Dave Pelzer is one of the most recognized voices on childhood trauma, resilience, and forgiveness. In this deeply moving episode of From Dark to Light, Dave shares the untold layers behind A Child Called It, not just the abuse he survived, but the mindset, mentors, and moments that saved his life.

From enduring extreme childhood abuse and neglect to being rescued by teachers who refused to look away, Dave reflects on identity, shame, survival, and the lifelong work of healing. He speaks openly about forgiveness, breaking generational cycles, faith, service, and why surviving trauma comes with a responsibility to live fully.

This episode is not about reliving pain, it's about reclaiming purpose. Dave reminds us that our past does not define us, that happiness is a choice, and that even the smallest acts of kindness can change a life forever.

If you've ever struggled with trauma, identity, or believing your life can become more than what you survived, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

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👉Website: https://www.davepelzer.com/index.html
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044700194901


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00:00 Meeting Dave Pelzer and the impact of A Child Called It
05:32 Childhood abuse, identity loss, and becoming "the boy"
11:48 The moment Dave realized he had to save himself
18:02 Teachers who noticed and the rescue that saved his life
25:20 Living with shame, hunger, and survival instincts
32:40 Foster care, mentors, and learning what safety felt like
40:18 Forgiveness, especially toward his father
47:05 "You survived for a reason" choosing happiness
54:10 Service, gratitude, and doing good every day
01:01:05 A final message of hope, purpose, and resilience

If today's episode stirred something in you, let it be a reminder that survival is not the end of the story. Healing is possible. Purpose can be reclaimed. And even after profound darkness, light can grow stronger than you ever imagined. You are not alone and your story is still unfolding.

#FromDarkToLight #DavePelzer #AChildCalledIt #HealingFromTrauma #ChildAbuseSurvivor #BreakingGenerationalCycles #ForgivenessAndHealing #ResilienceStories #FaithAndHope #MentalHealthAwareness #HumanSpirit #TraumaRecovery

Some stories are not just about surviving. They are about what someone chooses to do with the pain they were handed.

In this episode of From Dark To Light, Julie sits down with Kirsten Vanderjagt, who grew up surrounded by homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and constant instability. After attending over a dozen schools and experiencing foster care and profound family loss, Kirsten shares how one advocate changed the trajectory of her life and helped her choose purpose over despair.

This raw and deeply human conversation explores childhood trauma, generational patterns, forgiveness, and why people raised in the same home can end up on very different paths. Kirsten also shares the mission behind Katie's House Foundation and the Shelter Registry, created to bring safety, transparency, and accountability to shelters and recovery housing. A powerful reminder that darkness does not define destiny and that healing can become a force for change.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
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🌿Connect and follow Kirsten VanderJagt
👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privatemoney.hardmoney.live.love.thrive/
👉LibkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenvanderjagt/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
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00:00 Growing up surrounded by instability
05:10 Childhood homelessness and frequent moves
10:45 Divorce, addiction, and family separation
15:30 Calling Child Protective Services and the aftermath
20:55 Becoming the caretaker too young
26:40 Why siblings from the same home take different paths
32:15 The advocate who changed everything
38:30 Losing her mother and choosing forgiveness
44:10 Why Katie's House Foundation was created
50:20 Building systems that protect lives

💬 Kirsten's story reminds us that where we come from does not determine where we are going. Trauma may shape us, but it does not have to define us. When pain is met with courage, accountability, and compassion, it can become a catalyst for real and lasting change.

#FromDarkToLight #ChildhoodTrauma #HealingJourney #TraumaToPurpose #BreakingGenerationalCycles #AdvocacyAndHope #MentalHealthStories #Resilience #NonprofitLeadership #RealLifeTestimony

In this deeply moving episode of From Dark to Light, we sit down with Chasitey Kyle, a mother, widow, and survivor who has faced unimaginable loss. At 34, she lost her husband with five young children at home. After finding love again, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy—who tragically passed just 18 days later.

Through faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her family, Chasitey has turned her pain into purpose. She shares her story to encourage anyone navigating grief, heartbreak, or overwhelming life challenges. From finding strength in faith to leaning on community and small daily steps, her journey offers hope, inspiration, and practical wisdom.

Whether you're facing loss, seeking healing, or looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, this conversation reminds us all that we are never alone and that light can emerge even from the darkest times.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
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👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Chasitey Kyle
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@chasdrealtor
👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasiteykyle

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
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00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome
02:15 – Early Life & Family Foundations
05:40 – Teen Motherhood & Faith Deepening
09:30 – Marriage, Love, and Family Life
13:50 – Husband's Liver Failure Diagnosis
19:20 – Grieving the Loss of a Spouse
25:40 – Finding Strength for the Children
30:15 – Community Support & Unexpected Acts of Kindness
34:50 – Losing a Child & Experiencing Grief Again
39:10 – Maintaining Faith & Purpose Amid Tragedy
43

In this episode of From Dark to Light, Julie Crawford sits down with Dianna Nicole Stewart to talk about a kind of darkness many people know well—burnout.

Before success, before TikTok, and before financial freedom, Dianna was a mother, wife, former school teacher, and homeschool mom doing everything she could to keep life running. Through years of caregiving, side hustles, health crises, divorce, and constant responsibility, she slowly lost sight of who she was beneath all the roles she carried.

Burnout didn't arrive as a single moment; it came after illness, exhaustion, guilt, and the realization that something had to give. When Diana finally stepped away, she didn't have a plan. She had desperation, fear, and a hope that there had to be another way. What followed was an unexpected path toward impact, time freedom, and a new definition of success rooted not in money but in meaning.

This conversation speaks directly to anyone who feels tired, stretched thin, or unsure if quitting something means failure.

Dianna's story is a reminder that sometimes burnout is not the end, it's the beginning of becoming who you were always meant to be. ✨

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
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👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Dianna Nicole Stewart
👉Website: https://www.diannanicole.org/home32339399
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlydiannanicole/
👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianna.stewart.758
👉YT Channel:

In this episode of From Dark to Light, Julie Crawford sits down with Mai to explore what it means to grow up between two cultures and the strength it takes to reclaim your voice.

Born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled the Vietnam War, Mai was raised navigating Hmong cultural expectations while adapting to life in the United States. From becoming her family's translator at a young age to entering a cultural marriage at just 14, Mai shares how silence, responsibility, and patriarchy shaped her early life. As a young mother, she faced the painful decision to leave an unhealthy marriage and begin again.

This conversation dives into cultural identity, generational trauma, breaking cycles, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. Mai's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—and that your voice matters, even after years of silence. ✨

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Mai

👉Website: https://www.maiforus.com/
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmmaivang/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/

00:00 – Welcome to From Dark to Light

01:10 – Introducing Mai and her powerful journey

03:05 – Life today: "I'm living the life I always dreamed of"

05:10 – Born in a refugee camp: Mai's early years

08:00 – Hmong history, war, and fleeing Laos

11:30 – Memories of the refugee camp

14:05 – Coming to America at age five

16:30 – Being the oldest child and family translator

19:40 – Growing up between two cultures

22:10 – Understanding Hmong culture a

In this heartfelt episode of From Dark to Light, Julie sits down with Jessica Norman, a wife, mother, advocate, and breast cancer survivor whose world changed with one phone call. At just 37 years old, Jessica went from living her happiest chapter to facing appointments, biopsies, chemo plans, surgeries, and the overwhelming uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Through fear, pain, insurance battles, long treatment days, and moments no one saw, Jessica made a choice—to fight, to hope, and to believe she would come out stronger on the other side. Her journey led her to cold capping, a double mastectomy, immunotherapy, and countless nights of exhaustion and prayer. But it also led her to a newfound purpose: supporting other women walking the same terrifying path.

Today, she is a co-founder of a foundation that has already donated over $69,000 to women battling cancer, offering financial relief, community, and emotional support. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when life pulls the ground out from under us, resilience can rise in ways we never expected.

If you or someone you love is navigating cancer, grief, uncertainty, or fear, Jessica's honesty and courage will make you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
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👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Jessica Norman
👉Website: http://joshpalmerfund.org
👉Instagram: https://instagram.com/wat_iz_next

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
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00:00 — Introduction to Jessica's journey and unexpected diagnosis
02:12 — Life before cancer and the moment everything shifted
05:40 — Mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy—getting answers in one emotional day
09:08 — The call on her anniversary that changed her life
12:55 — Insurance battles, panic, and the reality of what cancer demands
17:44 — Hearing the words "You'll need chemo" and the fear of losing her hair
21:30 — Cold capping: the pain,

At just 13 years old, Long Don's life came down to a simple, terrifying equation: a 50–50 chance of living or dying. In today's episode of From Dark to Light, Long shares his extraordinary path from communist-controlled Vietnam to the open ocean, a brutal refugee camp, and eventually the United States — where he would rebuild his life from the ground up.

Sent away by his mother in a desperate attempt to save him, Long boarded a small fishing boat with 153 others, hiding beneath the deck in suffocating darkness for days at a time. He survived starvation, the threat of pirates, and the constant fear of being captured. After nearly two weeks at sea, he was rescued and taken to Snell Island, a refugee camp known for its overcrowding and unimaginable conditions.

Long spent eight long months there alone — hungry, scared, and unsure of what his future held. But somewhere between despair and determination, he discovered a mindset that would carry him for the rest of his life: a decision to choose gratitude, courage, and purpose no matter what was happening around him.

Today, Long is the co-founder and broker of one of Minnesota's fastest-growing real estate groups. But behind every success is a beginning — and Long's began in the dark beneath a fishing boat, fueled by hope, faith, and a vision for a life beyond survival.

If you're struggling, uncertain of your path, or searching for light in a difficult season, Long's story is a powerful reminder that even in impossible moments, the human spirit can rise.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
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👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Long Doan
👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/long-doan-4baa3725/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/

00:00 — Introduction to Long's incredible journey from fear to freedom

02:05 — Growing up in Vietnam and witnessing his father's arrest at age eight

06:58 — Life under communist control and his mother's impossible decisions

11:25 — First escape attempt and the heavy cost of failure

15:40 — The second attempt: betrayal, capture, and two days without food or water

20:45 — The night his mother woke him at 3am and said, "It's time"

27:12 — Beneath the boat with 153 people: darkness, heat, silence, survival

33:50 — Pirates, drifting at sea, and the terrifying 50/50 chance of living

38:30 — Rescue at sea: the moment hope returned with a single apple

41:55 — Life on Snell Island: hunger, fear, and the night he chose his minds

In this powerful episode of From Dark to Light, Julie sits down with Jackie Council, a multi-trauma survivor whose life is a living testament to faith, courage, and the incredible strength of the human spirit. Born in a small village in the Dominican Republic and brought to the United States through a missionary adoption, Jackie's story begins with loss, separation, and the wounds of a childhood shaped by poverty and exploitation.

Her journey only grew more complex as she faced emotional abuse, sexual assault, homelessness, and domestic violence—yet at every turn, Jackie chose to rise. From living in her car while working two jobs, to rebuilding her life as a single mother, to finding healing through advocacy, Jackie has transformed her pain into purpose and has helped hundreds of survivors reclaim their own stories.

If you have ever felt stuck in the dark, alone in your struggle, or unsure how to move forward, Jackie's story offers a gentle reminder: healing isn't linear, but it is possible. This episode is an invitation to breathe, reflect, and believe that your story is still unfolding—and it's not too late for light to break through.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Jackie Council
👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-council-92661a215/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/

00:00 A powerful introduction to Jackie: loss, courage, and a life rebuilt

02:12 The truth about her adoption: orphan trafficking and a father's unintended surrender

06:40 Childhood in rural America and the emotional cost of being "different"

11:58 Reconnecting with her siblings and finding her voice for the first time

17:20 Breaking point with her adoptive parents and choosing self-respect

23:05 Assaults, stolen innocence, and the moment her faith was shaken

30:40 The Florida years: pregnancy, control, violence, and total isolation

38:25 Her daughter becomes her turning point: "If he does it to you…"

44:50 Life inside the domestic violence shelter and the beginning of her rebirth

52:10 What healing looks like today and the power of unbecoming old labels

Jackie's story reminds us that even when life breaks us in ways we never asked for, healing is still possible. Light returns slowly, gently, and often through the choices we make in our darkest moments. Wherever you are right now, know that you are not alone. There is hope for you, too, and a future waiti

In this moving episode of From Dark to Light, Julie sits down with Consolee Nishimwe, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

At only fourteen, she endured the unthinkable. She lost her father and three brothers, fled from home, survived brutal attacks, and carried wounds that would reshape the rest of her life.

Yet Consolee's story is not defined by tragedy. It is defined by courage, faith, and the quiet strength to keep moving forward. Through prayer, the love of her mother, and years of healing, she found the power to forgive, rebuild, and ultimately become a voice for other survivors.

This conversation gently explores her childhood before the genocide, the terror of those hundred days, and the long journey toward hope. It also offers comfort for anyone who feels weighed down by their own pain or holding onto stories they've never shared.

If you are carrying something heavy, may this episode remind you that healing is possible, and that your story still has light ahead of it.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
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👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Consolee Nishimwe
👉Website: https://www.kristanseaford.com/
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristanseaford/
👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristan-seaford-600b2b117/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
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00:00 Welcome and introduction to Consolée's story

02:41 Growing up in a loving home in Rwanda

06:22 Childhood memories that shaped her sense of safety and joy

10:15 The slow rise of tension and how hatred spread through propaganda

15:08 The night everything changed and the family fled their home

20:55 Hiding in fear and comforting her younger siblings

26:10 Moments when kindness saved their lives

31:18 The unimaginable loss of her father and brothers

36:45 Surviving extreme cruelty and the lifelong impact

41:12 How Consolée and her mother began rebuilding after the genocide

45:50 Finding forgiveness and choosing hope over bitterness

49:44 Therapy, healing, and releasing shame

52:10 What she would tell her father and siblings today

54:40 Final reflections on resilience, faith, and never losing hope

May this episode remind you that even in our darkest chapters, the human heart can rise again. You are never alone in your pain, and your sto

In 2013, Kristan Seaford's life changed forever. What began as a routine case of strep throat quickly turned into sepsis, nearly costing her life. To survive, Kristan had three and a half of her limbs removed—while raising five children, the youngest just 13 months old at the time.

Instead of letting tragedy define her, Kristan chose resilience. She leaned into her faith, her family, and her inner strength to not only recover, but to rebuild a life filled with purpose. Today, she owns a thriving mental health practice and helps others navigate their own battles, turning her pain into a source of healing for others.

In this powerful conversation, Kristan shares her journey of survival, motherhood, and hope. Her story is a reminder that even in our darkest seasons, light is still possible.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Kristan Seaford
👉Website: https://www.kristanseaford.com/
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristanseaford/
👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristan-seaford-600b2b117/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/


00:00 – Introduction: Julie introduces Kristan's powerful survival story

01:05 – Life Before Sepsis: A busy mom of five living her best life

06:10 – The Illness Begins: Thanksgiving week takes a sudden turn

08:45 – Fighting for Life: Doctors race to save Kristan from sepsis

15:30 – The Cost of Survival: Life-saving meds take her limbs

18:20 – Waking Up: Realizing what happened after weeks unconscious

23:30 – Choosing Strength: Preparing for amputation with faith and humor

28:10 – Recovery & Resilience: Rehab, motherhood, and learning to move again

38:00 – Finding Purpose: Returning to therapy work and helping others heal

47:10 – Power in Asking for Help: Redefining strength through vulnerability

51:50 – Full Circle: Pride, purpose, and a message of hope

💬 If this story moved you, share it with someone who needs to know that hope and healing are real.

#FromDarkToLightPodcast #SurvivorStory #FaithOverFear #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #InspirationDaily #MentalHealthAwareness #NeverGiveUp #CourageAndHope