In episode 138 Shelby shares personal journal entries to illustrate her painful journey of dealing with parental alienation along with the steps she took to regain her sense of power and worthiness. Shelby emphasizes the importance of identifying and adhering to core values and offers practical advice for alienated parents to navigate their lives more clearly and purposefully.

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

00:18 Lost Interviews and Birthday Troubles

03:33 Reading Journal Entries: Finding Your Power

04:43 Parental Alienation: A Mother's Struggle

10:00 A Heartbreaking Zoom Call

15:51 Reflecting on Past Trauma

20:50 Rewiring the Brain After Trauma

31:22 Creating a Personal and Parental Code

39:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

How Trauma and Grief Shape Decisions for Alienated Parents

In this episode of The Beyond The High Road Podcast, Shelby Milford discusses the profound impact of trauma and grief on personal responses and decisions. She highlights a listener review, thanks Alexandra Unshakable for her feedback, and encourages listeners to leave reviews. Shelby shares personal stories and insights into how unprocessed trauma and grief manifest in daily life, affecting decisions, especially in parenting. She uses a comparison from Grey’s Anatomy to illustrate how trauma, irrespective of its source, can lead to similar responses in different people. Shelby emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding one’s responses to past trauma, recognizing that these reactions are often driven by the nervous system’s need for safety and security. She provides examples from her own life, describing her struggles and the lingering effects of grief, and offers advice on shifting perspectives to alleviate self-blame and shame. Shelby concludes by urging listeners to leave reviews on Apple Podcasts to support other parents in similar situations.

00:00 Introduction and Listener Review

01:27 Today's Topic: Trauma and Grief

02:00 Personal Flashbacks and Reflections

04:42 Understanding Past Decisions

06:34 Shifting Narratives and Self-Blame

13:48 Relating to Fictional Characters

24:09 Grief and Its Impact

32:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

Addressing complex emotions surrounding Mother's Day for alienated parents. Shelby shares a poignant story about a mother dealing with the tragic loss of her child, providing insights into how such experiences can shape one’s journey through grief. The episode delves into the various thought patterns that contribute to prolonged grief disorder, such as rumination, self-blame, and avoidance. Shelby emphasizes the importance of processing grief in a healthy manner and provides practical advice for self-reflection and healing. She encourages listeners to acknowledge and adapt to their emotions, giving themselves the grace to move forward. This episode is a supportive guide for navigating sensitive days like Mother's Day, filled with personal anecdotes and expert insights aimed at helping listeners find peace and direction amidst their grief

YouTube Vid I Referenced: Navigating Grief, Mother's Day ,& Healing After Child Loss w/ Dr Marcy Larson

.00:00 Introduction and Episode Teaser

00:13 Mother's Day Inspiration and Emotional Story

05:13 Understanding Grief and Its Impact

10:41 Coping Mechanisms and Thought Patterns

18:02 Navigating Special Days and Self-Care

33:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts