Trigger vs. Harm: The Power of Precise Discernment

RiseUp - Live Joy Your Way · Mar 19, 2026 · 12m · transcript

Kamini Wood explores the critical distinction between being "triggered" and experiencing actual harm, noting that the modern overuse of trauma language can sometimes cloud our ability to lead and heal effectively. Kamini defines a trigger as a stimulus that activates a stored emotional memory, often resulting in a reaction that is disproportionate to the present, safe moment. Conversely, harm involves ongoing patterns of destabilization, such as gaslighting, manipulation, or chronic invalidation, where the nervous system's anxiety is accurate data rather than a misfire. By utilizing three…