319 Bonus 2 - Ordinary Trauma, Agency & the Myth of Being Okay: Sarah Buino on The Unburdened Leader
“Values-led and relational-led, that's the way we have to do this or we're not gonna make it to the other side. We will destroy each other.” ~Sarah Buino
Sarah and Rebecca discuss trauma culture, healing, political consciousness, and building the capacity to stay present with life's messiness.
This week, we're sharing a conversation originally recorded in 2024 for The Unburdened Leader with my friend and colleague, Rebecca Ching.
Truthfully, this felt less like an interview and more like one of those conversations you have with someone who speaks the same language you do. We explored everything from trauma and agency to leadership, meditation, social justice, and the pressure we all feel to somehow be "okay" in an increasingly complicated world.
We talk about what I call ordinary trauma—the relational wounds that often go unnoticed because they're so common—and why reclaiming our agency is essential to healing. We also dive into the dangers of quick-fix solutions, the importance of mindfulness, and what it means to lead from values rather than fear.
In this episode:
What "ordinary trauma" is and why it often goes unrecognized
The relationship between agency, personal power, and healing
Why the pursuit of being "okay" may be the wrong goal
The dangers of trauma oversimplification and quick-fix culture
How leadership, politics, values, and healing are deeply interconnected
Have you ever wondered whether healing is supposed to feel easier by now? Then this conversation is for you.
Originally aired on The Unburdened Leader podcast in 2024. Special thanks to Rebecca Ching for creating a space for nuance, curiosity, and honest conversation.
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
Rebecca Ching - Imago Dei (2019)
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