Bridging

#118 Özlem Özkan: What Bullying Actually Does to You

Episode Summary

In this episode, I explore something many people underestimate… what bullying actually does to a child. Because bullying doesn’t always stay in childhood. Very often, it grows up with us. In the way we speak. The way we protect ourselves. The way we hold back. Or the way we feel we constantly need to prove ourselves. I explore how experiences of exclusion, shame, and rejection shape a child’s nervous system, sense of belonging, and identity, and why even small moments can leave lasting emotional marks. This episode is also a reminder of how deeply children need to feel seen, safe, and accepted, not only at school, but at home and in everyday life. Because sometimes what we call “personality” later in life… is actually protection. In this episode, you will explore • What bullying emotionally does to children • Why the need to belong is so deeply human • How childhood experiences shape the nervous system • Why some children become quieter while others become harder • The connection between bullying and protection mechanisms • How bullying can continue affecting us in adulthood • Why listening to children matters more than we think • The long-term emotional impact of exclusion and shame 🎙️ Host: Özlem Özkan ✧ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozkanozlem/ ✧ Website: www.ozkanozlem.com ✧ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozlemozkan/

Episode Notes

In this episode, I explore something many people underestimate…

 

what bullying actually does to a child.

 

Because bullying doesn’t always stay in childhood.

 

Very often, it grows up with us.

 

In the way we speak.

The way we protect ourselves.

The way we hold back.

Or the way we feel we constantly need to prove ourselves.

 

I explore how experiences of exclusion, shame, and rejection shape a child’s nervous system, sense of belonging, and identity, and why even small moments can leave lasting emotional marks.

 

This episode is also a reminder of how deeply children need to feel seen, safe, and accepted, not only at school, but at home and in everyday life.

 

Because sometimes what we call “personality” later in life…

is actually protection.

 

In this episode, you will explore

• What bullying emotionally does to children

• Why the need to belong is so deeply human

• How childhood experiences shape the nervous system

• Why some children become quieter while others become harder

• The connection between bullying and protection mechanisms

• How bullying can continue affecting us in adulthood

• Why listening to children matters more than we think

• The long-term emotional impact of exclusion and shame

 

🎙️ Host: Özlem Özkan

✧ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozkanozlem/

✧ Website: www.ozkanozlem.com

✧ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozlemozkan/