Content Warning: This episode discusses childhood trauma, emotional abuse and physical abuse.
Paul Scheer is known to audiences as an actor, a regular on the series The League and Black Monday, and in recurring roles on Fresh Off the Boat, Veep, and 30 Rock. Recently, Paul has been digging deep into his past to understand what happened during his childhood with an abusive stepfather (who demanded Paul call him “Dad” and locked him out of the house in his underwear when Paul refused) and how that had an impact on Paul later in life. In this moving interview, Paul talks about realizing later in life that he had never once had any kind of argument with his then-girlfriend, never expressed anger, and how a therapist pointed out that this may be a sign of unresolved trauma from the hellish conditions he lived in. Paul talks about learning more about this with his wife, how he sees trauma as an event and not a life sentence, and what he has and has not told his young children about so far.
In This Family is presented by Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit mental health organization that restores hope for thousands of children and families. Learn more and listen at NexusFamilyHealing.org/podcast.