In this episode of Triggorama, Christine Sansom speaks with Kara Kelly, a case manager who has supported people with hoarding and chronic disorganization for more than 15 years through the Clearing Clutter program. Kara unpacks why this concern is often hidden, highly stigmatized, and misunderstood, and explains how shame, anxiety, grief, perfectionism, indecision, and fear of making mistakes can make letting go feel impossible.
The conversation explores common misconceptions, the emotional meaning attached to items and how loss can be a major trigger for collecting and difficulty discarding. Kara also discusses risks like eviction and unsafe living conditions, and why cleaning everything out without consent can deepen trauma and restart the cycle. Kara and Christine highlight what helps most: empathy, respectful language, small achievable steps (“small is huge”), and peer support that reduces isolation and builds confidence over time.
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Thank you to our Season 1 sponsor, Scholar's Choice. Supporting teachers inspiring classrooms because well-being starts with you.
Learn more about Scholar's Choice here.What is Triggorama?
In a sea of podcasts, Triggorama stands out. We address topics that people may want to shy away from in an informative, non-judgmental and fact-based listening space.
Our goal is simple - We want to share information about mental health and addictions. We're talking to thought leaders and people with lived experience to help our listeners who are struggling with their own mental health and addiction concerns. Or maybe you are supporting a loved one we have you covered. Together, we will trigger positive outcomes to increase our collective capacities while impactfully improving the lives of those we serve.
Thank you to our season one sponsor of Triggorama, Scholar's Choice. Supporting Teachers, Inspiring Classrooms because wellbeing starts with you.
Triggorama is developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services, and you can listen to us wherever you get your podcast.