What happens when childhood trauma, generational neglect, and systemic failure collide? Emilee’s story is a raw, unfiltered look into survival against impossible odds. From losing her mother at age 7 to escaping abuse at 16, becoming a mum at 18, and eventually reclaiming her life through education and advocacy — this is a story of breaking the cycle.

In this episode, Emilee joins Carter to explore:

• Life as a young mum with complex PTSD
• The impact of childhood abuse, neglect, and gaslighting
• The fawn trauma response and how it shapes adult relationships
• Navigating self-diagnosed autism and neurodivergence
• Finding healing in motherhood, study, and spooky ghost tours

This episode is for anyone healing from trauma, parenting through pain, or looking for light in dark places. Emilee’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends.

🔔 Follow & leave a review if this conversation resonated with you.

#traumarecovery #neurodivergentparenting #cptsd #mentalhealthpodcast #youngmum #fawnresponse #touchedoutpodcast

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Touched Out: A Mental Health and Parenting Support Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a rating and review. Your support helps others discover their new favorite parenting and mental health podcast.

Connect with Us:

Drop a comment on Spotify if you have any questions or thoughts. You can also visit The Touched Out Website to leave a voice message or contact me via email. If you are interested in being a guest on Touched Out you can access the guest form HERE

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Theme music written and performed by Ben Drysdale ©2025: www.bendrysdalemusic.com

Nell, a bestselling children's author-illustrator, brings her refreshing perspective on neurodiversity to this heartfelt conversation about parenting, creativity, and breaking generational cycles. After receiving her own ADHD and autism diagnoses as an adult, Nell transformed her experiences into groundbreaking children's books that explain neurodivergent traits through feelings rather than clinical terminology.

"I grew up just wanting to be able to focus... just wanting to be the potential that everyone supposedly could see in me," Nell shares, describing the self-loathing that drove her to create resources ensuring her own children wouldn't face the same struggles. Her series—including "My Brain is a Race Car," "My Body Has a Bubble," and "My Feelings Are Waves"—presents neurodiversity as simply different neurotypes rather than conditions needing fixing, connecting with children through emotional experiences rather than diagnostic criteria.

The conversation beautifully explores how both hosts navigate parenthood with neurodivergent brains, teaching their children self-advocacy skills they never received growing up. From explaining personal boundaries through "hard bubbles" to helping children recognize when they need mindful days, Nell demonstrates how her lived experience translates into practical parenting tools. There's raw honesty about body image, communication challenges in relationships, and the powerful ways children perceive beauty differently than adults programmed by societal expectations.

Most striking is their shared commitment to breaking cycles of "children should be seen and not heard" parenting they experienced, embracing instead a model where feelings are validated, needs are met without shame, and neurodivergent traits are celebrated rather than suppressed. Nell's creative approach—developed through her own journey from tattoo artist to acclaimed author—offers hope and practical wisdom for parents navigating similar paths.

Curious about Nell's books or approach? Find her neurodiversity-focused children's books at www.nellharris.com or check out her social channels where she generously shares readings and resources for aspiring creators.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Touched Out: A Mental Health and Parenting Support Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a rating and review. Your support helps others discover their new favorite parenting and mental health podcast.

Connect with Us:

Drop a comment on Spotify if you have any questions or thoughts. You can also visit The Touched Out Website to leave a voice message or contact me via email. If you are interested in being a guest on Touched Out you can access the guest form HERE

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Theme music written and performed by Ben Drysdale ©2025: www.bendrysdalemusic.com

Discover the real side of modern motherhood in this raw, unfiltered episode featuring Hannah—a 36-year-old military mom balancing five children across an extraordinary age span. From newborn care to teen driving lessons, she shares her signature “straddling” parenting style that resonates with every multitasking parent.

• Military Family Moves & Co-Parenting: After relocating from South Carolina to Mississippi for her husband’s career, Hannah opens up about split custody challenges and maintaining strong bonds despite months apart.
• Birth Stories & Childbirth Experiences: Journey through five unique deliveries—from a teenage first birth with delayed attachment to a fifth unmedicated labor requiring a manual placenta removal—and learn how each shaped her understanding of maternal resilience.
• Mental Health in Motherhood: Gain insight into managing bipolar disorder, anxiety, and postpartum depression while leading your family. Hannah’s honesty on patience struggles and past crises offers hope for parents seeking authentic mental health conversations.
• Raising Resilient Kids: Explore her philosophy of teaching kindness, setting boundaries, and knowing which battles to pick. Whether you’re in a blended family or facing military deployments, Hannah’s story reminds us to practice grace amid the beautiful chaos.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Touched Out: A Mental Health and Parenting Support Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a rating and review. Your support helps others discover their new favorite parenting and mental health podcast.

Connect with Us:

Drop a comment on Spotify if you have any questions or thoughts. You can also visit The Touched Out Website to leave a voice message or contact me via email. If you are interested in being a guest on Touched Out you can access the guest form HERE

Get your official Touched Out! Merch HERE

Donate to Touched Out! HERE

Spoony App:

All of the friends, None of the fear. A safe space for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled people to make friends and find support. Download the Spoony App HERE

*This is not a paid promotion

Theme music written and performed by Ben Drysdale ©2025: www.bendrysdalemusic.com