How Trauma Shapes Behavior and How to Break the Cycle

In this powerful episode of Alive.Again. Podcast, hosts Andreea Parc and Alexa Dumitru sit down with Velda Dobson Davis, retired Chief Deputy Warden, trauma-informed program creator, and author of Freedom Within.Velda shares her deeply personal journey through trauma, domestic violence, loss, and healing—and how those experiences shaped her groundbreaking work inside and outside prison walls. Drawing from decades in corrections, she explains how trauma-informed rehabilitation programs can break cycles of addiction, shame, self-sabotage, and incarceration.This conversation explores:- How unresolved trauma drives destructive patterns- The difference between victimhood and responsibility- Healing trauma inside correctional systems- Reentry, rehabilitation, and rebuilding identity- Why true freedom starts from withinWhether you’re interested in trauma healing, personal transformation, prison reform, or breaking generational cycles, this episode will challenge how you think about pain, accountability, and freedom.Time stamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:58 Velda's Early Career and Personal Struggles 03:03 Journey to California and Continued Challenges 04:02 Career Progression and Realization of Trauma 05:13 Impact of Personal Trauma on Professional Life 06:02 Developing and Teaching Trauma-Informed Programs 08:06 Creating and Expanding Rehabilitation Programs 09:05 Personal Tragedy and New Initiatives 12:45 Addressing DUI and Emotional Distraction 14:16 Victimhood and Responsibility 20:07 Transformative Healing and Teaching Methods 23:01 Taking Control of What You Can 24:36 Journey into Ministry 26:36 Community Outreach and Support 29:11 Programs for Incarcerated Mothers and Children 34:55 Bridging the Divide for Reentry 40:11 Words of Inspiration and Final ThoughtsContact Velda: veldarosette@yahoo.comBuy Velda's book "Freedom Within": https://a.co/d/h8EJcV6Watch "Velda: A Mother's Story of Suicide": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28468676/YouTube: veldadobson-davis4038Contact Andreea: andreeaparc.comContact Alexa: wasstudio.com