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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 Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
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Sleep struggles are common among animal welfare workers, rescuers, and advocates—especially those facing chronic stress, grief, and secondary trauma. In this powerful conversation, we explore why sleep doesn’t always come easy when your mind is racing with thoughts of suffering or your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.
Whether you’re lying awake with insomnia, haunted by nightmares, or simply exhausted but wired, this episode feature’s sleep expert Jessica Fink, LCSW-S who shares some science-backed insights and actionable tips to help you reclaim rest.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- The real impact of chronic stress and trauma on sleep
- Intrusive thoughts and insomnia in advocacy work
- Nightmares, secondary trauma, and moral injury
- Signs your sleep issues may be trauma-related
- What your brain actually does while you sleep
- The truth about sleep hygiene
- Realistic, practical strategies for better sleep—starting tonight
Resources mentioned:
Jessica’s website
Jessica's socials:
Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.
Visit my free virtual calming room here.
Check out my Group Coaching Program for Compassion Fatigue here.
Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.
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