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142: Beneath the Surface: Courage, Healing, and Finding Strength with Esther Collas
In this deeply moving episode of the Full of Words podcast, Sue Kennedy speaks with Esther Collas—film industry professional, writer, and advocate—whose powerful voice is helping to reshape how we understand trauma, resilience, and recovery. Esther shares her journey from experiencing sexual assault and enduring the challenges of the legal system, to finding healing through self-acceptance, storytelling, and the sea.
Esther opens up about the realities survivors face both inside and outside the courtroom, the long and often nonlinear process of healing, and why she no longer identifies as a “victim” or “survivor,” but simply as herself. Together, Sue and Esther explore the importance of community, the courage it takes to speak out, and how growth can emerge—not from erasing pain—but from acknowledging it and learning to live fully again.
You will walk away with a deeper understanding of empathy, the power of language in healing, and how self-forgiveness can become the foundation for true freedom.
Listen now!
Highlights:
- (01:20) Esther’s introduction and her decision to speak openly about her experience.
- (04:33) The reality of legal systems and the biases survivors face in courtrooms.
- (07:43) Understanding invisible trauma and the impact of “bruises on the inside.”
- (11:49) Letting go of the idea that “everything happens for a reason.”
- (14:58) The role of acceptance and self-awareness in the healing process.
- (16:46) Writing and speaking as tools for recovery and advocacy.
- (27:30) Redefining forgiveness and releasing anger without losing strength.
- (35:29) A message to survivors: healing is not about returning to who you were—it’s about discovering who you can become.
Sue Kennedy Links:
Website:authoracademy.com.au
LinkedIn:Sue Kennedy Book Coaching Expert
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/TheNo1AuthorAcademy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/authoracademycollective
Twitter: thauthoracademy
Email:[email protected]
Booking Link: https://suekennedy.as.me/complimentarysession
Catherine James Links:
Website:catherinejames.au
LinkedIn:Catherine (CJ) James
Facebook:
Catherine James Creative
https://www.facebook.com/groups/doinitdaily/
Instagram:@catherinejamescreative
Email: [email protected]
Booking Link: https://catherinejames.au/contact
Guest Link:
https://www.instagram.com/changingcurrents.co/
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By Sue Kennedy and Catherine JamesIn this deeply moving episode of the Full of Words podcast, Sue Kennedy speaks with Esther Collas—film industry professional, writer, and advocate—whose powerful voice is helping to reshape how we understand trauma, resilience, and recovery. Esther shares her journey from experiencing sexual assault and enduring the challenges of the legal system, to finding healing through self-acceptance, storytelling, and the sea.
Esther opens up about the realities survivors face both inside and outside the courtroom, the long and often nonlinear process of healing, and why she no longer identifies as a “victim” or “survivor,” but simply as herself. Together, Sue and Esther explore the importance of community, the courage it takes to speak out, and how growth can emerge—not from erasing pain—but from acknowledging it and learning to live fully again.
You will walk away with a deeper understanding of empathy, the power of language in healing, and how self-forgiveness can become the foundation for true freedom.
Listen now!
Highlights:
- (01:20) Esther’s introduction and her decision to speak openly about her experience.
- (04:33) The reality of legal systems and the biases survivors face in courtrooms.
- (07:43) Understanding invisible trauma and the impact of “bruises on the inside.”
- (11:49) Letting go of the idea that “everything happens for a reason.”
- (14:58) The role of acceptance and self-awareness in the healing process.
- (16:46) Writing and speaking as tools for recovery and advocacy.
- (27:30) Redefining forgiveness and releasing anger without losing strength.
- (35:29) A message to survivors: healing is not about returning to who you were—it’s about discovering who you can become.
Sue Kennedy Links:
Website:authoracademy.com.au
LinkedIn:Sue Kennedy Book Coaching Expert
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/TheNo1AuthorAcademy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/authoracademycollective
Twitter: thauthoracademy
Email:[email protected]
Booking Link: https://suekennedy.as.me/complimentarysession
Catherine James Links:
Website:catherinejames.au
LinkedIn:Catherine (CJ) James
Facebook:
Catherine James Creative
https://www.facebook.com/groups/doinitdaily/
Instagram:@catherinejamescreative
Email: [email protected]
Booking Link: https://catherinejames.au/contact
Guest Link:
https://www.instagram.com/changingcurrents.co/