Content Warning (CW): This episode centers the discussion of gun violence and explicit mentions mass shootings. Please be mindful as you listen and provide this content warning when sharing.

I didn’t want to record this episode. And that’s exactly why we did. So let's cut straight to the truth: we need to get real about gun violence. This is an important and timely episode with Josh Novick (he/him) is about gun violence, trauma exposure, and what it actually costs to care inside broken systems. No platitudes. No easy answers. Just the truth—and the choice in front of us. Working in education throughout his career, he has been both the responder and the experiencer of the impact of gun violence. It wasn’t until a mass shooting hit his own backyard at the Highland Park Parade Shooting in 2022 that he began to his advocacy journey.This is not a theoretical conversation—it’s a grounded, urgent look at how trauma shows up in classrooms, communities, and bodies, why gun violence is a public health crisis (not a mental illness), and what trauma-informed care actually demands from us. Honest, sharp, and unapologetically human, this episode names the harm, challenges the myths, and calls listeners into action.

Learn more about Josh:

Josh Novick, LCPC, PEL-SC is a nationally recognized therapist, school counselor, speaker, and advocate who combines clinical expertise, lived experience, and unapologetic passion in the fight for safer, more connected schools and communities. He is the founder of Trust and Grow Consulting, where he partners with schools, districts, and community organizations across the country to expand trauma-informed, equity-centered practices that support resilience and recovery.

Josh’s perspective is shaped by his years as a school counselor in North Lawndale on the West Side of Chicago, where he worked alongside students and families navigating systemic inequities, community violence, and extraordinary resilience. His commitment to trauma-informed recovery deepened after the Highland Park Fourth of July parade mass shooting, which impacted his own community and led to his leadership role in creating a temporary Community Counseling Center. In just one week, the center provided immediate relief to more than 3,000 community members with the support of over 650 volunteer therapists, becoming a model for rapid, compassionate crisis response.

An Ambassador with Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, he is a leading voice on educator wellness and community response after critical incidents, helping schools navigate the aftermath of violence with compassion and clarity.

His work has been featured at national and regional gatherings including the Building Resilient Communities for Children Conference, the Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference, and the Illinois School Counselor Association Conference. His expertise has been quoted in regional and national articles, extending his impact beyond direct practice and into broader public discourse.

Connect with Josh:

• Website: https://trustandgrow.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.

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Have you ever sat through a nonprofit fundraising gala and felt your stomach drop as the lights dimmed for yet another emotionally devastating video?

You're not alone. And according to trauma-informed storyteller Maria Bryan, there's a better way.

In this powerful episode of A Trauma-Informed Feature, host Katie Kurtz sits down with Maria Bryan to unpack the often-overlooked harm happening in nonprofit storytelling. From the marketing director gathering stories to the donor watching from the audience, everyone in what Maria calls the "storytelling ecosystem" deserves consideration.

As nonprofits face funding challenges, story extraction isn't just harmful—it's unsustainable. This conversation offers a path forward that honors both story and humanity.

Learn more about Maria:

Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She is the host of the When Bearing Witness® podcast and facilitates the When Bearing Witness® Trauma-Informed Storytelling Certification Program.

Maria’s work helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Over the past 15+ years in the nonprofit and public sector, Maria has trained thousands globally in person and virtually—focusing on trauma-informed storytelling and purpose-driven marketing.

Her learning lineage spans a Master's Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, and professional certifications in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment and Regulation.

Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.

Connect with Maria:

• Website: https://www.mariabryan.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabryancrtv/

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Welcome back to a new season of A Trauma-Informed Future! After a restorative pause, Katie is offering transparent updates about the behind-the-scenes shifts that have unfolded since the last episode. Acknowledging the deep distrust shaping our world-from politics to community safety to information itself-Katie reminds us that trust is built slowly, at the pace of the nervous system, through aligned intentions and actions. She reflects on the collective trauma of the current moment, the exhaustion and hopelessness that doom-scrolling can amplify, and the grounded hope that trauma-informed practice continues to offer as people make daily choices toward humanity, safety, and care. Katie shares the evolution of her work, including the emergence of TRUST™ (Trauma-Informed Relational Upskilling and Systems Transformation) as the aligned home for her methodology, the beta launch of TRUST Works, and the growing community of trusted partners. Centering the power of caring as courageous rather than “soft,” Katie calls listeners into mindful action, inviting them to reflect on where their care lives, how they can use their power within their spheres of influence, and how choosing trauma-informed care in small everyday moments contributes to a broader trust swell.

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When people feel truly seen, heard, and valued, their nervous systems shift from protection to connection. As humans, our deepest drive is to feel safe—and that sense of safety is shaped by our internal physiological state, governed by the autonomic nervous system. We’re navigating a world marked by uncertainty and disconnection—at work, at home, and in our communities. Trust is in short supply, yet it’s the very thing we need most. In low trust times, trust becomes the glue—what holds us together when everything else feels unstable. In this timely and hopeful conversation, host Katie Kurtz explores the neuroscience of trust and why it matters now more than ever. You'll discover how each of us carries the power to build, repair, and sustain trust—one relationship, one choice, one nervous system at a time.

Sign up for updates & exclusive access to TRUST Works™- a trauma-informed training & certification program

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Many people turn to their faith communities to seek safety, connection, and support. Without a trauma-informed lens, well-intentioned practices can unintentionally cause harm or retraumatize. Host Katie Kurtz is joined by coach and consultant Candace Wallace as they explore the integration of trauma-informed practices within faith-based communities. With expertise drawn from her extensive background, Candace Wallace explores the dual nature of faith communities as havens of healing and potential harm, urging the necessity for accountability and compassion. If you're part of or curious about faith-based systems, this episode is an essential guide to embedding trauma-informed principles into your community's foundation.

Learn more about Candace:

Candace Wallace is a passionate coach and consultant with a proven track record in designing and leading public health strategies at the federal, state, and local levels. As the founder of Seeds of Life Consulting, she empowers and equips agencies—including faith-based institutions—to integrate trauma-informed care practices that foster resilience, healing, and equity within their communities. Recognized for her servant leadership and strategic expertise, Candace is a 2025 German Marshall Fund - Marshall Memorial Fellow and has been featured in esteemed publications, including the 2020 APHA and Case Western Reserve University’s Cancer Disparity Symposium.

Connect with Candace:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/crusaderchic
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-l-wallace/

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Still think trauma isn’t relevant to your work? Recent populations studies have shown that virtually all people have or will experience trauma in their lifetime. Whether it’s your employees, customers, or clients, individuals have experienced some form of trauma in their lives and it can impact how they interact with you and your business. In this episode of A Trauma-Informed Future, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with career HR professional and CEO & founder of the Wounded Workforce, Stephanie Lemek. This episode shines a spotlight on the essential role of trauma-informed practices in transforming workplace culture. Stephanie highlights examples of how trauma-informed practices contributes to a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture, which translates to higher employee engagement, retention, and overall organizational success.

Learn more about Stephanie:

Stephanie is on a mission to build trauma informed workplace cultures, leading her to found The Wounded Workforce™ in 2023.

Stephanie has over 16 years of experience in a variety of HR roles, spanning various industries and in organizations ranging from large Fortune 500 to growing start-ups.

In every role, Stephanie noticed that the workplace just isn’t built with everyone in mind. And despite the best efforts of HR teams and leaders, sometimes people still don’t have the right supports to be successful.

With a lifelong mission of helping both organizations and individuals be successful (and at the same time!), there had to be a way to create organizational cultures where everyone can be successful- and that’s where trauma informed workplaces come in!

Through a passion and research, Stephanie found that what she was looking for to help leaders, HR, and Talent professionals approach the workplace with an understanding and responsiveness to the traumatic experiences over 70% of adults bring with them to the workplace, didn’t exist. So, she set on a mission to build it herself!

Connect with Stephanie:

• Website: https://www.thewoundedworkforce.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_wounded_workforce/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanielemek/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Wounded-Workforce/61551729635346/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWoundedWorkforce

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What if the traditional way of doing business is no longer the way forward? What if people and profit could coexist without extraction or harm? Today's guest, Angela Johnson had these questions and set out on a journey to research how this could be possible using trauma-informed care. In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz is in conversation with business strategist Angela Johnson discussing the critical role of integrating trauma-informed care into business practices. She underscores the importance of viewing trauma as a fundamental component of human interaction and how it influences business strategies, marketing, and communication. This episode offers resources to help businesses incorporate trauma-informed approaches, highlighting the transformative potential for both business success and personal fulfillment.

Learn more about Angela:

Angela is a trauma-informed coach and strategist who helps multi-passionate rebel entrepreneurs and DEI-focused organizations craft their unique message and implement their marketing without using pain points, complicated funnels, or other gimmicky strategies.

Since 2008, she has helped hundreds of private clients and over 3,000 students in her courses and events ditch one-size-fits-all formulas and lead their businesses with their values. She is best known for her simple 1-page marketing plans and keen ability to help her clients craft compelling messaging while prioritizing their nervous systems.

Angela has shared the stage with renowned thought leaders like Liz Gilbert, Lynn Twyst, and Lisa Nichols. Her work focuses on guiding business owners and organizations to integrate trauma-informed marketing and communication so that collectively, we dismantle systemic oppression and co-create a world that prioritizes equity and compassion.

Connect with Angela:

• Website: www.angelamjohnson.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/angelajohnsonbiz/
• Free Trauma-informed Business Guide: https://tools.angelamjohnson.com/free-trauma-guide

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In today's episode of A Trauma-Informed Future podcast, host Katie Kurtz invites Caroline Brunne, a distinguished trauma survivor coach and breath work facilitator to discuss the powerful role of peer support. Caroline shares her compelling journey, underlining the critical role of personal lived experiences in the realm of trauma-informed care. This episode highlights how those who have navigated similar challenges bring valuable insight and a unique perspective that can bridge gaps between traditional support systems and personal recovery. Caroline, alongside her loyal therapy dog Louie, is dedicated to fostering environments of safety and growth through her initiative, In Support Community, which provides vital peer support for survivors of child sexual abuse.

Content Warning: This podcast episode mentions the lived experiences of childhood sexual abuse and incest. Although specific details are not mentioned, please be aware and listen with care.

Learn more about Caroline:

For over two decades, Caroline has had the privilege of supporting individuals in transforming their lives through coaching, life management, and personal growth. Her work has been featured on platforms like Channel 7’s Sunrise, Mamma Mia, Women’s Health, Channel Nine News, Body & Soul, and numerous podcasts and publications – a testament to the impact of her journey and dedication to helping others.

But beyond the accolades and appearances lies a story of resilience. As a high-functioning trauma survivor, Caroline knows the weight of building a life of accomplishments while carrying the shadow of past pain. In 2020, Caroline took her first steps toward unpacking and healing her lived experiences, confronting the trauma that had long lingered in silence. That journey led her to a place of transformation, and in 2022, she took an act of unshakable courage by self-publishing her debut book, More Than One Thing Can Be True.

This memoir is not just a story – it’s a testament to survival, healing, and hope. In it, Caroline shares her lived experience of overcoming child sexual abuse, incest, and trauma, offering a narrative of bravery and resilience. Her goal is to inspire individuals and communities to open conversations about these experiences, to replace shame with understanding, and to illuminate the path to healing.

Since releasing her book, Caroline has expanded her mission, stepping into the role of a lived experience expert and survivor advocate. She has the honor of speaking at conferences and events across Australia, contributing to media discussions, and sharing insights that empower others to embrace their healing journeys.

In 2024, Caroline combined her personal experiences with her professional expertise to create The Survivor Coach – a space where coaching and breathework come together to support transformation. Today, alongside her therapy dog Louie, Carline works with clients to move beyond trauma, reclaim their power, and step into lives of purpose and authenticity.

Connect with Caroline:

• Website: https://carolinebrunne.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cgb.mgmt#
• Insta

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Interested in a keynote or consulting? Connect with Katie!