Don’t Be Hijacked by Primal Wounds: Rewriting the Narrative and Flying High with Michaela Renee Johnson

In this episode, I have (yet again!) the great pleasure of speaking with licensed therapist and pilot Michaela Renee Johnson on her book 7 Primal Wounds: Break the Patterns Keeping You Stuck and its connection to aviation. Michaela recounts the challenges and emotional highs she experienced during her 13-day journey across the country for her aeronautical book tour in a vintage warbird by the name of Scarlett. Not only is she using the adventure as both a literal and metaphorical vehicle for spreading her message, but it also underscores and ties in with the book’s core and central themes. In fact, the analogy of flying can help us better understand psychological patterns. For instance, people may get “stuck in holding patterns” in life, much like planes circling an airport, and how recognizing these patterns is the first step toward change. She draws on psychological theories such as transactional analysis and attachment theory to explain how early life experiences create “primal wounds” that shape adult behavior. Moreover, she offers practical advice for becoming aware of these unconscious beliefs, encouraging us to notice our bodily reactions when triggered and to identify which “primal responder” (be it child, teenager, or parent) is influencing our actions at a given moment. This self-awareness can help us break negative cycles and make more empowered choices. Finally, Michaela discusses how her framework applies to relationships and personal growth. She emphasizes that most conflicts are not about surface issues but about deeper wounds and unmet needs. By understanding and communicating these underlying patterns, individuals and couples can transform their interactions and foster healthier connections. And writing a book on these findings and observations is not only helpful for us but also therapeutic for the author herself.  

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