Trauma Bonded

Latest Episodes:

The Monster Within (TIAH #374) Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 374, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if a brutal assault saved your life?” in which we cover the power of being heard, gatekeeping Atheism, & the oneness of everything, like with breakfast wine.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, gang activity, criminal activity including drugs and violence with weapons, racism, brutal assault including kicking & stomping, severe facial injuries in the mouth, punctured organ injury, heavy alcohol use, explicit language

THIS IS OUR LAST EPISODE OF TRAUMA/BONDED - THANK YOU ALL! Hear about our next venture here: shedatespodcast.com

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Storyteller Update from TIAH347 Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Elly has a conversation with Naazh from the episode, “What if you were held captive in plain sight?”

You can reach Naazh on Instagram @Naazh1974. Her blog is at Naazh.org.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg (T is there in spirit!)

Edited by: Forrest Chiras

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: mental illness,animal death/injury, suicide, sexual assault/”roofies” reference, addiction (alcohol & sex), divorce, explicit language

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You Make Slow & I Make Quick (TIAH#372) Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 372, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if you were lost on the Pacific Crest Trail?” in which we cover friendship as water, the illustrious poem “Footprints In the Sand” & a very tear-jerky Amy Grant song.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, suicide by gun, teen pregnancy, unhoused/rough living, poverty, being lost in the wilderness, extreme cold while lost outside, smoking, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CAN YOU IMAGINE? (TIAH#317) Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 371, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if you survived a catastrophic hurricane?” in which we cover the pressure of saving yourself and your family in a high pressure situation, trusting your instincts when you have no obvious way through and… you wanna be home DURING the hurricane uhhhhhh?

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: homophobia, hurricane, storm, near drowning, drowning deaths, PTSD from near death, flood, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Like A Diamond (TIAH#370) Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 370, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if a bullet took your sight but not your vision?” in which we cover the deep goodness of friendship, the harsh cruelty of the world toward the differently abled & Trauma/Bonded’s loose association with Public Enemy.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: absentee father, violence, gun violence, stranger crime, hospital, blindness, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Thank you, Katy Caple for 2 years unpaid service!! Now Elly has to make them and she’s not happy about it.

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Way Where There Was No Way (TIAH#369) Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 369, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if you lit yourself on fire?” in which we cover Let's stop protecting our abusers, showing up for yourself is a practice and we are grateful to be able to come home.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: childhood sexual abuse, drug use and addiction, self-immolation, severe burn injury, attempted suicide, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Thank you, Katy Caple for 2 years unpaid service!! Now Elly has to make them and she’s not happy about it.

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Kitchen Table (TIAH#368) Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 368, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if you were the only one left to grieve?” in which we cover the pain of being left and leaving, survivor’s guilt and the sleeping constable.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: stalking, home invasion, death by gun, suicide by gun, suicide, racism, colonization, genocide, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Thank you, Katy Caple for 2 years unpaid service!! Now Elly has to make them and she’s not happy about it.

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Supermax WTF (TIAH#367) Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 367, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if you were imprisoned in the Federal Supermax?” in which we cover our ignorance around law, our WTFness around these intolerable prison conditions and it’s unnatural to want to hurt another human being.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Forrest Chiras

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: childhood abuse/neglect, vandalism, breaking and entering, property damage as a political tool, molotov cocktails/explosion/fire near/at a Federal building, violence/brutality in prison, sexual assault, racism, homophobia, transphobia,, explicit language

Check out docuseries, The Class: https://www.pbs.org/show/the-class/. It’s got some love from The New York Times, and Indiewire listed the series as an Emmy Contender! Follow on socials @theclassdoc @threeframemedia

The filmmakers also developed a Covid lesson plan and Professional Development Guide which are available for free on www.theclassdocumentary.com, so if you have any educators in your life please share these resources with them!

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Thank you, Katy Caple for 2 years unpaid service!!

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Build & Betray (TIAH#366) Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 366, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if you infiltrated a doomsday hate militia?” in which we cover the power of verbal judo, crack(s) & other potential strip club names.

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Cathy Sitzes

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, animal death/sacrifice/ritual, murder, talk of domestic terrorism/neo-nazi/white supremacy, drug buy use, undercover sting operations, gruesome cartel murders,, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Thank you, Katy Caple!

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Captivity Part II (TIAH#365) Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Elly & T discuss Episode 365, of the Podcast This Is Actually Happening, “What if they believed you staged your own kidnapping? Part 2: Denise?” in which we cover how messy relationships can be, the sheer badassery of Denise facing down global hate & “immunity from WAT??”

Hosted by: Elly Westberg & Therese Garcia

Edited by: Forrest Chiras

Special thanks to: Whit Missildine & Andrew Waits of This Is Actually Happening

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, sexual assault to a child/minor by a family friend, sexual trauma, home invasion, kidnapping, threat of violence, partner in distress, defamation of character by trust institution and media, civil lawsuit, criminal trial, explicit language

Check out 5calls.org. Call your representatives and speak truth to power!

Instagram: @traumabondedpodofficial

Thank you, Katy Caple!

YouTube: youtube.com/@traumabondedpodofficial

Website: traumabondedpod.com

Website by & Original Music by: Nathanael Trimboli

Email: traumabondedpod@gmail.com

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)