In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some (2025) by Josh Gad
Josh Gad, an incredible performer and storyteller, narrates his own story–from childhood to fatherhood and speech and debate renown characters on stage and on film. His story traverses developmental trauma, generational trauma, forgiveness, humility and accountability, and living in accordance with his core values. As he describes a collection of roles he has played in his life, Gad paints a larger picture of a person who appears connected with his core sense of self, taking risks based on gut instincts and core values, and adapting to failures and leaning into his successes with immense gratitude. There is a rare authenticity that appears to emanate from this story that does not seem common among the entertainment industry or society at large. It is refreshing to witness.
How did I hear about this book: A non-therapist, and fellow book-loving friend, had been reading it.
Would I recommend it to colleagues: Sure
Would I recommend it to clients: Sure
How do I apply this content to my work: One of my approaches to healing (given my specialties around trauma and addiction) is to help my clients reconnect and/or realign with their core sense of self. So often, we can become fractured or disconnected from our core sense of self and build a facade of sorts to protect ourselves in service of survival. It is through my combined credentials/backgrounds as a social worker, addictions counselor, and dance/movement therapist that I am able to utilize both talk-therapy and body-based modalities as a way to integrate mind and body, integrate or realign fractured parts of their Self, and slowly release the facade as part of the course for healing. It is my experience (and from my understanding of my various training) that when a person is more aligned with their core sense of self, they are able to feel more safe, able to be more flexible, more adaptable, and more free–to take risks, to make mistakes, to learn and be curious, to experience success, and to be able to tolerate and appreciate the full extent to this full spectrum of experiences (positive, negative, and everything in between).
If you live in WA state and feel like your struggles as a result of trauma and/or addiction have led to feeling disconnected from your core sense of self or as though you are a “shell of yourself”, contact me. Let’s schedule a free 15-minute consultation and see if we might be a good fit to work together.
