I do this for a reason
I grew up in an emotionally confusing environment. My father’s traumatic upbringing, coupled with his undiagnosed/untreated mental health challenges didn’t set him up to understand the value of (or inspire him to create) an emotionally safe space. In his world, emotions were more often weaknesses or signs of personality flaws than functions of a normal human being.As a boy child, it was made very clear that crying was not an acceptable option. Shedding tears was met with homophobic or sexist slurs, shame, and other forms of degradation. I cried easily, so there was a lot of this.When I wasn’t allowed to cry, I’d often get quiet. That wasn’t welcomed either. “Cheer up, sad sack,” or “stop moping,” or any other number of hurtful and dismissive comments were hurled my way.Worry was interpreted as a lack of faith in God – which was sinful. Anger or frustration were understood to be the devil at work in me. These had to be punished in ways which were severe, to say the least.Happiness and excitement weren’t allowed either. Laughter was “annoying cackling,” happiness was “empty-headed BS,” and excitement seemed to be a sensory trigger.I was often told that I should talk about whatever bothered me but my words were almost always dismissed.As a result, I didn’t really talk. Ever. Not around adults, anyway. As the years passed, I went from being a child who didn’t speak to being an insecure adult with extremely unhealthy communication skills, and a preference for staying quiet.That changed when I met Michelle. I was doing some repair work at her house, and she was a person who was starved for human interaction. She relentlessly peppered me with questions, and insisted that I be honest in my responses. I told her my story, and she cried with me.On the last day of the project, she handed me a small box with a card. It read simply: “you have a voice. Use it.” Inside the box was a cheap USB microphone which I used to record my first podcast. From there, I found the voice that I didn’t know I had.Since that day, my podcasts have been downloaded countless times, and my voice has been heard around the world. My hope is always that people who hear my message will be inspired to find their own voices while connecting with the versions of themselves which have been silenced through trauma.I have a specific passion for connecting people to their platonic relationships, through helping them to establish and maintain healthy relationships with self.Much Love!
AC
Current Projects
In The Blood explores our relationships with others, with self, and the connection between the two.The host and guests offer from their experiences with family estrangement, separation from loved ones, reconciliation, and hope. Inspiration and insight are at the heart of this project.This is a fantastic resource for anyone who has experienced the pain and confusion of connecting with others and ourselves.
The Estranged Heart provides guidance & support for estranged parents and adult children.Twice per month, I join host Kreed Revere in discussing everything related to family estrangement. These conversations are powerful, meaningful, and offer insight to the pain and confusion of broken family relationships.
Recent Project
Episode 3 available nowfrom the host:"This week I say goodbye to my Auntie Vi. She was a complicated woman, and far from perfect but I loved her just the same.I lost her without having the opportunity to express how much she meant to me. In honour of her, please take a moment to hug those you care about because tomorrow is not guaranteed.If you would like to learn more about me, please visit my webpage lifehappenspod.carrd.coThank you for listening."~Janellewww.facebook.com/lifehappenspod
let's get in touch!
I'm always happy to connect with fans and listeners. Please do not hesitate to connect with me on social media, or via email. I'd be thrilled to chat about your thoughts on anything I've spoken about! If you'd like to be a guest on one of my shows, or have me as a guest on yours, I would be honoured.