Welcome back to At Your Best with Roselynn Onah! In this powerful and deeply resonant episode, Roselynn Onah sits down once again with licensed clinical social worker Lynda Carmouche to unpack a topic that affects countless professionals but is rarely discussed openly: workplace PTSD.

Focusing particularly on the experiences of Black women, women of color, and marginalized individuals, this conversation dives into the emotional and psychological toll of toxic workplaces.

From personal stories to professional insights, Roselynn and Lynda explore:

• What workplace PTSD is and how it manifests in high-functioning professionals.
• The impact of microaggressions, gaslighting, and emotional harm.
• The danger of over-identifying with your job.
• The importance of boundaries, self-worth, and emotional safety at work.
• Practical strategies for healing, advocating for yourself, and knowing when it’s time to move on.

About the Guest: Lynda Carmouche

Lynda Carmouche, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, strategist, and the host of The Elephant Room podcast. With a passion for mental health, workplace healing, and social justice, Linda empowers clients—especially women of color—to reclaim their voice and emotional safety in spaces that often silence them.

Drawing from her own lived experiences and professional expertise, she supports individuals in setting boundaries, understanding trauma, and navigating toxic work environments with clarity and strength.

Connect with Lynda:

• Website: https://www.lyndacarmouche.com/
• Instagram: @lyndacarmouche

Key Takeaways:

• PTSD is real—even in workplaces: Emotional harm at work can lead to long-lasting psychological effects that go far beyond “stress.”

• Confidence is often weaponized: For Black and brown professionals, especially women, confidence can be misread as aggression or arrogance.
• Boundaries are essential: Learning to communicate your worth and needs can shift the dynamic in harmful workplaces.
• Evaluations aren’t everything: Remember that your leader’s opinion is not the full truth—know your own value and keep track of your accomplishments.
• Healing is necessary: Don’t carry trauma from one job to the next. Seek professional help and give yourself the grace to heal.

Tools & Tips Mentioned:

• Write weekly “wins” to your manager to document performance.
• Evaluate yourself alongside formal reviews.
• Prioritize yourself: take your PTO, set clear boundaries, and avoid over-identifying with your job.
• Seek out trauma-informed therapy before jumping into a new job.

Follow us on socials & stay connected!

• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@roselynnonah
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/roselynnonah/

Reflective Prompt:

Where are you still carrying wounds from an unsafe work environment?

Share your reflections on social media using #AtYourBestPod.

Welcome back to At Your Best with Roselynn Onah! In this powerful episode, Roselynn Onah sits down with Lynda Carmouche to explore how setting boundaries in professional spaces is a reflection of self-worth, not selfishness.

With over 27 years of experience, Lynda shares insights on how to protect your peace without slipping into defensiveness, how unprocessed trauma fuels burnout, and how setting boundaries is a crucial act of self-care and empowerment.

Guest Profile: Lynda Carmouche

Licensed Psychotherapist | Mental Wellness Strategist | Author | Speaker

Experience: 27+ years

Specialties:

• Disrupting burnout in high-performing professionals
• Transforming toxic work environments
• Emotional processing and healing from trauma

Background:

Lynda grew up in Lake Providence, Louisiana—recognized as one of the poorest towns in the U.S. Her early reflections while working in cotton fields laid the foundation for her life’s purpose: helping others heal.

Her deep understanding of emotional trauma and resilience stems from both professional expertise and personal experience, including navigating divorce, abandonment, and healing through spiritual and emotional growth.

Signature Work:

• Book: Polished Pain: The Cost of Burnout and Unresolved Trauma
• Website: https://www.lyndacarmouche.com/
• Instagram: @lyndacarmouche

Key Topics Discussed:

• What healthy professional boundaries look like
• Why boundaries are for you, not for others
• The deep connection between unprocessed trauma and burnout
• Physical and emotional symptoms of burnout
• The myth of “being strong” and choosing humanity instead
• Practical examples and real-life stories of boundary setting
• Advice for those struggling with guilt while setting boundaries at work
• Listener Q&A: How to uphold boundaries during layoffs and economic pressure

Quotes to Remember:

• “Burnout isn’t the problem, it’s the proof.”
• “Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re invitations to interact with others in a healthy way.”
• “Strong is killing us—we’re choosing strong over human.”

Resources & Mentions:

Book:

Polished Pain: The Cost of Burnout and Unresolved Trauma by Lynda Carmouche

Available on Amazon or Get her book from the link below:

https://www.lyndacarmouche.com/polishedpain

Follow us on socials & stay connected!

• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@roselynnonah
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/roselynnonah/

Ask yourself: “Where in my work life do I need clearer boundaries?”

Share your reflections using #AtYourBestPod

Welcome back to At Your Best with Roselynn Onah! In this powerful episode, host Roselynn is joined by Maya Dajon, an award-winning wellness practitioner, trauma-informed healer, and founder of Chill Vibrations.

Maya shares her deeply moving journey from childhood adversity and homelessness to becoming a UCLA graduate, therapist-in-training, and changemaker in the healing space. Her work focuses on helping women and couples navigate relationship trauma, rebuild self-worth, and create authentic connection—especially as adult women of color.

Together, they dive into:

• What it really means to build friendship and community in adulthood
• Tools for healing from betrayal and emotional trauma
• The importance of mirror work, emotional freedom technique (EFT), and somatic practices
• How to intentionally create and maintain sisterhood and safe spaces
• Why healing alone and in community are both essential for growth

This is a heart-centered conversation packed with reflection, vulnerability, and practical strategies for your healing journey.

About the Guest – Maya Dajon

Maya Dajon is a wellness practitioner, artist, and founder of Chill Vibrations, a holistic wellness brand that provides support for individuals and couples navigating emotional trauma, particularly in relationships. Her unique blend of somatic tools, holistic counseling, and trauma-informed approaches creates a sanctuary for deep inner healing.

She is currently pursuing her Doctorate at USC and holds advanced training in:

• BIPOC EMDR (for trauma recovery)
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
• Social Emotional Arts through UCLA Arts & Healing Collective

Connect with Maya

• Instagram: @mayadajon
• Website: Mayadajon.com
• LinkedIn: Maya Dajon

Chill Vibrations:

• Instagram: @chillvibela
• Website: https://chillvibrations.com/
• Programmes: Psychology Today, Therapy for Black Girls

Join the Conversation

What does authentic connection mean to you? How have you learned to rebuild trust after hurt?

Let us know using the hashtag: #AtYourBestPod

Support the Show

Like what you heard? Help us continue these healing conversations:

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
• Rate & Review to help others find us
• Share with someone who needs to hear this message today

Follow us on socials & stay connected!

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@roselynnonah
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/roselynnonah/

Remember: You deserve to be supported, seen, and surrounded by love.