Unpacking Me
Unpacking Me: Unpacking the parts of Trauma no one talks about!
A raw and honest podcast where we dive deep into the experiences that shaped us—the pain, the healing, and everything in between.
Hosted by Nicky and Mernelle, we explore the unspoken struggles of trauma, mental health, and self-discovery, creating a space for real conversations that many shy away from.
We’re here to unpack the baggage we’ve carried, challenge the narratives we’ve been told, and break cycles that no longer serve us. Whether you’re on your own healing journey, seeking connection, or just need a space where vulnerability is welcomed—you belong here.
Join us as we share our personal stories, unpack the past, and navigate the messy yet beautiful process of growth. Let’s do the work, together.
Need support? We’ve got you. Check out our recommended resources, from support groups to therapy options, and visit dare2emerge.com for more.
Episodes
39 episodes
Healing The Mother Wound: She Did the Best She Could… And It Still Hurt
What happens when you can hold compassion for your mother… and still feel deeply hurt by her?In this episode, we explore the complexity of the mother wound—a deeply layered emotional experience that many people carry but r...
Mothering While Broken: WHat Nobody Tells Black Moms About Trauma and Parenting
What does it mean to show up as a mother when you’re still carrying unhealed parts of yourself?In this episode, we have an honest and necessary conversation about Black motherhood, trauma, and the emotional weight many Black mothers carr...
Who Taught You to Hold Everything In? (And Why It Still Hurts)
Why do so many of us learn to hide our emotions, push things down, and carry everything alone?In this episode, we explore emotional suppression—how it develops, why it feels like survival, and the long-term impact it has on your mental h...
Why Your Mind Wont Shut Off At Night
The Real Reason You Overthink at NightYou’re exhausted, your body is ready for sleep… but your mind won’t stop racing. In this episode, we unpack why your thoughts get louder at night, especially for those navigating anxiety, trauma, and...
What Really Happens During a Panic Attack (And How to Stop It)
Panic attacks can feel terrifying, overwhelming, and completely out of control. In this episode, we break down what is actually happening in your body and nervous system during a panic attack and why it can feel like you're losing control. We e...
How to Choose the Right Therapist (And the Mistakes to Avoid)
The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Choosing a TherapistChoosing a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to look for. In this episode, we unpack the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a therapist ...
I Think I’m Going Crazy
Being Triggered, Healing, and Feeling Emotions for the First TimeUnpacking Me: The Parts of Trauma No One Talks AboutHealing can feel terrifying when your nervous system finally starts to wake up. In this episode, we talk ab...
The Day I Grew Up In Therapy
There are moments in healing when something clicks — when you realize you’re no longer surviving, you’re choosing yourself. In this episode, we explore what it means to “grow up” in therapy: taking responsibility for your healing, recognizing p...
Black Sheep Energy: Choosing Yourself, Setting Boundaries
Unpacking Me: The Parts of Trauma No One Talks AboutWhat happens when you stop living for everyone else — and finally start choosing yourself? In this episode, we unpack what it really means to become the “black sheep” of the fa...
Healing While Grieving
Healing doesn’t happen without grief — especially at the end of the year, when reflection can bring up everything you’ve lost along the way. In this episode, we explore the quiet grief that shows up during trauma healing: grieving who you used ...
The End of the Year Spiral: The Truth About Failing Behind
As the year comes to a close, so many of us fall into the silent spiral — comparing ourselves, questioning our progress, and feeling like we’ve somehow “failed behind.” In this episode, we get honest about the pressure that builds in the final ...
Breaking Free From Cycle of Holiday Obligation
The holidays can bring joy — but they can also bring pressure, guilt, and expectations. In this episode, we talk about the emotional weight of holiday obligations and how trauma, family dynamics, and people-pleasing patterns keep us stuck in tr...
When "No" Feels Dangerous
For many people with trauma histories, saying “no” isn’t just uncomfortable — it feels dangerous. Especially during the holidays, when expectations and family dynamics intensify. In this episode, we dive into why setting boundaries can trigger ...
Weaponize Gratitude
What happens when gratitude is used against you? In this episode, we unpack the dark side of “be grateful” culture — when people use gratitude to silence your pain, dismiss your needs, or guilt you out of wanting more. We explore how trauma sur...
Messy Life, Grateful Heart
Life doesn’t magically get neat and orderly just because we’re healing — it stays messy, confusing, beautifully imperfect. In this episode, we explore how gratitude can coexist with struggle, how you can hold appreciation even when everything i...
Adulting 101
No one really teaches us how to be adults — especially when childhood was about survival, not stability. In this episode, we break down what “adulting” looks like through a trauma-informed lens: learning to self-regulate, set boundaries, manage...
Navigating the Trauma Lens
Trauma changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. In this episode, we explore what it means to live — and heal — through a trauma lens. From hypervigilance to self-blame, we unpack how past wounds shape present perspectives and re...
Heaven and Hell Are in Your Head
In this episode, we explore how the mind can create both peace and pain — how “heaven and hell” are not just spiritual concepts, but internal realities shaped by our experiences and unhealed trauma. We talk about the ways our thoughts, memories...
The Courage To Heal
Healing isn’t about simply waiting for time to pass — it takes courage. In this episode, we explore what it really means to face the work of healing: confronting pain, choosing growth even when it’s uncomfortable, and daring to believe you dese...
My Distorted Sense of Being
What happens when who you believe you are is built on someone else’s lens instead of your own? In this episode, we go deeper into the ripple effects of emotional invalidation — how repeated dismissal, gaslighting, or control can distort your se...
Your Emotions and Feelings Are Valid
So many of us grew up being told we were “too sensitive,” “too much,” or that our feelings didn’t matter. In this episode, we reclaim the truth: your emotions and feelings are valid. We explore how trauma teaches us to dismiss or bury what we f...
The Ultimate Abandonment of Me
The deepest betrayal isn’t always someone else walking away — it’s when we abandon ourselves. In this episode, we unpack what happens when survival, people-pleasing, or fear push us to silence our own needs, ignore our truth, and shrink to keep...
Denial Is Sexy
Unpacking Me: The Parts of Trauma No One Talks AboutSometimes, denial feels easier than truth. In this episode, we unpack how trauma can make denial look “sexy” — convincing us to stay in relationships, roles, and situations th...
Your No Is Not A Character Flaw
Too often, individuality gets twisted into “disrespect” when you don’t comply with someone else’s expectations. In this episode, we unpack the shame tactics used to silence authenticity, the weight of shrinking yourself to fit, and why honoring...
Shaming Me Into Being You: When Individuality Gets Labeled as Disrespect
When your authentic self is seen as defiance, shame becomes a tool to force conformity. In this episode, we explore how families, partners, and communities can twist individuality into “disrespect,” the emotional cost of living for others’ ...