If you’ve ever struggled with family trauma, felt silenced in your pain, or wondered how storytelling can help you heal and connect, this episode is for you.
More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/keeper-catran-whitney
In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Keeper Catran-Whitney shares his journey of healing through storytelling. Keeper, an author and speaker, discusses his book Helplessness: Emotional Health Challenges Brothers Experience, which dives into the unique emotional toll on brothers when they learn their sisters have been sexually abused. His story is both heartbreaking and empowering, shedding light on a perspective rarely addressed in conversations about trauma and healing.
Keeper opens up about the pivotal moment when he decided to write his book after attending a Speak and Write conference. What started as an intention to write about his expertise in direct sales transformed into a raw and honest reckoning with his family’s painful history. Keeper shares how the creative process became a tool for confronting decades of unprocessed emotional trauma, self-doubt, and guilt.
The conversation touches on how society often neglects the emotional health of men, leaving brothers like Keeper without the support systems needed to heal. He recounts the challenging journey of approaching his sisters for permission to tell their story, including asking them to contribute their voices to the book. Their willingness to participate marked a turning point in his healing process and allowed him to offer a fuller narrative to readers.
Keeper also reflects on the broader power of storytelling, especially for marginalized communities. He shares how stepping into his truth not only helped him find peace but also empowered others to confront their own pain. As a father, he saw the positive ripple effects his vulnerability had on his children, who viewed him as an example of courage and resilience.
Throughout the interview, Keeper emphasizes the importance of emotional health in the healing journey. He explains how accepting his trauma and sharing it openly were essential steps toward recovery. Despite being told by therapists that his unique experiences as a brother were outside their scope of expertise, he found healing through connection—with his family, himself, and others who resonated with his story.
The conversation also explores Keeper’s personal interests, from his love of anime and fitness to his mantra, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” He shares how physical exercise helps him process emotions and stay grounded. Additionally, he stresses the importance of asking for space to vent or connect with trusted individuals as a vital mental health tool.
Keeper leaves listeners with a powerful message: healing requires recognizing trauma, embracing it as part of who we are, and finding ways to connect with others. His story is a testament to the transformative power of vulnerability, storytelling, and shared humanity.
