Writing for an Audience Without Losing Yourself: Trauma-Informed Storytelling with Beth Docherty

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What does it mean to write the truth when your story includes trauma—and how do you do it without retraumatizing yourself or your readers?

That’s what I’ll explore with this week’s guest, Beth Docherty—a trauma-informed healthcare educator, musician, and emerging memoirist—as she shares her journey from research chemist to advocate for safer, more compassionate care. Together, we dive into one of the most important questions memoirists ask: How do we write about hard truths in ways that are honest, responsible, and healing? Get your notebook, open your heart, and get ready to explore nervous system regulation while writing, what your readers really need from you, and how to know when your story is ready for the world.

Episode Highlights

• 2:19: Balancing Truth and Care for the Reader
• 4:45: Understanding Your Window of Tolerance
• 8:31: Attending to Your Audience’s Needs 
• 16:06: Making Sense of Your Story
• 18:00: Preventing Overexposure
• 20:46: Author and Speaker Self-Care

Resources Mentioned During this Episode:

• The Moth
• The Power of Writing Rituals | Building a Resilient Writing Practice (Pt 1)
• Managing Your Creative Energy | How to Write What Matters Every Day (Pt 2)
• Working with Your Inner Critic | How to Make It Your Creative Ally (Pt 3)
• Finish Strong & Plan Your Next Writing Session | Building a Resilient Writing Practice (Pt 4)

Beth’s Bio: Beth Docherty is a chemist, musician, writer, and a passionate advocate. She is the Principal of The TRUST Project, a research and outreach initiative dedicated to educating medical professionals and students about the connections between trauma, health, and well-being. Beth lectures nationally at universities, conferences, medical facilities and public events, speaking on the importance of trauma-informed care. She is an active member of the Physical and Behavioral Health Action Team of the HEAL PA initiative, which aims to implement trauma-informed practices across Pennsylvania. Beth has also testified in legislative hearings to advocate for the rights of sexual assault and crime surviv

Connect with your host, Lisa:
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Produced by Espresso Podcast Production