#4/22 When Religious Reassurance Becomes Harmful
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Episode Overview: In this deeply insightful episode, Jean explore how religious language impacts survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The conversation intricately examines the interfaces between trauma, faith, and the body—challenging common assumptions and inviting listeners to consider the nuanced ways reassurance can help or hinder real healing. ' A brief note for transparency, the structure of this interview was created with the support of AI. While the insights and answers you'll hear are Jean Dorff's own.' What’s Covered in This Episode: - The Body’s Response to Disclosure:...
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#4/21 Procrastination & Trauma Respons
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Episode Summary On this episode of The Empowering Story, Jean Dorff dives deep into the hidden roots of procrastination. Rather than seeing it as simple laziness or a lack of discipline, the conversation explores how procrastination can actually be a trauma response an intelligent adaptation from our nervous system that is trying to protect us, often based on past experiences. Using research from neuroscience and trauma studies, Jean Dorff presents compelling evidence that shows procrastination, especially in those with a history of childhood trauma, is not a character flaw but a signal...
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#4/20 When Insight Isn’t Enough: The Quiet Gap Between Understanding and Readiness
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Welcome to The Empowering Story podcast! In today's episode, "When Insight Isn’t Enough: The Quiet Gap Between Understanding and Readiness," Jean Dorff dives deep into the subtle, often unspoken space in healing where progress seems to stall—despite years of effort, clarity, and stability. Why does movement sometimes remain out of reach, even after understanding and regulation? Jean explores this "plateau," challenging common beliefs about resistance and readiness. This episode unpacks how true healing isn’t just about insight or effort, but about orientation, timing, and the gentle art...
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#4/19 The Insight Plateau
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Welcome to a new episode of The Empowering Story podcast—a space where healing unfolds at its own pace, free from timelines and expectations. This week, we invite you to explore a topic that’s familiar to anyone who’s done the hard work of self-discovery: the “insight plateau.” What You'll Hear in This Episode: Understanding the Insight Plateau: Jean introduces the concept, describing the stage in recovery when you intellectually understand your trauma, can name it, and have processed plenty yet, moving forward still feels elusive. Why isn’t insight alone enough to spark change? ...
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#4/18 Not Broken Just Unoriented
THE EMPOWERING STORY
In this eye-opening episode of The Empowering Story, Jean explores a radically new perspective on productivity, consistency, and self-judgment. Are you constantly checking off your to-do list but still feel restless or like you’re just not “yourself”? Ever start strong and then seem to disappear from your own plans? Jean explains why you’re *not* broken—and why beating yourself up for feeling this way only adds to the problem. Rather than blaming yourself for a lack of willpower or consistency, Jean introduces the powerful idea of "orientation —the art of knowing which part of you...
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#4/17 The Difference between Acceptance and Orientation.
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Jean sits on the other side of the mic for a change, exploring what it truly means to feel lost, stuck, or pressured to “figure things out.” Through a thoughtful interview, Jean explains the critical difference between acceptance and orientation, and why this distinction matters more than ever for those navigating change, confusion, or uncertainty. Key Topics Discussed: Misunderstanding “Lostness”: Jean reframes feeling lost as a natural reorganization process rather than a personal failure, describing it as an “interruption, not a...
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#4/16 The Six Voice States
THE EMPOWERING STORY
In this episode of The Empowering Story, Jean invites listeners on a journey through the Six Voice States—a practical framework for deepening self-understanding and emotional clarity. Far beyond how we sound, these states illuminate why and how our expression adapts as we move through life’s changing inner seasons. What You’ll Learn The Six Voice States: Sean breaks down each state, from the gentle Whisperer to the confident Storyteller, explaining their purpose and the pivotal role they play in our growth. The Whisperer: Quiet, internal, and vital for self-preservation and...
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#4/15 Your Voice Knows Before You Do: Tracking the Inner Weather of Trauma Recovery,
THE EMPOWERING STORY
This iepisode dives into how our voices often register changes in our internal world long before our minds catch up. We explore the subtle signals in tone, breath, and language that can reveal shifts in emotional state—sometimes even before we're consciously aware of them. The conversation centers on Story Signal, a free app developed by Jean and The Empowering Story, designed to help users track these voice states with clarity and kindness. Key Topics: - Voice as a Messenger: Jean shares a memorable story from over two decades working alongside trauma survivors, explaining how...
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#4/14 Your Voice Never Left You
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Welcome to a deeply insightful episode of The Empowering Story, where we explore the power of voice in trauma recovery. This week, the episode is both written and spoken by trauma recovery coach Shawn Dorff, founder of The Empowering Story. For over 20 years, Shawn has helped sexual abuse survivors reclaim agency and healing through an innovative, voice-centered methodology. Key Themes and Takeaways: Voice-Centered Healing: Shawn Dorff challenges traditional trauma recovery methods by emphasizing that healing starts with the voice—not emotional breakthroughs or cognitive processing. Micro...
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#4/13 Every Story Deserves a Beginning
THE EMPOWERING STORY
Episode Summary In this opening episode of The Empowering Story, trauma-informed narrative coach Jean Dorff explores one of the most powerful — and most overlooked — moments in a survivor’s healing journey: The moment before the first sentence. If you’ve ever opened a blank page… felt your chest tighten… and closed it again, this episode is for you. Jean guides you through the emotional, psychological, and embodied reasons why beginning your story feels so difficult — even if you’ve already done years of therapy, personal development, and deep reflection. You’ll learn why...
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In this opening episode of The Empowering Story, trauma-informed narrative coach Jean Dorff explores one of the most powerful — and most overlooked — moments in a survivor’s healing journey:
The moment before the first sentence.
If you’ve ever opened a blank page… felt your chest tighten… and closed it again, this episode is for you. Jean guides you through the emotional, psychological, and embodied reasons why beginning your story feels so difficult — even if you’ve already done years of therapy, personal development, and deep reflection.
You’ll learn why high-functioning survivors struggle more, why the catastrophe your body predicts never arrives, what actually happens when you write that first sentence, and how beginning becomes the moment your past self, present self, and future self meet for the first time.
This isn’t an episode about trauma details.
It’s an episode about voice, safety, and the quiet relief waiting on the other side of beginning.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
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Why beginning your story feels impossible — even when you’ve done “the work”
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The three hidden barriers that keep survivors from writing their first sentence
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The truth about high-functioning survival strategies (and why they make beginning harder)
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Why the first sentence brings relief, not collapse
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What expressive writing research reveals about the healing process
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How writing reorganizes the story your nervous system has been carrying
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Why your beginning becomes a lighthouse for others
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How one sentence becomes the meeting point of your past, present, and future self
A Gentle Note
This episode is trauma-informed and non-triggering.
Jean does not discuss graphic details, and the focus remains on emotional safety, identity, and the nervous system — not traumatic memories.
You are safe here.
Take the Next Step: Get the Story Clarity Guide
If today’s conversation stirred something in you — a memory, a desire to begin, or simply the quiet sense that your story is ready for a new chapter — the next step is gentle and clear:
👉 The Story Clarity Guide
This tailored, supportive experience helps you:
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understand where you are in your story process
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see what your story could look like
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receive a customized table of contents
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explore safe, non-overwhelming writing prompts
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identify your next steps with confidence
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and receive a supportive coaching call with Jean
This isn’t about writing a whole book.
It’s about beginning with safety, clarity, and direction.
🔗 Sign up here: The Story Clarity Guide
Connect With Jean
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Website: https://theempoweringstory.com
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeandorff/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theempoweringstory
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Substack: @theempoweringstory
If You Found This Episode Helpful
Please share it with someone who may need this kind of gentle encouragement.
Your share could be the reason another survivor feels safe enough to begin her story.
🎧 Credits
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Host: Jean Dorff
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Intro/Outro Voice: Nia
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Produced by: The Empowering Story
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Music: The Empowering Voice (TES Soundtracks)