In this episode, I speak with Professor George Bonanno, one of the world’s leading researchers on trauma and resilience, about why many of our assumptions about trauma are simply wrong. Drawing on decades of research and the ideas in his book The End of Trauma, George challenges the increasingly common belief that difficult experiences inevitably leave people psychologically damaged, arguing instead that resilience is the most common human response to adversity.
Together, we explore what trauma actually is, how it differs from normal stress and emotional pain, and why it’s important not to confuse temporary distress with lasting psychological injury. George explains why only a minority of people develop long-term trauma following even the most serious events, while Mark questions how the growing popularity of trauma language has shaped coaching, therapy, and wider culture. The conversation examines where trauma-informed practice is genuinely helpful, where it can become overprotective, and how coaches can support clients without reinforcing a narrative of fragility.
The conversation also explores post-traumatic growth, the factors that predict resilience, and the practical implications for coaches working with clients facing adversity and change. Rather than minimising suffering, George offers a hopeful, evidence-based perspective that replaces fear with confidence in human adaptability. This episode is an invitation for coaches to move beyond trauma myths and develop a more balanced, compassionate, and scientifically grounded understanding of resilience.
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