# E 355: How Poetry, Purpose, and Self-Expression Can Help You Heal | with Michael Teferi Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/e-355-how-poetry-purpose-and-self-expression-can-help-you-heal-with-michael-teferi Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/e-355-how-poetry-purpose-and-self-expression-can-help-you-heal-with-michael-teferi.md Podcast: [Adult Child of Dysfunction](https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234) Published: 2026-08-07T08:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://adult-child-of-dysfunction.captivate.fm/episode/e-355-how-poetry-purpose-and-self-expression-can-help-you-heal-with-michael-teferi Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/19b6bbe9-cf89-422e-a271-b274952ce82c.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/episodes/e-355-how-poetry-purpose-and-self-expression-can-help-you-heal-with-michael-teferi Duration seconds: 1488 ## Resource Can writing really help heal emotional wounds? In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction , Tammy sits down with poet and Positive Psychology Coach Michael Teferi to discuss growing up with bullying, finding resilience through poetry, and using creative expression as a pathway toward healing and personal growth. Michael shares how painful childhood experiences shaped his compassion instead of his bitterness, why poetry became an outlet for processing emotions, and how purpose, friendship, faith, and creativity helped him move forward. If you've ever struggled to express what you've been through, this conversation will remind you that healing often begins by giving your story a voice. In this episode, we discuss: • How bullying shaped Michael's life • Why poetry became a healing outlet • Using writing to release emotions • The connection between creativity and trauma recovery • Positive psychology and discovering what lights you up • The importance of friendship, faith, and purpose • Why healing begins when we express what we've been carrying Whether you write, journal, paint, speak, or simply need permission to tell your story, this episode offers encouragement to take the next step toward healing. Connect with Michael 📖 Read Michael's poetry on Substack: (Insert Michael's Substack link here) 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.teferi.16 📸 Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/romanticsinger24 💙 Instagram (Positive Psychology Coaching): https://www.instagram.com/michaelteferi24 Hey there, I’m so glad you’re here and tuning in! If this episode spoke to your heart, just know there’s even more support waiting for you. Book Your Free Clarity and Calm Call: No Judgement, just a chat https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/clarity-and-calm-call If you are cur… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/episodes/e-355-how-poetry-purpose-and-self-expression-can-help-you-heal-with-michael-teferi/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/e-355-how-poetry-purpose-and-self-expression-can-help-you-heal-with-michael-teferi.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.