Hilary Momberger-Powers—best known as the original voice of Sally Brown in the Peanuts cartoons—shares the raw truth of what came after childhood fame: trauma, addiction, and ultimately recovery. In this first part of our conversation, Hilary and host Sacha Holder unpack what it means to stop leading with your wounds, how childhood survival roles become adult identities, and why stability starts with the simplest acts of self-care.

In this episode:

• The cost of perfection and people-pleasing
• How trauma scripts shape our adult choices
• Recognizing the “trauma character” we build to survive
• Stabilizing with HALT — Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
• Moving from survival mode into belonging

Key Takeaways

• We build “trauma characters” that mask pain until we face the wound.
• Stabilization is spiritual: eat, rest, connect, breathe.
• Freedom starts when you own your part without self-blame.
• You don’t erase the past—you befriend it.

Pull Quotes

• “I wasn’t broken—I was fractured. And fractures heal stronger.”
• “Your wound can’t drive if you stop handing it the keys.”
• “Little-by-little beats ‘all of a sudden.’ Every time.”

⚠️ Content Note

This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, sexual abuse, addiction, and recovery in the context of healing and resilience. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are tender for you, please take care of yourself as you listen, pause when needed, and reach out for support if anything resonates too closely.

Connect:

Where to find Hilary:

• Website: https://www.hilarypowers.com/
• Follow Hilary:
• 📱Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/hilarymombergerpowers/]
• 📺YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hilary+momberger]
• 📺TikTok: [https://www.tiktok.com/@hilarympowers]
• 📱LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-momberger-powers-078a604/]

• 🎙 Guest inquiries: bookings [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 📬 Get in touch: heythere [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 🎙 More episodes & info: [https://the-high-functioning-disaster.captivate.fm/]
• 🎙 Discover more podcasts by Holder Haus Media: [https://holder-haus-media.captivate.fm/]
• 📱 Follow on IG: @thehighfunctioningdisaster [https://instagram.com/thehighfunctioningdisaster]
• 📺 Watch on YouTube: Uploads coming soon! [https://www.youtube.com/@HolderHausMedia]
• 💜 When I’m not podcasting, I’m also a Scentsy Consultant of 10+ years. If you’re into fragrance and cozy vibes, you can find my shop here: [https://sachasmells.com]

Keywords

Hilary Momberger-Powers, Sally Brown, Peanuts, trauma healing, recovery, resilience, self-worth, stability, HALT, mind-body connection, inner child work

🎧 Next time, Hilary opens up about reinvention as a calling — not a midlife crisis. She’ll share how a spontaneous trip to Australia taught her to “do it scared,” why changing “I have to” into “I get to” shifts everything, and how service and community help us heal what spotlight never could. Part 2 drops next week — make sure you’re subscribed!

👉 Make sure you’re subscribed to The High-Functioning Disaster so you don’t miss this next chapter.