What Happened to You?

Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

By: Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Perry

Narrated by: Bruce Perry, Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert, Dr Bruce Perry, discuss the impact of trauma and adverse experiences – and how healing must begin with a shift to asking 'What happened to you?' rather than 'What’s wrong with you?'.

Through wide-ranging and often deeply personal conversation, Oprah Winfrey and Dr Perry explore how what happens to us in early childhood – both good and bad – influences the people we become.

A simple change in perspective can open up a new and hopeful understanding about why we do the things we do, why we are the way we are – and provide a road map for repairing relationships, overcoming what seems insurmountable, and ultimately living better and more fulfilling lives.

Many of us experience adversity and trauma during childhood that has a lasting impact on our physical and emotional health. And as we’re beginning to understand, we are more sensitive to developmental trauma as children than we are as adults. ‘What happened to us’ in childhood is a powerful predictor of our risk for physical and mental health problems down the road, and offers scientific insights into the patterns of behaviours so many struggle to understand.

A survivor of multiple childhood challenges herself, Oprah Winfrey shares portions of her own harrowing experiences because she understands the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma at a young age.

Throughout her career, Oprah has teamed up with Dr Bruce Perry, one of the world’s leading experts on childhood trauma. He has treated thousands of children, youth, and adults and has been called on for decades to support individuals and communities following high-profile traumatic events.

Now, Oprah joins with Dr Perry to marry the power of storytelling with the science and clinical experience to better understand and overcome the effects of trauma.

Grounded in the latest brain science and brought to life through compelling narratives, What Happened to You? shines a light on a much-needed path to recovery – showing us our incredible capacity to transform after adversity.

Critic reviews

An incredible dialogue that bares the fundamental causes of trauma, and rightly turns the question of shame on its head and back to the environment. There is so much more we need to learn and this book is the perfect guide to reframing how we can act – through research, experience and compassion – in tomorrow's world. An essential read (Dr Camilla Pang, biochemist and author of Explaining Humans)

Revealing, intimate, and educational, it’s a testament to the authors’ wish for readers to come to grips with, and let go of, the past – and to move forward into 'post-traumatic wisdom' (Leigh Haber, O Magazine)

Brilliant.

Moving, riveting, filled with startling insights. Buy it. Listen to it. This audio book will save many damaged lives. Wish I could give 20 stars.

Fav new book!!

I'm definitely going to read this over and over again. Such a beautiful way to convey such important messages, through story and understanding.
I have begun applying some techniques to my horse training to build trust and get to the cortex. Thank you!

Amazing, Powerful, Deep

So many need to read this book. The depth of understanding childhood trauma, the mind and healing is a gift to all. The real life examples are heart Breaking but insightful. Understanding how we respond due to our childhood trauma is empowering. Thank you for this gift.

Essential reading

The work of Bruce Perry is remarkable

This is a remarkable book and Oprah is a fabulous partner to Dr Perry in this book

I was sad when it ended

Audiobook a better option than the actual book.

I expierenced a lot of light bulb moments listening to Oprah and Dr Perry.
Chapter 7 in particular.
I am going to listen to this audiobook often when I am feeling overwhelmed with my trauma recovery