Dissociation is one of the mind’s most remarkable and misunderstood survival mechanisms. It’s the way our consciousness steps aside when reality becomes too overwhelming to bear—a quiet form of protection that can help us endure trauma, yet often leaves us feeling fragmented or far from ourselves. In “Surviving by Forgetting,” we explore this delicate territory: how forgetting can be both a wound and a lifeline.
Alicja Matusiak is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and licensed independent social worker whose path toward mental health began as a teenager in Poland, when her father’s battle with severe depression opened her eyes to the complexities of the human mind. Witnessing his suffering—and his struggle to find self-worth through it—sparked her lifelong commitment to understanding how people survive, heal, and sometimes forget in order to keep going.
Today, Alicja runs Holistic Wellness Solutions and hosts Naked Truth: A Therapy Podcast, where she shares unfiltered conversations about mental health, spirituality, and the lived experience of being a healer. Her work bridges traditional psychiatry with alternative modalities such as reiki, psilocybin, chiropractic care, and energy medicine, exploring how diverse approaches can restore wholeness.
In “Surviving by Forgetting,” Alicja brings both her professional insight and personal vulnerability to the discussion—examining how the mind protects itself through forgetting, and what it means to gently remember when the time is right.
Watch David's Interview on Alicja's Podcast: https://youtu.be/j3GnLLvXTZg?si=Xe0WvDNtbXD1LYWC
Check out Alicja's website: https://www.nakedtruthatherapypodcast.com/link-in-bio
Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage
Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ top military decoration. The stories we tell are about the heroes who have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism and courage that have saved lives. From Judith Resnik, the second woman in space, to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice, these are stories about those who have done the improbable and unexpected, who have sacrificed something in the name of something much bigger than themselves. Every Wednesday on Medal of Honor, uncover what their experiences tell us about the nature of sacrifice, why people put their lives in danger for others, and what happens after you’ve become a hero. Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton. Medal of Honor begins on May 28. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear ad-free episodes one week early. Find Pushkin+ on the Medal of Honor show page in Apple or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com