Is Life Inherently Traumatic? Psychology of Suffering and Resilience

In this talk, we’ll explore the idea that suffering is not a personal failure, but an inherent part of being human—and what psychology can teach us about moving through it. We’ll look at why even “ordinary” life events can feel traumatic, how the nervous system interprets threat, and why some people struggle more than others. Through a lens of compassion and curiosity, we’ll examine how meaning, resilience, and connection can transform pain into growth, and what it really means to live a life that includes suffering without being defined by it.