the Yelling and Chaos: Trauma-Informed Boundaries That Actually WorkEmotional Overload to Inner Calm: Nervous System-Safe Boundaries for PTSDHow to Leave Draining Conversations and Events Without Feeling Like the Bad Guy
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this Boundary Bootcamp session, Brad and Kayleen dive into one of the most misunderstood skills in trauma recovery: relationship boundaries. Instead of seeing boundaries as walls or punishment, they reframe them as the structure that lets you live a healthy, sustainable life while healing PTSD or trauma.
You’ll hear real stories from their own relationship—times when there were no boundaries, when yelling and chaos ruled, and when things finally changed because one of them said, “This is no longer okay.” They walk through how painful it can feel in the moment, and how powerful it becomes in the long term for both people.
Brad and Kayleen also break down the difference between emotional reactions and solid, non-emotional boundaries—how to decide what your limit is, how to express it calmly, and how to enforce it even when someone pushes back, gets upset, or tries to pull you back into old patterns.
By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to identify where you need boundaries, how to communicate them clearly, and how to hold your ground without screaming, collapsing, or people-pleasing—so you can protect your healing, your energy, and your future.
💡 What You’ll Learn
How to recognize when a relationship or situation needs a boundary because you leave feeling worse about yourself
The essential difference between emotional outbursts and calm, factual boundary setting
A step-by-step process for defining, communicating, and enforcing relationship boundaries
How unhealed trauma and low self-worth lead to people-pleasing and boundary-less relationships
Ways to set boundaries around yelling, abusive language, and hurtful texting while healing PTSD
How to protect your bedtime, energy, and goals without feeling selfish or guilty
Why enforcing a boundary matters more than getting someone to agree with or “like” it
How holding firm on boundaries can actually improve relationships and inspire others to grow
Practical examples of what to say when you need space, time alone, or a break from emotional overload
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
Boundaries are not emotional explosions—they’re calm, clear decisions about what you will and will not allow so you can respect yourself and protect your healing.
 
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching & Boundary Bootcamp02:00 – Why most trauma survivors have zero boundaries (and don’t realize it)06:00 – Boundaries as healthy lifestyle choices, not just protection from abuse10:00 – Brad’s story: people-pleasing, yelling, and having no limits in relationships15:00 – The “law” of boundaries: firm, non-emotional, and not up for debate18:00 – How to know you need a boundary: feeling worse after a person or event20:00 – The dog story: how unspoken rules and boundaries shape behavior24:00 – When a relationship boundary means living apart to heal from PTSD30:00 – Step 1: Defining your boundary and your ideal outcome35:00 – Step 2: Communicating boundaries without asking for permission40:00 – Step 3: Enforcing boundaries when someone tests or pushes them45:00 – Examples: text message boundaries, yelling, and walking away calmly52:00 – Rules vs boundaries and why consequences still matter in healing55:00 – Community shares: family patterns, grandkids, and being scolded01:00:00 – Progress over perfection: boundaries, goals, and tiny lifestyle shifts01:04:00 – What’s coming next in Boundary Bootcamp: Book of Law and core boundaries
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery • trauma healing • relationship boundaries • emotional boundaries • internal boundaries • external boundaries • people-pleasing after trauma • PTSD and relationships • trauma coping tools • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • yelling and conflict in relationships • communication skills for trauma survivors • self-worth and boundaries • enforcing boundaries calmly • stopping abusive patterns • trauma-informed relationship tools • healing after toxic relationships • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
Self Boundaries That Transform PTSD RecoveryHow To Stop Self-Abandonment When You Have PTSDFrom Self-Abuse To Self-Respect: A Trauma Survivor’s Guide To BoundariesThe First Boundary Every PTSD Survivor Must Set (And It’s Not With Other People)How To Talk Yourself Into Healing (Not Back Into Trauma Patterns)Trauma, Addiction, And Boundaries: Choosing One Change That Changes EverythingWhy PTSD Makes Self-Love Hard (And How Boundaries Help You Rebuild It)From People-Pleasing To Self-Respect: Trauma Recovery Through Self BoundariesThe “All Or Nothing” Boundary Strategy That Finally Sticks In PTSD RecoveryStop Feeling Worse After Everything You Do: Self Boundaries For Real Healing
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this Boundary Bootcamp session, Brad and Kayleen dive into the most overlooked part of healing after trauma: self boundaries. Before you can set limits with the people around you, you have to learn how to stop abandoning yourself in daily decisions, habits, and coping patterns. This episode shows you how to start doing exactly that in a grounded, practical way.
You’ll learn why self-love and self-worth are the real foundation of every boundary—and what to do if you don’t believe you deserve good things yet. Kayleen walks through how she went from feeling worthless and stuck in destructive habits to building simple, “binary” boundaries that shifted her confidence, energy, and relationships.
Brad and Kayleen break down how to spot areas in your life that quietly make your PTSD or trauma symptoms worse—like media, food, substances, social media, or people-pleasing—and how to pick one boundary that will create the biggest positive ripple effect. You’ll also hear how to use visualization, self-talk, and introspection to stay on track when you’re tempted to break your own rules.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear first step: choose one self boundary, make it black-and-white, plan what you’ll do instead, and start proving to yourself—day by day—that you are worth protecting, respecting, and caring for.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
Why self boundaries must come before setting boundaries with other people in PTSD or trauma recovery
How low self-worth and old trauma beliefs quietly sabotage your attempts to set and keep boundaries
A simple “binary” way to set boundaries so they’re clear, doable, and easy to notice when you’re crossing them
How to identify the one habit, behavior, or coping pattern that makes you feel worst about yourself and start there
How to replace destructive habits with life-enhancing options instead of leaving empty space that pulls you back into old patterns
How to use self-talk to talk yourself into healthy actions and out of self-abuse and self-sabotage
How to pause, introspect, and uncover the deeper belief or wound underneath every urge to break your boundary
How consistent self boundaries naturally increase confidence and change how others treat and respect you
Why small daily decisions around media, food, substances, or people-pleasing matter so much in long-term PTSD recovery
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
Every time you keep a self boundary, you’re proving to your brain that you are worth protecting—and that’s the foundation of real PTSD and trauma recovery.
 
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
00:36 Welcome to Boundary Bootcamp
00:57 Foundations of Boundaries
03:03 Understanding Self Boundaries
04:47 Building Self-Worth and Self-Respect
10:31 Practical Examples of Self Boundaries
15:58 Binary Boundaries: Yes or No
22:07 Self-Talk and Maintaining Boundaries
31:20 Starting Your Boundary Journey
32:06 Identifying the Biggest Source of Self-Doubt
32:36 Starting with the Biggest Challenge
33:31 Alternative Approaches to Setting Boundaries
36:41 Visualizing Life Without Negative Habits
38:12 Filling the Void with Positive Activities
41:27 Harnessing Pain to Drive Change
42:35 Radiating Self-Respect and Confidence
44:02 Q&A and Personal Stories
56:30 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery • trauma healing • self boundaries • personal boundaries for trauma survivors • self-love and self-worth after trauma • PTSD coping tools • stopping self-sabotage • overcoming addictions after trauma • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • people-pleasing and PTSD • setting healthy limits • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • boundaries in PTSD recovery • how to build self-respect after trauma

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
Boundaries Bootcamp: How Healthy Boundaries Accelerate PTSD RecoveryFrom Walls to Gates: Rethinking Boundaries in PTSD HealingFoundations of Boundaries for Trauma SurvivorsSelf-Respect and Boundaries: Reclaiming Your Life After PTSDStop People-Pleasing: How to Set Trauma-Informed Boundaries That StickSelf-Boundaries First: The Missing Piece in PTSD RecoveryWhen Saying No Is Healing: Emotional Boundaries for Trauma RecoveryHow to Set Boundaries With Family While Healing PTSDBoundaries, Self-Worth, and Nervous System Safety in Trauma RecoveryAre Your Boundaries Built From Fear or Freedom? PTSD Healing Truths
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this Boundaries Bootcamp kickoff, Brad and Kaylene break down what healthy boundaries really are—and what they’re not—for trauma survivors and those healing from PTSD. Instead of “fortress walls” that shut everyone out, they explore boundaries as fences with doors and gates you control, so you decide who gets access, when, and how.
You’ll hear practical, real-life examples of boundaries around sobriety, family conflict, and emotional safety, and why highly emotional, all-or-nothing “I’m done, I’m out” rules usually backfire. Brad and Kaylene show how to pause, think long-term, and place your “fence” in the right spot instead of building it in the middle of your life during a meltdown.
This episode also digs into the less-talked-about side of boundaries: self-boundaries. You’ll learn why keeping promises to yourself around food, sobriety, rest, and emotional reactions is the foundation for confidently setting boundaries with others. As your self-respect and self-worth grow, your boundaries become calmer, clearer, and easier to enforce.
Finally, Brad and Kaylene touch on navigating boundaries in close relationships—especially family and parent-child dynamics—where it can feel like your hands are tied. You’ll walk away with a grounded, compassionate framework for respecting your own needs while allowing others to have their boundaries too, without getting lost in guilt, shame, or people-pleasing.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
What healthy boundaries are—and what they are not
How to spot “fortress” walls versus flexible, loving boundaries
Why self-boundaries are the foundation for every other boundary in PTSD and trauma recovery
How to ask “What’s best for me long term?” in any triggering situation
How fear-based decisions shrink your life and keep trauma patterns in place
Practical boundary examples around addiction, sobriety, and shared living spaces
Why you do not have to justify or defend your boundaries to anyone
How respecting other people’s boundaries actually supports your own healing
Simple ways to notice where you leave situations feeling worse—and where a boundary is needed
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
Healthy boundaries aren’t walls to keep people out; they’re doors you control so your healing, safety, and self-respect come first.
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
00:36 Welcome to the Boundaries Bootcamp
01:39 Foundations of Boundaries
04:09 Defining Boundaries
25:21 Types of Boundaries
30:58 The Importance of Boundaries
31:25 Self-Talk and Self-Worth
31:54 Beliefs and Boundaries
32:38 Types of Boundaries
33:28 Q&A Session Begins
34:31 Handling Boundary Manipulation
40:13 Respecting Others' Boundaries
56:28 The Art of Communication
01:01:00 Conclusion and Next Steps
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery • trauma healing • healthy boundaries • self boundaries • relationship boundaries • emotional boundaries • mental boundaries • nervous system regulation • people-pleasing and PTSD • sobriety and boundaries • family conflict after trauma • parent-child boundaries • communication skills in trauma recovery • self-respect and self-worth • emotional regulation tools • trauma coping tools • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
How to Explain PTSD Recovery to Loved Ones (Without Overexplaining Your Trauma)How to Talk About Trauma Recovery So Your Family Actually UnderstandsWhy You Don’t Need Anyone’s Permission to Heal from PTSDPTSD Recovery and Loved Ones: How to Ask for Support (Without Feeling Needy)Explaining Trauma Healing to Family: Simple Scripts for Better SupportHow to Get Space to Heal from PTSD (When Others Don’t Get It Yet)Stop Justifying Your Trauma: How to Speak Calmly About Your Recovery JourneyPTSD Recovery Boundaries: How to Ask Loved Ones Not to InterfereHow to Support Yourself When No One Understands Your TraumaWhy Your Recovery Comes First (Even When Family Doesn’t Believe PTSD Can Heal)
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this episode, Brad breaks down a question most trauma survivors eventually face: How do I explain my recovery to the people I love so they don’t hold me back — and maybe even support me? Instead of centering the conversation on symptoms and past pain, Brad shows you how to talk about your recovery journey and future goals.
You’ll learn why support from others is powerful “icing on the cake” — but why you can’t build a healing plan that depends on anyone else’s approval, belief, or emotional stability. Brad walks through the idea of your own “bubble” of responsibility and how to protect it, even when family or partners don’t fully understand PTSD or think full recovery is possible.
Brad and Kalene also share practical examples, from asking loved ones for a simple “lack of interference” to structuring your life so you have time and energy to heal. You’ll hear real stories from their community about taking a step back to focus on recovery, building self-support through positive self-talk, and then having loved ones later say, “We see the difference in you.”
If you’ve ever felt guilty for needing time, space, or boundaries to heal from trauma, this conversation will help you reframe that as an act of love — for you and for
everyone in your life who benefits from you becoming whole.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
How to explain PTSD recovery as a future-focused journey instead of a past-focused trauma storyWhy your healing cannot depend on other people’s belief, validation, or emotional supportHow to ask loved ones for a “lack of interference” so you can focus on recoveryPractical ways to communicate boundaries around your time, energy, and healing routinesHow to recognize when you’re asking others to fill a void that actually needs trauma healingSimple self-care actions that show you how to support yourself like you would a best friendHow to build powerful internal self-talk that keeps you going when no one is watchingWhy over-relying on a partner or family member can strain the relationship during PTSD recoveryWhen it’s essential to reach out for help immediately if you’re in danger of hurting yourself or others
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
The strongest support you will ever have in PTSD recovery is the support you learn to give yourself — everything else is powerful icing on the cake.
 
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
01:13 Today's Topic: Explaining Recovery to Loved Ones
05:38 The Importance of Self-Support in Recovery
18:23 Communicating Your Needs and Setting Boundaries
21:59 Practical Steps for Self-Support
29:48 Celebrating Small Wins
30:05 The Importance of Self-Support
30:25 Reaching Out for Help
31:26 Building the Best Version of Yourself
32:30 Daily Practices for Self-Care
33:11 Upcoming Events and Announcements
34:35 Positive Self-Talk and Personal Growth
35:42 The Power of Perspective
39:37 Community Support and Accountability
50:44 Future Plans and Platform Updates
52:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery • trauma healing • explaining PTSD to family • PTSD and relationships • how to support someone with trauma • self-support in PTSD recovery • trauma recovery boundaries • nervous system regulation • emotional regulation • trauma coping tools • self-talk for PTSD • complex PTSD healing • recovery mindset • healing from childhood trauma • trauma-informed communication • partners of people with PTSD • family support and trauma • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
Keeping an Open Heart With PTSD: How Releasing Pain Sets You FreeStop Building Your Life Around Trauma: The Power of an Open HeartWhen Pain Piles Up: An Open-Heart Practice for PTSD RecoveryFrom Avoiding Pain to Emotional Freedom: Rewiring Your Relationship With TraumaHow to Release Stored Trauma Energy Without Getting OverwhelmedTriggers as Teachers: Using PTSD Flashbacks to Heal Instead of CollapseVulnerability, Boundaries, and Healing: Keeping Your Heart Open After TraumaLetting Go of a Lifetime of Pain: An Open-Heart Method for PTSD SurvivorsWhy Numbing Out Keeps Trauma Stuck (And What to Do Instead)Living From Love Instead of Fear: How Open-Hearted Living Transforms PTSD Recovery
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this episode, Brad shares the simple but life-changing concept that helped him stop building his entire life around pain and fear. Instead of avoiding emotions at all costs, he explains how learning to keep an open heart allowed him to finally release the backlog of trauma energy that had controlled everything from his relationships to whether he could even step outside his front door.
You’ll hear how pain piles up over years when it’s never fully felt or released, and why that creates a life that keeps getting smaller and more restricted. Brad walks through the idea of pain as “just energy” that can move out of your body when you learn to relax, soften your heart, and allow emotions to flow instead of stuffing them down and closing off.
Brad and Kayleen also explore how this open-heart practice transforms relationships, authenticity, and everyday choices. They talk about vulnerability without losing boundaries, how to notice whether your heart is open or closed in the moment, and what it practically looks like to use triggers as opportunities to heal instead of proof that you’re broken.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new way to understand your triggers, your pain, and your patterns of avoidance—and a simple inner compass: “Is my heart open or closed right now?” This one shift can change the way you move through PTSD recovery, your relationships, and your future.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
Why trauma pain piles up over time when you avoid feeling it
How to tell if your heart is open or closed in everyday situations
A simple way to step back into your observer or “true self” instead of being consumed by pain
How to use PTSD triggers as opportunities to release old stored emotion
Practical ways to start opening your heart in relationships without losing your boundaries
How vulnerability can make you stronger instead of more fragile after trauma
Why building your life around avoiding pain keeps you stuck and afraid
How to gently practice emotional release so it feels safe and manageable
The long-term vision of living from love and authenticity instead of fear and trauma patterns
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
Healing from PTSD becomes possible when you stop running from pain, open your heart, and allow stored emotions to move through you instead of building your entire life around avoiding them.
 
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
00:36 Starting the Live Coaching Session
01:52 Today's Topic: Keeping an Open Heart
02:54 Understanding and Releasing Pain
07:46 Personal Experiences and Reflections
09:11 The Process of Releasing Emotions
17:03 Practical Steps to Open Your Heart
20:45 The Importance of Emotional Honesty
25:56 Different Approaches to Emotional Release
29:46 Keeping an Open Heart in Daily Life
31:28 Understanding Emotional Release
31:43 The Thorn Analogy: Avoiding Emotional Pain
32:45 Living with an Open Heart
34:32 Practical Tips for Emotional Release
35:50 The Power of Vulnerability
37:54 Engaging with the Community
45:51 Setting Personal Goals and Overcoming Perfectionism
57:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery • trauma healing • keeping an open heart • releasing stored trauma • emotional release for PTSD • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • triggers as opportunities to heal • vulnerability and boundaries after trauma • trauma and relationships • C-PTSD coping skills • processing trauma emotions • avoiding emotional numbness • letting go of lifelong pain • mindfulness for PTSD • living authentically after trauma • inner child and past pain • trauma coping tools • Brad Schipke • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
Why You Can’t Skimp on Routines in PTSD RecoveryHow Tiny Daily Routines Rewire a Trauma Brain for HealingFrom Chaos to Consistency: Building PTSD Routines That Actually StickWhy Your PTSD Recovery Fails Without Unbreakable RoutinesOvercoming Trauma by Design: Stop Letting Your Brain Build Default RoutinesHow to Beat Resistance and Stay Consistent in PTSD RecoveryThe Hidden Power of Evening Routines for Trauma HealingWhy You’re Not Broken: The Truth About Habits, Addiction, and PTSDFrom People Pleasing to Boundaries: Taking Your Time and Energy Back After TraumaOne Small Change at a Time: Rewiring Trauma Habits with Compassion and Consistency
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this workshop-style episode from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching series, Brad and Kayleen break down why routines are absolutely non-negotiable if you want to fully recover from PTSD or trauma. They explain how your brain is already creating routines—often without your permission—and why the real question isn’t if you have routines, but whether those routines are helping you heal or keeping you stuck.
You’ll learn how seemingly small patterns, like what you reach for when you’re stressed or how you end your day, quietly wire your brain over time. Brad and Kayleen share real-life examples—from pizza and addictions to bedtime and morning routines—to show how quickly the brain learns, changes, and locks in new habits through repetition and neuroplasticity.
They also dive into the emotional side: resistance, guilt, people-pleasing, and the belief that you’re “broken” or can’t change. You’ll hear powerful mindset shifts around self-talk, boundaries, and why prioritizing your mental health isn’t selfish—it’s the only way to truly show up for the people you love.
By the end of the episode, you’ll see that building unbreakable routines doesn’t require perfection or massive willpower. It’s about small, intentional shifts, one decision at a time, so your automatic habits finally start working for your PTSD recovery instead of against it.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
Why your brain is always building routines whether you choose them or not
How to tell if your current routines are serving your PTSD recovery or sabotaging it
How to break overwhelming tasks into tiny steps to cut through resistance
Why self-talk is a “hidden routine” and how to rewire it to support healing
How the learning model of addiction and neuroplasticity apply to trauma recovery
How to build flexible routines that still work when life changes or gets chaotic
Why boundaries are essential for maintaining healing routines with family and friends
How to drop perfectionism and still make powerful progress in trauma recovery
How one “domino habit” like bedtime can positively shift your entire day and nervous system
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
You already have routines—healing begins when you consciously choose and protect the ones that support your recovery instead of letting trauma and autopilot choose for you.
 
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
00:36 Welcome to the Live Coaching Session
01:41 Today's Workshop: Overcoming Consistency Challenges
03:53 The Importance of Routines in Recovery
06:14 Building Positive Routines and Habits
11:23 Interactive Q&A: Addressing Your Challenges
35:11 Understanding Resistance and Its Impact
36:50 Breaking Down Tasks to Overcome Resistance
38:14 Embracing Flexible Routines
40:22 Becoming the Boss of Your Life
44:49 Setting Boundaries for Better Self-Care
50:07 Addressing Guilt and Prioritizing Mental Health
52:44 Creating Effective Routines and Overcoming Challenges
01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery routines • trauma healing habits • building unbreakable routines • nervous system regulation • consistency in PTSD recovery • breaking trauma coping patterns • evening and morning routines for trauma • emotional regulation tools • neuroplasticity and PTSD • addiction learning model and trauma • overcoming resistance in recovery • boundaries and people pleasing after trauma • PTSD mindset shifts • self-talk and trauma recovery • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
How to Be Social With PTSD Without Burning OutFrom Isolation to Connection: Overcoming PTSD at Social EventsBeating Holiday Social Anxiety With PTSD (Without Faking a Smile)Trauma, Shame, and the Fear of Being “Found Out” in Social SituationsHow to Stop Letting PTSD Turn Parties Into Panic TrapsRebuilding Relationships After Trauma When You’ve Pulled Away for YearsA Simple Social Plan for PTSD: Triggers, Exit Routes, and Self-TalkHow to Handle Crowds, Noise, and Overwhelm With a Trauma-Sensitive PlanThe Truth About PTSD, Loneliness, and Why Everyone Is More Anxious Than You ThinkFrom Hiding in Your Room to Hosting Again: Social Tools for Trauma Survivors
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching session, Brad and Kayleen break down how to be social when you absolutely do not feel like being social—especially around holidays, family gatherings, and big events. If PTSD or trauma has turned barbecues, birthdays, and weddings into situations you dread, this episode shows you why that happens and what to do about it.
Brad shares openly about the years he spent isolating, hiding in his room during family holidays, and avoiding people he loved because of shame and the fear of being “found out.” You’ll hear how he began to own his pain, release pressure to be perfect, and re-enter social situations with a calmer mind and a practical plan.
Together, Brad and Kayleen walk you through mindset shifts that dissolve a lot of the internal pressure—like realizing most people are thinking about themselves, not judging you, and that hurting doesn’t make you broken or bad. They also show you how to pair that mindset with simple tools and an exit plan so you feel safer going into any gathering.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to stop letting PTSD dictate your social life, how to handle triggers in the moment, and how to slowly rebuild relationships you may have pulled away from during the hardest seasons of your trauma journey.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
Why PTSD and trauma make social events and holidays feel overwhelming
How shame, fear of judgment, and “being found out” secretly fuel isolation
A mindset shift that lets you show up without pretending everything is perfect
How to create a calm social plan including triggers, tools, and a safe exit option
Practical grounding tools like the Butterfly Hug you can use discreetly in public
How to use self-talk to decide when to stay, when to step out, and how to come back
Ways to rebuild strained relationships after years of trauma-driven withdrawal
How consistency, healing routines, and processing work reduce social anxiety over time
Why discomfort is part of growth—and how to tell the difference between pain and healthy stretching
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
You don’t have to be perfect or pain-free to be social—you just need an honest mindset, a few simple tools, and a plan that reminds you you’re safe, worthy, and allowed to be human.
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome & 4th of July check-in02:00 Why holidays and social events feel so hard with PTSD06:15 Brad’s story: isolation, shame, and fear of being “found out”13:40 Reframing social anxiety: everyone is in their own head20:05 Mindset shifts: you’re not broken, bad, or alone22:30 Building a social safety plan (triggers, tools, exit routes)30:10 Using self-talk to navigate tough conversations & discomfort37:45 Rebuilding relationships after years of isolation46:20 Healing routines, consistency, and long-term recovery53:10 Listener questions, wins, and next steps
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD social anxiety • PTSD recovery • trauma healing • overcoming isolation after trauma • holidays with PTSD • social anxiety coping tools • nervous system regulation • grounding techniques for PTSD • Butterfly Hug technique • managing triggers in public • trauma and shame • rebuilding relationships after trauma • healing routines for PTSD • emotional regulation skills • mindset shifts for PTSD • coping with family gatherings • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation
Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/
The Recovery Process Is a Self Discovery Journey With PTSDYou Are Not Your Pain: Reclaiming Identity Beyond PTSDFrom Broken to Unbreakable: Peeling Back the Layers of TraumaWho Am I Without the Trauma? Rediscovering Your True Self After PTSDYou Are Not Your Symptoms: How PTSD Warps Your Sense of SelfStuck in Survival Mode: How to Find Yourself Again After TraumaWhy PTSD Recovery Is Really a Discovery of Who You’ve Always BeenLayers of Pain, Layers of Healing: A New Way to See PTSD RecoveryHow to Stop Believing You ARE the Trauma and Start Seeing Who You AreFrom “I’m Broken” to “I’m Amazing”: Redefining Your Identity After PTSD
Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
In this coaching session, Brad and Kayleen dive into one of the most important but often overlooked parts of healing: self discovery. When you’re in deep pain, it’s easy to believe you are the anger, the withdrawals, the shutdowns, and the symptoms. In this episode, Brad explains why you are not your PTSD, your addictions, or your anxiety—and how recovery is really about uncovering the real you underneath all that pain.
Using powerful visuals and everyday metaphors, they show how trauma layers over your true self like heavy circles covering a stick figure or murky water hiding what’s beneath the surface. As you heal each “layer” through processing and tools, more of the real you comes into view—your humor, your values, your capacity for connection, your goodness.
You’ll also hear how to navigate the confusing “in-between” phase of recovery, where some days you see your best self and other days the old patterns roar back. Instead of seeing that as proof you’re broken, Brad reframes it as key data pointing to the next layer that’s ready to heal.
This episode is both grounding and encouraging, giving you a practical way to separate who you are from what you’ve been through—and to use every trigger, bad day, and setback as a guidepost toward deeper healing and self discovery.
 
💡 What You’ll Learn
How PTSD and trauma create a false identity that makes you believe you are your pain
Why the recovery process is really a discovery process of your true self
How to visualize your symptoms as layers covering the real you underneath
How to use bad days, setbacks, and triggers as data for what needs healing next
Why you can have both good days and painful days without being “all good” or “all bad”
How to separate “I am anxious” from “I am experiencing anxiety”
Practical ways to start defining who you are not so you can get clearer on who you are
How processing tools help you peel back layers and reveal more of your real self
Why consistent small actions and routines build trust in your own healing journey
 
🧠 Key Takeaway
You are not your PTSD, your symptoms, or your worst moments—you are the person underneath the pain, and every layer you heal reveals more of who you truly are.
 
🔗 Next Steps
Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.
To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching
00:36 Starting the Live Session
01:22 Today's Topic: Self-Discovery
02:02 Understanding the Layers of Pain
04:52 Upcoming Holiday Plans and Mental Health
07:52 The Recovery Process: A Visual Representation
20:24 Sharing Personal Stories and Insights
29:26 Action Plan for Self-Discovery
30:13 Separating from Negative Identities
31:02 Using Introspection Tools
32:17 Q&A Session Begins
35:33 Dealing with PTSD and Anxiety
36:27 Coping vs. Healing the Root Cause
37:18 Recovery Toolbox Tools
39:24 The Protector Processing Tool
41:36 The Importance of Taking Action
52:33 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Sessions
 
Topics Covered:
PTSD recovery • trauma healing • self discovery after trauma • PTSD identity and self worth • emotional regulation tools for PTSD • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • panic attacks and anxiety relief • survival mode and hypervigilance • processing tools for PTSD • protector parts work • beliefs and mindset in trauma recovery • overcoming shame after trauma • building healthy routines for healing • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast