Growing Tall Poppies Podcast Season 2, Episode 23

Rise Above Borders: The Untold Story of Trauma, Identity & Leading Boldly as a Migrant Woman

Podcast| Growing Tall Poppies| Season 2
July 07, 2025•2 min read

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast: Season 02, Episode 23 (#64)

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In this week’s episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr Nat Green sits down with the remarkable Dr Selma Music - clinical psychologist, neuroscientist, confidence and visibility coach, and founder of Rise Above Borders.

Selma’s story is one of resilience, identity loss, and post-traumatic growth. A survivor of the Bosnian War, a refugee, and the eldest daughter of migrants, Selma brings deep wisdom to the conversation as she shares how trauma shaped her sense of self - and how she reclaimed her voice, joy, and leadership without abandoning her roots.

Together, we explore the quiet burdens so many carry - especially migrant women - and how healing visibility wounds is essential for safe, authentic leadership.

This conversation is raw, honest, and full of hope for anyone who has ever felt they needed to shrink to belong.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • How trauma and displacement shaped Selma’s early life and sense of identity

  • The unseen weight of being the eldest daughter in a migrant family

  • The importance of reclaiming playfulness, joy, and authentic self-expression

  • How imposter syndrome can serve as a survival strategy, not just a mindset issue

  • Why trauma-informed leadership is essential for sustainable, values-led success

  • The role of community - not just therapy - in long-term healing and growth

Episode Highlights & Takeaways

  • Trauma can shape how visible and safe we feel in the world - but it doesn’t have to keep us hidden

  • Authentic leadership means leading as your whole self, without betrayal of your values

  • Imposter syndrome often has roots in survival, not self-sabotage

  • Healing doesn’t happen in isolation - community matters

  • Joy, connection, and playfulness are essential parts of post-traumatic growth

Learn More & Connect with Dr Selma Music

Want to dive deeper into Dr Selma's work? Here’s how to connect with her:

Rise Above Borders offers trauma-informed confidence and visibility coaching for migrant women, creating safe spaces to lead, rise, and belong without apology.

Next Episode

👉 S02E24: Coming Soon!

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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast

Hosted by Dr Nat Green, this podcast empowers individuals to rise above trauma and create lasting transformation. Each episode features inspiring stories, expert advice, and practical strategies to help you break free from adversity, build confidence, and thrive. Tune in for real conversations that inspire personal growth and resilience.