426: Ending the Cycle of Family Trauma Featuring Sharon Weinstein
"How did you ever come out of that household? How did you ever evolve into who you are and what you've become from that background?"
We met in Washington DC at the final competition for the People's Choice speaker for the next TEDxUStreetWomen event scheduled on November 3, 2025. And when she won the coveted spot, all of us were thrilled. She earned it.
In this episode we discussed her TEDx talk, "Think Differently to be Unstoppable", the use of the 4W framework to reframe personal trauma into recovery and growth. She shared insightful, powerful stories of how she modeled what she wanted to see in her children and family to end the cycle of family trauma.
We also discussed her new book, Harmony by Design, replacing the concept of balance with a work and life integration.
If you're curious to hear the story of that 18-month competition, listen to episode 421 featuring Kuti Mack.
Highlights:
4W Framework
Where am I? Assess your current reality, take inventory with honesty and clarity.
What if...? Brainstorm different approaches and potential outcomes.
What WOWs? Identify ideal outcomes given current resources. What is the best case scenario?
What works? Find sustainable, repeatable solutions. Take small steps.
Sharon's soccer story, choosing to start an adult women's league without any experience, so her children could see her trying something uncomfortable and new, and so she could be more aware of what her children were experiencing.
Quote:
"...And sometimes the biggest question that I get from them is, 'how did you ever come out of that household? How did you ever evolve into who you are and what you've become from that background?' They say it to me all the time. 'Are you sure you weren't adopted?'"
Watch Sharon's recently published TEDx!
About Sharon:
A global nursing leader, TEDx speaker, and advocate for personal transformation who empowers others to rethink what's possible and turn adversity into strength. A Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), she's an award-winning healthcare innovator and author. Founder of SMW Group and the #FromCrisistoCapacity framework, she develops nurse leaders and strengthens teams and organizations through resilience, stress reduction, and human performance.
Visit, follow, and connect:
LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, website.
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About Sarah
Sarah is a Montana based workplace communication trainer, TEDx speaker, DisruptHR speaker, public speaking coach, professional storyteller, musician, and podcast host. Her workshops and coaching packages with teams and their leaders are known to address and reduce miscommunication – the most common cause of tension and stress in the workplace. Using the team’s results from the StrengthsFinder assessment, she guides teams in learning to speak each other’s “language”, learning to value each other’s strengths and connecting with each other through enhanced self-reflection and effective listening.
Sarah’s nearly 20 years working in government agencies inspired her to complete her MBA and to achieve her StrengthsFinder certification to improve work environments for others, guiding teams toward increased satisfaction, productivity, and happiness.
Visit her website to purchase her book, Your Stories Don't Define You in paperback or audiobook.