When the Rubber Band Snaps: Holding the Weight of Collective Trauma
Last week, Stacy hit a wall.
In this deeply honest episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares what happens when even someone who spends a career helping others through trauma reaches their own breaking point.
Between global conflict, disturbing news cycles, and the emotional weight many people are carrying right now, Stacy found herself overwhelmed with anger, grief, and exhaustion. As a trauma therapist who has spent over two decades working with survivors of violence, abuse, and loss, she reflects on a hard truth:
Humans were never designed to absorb endless streams of traumatic information.
In this conversation, Stacy explores the idea of collective trauma—how constant exposure to painful news and social media can overwhelm our nervous systems and stretch our internal “rubber band” to the point of snapping.
She also talks about:
- Why the modern news cycle is overwhelming our nervous systems
- The emotional load many women are carrying right now
- Why believing and supporting survivors matters
- The role men can play in changing harmful cultural norms
- How empathic adults and children may be absorbing the emotional energy of the world
Most importantly, Stacy shares what helped her find her footing again: stepping away from the noise, returning to the basics of regulation, and remembering that caring for yourself is not weakness—it’s necessary.
If the world has felt heavy lately, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone—and it’s okay to step back and take care of your nervous system.
Creators and Guests
Host
Stacy G. Nation, LCSW
Stacy Nation, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and military behavioral health leader who has spent two decades helping adults and children regulate, reconnect, and heal. As an early Phase 2 certified clinician in the Neurosequential Model, Stacy blends neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and real-world classroom experience to help educators steady themselves before they steady their students.
