Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry in Conversation | SXSW EDU 2021

Oprah Winfrey and leading child psychiatrist and neuroscientist Bruce Perry, MD, PhD explore the impact of childhood trauma on who we become, the decisions we make, and how healing must start with one question 'what happened to you?' in anticipation of a new co-authored book of the same name. Winfrey and Dr. Perry focus on understanding how shifting the approach to trauma and allowing understanding of the past allows for an opening of the door to resilience and healing in a proven, powerful way.#WhatHappenedToYou

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[elizabethkennedy]

I have the classic "crush on the professor" with Bruce Perry. He's a genius whose life's work holds a very important message for all of society.

[nikkiblazier]

Oprah! You are a QUEEN. I have experienced childhood abuse and belong to the club i call "Child of a dead parent". When i was teaching, my 10 year old student was bullying and acting out in class. No one was able to get through to him. But I knew that if this child was acting this way it was because something was happening to him. I pulled him aside and asked him why he was bullying? Would he like that to happen to him? Did he think that would win him friends? Did he want to make friends? Then i explained to him how to make friends and how much potential he had if he wanted to do the work. One month later he won the school speech competition and stopped bullying. He did that. It was his choice to make a change!

[tracyschlepphorst]

The work of Dr. Bruce Perry is so important and inspiring. These conversations are now happening with educators everywhere. We can change brains and change lives for the better!

[bakeembakeem]

I can vividly recall, while in grade school, I yelled at my male teacher with profanity, and got away with it, little did I know then, that teacher completely overlooked my behavior with zero punishment. He obviously used his professional skills realizing something of a far greater pain was present, my alcoholic abusive father to my extremely passive mother who's entire life was dedicated to sweeping all the pain of our family under the rug, unknowingly that every single child would be affected for the remainder of their lives

[skatulle]

I am a mother and this has opened my eyes and i pray that i will be able to raise my child and not instill my own fears and insecurities in my daughter. i cant imagine doing something my daughter will grow in fear of

[S.BloomsCrafting]

This is what happened to me .. this is enabling me to start understanding and healing myself. I am enlightened, this is a start

[hushtoroar]

Oh thank you both. This is the exact same question in my book Hush to Roar that I wrote during lockdown as I was hushed, got suddenly taken from my foster family at 8, was introduced to my real father at 9 and then got sexually abused by a very close family member from 12 till 15. I now Roar!! I will do my bit to be divinely Discontent and shout from the roof tops that our childhood impacts us as adults! And that we are not crazy, we just want to be unwrapped from the crippling shame that debilitates our body when we don't heal 🙏🙏🙏

[jordyhall]

Great advice particularly regarding regulation through music. My soothing music playlist has got me regulated so many times. Dancing with friends or on my own, has also helped shake off many a low mood. Different things help different people, healthy activities to recover from traumas and a compassionate understanding helper can help a survivor transform into a thriver. Many thanks to Oprah for her courage and insights and to Dr Perry for his diligent work in this field

[alettagracesmith]

Reading the book now! Just phenomenal. Helps me to connect so many dots in my own life and the lives of people in my life.

[Flowergurl]

If anyone had asked me “ what happened to you?” I could have told them. But they never did. My kid helped me work out trauma. I am a good mom.

[charondolls]

I just finished listening to the audio book. It's so powerful, mind-blowing and brought me to tears at the end.

[blkimble]

I really wish Oprah would stop interrupting him and let him speak. She's talking over his most important information

[LalaNaidu]

What an important conversation and so refreshing to see it being shared as sign language too. I have so much respect and reverence for Oprah in addressing difficult topics in the pursuit of uplifting the human conditioning. Blessed we are to be traveling alongside this magnificent being - a daily inspiration. Thank you.

[kita]

I am not a super Oprah fan, but as of lately because of this new things she’s doing with healing, I am very impressed with her and very grateful for this.

[karenkravec]

Dr. Perry's Neurosequential Model is incredibly important, so glad this book has been written and Oprah is able to give it such a large platform. And sidenote, the ASL interpreter in this video is fantastic.

[claudelinalinarez]

Great!! Dr. Perry is incredible, and important person in this world.

[karenwallace-berger]

I just found this. Finally, understanding! I am 63 and was the youngest of four 2/2, my sister who'd turn 7 in a few months, was my main caretaker. It was not a bonding but divisive unit. Dad's drink and Mom's "Happy pills". The neglect, abuse and violence. I was a spectator and target. I started reading at age four. Books have and still are my best friends (and music) I've been interested in the mind and emotions since I was about 8, & saw people moving things with their mind on TV. For a very long time I'd stare at the lamp, willing it to go on or off.
I was about 10, and had the TV to myself. The Early Show movie was "The Three Faces of Eve." I was not scared, but felt such a strong lightbulb moment, I felt emotionally hugged. Recognized.
Over the years I've read & listened to many books, YouTubed and Googled. I believe I always will.
Sporadic as all my interests, yet like music, always there when I need it.
Dissociation is a topic of great interest to me. I don't mean as high on the dissociative scale as Eve. There's so many complicated layers before driving on auto to/from work, arriving shocked awake. So much more.
Lacking the definitive verbiage to define my experience has made it impossible to discuss. Not with any success. Thank you from my Being. I'm off tubing!

[marilynb]

I enjoyed this session today. Many years of my life were spent working as a Behavior Specialist with all ages Loved every minute and we so agree with everything discussed here.

[bakeembakeem]

As an impoverished black man from the ghettos having multiple upon multiple childhood traumas, it was the kindness of total strangers that provided me the fuel in finding my true

[vaishalivaidya]

This was so beautiful and profound Oprah. You are one of the best messengers to bring such beautiful conversation on board. It's more beautiful to learn how curious and open you are to learning, to enquiring even at your age, when most people get stuck with the way they have always been.

It's even more beautiful to notice that you have even thought of those who cannot hear with their ears but can hear through the body.
You are truly magnificent. It's a blessing to hear such conversations through/ from you.
It would be a blessing to meet you some day😊