Episode 5: Who Were You Before Trauma? | A Conversation with Michele Renee' Stone

In this deeply moving episode of The Phoenix Project, Jennifer Chandler sits down with Michele Reneé Stone to explore the often unspoken reality of losing yourself after trauma—and the journey back to reclaiming who you are.

Michele shares her personal story of early trauma, dissociation, and the long-term impact of not being able to trust her own intuition. Together, they unpack how identity loss develops over time through survival patterns like people-pleasing, self-betrayal, and emotional shutdown.

This conversation dives into the hidden effects of trauma on the nervous system, including emotional flashbacks, inner criticism, and the struggle to make even the smallest decisions.

But more importantly, this episode offers hope.

Through honest reflection and practical insight, Jennifer and Michele discuss what it actually looks like to begin rebuilding—from learning to recognize your needs, to taking small, intentional steps toward self-trust, self-expression, and healing.

This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from themselves and wondered:

“Who was I before everything changed?”

You are not broken.
You are rebuilding.
And that version of you still exists.

 

• trauma recovery
• domestic violence
• coercive control
• emotional healing
• PTSD
• complex PTSD
• survivor story
• healing journey
• mental health
• self discovery
• identity loss
• nervous system regulation
• women empowerment
• personal growth
• self healing