Keep Pain in the Past by Christopher Cortman & Joseph Walden Summary
Overview of Keep Pain in the Past
Trauma doesn't have to define you. "Keep Pain in the Past" offers a revolutionary self-healing approach that's transformed lives without extensive therapy. From panic-stricken attorneys to PTSD-suffering veterans - what if healing your deepest wounds required just one powerful conversation with yourself?
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Key takeaways
The Invisible Prison of Trauma
Imagine carrying the weight of a drowning accident for forty-five years, checking locked doors compulsively every night for decades, or living with the secret shame of assault for half a century. These aren't just sad stories-they represent millions of people whose lives are compromised by unprocessed trauma. When trauma remains unresolved, it acts like an invisible prison, keeping us trapped in the past while the present slips away. Most of us aren't truly living in the moment-we're weighed down by experiences that have rewired our brains and bodies to remain in perpetual "alarm reaction" mode. This biological imprisonment explains why trauma survivors struggle with everyday situations. The brain physically changes-the hippocampus shrinks, compromising memory; the amygdala becomes hyperresponsive, causing emotional overreactions; and the medial prefrontal cortex shows decreased activity, impairing its ability to regulate stress responses. These aren't just psychological issues-they're neurobiological adaptations that keep survivors locked in cycles of hypervigilance, avoidance, and intrusive memories. Yet despite how common these experiences are, when asked if she was at peace with her past, a waitress responded with surprise: "No one is truly over their past."
Treatment Challenges and The Fritz Method
Breaking the Chains Through Feeling and Expression
The Power of Release and Forgiveness
Rewriting Your Story: The Art of Reframing
From Darkness to Light: Healing in Practice
Breaking Free: Your Path Forward
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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