[Content Warning]: Child abuse, emotional abuse, suicidal ideation, gaslighting, suicide attempt, physical abuse

Today, Jan is joined by Serfine Okeyo, a Johns Hopkins University student studying economics, shares her journey of surviving systemic abuse from her mother, a psychiatric nurse who for years denied her medical treatment for chronic depression and suicidal ideation. Serfine recounts witnessing her mother's abuse of a disabled patient, which allegedly led to the patient's death, and her ongoing fight for justice. Despite the trauma, she found healing through therapy, medication, and support at Johns Hopkins. Now estranged from her mother, Serfine is reclaiming her life, advocating for mental health awareness, and building a chosen family. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of human connection.

Serfine is in the process of writing a book, if you feel you can assist with this, or just need someone to talk to, her inbox is always open:
Insta: @dreamingdragonf1y

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 Jennifer Schwartz, a Registered Canadian Art Therapist, Mental Health Therapist, Supervisor, and Instructor with over 25 years experience, works in private practice virtually and in-person as a Child & Youth Mental Health & Sexual Abuse Intervention Therapist. Jan and Jennifer discuss the transformative power of art therapy in healing trauma, particularly for children and families affected by abuse. Jennifer shares insights from her book, Heart to Heart: Kitty Kelly and the Dark Cloud, which uses a gentle, trauma-informed approach to help parents and children navigate complex emotions. Their conversation explores how creative expression, play therapy, and safe connections can restore trust and resilience. Jennifer also highlights the importance of addressing unresolved trauma in parents and the role of family dynamics in healing.

Buy Jennifer’s book: Heart to Heart: Kitty Kelly and the Dark Cloud
Where To Find Jennifer:
JSchwartzArtTherapy.com
Insta: @jschwartzarttherapy
Facebook: JSchwartzArtTherapy

Mentioned Resources:
American Art Therapy Association

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, rape, incest, child abuse, domestic violence

Today, Jan is joined by Stace Don, an inspiring author from Manchester, England, who shares her harrowing yet hopeful journey of overcoming abuse and finding her voice. Stace opens up about her traumatic past, including the challenges of being a young mother to a child conceived through rape by her biological father. Her story, detailed in her book "My Girl," sheds light on the often unspoken struggles of victims and the ripple effects of trauma. Through her candid conversation, Stace emphasizes the importance of awareness, developing support structures for those in need, and breaking the cycle of silence to foster healing and change. Jan and Stace explore the complexities of Staces’ experience and the strength it takes to just move forward.

Buy Stace’s Book: My Girl: For The Little Girl I Was Never Able To Be

Where To Find Stace:
The Life of Stace Don Blog
Insta: @stace_don
FB: The Life of Stace Don
X: @LifeofStaceDon

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
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
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💞 Thrivivors

In this series, Jan selects a word to focus on for each month, encouraging growth in a specific area, challenging herself and her audience. This year Jan will be focusing on the difficult words we tend to tie to ourselves, offering insight and tools to manage or overcome these obstacles. This month, the focus is on Apathy. Jan shares her deeply personal experience caring for her mother with Alzheimer's, highlighting the emotional extremes of rage and apathy she faces. She discusses how apathy, a lack of interest or emotion, can stem from overwhelming stress and neurological conditions, and emphasizes the danger of living in this numb state. Jan offers practical advice, such as seeking help, changing routines, and finding moments of respite in nature, to combat apathy and burnout. Her message is one of compassion and resilience, urging listeners to adopt a problem-solving mindset even in the darkest moments.

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, self-harm

Today, Jan is joined by Jeremy Indika, survivor of child sexual abuse, podcaster, and founder of the Something To Say movement, shares his powerful story of childhood sexual abuse, highlighting how predators often hide in plain sight and groom children without leaving obvious signs. Despite thriving outwardly as a confident, high-achieving child then young adult, Jeremy was forced to confront his trauma in his mid-twenties. He discusses the flaws in the justice system, his journey to advocacy, and his mission to protect today’s youth through his platform, Something To Say. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of survivor voices, trauma-informed responses, and systemic change to combat abuse.

Where To Find Jeremy:
JeremyIndika.com
YouTube: @JeremyIndika
Insta: @jeremyindika
X: @jeremyindika
Facebook
LinkedIn

Something To Say Official:
SomethingToSayOfficial.com
The Something To Say Podcast
Insta: @SomethingToSayOfficial
Facebook

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Domestic violence, child sexual abuse, rape, mild language

Today, Jan is joined by Ella Hicks, a seasoned trauma and mindfulness coach and founder of Rebel Thriver, who is here to discuss her journey as a domestic violence survivor and how she built a global nonprofit supporting women in healing from abuse. Jan and Ella explore the connection between childhood trauma and domestic violence, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the power of community in breaking cycles of abuse.

Where To Find Ella and Rebel Thriver:
Ella Hicks:
Ellahicks.com
Insta: @AlchemyforWomen

Rebel Thriver:
RebelThriver.org
Rebelthrivertribe.com (private online community)
Rebelthriver.blog
Insta: @rebelthriver
Facebook: @rebelthrivers

Mentioned Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, incarceration, child abuse

Today, Jan is joined by Adam Birckett, who in part two is here to continue his harrowing journey from leaving the military to how he got to where he is today. Adam shares his struggles with mental health leading up to his first of multiple suicide attempts. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and finding support, as well as the transformative power of embracing emotions. Adam and Jan discuss his journey of advocacy, including the tragic case of Sandra Bland and how his actions helped her loved ones while landing himself in prison. Adam reflects on his experiences in solitary confinement, the challenges of healing from trauma, and the importance of self-control and personal growth. The dialogue emphasizes resilience, the journey of healing, and the hope for a better future.

Keep An Eye Out For Adam’s Upcoming Book “Above All Rise”
Bluesky: @adambirckett.bsky.social‬
Email: [email protected]

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, child abuse, rape, torture, sexual assault

Today, Jan is joined by Adam Birckett, who in part one is here to share his harrowing journey from a traumatic childhood filled with abuse and neglect to his experiences in the military. He discusses the complexities of his adoption, the fear and violence he faced in his new home, and the role of religion in justifying abuse. Adam's story is one of resilience, as he navigates through isolation, the fear of being alone, seeking help, and ultimately finding a path to healing and personal growth. Adam shares his traumatizing experience with military sexual assault, the impact it had on his life, and the challenges he faced in reporting the assault.

Keep An Eye Out For Adam’s Upcoming Book “Above All Rise”
Bluesky: @adambirckett.bsky.social‬
Email: [email protected]

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

In this series, Jan selects a word to focus on for each month, encouraging growth in a specific area, challenging herself and her audience. This year Jan will be focusing on the difficult words we tend to tie to ourselves, offering insight and tools to manage or overcome these obstacles. This month, the focus is on emotional incarceration. Jan discusses the concept of emotional incarceration, exploring how emotional and mental health can be affected by societal stigmas and personal experiences. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the need to break free from emotional constraints as well as highlighting the significance of positive thinking, self-reflection, and the impact of one's environment on mental health. Jan shares personal insights and practical steps to help listeners navigate their emotional challenges and achieve a sense of freedom.

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, domestic violence

Today, Jan is joined by BB Gabriel, a proud Canadian, registered social worker, and the author of No Ordinary Love.In this conversation, BB Gabriel shares her profound journey as an abuse survivor, detailing her childhood, the impact of early relationships, and the manipulative tactics used by her abuser. She emphasizes the importance of understanding grooming, the cycle of shame, and the need for open communication between parents and children. BB also highlights the warning signs of abusive relationships and the critical role of isolation and control in such dynamics. Her insights aim to educate and empower others to recognize and address these issues. She discusses the psychological tactics used by her abuser, including gaslighting and emotional manipulation, which kept her trapped for years. BB reflects on her struggle to escape, the aftermath of her abusive relationship, and her journey towards healing through storytelling and education. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing grooming and predation, advocating for changes in laws to protect vulnerable individuals. Ultimately, BB highlights the power of love and support in her life today, encouraging others to seek help and not give up on finding true love.

Buy BB’s Book No Ordinary Love

Where To Find BB:
IG: @no.ordinary.love_bb.gabriel
TT: @no.ordinary.love_bb

Mentioned Resources:
I Know Why She Stayed
No More 

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
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram   

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒  The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors