From Trauma to Triumph How Post-Traumatic Growth Restores Happiness and Resilience After Life’s Adversity with MC McDonald PhD

Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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From Trauma to Triumph: How Post-Traumatic Growth Restores Happiness and Resilience After Life’s Adversity with MC McDonald PhD

Adversity and grief are universal aspects of life. Most of us will encounter a form of trauma that triggers a survival response, anchoring the mind in past pain. However, this physiological loop does not have to be a life sentence. By cultivating resilience, we can navigate through the overwhelm and move toward post-traumatic growth, where it is possible to rediscover a profound sense of happiness and joy.

To reframe how we think about trauma and post-traumatic growth, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with MC McDonald, a research professor and life coach specializing in trauma psychology and philosophy.

MC describes the physiological survival mechanisms at the core of the body’s trauma response and the benefits of post-traumatic growth. She offers insights about the in-depth research that is the foundation of her book, The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Win It Back.

Meet Our Guest:

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Meet Our Guest:

MaryCatherine (MC) McDonald, PhD, is a research professor and life coach specializing in trauma psychology and philosophy. Since 2009, she has published, taught, and coached on the neuroscience and lived experience of trauma, working to destigmatize mental health and reframe how we understand healing.

She holds degrees from The New School and Boston University and is the author of two books on trauma. Her coaching and curriculum development support veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals nationwide.

Book: The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Win It Back

MC McDonald, PhD—From Trauma to Post-Traumatic Growth:

Your brain on trauma. {4:31}
Why do many turn to substances and destructive tendencies after trauma? {7:27}
How to build resilience to a trauma response. {14:12}
For some, happiness feels unattainable after trauma. {23:11}
The rewards of post-traumatic growth. {29:56}

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“The dark side is juicy and where the big growth actually happens.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “We can't label everything we do for comfort, a symptom." @mc.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Joy is the state in which your nervous system feels safe enough to revel in something.” @mc.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Sometimes people use the framing of post-traumatic growth as a way to dismiss the pain of trauma.” @mc.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.