Imagine a world where your deepest scars unlock the most extraordinary chapters of your life. Welcome to Invisible Scars, a podcast that explores this possibility with host Jessalynn Biederstadt. As a survivor of childhood sexual assault, Jessalynn has discovered that our scars are not merely symbolic of our past but can serve as beacons guiding us toward a promising future. Each week, you'll hear candid conversations with clinicians, alternative healing experts, trauma specialists, and individuals who have found profound beauty and strength on the other side of adversity. This podcast is a safe space to heal and celebrate resilience, offering inspiration, practical insights, and hope for anyone out there who needs it. Tune in to see how the next chapter of your life could indeed be the most beautiful yet.
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Are you ready to get out of your own way? In today's episode, Jessalynn sits down with Elyssa Smith, a trauma-informed strategist who helps women break free from cycles of fear, procrastination, self-sabotage, and burnout. Elyssa shares her journey from surviving trauma to becoming a certified trauma coach and introduces her "3 S" Framework—Safety, Self-Nurturing, and Safe Support—as a method to retrain the brain and exit survival mode. She explains the importance of understanding stress responses, rewiring neuropathways, and nurturing the inner child to overcome limiting beliefs and create lasting change. Elyssa also touches on the impact of trauma, including birth trauma and postpartum struggles, and highlights the benefits of EMDR therapy. Throughout the episode, she offers practical advice for navigating tough times with grace and self-care, making this a must-listen for anyone looking to move from survival to thriving.
You can find Elyssa on Instagram @elyssacsmith and visit her website at elyssasmith.com
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
Your Questions Answered: Healing, Gossip, & Finding Hope
Season 1 · Episode 60
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 • Duration 35:20
In this solo episode, Jessalynn dives into your questions about the struggles of healing, dealing with gossip, and finding hope in times of darkness. She shares her personal experience of feeling stuck despite putting in the work, emphasizing that healing is a lifelong journey with ups and downs. Jessalynn also discusses how to navigate gossip in adult friendships, pointing out that it often stems from ego and is best ignored. For those dealing with panic attacks, she offers practical tips that have helped her, including breathing exercises and journaling. Finally, she encourages listeners to seek therapy and practice positive self-talk as they work through feelings of hopelessness. Join Jessalynn for an episode full of empathy, practical advice, and the reassurance that you're not alone in your journey.
Be sure to check out Jessalynn's book recommendation here.
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
The Art of Finding Strength in Setbacks
Season 1 · Episode 59
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 • Duration 31:30
As the summer continues to fly by, Jesslaynn is sitting down for a solo episode this week to share some personal updates and revelations. She opens up about a recent experience where someone close to her passed judgment on her new career path and how it rocked her confidence. Jessalynn stresses the importance of standing in your integrity, setting boundaries, and trusting your inner voice, even when it means losing people along the way. She shares her own journey of bouncing back from this hurtful situation, discussing the role of therapy, sitting with your feelings, and the powerful impact of journaling. Jessalynn has also found inspiration in Simone Biles' mental health journey and discusses the impact her documentary has had on her and her daughter. Wrapping up with a warm welcome to new listeners, she invites us all to make the most of these last weeks of summer by prioritizing self-care and living your best life!
Be sure to listen back to Naomi Braaten's episode here!
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
Summer Rewind: A Survivor Story of Human Trafficking with Alexandra Ford
Episode 58
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 • Duration 53:51
Trigger Warning: Child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking
This week, Jessalynn is sitting down with Alexandra Ford, an anti-human trafficking expert, public speaker, author, and survivor. Alexandra started her anti-trafficking work at 11 years old, and 10 years later, she was trafficked by a boyfriend. It wasn’t until another 10 years passed that Alexandra was able to identify what happened to her as trafficking. In this conversation, Alexandra shares her powerful story, shedding light on the signs that led her to realize the nature of her experience years later. Her resilience is breaking barriers around trauma and driving awareness of this critical topic. This is such an amazing conversation, and we can’t wait for you to hear it!
You can find Alexandra on Instagram @thelaughingsurvivor and be sure to visit her website!
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
Healing Bloodlines with Tracey Yokas
Season 1 · Episode 57
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 • Duration 01:01:32
Trigger Warning: Discussions of eating disorders and self harm.
In this powerful episode, Jessalynn speaks with the author of “Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing," Tracey Yokas, who shares her family's journey with mental illness, particularly her daughter's struggles with an eating disorder, depression, and self-harm. Tracey opens up about her own healing journey, triggered by her daughter's challenges, and discusses the anxieties she faced in sharing their story through her new book. The conversation touches on the complexities of navigating the healthcare system, the impact on their mother-daughter relationship, and the importance of self-care and listening to one's inner voice. Tracey emphasizes the need to normalize conversations about mental health, highlighting the significance of breaking unhealthy patterns and focusing on inner work for true healing. This episode offers a powerful message of vulnerability, resilience, and the transformative power of love and self-awareness.
Be sure to keep up with Tracey on Instagram and grab a copy of her book on her website www.tracyyokascreates.com
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
All Things Narcissistic Relationships with Susie Sidsworth
Season 1 · Episode 56
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 • Duration 01:07:47
The dynamic duo is back together, at last! This week, Jessalynn is joined once again by her bestie and psychologist Susie Sidsworth, to discuss navigating narcissistic relationships and answer listener questions. Susie kicks things off by sharing tips on recognizing narcissists and some of the key characteristics they portray. They cover common misconceptions, the difficulty of spotting narcissists, and why people are so drawn to them. The episode also explores love bombing, narcissistic parents, and strategies for dealing with narcissistic behaviors. Susie provides advice on supporting family members, co-parenting with a narcissist, and highlighting the importance of therapy. Tune in for valuable insights on managing these complex relationships!
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
Building Community & Finding Joy in the Everyday with Palak Dave
Season 1 · Episode 55
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 • Duration 49:52
This week, Jessalynn welcomes Palak Dave, founder of Embiria and author of "Beautiful Everydays." After losing her father at 15, Palak turned her grief into a mission to foster real-life connections. She left an unfulfilling corporate job to start Embiria, a community that helps people slow down and savor life. Palak shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of intuition, small steps towards big dreams, and meaningful connections. She introduces the Embiria Social Club, a membership platform for women, and offers insights from her book, which encourages finding joy in everyday moments. Tune in to hear Palak’s inspiring story and her tips for living a more fulfilled life!
Be sure to follow Palak on Instagram @embiria and visit the Embiria website at www.embiria.ca to learn more!
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
The Summer of Invisible Scars
Season 1 · Episode 54
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 • Duration 04:45
In this week’s episode, Jessalynn is sharing some exciting updates about the Summer of Invisible Scars! This summer, expect more solo episodes where Jessalynn keeps us updated on her journey, including insights from her intuitive coaching container with Courtney Thomas, episodes with her psychologist bestie, Susie, and so much more. Don't forget, you can leave Jessalynn a voicemail with your questions, and she'll answer them on air. Take care of yourself this summer, and stay tuned!
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
Rewind: Defying the NHL Odds with Aaron Volpatti
Season 1 · Episode 53
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 • Duration 01:33:40
**TRIGGER WARNING: Detailed discussion of Aaron's severe burn injury**
This week, Jessalynn is sitting down with former NHL player Aaron Volpatti to hear his truly inspiring story of resilience following a traumatic campfire accident in 2005. Growing up, Aaron always had a passion for hockey, with dreams of playing on a professional level. However, in 2005, his life changed forever. Suffering from second- and third-degree burns to 40% of his body, Aaron was told his hockey career was over.
With years of intense recovery ahead and no scholarship offers heading into his last year of junior hockey, the odds were insurmountably against him. Today, Aaron shares that he was committed to defying the odds and leaned into a powerful visualization practice to persevere through multiple surgeries and a gruesome recovery. Remarkably, he was able to return to the ice just four months after the accident.
Five years later, in 2010, his dream of playing in the NHL came true, and he signed with the Vancouver Canucks, his home NHL team. This is such an inspiring story, and we can’t wait for you to hear it!
You can find out more about Aaron and his story by reading his book or by visiting his website! You can also learn more about his cinematic mind mapping course here!
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
Navigating the Rollercoaster of Healing
Season 1 · Episode 52
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 • Duration 16:08
In today’s solo episode, Jessalynn shares an update on her healing journey, describing the challenges she's faced over the past few weeks, including a tough Father’s Day that made her feel like she was regressing. She emphasizes the ongoing nature of healing and shares how she manages anxiety by giving herself grace and attending therapy, offering tips for those who can't afford it. Jessalynn also opens up about her father wound, abandonment issues, and the importance of feeling emotions to heal them. She highlights the significance of shifting your perspective, practicing gratitude, and persevering through tough times, reminding us that feelings are not facts, and that progress is being made even when it feels slow. Remember, you’re not alone and you’ve got this.
If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of trauma, please know you are not alone in your healing journey. If you would like to speak with a professional therapist, you can reach out to Hello@invisiblescarspodcast.com to book an appointment.
Don’t forget to follow Jessalynn on Instagram @invisiblescarspodcast, and visit her website!
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/InvisibleScarsPodcast
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