Trauma isn’t just caused by extreme events like war, accidents, or abuse. In this episode, trauma psychologist Caroline Middelsdorf explains trauma as invisible wounds, experiences that overwhelmed the nervous system and were never fully processed.

We explore why trauma often goes unrecognized, how the mind can forget while the body remembers, and why many people live in survival mode for years without realizing it. Caroline breaks down common trauma responses, including people-pleasing, hypervigilance, anxiety, emotional exhaustion or burnout and explains why these patterns often surface later in life.

A central theme of this conversation is shame. Shame is one of the most overlooked trauma responses and one of the biggest blocks to healing. We discuss how shame develops, why it keeps people stuck, and how healing requires more than awareness alone, it requires nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and integration.

This episode also covers:

- Childhood trauma and emotional neglect

- Big T vs small t trauma

- Dissociation and body memory

- Why trauma symptoms often appear in your late 20s or 30s

- The stages of healing emotional wounds

- How to support a partner who has experienced trauma

- What to look for (and avoid) in a therapist

If you’ve ever felt constantly on edge, emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected from your body, or ashamed without knowing why, this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface.

This episode is for education and reflection. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional mental health care.

About the guest

Caroline Middelsdorf is a trauma psychologist specializing in nervous system regulation, emotional trauma, and healing chronic stress responses. She shares educational content on trauma, shame, and healing across multiple platforms.

📌 Caroline’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinemiddelsdorf/?hl=en

🎙️ Caroline’s podcast Real, Raw and Authentic: https://www.youtube.com/@UCtk43vLV-ch0nuKEhO4iXMA

Timestamps:

00:00 – What Trauma Really Is (And Why We Get It Wrong)

04:15 – Invisible Wounds & Childhood Trauma

09:00 – How Trauma Shows Up Later in Life

17:30 – Why the Mind Forgets but the Body Remembers

25:40 – Survival Mode, Burnout & Anxiety

36:45 – Shame: The Most Overlooked Trauma Response

45:20 – Why Awareness Alone Doesn’t Heal Trauma

53:10 – The Hardest Part of Healing

01:01:30 – How to Support a Partner with Trauma

01:08:35 – Who You Become After Healing

01:12:15 – Message for Anyone Feeling Broken

What does it take to build multiple ventures, lead global communities across continents, and still stay grounded as a creator and founder?

In this episode of the 301 Podcast, Marcus Engel sits down with Julia Mitereva, founder of Fashion Potluck, Greek Social, Founders Mesh and part of the leadership team behind Moldovan Brands Runway (MBR) project, to explore the mindset, discipline, and creativity behind her nonlinear entrepreneurial journey.

From launching her first venture in her early 20s to building one of Amsterdam’s most beloved founder communities, Julia shares the systems, philosophies, and lessons that shaped her path.

She opens up about failing early, finding the right co-founder, switching between tech and fashion, and how she’s now helping shape Moldova’s growing startup and fashion ecosystems.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Julia balances multiple high-energy ventures

- The surprising influence her parents had on her entrepreneurial mindset

- Why failure is one of her most important tools as a founder

- How she built Fashion Potluck into a 40,000+ women’s platform

- Why big social platforms should take notes on ethical, safe spaces online

- The origin of Founders Mesh and why it became a startup-VC magnet

- How Moldova’s fashion and tech scenes are evolving and Julia’s role in it

- Why community only works when you build it with real intention and value

If you’re a founder, community builder, creator, or someone exploring a non-linear career path, this episode is packed with lessons on authenticity, resilience, and building things that actually matter.

⏱ Timestamps

(00:00) – Introduction

(00:10) – Balancing multiple ventures

(00:28) – The joy of entrepreneurship

(00:49) – Early beginnings in entrepreneurship

(01:27) – Influence of family on entrepreneurial spirit

(03:13) – Finding the right co-founder

(05:57) – Embracing failure in entrepreneurship

(09:07) – Building a strong co-founder relationship

(10:20) – The story behind Fashion Potluck

(14:11) – Ethical and safe social media spaces

(17:07) – Pivoting to Greek Social

(21:14) – Founders Mesh: building a community for founders

(27:24) – Unique aspects of Founders Mesh

(29:59) – Passion for fashion and Moldovan Fashion Week

(34:12) – Contributing to Moldova’s fashion and tech industries

(35:24) – Advice for aspiring Moldovan entrepreneurs

(40:10) – The secret sauce to building an engaged community

(43:16) – Balancing a busy entrepreneurial life

(47:59) – Future plans and impact

(52:43) – 3 FINAL Questions

Connect with Julia:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/iuliamiterev/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juls.mitereva/?hl=en

Follow Marcus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast

Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel

💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com