Episode 13 -Healing Trauma Through Story Work with Wendy Olson
Nov 27, 2023
***Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault.***
In this episode I’m joined by Wendy J. Olson. Wendy is a healing coach, founder, and executive director of Grit Plus Gumption Farmstead. Wendy believes in the power of story to change and shape people's lives. She walks with women through their stories of past hurts and traumas, and guides them to find their own freedom and healing.
Through Grit plus Gumption Farmstead she serves survivors of sexual exploitation and domestic violence. Having applied all she teaches to her own life as a survivor herself, she is able to guide women with kindness and grace, showing them there is always more freedom to be had in one’s life. She believes everyone has a story, and even if that story is really hard, it doesn't mean the rest of the story has to be.
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During our conversation Wendy shares her personal story of growing up with a narcissistic parent and the trauma she experienced that caused her to develop the inner belief and narrative “Nobody Cares”.
Even after leaving home abuse continued to be a theme in her life as she found herself in an abusive relationship that reinforced her subconscious belief that “Nobody Cares” and this is just the way life is.
But, her journey led her to finding healing through Story Work, which required her to explore her past in order to heal herself. After years of doing her personal work she developed a passion for helping other survivors use Story Work as part of their healing journey.
Wendy shares examples of how clients overcame their fear of unpacking painful memories through practices like journaling and other writing exercises designed to help them find their truth and heal. We also explore how our family history shapes our story.
Guest: Wendy Olson
Website: https://gritplusgumption.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrswendyjolson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrswendyjolson/
Book: Quelling the Tempest
Referenced books: