STP 150 | Secretly Wounded Leaders and the Cost of Carrying Trauma (With Jeff Mattson)

STP 150 | Secretly Wounded Leaders and the Cost of Carrying Trauma (With Jeff Mattson)

From Scaling Therapist Podcast: More Income, More Independence, More Impact (Not More Hours) by James Marland

April 2, 2026 · 39 min · Season 3

About this episode

James Marland discusses the impact of unprocessed trauma on leaders with Jeff Mattson.

This episode is for therapists, coaches, and mission-driven leaders who feel the weight of responsibility—but aren’t sure what to do with the wounds they carry. James sits down with Jeff Mattson from Living Wholehearted to talk about the leadership trauma cycle, why “success” can still feel lonely, and how unprocessed pain quietly leaks into our closest relationships. If you’re leading people while carrying hidden baggage, this conversation offers a clearer, kinder path forward. Who It’s For This episode is for you if: You’re a leader who looks “fine” on the outside but feels strained underneath You tend to cope through achievement, perfectionism, or image management You want to lead with integrity—at work and at home—without living a divided life Top 3 Reasons to Listen You’ll understand why trauma often shows up as either victimhood or achievement—and why that matters for leaders. You’ll hear practical language for what’s happening when “it’s lonely at the top,” and why relationships suffer even when work is thriving. You’ll walk away with a simple framework for healing: know your wiring, know your story, and build practices that keep you healthy. What You’ll Learn A practical…

People in this episode

Host: James Marland

Guest: Jeff Mattson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Living Wholehearted

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