Today, Jan is joined by Abigail Alvarado who is here to tell her harrowing story. Starting at age 9, Abigail and her siblings were removed from the crack house they called home by Child Protective Services (CPS). After a short stay in a shelter, their uncle took them in and shortly thereafter adopted them. Not long after is when the progressive nightmare began. Starting with the same old story of grooming into molestation into sexual abuse while the mother figure doesn't believe her claims, but then after nearly 7 years of constant abuse and brainwashing is where the story takes a hard turn: forced surrogacy. Having 3 children over the next 6-7 years, Abigail watched in horror as her children are raised to believe she is their older sister and giving their love to a pair of sadistic rapists who now have her trapped, or her children will be their next victims. Enter Rudy, a year of secretive on again off again connections, and finally the dam bursts, she tells him her story, and he believes her. Beyond that, he believes in her and offers his assistance if she can manage to escape with her children, which she does. 24 and free she begins a new life with the man she has grown to love and trust. Happily ever after does exist it turns out.

Buy her book: I Am Abigail: A Texas Woman's Childhood Nightmare—and Her Escape From Hell as a Sex Slave/Survivor

Follow Abigail On Instagram: Abigailalvarado_survivor

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[General Content Warning]

Does our past define us? Agusta Borden grew up without encouragement, resources, and attention. Divorce, neglect, and various kinds of abuse left her lonely by default, no matter who she was with. In this heartfelt one-on-one, Agusta tells Jan how she climbed out of the darkest headspace imaginable by listening to a true friend and holding on to one healthy outlet at a time.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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We are re-airing this episode in light of Human Trafficking Awareness Day (Jan. 11th). Hope and Strength goes out to all victims, suffering and saved.

[Content Warning]: Neglect, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Child Sexual Abuse, Rape, Human Trafficking of a Child ,Exploitation, Attempted Suicide, and Graphic Discussions of Abuse Related Injuries.

Today, Jan is joined by Elizabeth Rose, who shares her story of neglect and childhood sexual abuse that began early on in her life. She talks about the normalization of abuse in her home and the grooming and manipulation she experienced. Being trafficked as a teenager, abandoned by her mother, and living in multiple foster care homes as an adolescent, Elizabeth Rose has a unique perspective on the systemic injustices that are faced by children who are neglected, abused and exploited. In this conversation, Jan and Elizabeth Rose discuss the importance of education, advocacy, trauma-informed care, and support for survivors of human trafficking. They highlight the need for community belief and understanding, as well as the role of legislation in preventing and addressing trafficking.  They also discuss the notion that many people believe human trafficking only occurs far away, but in reality, it’s happening right here in North America, often perpetrated by someone familiar to us.  Lastly, they discuss the systemic failures in the support systems for survivors and the need for resources as well as education in the community. The conversation ends with a message of hope and resilience for all survivors and Elizabeth Rose shares about how being an advocate for others has helped her in her healing journey.

Elizabeth Rose would like to highlight:
The Joy Smith Foundation
Luma & Bloom

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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In loving memory of MaryAnn Buck Broberg, October 16th, 1938 - December 31st, 2025

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse

Today Jan and her mother MaryAnn Broberg come together and we get our first real introduction to MaryAnn. Amidst this introduction they revisit the whole series of A Friend of the Family with direct insight from MaryAnn, talk about MaryAnn's social work, and reminisce on Robert Broberg.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, mild language

Today, Jan is again joined by Dr. Ute Liersch, a Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist. In the second part of their conversation, Jan and Dr. Ute delve into the practicalities of healing. They discuss how to navigate major life decisions without the burden of hindsight, and Dr. Ute shares her powerful "Google Calendar" method for becoming your own witness. She reveals how volunteering in Sri Lanka after surviving cancer restored her smile and spirit. The dialogue emphasizes a body-first approach to trauma, explaining why we must listen to our body's language. They conclude by exploring how creative expression aids healing and the importance of "witnessing" over fixing, as Dr. Ute introduces her new  book Minimalist Guide to Building Resilience.

Buy Dr. Ute Liersch’s Book:
A Minimalist’s Guide to Becoming Resilient

Mentioned Resources:
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, mild language

Today, Jan is joined by Dr. Ute Liersch, a Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist. They begin by exploring how being labeled "stupid" in a rigid school system shaped Dr. Ute's early life and self-concept. They discuss the critical difference between experiencing victimhood and choosing victimization. Dr. Ute shares her philosophy of honoring the past, respecting the present, and being excited for the future. The conversation delves into reframing difficult emotions as vital data, understanding anger as a signal of injustice, and the necessity of compassion, curiosity, and courage to heal from trauma, toxic relationships, and life's inevitable hardships.

Buy Dr. Ute Liersch’s Book:
A Minimalist’s Guide to Becoming Resilient

Mentioned Resources:
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk 

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse 

Today, Jan is joined by Tamar Blue, founder and CEO of MentalHappy, a Y Combinator-backed, HIPAA-compliant platform that empowers healthcare professionals, survivors, and advocates to create and lead expert-led support groups. Jan and Tamar discuss the need for safe, structured online communities away from the volatility of social media, especially for sensitive topics, like child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Tamar shares her empathetic journey into creating the platform, its features ensuring privacy and safety, and her vision for more preventative, community-based emotional healthcare.

Where To Find Tamar:
MentalHappy

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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[Content Warning]: Murder, death of a child, child sex abuse, physical abuse, lack of action by figures of authority, descriptions of violence

Today, Jan is joined by Cathy Terkanian, who is here to share the heartbreaking story of her daughter, Alexis (Aundria M. Bowman), who was placed for adoption as an infant in 1974. After Alexis vanished in 1989, Cathy spent decades piecing together the truth: her daughter had been abused and murdered by her adoptive father, a violent predator, and buried in their backyard. Despite systemic failures by police, courts, and social services, Cathy's relentless advocacy, aided by a web sleuth and DNA evidence, ultimately led to the discovery of Alexis's remains and the adoptive father's imprisonment. Cathy now fights to reform closed adoptions and remove the adoptive parents' names from her daughter's birth certificate, advocating for transparency and justice to protect other children.

Where To Find Cathy:
Netflix: Into The Fire: The Lost Daughter
FB Group: Justice for Aundria M. Bowman

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, grooming, domestic abuse

Today, Jan is joined by Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska, award-winning documentary filmmaker, academic, and psychoanalytic life coach, who is here to discuss trauma, healing, and the power of creative expression. Dr. Agnieszka and Jan explore themes of transgenerational trauma, silence, and the complex legacy of family history, drawing on Dr. Agnieszka’s personal experiences as the granddaughter of an Auschwitz survivor and a survivor of childhood grooming and abuse. The conversation covers her documentary work (such as Married to the Eiffel Tower), the use of creativity as a reparative tool, the pitfalls of "toxic positivity," and the spiritual journey that led her to the Quaker community. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of naming trauma, finding pathways to the light, and helping others through shared vulnerability and support.

Where To Find Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska:
Website: AgnieszkaPiotrowska.co.uk
Married to the Eiffel Tower (2008)
Her Latest Book: The Scholars’ Mentor’s Guide to Global Success for International Research Students
ScholarsMentor.com

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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[Content Warning]: sexual content, reproductive coercion, domestic abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, rape, stalking

Today, Jan is joined by Lynn Stroud, survivor turned advocate for those experiencing domestic abuse with an emphasis on bringing awareness about reproductive coercion to the public. In this powerful conversation Lynn shares her extensive lived experience with reproductive coercion, domestic abuse, and sexual assault, spanning from her teenage years into her thirties. She details how these patterns of control and trauma manifested across multiple relationships, the impact of having her reproductive choices violated, and the long journey to finding safety and a healthy partnership. Lynn now uses her story to advocate for others, cultivate a trauma-informed mindset, and break intergenerational cycles of abuse.

Lynn was mentioned in an article:
Jezebel Article on Abortion Bans

Mentioned Resources:
TheHotline.org

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
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✍ Share Your Story
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Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
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💞 Thrivivors