Special guest, Paul Chute, shares his family of origin "car" experience, how that disintegrated in a traumatic way, and how he went on to create new "cars" throughout his life. Through Paul's experience, we learn how friends, co-workers, military comrades, and people in our various spheres of life can help us to create the support systems we need to face our fears and keep moving forward in life.
Ellen and Tolly are joined by Ellen's husband, Paul Chute. Paul is a veteran with PTSD, a social worker, and a loving "grump grump" to his grandkids. Paul shares candidly about the trauma and neglect of his childhood and how that drove him to create new "cars" throughout his life that would fill in the gaps where his family of origin left him lacking. These new "cars" provided the support he needed in each stage of life.
Paul shares the details of his early childhood, always sitting in the "way back" of his family's station wagon, and how that dynamic of being alone and forgotten manifested in everyday life.
Ellen and Paul discuss how his family of origin car disintegrated and the resulting feelings of lostness he felt throughout his childhood.
Paul's story of joining the military and excelling as a pararescueman brings to light how he built a new car and support system for himself in the military. He also discusses PTSD and his ongoing healing journey.
We hear a relatable experience from Paul's current season of life—one of being "between cars." Paul vulnerably discusses feeling lost after retiring. Tolly shares a gem of wisdom about the perils of finding our worth in our work, and Ellen helps Paul reframe his current experience. Through this conversation, we see the importance of creating new cars of support in each season of life and how these cars can give us the courage we need to face our fears and thrive once again.