Host Pete Burden speaks with Paula Harriott, CEO of Unlock, the UK charity focused on supporting and advocating for people with criminal records.

The conversation covers the importance of shedding the "victim" narrative and embracing an identity of strength and survivorship. Paula advocates for moving beyond eliciting sympathy, and instead focusing on the transformative power of personal experience, by reframing past challenges as learning opportunities, and purposefully developing an identity of resilience.

Individuals can contribute to, and through, deeper, more meaningful conversations. As Paula suggests, this internal, and personal work, though often private, involves acknowledging vulnerability while also choosing to share from a place of strength, ultimately rejecting the perpetuation of "misery memoirs" or "trauma porn."

Paula also underscores the significance of building supportive networks and communities, finding "coalitions of the willing," and engaging in political activity that champions knowledge equity – all while remaining receptive to others and committed to a reflective, embodied practice of healing and modelling positive change.

Paula on LinkedIn

Pete on LinkedIn