How Healthcare Works, LLC

Some people say cruel or antagonistic things and then excuse it as “just trying to see what you think” or “just testing you.” I’ve had people in my life do exactly that—saying no one loved me, telling me I had no worth, or suggesting I should take jobs far below my ability. One even told me to go walk three to five miles in freezing temperatures. Their reasoning? They wanted me to argue back so they could see what I really thought or cared about. Cognitive dissonance and emotional investment can be useful teaching tools. However, they can become emotional manipulation and psychological abuse when used to trigger trauma.  On the surface, this kind of behavior might look like intellectual curiosity. In reality, it is manipulative—and it’s especially harmful to someone who has been psychologically and emotionally abused or who lives with PTSD. And it doesn’t just happen with “friends.” It happens at work, with family, and in all kinds of relationships. To understand why it’s so damagi...

by Jeanette R. Harrison, BA, Sec. Ed., MPH  “ You haven’t used your master’s degree in 30 years.” That’s what someone told me recently. And for a split second, I let it bother me. I was reeling down the rabbit hole. But then I realized — that comment wasn’t about me. It was about their attempt to make me feel less than. I call it lowest common denominator thinking.  Even before I started a business, I have had “haters.” I was told by peers when I first applied to graduate school that I wouldn’t get in. I was told what made me think I could write a walking book. I heard all kinds of negativity throughout my life. I did all of it anyway. Not to spite them. But to achieve my own goals.  Here’s the reality: I have used my degree. In powerful, meaningful, and unconventional ways. * As an  Administrative Fellow, learning how healthcare works from the inside out reporting to the CEO and COO of a seven hospital health system.  * As a Senior Quality Data Coordinator, imp...

By Jeanette R. Harrison Over the past five years, my life has been a relentless struggle—one that many people never see. I’m sharing my story not for pity, but to shed light on what it truly means to fight every day when support is scarce, and cruelty is often the loudest voice. 2020: When My World Fell Apart During the pandemic, my ex kicked me out of our home so his new girlfriend—now his wife—could move in. I arrived in Idaho with nothing but my dog, two suitcases, a few boxes, and $2,400 in palimony—less than 50 cents a day for a 12-year relationship. No furniture, no savings, and no safety net. People didn’t understand that not every state is a community property state like Idaho, and that laws about divorce, common law marriage, and property rights differ widely from state to state. Because of that confusion, many assumed I was lying or misrepresenting my situation. I was treated like it was my fault. I had to survive on small “gifts” from friends—barely enough to get by. For 15 ...

by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH The Real Tampon Tax I'm in my 50s. All the same, a few weeks ago, I found myself in a familiar predicament: I needed a tampon. I had a spare in my purse, but I knew that wasn't going to last me all day. None of the bathrooms at work had tampons. I had barely started this job, so I didn’t want to walk up to a complete stranger to ask for one. I thought, “I’ll go to a public restroom and get one.” No such luck. There were disposal containers for feminine hygiene products—but no actual products. Moreover, a lot of the bathrooms were locked, or you had to stand in an hour-long line at a restaurant just to get a key. I finally found a store that sold tampons. It was $13 for a box of six. That’s over $2 a tampon. That’s charging women almost 10 times more for something they need for their health and hygiene. That’s what I call the tampon tax . Photo is AI-generated Access to period products isn't a luxury. It's a basic need. No one should have to...

Maybe it wasn’t narcissism—maybe the person was just a jerk. Or maybe you were. Lately, I’ve seen an uptick in people marketing things like “Healing from Narcissistic Abuse Yoga” or claiming that hypnosis, meditation, or certain sound bytes will “erase” the trauma of narcissistic abuse. While these offers might sound appealing — especially when you’re in pain and desperate for healing — they can be misleading at best and harmful at worst. Let’s talk about why. Being outside in nature does have healing properties, as does outdoor yoga. However, healing from any kind of trauma takes a lot of time and work. Narcissism Isn’t as Common as Social Media Says First, some clarity. True Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) affects an estimated 0.5% to 5% of the population, depending on the study and diagnostic criteria used. That’s not nothing — but it’s a far cry from what social media would have you believe. These days, it seems like anyone who was mean to you, lacked empathy, or didn’t val...

 by Jeanette R. Harrison After months of silence, I’m sharing the story no one wanted me to tell — of walking 50 miles after pneumonia, being mocked for surviving, and now facing eviction over a $160 payment discrepancy. This isn’t just a blog post. It’s a truth some people never wanted me to say out loud. I haven’t written about any of this since May. Not because nothing has happened — but because I’ve been walking on eggshells. Literally and figuratively. I started an entry-level job at a clinic after six weeks of being unemployed and recovering from pneumonia. I had to borrow money just to get to the job. When I asked for help, I was told, “Your transportation issues aren’t our problem.” Someone even told me I should walk -- because I wrote a walking book. But, I had just recovered from pneumonia. I could finally breathe again, but I still had a persistent cough and a weakened body. My apartment manager wouldn’t give me an accommodation because she said I’d already used my “...

by Jeanette R. Harrison  When Success Doesn’t Pay the Rent: The Cost of Living a Public-Private Life From the outside, I look successful. I’m an author. I’ve published books people actually read. I’ve created an online course. I speak about healing, health, and resilience. I’ve been featured on podcasts, in magazines, have a strong following on social media, and when people find my work, they often say, “This helped me.” But behind that public-facing life — there’s another reality. This weekend, I sat in my apartment with a three-day notice taped to the door. I spent the last few days scrambling to find ways to bring in money — not for luxuries, but for survival. Rent. Groceries. The basics. I’m running a business with national reach and scraping by at the same time. I work a technically entry-level day job, and while I’m grateful for the competitive wage, it’s not utilizing all of my skills. It’s not my passion. And it’s not enough — because I’m starting from behind. Again. ...