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Trauma Talks

is a 16-part series designed to educate prison residents about childhood trauma, showing them tools to help calm their nervous systems, reduce prison aggression, find resilience and become productive members of society upon their return.

Acknowledging and addressing our experiences of childhood trauma teaches us how these experiences can affect our emotions, behaviors, thoughts, relationships, stability, and health. This awareness helps lead to the cultivation of compassion for both ourselves and others.

Trauma Talks includes healing techniques and strategies to help increase our capacity to recover from the trauma we’ve experienced in life. It is designed to help us find pathways of vulnerability, accountability and forgiveness; for ourselves, the people who have hurt us and the people we have hurt.

Healing and transformation is possible. When people realize their inherent value and find ways to bring their talents and skills to the world, not only do the participants find transformation for themselves, they help others heal and transform, creating a ripple effect which has already begun in prisons in California, parts of the United States and around the world.

Trauma Talks helps people develop an understanding of trauma, so that it becomes easier to make more compassionate choices which positively affect our lives and the lives of those around us.

Trauma Talks

Trauma Talks is a 16-part series designed to educate prison residents about childhood trauma, showing them tools to help calm their nervous systems, reduce prison aggression, find resilience and become productive members of society upon their return.

Acknowledging and addressing our experiences of childhood trauma teaches us how these experiences can affect our emotions, behaviors, thoughts, relationships, stability, and health. This awareness helps lead to the cultivation of compassion for both ourselves and others.

Trauma Talks includes healing techniques and strategies to help increase our capacity to recover from the trauma we’ve experienced in life. It is designed to help us find pathways of vulnerability, accountability and forgiveness; for ourselves, the people who have hurt us and the people we have hurt.

Healing and transformation is possible. When people realize their inherent value and find ways to bring their talents and skills to the world, not only do the participants find transformation for themselves, they help others heal and transform, creating a ripple effect which has already begun in prisons in California, parts of the United States and around the world.

Trauma Talks helps people develop an understanding of trauma, so that it becomes easier to make more compassionate choices which positively affect our lives and the lives of those around us.

Trauma Talks Series

1: What is Trauma?
2: ACEs
3: Symptoms of Trauma
4: Wisdom of Trauma
5: Developmental Trauma
6: Attachment Theory
7: Traumatic Brain Injury
8: Violence
9: Accountability vs. Shame
10: Restorative Justice
11: Vulnerability
12: Forgiveness
13: Resilience
14: From Victimhood to Mastery
15: Authenticity, Discipline and Finding Purpose
16: Transformation and Wrap Up

Included in the videos are interviews with the top trauma experts and coaches in the world, roundtable discussions with returning community members, footage on addiction and incarceration, the critically acclaimed film The Wisdom of Trauma, CNN’s The Redemption Project, Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday as well as information on beginning the healing process.

Watch Episode 1
Download the Workbook

Trauma Talks is changing lives around the world

Compassion Prison Project is expanding our life-changing program outside of California and into other states across the U.S. and countries around the world.

Former Surgeon General of California, Nadine Burke Harris joined us at Valley State Prison and participated in a day of healing, stating:

“Prisons are an ICU (intensive care unit) for trauma.”

What participants are saying…

“I have seen the men attending this program getting their minds blown every time we go. Every week there are animated discussions while walking back to our unit after class about how relevant and powerful it is. Every time we go we are excited to attend and look forward to what we will learn that day. My ability to deal with conflict has improved beyond what I thought I was capable of, and I no longer suffer panic and/or anxiety attacks! Literally life-changing for me.”
“Trauma Talks is the best class on the yard for a number of reasons. The biggest difference is the community it has created. It’s more than a class, it’s a culture. Participants become trauma-informed and are empowered to be ambassadors of compassion. The material is impactful, it was amazing to see Week 1. 80% of the class didn’t know what trauma was. They’ve learned about Trauma, ACES, Attachment Theory, TBIs, Addiction, Violence and so much more. This is what the Board (of Parole) looks for in regards to insight. The workbooks have a lot of information and it equips us to experience transformation."
“I now have an understanding of my behavior – not many people know why they act the way they are. Realization and how to deal with trauma. Very good course – Highly recommend it!”
“The program [Trauma Talks] was incredibly insightful and eye opening. It provided a deep understanding of how childhood trauma can impact our lives and lead to incarceration.”
“I learned what trauma truly is and how deep it affects others. Before this class I had a whole different understanding of what trauma is. This class has put me on the path of true healing.”
“I feel that every prison yard should have this circle / class 'cause most of us in prison are broken emotionally and physically… we have so many traumatic moments that we need help in how to fix ourselves.”
Here is a quote from one of the prison administrators: “This partnership is singlehandedly transforming [this prison]. I appreciate you!”
Read about the impact Trauma Talks is making

International Representation

Trauma Talks is currently running outside the United States thanks to dedicated volunteers who have made this happen. We are currently running programs in:

  • New Zealand
  • Canada
  • Northern Ireland
  • Colombia

Help bring trauma education to your state

If you have a loved one in prison, work in prison or care about rehabilitation in prisons, encourage your state to institute Trauma Talks in their Department of Corrections. Tell them to contact the officials at their prison and have them reach out to us or contact us directly at info@compassionprisonproject.org

Donate
6201 West 87th Street #4201
Los Angeles, CA 90045
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Help Us Change The World

CPP is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We value every donation, no amount is too small. Your contribution directly funds CPP’s projects and operations which support our mission to transform prisons and communities through compassionate action. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Compassion Prison Project © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Help Us Change The World

CPP is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We value every donation, no amount is too small. Your contribution directly funds CPP’s projects and operations which support our mission to transform prisons and communities through compassionate action. All donations are tax deductible.

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Fritzi Horstman

Founder and Executive Director

 

Fritzi Horstman is the Founder and Executive Director of Compassion Prison Project. She is a Grammy-award winning producer for her work on “The Defiant Ones”, has been a producer and post-producer on dozens of television projects and documentaries and has directed several films. She believes it is urgent to bring humanity and compassion to those living behind bars and these acts will help transform our society. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Vassar College.

Trauma Talks