Read What People Are Saying About this Podcast:
This Is Actually Happening:
”What if they tried to erase you?” With Merle Yost LMFT
Thank you for sharing your trauma journey with us listeners on “this is actually happening “ I also have a long-lived trauma journey.
Like you, I buried all of it. No one knew all these years. My abuse from childhood to Adulthood spans many years and many layers.
Thank you for all the facts and full explanations. Thank you for the boundary significance and lack of it in our lives and why. Thank you for hope and insight into how precious we really are as people on this Earth and for reminding us not to give up on the future of healing and doing our best work in society.
I truly appreciate your vulnerability and sharing. It helped my partner and me.
Take care,
JH
What a wonderful podcast. You are my hero, I love the strength that you have. Very moving and very inspirational.
Kind Regards,
RB, South Africa
Thank You for your extraordinary voice... the clarity, the raw truth, the light-- just heard your podcast. thank you for being a beacon... that you navigated the brutalities and horrors of your childhood... willed and worked yourself to be healed & then chose to guide others to heal.... Roaring applause & great thanks from central Europe. PM
Merle, I listened to your recent podcast with ‘This is actually happening’ and just wanted to say how I found you so inspiring. Parts of your story is similar to mine and I can only thank you for sharing your experience as listening helped me put into perspective my own. Well wishes to you from London
E, London
oh my godddddd that was the most powerful and inspirational episode i’ve listen listened to this far
SW, USA
I was just MEANT to hear your podcast today. It was like a divine interruption like the proverbial slap upside my head. So thank you. From a very grateful fan in NZ
JW, New Zealand
Wow! Thank you for your story! I just finished listening to "This is actually happening". Even though I did counseling earlier today, I think I got more to chew on and work on in the wrap up of your story than I have for a while in therapy. I I'm so incredibly sorry you endured that, but it sounds as if you've conquered your trauma infinitely better than most. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'm going to listen again to the end and work on my mindset.
LT
Hello! I just listened to your episode of This Is Actually Happening, and I was so moved by your story that I wanted to reach out. So much of what you said resonated with me as I am navigating the end of a long relationship. I look forward to exploring more of your work! Thank you!
BD
I really enjoyed your episode. I absolutely adore that podcast. Your perspective was so interesting and I so appreciate you sharing it with all of us. I feel like your point about men being uncomfortable making connections/bonding with men is so so important and interesting.
LM
Hello! Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed your This is Actually Happening entry. Your philosophy is much as my own and it all resonates with me. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us!
SB
Hi there! Just finished your episode of This is Really Happening, and just wanted to reach out to thank you for sharing your journey. I can honestly say that it has changed my life/given me perspective I never would have seen on my own. As soon as I heard “take it with several blocks of salt” that you were my kind of people . Thank you again for having the courage to share, and for all you do to help others. The world is a better place because of you.
BM
Hi Merle, I just listened to your episode of This Is Actually Happening. I wanted to write and say thank you for sharing your story. So much of what you said resonated with me. I am looking forward to learning more about boundaries and hearing more of your wisdom. I hope you are doing well.
WM
I just heard your episode on This Is Really Happening. Unbelievable how it spoke to me and the timing. It’s just what I needed.
EL
Thank you for your honesty. It helped me a great deal to hear your words and I so agree…people should not be afraid of their truth. I have only begun to write about my deepest darkest feelings and I’ve never felt better.
Anonymous
I listened to your podcast episode on Is This Actually Happening. I was really touched by your story, having grown up queer in the Ozarks myself and being an SA survivor. My journey to reclaim embodiment after trauma has been a long road…but your podcast gave me hope and reminded me to be gentle with myself.
Anonymous
Thank you for sharing your story on the podcast. I enjoyed it and I’m so glad you have found peace and healing rooting for you everyday!
BG
I just listened to your talk on the podcast This Is Actually Happening and was riveted. Not surprisingly I too have lived through my share of trauma and have struggled to let myself enjoy the world and my abilities. I’ve lived through and struggled with a tenacious drug addiction that is currently in remission. But I am almost a hermit unfortunately despite knowing an excellent trauma therapist for decades now.
I didn’t write for advice or anything, I just wanted to let you know how refreshing your views on forgiveness are. So often people speak of forgiving some of the most atrocious acts because they feel it is their path to freedom. But I don’t think they should just be let off the hook. My esteemed therapist pointed out that to give forgiveness, it must be asked for. And a true accounting of the effects of the behavior and a genuine effort to change is required.
So anyway, just wanted to let you know how nice that was to hear.
Anonymous
Loved listening to your story! Different views on things that really made me think. I definitely going to listen to your episode again. A lot to process and learn from. Excellent
KS
I listened, I cried, I smiled, and so happy for you.
MI
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I listened to it on the way home and from work and it fills me with so much emotion. I’ve started my path to healing recently, and your words have truly helped me and driven me to continue with my healing.
OW
I listened to this episode today. I will remain forever impressed and helped by it! Thank you so much for sharing!
LS
Dear sir. I cannot tell you how hard your story hit me. Thank you for being courageous and sharing your story. I honestly believe, in my heart of hearts, that this is our purpose. To live, have experiences, and share with others. Thank you.
CF
SO GOOD! I recently lost a brother that was dead to me MANY years ago…I have not been sad…thank you for letting me know it’s ok! I set boundaries to protect myself.
KH
Loved listening to your story! Different views on things that really made me think. I’m definitely going to listen to your episode again. A lot to process and learn from. Excellent!
KS
Very inspiring! Thanks
CB
I appreciate your sharing your story and found it very relatable. I’ve been working with my male therapist for 1.5 years and have been doing EMDR sessions more recently and have had repressed memories surface, as I have created enough of a safe space for my inner self to trust me. I’ve recently cut off all ties to my mother which is where much of my inner wounds are related to. I experienced a large amount of trauma and abused from both of my parents that happened as early as being in the womb of my mother. It’s been really painful to start this journey. I would consider the spiritual experiences I’ve had as a sign from my ancestors that I am on the right path, and hearing your story has helped me validate my own thoughts as to what my purpose is through all this pain.
I am excited to listen to more o your podcasts and ready your books.
GC
Thank you for sharing your story so beautifully. Thank you, thank you, thank you
TB
Very well told, loved listening to you tell your story
LL
OMG! I really loved your story. I have struggled over the years with my feelings about forgiveness and not feeling right/ok about it and hearing you say at the end that you don’t believe in forgiveness was so freeing. Truly, I never knew why the idea of forgiveness never sat 100%well with me, in fact it barely sits 50% with me, I think it depends on the circumstances entirely, but to hear someone with what I can only assume is a super unpopular opinion about forgiveness put their justification so eloquently made me feel so much better about my feelings surround it for so many years. So, thank you.
GM
I listened to this episode today. I will remain forever impressed and helped by it! Thank you so much for sharing!
LS
SO GOOD! I recently lost a brother that was dead to me MANY years ago…I have not been sad…thank you for letting me know it’s ok! I set boundaries to protect myself.
KH
Dear sir, I cannot tell you how hard your story hit me. Thank you for being courageous and sharing your story. I honestly believe, in my heart of hearts, that this is our purpose. To live, have experiences, and share with others. Thank you.
CF
Loved listening to your story! Different views on things that really made me think. I’m definitely going to listen to your episode again. A lot to process and learn from. Excellent!
KS
Hi Merle:
I just finished listening to your story on This is Actually Happening and was blown away by how comfortably and lightly you said that you don’t believe in forgiveness. It gave me permission to be okay with my inability to understand what forgiveness is, much less bestow it on my family of origin. This is something I’ve wrestled for decades.
Like you, I chose estrangement from my abusers, and in midlife changed my life by simply following my interests into the unknown.
I just registered for your introductory boundary course and look forward to experiencing more enlightenment through you.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for being on my path when I’m needing a boost in courage.
JL
I had to reach out and tell you I have never resonated with an episode of This is Actually Happening more than yours, and I have listened to every single one.
Thank you for your vulnerability, and paving a path for men to feel heard and seen is a safe space.
I re-listened to several parts of your episode, it's as if you were telling mine and my husband's story.
Sending you love and vibes of connectivity, growth, and abundance.
AB
Thank you for sharing your story on This is Actually Happening. It was so brave. I resonated with your feelings about your parents and wanting to heal and move past that past, particularly with what you said about victimization, owning our self-beliefs so I can let go of them. I've been in therapy for 10 years now, and it's true what you said that it's a paradox I myself keep dancing around. It's like you touched on a core truth I just needed to hear you articulate differently to see clearer. I'll definitely be talking about this in my next session - its so nice to know someone out there has felt the same way I do toward their parents and has healed. Gives me hope.
JJ
I thought your episode was beautiful. Your outlook and just the way you think have been absolutely inspired.
EM
WOW such a powerful episode! Thank you for your vulnerability
MT
Thank you for your honesty. I suffered SA, and you made my feelings feel valid.
JM
What an honest, vulnerable story of life. I would love to learn more about healing past sexual traumas and your story today was another hint to me to take action. Thank you for sharing.
RN
I really enjoyed hearing your story. I was intrigued when you said that you will not forgive as forgiveness is about absolution, that you move forward, and it’s their responsibility to acknowledge what they did and grow from it (or something like that). The idea of forgiveness feels off to me (especially when the person refuses to acknowledge and the harm they did, or outright dispute it), it’s almost like saying that you accept what they did and it’s ok. Your stance of confronting the buried events, working through the feelings, and moving forward is more of an approach I can understand. Thanks for sharing your story.
WL
What you said by the end about vulnerability and loneliness resonated so much with my therapeutic journey and my failing long-distance relationship; I had a downright catharsis last night! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
HA
Hi Merle, I just finished listening to your episode of the podcast. Your story was intense and hopeful. I even wrote down the words you wrote to your mother because they touched me and inspired me to write a letter that’s been a long-time coming. Thank you for sharing your story
LS
I thought your episode was beautiful. Your outlook and just the way you think has been just absolutely inspired.
EM
One of the best presentations I’ve heard on Actually Happening podcast, thank you
KC
Amazing story, thank you so much for sharing!
MS
Thank you for your story, what a journey!
TB
I probably learned more from you in an hour than I have in a year of therapy…..some of the things you talked about truly opened my mind and are so similar to my life experiences! I recently lost my twin brother in a car accident and it’s been a tough 11 months…so imagine me listening to your story then hearing you have a twin sister. THANK YOU. I made a list of notes in my phone that you said.
EW
This was truly incredible. I have been on a healing journey for most of my adult life at this point and look for help in all ways including this podcast. Your episode was profound and necessary. I needed to hear your journey. Thank you so much. This truly spoke to my kind and body. I plan to share with other in hopes to spread the healing.
GC
I just finished listening. Very powerful episode, thank you for sharing and inspiring me to continue to heal and live life in forward motion.
RD
I don’t know how much you read your dm’s. But I wanted to tell you that I just listened to your episode on “This is Actually Happening”. I had to pause halfway through because my own memories involving my own trauma surfaced and shook me. Like they’ve been locked away and I just needed a story like yours to unlock the door. I feel scared, ashamed, embarrassed and confused. I am currently seeing a therapist who has done some EMDR work with me and it has been a bit helpful on the small scale. But my feelings and memories that came up today hasn’t been discussed. I know to continue to become the person I want to be, I have to tell my therapist. But I am just so embarrassed. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom so I am able to share with her? Just thinking about talking about this out loud for the first time, my heart races. Thank you so much. I can only imagine how your episode will help so many.
KA
I am in a relationship with a man who experienced sexual trauma and your podcast helped me to understand him in an even deeper way. Thank you so much for your vulnerability and honesty.
LK
I really enjoyed it, and I am filled with respect at how you have dealt with your past. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom.
EI
I’m so glad you did! I listened to it today. Thank you so much for sharing!!! I was so impacted by it… I’ve had... interesting life and I want to find the courage to share it someday. Listening to yours helped me to feel like maybe I will be able to so do that at some point. You are SO well spoken and inspiring.
BC
Thank you for sharing. I loved your part about not forgiving. I completely agree.
TB
So many snippets of wisdom in this episode. Really touching in parts too. Thank you so much for sharing.
AM
I love the way you tell your story and your voice is so lovely. Thank you for sharing. Will definitely be looking into your body work.
JW
I really enjoyed your story. I’m with you when it comes to forgiving people, family included!
SS
You kept me in your life al day, Thank You for your vulnerability. Your insights into what boundaries are and not forgiving spoke to me. Honoring your thru was beautiful. Knowing we are all energy is sometimes simply too much for people understand - fortunately, I do. Maybe that’s why the end of your podcast was so moving for me. Thank you for sharing so much of your life.
CG
I am in a relationship with a man who experienced sexual trauma and your podcast helped me understand in an even deeper way. Thank you so much for your vulnerability and honesty.
LK
