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What Happened to You?

Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

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What Happened to You?

By: Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Perry
Narrated by: Bruce Perry, Oprah Winfrey
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Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert, Dr Bruce Perry, discuss the impact of trauma and adverse experiences – and how healing must begin with a shift to asking 'What happened to you?' rather than 'What’s wrong with you?'.

Through wide-ranging and often deeply personal conversation, Oprah Winfrey and Dr Perry explore how what happens to us in early childhood – both good and bad – influences the people we become.

A simple change in perspective can open up a new and hopeful understanding about why we do the things we do, why we are the way we are – and provide a road map for repairing relationships, overcoming what seems insurmountable, and ultimately living better and more fulfilling lives.

Many of us experience adversity and trauma during childhood that has a lasting impact on our physical and emotional health. And as we’re beginning to understand, we are more sensitive to developmental trauma as children than we are as adults. ‘What happened to us’ in childhood is a powerful predictor of our risk for physical and mental health problems down the road, and offers scientific insights into the patterns of behaviours so many struggle to understand.

A survivor of multiple childhood challenges herself, Oprah Winfrey shares portions of her own harrowing experiences because she understands the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma at a young age.

Throughout her career, Oprah has teamed up with Dr Bruce Perry, one of the world’s leading experts on childhood trauma. He has treated thousands of children, youth, and adults and has been called on for decades to support individuals and communities following high-profile traumatic events.

Now, Oprah joins with Dr Perry to marry the power of storytelling with the science and clinical experience to better understand and overcome the effects of trauma.

Grounded in the latest brain science and brought to life through compelling narratives, What Happened to You? shines a light on a much-needed path to recovery – showing us our incredible capacity to transform after adversity.

Developmental Psychology Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Personal Development Personal Success Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Career Health Inspiring Feel Better Resilience Emotions
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Critic reviews

An incredible dialogue that bares the fundamental causes of trauma, and rightly turns the question of shame on its head and back to the environment. There is so much more we need to learn and this book is the perfect guide to reframing how we can act – through research, experience and compassion – in tomorrow's world. An essential read (Dr Camilla Pang, biochemist and author of Explaining Humans)
Revealing, intimate, and educational, it’s a testament to the authors’ wish for readers to come to grips with, and let go of, the past – and to move forward into 'post-traumatic wisdom' (Leigh Haber, O Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
Listening to this remarkable book has brought a whole new level of self-awareness. It is so relatable to what happened to me in childhood and how it has shaped who I am now.

A whole new level of self-awareness

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What a beautiful book. It's so rich in information about how the brain works in relation to trauma. The stories about past experiences, from both Dr. Perry and Oprah, were so incredibly insightful. They really helped me connect the newfound information on the neurological aspects of trauma with real life.

The question 'What Happened To You' is essential for healing your past trauma and it is essential when you want to establish meaningful connection with others. I will be rereading/relistening this book for sure!

Oprah and Dr. Perry both give a stellar performance. I loved listening to both of them and at times would really connect to the emotion and vulnerability behind their POWERFUL words.

Truly beautiful and insightful!

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The book is a very American style, but..... if you really want to know why you or your loved ones are the way you or the are, you should, indeed, ask the question: What Happened to you?

Very powerful lecture.

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Great book and enjoyable, however less great than I expected with all the years of experience of Oprah I wanted more somehow

Pretty Good

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Really enjoyed listening. makes you think about people's behaviours differently! what happened to you is a very good question, it helps you to be patient with what appears to be difficult behaviour. having an understanding really helps to love well.

Thought provoking

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