A Trauma-Informed Future

Have you ever sat through a nonprofit fundraising gala and felt your stomach drop as the lights dimmed for yet another emotionally devastating video? 

You're not alone. And according to trauma-informed storyteller Maria Bryan, there's a better way.

In this powerful episode of A Trauma-Informed Feature, host Katie Kurtz sits down with Maria Bryan to unpack the often-overlooked harm happening in nonprofit storytelling. From t...

Welcome back to a new season of A Trauma-Informed Future! After a restorative pause, Katie is offering transparent updates about the behind-the-scenes shifts that have unfolded since the last episode. Acknowledging the deep distrust shaping our world-from politics to community safety to information itself-Katie reminds us that trust is built slowly, at the pace of the nervous system, through aligned intentions and actions. She refl...

When people feel truly seen, heard, and valued, their nervous systems shift from protection to connection. As humans, our deepest drive is to feel safe—and that sense of safety is shaped by our internal physiological state, governed by the autonomic nervous system. We’re navigating a world marked by uncertainty and disconnection—at work, at home, and in our communities. Trust is in short supply, yet it’s the very thing we need most...

Many people turn to their faith communities to seek safety, connection, and support.  Without a trauma-informed lens, well-intentioned practices can unintentionally cause harm or retraumatize. Host Katie Kurtz is joined by coach and consultant Candace Wallace as they explore the integration of trauma-informed practices within faith-based communities. With expertise drawn from her extensive background, Candace Wallace explores the d...

Still think trauma isn’t relevant to your work? Recent populations studies have shown that virtually all people have or will experience trauma in their lifetime. Whether it’s your employees, customers, or clients, individuals have experienced some form of trauma in their lives and it can impact how they interact with you and your business. In this episode of A Trauma-Informed Future, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with career ...

What if the traditional way of doing business is no longer the way forward? What if people and profit could coexist without extraction or harm?  Today's guest, Angela Johnson had these questions and set out on a journey to research how this could be possible using trauma-informed care. In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with business strategist Angela Johnson discus...

In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz invites Caroline Brunne, a distinguished trauma survivor coach and breath work facilitator to discuss the powerful role of peer support. Caroline shares her compelling journey, underlining the critical role of personal lived experiences in the realm of trauma-informed care. This episode highlights how those who have navigated similar challenges bring valu...

How do we meet the moment while also running a business? In this episode of A Trauma-Informed Future Podcast, host Katie Kurtz explores the intersection of trauma-informed care, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and effective marketing and business practices with Tristan Katz. An LGBTQIA+ DEI facilitator and consultant, Tristan shares their profound insights on creating meaningful change and fostering supportive environments for entrepreneurs.  ...

Trauma-informed care holds profound importance but is currently facing significant challenges. At its core, trauma-informed care is meant to be inclusive, compassionate, and universally applicable, addressing the needs of all individuals without exclusion. However, recent shifts in federal policies, funding priorities, and organizational practices have raised concerns about the erosion of this approach. In today's episode of A...

In the face of overlapping social, economic, and cultural crises, many of us are carrying the weight of collective trauma, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. But even amidst the chaos, we don’t have to be consumed by the flames. This micro-episode is validating for anyone feeling familiar 2020 pandemic feelings of hypervigilance, functional freeze, growing uncertainty and fear. Host Katie Kurtz shares some affirming mess...

That palpable feeling of exhaustion, looming uncertainties, mounting moral injury, fast pace demoralization unfolding on our screens and in our streets. It's not an overreaction, it's collective trauma. Let's name a thing a thing and begin to look at ways we can begin to navigate how to live and lead during these times. Denying, minimizing and bypassing the realities of what is happening right now in the U.S. is not ...

In this season finale episode, we are having a community meeting to compassionately and courageusly look at the choices we have to make in the coming weeks, months, and years. We are standing at the threshold of opportunity to open to lead our values out loud in the face of uncertainty, fear, and resistance. For those us willing to choose courage, how will we prioritize humanity in our own spaces and spheres of influence? This epis...

The current tumultuous socio-political climate impacts all of us, no matter where we live. In this episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz provides practical and tangible practices that not only can be implemented immediately but can also remain a part of our evolution as trauma-informed leaders. She provides tools and techniques to take care of ourselves in order to continue to function effectively.

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If we want to live in healthy, resilient communities, we need to be thinking about who we are electing and what policies they are moving forward to make that possible.  A trauma-informed future is possible and we need to be thinking about it at a policy level.  In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with policy advocate and Executive Director of the CTIPP (Campaign for Traum...

What may be traumatic for me, may not be traumatic for you. But that doesn't mean my lived experience isn't real or valid. Because we each have unique nervous systems. We also have unique brains. Neurodiversity is becoming a more popular topic but what is it and how can be we be neurodiversity affirming? In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with distinguised Aust...

Whether we like to admit it or not, trauma is inherently political. The policies and decisions made by governing bodies can significantly influence the prevalence and impact of trauma in different communities. In this episode of A Trauma-Informed Future, host, Katie Kurtz delves into the political nature of being human, especially in the context of an upcoming pivotal election in the United States. We discuss how the human experien...

Don't underestimate the benefits of applying trauma-informed care to your business. Embracing a trauma-informed approach can significantly enhance a business's client experience.  In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with Theo Nash and Stephanie Bilinsky, trauma-informed entrepreneurs who are sharing how their focus on trauma-informed care has shaped their busine...

Psychological safety is paramount in any environment, especially in the workplace, as it fosters a culture where individuals feel safe to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of embarrassment, rejection, or retribution. This sense of security encourages collaboration, innovation, and learning, as team members are more likely to share creative solutions and admit mistakes that can lead to improvements. In today’s...

Trust is not assumed, it’s built over time. Safety is contingent upon trust, so if we want to build and sustain healthy relationships, we must know how to build trust. In today’s episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz shares 4 practical ways to build trusting relationships with yourself and others.  These strategies not only promote trust within personal and professional relationships but also enhance ov...