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Episode Description:
Have you ever noticed that talking about your trauma sometimes makes you feel worse?
That’s because talking only trims the branches—it doesn’t touch the roots.
In this week’s episode, Dr. Christian Gonzalez sits down with Anna Runkle, creator of the viral movement The Crappy Childhood Fairy, to explore why traditional talk therapy often fails to heal trauma — and what actually does.
Anna shares how, after years of therapy that left her feeling worse, she discovered one simple, daily nervous system practice that changed everything.
Within two weeks, her PTSD symptoms were gone — and her life was never the same.
What We Cover
• Hidden signs of trauma most people miss including disorientation, clumsiness, and feeling “off” for no reason
• Why talking about trauma can backfire, and how to create space for real emotional processing
• Emotional flashbacks explained and how preverbal trauma silently shapes adult choices in love, work, and life
• Nervous system regulation techniques that bring rapid relief and help you reconnect to yourself
• Anna’s expressive writing method that helped her clear PTSD in two weeks
• How trauma-driven decisions shape entire lives — from partners to careers — and how to break the cycle
• The surprising power of simple movement for emotional regulation
• A practical boundary phrase that shuts down conflict without drama
• Talking ≠ healing. Over-talking about trauma can keep the nervous system dysregulated.
• Regulation first, insight second. Healing begins when the body feels safe.
• Old patterns drive new problems. Many adult struggles are rooted in unconscious trauma responses.
• Healing can start fast. You don’t need years of suffering to feel relief — the right tools can shift things quickly.
• Connection is the goal. Regulating your nervous system opens the door to deeper relationships and real belonging.
About the Guest
Anna Runkle, known online as The Crappy Childhood Fairy, is a bestselling author, trauma educator, and creator of one of the internet’s fastest-growing trauma-healing communities. Her approach to recovery focuses on nervous system healing, emotional regulation, and practical, self-guided tools for real-world transformation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crappychildhoodfairy/?hl=en
Website: https://crappychildhoodfairy.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:16 – Rapid Fire
4:59 – The Origin of “Crappy Childhood Fairy” and Growing Up in a Commune
7:06 – Why Healing Doesn’t Have to Get Worse Before It Gets Better
12:20 – How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Life Decisions
21:00 – Emotional Flashbacks: The Hidden Force Behind Sudden Anxiety
25:26 – The Turning Point: A Violent Attack and Failed Therapy
30:43 – Expressive Writing: How a Simple Practice Can Heal PTSD
43:07 – Breaking Trauma-Driven Cycles in Work, Money, and Relationships
53:10 – Movement as Medicine: The Fastest Way to Regulate the Nervous System