About Melissa

Melissa Harrison is an award-winning novelist and nature writer whose work spans fiction, children’s books, and journalism. She contributes a monthly Nature Notebook column to The Times and writes regularly for FT Weekend, The Guardian, and The New Statesman. Her most recent novel, All Among the Barley, won the European Union Prize for Literature and was named a Book of the Year by several major publications. A Suffolk resident, Melissa has also published acclaimed collections of her nature writing, including The Stubborn Light of Things, and continues to share her reflections through her Substack newsletter Witness Marks. Melissa’s new book, The Given World, comes out on May 14th

Keywords

complex trauma, PTSD, neurodivergence, childhood impact, psychological effects

Summary

In this conversation, Melissa Harrison explores the profound effects of complex trauma on her life, particularly how childhood experiences shape adulthood. She distinguishes between PTSD and complex trauma, emphasizing the cumulative nature of the latter and its neurological and psychological impacts. The discussion also highlights emerging research on complex trauma as a form of acquired neurodivergence.

Takeaways

I'm figuring out how my childhood shapes my adulthood.

Complex trauma affects my brain.

PTSD comes from shocking and sudden events.

Complex trauma is the accretion of difficult events.

There's a growing body of research on complex trauma.

Complex trauma leaves lasting marks neurologically.

Complex trauma can lead to neurodivergence.

Understanding trauma is essential for healing.

Childhood experiences have long-term effects.

Research is evolving on trauma and its impacts.

"How my childhood shapes my adulthood"

"Complex trauma is the accretion of difficult events"

"Complex trauma as a form of acquired neurodivergence"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Insights

01:36 Saying Hello

02:08 What's a song or sound that's been stuck in your head recently?

04:36 What's something you've been curious about lately?

11:09 If you had to describe how your brain works in three words, what would they be and why?

13:40 What's something you're still figuring out?

19:06 What's something about everyday life that's easy for you, but hard for others, or the other way round?

26:15 Have you found any approaches that make the world better for you?

33:42 If you had a free day with no plans, how would you spend it?

36:14 What's something that makes you lose track of time.

38:19 What's the best advice you've ever been given?

42:06 What's something you're excited to learn or try in the future?

45:04 What's one thing you'd like listeners to take away from this conversation?

45:49 What's next for you?

The conversation with Frankie Rose covers various themes, including the concept of art as a mission, managing overwhelm, finding quiet in different ways, coping with a busy brain, creating structure for wellness, and small things that bring joy. Frankie shares insights into her experiences and challenges, offering valuable perspectives on these topics. The conversation explores the themes of finding calm and centeredness, the zone of creativity, the best advice and resilience, learning and disconnecting, and embracing imperfection and uniqueness. It emphasizes the value of resilience, trying hard, and the importance of engaging in real-world activities while disconnecting from technology.

Takeaways

• Art as a mission
• Managing overwhelm
• Finding quiet in different ways Resilience and the value of trying hard
• The importance of disconnecting from technology and engaging in real-world activities

Chapters

• 00:00 Art as a Mission
• 09:28 Figuring Out Burnout
• 16:08 Creating Structure for Wellness
• 21:19 Small Things That Bring Joy
• 27:27 The Best Advice and Resilience
• 42:52 Embracing Imperfection and Uniqueness

About Mike

Mike Keen is a chef and adventurer based in the east of England, dedicated to exploring ancestral diets and their role in shaping sustainable global food systems. He spends much of his time immersed in indigenous communities, adopting traditional eating practices to uncover insights into how humans have sustained themselves for millennia.

AI Summary

In this conversation, James and Mike delve into the evolution of human diets, exploring the hunter-gatherer, agricultural, and industrial phases. They discuss the importance of curiosity and anthropology in understanding our past, the challenges of modern politics, and the need to rethink success and happiness in a capitalist society. The conversation also touches on the joy of cooking, the value of embracing failure as a learning tool, and the significance of living life to the fullest.

Chapters

• 03:14 Musical Inspirations and Storytelling
• 06:12 Curiosity and Anthropology
• 09:16 The Chaos of Thought
• 12:15 Education and Curiosity
• 14:55 Politics and Public Perception
• 18:07 The Nature of Success and Capitalism
• 20:52 Personal Realizations and Life's Journey
• 25:52 The Fork in the Road: Wealth and Responsibility
• 29:52 The Nature of Failure and Growth
• 36:36 Embracing Failure: A Path to Resilience
• 40:23 The Importance of Happiness Over Success
• 47:32 Adventures in Learning: Skills and Experiences
• 50:17 Life Lessons: Perspective on Time and Happiness