Unspoken

In this episode of Unspoken, Kate Earley shares her original poem The Ghostwriter—a haunting yet tender exploration of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Written from the perspective of multiple parts—Laura, the precise nurse; Kirsha, the fiery advocate; and the Night Detective who keeps vigil—the poem captures what it feels like to discover emails you don’t remember writing, and to...

What happens when you wake up mid-scene in a life you don’t fully recognize—and are expected to perform like you do? In Half Drawn Poem, Kate Earley gives voice to the strange choreography of dissociation: the small smile, the polite laugh, the way you speak clearly even when you don’t know where you are. It’s about the girl inside who never left—just curled up, waiting for the floor to dry. With...

In this episode, Kate shares The Season of Almost—a spoken word poem that weaves together trauma recovery, dissociation, and the quiet return to the body through nature and stillness. Set in a forest clearing where winter begins to thaw, the piece explores themes of belonging, sensory grounding, and the longing for gentle connection. This is a poem for anyone suspended in the in-between. For those...

In this compelling episode, we present “A Sacred Relic,” a poem that delves into the complexities of structural dissociation within the framework of a Catholic upbringing. This piece addresses themes of trauma, religious-induced guilt, and the protective mechanisms of fragmented identities, offering profound insights for those navigating Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and the enduring effect...

In this tender spoken word piece, I Walk Slow for Her, Kate explores the delicate process of inner child healing and integration after trauma. With careful, intentional pacing, she describes slowing down for the youngest, most vulnerable parts of herself—the ones still waking up, still remembering, and still learning to trust safety. This poem offers a powerful reflection on reparenting, patience,...

In this powerful spoken word poem, we explore the complex experience of dissociation, identity fragmentation, and the search for inner peace. “Co-Consciousness” delves into the subtle yet profound moments of losing oneself, where the body continues to function, but the mind slips away into a space of quiet relief. Through haunting imagery and vivid descriptions, we witness the internal struggle of...

In this powerful episode of Unspoken, we dive deep into the haunting reality of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) through the poetic narrative of “Fragments at Midnight.” This poem captures the visceral experience of internal longing, protection, and pain as different parts within one mind struggle to navigate unmet needs, relentless guilt, and the battle for safety. Through vivid imagery and e...

In this deeply evocative spoken word poetry episode, The Library of Lost Stories explores the hidden spaces of the mind—where memories are locked away, voices go unheard, and exile parts linger in silence. Through haunting imagery of an untouched library and the quiet, desperate knocking of forgotten children, this poem delves into the experience of dissociative identity disorder (DID), the weight...

In this poignant episode, we delve into “A House with Too Many Doors,” a spoken word poem that explores the profound effects of dissociation on personal relationships. The narrative centers on the disorienting experience of discovering words you’ve written but don’t remember—words that abruptly end a decade-long friendship filled with shared laughter, late-night conversations, and cherished memori...

In this evocative episode of Unspoken, we present “Stained Glass,” a spoken word poem that delves into the intricate beauty and profound pain of fragmentation. The poem vividly portrays how a self, once whole, transforms into a mosaic of survival, reflecting the experiences of those living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), navigating trauma healing, and managing PTSD. Through rich imagery...

In this compelling episode, we present “Not Like That,” a raw and powerful spoken word piece that challenges widespread misconceptions about Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Often misrepresented in media as sudden transformations or chaotic behavior, DID is, in reality, a complex and nuanced survival response to severe trauma. This poem delves into the true nature of DID, portraying it as a n...

Welcome to Season 3 of Unspoken, a podcast where we explore the untold stories of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). In this season opener, we dive deep into what it’s really like to navigate life with DID, sharing authentic experiences of trauma recovery, system communication, and the complexities of dissociation. Whether you’re newly diagnosed with DID, supporting someone with a d...

What happens when the body learns its own name through injury? This spoken word poem is a raw, intimate exploration of childhood sexual trauma, the violence of withheld language, and the deep ache of being met with silence instead of care. “Humiliation Is a Soft Word” is for every survivor who was denied softness, and for anyone who has ever flinched at the alphabet. Copyright ©2025 Kate Earley Mu...

In this deeply personal spoken-word episode, Rachel shares “Forgive Me, Father,” a confessional poem exploring the weight of childhood trauma, false guilt, and the silence that followed. Through vivid imagery—soft wood banisters, red velvet kneelers, broken absolution—this piece embodies both innocence and resilience. Copyright ©2025 Kate Earley Music: Adagietto by Arash Safaian & Sebastian Kn...

In this episode, Kate shares Soft Cage, a raw and lyrical meditation on how trauma lives in the body. Through somatic imagery, memory without words, and the quiet terror of dissociation, she explores what it means to survive pelvic trauma—and what it costs to stay. This piece holds space for chronic pain, CPTSD, and the moments when remembering feels as dangerous as forgetting. For anyone learning...

In this raw and haunting spoken word poem, Kate gives voice to the often unspoken experience of childhood medical trauma. “I Couldn’t Spell My Name Yet” traces the confusion, compliance, and quiet terror of a pelvic exam being performed on a child too young to understand what was happening. Through vivid sensory details and lyrical precision, this piece explores the language of silence, the impact...

In this raw and haunting spoken word piece, Throat Armoring explores the physical and emotional experience of surviving trauma through the body’s instinct to silence itself. With vivid imagery of scalene muscles seizing, words dying in the throat, and emotional aphasia, this poem captures the invisible battle between survival and expression. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to stay silent, the fea...

In this raw and resonant spoken word poem, Kate Earley gives voice to the often invisible wounds of emotional neglect. Echoes explores the silence left behind when care is never modeled, when comfort is absent, and when love must be rewritten from scratch. Through vivid imagery and embodied language, the poem asks the questions so many survivors carry: What does care sound like? What does it feel...

In this haunting and lyrical piece, Kate explores the concept of frisson—those chills that once meant beauty, awe, and music—and how trauma can transform them into signals of fear, memory, and survival. Through vivid imagery and somatic truth, Frisson traces the blurred lines between emotional flashbacks and body memory, between what once felt sacred and what now feels sharp. This episode speaks t...

In this hauntingly reflective episode of Unspoken, Kate shares her spoken word poem Where the Vines Lead. This piece explores the fractured landscape of childhood trauma, the confusion of partial memory, and the aching weight of what the body remembers when the mind cannot. Through imagery of ivy-covered fences, creaking stairs, and winding vines that lead nowhere—and everywhere—Kate gives voice t...

In Body of Christ, spoken word artist Kate navigates the deeply personal journey of trauma, guilt, and the quest for healing. Through powerful religious imagery and raw emotion, this poem explores the disconnect felt in the body after trauma and the struggle for absolution. Kate uses the metaphor of communion to express how faith, guilt, and forgiveness intertwine. Themes of body autonomy, silence...

In this powerful spoken word episode, “The Body Knows” unravels the primal language of trauma. Listen as we explore how seemingly innocuous triggers—a familiar scent, a wall color, or a neighborhood memory—can send our bodies into a state beyond simple freezing. Delving into the survival responses of fight, flight, freeze, and feign death, the poem reveals how our ancient amygdala, forged millions...

In this evocative episode, we delve into the profound themes of guilt, redemption, and the yearning for absolution within the context of Catholicism. “The Weight of a Rosary” examines the intricate interplay between Catholic guilt and personal trauma, highlighting how doctrines of purity can leave survivors grappling with unwarranted shame. Through the sensory experiences of prayer—the rhythmic re...

Discover the lasting impact of childhood trauma in The Past is Still Here, a raw, spoken word poetry podcast that dives deep into developmental trauma, recovery, and trauma treatment. This season unpacks how early-life abuse, neglect, and unresolved trauma continue to shape the body and influence the present. Through powerful storytelling and authentic emotion, we reflect on survival, healing, and...

In this raw and haunting spoken word poem, Kate explores the intersection of global health work, mental illness, and the quiet desire to disappear. At twenty-four, she volunteered in war zones—not because she wanted to die, but because she didn’t care if she lived. Through vivid scenes from West Africa to Central America, she unpacks what it means to be praised for bravery while silently battling...