Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show Episode: MORGAN: [Trauma] How To Heal It, Survival Mode & Why It Looks Different for Everyone
Release Date: May 4, 2025
Host: Morgan Huy
Guest: Lauren Auer, Trauma Therapist
Produced by: Premiere Networks

Introduction to the Episode

In this deeply insightful episode of The Bobby Bones Show, host Morgan Huy delves into the complex world of trauma with seasoned trauma therapist Lauren Auer. Released on May 4, 2025, this episode focuses on understanding trauma, its varied manifestations, and effective healing strategies. Morgan announces a slight shift in the show's format, opting to explore topics in greater depth by dedicating consecutive episodes to similar themes.

Lauren Auer’s Journey into Trauma Therapy

Timestamp: [03:21]

Lauren Auer shares her unintentional yet passionate journey into trauma therapy. Originally uncertain about her specialization during graduate school, Lauren found her calling while interning at an agency working with juvenile offenders and victims of abuse. Her experiences at a women's domestic violence shelter and a rape crisis center solidified her dedication to trauma work. Lauren emphasizes the multifaceted nature of trauma, having worked with individuals in crisis situations—from immediate trauma responses in emergency rooms to long-term therapy for unresolved childhood issues.

“It was such a unique learning experience, especially working with the three layers of victims as well as offenders and their family.”
— Lauren Auer [03:35]

Understanding Trauma: Beyond the Surface

Timestamp: [07:56]

Lauren discusses the diverse manifestations of trauma, highlighting that trauma does not present uniformly across individuals. She emphasizes that trauma is more about an individual's internal experience rather than the external event itself. Using real-world examples, Lauren illustrates how people respond to identical traumatic events in vastly different ways—some may laugh or become overly productive, while others might exhibit emotional or dissociative behaviors.

“It's about how that individual person, their nervous system, their brain, how they experience it.”
— Lauren Auer [10:07]

The Science Behind Trauma Responses

Timestamp: [11:19]

Morgan prompts Lauren to delve deeper into the science of trauma, seeking to understand why some individuals process trauma more efficiently than others. Lauren explains that trauma responses are influenced by a combination of immediate circumstances, historical factors, and future support systems. She uses an analogy comparing the nervous system to plants with unique needs based on their genetic makeup and growing conditions, illustrating the personalized nature of trauma responses.

“Our nervous systems are like plants; all of those things about how consistent is the care that you're giving it. Our systems have our own individual capacities for processing experiences.”
— Lauren Auer [14:10]

Healing Trauma: Techniques and Therapies

Timestamp: [29:42]

Lauren introduces various therapeutic techniques essential for healing trauma, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), brain spotting, and somatic therapies. She explains how these methods engage the body's nervous system to process and integrate traumatic experiences effectively. Lauren emphasizes that healing requires connecting both the logical and instinctual parts of the brain, allowing individuals to move beyond automatic trauma responses.

“Being in tune with your body and what's going on—therapies like EMDR and brain spotting are about being in tune with your body.”
— Lauren Auer [30:07]

The Consequences of Unresolved Trauma

Timestamp: [38:13]

Morgan and Lauren discuss the repercussions of unhealed trauma. Lauren uses the analogy of a junk room to describe how unresolved trauma can accumulate and eventually lead to overwhelming consequences. She highlights that unaddressed trauma can manifest in various ways, such as mood swings, relationship issues, and addictions, which often mask the underlying trauma.

“It's like holding a beach ball underwater—you can struggle to keep it down, but eventually, it might be too much to hold that down.”
— Lauren Auer [39:10]

Breaking the Survival Mode Cycle

Timestamp: [43:01]

Addressing the perpetual cycle of survival mode—fight, flight, or freeze—Lauren provides actionable steps for listeners to begin breaking free from this intense state. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, understanding the automatic nature of trauma responses, and integrating body-focused therapies to facilitate healing.

“Detaching that extra layer of shame and blame that you have, but also trying to understand what purpose that might be serving.”
— Lauren Auer [44:00]

Introducing “Trauma Lessons”

Timestamp: [46:04]

Lauren introduces the concept of “trauma lessons,” describing it as a transformative phase in trauma healing where individuals rediscover themselves free from the constraints of past trauma. This period often resembles adolescence, involving vulnerability and self-discovery but ultimately leads to personal growth and resilience.

“Healing is happening. It’s exciting. It’s like refinding yourself.”
— Lauren Auer [48:05]

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Timestamp: [48:22]

In her concluding remarks, Lauren passionately advocates for the benefits of therapy. She encourages listeners to seek professional help regardless of the severity of their trauma, emphasizing that healing is accessible at any stage of life. Lauren underscores the generational impact of trauma and the importance of breaking the cycle through personal healing.

“The best thing you can do for yourself and all the people around you is to get to know yourself and figure out who you are without all of that other stuff getting in the way.”
— Lauren Auer [48:25]

Conclusion

Morgan wraps up the episode by thanking Lauren for her invaluable insights and previewing the next episode, which will feature Haley Dollar Hyde sharing her personal trauma journey. Listeners are encouraged to follow Lauren on social media and explore therapeutic resources to aid their healing processes.

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma is highly individualized and not solely determined by the external event.
• Understanding the neurological and physiological aspects of trauma is crucial for effective healing.
• Therapeutic techniques like EMDR and brain spotting can facilitate deep trauma processing.
• Unresolved trauma can lead to various mental health issues and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
• Seeking therapy is beneficial for everyone, regardless of the perceived magnitude of their trauma.

Notable Quotes:

• “If two people were in a car and got in a car accident and fender bender...one of them might have experienced that event as traumatic, whereas the other one maybe didn't.”
  — Lauren Auer [10:07]

• “Healing is happening. It’s exciting. It’s like refinding yourself.”
  — Lauren Auer [48:05]

Resources Mentioned:

• Lauren Auer’s Social Media: Instagram @yourtraumatherapist_
• Upcoming Episode: Featuring Haley Dollarhyde sharing her trauma story

By providing a comprehensive exploration of trauma and its healing processes, this episode serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to understand their own experiences or support others in their healing journeys.