HopeMakers: Disrupting the legacy of trauma.
Trauma doesn't just harm those who experience it directly—it ripples outward, shaping behaviours, fuelling violence, and creating new victims. But what if we could interrupt that cycle?
In season one of Hopemakers, we celebrated the extraordinary resilience of individuals who transformed their trauma and adversity into purpose—powerful stories of survival, healing, and hope that proved change is possible.
Now, in season two (coming in 2026) we're expanding our mission. Hosted by Dr Erica Bowen, a registered practitioner forensic psychologist, chartered coaching psychologist, somatic trauma-informed coach and trauma-informed practice consultant, Hopemakers now bridges the personal with the systemic, bringing together three vital perspectives: the lived experiences of survivors who've broken cycles of harm, the cutting-edge research of academics working to reduce violent crime perpetration, and the practical insights of those pioneering trauma-informed approaches in communities and organisations.
Through a somatic lens—understanding how trauma lives in our bodies and shapes our actions—we examine both sides of trauma's devastating cycle: how it wounds us, and how unhealed trauma can lead to harm. Each conversation explores the profound connections between individual healing and violence prevention, offering evidence-based insights alongside deeply human stories.
This isn't just another podcast about trauma recovery. It's about understanding that healing personal wounds and preventing collective harm are two sides of the same coin. By disrupting trauma's legacy at every level—individual, systemic, and intergenerational—we create safer, more compassionate communities for everyone.
Whether you're here for the transformative survivor stories that launched season one, or you're ready to explore the research and practice that can prevent violence before it happens, Hopemakers offers thought leadership, evidence, and above all, hope that change is possible.
Because when we stop trauma in its tracks, we don't just heal individuals—we transform entire legacies.
Subscribe to HopeMakers wherever you listen to podcasts, and discover your own path to hope.
HopeMakers: Disrupting the legacy of trauma.
Episode 10: When Angels Guide Us: Transforming Grief into Gratitude and Purpose
In this deeply moving and spiritually rich episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Helen Morris about the devastating loss of her 18-year-old daughter in a car accident, and the profound journey of healing and transformation that followed.
Helen shares the extraordinary gift of having written a series of heartfelt letters to her daughter before her death—expressing everything she wanted her daughter to know about how much she was loved and valued. When her daughter read these letters during a solo outdoor experience just before the accident, it meant nothing was left unsaid between them, providing Helen with unexpected peace amidst her grief.
Helen reflects on how her daughter challenged her to be a better parent, to apologise when she was wrong, and to build a relationship based on mutual respect and open communication. Helen candidly discusses her own health struggles with Crohn's disease, chronic fatigue, and Lyme diseaset, and how these challenges shaped their relationship. She shares the profound moment after losing her daughter when she decided to stop worrying about others' opinions and give herself permission to live authentically for the first time.
The episode reveals Helen's discovery of energy healing through the Emotion Code just months after her daughters death, which brought her a sense of peace she'd never experienced before. This led to her new purpose as an energy healing practitioner, helping others release trapped emotions and find hope in their darkest moments.
Helen also discusses the importance of celebrating life even in death.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of telling loved ones how you feel whilst you have the chance
- How reframing loss and finding gratitude can coexist with deep grief
- The healing power of energy work and releasing trapped emotions
- Giving yourself permission to live authentically after loss
- Celebrating life even in death—honouring loved ones in ways that reflect their spirit
- Recognising that those we've lost want us to find happiness and watch for their signs