Adriene Caldwell’s Journey from Trauma to Triumph

In this deeply moving episode of The Hidden Why, I sit down with Adriene Caldwell, author of Unbroken Life Outside the Lines, for a powerful conversation about trauma, healing, and resilience.

Adriene’s early life was filled with unimaginable hardship: raised by a schizophrenic and abusive mother, she experienced neglect, homelessness, foster care, addiction, and profound loss, all before the age of 21. Her memoir is a raw account of surviving physical,  emotional, and sexual abuse, but more importantly, it’s a story of hope and transformation.

This episode is a reminder that no matter the depth of adversity, it is possible to emerge Unbroken.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Adriene’s path through trauma and how she found her voice
• The small, consistent steps she took toward healing
• Why we should never compare traumas, pain is personal and valid
• The role of storytelling in recovery and connection
• How she rebuilt her life and found peace, stability, and joy

Today, Adriene is a wife, mother, and survivor, living a life she once thought impossible. Her journey is a testament to human resilience, vulnerability, and the power of rewriting your own narrative.

“Boring is underrated,” Adriene says,and when you’ve lived through chaos, a peaceful life becomes the greatest gift of all.