Think Unbroken with Michael Unbroken | Childhood Trauma, CPTSD, and Mental Health Recovery

In this deeply raw and unfiltered episode, I share the truth about my journey from being a man who sabotaged love at every turn to someone who has learned—through years of painful self-discovery—what it means to truly love and be loved. From cheating, lying, and manipulating to chasing fleeting validation through strangers, I reveal the destructive patterns that came from a childhood shaped by abuse, neglect, and the belief that I ...

In this episode, I share a compilation featuring a powerful story of overcoming addiction fueled by unprocessed pain and early-life dissociation. The guest talks about the unpredictability of their behavior when consuming alcohol and how it served as a catalyst for unresolved issues. The conversation also explores the traumatic impact of growing up biracial in the Mormon Church and the pressures of religious perfectionism. They hig...

In this episode, Michael Unbroken dives into a powerful and personal exploration of how the emotion of feeling lucky might just be the missing link in your healing and success journey.

After years of self-inquiry, research, and listening to some of the greatest minds in the world, Michael unpacks whether "feeling lucky" could be a mindset that shifts depression, anxiety, and apathy into momentum, hope, and achievement.

He sha...

In this episode, Michael shares his powerful journey from rock bottom to transformation and provides five actionable strategies for anyone feeling stuck, hopeless, or trapped in destructive cycles. Drawing from his own experience of being 350 pounds, smoking two packs a day, and drinking himself to sleep at age 25 after a traumatic childhood filled with abuse, homelessness, and addiction, Michael offers hard-won wisdom for those re...

In this deeply honest and vulnerable solo episode, Michael breaks the silence and shares the raw truth behind his recent hiatus from the podcast and Think Unbroken. From personal heartbreak and health scares to questioning the future of coaching and content creation, he opens up about the toll this journey has taken—and the radical accountability he's embracing in its wake.

Michael talks about compassion fatigue, emotional exhau...

Why is it so terrifying to be truly seen?

In this powerful conversation, Michael sits down with portrait and boudoir photographer Gregory James Thelian, whose mission goes far beyond taking beautiful photos. Together, they explore why so many people—especially women—struggle with self-worth, hide behind armour, and fear the raw vulnerability of being seen without masks, filters, or expectations.

Gregory shares how photography became ...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Michael sits down with trauma therapist and author Kristin Duncombe to explore the long shadows cast by childhood abuse—and the courageous path to healing.

Kristin shares her story of surviving chronic sexual abuse at the hands of a U.S. diplomat while living overseas, the institutional cover-up that followed, and the profound sense of unworthiness that shaped her adol...

Why do we keep returning to the same painful thoughts, even after awareness kicks in?

In this eye-opening episode, Michael Unbroken sits down with award-winning psychologist Dr. Betsy Holmberg to explore how trauma shapes our brain, fuels negative self-talk, and keeps us trapped in cycles of shame, anxiety, and coping mechanisms that no longer serve us.

Dr. Holmberg brings groundbreaking insight into the default mode network (DMN)—th...

From the moment we're born, we’re wrapped in a relationship that shapes our soul — the one we have with our mother. For some, it's a source of comfort. For others, a source of pain. But for all of us, it's foundational.

Jackie Tantillo is currently the Host and Exec Producer of the "Should Have Listened to my Mother" Podcast. SHLTMM Podcast is a 2024 People's Choice Podcast Award Winner for best podcast in th...

In a world where disconnection, self-doubt, and comparison run rampant, how do we return to ourselves?

In this powerful episode, Michael Unbroken sits down with author and self-love advocate Aneta Waclaw to unpack the real meaning of self-love, and why it's more than just a buzzword.

Aneta shares the raw and inspiring story behind her book Blooming with Self Love: 31 Days of Affirmations and Journaling, and how simple practices l...

Since 2007, Todd Goodwin has helped thousands to overcome unwanted emotions, habits, and trauma in a way that’s faster than talk therapy, more effective than willpower, and safer than medication. He is one of the few hypnotists (1 in 500) to earn the title Board Certified Fellow by the National Guild of Hypnotists. He currently sees clients from coast to coast by Zoom.

In this episode, Michael sits down with Todd Goodwin from Goodwi...

In this powerful episode, Michael sits down with longevity and wellness expert Kimberly Verbeke to unpack what it really means to take control of your health—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Kimberly shares her experience working in geriatrics and how watching people die too soon sparked her mission: helping others age better and live stronger. From muscle mass and metabolic health to managing stress, emotional eating, and the...

In this episode,Michael invites Alyssa Grenfell, an ex-Mormon influencer, to discuss their journeys of leaving the Mormon church and dealing with religious trauma. Both share their personal experiences, pain, and challenges faced while growing up in a religious environment.

Alyssa talks about her work, including her book 'How to Leave the Mormon Church,' and the process of deprogramming herself before publicly sharing her st...

In this episode, we delve into the complexities and potential of using psychedelics for mental health and trauma healing with Micah Stover. The discussion highlights how the popularization of psychedelics like mushrooms and ayahuasca has left many people seeking guidance amidst a deluge of information.

Stover shares her professional journey and insights into the safe and effective use of these medicines, stressing...

In this episode, Michael delves into the complex relationships people have with anger, featuring guest Ashley Frost, an expert in anger and emotional release. 

Ashley shares her personal journey with anger and how it has impacted her life and the lives of her clients over the past five years. The conversation covers the importance of understanding and expressing anger healthily, recognizing and working with one's inner child, an...

In this insightful episode, Michael sits down with Jerry Henderson, an expert on overcoming shame and personal transformation. They explore the hidden battle of shame many face due to childhood trauma, personal experiences, and societal pressures. Jerry shares his personal journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a guiding light for others dealing with similar struggles.

They dive into the impact of shame on one's nervous s...

In this episode, Michael sits down with Orion Talmay, the CEO and Founder of Orion's Method. They discuss the transformative journey of self-discovery, focusing on overcoming life’s adversities to create a fulfilling, purposeful life.

Orion, shares her personal narrative of growing up in a challenging environment, overcoming an abusive relationship, and defying significant odds, including a doctor's grim p...

In this episode, Michael welcomes gut health specialist Josh Dech to explore the profound connection between gut health, trauma, and overall wellness. Discover why 93% of leading causes of death in North America stem from gut issues and how childhood trauma, antibiotic overuse, and modern dietary choices create the perfect storm for chronic illness. Josh breaks down the gut-brain connection, explaining how our digestive system func...

In this episode, Michael sits down with therapist Bronwyn to explore the powerful connection between unprocessed anger, childhood trauma, and emotional well-being. They discuss how "dissociated anger" often manifests as physical ailments and mental health struggles, shedding light on society’s gendered approach to emotions and its impact on our relationship with anger. Bronwyn shares her personal journey of releasing shame ...