Healing from trauma rarely happens all at once. It unfolds over time, often in ways that are difficult to recognize while you're living through them. The journey beyond survival can be uncertain, filled with moments of growth, grief, and unexpected clarity.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Jason Prokowiew returns to continue sharing his story. Building on the experiences explored in Part 1, he reflects on what came after the interviews with his father, the grief that followed his father's death, and the ongoing work of building a life beyond inherited trauma.
Episode Summary
This episode continues KL Wells' conversation with Jason Prokowiew, author of War Boys. After spending years trying to understand the effects of growing up in an alcoholic home shaped by generational trauma, Jason found himself facing a new chapter after recording more than fifty hours of conversations with his father and then losing him just months later.
Together, KL and Jason explore what healing looks like after understanding begins. They discuss grief, difficult family decisions, the importance of recognizing personal strengths, and how purpose can gradually emerge alongside life's most painful experiences. This conversation offers an honest perspective on the ongoing nature of recovery and the possibility of building a meaningful life beyond survival.
Key Discussion Points
- Healing from trauma as a lifelong process rather than a single breakthrough
- Returning to old triggers years later and responding with greater awareness
- Listening to his father's recorded voice decades later and revisiting unresolved emotions
- The difficult decision to step away from family relationships that no longer supported growth
- Estrangement, grief, and making painful choices while honoring personal well-being
- Grief as a companion to healing rather than evidence that healing has failed
- The "emotional bank account" and the value of intentionally building positive experiences
- Discovering purpose alongside life's most painful experiences
- Learning to recognize long-held survival skills as strengths rather than flaws
- Viewing mental health as an ongoing journey instead of a destination
Some Questions I Ask
- After your father passed away, how did you begin discovering who you were becoming?
- What did that conversation with your older siblings reveal about your own healing?
- Why was stepping away from your mother different from leaving other family relationships?
- What was it like hearing your father's voice again after twenty years?
- Do you believe your life's purpose sits alongside the most difficult experiences you've lived through?
In This Episode, You Will Learn
- Why healing from trauma often unfolds over many years
- How old triggers can reappear even after significant personal growth
- The emotional complexity of creating distance from unhealthy family systems
- Why grief and healing can exist at the same time
- How intentionally creating positive experiences can strengthen emotional resilience
- The difference between survival strategies and personal strengths
- Why understanding yourself may matter more than reaching a perfect destination
- How purpose can emerge from experiences that once felt only painful
Resources
War Boys by Jason Prokowiew
Available July 1, 2026
Learn more about War Boys
https://warboysbook.com
Al-Anon Family Groups
https://al-anon.org
Notable Insight From The Episode
"What we are not going to do is pathologize our strengths."
Jason recalls this powerful moment with his therapist as an invitation to reconsider qualities he had spent years viewing as flaws. Many of the traits developed while surviving difficult childhoods can become valuable strengths when they are understood, supported, and used with intention rather than driven by fear.
About the Guest
Jason Prokowiew is a writer, storyteller, and author of War Boys, a father-and-son memoir exploring generational trauma, addiction, and healing through the lens of his family's history. His work traces his father's survival during World War II, the lasting effects of wartime trauma, and Jason's own journey toward understanding life in an alcoholic family.
Drawing from his experiences with Al-Anon, storytelling, and years of personal reflection, Jason writes about resilience, identity, and the possibility of healing across generations. He has appeared on Stories from the Stage and has shared readings from War Boys through literary and educational communities.
Connect With the Guest
Website
https://www.jasonwprokowiew.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jasonprokowiew/
