
The Crappy Childhood Fairy Podcast with Anna Runkle
I’m Anna Runkle, also known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, and I teach people to recognize and heal the symptoms of Childhood PTSD. Welcome to my podcast!I’m not a doctor or therapist; I know about childhood trauma because I lived it, and I discovered a radical approach to healing that focuses first on calming neurological dysregulation, which is common in people who grew up with abuse and neglect. In my podcasts, I teach about dysregulation – how to know if you have it, what it can do to your body, your thinking and your relationships, and what to do to master re-regulation. When I learned this, everything in my life got suddenly easier. I’ll also be teaching you to heal the life problems that so often develop after years of living dysregulated – feeling tired, isolated and unfocused, finding yourself always drawn to unavailable and inappropriate partners, and falling WAY short of your professional potential, for example. The thing about me is, traditional therapies never seemed to help me. When I found techniques that did work, my whole life changed. Only in the past few years has the trauma research caught up to explain why – why the techniques I use worked, why therapy didn’t, and why my healing journey was so unnecessarily long. I’ve been teaching what I learned for more than 20 years now. It started with friends who had noticed the quick and dramatic change in me, and gradually grew by word of mouth. In 2016, I had so many people seeking instruction that I made my first online video, and then an online course, and this is how Crappy Childhood Fairy was born. My techniques and principles are practical yet powerful – an approach anyone can use, whether or not you have access to professional help. In this podcast, I’ll be talking about the master of self-regulation, and teach the tough-love life-lessons that you may not have learned at home – like how to date so that stable love finds you, how to get ahead at work, and how to calm the negative hamster-wheel thoughts that block your ability to connect with other people. Today, almost half a million people follow my work and participate in my training and coaching programs. My mission is to change the paradigm of what’s possible for people like us, and to help you free yourself from the oppression of trauma wounds, and to become your full, happy and real self. I’m glad you’re here! Watch new videos on my YouTube channel every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and access my videos, courses and free tools at crappychildhoodfairy.com.
Latest episodes

4 snips
Aug 26, 2024 • 20min
This Mindset Strengthens You to Overcome Childhood Trauma
Discover the secret patterns of childhood trauma and how they affect personal growth. Learn about the dual paths people take: some remain stuck while others find healing strategies. Gain insights from real-life letters and comments, revealing what helps people recover. The discussion emphasizes breaking free from negative cycles and taking personal agency to envision a brighter future. Practical steps are shared to guide listeners on their journey toward overcoming trauma.

Aug 25, 2024 • 1h 26min
Emotional Dysregulation Damages Relationships (4-Video Compilation)
Explore how emotional dysregulation affects relationships and deepens feelings of isolation. The speaker shares personal struggles with forming friendships in later life and the challenges of genuine connections. Heartbreaks are examined alongside childhood PTSD's lingering impact on self-esteem and relationships. As age changes friendships, authenticity, vulnerability, and reciprocity take center stage. Discover practical strategies for healing and fostering supportive bonds while navigating the complexities of emotional experiences.

Aug 23, 2024 • 14min
Trauma Makes Us Feel "Different." But Is It True?
Many trauma survivors grapple with feelings of being fundamentally different from others. The discussion delves into how unique life experiences can lead to disconnection and challenges in nonverbal communication, akin to those faced by individuals on the autistic spectrum. Additionally, the focus shifts to navigating emotional development and social relationships post-trauma. It highlights the significance of personal growth and healing as vital steps towards forming meaningful connections with others.

Aug 22, 2024 • 23min
Don’t Let Manipulative “Poly” Friends Push You to Self-Abandon
The discussion centers on the complexities of navigating relationships, especially within polyamorous settings. It highlights the risk of emotional manipulation, particularly for those with histories of abuse or neglect. One woman shares her struggle to set boundaries while being drawn into a complicated love triangle. Listeners learn about the importance of self-awareness and the need to break free from unhealthy patterns. The episode also advocates for online therapy as a vital resource for those seeking support.

Aug 19, 2024 • 36min
5 Ways a Lack of Attunement Keeps You From Connecting
Discover how a lack of attunement can block genuine connections. The discussion highlights the importance of being emotionally aware and understanding personal boundaries in relationships. Learn how dogmatic beliefs can hinder support and the value of creating safe spaces for authentic communication. Strategies are shared on enhancing trust and managing emotions effectively. Plus, actionable tips empower listeners to fine-tune their ability to connect and foster meaningful connections with others.

Aug 18, 2024 • 1h 17min
Avoid These Self-Centered Behaviors (3-Video Compilation)
Explore how childhood trauma can manifest as self-centered behaviors in adults. Discover the interplay between complex PTSD and narcissistic traits, offering insights into healing and reclaiming agency. Delve into familial complexities, addressing co-dependent relationships and the importance of setting healthy boundaries. Learn how acceptance and self-awareness can transform interactions, fostering better family dynamics. Celebrate the nuances of love within family challenges while working toward personal growth and resolution.

Aug 16, 2024 • 18min
Your Partner’s Behavior is Trauma-Related, But It’s Still Not OK
One very bad sign that someone is losing themself in an unhappy relationship, is that they write to me about their partner and how wonderful they are, then tell me all about their partner’s traumatic past -- and then list all the ways their partner is mistreating them. It's as if they don't want me to see the facts. Trauma might be an explanation for someone cheating and stonewalling, but it’s not an excuse and justifying it because the abuser was traumatized could be a way you gaslight yourself. My letter today is from a man who is dating a woman whose trauma wounds are damaging the relationship, and he writes:
Watch Out For These Dating Red Flags DOWNLOAD WORKSHEET: FREE PDF Download: https://bit.ly/3T7surQ
🟢 Order My New Book, RE-REGULATED: https://bit.ly/4dtGVze
Take my FREE Course or Quizzes: https://bit.ly/40M2YeW
Enroll in my Courses or Membership: https://bit.ly/3HP5qcf
Send your questions & comments to: hello@crappychildhoodfairy.com
NEED ONLINE THERAPY? *BetterHelp* can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/CCF

Aug 14, 2024 • 20min
S*x Work Thrives On Dissociation and Blocks Your Healing
Unpopular opinion, but so-called “adult entertainment” could not exist if there weren’t a steady supply of people who were abused as children, and skilled at shutting themselves down emotionally so that other people could use them for “pleasure.” It’s one of many ways that manipulative people – or those they have manipulated – like to normalize an obviously demoralizing and harmful way of treating people. This industry isn’t just driven by trauma, it’s a bonfire of new trauma, and it can do mortal damage to a person’s ability to have close and committed relationships. In this video I respond to a woman who thinks she must choose between her gritty job, and her controlling boyfriend.
16 CPTSD Behaviors That Sabotage Your Success: FREE PDF Download: https://bit.ly/3mmvYdA
🟢 Order My New Book, RE-REGULATED: https://bit.ly/4dtGVze
Take my FREE Course or Quizzes: https://bit.ly/40M2YeW
Enroll in my Courses or Membership: https://bit.ly/3HP5qcf
Send your questions & comments to: hello@crappychildhoodfairy.com
NEED ONLINE THERAPY? *BetterHelp* can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/CCF

10 snips
Aug 12, 2024 • 19min
Isolating to Manage Stress is a Trauma Symptom
Isolation often feels like self-care for those with childhood trauma, yet it can hinder healing. The struggle to connect with others is discussed, revealing how negative thoughts flourish in solitude. Emphasizing the transformative power of social interactions, the conversation advocates for reconnecting to promote personal growth. Listeners are encouraged to recognize triggers and break free from isolating behaviors, all while highlighting the mutual benefits of kindness and community engagement.

Aug 11, 2024 • 1h 16min
Limerence Is Toxic Fix for Lonely, Joyless Life (4-Video Compilation)
Emotional neglect in childhood can lead to unhealthy attachments and limerence, where love turns into an obsession with the unattainable. The discussion includes personal journeys of navigating heartbreak and the impact of first loves on current relationships. It highlights the complexities of emotional affairs and the importance of accountability. Insights into recognizing limerence and breaking free from toxic patterns are shared, offering a path towards healthier connections and healing from past trauma.