In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra is joined by psychologist Patty from Chicago to dive into the complexities of generational trauma, perfectionism, and self-awareness. They discuss how cultural expectations can shape behaviors, the importance of unlearning harmful patterns, and the impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) on daily life. Throughout their intimate conversation, Patty shares her personal experiences with immigration and identity while offering insights into how trauma and perfectionism are interconnected. Tune in to learn more about the significance of self-awareness and strategies to foster a lifestyle of calm and well-being.

Patty Johnson is a psychologist who specializes in trauma healing and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also creates art related to culture, justice and the bizarre and beautiful intricacies of life. She is the author of Essays of Night and Daylight, on movement through life as she explores kaleidoscopes of identity, pondering comments such as, "Oh, you speak such good English!" She wonders about the shame behind her grandmother's tribal tattoo after being visited by Christian missionaries. She revels in the making of chai, this earthy elixir that reminds her of the power of each brown-skinned woman. Patty’s work can be found in The Broken Spine, Write City Magazine, Riksha Magazine and elsewhere. She gave a TEDx talk on changing the narrative of inequity. She is also a guitar goddess but only in the eyes of her dog, Marley.

Links:
website:
IG/threads: @pjtemple7
Tik Tok: pjtemple7