HeadCase co-founder Dean MacIsaac on how childhood trauma shapes adulthood

HeadCase co-founder Dean MacIsaac on how childhood trauma shapes adulthood

  • Ages 18+

An honest talk on growing up with divorce—and the quiet ways it echoes into adulthood. Real talk, real impact.

By HeadCase

Date and time

Tuesday, June 10 · 6 - 8pm NDT.

Location

The Battery Cafe

1 Duckworth Street St. John's, NL A1C 1E3 Canada

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 hours
  • Ages 18+
  • Free venue parking

At HeadCase, we create space for honest conversations about mental health — the kind that don’t usually happen in boardrooms, group chats, or even with close friends.

This month, co-founder Dean MacIsaac steps forward to share his own story.

Dean grew up in a home shaped by instability, emotional distance, and divorce. Like many of us, he thought he’d left it behind — until the patterns of his youth started showing up in adulthood: in how he saw himself, how he related to others, and how he handled stress, failure, and love.

In this session, Dean unpacks how he’s come to understand the lasting impact of a chaotic upbringing — and what it’s taken to begin healing from it.

We’ll begin with a personal talk, followed by a relaxed conversation and open-floor Q&A. You don’t need to have lived the same story to see parts of your own in it.

What to expect:

  • A raw, relatable reflection on childhood trauma and adult identity
  • Language for things you may have felt but never named
  • A space where being honest is more important than being polished

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to speak or share?

No, you don’t have to speak or share. You're welcome to just listen. HeadCase events are a supportive space, and participation is entirely optional.

What is Headcase?

HeadCase is a community initiative that creates safe, stigma-free spaces for professionals to talk about mental health. This session isn’t therapy or a support group — it’s an open, honest conversation designed to normalize the emotional challenges many founders and professionals face.

Is this a panel or keynote?

No — it’s a live, informal conversation. Think of it more like a fireside chat, followed by optional open discussion. It’s meant to feel human, grounded, and real.

Will this session be recorded?

No. To encourage honesty and privacy, this session will not be recorded or shared publicly.

Do I need to prepare anything?

No preparation needed. Just bring yourself. There will be time to listen, reflect, and optionally participate in discussion.

Is this a therapy session?

No — this is not group therapy or a clinical setting. HeadCase is about community, storytelling, and shared experience — not diagnosis or treatment.

Who is this session for?

This session is for anyone who grew up around emotional instability or is starting to see how childhood shaped their adult life. If you've ever asked, "Why am I like this?"—this conversation is for you.

Organized by

HeadCase

We aim to bring people together; give a sense of community and remind them they are not alone on their mental health journey.

FreeJun 10 · 6:00 PM GMT-2:30