What if the thing that feels unsurvivable could also become a pathway toward healing, self-connection, and transformation?

In this episode of Confident Again, Jane is joined by Sharalyn Drayton for a rich and hope-filled conversation about “the gift in the wound” — a phrase that gently points to the possibility that even deep betrayal pain does not have to be wasted.

This is not about minimising harm, rushing healing, or pretending betrayal is somehow good. Instead, Jane and Sharalyn explore how suffering, when held with safety, support, and time, can become a place where new strength, self-awareness, autonomy, integrity, and confidence begin to emerge.

Sharalyn shares from her decades of personal and professional experience in the betrayal trauma field, including her early work supporting women when there was very little language or specialist support available in Australia. Together, Jane and Sharalyn talk about survival, support, post-traumatic growth, the importance of safety and stabilisation, and the slow process of finding “diamonds in the muck.”

This episode is for you if you need hope that the pain you are carrying today is not the end of your story.

In this episode, we explore:

•  Why betrayal can feel so isolating and unsurvivable 
•  The importance of specialist support and safe connection 
•  What “the gift in the wound” means — and what it does not mean 
•  Why safety and stabilisation come before meaning-making 
•  How suffering can become a pathway toward transformation 
•  The gifts of self-awareness, autonomy, voice, values, and boundaries 
•  Why healing is not about going back, but becoming more fully yourself 

As Sharalyn says, what feels unsurvivable can become a pathway — and over time, the glints in the muck may turn out to be diamonds.

Sharalyn is connected with :

The Women's Healing Sanctuary

The Relational Recovery Centre Asia Pacific

SASA - help and training in New Zealand

Send Jane a note

Connect with Jane at Quiet Wisdom

Join the Support Group Waitlist