In this powerful conversation, we’re joined by Chanti Castaño —artist, healer, and founder of Soluna Medicines—to explore the realities of healing from childhood sexual trauma. Together, we name the often unspoken: the overlap of pleasure and violation, the confusion it creates in the body, and the long process of rebuilding safety, trust, and agency. This episode offers language for experiences many survivors carry in silence, while grounding them in the intelligence of the nervous system and the body’s instinct to survive.

We also dive into the role of radical personal responsibility in healing—what it means to reclaim choice without bypassing harm. From celibacy and somatic work to plant medicine and relearning touch, Shanti shares the practices that helped her rewire her relationship to her body, sexuality, and self. This is a conversation about moving beyond survival mode and into sovereignty, where healing becomes embodied.Gentle disclaimer: the nature of this podcast is conversations about edgy stuff. Listen from a grounded, regulated place.

👉Topics Covered

Healing from childhood sexual abuse

Pleasure and trauma (and why they can coexist)

Shame, confusion, and survivor validation

Nervous system responses to sexual trauma

Rewiring the body and sexual patterns

Radical personal responsibility in healing

Hypersexuality and survival strategies

Learning safe, non-sexual touch

Boundaries and reclaiming sexual agency

Celibacy as a healing practice

Plant medicine and trauma integration

Parts work and self-awareness

Moving from survival to sovereignty

Learn more about Chanti's work

Follow Chanti on InstagramFollow The Water We Swim In on Instagram

Follow Ashley Waverley on Instagram, or learn more about her work here.

Follow Samara Valentina on Instagram or learn more about her work here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewaterweswimin.substack.com