On episode 147 of the Radically Genuine Podcast I welcome Lindsay Gibson, an author whose powerful memoir recounts her journey through unimaginable trauma, the loss of her stillborn son, and the profound spiritual awakening that followed. Lindsay shares her story of survival, the struggles with PTSD, and how she found healing and forgiveness through faith and self-compassion.
Key Topics Discussed:
Pathologizing Pain and Trauma:
- Dr. McFillin discusses the limitations of diagnosing trauma within the traditional mental health model, emphasizing the transformative potential of human suffering.
- Lindsay reflects on her journey through trauma, from childhood experiences of intuitive feelings to the profound impact of her stillbirth loss, and how these moments shaped her understanding of pain and healing.
Intuitive Childhood and Spiritual Sensitivity:
- Lindsay recounts her early life experiences, describing how she often had gut feelings or dreams that foreshadowed significant life events, which she struggled to understand as a child.
- The challenges of growing up with heightened sensitivity and how these experiences were both a burden and a blessing are explored.
Trauma and PTSD:
- The conversation explores Lindsay’s traumatic experience at age 16 and the resulting PTSD. She describes how avoidance and survival instincts shaped her life until she could no longer suppress her trauma.
- Dr. McFillin provides insights into how PTSD develops when trauma is not fully processed and the role of avoidance in perpetuating symptoms.
The Role of Compassion in Healing:
- Lindsay shares how pivotal moments, like her daughter Layla’s birth and the compassionate support of her husband, helped her begin the process of true healing and forgiveness.
- The importance of self-compassion and the slow, often painful journey toward healing from trauma are discussed.
Forgiveness and Spiritual Transformation:
- Lindsay talks about the spiritual awakening she experienced during the birth of her stillborn son and how it led to her embracing forgiveness, even towards her perpetrator.
- The conversation touches on the idea that forgiveness is a continual process, intertwined with compassion and understanding.
Writing as a Tool for Healing:
- Lindsay discusses how journaling and writing her memoir were critical to her healing journey. She also explores how fiction writing now serves as a mental escape and a therapeutic outlet.
Quotes:
“Their journeys don’t fit neatly into diagnostic categories or treatment protocols. Instead, they reveal the awe-inspiring potential for human beings to transform suffering into profound insight and purpose.” – -Dr. Roger K. McFillin
“I was coming to a decision: you're going to choose life and you're going to move forward, or you're going to crumble.” – Lindsay Gibson
“I give them what I didn’t have… I always say to them at the end, let's take the next step now.” – Lindsay Gibson
From Trauma to Transformation