E950 The Ghost of Trauma: When Old Calls Still Haunt You | Tactical Living Podcast

Tactical Living

Not all trauma shows up right away (Amazon Affiliate). In this episode, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton explore how past calls can quietly resurface and impact a first responder’s daily life. You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle signs of unresolved trauma—and how to finally process it in a way that promotes healing and long-term mental health. 🔎 Episode Overview: Some calls never leave you. The sounds, the smells, the faces—they replay without warning. You might push them aside to survive the moment, but trauma always finds a way to resurface. This episode uncovers the hidden ways old trauma affects first responders, and offers clear, actionable tools for moving forward without suppressing the pain. 🚨 5 Ways Trauma from Old Calls Shows Up in Daily Life 1. Flashbacks or Intrusive Thoughts Example: A smell or sound brings you right back to a traumatic call you thought you’d forgotten. Impact: Triggers anxiety, panic, or emotional shutdown—often without warning. 2. Emotional Numbness in Normal Life Example: You feel disconnected from joy, relationships, or family milestones. Impact: Long-term emotional detachment can lead to depression and relationship strain. 3. Chronic Irritability or Outbursts Example: Snapping at your spouse or kids over small things—because something deeper is unprocessed. Impact: Unresolved trauma often surfaces as anger or hypersensitivity. 4. Sleep Disturbances Example: Vivid dreams or insomnia tied to past incidents—even if it’s been months or years. Impact: Poor sleep contributes to cognitive fatigue, decision-making issues, and worsened mood. 5. Avoidance Behavior Example: You avoid locations, calls, or even conversations that remind you of "that one" incident. Impact: Avoidance reinforces the trauma loop and limits emotional processing. 🛠️ 5 Tactical Tools to Process and Release Old Trauma 1. Acknowledge It Without Shame You’re not weak because you still feel something—it means you’re human. Start by naming the experience. 2. Talk to a Peer or Counselor Trusted conversations with someone who understands the job—or trauma-focused therapy—can help you release the weight. 3. Journal the Details and Emotions Writing down the memory in detail can help close the loop your brain keeps trying to process on its own. 4. Use Somatic Tools Like Breathwork or Movement Your body holds trauma. Physical activities like deep breathing, hiking, or workouts help release it from your nervous system. 5. Practice Closure Rituals Create your own way to symbolically close the chapter—light a candle, pray, visit a place of peace, or talk out loud to the version of yourself that responded to the call. 🎯 Why This Episode Matters You might not be able to forget the call—but you don’t have to relive it every day. Recognizing the ghost of trauma is the first step toward reclaiming your peace, your relationships, and your ability to feel fully alive again. 🎙️ Listen now to learn how to turn haunting memories into healed wisdom—and finally let the weight go.

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💬 Listener Question: What’s one small act of service you can do today to honor someone who served? Let us know in the Facebook group or DM us on Instagram!

Disclaimer: All viewpoints discussed in this episode are for entertainment purposes only and reflect our personal opinions based on our own experiences, background, and education.

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📣 For PR, Speaking Requests, or Networking Opportunities: 📧 Email: [email protected] 📫 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 400115, Hesperia, CA 92340 🔗 Ashlie’s Facebook: facebook.com/police.fire.lawenforcement