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A raw and authentic podcast for those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism, who are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout, grief and loss, secondary traumatic stress, and other mental health concerns. Through both solo and guest episodes, I blend science, psychology, spirituality, and even a touch of "woo woo" to help you manage compassion fatigue, build resilience, and make your passion for helping animals sustainable. If you're involved in animal caregiving, rescue, trap-neuter return (TNR), sheltering, animal control, cruelty investigations, veterinary medicine, fostering, wildlife or marine rehabilitation and conservation, animal law or lobbying, ethical veganism, or any other role in animal care, welfare, or activism, and struggling with the consequences of caring so much that it hurts, this podcast is for you!
The host, Jen Blough, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, compassion fatigue coach and speaker, and author with more than 35 years of experience in animal welfare and activism. She is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the upcoming book, Beyond Compassion Fatigue.
Episodes
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
In this solo episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that touches nearly everyone working or volunteering in animal care, welfare, and activism: trauma. More specifically, we explore the difference between Big T trauma (major, acute, often life-threatening events) and little t trauma (chronic, cumulative stressors that wear you down over time)—and why both deserve serious attention.
Whether you’re on the front lines of rescue, working behind the scenes in advocacy, or supporting animals through veterinary, shelter, or sanctuary work, this episode will help you recognize how trauma might be affecting you—and what you can do about it.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The origins of Big T and little t trauma in psychological research
- How trauma manifests in animal-related roles—whether you're a shelter worker, vet tech, activist, or wildlife rehabber
- The link between cumulative trauma and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)
- Common physical, emotional, behavioral, and relational signs of trauma
- Why we need to stop comparing or minimizing our pain
- The power of self-compassionate language in trauma recovery
- Simple but effective strategies to support your nervous system
- Restorative practices and trauma-informed leadership tips
- Reflective questions to guide your own healing journey
For free resources on managing compassion fatigue, check out https://www.beyondcompassionfatigue.com/
3 months ago
Thank you for another amazing episode