Survivors - Stories of Hope Live On.

In Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom, Susan Gold reveals a challenging personal journey and path to create a new perspective to thrive in life and share with others who may have had similar childhood experiences. After living with force on both coasts, Susan now quietly resides in the NW corner of the mythical state of Montana bathed in nature with her beloved partner...

Elizabeth was adopted from birth, and adoption always comes with trauma. It wasn't until I got into violent relationships that she knew for sure that she had been traumatized. One man gave her a head injury to the point her skull was showing, he strangled her until her air way was collapsing in on itself. Trying to escape him she ended up with drug charges and was sent to prison. There she was...

Crystal overcame childhood sexual trauma, 20+ year drug use, homelessness, narcissistic relationships, codependency, and more. She suffered from extreme victim-hood, C-PTSD, and is now in the process of overcoming a life long weight issue and food attachments. She's done the hard work, and now she's ready to help others do the same. This interview will impact your life in ways unimaginable...

Originally from the soggy, moss-covered splendor of the Pacific Northwest, award-winning author DP Denman writes addictive, character-driven romance that is guaranteed to pull you in and hold you hostage to the last word. She is also a trauma survivor and tireless advocate for mental health and suicide awareness. Her journey has taken her into the classrooms of local schools to teach youth new way...

Tyler grew up homeless and abused by his father for the first ten years of his life. Instead of the comfortable beds like most kids are accustomed to, he slept on cold benches and in hotel rooms. His father was verbally and physically abusive toward him. Tyler was constantly made to feel like a lesser person. This led way to quite a few mental health disorders that stem from that kind of trauma, b...

Not only did Howard survive stage 4 cancer, but he had two DIFFERENT stage 4 cancers at different times in his life. This man took the idea of being a survivor to a whole new level, and you guys don't want to miss this incredible story.  This is the FIRST EVER video episode! I know the podcast didn't have any new episodes for a couple weeks, but I was struggling with things and finally got it...

I wanted to take a moment to recap the season before the year ends. I know many people will be traveling this holiday season and won't have the time to listen to my podcast but I didn't want to leave you with empty spaces on the calendar the way I did for Thanksgiving. So instead, this is your Christmas special! After the quick recap, I'm going to answer the questions that I ask of everyone else,...

She's no stranger to heartache, but author and mentor Michelle Rohlf understands the pain of separation and estrangement better than most. Through a lot of self-work, she now understands more about her own trauma response and how she needed to work with her daughter in forgiveness and love. She's a remarkable woman, and I'm honored to have her on the show.  Michelle Rohlf has spent a lifetime...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Jami Christine was planning an at home birth for her first child. She had an overwhelming fear of hospitals, and a deep desire to give birth naturally. Unfortunately, life often pokes holes in the best made plans. Her son got stuck while Jami was in labor and she was se...

Artist  and author Nicole Hanson empowers Christians to draw near to God by  providing visual cues to remind them of Biblical truth and God’s  character. Her book, 1 John: On Love, Obedience, and Side Effects  of Salvation journies through the letter, supplying the reader with 23  unique paintings to serve as visual cues. She also paints custom  watercolors for Christ...

Lori A. Peters, MS, LPC, NCC, CCTP-II, CGP is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania, a National Certified Counselor, a Level 2 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Grief Professional. Lori also has a background in journalism and was a reporter and editor for various media for several years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State Universi...

Today’s guest is Dacia Arnold. Dacia is an army veteran who served in Baghdad ER For 15 months during the surge. She was published in the New York Times and Full Magazine Volume III. She’s written about her experiences and I’m honored to have her on the show! This episode is a one hour special dedicated to Veterans Day. To all those who have, who are, or who will serve in one of the branches of th...

Jasmine is a personal hero of mine and I don't believe you'll be surprised when I tell you why. Not only did she survive unspeakable assaults while in the military, but this incredible woman did a lot of counter trafficking work when she was in the military, too. She worked with Intel mostly, so she didn't get to talk to many of the survivors. She's struggled with self-hate and despair thinking ab...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Sofia Aves is a USA Today Best Selling Romance Author! You'd never know it but she’s also a domestic violence survivor and has PTSD as a result. On top of all that, she’s also a wife to a veteran with PTSD, and their different forms of PTSD are the main focus of her boo...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Maureen Campion is a licensed family therapist who went through some pretty severe birthing trauma with her first child. She's since overcome her past and has helped countless others to do the same. She said her greatest inspiration has been her clients who teach her mo...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Bianca Ambrosio grew up in a broken home. Her mother and father got married when her mother was 8 months pregnant and her father was in prison. She was raised by family members but through some unusual circumstances, Bianca was almost trafficked when she was only four y...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Layla’s books are all fiction, but she has written about things that have affected her greatly: foster care, adoption, infertility - a lot of difficult subjects for so many women worldwide. She’s come a long way down the road of recovery and I’m proud to have her on the...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. September is Suicide Awareness month. On this final Friday of September I'd like to introduce you to a remarkable young woman who has faced and fought so much suicide in her life. She's remarkable. Mason Carlisle is a child sexual abuse survivor, child abuse survivor, s...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Tonight’s podcast episode is going to contain a bit more of a trigger warning. As some of you know, September is Suicide Awareness month. My guest today, Maria Burgess, lost her son to suicide. We’re going to be discussing the impact that had on her, and on her entire f...

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and how they found writing to be healing. Sherrie Pate was impacted by the passing of her mother in ways most people can’t imagine. Sherrie and her family experienced stress, abandonment, isolation, character assignation, prejudice, suicidal thoughts, homelessness and hunger.  I’ll let Sherrie tell you the...

My earliest memories surfaced in my 20s in such a violent way that couldn’t understand them for a long time. Now that I do, they’ve driven a wedge between myself and my family that will likely never be altered or removed. This weeks podcast cover photo is a photo of me at around 4 years old. Subscribe to the podcast for less than a DOLLAR a month to hear the entire book in archived episodes! https...

I recently wrote my entire autobiography. Now, I’m ready to share it. Welcome to my 10 year anniversary of freedom. CUSTOM JUSTICE - a note from the author.

Human trafficking seems to be what everyone is talking about lately but from the point of view of degrees and legal groundwork. Very few survivors are willing to speak up. That’s where I come in.