Welcome to The Courageous Journey Podcast! 👋I’m so incredibly glad you stumbled upon this space. Whether you are looking for a little inspiration, navigating a big transition, or just need a reminder that you don’t have to walk your path alone—you are in the right place.
This podcast is all about real stories, honest conversations, and finding the heart to take that next step forward. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, find a comfortable spot, and dive into any episode below. I am so honored to share this journey with you! 🎉
What if some of the things you’ve spent years believing were wrong with you weren’t evidence that you were broken at all?
What if they were adaptations?
In this episode of The Courageous Journey, I reflect on something that happened while speaking at the National Domestic Violence Hotline Conference in Texas. I walked into a room I had been invited into—and still found myself wondering whether I belonged.
I noticed everyone else’s degrees, credentials, titles and accomplishments. I questioned whether I was educated enough, professional enough, or even looked the part.
And then a question hit me:
Why am I standing in a room I’ve already been invited into trying to prove that I deserve to be there?
I have an exciting episode with for you today. I am actually going to be talking with doctor Mike Hennes from The Neural Connection. He is the doctor that if you’ve been seeing any of my social media, or you’ve listened to me talk about in any of my speaking engagements, I often refer to him as doctor Mike and he changed everything for me..
If you’ve been following me for any length of time about like, the power of one, and sometimes it’s one person. Sometimes that’s one conversation. And I know that this is going to not be a popular topic with some people, but I kind of want to just talk today about the power of one prayer. And that’s because my, like, my life was so changed in inspired by a group of people yesterday that got up and put on their running clothes.
This latest episode is sharing with you how I think I finally found my voice, why everything is changing, and why it all comes back to one simple truth….
For years, I believed the abuse itself was what kept me stuck. Looking back, I see something different.
In this episode, I share one of the biggest breakthroughs in my healing journey: it wasn’t just the traumatic events that shaped my life—it was the beliefs and survival patterns my brain developed because of them.
Using a simple story about trimming trees around my property, we explore why healing isn’t about erasing our past. It’s about understanding how trauma shaped our brains and intentionally rewiring the pathways that no longer serve us.
After a three-month break, I’m back—and this season begins with more than just an update.
In this episode, I share what has been happening behind the scenes as I’ve cared for my mom through advanced dementia, prepared for my first national domestic violence conference presentation, and made the decision to step fully into my calling as a speaker, educator, and advocate.
Healing isn’t linear, and sometimes life doesn’t derail our purpose—it prepares us for it.
I’ll also share a glimpse of what’s ahead, including new communities for survivors and professionals, and why I believe the conversation around trauma, brain injury, and healing has never been more important.
Listen to this brave episode where Paula discusses her recent medical visit, and what she has learned about her brain function and health.
About The Courageous Journey
The Courageous Journey is a podcast exploring the connection between trauma, brain health, and healing through the lens of lived experience, neuroscience, faith, and hope. Each episode helps survivors and professionals better understand the brain so healing and lasting change become