Healed and Healing: A Conversation on Courage, Care, and Calling

In this powerful debut of Eternal Student, Gerald Brooks sits down with James Santos—therapist, chaplain, and member of the AEDP DBEI Committee—for a deeply personal and moving conversation about identity, presence, and healing. James reflects on his roots in the Philippines, the formative influence of his grandfather (his Tatay), and his journey from a playful, relational child to a deeply attuned healer.

Together, they explore the impact of early separation, the fear of abandonment, and how those experiences shaped James’s path into chaplaincy and therapy. James speaks openly about his years as a hospice chaplain, what it means to offer a "transformed and transforming presence," and the role of courage, tears, and deep self-trust in the healing process.

Listeners will walk away with timeless wisdom on attunement, the myth of the "untroubled therapist," and the call to become our own internal caregivers. The episode ends with a signature three-word reflection—play, curiosity, and kindness—that beautifully captures the spirit of James's work and presence.