Surviving and Chilling with Debbie

This week on Surviving and Chilling with Debbie, I'm sharing my thoughts on the movie Primetime and the deeper questions it raised for me about the former television show To Catch a Predator. Was the show about protecting children, seeking justice, entertainment, or a combination of all three? Join me as I discuss my reactions to the film, the impact of public accountability, and what our fascination with these types of programs might say about us as a society. 

💜 Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of child exploitation, predatory behavior, crime investigations, abuse, trauma, and media sensationalism.

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, is in an unsafe relationship, or needs support, please know that you are not alone and help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

💜 Remember, healing isn't just surviving the storm. Sometimes it's learning to trust the calm that comes afterward.

Disclaimer: 

The thoughts, opinions, and experiences shared in this podcast are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or other licensed mental health professional. I'm simply sharing my personal journey and speaking my truth in the hope that others may feel less alone.

Sometimes the hardest part of healing isn't surviving the chaos, it's learning how to live in the peace that comes afterward.

In this episode of Surviving and Chilling with Debbie, I talk about why peace can feel uncomfortable after experiencing trauma, abuse, abandonment, anxiety, or years of living in survival mode. We'll explore what happens when calm feels unfamiliar, why we may question good things in our lives, and how healing often means learning to trust peace one day at a time.

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, is in an unsafe relationship, or needs support, please know that you are not alone and help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Remember, healing isn’t just surviving the storm. Sometimes it’s learning to trust the calm that comes afterward.

The Hardest Lessons I've Learned

In this episode of Surviving and Chilling with Debbie, I share some of the hardest lessons I've learned through life's challenges, healing, and personal growth. From learning that you can't change others to discovering that healing isn't a straight line, these lessons weren't easy to learn, but they helped shape who I am today. My hope is that something in this conversation reminds you that you're not alone on your journey.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of childhood and adult abuse trauma, abandonment fears, anxiety, grief, and concerns about the safety of loved ones.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you.  Feel free to share your thoughts, your story, or simply say hello at [email protected].

#SurvivingAndChillingWithDebbie #TraumaRecovery  #HealingJourney #SurvivorStories #YouAreNotAlone      

Disclaimer: 

The thoughts, opinions, and experiences shared in this podcast are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or other licensed mental health professional. I'm simply sharing my own personal journey and speaking my truth in the hope that others may feel less alone.

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, is in an unsafe relationship, or needs support, please know that you are not alone and help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What would you tell your younger self?

In this episode, I reflect on the lessons learned through trauma, healing, loss, and growth. Join me as I share the words I wish I could have heard when I needed them most and explore how looking back can help us move forward.

Sometimes the kindness we needed then is the kindness we can give ourselves now.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses childhood and adult abuse, trauma, anxiety, grief, abandonment fears, and concerns about loved ones' safety.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you.  Feel free to share your thoughts, your story, or simply say hello at [email protected].

#SurvivingAndChillingWithDebbie #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #ChildhoodTrauma #SurvivorStories #HealingTogether #PodcastCommunity #YouAreNotAlone       

Disclaimer: 

The thoughts, opinions, and experiences shared in this podcast are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or other licensed mental health professional. I'm simply sharing my own personal journey and speaking my truth in the hope that others may feel less alone.

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, is in an unsafe relationship, or needs support, please know that you are not alone and help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I Didn’t Know Any Different As a child, I thought what was happening to me was normal. It was the only life I knew, and I didn't have anything to compare it to. In this short, personal episode, I share my thoughts about growing up without realizing that the fear, confusion, and challenges I experienced were not part of every childhood. We talk about how children view the world, why many survivors don't recognize abuse until later in life, and the importance of showing compassion to our younger selves.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of childhood and adult abuse trauma, abandonment fears, anxiety, grief, and concerns about the safety of loved ones.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you.  Feel free to share your thoughts, your story, or simply say hello at [email protected].

#SurvivingAndChillingWithDebbie #IDidntKnowAnyDifferent #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #ChildhoodTrauma #SurvivorStories #HealingTogether #PodcastCommunity #YouAreNotAlone     

Disclaimer: 

The thoughts, opinions, and experiences shared in this podcast are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I'm simply sharing my own personal journey and speaking my truth in the hope that others may feel less alone.

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, is in an unsafe relationship, or needs support, please know that you are not alone and help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The drive home after leaving my daughter at college was much more than a trip back home. It was a journey through grief, pride, love, anxiety, and healing. In this episode, I share the reality of saying goodbye, navigating an empty house, and learning that letting go isn't the end of the story. It's another form of love. Join me as I reflect on motherhood, trauma recovery, and embracing a new chapter. 💜

I think the first version is stronger because it captures both the college-dropoff story and your broader theme of healing from trauma and life's transitions.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood and adult abuse trauma, abandonment fears, anxiety, grief, and concerns about the safety of loved ones.

💜 If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

#CollegeMoveIn #LettingGo #ParentingJourney #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalHealth #LifeTransitions #SurvivingAndChillingWithDebbie

Disclaimer: 

The thoughts and opinions, and experiences shared in this podcast are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I'm simply sharing my own personal journey and speaking my truth in the hope that others may feel less alone.

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse , is in an unsafe relationship, or needs support, please know that you are not alone and support is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Last week, I talked about the emotions I expected to feel as I prepared to take my daughter to college. This week, I'm recording from my hotel room in the middle of move-in week, after the boxes have been unpacked, the dorm room has come together, and I've watched my daughter begin to find her place in this new chapter of life.

In this episode, I share the reality of move-in day, the emotions that surprised me, the fears that showed up, and the fears that didn't. I reflect on what it feels like to stand in the space between holding on and letting go, while learning to trust the foundation we've built and the young woman she's becoming.

For anyone navigating a major life transition, struggling with anxiety, carrying the effects of past trauma, or learning to let go of someone they love, this episode is a reminder that it's okay to sit in the uncertainty.

Because sometimes healing isn't found in having all the answers. Sometimes it's found in learning to trust the journey.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood and adult abuse trauma, abandonment fears, anxiety, grief, and concerns about the safety of loved ones.

The thoughts and opinions shared are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I'm simply sharing my experiences and speaking my truth.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is in an unsafe relationship, please know that you are not alone and support is available.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Next week, I'll be moving my youngest daughter into her college dorm, and I've been surprised by the mix of emotions that have come with it. Pride, excitement, sadness, fear, and even some feelings connected to my history as an abuse survivor have all found their way to the surface.

In this episode, I share my thoughts on letting go, navigating healthy goodbyes, and recognizing the difference between a child's growing independence and the abandonment fears that trauma can leave behind. If you've ever struggled with change, loss, or trusting someone you love to spread their wings, this conversation is for you.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of childhood and adult abuse trauma, abandonment fears, anxiety, grief, and fears surrounding the safety of loved ones.

The thoughts and opinions shared are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I'm simply sharing my experiences and speaking my truth.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is in an unsafe relationship, please know that you are not alone and support is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 

1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Survivor. Friend. Dreamer. Traveler. Podcast Host.

In this episode, I explore what it means to be more than the painful experiences we’ve lived through. Healing isn’t just about surviving. It’s about discovering who we are beyond our trauma and giving ourselves permission to fully live.

Join me as I reflect on identity, resilience, hope, and the life I’m continuing to build one day at a time.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse. 

The thoughts and opinions shared are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I'm simply sharing my experiences and speaking my truth.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is in an unsafe relationship, please know that you are not alone and support is available.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child 422-4453)
  

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

After everything I've been through, I've learned that joy doesn't always come from big moments. Sometimes it's found in a favorite TV show, a cherished memory, a quiet morning, a good cup of coffee, or simply having a little peace in your day.

In this episode of Surviving and Chilling with Debbie, I'm sharing some of the little things that bring me joy today and how learning to appreciate those moments has become an important part of my healing journey. We'll talk about comfort TV, favorite memories, everyday pleasures, and finding light after difficult experiences.

Whether you're surviving, healing, or just looking for a little positivity, I hope this conversation reminds you that joy can often be found in the smallest places.

Disclaimer: This episode may contain brief references to physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse as part of my personal story. The thoughts and opinions shared are my own. I am not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I'm simply sharing my experiences and my truth.

Content Warning: This episode contains brief references to physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse as part of my personal story.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an unsafe relationship, please know that you are not alone and support is available:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child 422-4453)

Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.