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PTSD & Addiction: Breaking the Cycle and Choosing Help | Dr. Sudie Back

What happens when trauma and addiction become intertwined—and how do you break the cycle? In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with PTSD and addiction expert Dr. Sudie Back to explore the deep connection between trauma, substance use, and recovery. Together, they break down what PTSD really looks like, why so many people avoid treatment, and how evidence-based therapies like COPE are helping people reclaim their lives. If you or someone you love is struggling, this co

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Overcoming Stigma Around Mental Health, PTSD & Asking for Support

Choosing Help is a podcast about courage, connection, and the life‑saving power of asking for support. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker explores one of the biggest barriers to mental health and substance use treatment: stigma. Drawing from deeply personal experiences, veteran stories, and well‑known public figures, Dr. Stecker explains why stigma keeps people from seeking help—and how we can change that conversation to save lives. This episode is especially relevant for: • Families supporti

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Cultural Betrayal Trauma with Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez

In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by psychologist and researcher Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez for a profound conversation about Cultural Betrayal Trauma—a form of trauma that occurs when harm is committed within one’s own marginalized community under conditions of systemic inequality. Dr. Gómez shares how cultural betrayal adds layers of silence, identity conflict, and fear to already devastating experiences, and why many survivors struggle to seek help when systems do

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Cultural Betrayal Trauma, Silence, and the Path to Healing with Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez

What happens when harm comes from within your own community—and the systems meant to protect you don’t feel safe? In this powerful episode of Choosing Help, host Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez, psychologist at Boston University and creator of Cultural Betrayal Trauma Theory, for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, racism, silence, and healing. Dr. Gómez explains how violence and abuse within marginalized communities can carry an added layer of betrayal—one rooted

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🧠 Wise Women on Supporting Loved Ones Who Resist Help | Choosing Help Podcast

What do you do when someone you love clearly needs help — but resists it? In this powerful roundtable episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by a group of thoughtful, accomplished women for a candid conversation about how to approach a loved one who may be struggling with mental health, life challenges, or distress — and doesn’t want help. Together, they explore the four “go’s” and four “no‑go’s” of these conversations, the role of empathy and timing, how strong emotions and fea

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When the Helpers Need Help

In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by Angela Geraci of the Geraci Zoo, a wildlife rehabilitator who spends her days—and nights—caring for injured, orphaned, and non‑releasable wildlife. Angela shares what it’s really like to be a helper who rarely gets a break, including compassion fatigue, grief, public criticism, and the challenge of knowing when to hold on and when to let go. This episode is a powerful reminder that caregivers need care too—and that choosing help

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"Choosing Support: When the Helpers Need Help" with Angela Geraci, Wildlife Rehabilitator

What happens when the helpers need help? In this episode of Choosing Help, host Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Angela Geraci, founder of the Geraci Zoo, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization in South Carolina. Angela offers a candid look into the realities of being a 24/7 caregiver—responding to emergencies at all hours, navigating compassion fatigue, facing public scrutiny, and carrying the emotional weight that comes with saving lives when resources are limited. This conversation s

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Politics Without the Drama: Finding Common Ground

In this insightful episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by Drs. Ashrafiune and Allan to explore the rising political anxiety many of us face today. They unpack the polarized “team A vs. team B” mentality fueling fear and division, and introduce practical strategies to manage anxiety and engage in healthier, more productive political conversations. Key Topics Covered: • Understanding Political Anxiety: How extreme “all-or-nothing” thinking about opposing political sides crea

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Stoicism CBT: Bringing Ancient Wisdom to Modern Therapy

This episode of the Choosing Help Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of Stoicism as both an ancient philosophy and a practical psychological tool. Hosted by Tracy Stecker, PhD and featuring guest Kortney Yasenka, LCMHC the discussion highlights Stoicism’s relevance to mental health, trauma recovery, and everyday challenges, emphasizing personal empowerment through focusing on controllable aspects of life and cultivating virtues. Practical strategies like the Stoic pause and negative

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Finding Moments of Joy: Caregiving, Burnout & Self-Care

In this heartfelt episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with caregivers Ann Greenwald, Rebecca Horvath, and Kelly Winter for an honest, intimate conversation about the emotional reality of caregiving. Together, they explore the overwhelm that comes with constant responsibility, the guilt that lingers even when you’re doing everything you can, the fear that accompanies serious illness, and the complicated shift in family roles that caregiving brings. Throughout their discussion,

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Stoicism as a Path to Emotional Resilience

This episode of the Choosing Help Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of Stoicism as both an ancient philosophy and a practical psychological tool. Hosted by Tracy Stecker, PhD and featuring guest Kortney Yasenka, LCMHC the discussion highlights Stoicism’s relevance to mental health, trauma recovery, and everyday challenges, emphasizing personal empowerment through focusing on controllable aspects of life and cultivating virtues. Practical strategies like the Stoic pause and negative

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“Short-Term Anxiety Relief Can Fuel Long-Term Fear” with Amanda Raines, PhD

In this insightful episode of the Choosing Help podcast, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Amanda Reigns to explore the often overlooked topic of safety aids—behaviors and cognitive strategies people use to reduce anxiety in the moment but that can paradoxically increase anxiety over time. From everyday examples like drinking alcohol or a child’s security blanket to more complex behaviors such as avoidance and mental distractions, they break down how these safety aids de

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Why Minority Communities Avoid Therapy (and How to Find the Right Help) | Choosing Help

Most people struggling with mental health or substance use issues don't seek help—and for racial and ethnic minority groups, those numbers are even lower. In this deep-dive conversation, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Taylor Rodriguez (University of Mississippi) discuss the cultural and systemic barriers that keep people from seeking support. In this video, we cover: The statistics of help-seeking across different demographics. Historical reasons why some communities feel therapy "is for white pe

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Help-Seeking in Minority Communities with Dr. Taylor Rodriguez

Most people struggling with mental health or substance use issues don't seek help—and for racial and ethnic minority groups, those numbers are even lower. In this deep-dive conversation, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Taylor Rodriguez (University of Mississippi) discuss the cultural and systemic barriers that keep people from seeking support. In this video, we cover: The statistics of help-seeking across different demographics. Historical reasons why some communities feel therapy "is for white pe

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Clients Who Refuse Help

Why do some people insist they “don’t need help” even when life is clearly overwhelming? Dr. Tracy Stecker talks with educator and prison instructor Ronald Pendley about creating trust, reading context, and meeting people where they are—without shame or ultimatum. From a hungry student whose “discipline issues” were really unmet needs, to hard moments with incarcerated men, we explore grace, honesty, boundaries, and the role of peer examples. We also discuss a harm‑reduction lens: seeking he

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When ‘I’m Good’ Really Means ‘I Need Help’

Many people who clearly struggle with mental health or substance use still say, “I don’t need help.” In this conversation, Dr. Tracy Stecker and longtime teacher/prison educator Ronald Pendley unpack what “I’m good” can really mean—mistrust, fear, learned survival strategies—and how honest, empathetic, non‑judgmental conversations can open the door to support. You’ll hear stories from classrooms and prisons, why boundaries matter, and how harm‑reduction can be a compassionate first

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Confronting Stigma and Embracing Recovery

In this impactful episode of the Choosing Help podcast, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by Tedra Cobb and Dr. Lisham Ashrafioun to explore the pervasive stigma surrounding substance use disorders and addiction. Through heartfelt stories—including Dr. Stecker’s personal account of her elderly mother’s struggle with pain management and addiction—this conversation sheds light on how stigma complicates recognizing addiction and seeking help. The episode highlights the Community Conversations program

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Untangling Addiction: When Substance Use Breaks Bonds

In this insightful episode of the Choosing Help podcast, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by Tyler Webb, a therapist and social worker specializing in substance use disorder treatment. Together, they explore the profound impact addiction has on relationships, examining how substance use can create patterns of isolation, shame, and behavioral changes that strain connections between loved ones. They discuss the subtle signs that a relationship may be deteriorating, the emotional toll on both the pers

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Soul Care in a Chaotic World: Spirituality, Mental Health, and the Power of Starting Small

In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Michael Dennis—pastor, storyteller, comedian, and longtime Austin community leader—about the deep connections between spirituality, mental health, and the search for meaning. Drawing from his 25 years in ministry, personal experiences with his mother’s schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s, and his work with people facing depression, loneliness, and addiction, Michael explores what it means to care for the soul in a culture that often negl

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Suicide, Support, and Hope

In this powerful and compassionate episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Jay Baffa for an honest conversation about suicidal thoughts—how common they actually are, what drives them, and, most importantly, how people can find help and hope. Together they break down the stigma around talking about suicide, explore the emotional pain that often underlies these thoughts, and discuss why reaching out—whether to a loved one, a professional, or even a st

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Listening is the first step in healing.

Welcome to this episode of the Choosing Help podcast with Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Lisham Ashrafioun, where we dive deep into the art of active listening—an essential skill for meaningful connection, especially in emotionally charged or difficult conversations. Although listening may seem simple because we do it every day, being a truly effective listener requires intentional effort and practice. In this episode, we break down the three critical steps of active listening that engage three diff

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Once a Warrior: Why Veterans Struggle to Seek Mental Health Care

Hosted by Dr. Tracy Stecker, Choosing Help is a podcast about courage, connection, and the transformative power of asking for support. Through candid conversations, expert insights, and real-world stories, we break down stigma and open doors to understanding—because when we choose help, we choose life. In this episode, Dr. Stecker welcomes retired Army Colonel and psychiatrist Dr. Charles Hoge, author of Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior. Together, they tackle one of the most pressing issues in

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From Fear to Freedom: Treating Anxiety Sensitivity and Social Anxiety

In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Nicholas Allen dive deep into the science of anxiety and its many forms. They unpack the concept of anxiety sensitivity—a heightened fear of bodily sensations—and explore how it drives avoidance behaviors that disrupt daily life. Dr. Allen shares evidence-based treatments, including exercise programs and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques like interoceptive exposure, which help individuals confront and manage feared sensations. The conversa

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Pain and Isolation: How Chronic Pain and Loneliness Shape Health—and What We Can Do About It

Chronic pain affects nearly 20% of adults in the U.S., but its impact goes far beyond physical discomfort. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker sits down with Dr. Lisham Ashrafioun to explore the powerful—and often overlooked—connection between chronic pain and social disconnection. Together, they unpack how loneliness and isolation influence brain chemistry, worsen health outcomes, and increase risks for depression and even suicide. You’ll learn why psychosocial interventions l