In this deeply honest and moving conversation, host Bill Thompson sits down with Tim Smith, author of the memoir Fault Line Still Standing. Tim opens up about his childhood marked by extreme instability—including being kidnapped by his mother at under six years old, experiencing neglect, and navigating trauma.
Tim shares how he confronted buried memories during therapy to write a memoir defined by candor and unvarnished truth. He discusses the physical and emotional toll of trauma loops and hypervigilance, the pivotal role his grandmother played as a safe harbor of morality and love, and how simple acts of kindness from “little angels” kept him grounded. Now in his fifties, happily married, and living a fulfilling life, Tim offers a powerful testament to resilience: while trauma may shape who you are, it never has to define where you go. His message is a beacon of stubborn, defiant hope for anyone seeking healing from their past.
Get your copy of Fault Line: Still Standing by Tim Smith
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Chapters:
00:07 The significance of the book’s title and subtitle
01:53 The honesty and candor in the memoir
03:18 Memory recall and trauma inhibition
04:22 Therapy and emotional access to memories
13:27 The influence of mentors and strangers
14:21 Parenting reflections and personal growth
15:02 The message of hope and resilience
16:32 Trauma shapes but does not define us
17:08 The balance of happiness and guardedness
18:47 Survivor’s perspective and ongoing vigilance
Guest Information
Tim Smith
Website
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