TraumaTies Episode 1 - The Shared Language of Trauma

Episode Summary 

What is trauma? Defining trauma as a concept is challenging — there isn’t a black and white definition. Trauma is not defined by an event, but rather it’s defined by the person who experienced the event. 

TraumaTies was brought to life by the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC) to create a space that is open for everyone to address trauma after a crime. Our hosts, Bridgette Stumpf, Executive Director at NVRDC, and Lindsey Silverberg, Head of Services with NVRDC, share what to expect as you join them on this journey. Together they unpack the shared language of trauma and the ways in which trauma is a thread connecting us all in the human experience. 

This episode introduces you to the initial concepts and definitions surrounding trauma and explores our hosts’ backgrounds in supporting, understanding, and working with individuals who have experienced trauma.

“It's so beautiful to see how resilient folks are, and getting the privilege of seeing somebody from that acute moment,” Lindsay says. “And what happens after, how they're able to build resiliency and lead these lives…while it changes them, it really is fascinating to be part of that journey with them.”

Meet the Hosts

 
 

Name: Lindsey Silverberg

What she does: As the Head of Services with NVRDC, Lindsey oversees the day-to-day operations of the advocacy and case management program and directs the Sexual Assault Crisis Response Project. Lindsey has worked as a victim advocate for almost 10 years providing hospital accompaniment for sexual assault survivors, attending court, and offering direct advocacy support to survivors of crime.

Company: Network for Victim Recovery of DC

Words of wisdom: “It's so beautiful to see how resilient folks are, and getting the privilege of seeing somebody from that acute moment. And what happens after, how they're able to build resiliency and lead these lives…while it changes them, it really is fascinating to be part of that journey with them.”

Connect: LinkedIn  

 
 

Name: Bridgette Stumpf 

What she does: Bridgette is the Executive Director of the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), a position she has held since co-founding the organization in May 2012. As part of this role, Bridgette developed the Legal Services and Pro Bono Programs at NVRDC. For over a decade, she has spent her legal career advocating to ensure those impacted by crime are afforded meaningful rights and access to supportive services to mitigate the negative effects of trauma post-victimization.

Company: Network for Victim Recovery of DC

Words of wisdom: “I often find that our hardest, most tragic moments, whether it's individually or as a community, are often the most beautiful, where we see humans show up in our greatest capacity.”

Connect: LinkedIn  

 

Key Points

Top takeaways from this episode 

  • It’s challenging to define trauma. Because trauma can not be defined by an event, but rather by the person who experiences the event, it’s challenging to have one set definition for what trauma is. Each person's interpretation of an event is based on their collective lived experiences, creating unique definitions for each individual. 

  • Our hardest and most tragic events are often the most beautiful. Experiencing a traumatic event often brings people together and inspires camaraderie from people who are going through the same challenges. This shared experience has continued to evolve with easier access to the news and worldly events.  

  • Unaddressed trauma can have a high cost for everyone. Most people are conditioned to distance themselves from trauma, but this means trauma continues wreaking havoc on their lives. As a result, the individual who experienced trauma and often those around them all end up paying the price. 

     

Episode Highlights 

[02:53] What defines trauma: Bridgette explains that trauma is not defined by an event, but rather by the person who experiences the event. 

[04:46] Shared community trauma: Lindsay shares examples of what would be considered a shared community trauma including 9/11, the DC sniper, and the current war in Ukraine.  

[07:56] Trauma changes how we view the world: Bridgette talks about the research being done to understand the nuances of how trauma changes us. 

[10:18] Supporting people through acute trauma moments: Lindsay shares her experience working with people who have experienced trauma and how she sees them through the initial acute moment and the long-term aftermath. 

[17:59] Leaning into trauma education: Bridgette recounts how it was through a training course for law enforcement that she really discovered her interest in trauma education. 

[20:13] Distancing ourselves from trauma: Bridgette explains why we’re conditioned to create distance between ourselves and trauma, and discusses the far-reaching consequences this can have for people. 

[25:25] The paradox of trauma: Bridgette references Brené Brown’s book Atlas of the Heart and how creating a language portal is a paradox when it comes to talking about trauma.

 

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Brought to you by Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), TraumaTies: Untangling Societal Harm & Healing After Crime is a podcast that creates space to dissect the structural and systemic knots that keep us from addressing trauma.

Network for Victim Recovery of DC