Author Media Kit
Janyne McConnaughey, PhD
Janyne McConnaughey, Ph.D., is an award-winning author and a leading voice in helping the spiritually exhausted understand the intersection of trauma, the nervous system, and faith. Her most recent book, An Exhausted Faith: What If the Struggle Isn't Spiritual? answers the question, "If it isn’t a spiritual problem, what now?" that was asked by readers of Trauma in the Pews: The Impact of Trauma on Spiritual Practices.
Janyne’s passion for encouraging other survivors of childhood trauma began when she walked into therapy at the age of sixty-one. Realizing healing was possible for survivors, she first authored three memoirs, the Brave series, in which she described the effects of childhood trauma and her path to healing.
Janyne builds on her forty-year career in teaching, teacher education, ministry preparation, and expertise in early childhood development to help educators, caregivers, and church ministry workers understand and apply trauma-informed practices. She is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tabor College (Masters in Education: Neuroscience & Trauma) and served for five years as a Board Member for the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), two as Board President. Janyne, her husband Scott, and rescue dog Weber live south of Seattle and enjoy spending time with children and grandchildren.
Short Bio (600 characters)
Janyne McConnaughey, PhD, is an award-winning author. Her fourth book, Trauma in the Pews, provides perspectives and guidance in building trauma-responsive communities. Janyne’s most recent book, An Exhausted Faith: What If the Struggle Isn’t Spiritual? provides a compassionate neuroscience-based understanding of spiritual growth. She is a Visiting Professor at Tabor College (M.Ed. in Neuroscience & Trauma), served as president of the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) board, and is a co-founder of the Religious Trauma Network (RTN). She and her husband live in a small cottage south of Seattle.
Other Books by Janyne
TRAUMA IN THE PEWS is a practical and compassionate roadmap for spiritual leaders to effectively minister to those struggling with effects of trauma. In spite of the challenges of our increasingly complex world, together we can create safer spaces for authentic healing and a deeper connection with God.
The Brave Series
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Brave: Healing Childhood Trauma — A personal account of confronting the lasting effects of childhood trauma and discovering a path toward healing, resilience, and hope.
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Jeannie’s Brave Childhood — A memoir of childhood trauma that tells the story of Jeannie’s early years, revealing the experiences, adaptations, and resilience that shaped her life and work required for healing our wounded inner child as an adult.
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A Brave Life — A story of survival, resilience, faith, and hope that explores the challenges of living a meaningful life while impacted by unresolved childhood trauma.
Social Media Links
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/janynemc
Website: https://www.janyne.org/
Substack: https://janyne.substack.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/janynemc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjanynemc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janyne-mcconnaughey-ph-d-53414b29/
Podcast Suggestions
Discussion Topics
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The impact of trauma and toxic stress on the nervous system
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How this impacts spirituality
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The importance of co-regulation and self-regulation in healing
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How dysregulation is mistaken for spiritual struggles
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Religious teachings that can stand in the way of healing
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What does the healing of trauma require and what does healing look like
Possible Questions:
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How did Trauma in the Pews lead you to writing An Exhausted Faith? How are the two books the same or different?
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How does asking the question, “What If the struggle isn’t spiritual?” Change the conversation around spiritual growth?
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Every book an author writes changes them in the process. How did An Exhausted Faith change you? Is there something specific you understand about healing and spirituality that you did not understand before you began writing?