The Survivors Voice

Episode 39, Michelle’s Story


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Healing What Hurt

In this episode, Michelle shares her journey through bullying, identity struggles, unhealthy relationships, marriage repair, grief, and personal healing. As a first-generation Filipino American, she reflects on navigating cultural expectations, childhood shame, and insecurity, and how unaddressed wounds carried into adulthood, relationships, and marriage. Michelle discusses surviving a manipulative and emotionally abusive relationship, and how unresolved trauma later threatened the stability of a healthy marriage.


Michelle also opens up about losing her mother during COVID and the complicated grief that followed, including a moment that reshaped her understanding of healing, faith, and hope. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes boundaries, counseling, personal responsibility, and the importance of healing in order to build healthy relationships and communities. Her story speaks to those learning to move beyond survival patterns, people-pleasing, and one-sided relationships—and choosing growth without being defined by the past.

Your Host: Angie Sedore
Our Guest: Michelle Carey
Trigger Warning
This episode includes discussions of bullying, emotional abuse, narcissistic relationships, anxiety, panic attacks, grief, death of a parent, marital conflict, and emotional distress. Listener discretion is advised. The views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast.
Disclaimer
The Survivor’s Voice Podcast provides a platform for survivors to share their personal stories in their own words. The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Survivor’s Voice, its hosts, or production team. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. If you are struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional.
What to Expect:
· Growing up with cultural pressure and childhood bullying
· The lasting impact of insecurity and unhealed trauma
· Surviving narcissistic abuse and gaslighting
· Anxiety, panic attacks, and emotional burnout
· Marriage breakdown, counseling, and rebuilding trust
· Grief, faith struggles, and losing a parent during COVID
· Setting boundaries and letting go of unhealthy relationships
· Healing yourself to become a healthy part of community
Key Takeaways:
· Unhealed wounds often resurface in our closest relationships
· Boundaries are an act of protection, not punishment
· Growth requires self-reflection, not blame-shifting
· Healing yourself changes the quality of every relationship
· Community thrives when individuals are willing to do the inner work

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Together, we remind survivors everywhere: Your story matters.

Produced & Edited by

Krystina Elder | YouTube: @ElderHouseMedia

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsor:

Safe Harbor
Supporting survivors with compassion and care.
https://safeharborforfreedom.com

Special Thanks to

Dan Wise | YouTube: @NorthIdahoPodcastProductions
Bowman Carter | YouTube: @BowmanCarterMusic | Spotify: Bowman Carter

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The Survivors VoiceBy The Survivors Voice