About the Episode
TRIGGER Heads-up: There are mentions of suicide and sexual abuse of children in this episode. Please consume the content at a time when/if you have the emotional and mental space to do so.
In Episode 22 of YOU Better!, Allison Zinczenko shares her experience with the spiritual practice of Buddhism and how her children’s presence in her life impacts her healing journey and how her journey impacts her children. There is a capital W-O-R-D for parents in this interview. Everyone can learn from this, but I think there is an intensity to the parent-child dynamic that makes this lesson SO important.
Here it is: If you don’t ever address and heal from the things that wounded you as a child, then the circumstances your child encounters in their life will be like fresh kindling on the fire of your own trauma and hurt.
A likely outcome is that instead of you being there for your child in a moment where they could use sage guidance and stability, you may react from your place of pain and cause your child even more hurt. So now not only do you feel horrible, but they do too.
It is important to heal so that the things your children go through don’t trigger the hurt part of you that remembers that situation or feeling from your past.
About Allison Zinczenko
Allison Zinczenko is many things – a mom, wife, educator, business leader and so much more. But above all else, she describes herself as a work in progress. She recounts her journey of growing up as a young child who felt unsafe, trying to navigate that by portraying perfection – to now being a mother who is nurturing a home environment with her husband and two teenage children that prioritizes healing from the inside rather than the appearance of goodness.
Episode Resources
- Books
- Thich Nhat Hanh – You Are Here, How to Eat, How to Love, How to Relax
- Libby – check out audiobooks from your library!
- Learn about EMDR therapy.
ABOUT KIESHA GARRISON
Kiesha Garrison is a professional emcee and public speaker whose work focuses on personal discovery and courageous conversations that connect us to our true selves and community.
