Trauma Candy Salad

In this week’s episode of Trauma Candy Salad, we sit down together again to share three powerful and very different stories of survival, abandonment, and the quiet hurts that stay with us. • Runner Girl brought Tootsie Rolls and told us about the night she ran barefoot from her abuser, and how the bruises faded long before the fear. • Juniper shared her story with Jolly Ranchers by her side, about...

With Kyle away on vacation, Sammi and Ashley welcome back our good friend Jess for a deeply personal and raw episode of Trauma Candy Salad. Today’s stories explore the tangled complexities of identity, survival, and friendship—told through the eyes of three storytellers who have lived them. Grace shares her journey of growing up under the crushing weight of religious shame, learning to see love no...

🖤 This week on Trauma Candy Salad, we’re joined by a new guest host, Ivy, while Kyle is off on vacation. Sammi, Ashley, and Ivy bring three deeply personal stories to the table—each one a window into survival, resilience, and the quiet work of rebuilding after trauma. In today’s episode, you’ll hear: • A woman’s harrowing first date that ended in an assault—but also introduced her to the man who...

In this episode, the siblings of Trauma Candy Salad are back together to share three harrowing listener stories that explore what happens when the people meant to protect us become the ones who hurt us most. From childhood abuse and fear-driven obedience, to the loss of a mother struggling with addiction, to the pain of forced separation and emotional abandonment during a teen pregnancy, each stor...

While Ashley is out sick, Sammi’s best friend Jessica—who also happens to be Phil’s sister-in-law—steps in for a deeply meaningful episode. (Fun fact: without Jessica, there’d be no Trauma Candy Salad at all.) This week, we read three submissions that explore the quieter sides of trauma: emotional neglect in a marriage, caregiver guilt and exhaustion, and the lifelong ripple effects of childhood a...

Ashley’s out sick this week, so our producer Phil steps in to help share three stories about complicated love, quiet resilience, and the way our past can shape us. This one’s tender, a little heavy, and full of heart. 🍬 Follow us @TraumaCandySaladPod 🖤 Submit your story at TraumaCandySalad.comNeed support? You’re not alone. Here are some trusted mental health resources: • 988 Lifeline – Call or...

This one’s for the originals. 💌 Today we’re sharing stories from two of the first people who ever trusted us with their trauma—before Trauma Candy Salad was even a podcast. There’s childhood betrayal, broken bones, grief, and one very questionable car ride. But more than that, there’s survival—and the full-circle reminder that being believed can change everything. ⚠️ TW: Sexual abuse, neglect, su...

In this episode of Trauma Candy Salad, we’re diving into three unforgettable stories that remind us healing is rarely linear and sometimes it starts with a missed period, a fatal accident, or being forced to grow up too fast. From discovering you’re not the only one he’s raw-dogging (spoiler: he’s gross), to navigating grief, guilt, and complicated friendships, to a lifetime of generational trauma...

Some stories don’t end when the episode does. In this first installment of The Aftertaste , we revisit two unforgettable submissions—one about a mother who gave up her child and lied about it until her death, and another about a survivor who was sent on the road with her abuser by the very person who was supposed to protect her. These follow-ups go deeper, adding painful, powerful context and the...

Some stories change you. Others haunt you forever. In this emotionally charged episode of Trauma Candy Salad, Sammi, Ashley, and Kyle share three submissions that span the spectrum of human trauma - from a shocking tragedy rooted in PTSD, to a childhood lost to systemic abuse, to a soul-crushing toxic workplace. These are the kinds of stories that sit with you long after the episode ends. 💥 Trigg...

In part two of our Traumatic Birth Stories series, we dive even deeper into the devastating reality of being dismissed, unheard, and endangered while giving birth. From ignored pain and misdiagnosed conditions to fatal medical negligence, these stories reveal the brutal consequences when doctors refuse to listen. One mother nearly lost her life after a massive postpartum hemorrhage. Another was se...

In this emotionally charged two-part series, we dive deep into the raw and often overlooked reality of traumatic birth experiences. In Part One, Sammi, Kyle, and Ashley share listener-submitted stories that shine a light on the heartbreak, resilience, and chaos that can come with bringing life into the world. We hear from Erin, whose undiagnosed HELLP syndrome nearly ended in tragedy; from Holly,...

In this bittersweet episode of Trauma Candy Salad, Kyle, Sammi, and Ashley explore powerful listener stories about grief, healing, and unexpected joy. Through honest conversations and shared experiences, they highlight the strength it takes to move forward after loss. Despite heavy moments, this episode is filled with heart, connection, and hope. Tune in for a reminder that even in the darkest tim...

In this emotionally charged episode of Trauma Candy Salad, Sammi, Ashley, and Kyle share three powerful listener stories centered on parental abuse and toxic family dynamics. From emotional neglect to addiction and betrayal, these stories highlight the deep scars left by traumatic upbringings. The hosts reflect on the courage it takes to break the cycle and reclaim a sense of self. As always, each...

In the first episode of Trauma Candy Salad, siblings Sammi, Ashley, and Kyle share personal stories of mental health struggles, grief, and bullying. They use humor and connection to process pain, adding a touch of sweetness to life’s tougher moments. The episode also features a moving anonymous story from “Waterworks Willow,” who opens up about family loss and trauma. Tune in for honest reflection...

In this episode of Trauma Candy Salad, Sammi, Ashley, and Kyle share four powerful listener stories exploring loss, betrayal, abuse, and survival. From the grief of losing a beloved friend to the pain of domestic abuse, each story reveals the complex paths of healing. The hosts highlight the emotional weight of these experiences while honoring the resilience behind them. Through candid discussion,...