Sisu for Life

How were you able to remember so much? To be honest, I didn't remember everything. Writing a book was made possible because of the number of notes I kept, journals I confessed my struggles to, and many pages of court documents and transcripts. This episode breaks down the book "The Gaslit Heart" by explaining how it was pieced together to become the story it is today. For anyone considering telling their own story that may not know where to begin, I hope this episode can be of some assistance.

Abuse and violence leave their mark, not just on the people that were abused, but on the place where such actions took place. This episode describes the scars that never really disappear entirely. This episode wraps up the book "The Gaslit Heart." 

This episode discusses post-traumatic stress disorder and why it is so difficult to just move on. It also addresses a question that was asked many times: You were a soldier, so why couldn't you fix it? Names in this episode have been changed to protect identities. Any resemblance to individuals living or deceased is only a coincidence. Content for this episode was taken from the book, "The Gaslit Heart."

Even after an abuser leaves, a survivor can still be left with all the damage that person caused. This episode talks about what it is like after the abuser had been removed from the home, but you must continue living amongst the debris. How does one heal in the environment where they were damaged? Names in this episode have been changed to protect the true identity. Any resemblance to individuals living or deceased is a coincidence. Content for this episode was taken from the book "The Gaslit Heart."

Why didn't you just call the cops? That is a question domestic violence survivors are asked often. Sometimes the answer is that the cops were called, but nothing was done. This episode contains language and details that may be difficult for some listeners. Discretion is advised. All names have been changed and any similarities to people living or deceased is a coincidence. Content from this episode is from the book "The Gaslit Heart."

This episode begins wrapping up the abusive relationship and discussing life after. All names have been changed to protect the identities of some individuals, so any similarities to people living or deceased is only a coincidence. Listener discretion is advised. Content from this episode was taken from the book, "The Gaslit Heart."

When the abuse ended, or at least when the abuser was removed from the situation, life seemed to be improving. The healing took time, but each day away from the violence and emotional abuse provided hope and peace. Two things that would quickly be taken away. Names in this episode have been changed and any similarities to people living or deceased is only a coincidence. Listener discretion is advised.

Following "The Waiting Game," this episode picks up after a door has been chopped down to get to the courthouse for a restraining order. It will be another experience that causes trust in the legal system to diminish further. This episode gives one explanation as to why restraining orders don't always work and why some victims of domestic violence have them dismissed. This episode contains details of domestic violence that may be difficult to listen to. Discretion is advised. Names have been changed and any similarities to people living or dead is only a coincidence. Content from this episode is from the book, "The Gaslit Heart."