157. Dr. Kirsten Harrison: I, Sean/a and Perspectives That Break the Silence

I had an instant connection with Kirsten Harrison…we had a "vetting" phone call several weeks before we recorded her episode, and I truly wish I had recorded that conversation and made it a part of this weeks' episode so that you could actually hear that connection! Kirsten and her work are truly inspiring and captivating. Read on, if you would: Dr. Kirsten Harrison has dedicated her career to understanding trauma and guiding survivors through some of life's most difficult psychological and spiritual transitions. With research experience at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and advanced studies at Georgetown, Pepperdine, and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Harrison brings a wealth of knowledge and clinical skill to her work. Yet, as she shares in this episode, it is the lived experiences of her clients — their creativity, resilience, and will to survive — that have most profoundly shaped her philosophy and practice. As we talked, Kirsten took the conversation deep into the realities of trauma treatment, including her decades of work with PTSD, dissociation, and near-death experiences. She told me not only about her clinical insight and practices, but also her striking view of humanity, and her approach to healing, emphasizing that it is never linear, nor is it confined to a single framework. Instead, it is forged in the bravery of those willing to confront their trauma and fight for their own transformation. A central part of our discussion centered on her groundbreaking book, I, Sean/a: The Story of a Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired a Community. Co-authored with Sean/a Smith, the book chronicles the life of an intersex woman living with schizophrenia who endured nearly two decades of homelessness yet never lost her voice or her hope. Through Sean/a's story, Dr. Harrison exposes the failures of outdated medical practices, the destructive force of stigma, and the radical resilience it takes to survive and inspire change. This episode is an invitation to see trauma, healing, and identity through a wider lens. Dr. Harrison's wisdom and candor challenge us all to confront hard truths while also offering a vision of what is possible when compassion and science meet in service of dignity and justice. I truly hope to continue working with Dr. Harrison on widening both of our platforms! An important side note: if you're finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, please send me a note of support. I can't tell you how much your emails mean to me—they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. Here's my email address: dave@sasstories.com Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already; and, if you're interested in guesting on the show, please mention that in your email or text, and provide me with a phone number where I can reach you. Please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you'll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so!—Thank you!! gofund.me/af648f46 (Kennedy Alley: A 100 Mile Journey; GoFundMe link) https://a.co/d/7P6Fmmc (Amazon link to I, Sean/a) https://soulwisesolutions.com https://safeinharmsway.org https://sironahealing.com/ https://www.whattheydontsay.com https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL www.arcigrey.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military/id1754061590 https://startbybelieving.org https://evawintl.org/ My email address: dave@sasstories.com As mentioned and emphasized, it's time to Normalize the Conversation.™ And please remember to Start by Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Thank you for tuning in.