A Mile in My Moccasins

Jun 29 2021 12 ep. 14 mins 18

A Mile in My Moccasins Podcast artwork

Kayla Gordon, Jeep Roberts and Susan Beaulieu have started a journey — shaking loose from depression, addiction, and dissociation and walking with more laughter, lightness and love. They struggle with the same feelings many of us have, but this is the story of their work to heal. They are acknowledging the trauma that was passed down to them as children. It’s a journey and we each get to decide when and how we move forward. A Mile in my Moccasins hosted by Melissa Townsend, a 12 episode podcast from Niijii Radio serving the White Earth Nation. It’s a story about learning how to live the life you want after surviving trauma.

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ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences

Jun 29 2021 10 mins

Jeep, Kayla and Susan realized how their Native families and communities don’t talk about the hard things that have happened to them. And they decide they’re going to change that. But it’s risky.

Fight, Flight or Freeze

Jun 29 2021 12 mins

Kayla is relieved to learn that she struggles with depression and anxiety - not because she is crazy - but because of trauma from her childhood. And Susan can relate.

Jeep Learns about ACEs

Jun 29 2021 15 mins

Jeep shares about his early trauma and we realize that he recreated that chaos and trauma in his later life. But after getting sober and learning about ACEs — he’s peeling back the layers of trauma and changing his life, and healing his body, mind and spirit. Lessons that will help his daughter and his grandkids.

Kayla Takes a Break

Jun 29 2021 13 mins

Kayla and Melissa are scheduled to have a few more interviews but Kayla doesn’t make it to any of them. Melissa is worried that Kayla is triggered by the first conversation they had where Kayla talked about the devastating trauma she experienced as a child. Melissa thinks maybe she’s hiding from the world, trying to comfort herself curled in a ball under the covers. But Melissa

Soft Belly Meditation

Jun 29 2021 16 mins

Susan and Kayla talk about triggers - where they come from and the impact they have. They tell the story of how they learned meditation can help them keep their brains out of the “trauma time machine” - at least some of the time. And you get a chance to meditate along with us.

What Am I Passing On?

Jun 29 2021 17 mins

Since learning about ACEs, Jeep has been trying to make good decisions about how to raise his three grandchildren ages 10, 8 and 6. But in this call, Jeep realizes to care for them more fully, he needs to look at his own childhood trauma.

“I Love You”

Jun 29 2021 16 mins

Jeep grew up in a family that loved each other but never said the words. Now that he’s taking care of his grandchildren, he’s realized that just doesn’t cut it with them. As hard as it is for a man to be vulnerable and emotional - Jeep is learning how.

Ruts in the Road

Jun 29 2021 15 mins

Kayla and Susan have struggled to be he supportive loving parents they wan to be when their kids show anger or upset. Through their work with ACEs they both realize - it’s because anger and upset are triggering or more accurately — activate their nervous system’s trauma response. So how can they handle the trigger so they can be the kind of parents they want to be?

Who You Gonna Call?

Jun 29 2021 14 mins

Kayla describes a low moment when she feels the weight of the grief and hopelessness of her ACEs. But the feeling doesn’t last long because she has figured out how to recognize what’s happening and reach out for support from people who love her. Kayla and her friend KJ tell us how she learned to do that. Surprisingly - it involves sushi in Fargo.

Blood Memory

Jun 29 2021 11 mins

After Susan gives a presentation to medical students about historical trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) I wonder - why do doctors need to know about this stuff? Susan says indigenous knowledge and western science both acknowledge the physical impacts of emotional and spiritual wounds. So how and when will the medical community catch on to both indigenous wisdom and we