Trauma + Me: Returning to the Conversation

Hello friends, it’s good to be back.

It’s been a little while since my last post, and I want to thank you for sticking with me. Life has a way of pulling us in different directions, but writing this blog has always been about one thing: creating a space for real conversations about transformation, healing, and hope. Throughout this blog, I’ve shared thoughts on justice reform, resilience, and faith—but today, I’m ready to dive deeper.

Starting now, I’m shifting focus to something I’ve touched on before but have never explored fully: trauma and PTSD. These aren’t just abstract ideas for me. They’re deeply personal experiences, born out of 22 years in prison and six years in solitary confinement. But trauma isn’t unique to people like me. It’s universal. It’s woven into the fabric of so many lives, and its effects linger in ways we often don’t realize—scars that are invisible but deeply felt.

So, I’m launching a new series about trauma and PTSD. We’ll unpack what trauma does to the mind and body, how it impacts relationships, and most importantly, how we can begin to heal. Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself, know someone who has, or are simply curious, my goal is to provide insights, research, and tools that you can use in your own journey—or share with others.

This isn’t just a return to blogging; it’s a return to a conversation we all need to have. I hope you’ll join me as we navigate this challenging but essential topic. Let’s learn together, grow together, and—most importantly—heal together.

Welcome back to the journey. Let’s get started.

-Troy Rienstra