When Anne Sherry and I started recording our podcast interviews in May of 2021, launching Season 1 on September 17th, 2021, we didn't know what would people would think about how often we laughed about trauma.
Kids almost burning down the whole house trying to make cinnamon toast while home alone after school? Insanely scary and yet, hilarious...why would parents set this situation up for their children?? When did this seem like a good idea?
Kids coming up with elaborate schemes to watch television at home alone without their parents knowing? So stressful yet comical! I used to watch out the window with one eye while watching The Simpsons with the other. One of our guests, comedian Alicia Simmons Miracle, said they'd have to turn their 80s TV off with plenty of time to cool down because her dad would feel if it was warm from being on!
Parents of adult children trying to brush over significant childhood trauma with a shrug or wave of the hand? Terrifying yet...there's some strange humor in there—in the insanity of the aloofness! One of our guests, a psychiatric nurse, shared that his mom went ahead and sent him right back to preschool the day after he shared something deeply disturbing that had happened there and how it didn't even occur to her that she might not want to do that.
We have laughed about it all and not because we don't hold all of it with the sincere reverence it deserves but because life is just too unfathomably absurd and full of suffering to be taken seriously 100% of the time.
The fact that there's this much pain to begin with, it's like—who did this? Who created this world? Why would they do this? Seems like a design error.
Now, 2 years after launching Season 1, the results are in, laughter really does heal trauma!
And actually, there are plenty of serious moments, crying, and earnest personal revelations. We'd like to think we have found a nice balance between absurdity and reverence.
Some Apple Podcast reviews:
Hilarious self-care
“It took me 47 years to realize that some of my issues that I thought were just me and just my personality might actually be related to the way I was raised. Amazing. I can totally relate to these ladies and the topics they discuss. Listening to this podcast is catharsis.”
— Jcsinwi, 05/16/2023, Apple Podcast review
Absolute gold!
“Latchkey Urchins and Friends has been the blessing I didn’t know I needed. Every episode is filled with laughter, reality, and the supportive words I didn’t get as a child. For real though, the hosts have been able to provide an array of perspectives on many issues facing us, and they do so with grace, courage, and humility.”
— TeacherRose07, 12/06/2022, Apple Podcast review
Friend Therapy
“These women are a great combo of relatable, authentic, open and knowledgeable. Feels like hanging out with your friends if your friends are all therapists! You find yourself thinking ‘me too!’ when your hear their personal stories and then magically coming out the other side with new insight and a laugh to boot.”
— nijaob12, 02/16/2022, Apple Podcast review
A Must-Listen
“If you were ever a child you should listen to this podcast! Anne and Allison were made for podcasting - even their casual banter is actually interesting to hear (not always the case if you listen to a lot of podcasts). In just a couple listens I feel like I have learned a lot about the human condition and gave me a new perspective on my own experiences. Unabashed, salty, and somehow fun even though the topics are not light.”
— radiosilents, 10/29/21, Apple Podcast review
The memes are really good too...
Season 3 Episode 1 is now live!
We start this season off by speaking with body-centered psychotherapist Heidi Andersen about why trauma healing has to happen in the body, not just the mind.
Heidi Andersen is the founder of Reclaiming Beauty. "I believe embodiment heals. I'm here to support you in healing your relationship with food and your body so you can free yourself from destructive thoughts and behaviors and discover the inner peace and freedom you deserve.
As a Body-centered psychotherapist, I have 15 years of experience supporting clients in addressing trauma and attachment wounds that have led to a challenging relationship with food and body. I use an integrated approach drawing on my training in Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders, Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Expressive Arts and Yoga. I am thrilled to have completed my certification process as a Certified Body Trust® Specialist."
IG: @reclaimingbeauty
Thanks for listening, sharing, rating, and reviewing! We appreciate you so much!
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Latchkey Urchins & Friends website.
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