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
24 episodes
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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31:57
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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24:32
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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32:55
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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33:46
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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37:22
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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48:58
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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51:35
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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30:45
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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34:52
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’ ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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31:20
Living to Die: Giving up or Just Suicidal
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicidal thoughts and emotional pain. Listener discretion advised. If you’re in crisis, please reach out: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call/Text 988, 988lifeline.org), Crisis Tex...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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36:52
Faking Joy
In this raw and reflective episode, we dive into the emotional labor of pretending to be okay when you're anything but. "Faking Joy" explores how trauma survivors often learn to wear happiness as a mask—smiling through pain, showing up...
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28:28
Why We Stay Silent: Respectabiliuty Politics and Mental Health
In this powerful episode, we explore how the pressure to appear "good," "proper," and "respectable" can silence our truth and erode our mental health. Respectability politics—especially in marginalized communities—often teaches us to suppress e...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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28:32
Alcohol, Parties, and Pain: Escaping vs Healing
In this episode, “Alcohol, Parties, and Pain: Escaping vs Healing,” we unpack the hidden alcoholism and emotional avoidance that often go unspoken in marginalized communities. From the outside, the parties, drinking, and turn-up cultur...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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27:10
The Real Cost of Toughing It Out: Chronic Illness and Trauma
What happens when we keep pushing through pain instead of listening to it? In this episode, we explore the deeply rooted connection between trauma and chronic illness — from fibroids and diabetes to autoimmune disorders. We unpack how unprocess...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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30:30
Sexual Abuse in the Shadows: When Silence Protects the Wrong People
In this powerful episode, we break the silence surrounding sexual abuse and the culture of secrecy that often protects perpetrators instead of survivors. Together, we explore the unspoken rules, family dynamics, and cultural pressures that sile...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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42:46
Wearing The Mask: How Perfectionism Is Killing Us Slowly
Wearing The Mask: How Perfectionism Is Killing Us Slowly The pressure to achieve as survival—and its mental cost.Perfectionism isn’t just about high standards—it’s a survival strategy, especially for those raised in e...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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29:59
Jealousy, or Something Deeper? The Truth About Anxiety and Depression
Jealousy, or Something Deeper? The Truth About Anxiety and Depression Translating misunderstood mental health labels into real issues.Is it really jealousy—or is it depression in disguise? In this episode, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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34:59
Caribbean Parenting Styles and the Hidden Wounds They Leave
Caribbean Parenting Styles and the Hidden Wounds They Leave In this powerful episode, we take a deep dive into Caribbean parenting, exploring the normalized use of authoritarian discipline, physical punishment, and emotional neglect...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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39:36
Big People Don't Cry? - The Shame Around Showing Emotions
In this episode, we unpack the damaging belief that strength means staying stoic and emotionally numb. Why are vulnerability and emotion still seen as weaknesses, especially for men and those expected to "hold it all together"? We explore the r...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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39:35
Family Doesn’t Always Mean Safe – Breaking Generational Trauma
Family Doesn’t Always Mean Safe – Breaking Generational Trauma- Addressing toxic loyalty and family betrayal. What happens when the people who are supposed to protect you become the source of your pain? In this episode, we explore t...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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40:14
Unpacking Me: Why Pray It Away isn't Enough
Unpacking Me: Why Pray It Away isn't Enough- Faith and Mental HealthHave you ever felt the pressure to simply "pray away" your emotional struggles? This episode of Unpacking Me tackles the often-unspoken stigma that faith alone can cure ...
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28:47
