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Authors Episodes

These episodes feature a guest that is a published author!
3
Aug. 5, 2025

Healing Honestly

In this episode I speak with Alisa Zipursky about her book 'Healing Honestly,' a powerful resource for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Alisa and I discuss the legitimacy of traumatic memory, the harmful myth of False Memory Syndrome, and the journey of healing through self-acceptance and community support. Alisa shares insights on overcoming self-blame and self-shame, parenting as a survivor, and finding strength in connections. Whether you're a survivor yourself or supporting one, this ...
6
Oct. 17, 2023

Let Me Prey Upon You - Healing After Clergy Abuse

Sandy Phillips Kirkham is a survivor of clergy abuse and the author of, "Let Me Prey Upon You". Sandy was very active in her church growing up, her faith was the center of her life. When she was 16 her youth pastor groomed and manipulated her into a sexual relationship. After years of abuse she managed to exit the relationship and reclaim her life. Sandy kept her experience a secret for 27 years before she had to face it and begin her healing journey. Today Sandy is a strong advocate for survivo...
5
Aug. 30, 2022

Purity Culture is Grooming - Part 2

Part 2 of my conversation with Kaitlin Bellamy about what it was like for her growing up in the Mormon Church and the ways that purity culture contributed to the abuse she experienced in her marriage. Purity Culture grooms people to enable, accept, and perpetrate abuse. She shares her healing journey now that she is free to be her full, authentic self. Kaitlin Bellamy is a professional actor and young adult fantasy author with a hero complex currently living in Orlando, Florida. She is an avid ...
4
Aug. 16, 2022

Purity Culture is Grooming - Part 1

Kaitlin Bellamy shares what it was like for her growing up in the Mormon Church and discusses the ways that purity culture contributed to the abuse she experienced in her marriage. Purity Culture grooms people to enable, accept, and perpetrate abuse and assault. She shares her healing journey now that she is free to be her full, authentic self. Kaitlin Bellamy is a professional actor and young adult fantasy author with a hero complex currently living in Orlando, Florida. She is an avid collecto...
11
Dec. 22, 2021

Cult Recovery - Healing After NXIVM

Kelly Thiel exited the notorious NXIVM cult and shares her journey with healing and deprogramming in the aftermath of indoctrination. She has taken her power back and is helping others to do the same. Kelly is an accomplished voice actress, author, speaker, consultant, and the driving force behind her new platform, Be Glorious. Kelly was a member of the NXIVM cult and after exiting she appeared in the critically acclaimed documentary “Seduced”. She is set to release her first book in January 202...
Guest: Kelly Thiel
10
Dec. 8, 2021

Thriving After Sexual Abuse

Denise Bossarte is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and now she is helping others heal. Join us for a conversation about Denise's healing journey as well as her beautiful book, "Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Break Your Bondage to the Past and Live a Life You Love". Denise Bossarte is an award-winning writer, poet, photographer, and artist. Denise is a certified meditation facilitator and contemplative arts teacher. She is an IT professional working for a large urban school district. Denise ho...
6
Aug. 12, 2021

Rise Above Your Story

Join me for a beautiful talk with Sandra Cooze. Sandra is an intuitive mentor and coach, spiritual advisor, advanced soul realignment practitioner, jewelry designer, loving wife and mother, and the author of, “Journey to Your Self, How to Heal from Trauma, Written by Someone Who Did”. We discuss her book, her healing journey, her coaching practice, crystal healing, reiki, TIR trigger release, ancestral healing, and the Akashic records. I forgot to mention it in the episode but Finding OK is 2 y...
Guest: Sandra Cooze
2
June 9, 2021

Healing in the Wake of Addiction

NJ Lechnir joins me to discuss his book, "Addiction, Loss and Recovery: How to Deeply Understand the Mindset of Addictive Behavior and Win the Battle". NJ shares the difficulties of growing up with an alcoholic father, his struggles with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and how he has transformed former areas of insecurity into strengths that he shares with others. NJ is the author of two self-published books titled, Addiction Loss and Recovery: How to Deeply Understand the Mindset o...
Guest: NJ Lechnir
29
March 10, 2021

Raven Transcending Fear

Terri Kozlowski joins me to discuss her new book, "Raven Transcending Fear". Terri is a writer, educator, leader, artist, life coach, podcaster, blogger, and a proud Native American of the Athabaskan, Gwich'in Tribe - Raven Clan. Terri is a survivor of childhood sexual assault and trauma. She shares her healing journey, her reclamation of authentic self, her decision to be a survivor rather than a victim, her daily personal practice, and her decision to choose love over fear. Tw/Cw: Sexual assa...
26
Feb. 17, 2021

Healing the Survivors

Jacquelyn Weis is the author of, "Healing the Survivors - 8 Steps to Whole-Self Healing". She is a member of the Northwestern Band Shoshone Nation, a Certified Emotion Code Practitioner, Body Code Practitioner, T3 Therapist, Native Herbalist, Native Holistic Healer, mother, and wife. Jacquelyn shares how strong women, community support, cultural practices, and holistic healing modalities saved her life and helped her heal after her traumas. We discuss generational/ancestral trauma, the Missing a...
23
Jan. 27, 2021

The Secrets of My Mother - Breaking Free from Generational Curses and Trauma

Janitta Nichols is a speaker, writer, and the author of, "The Secrets of My Mother - Breaking Free from Generational Curses and Trauma". Janitta is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and she shares her healing process. Janitta left her career as a police officer behind to speak her truth. She is breaking the cycle for her family with faith, love, courage, and forgiveness. Tw/Cw: Trauma, PTSD, abuse, childhood sexual abuse, substances and addiction, depression, suicide, religion, spirituality,...
21
Jan. 13, 2021

Laughs On Wry

Lisa David Olson is a speaker, creative coach, podcaster, comedian, and the author of the book, "Laughs On Wry - An Improviser's Memoir". Lisa loves connecting with people through humor, laughing, pranking, being brave, hot yoga, coffee, and embarrassing her kids. She is always on the lookout for more of her favorite people: weirdos. Tw/Cw: Trauma, abuse, child abuse, PTSD, alcoholism, substances, death, weight, and the pandemic. Website http://www.lisadavidolson.com/ Laughs on Wry - An Impro...
20
Jan. 6, 2021

bathtub in flames

Bailee Noella is the author of "bathtub in flames" and creator of Cyno Apparel, the streetwear line taking shame out of mental health conditions. Join me as I talk to her about her writing process and her healing process. Tw/Cw: Trauma, abuse, childhood sexual assault, OCD, PTSD, substances, the pandemic, racism and sexism in Medicine, and spirituality. bathtub in flames: https://www.amazon.com/bathtub-flames-Bailee-Noella-ebook/dp/B08Q8HJ8TD/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bathtub+in+flames+bail...
Guest: Bailee Noella
8
Oct. 7, 2020

The Ugliest Word with Annie Margis

Annie Margis talks about her new book, The Ugliest Word. Annie is a survivor of childhood incest and her work is helping to break the silence and challenge the taboo. Annie and I talk about her passions and pursuits, how writing can help you heal, and the importance of connecting with other survivors. Annie's website. Please check out the Fact Sheet! It's an amazing resource! https://www.theugliestword.com/ An amazing E-Zine for survivors. This issue has a wonderful article about Annie where y...
Guest: Annie Margis