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The Angry Therapist Podcast

Understanding Your Triggers: The Science That Sets You Free

The Angry Therapist Podcast

John Kim

Health & Fitness, Mental Health

4.61.1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 December 2025

⏱️ 22 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode is an excerpt from our video course module on understanding trauma and the nervous system. In it, we break down trauma in a way that finally makes sense. You’ll learn why trauma isn’t about the “big event,” but about unbearable emotional experiences without a relational home — and why your brain responds exactly the way it does. Follow Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald on Instagram HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?

0:05.0

So we started the business two years ago.

0:07.0

We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.

0:12.0

But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.

0:18.0

Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at apple.com forward slash

0:23.6

HelloVet.

0:25.9

One of the reasons that I'm here on this earth, I believe, is to help us redefine trauma.

0:31.2

Because for 150 years of clinical study, we've been looking at which kinds of events count as trauma and which do not.

0:38.5

And the problem with that is that it doesn't take into account the person living through it.

0:45.9

I'm John Kim, a licensed therapist who used to be a miserable fuck before going on a hero's journey

0:50.9

and turning expired relationships into revelations.

0:58.3

I use my story to help others come with you instead of at you,

1:03.6

unrehearsed on purpose, because self-help doesn't have to be polished or complicated.

1:05.0

Just honest.

1:13.6

So we're going to start with the definition of trauma. Yeah. What is trauma?

1:16.6

So one of the reasons that I'm here on this earth, I believe, is to help us redefine trauma.

1:22.6

Because for 150 years of clinical study, we've been looking at which kinds of events count as trauma and which do not.

1:30.5

And the problem with that is that it doesn't take into account the person living through it.

1:35.2

And so the definition that I use in my work is really simple. You have trauma anytime you have an unbearable emotional experience that lacks a relational home.

1:47.3

So unbearable emotional experience that lacks a relational home.

1:51.1

So using the ice, would that be unbearable?

1:54.2

Yes.

...

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