Advertise on podcast: Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse

Grace converses with Corey Wright, who was incarcerated for 10 years. He thought about the consequences of what happened but that did not deter him. He refused to carry his past and continue living in it, but rather became a positive example by holding himself accountable, changing his identity and utilising his experience; to rebuild across music, film, authorship, entrepreneurship and community work. Quotes: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” - Maya Angelou “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” - Nelson Mandela “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” - Viktor E. Frankl “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin “Without community, there is certainly no liberation.” -Audre Lorde “The time is always right to do what is right.” - Martin Luther King Jr. Original Quotable Lines for the Episode: “Accountability means facing what happened without surrendering the rest of your life to it.” “Your past can explain you without having to define you.” “Rebuilding isn’t pretending nothing happened. It’s deciding what happens next.” “You can carry your history without continuing to live inside it.” “Survival gets you through the storm. Purpose teaches you what to build afterwards.” “The consequence was part of my story. It didn’t have to become the conclusion.” Episode Takeaways: By the end of the conversation, listeners should walk away understanding: 1. Accountability and identity are different things. A person can acknowledge serious wrongdoing without believing they are permanently incapable of change. 2. Rebuilding takes time. Returning to society doesn’t automatically mean everything returns to normal. 3. Shame and accountability aren’t the same. Accountability can lead toward responsibility and change; destructive shame can keep someone trapped in their past. 4. Trust has to be rebuilt through action. Words alone don’t necessarily repair relationships or community trust. 5. Your past can become part of your purpose. Lived experience can inform writing, music, film, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and community work without romanticising the hardship itself. 6. Perseverance is more than endurance. It can mean continuing to learn, create, contribute, and take responsibility after circumstances have changed. 7. Rebuilding doesn’t require erasing history. The goal isn’t necessarily to forget what happened. It’s to prevent the past from controlling everything that happens next. Question: "If the person you were ten years ago could sit across from the person you are today, what would you tell them?" Journal Prompts: What part of my past am I willing to acknowledge without allowing it to define me? What does accountability mean in my life? What have I survived that taught me something valuable? Where have I confused shame with responsibility? What would rebuilding look like if I stopped waiting for everyone’s approval? Who am I becoming beyond the labels people have placed on me? What relationships need patience, honesty, or rebuilding? What lesson from my hardest experience could potentially help someone else? What am I carrying that I no longer need to carry alone? Am I using my past as a foundation—or allowing it to become a prison? What does perseverance look like in my life this week? If I stopped defining myself by my worst decision, what would I begin building? Contact Corey Wright: Email: [email protected] Donation Link For RASA: ko-fi.com/grace_rasa Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

In today's episode, Grace converses with Colin Owensby an ultra-marathon athlete, a two times Ironman, Former model, actor and the founder of "The Purpose Through Endurance Campaign. His story centres on confronting, understanding and rebuilding after deep trauma. Quotes: 1. “You are not defined by your setbacks—your response to them defines you." — Unknown 2. “Strength isn’t just what you can lift, it’s what you can overcome.” — Rikki Rogers 3. “The obstacle in the path becomes the path.” — Zen Proverb 4. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill Journal Prompts: — “Never Meant to Walk, Built to Run” 1. Resilience & Adversity * What is one difficult experience in my life that changed the way I see myself? * When life has told me “you can’t,” how have I responded? * What setback have I survived that I rarely give myself credit for? * What does resilience mean to me personally? * If I could speak to my past self during my hardest season, what would I say? 2. Identity & Reinvention * Who am I beyond my job, achievements, relationships, or titles? * What part of my identity have I outgrown? * Is there a version of myself I am ready to leave behind? * What new version of myself am I currently becoming? * If I had permission to reinvent my life completely, what would I change? 3. Mindset * What thoughts consistently move me forward? * What beliefs are currently holding me back? * How do I respond when things don’t go according to plan? * What does “thinking outside the box” look like in my own life? * Where could I take a more courageous or unconventional approach? 4. Fitness, Health & Discipline * What does being genuinely healthy mean to me beyond physical appearance? * How does movement affect my mood, confidence, and mindset? * Where in my life could I benefit from greater discipline? * What small healthy habit could I commit to consistently? * Am I focused more on quick results or sustainable progress? 5. Community & Relationships * Who are the people who genuinely support my growth? * What kind of community do I want to build around myself? * Am I willing to ask for help when I need it? * What can I contribute to the people around me? * How could stronger relationships help me achieve my goals? 6. Purpose & Legacy * What is my deeper reason for wanting to succeed? * Who do I want to help through my experiences? * What knowledge or lessons could I pass on to others? * What would I want people to remember about me? * If I knew I couldn’t fail, what would I dedicate my life to? 7. Living Fully * What experiences make me feel most alive? * When was the last time I stepped outside my comfort zone? * Am I allowing myself to experience the full range of my emotions? * What does “living my best life” actually mean to me? * What is one experience I’ve been postponing that I want to make happen? 8. Action — The Final Reflection Finish these sentences: I am stronger than I think because… The obstacle I am currently facing is… The lesson this season is teaching me is… One thing I refuse to give up on is… The person I am becoming is… My next courageous step is… I will start today by… Episode Reflection Question: “If your current circumstances could not define your future, what future would you choose to build?” Key Takeaways • Resilience is built through adversity, not comfort • Identity is fluid—you can reinvent yourself at any stage • Fitness is not just physical—it’s emotional and mental healing • Community is a cornerstone of long-term success • Adaptability is a superpower in uncertain times • Mindset determines how you experience life, not just outcomes Contact Colin Owensby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecolinowensby/ Donation link for RASA: ko-fi.com/grace_rasa Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse

Grace sits with Charlotte Schreurs a women’s rights activist and the founder of Open Justice For All — a campaign committed to making the justice system more transparent, accountable, and accessible for all victims. Her advocacy is rooted in lived experience. After navigating the criminal justice system in a case against her former partner involving rape and coercive control, she saw firsthand how processes intended to deliver justice can instead leave victims feeling unheard, unsupported, and excluded. She turned that experience into meaningful change, she began campaigning to ensure the system is truly fit for purpose and works for those it is meant to protect. Notably, her campaign successfully secured a change in legislation this year; granting victims of all crimes the right to access their sentencing remarks free of charge — a significant step toward greater transparency and understanding. Her focus now is on further reforms, including ensuring that victims receive clear explanations following not guilty verdicts and advocating for the recording of proceedings in magistrates’ courts. Quotes: “Justice delayed is justice denied.” — William Ewart Gladstone “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”— Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr. “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” — Gloria Steinem “Silence never won rights. They are not handed down from above; they are forced by pressures from below.” — Roger Nash Baldwin “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” — Malala Yousafzai “There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women." — Kofi Annan “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” — Simone De Beauvoir “You may not control all of the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” — Elie Wiesel Journal Prompts: What does justice mean to me personally?What does feeling safe mean to me?Have I ever ignored a warning sign because I didn’t want to believe something was wrong?What behaviours do I now recognise as controlling that I may previously have dismissed as jealousy or concern?What boundaries are important to me in healthy relationships?How would I respond if someone I loved told me they were experiencing abuse?What does accountability look like when someone has caused harm?What does a truly victim-centred justice system look like to me?Why is it important for victims to be believed, heard, informed, and treated with dignity—even when a criminal case does not result in a conviction?What attitudes about gender, relationships, consent, or power do I need to challenge in myself or my community?Where in my life do I need to reclaim my voice?If I could speak to someone who feels powerless today, what would I tell them?What is one thing I can do to help create a culture where abuse is taken seriously?What would meaningful change look like—not just for survivors, but for future generations?What part of my story could become a source of purpose, advocacy, or positive change? Key Takeaways: 1. Abuse is about more than isolated incidents Rape and coercive control can affect a person’s autonomy, confidence, relationships, mental well-being, and ability to feel safe. 2. Coercive control can be difficult to recognise Control can develop gradually through intimidation, isolation, monitoring, manipulation, threats, financial control, humiliation, and restrictions on independence. 3. The justice process matters Justice isn’t only about the final verdict. The way victims are treated throughout the process can have a profound impact. 4. Transparency builds accountability Victims deserve meaningful access to information about proceedings and decisions that affect them. 5. A not-guilty verdict doesn’t erase someone’s experience A criminal court’s verdict determines whether the prosecution has proved its case to the required legal standard. It does not necessarily answer every question a victim may have about what happened. 6. Reform can come from lived experience Personal pain can become a catalyst for systemic change when survivors are given the opportunity and platform to advocate. 7. Prevention starts before a crisis Education about consent, healthy relationships, boundaries, respect, power, and control can help challenge behaviours and attitudes that enable abuse. 8. Men and boys have an important role Preventing violence against women requires challenging harmful attitudes, modelling healthy relationships, respecting consent, and speaking up when abusive behaviour is normalised. 9. Victims deserve dignity regardless of the outcome A justice system can acknowledge the needs and humanity of victims while still maintaining fairness and due process for everyone involved. 10. Change is possible Legislative change demonstrates that persistent advocacy can translate lived experience into tangible reform. Contact Charlotte Schreurs: Website: https://www.openjusticeforall.com/ Twitter: @openjustice4all Instagram: @openjusticeforall Donation Link for RASA: ko-fi.com/grace_rasa Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace converses with Colin Dingelstad, an aspiring MMA champion. Who at 28, with no prior professional fighting background is going after his dreams to conquer the word 'impossible' and turn it into reality. He is currently filming a documentary called "Impossible." Quotes: “The future depends on what you do today.”— Mahatma Gandhi “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”— Nelson Mandela “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”— Wayne Gretzky “The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow is our doubts of today.”— Franklin D. Roosevelt “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”— Mark Twain “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”— Vincent Van Gogh Podcast Key Takeaways: Age is not always a limitation; sometimes it is a source of maturity and determination. Big goals require uncomfortable levels of discipline and sacrifice. The biggest battles often happen mentally before they happen physically. Commitment separates dreamers from people who take action. Children learn more from what parents do than what they say. A late start does not mean a lost opportunity. Impossible goals reveal your character. Success is measured by growth, courage, and consistency—not only results. Fear can either control your life or become fuel for transformation. Becoming someone new requires leaving old excuses behind. Journal Prompts: What dream have I delayed because I believed it was too late? What would I attempt if I stopped worrying about failure? What excuses have been holding me back? What does commitment mean in my own life? Who would I become if I fully believed in myself? What example do I want to set for the people watching me? What uncomfortable action can I take this week toward my goal? What fear do I need to confront? What legacy do I want to create? What does my “impossible” dream look like? Contact Colin Dingelstad: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colin.dingelstad/ Donation link for RASA: ko-fi.com/grace_rasa Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse

Grace explores various abuse newsreels around the United Kingdom- London, Scotland, Wales, Devon, Nottinghamshire and Northern Ireland. MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace explores different global newsreels on abuse. Stories on rape, sexual assault, gender violence, femicide, kidnap, mutilation & murder, forced marriages, child molestation, tech abuse, including domestic abuse. Countries involved are: China, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA, Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

David Deane Haskell is Grace's guest in today's episode and the theme is deeply aligned with survival, truth-telling and emotional healing. - Perfect for creating a powerful, impactful conversation that resonates with listeners on a personal level. QUOTES “The pain we don’t face becomes the life we live.” — Dean Haskett “Shame survives in silence, but it cannot survive truth.” — Dean Haskett “Healing begins the moment you stop pretending you’re not hurt.” — Dean Haskett “We carry the past not because we want to, but because we haven’t been shown how to let it go.” — David Deane Haskell “Addiction is often the language of unspoken pain.” — David Deane Haskell “Your story doesn’t end where the pain begins.” — David Deane Haskell “What you totally avoid today will ask for your attention tomorrow.” - Grace Ovba PODCAST KEY TAKEAWAYS Unresolved pain doesn’t disappear—it transforms and resurfaces until it is acknowledged. Addiction is often a symptom, not the root cause. Shame thrives in silence but loses power when spoken. Healing is not linear—it is a long, ongoing process. Storytelling can be a powerful pathway to understanding and release. Facing the truth is painful, but avoidance is often more destructive. You are not defined by what happened to you—but by what you choose to do with it. JOURNAL PROMPTS What pain have I been avoiding, and why? Where does shame show up in my life? What patterns in my life might be rooted in past experiences? When did I first learn to suppress my emotions? What would it feel like to tell my story honestly? What am I afraid will happen if I face my past? How has silence shaped my life? What does healing look like for me right now—not perfectly, but realistically? What am I still carrying that no longer serves me? If I could speak to my younger self, what would I say? What does forgiveness mean to me—if anything? Where in my life am I ready to begin again? What support do I need to continue my healing journey? What truth have I been afraid to admit? How can I begin to release even a small piece of my pain today? Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace explores various national newsreels on abuse in the UK. Stories about femicide, child abuse, domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault, mental health issues and economic abuse. Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

On today's episode, Grace sits with Chris Yardon the director of Saprea to talk about child sexual abuse and school safety; which is often shrouded in bureaucracy... Podcast Key Takeaways: 1. Safety is not just physical—it is relational A school can be physically secure and still be psychologically unsafe. If a child cannot speak, they are not truly safe. 2. Emotional safety drives disclosure Children disclose harm where they feel: believed, respected and not judged. Without emotional safety, safeguarding systems fail before they begin. 3. Silence, stigma, and fear increase risk These are not side issues—they are core risk factors. They delay disclosure, deepen harm, and protect perpetrators. 4. Isolation increases vulnerability Students who feel different, excluded, or misunderstood are at higher risk—particularly: neuro-divergent students, students with SEND; socially marginalised young people. Belonging is not optional—it is protective. 5. School climate is a safeguarding issue. Culture determines: whether harm is noticed, whether it is reported and whether it is addressed. Climate is not “soft”—it is structural. 6. Prevention happens before crisis Real safeguarding looks like: early noticing, trusted relationships, open conversations and accessible reporting. If we wait for evidence of harm, we are already late. 7. Trauma is compounded by not being believed Institutional silence or dismissal can deepen trauma as much as the original harm. 8. Prevention is not ideological—it is evidence-based The focus is simple: reduce risk, increase protection, strengthen trust and enable early disclosure. Quotable Quotes: “The greatest risk in a school is not what is seen—it’s what is silenced.” “A child who cannot speak is a child who is not safe.” “Safeguarding does not begin with policy. It begins with trust.” “Silence is not neutrality—it is a condition where harm survives.” “Emotional safety is not a luxury. It is the gateway to protection.” “Most abuse is not prevented by surveillance—but by disclosure.” “If a child fears the response, they will protect the silence.” “Belonging is not just wellbeing—it is a protective factor.” “Systems don’t just respond to harm—they can create the conditions for it.” “The question is not ‘Did we follow procedure?’ but ‘Did the child feel safe enough to speak?’” “Prevention is quiet. It happens long before anyone is watching.” Contact Chris Yardon: Website: https://saprea.org/ Instagram: https://applink.instagram.com/saprea_org?ig_mid=D501F206-AB02-42E8-A4AE-B946A84CDA86&utm_source=igweb&fall_back_to_web=false Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100069905483802/posts/pfbid02PxPys93KVKdxYs47UvugajeLmfPs7VHFpB6yHjazcTnQWAtWkymH6ZHMuBzEdjtCl/ Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yadon-mpa-3533937 Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace is joined in today's episode by Dr. Lisa Turner — a survivor, an award-winning coach and founder of CET Freedom. Her work sits at the cutting edge of trauma awareness, where artificial intelligence meets lived experience. Having survived trafficking and grooming as a teenager, Dr. Turner has transformed her journey into a mission: to make the invisible visible. Through precision-built AI tools, she is helping uncover the subtle, often overlooked patterns of coercive control within relationships — patterns that can be difficult to name, yet deeply significant. ` Quotes “AI can hold far more variables in view at once, making it easier to identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.” — Dr. Turner“Rather than relying on generic chatbots, my work focuses on structured models that reflect what truly happens within and between human minds.” — Dr. Turner“Carefully designed AI systems can support deeper awareness and meaningful change — turning insight into action.” — Dr. Turner Key Takeaways AI Reveals the Invisible Artificial intelligence can identify subtle relational and behavioral patterns that are often missed by the human eye, especially in cases of coercive control. Structured Intelligence Over Generic Tools Dr. Turner’s work goes beyond standard AI chatbots by using structured psychological and behavioural models that reflect real human dynamics. Clarity Through Complexity Her AI systems are designed to hold multiple variables at once, offering deeper insight and faster decision-making clarity. Lived Experience as Innovation Her personal journey through trauma informs the authenticity, depth, and effectiveness of her work. A New Frontier in Personal Development CET Freedom’s AI tools are reshaping coaching, leadership, and personal growth by integrating trauma awareness with advanced technology. Journal Prompts Reflect on a relationship where something felt “off” but was difficult to explain. What patterns do you now recognize in hindsight?How could technology — particularly AI — support your personal growth, healing, or decision-making process?Write about a moment when increased awareness (through insight, support, or tools) helped you reclaim your power. Contact Dr. Lisa Turner: Website: https://cetfreedom.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cetfreedom Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cetfreedom/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlisaturner/ Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liturner Twitter / X: https://x.com/DrLisaTurner TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlisaturner Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace explores global newsreels on abuse, from Australia, Burma, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, UK and USA. The stories include femicide, rape, gender abuse, climate change, child molestation, human trafficking and law reforms. Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace sits with Dr. Ashley S. Glosson, an infectious diseases scientist, global health expert and memoirist. She is the author of "Blood Orphans." A harrowing true story of growing up trapped inside a home ruled by fear, violence, secrecy and psychological terror. Behind the image of a respected, educated and affluent family, she and her siblings endured years of abuse that stole their innocence far too soon... This is more than a story of survival, it is about what happens after trauma and lasting scars of childhood violence and breaking free from generational cycles of abuse. It explores, resilience, faith and the lasting impact of adversity and the healing it takes... CONGRATULATIONS!!! Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse (RASA) We have reached a major milestone - 250 Episode! To all our amazing listeners and viewers, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this journey. Your support, encouragement, messages and continued connection with the podcast, have made every episode meaningful. This milestone is possible because of YOU. The journey continues - expect more inspiring conversations, inspiring guests, fresh perspectives, unforgettable moments and content that continues to inform, entertain and connect our community. Thank you for being part of the family. Here's to the next chapter! Quotes "Our past may shape us, but it does not have to define us" - Dr. Ashley S. Glosson, Author of "Blood Orphan." “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey “What happened to you was not your fault. But healing is your responsibility.” — Dr. Thema Bryant “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls.” — Khalil Gibran “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brené Brown “Your story is what you have, what you will always have.” — Michelle Obama “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling Key Takeaways Survivors can carry immense responsibility at a very young age. Abuse can exist behind “perfect” or “respectable” family images. Silence is often a survival mechanism—not weakness. Healing is not linear—it’s built piece by piece. Success does not erase trauma, but it can coexist with healing. Breaking silence is a powerful act of reclaiming identity. Protecting others as a child often leads to delayed self-healing. Resilience is not about minimising pain—it’s about facing it. Sharing your story can become a pathway for others to heal. Journal Prompts What does “rising above” mean to me personally? What parts of my story have I kept silent, and why? When did I first learn to protect others before myself? What does safety feel like to me today? How has my past shaped my strength? What would my younger self need to hear from me now? Where am I still minimising my pain? What does healing look like in this season of my life? Who can I trust with my truth? What does resilience mean beyond survival? How can I begin reclaiming my voice? What boundaries do I need to feel safe? What am I ready to release? How do I define my identity beyond my trauma? What does “freedom” look like for me emotionally? Contact Dr. Ashley S. Glosson: https://ashleyglosson-author.com/ Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace explores various global newsreels on abuse. Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Today's episode is not just about awareness - it's about equipping survivors with language, strategy and validation. GAWGO's -(Getting Ahead While Getting Out) work bridges the gap between lived experience and systemic recognition, offering both critique and concrete tools for change. Our guest today is Sofi Khan, a survivor, lawyer, feminist, author , activist and shadow board member of a domestic abuse charity in the UK- SOLACE. QUOTES “Leaving isn’t just about escape—it’s about strategy.” — GAWGO“Silence is not always submission; sometimes, it is survival & Peace” — Grace Ovba“The system asks for proof, but survivors carry truth in their bodies.” — GAWGO“What we call ‘lack of evidence’ is often a failure of language.” — GAWGO“Abuse thrives in systems that refuse to name it properly.” — GAWGO KEY TAKEAWAYS Domestic abuse must be understood as both a personal and structural issue.Survivors’ lived experiences are valid forms of evidence—even when systems fail to recognise them.Strategic silence is an intentional, powerful survival tool—not passivity.Legal language often fails to capture the complexity of abuse.Documentation and evidence gathering are essential for navigating legal systems.Risk assessment and safety planning can save lives.Trauma affects identity, cognition, and decision-making—but healing is possible.Evidence-based therapies like trauma-focused CBT can support recovery.Patriarchal systems, including courts and institutions, can perpetuate harm.Survivors need both emotional support and practical strategy. JOURNAL PROMPTS: What does safety mean to me right now—emotionally, physically, and psychologically?Where in my life have I used silence as protection or strategy?What are the signs of control or coercion I may have overlooked?How has my experience shaped my identity—and what parts of me am I reclaiming?What evidence of my strength have I ignored or minimised?What support systems do I need to build or strengthen?What fears come up when I think about leaving or changing my situation?How can I begin documenting my truth safely?What does healing look like for me beyond survival?Where can I give myself compassion instead of judgement? Contact Sofi Khan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metoomyway/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@metoomyway Website: https://www.solacewomensaid.org/people/sofi-khan/ Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]

Grace talks with Lorraine Ansell, the author of "The Surrender Agenda, a memoir recognised by the 'Ink Book Prize.' She's also a speaker and creator who lives with Hypermobile Ehlers - Danlos Syndrome. Her symptoms were minimised, misunderstood or misread for years-until clarity arrived in form of a diagnosis. Quotable Quotes: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzsche “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Viktor E. Frankl “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi Key Takeaways: Chronic pain is often invisible long before it is diagnosed, shaping identity in silence. Misdiagnosis can create emotional and psychological layers of suffering beyond physical symptoms. Understanding connective tissue disorders like hEDS can change how patients are treated and believed. Pain can become both a limitation and a lens—altering perception, creativity, and awareness. Thriving with chronic illness is not about elimination of pain, but adaptation and meaning-making. Small daily practices often matter more than large breakthroughs in managing chronic conditions. Creativity can emerge as a response to constraint, not just inspiration. Journal Prompts Where in my life have I been trying to “push through” instead of listening more closely to what my body or emotions are communicating? What parts of my experience have I dismissed because they were not immediately understood by others? What would it look like to validate them myself? If my challenges were not something to “fix,” but something to understand, what new questions would I begin asking about my life? Contact Lorraine Ansell: Email: [email protected] The Surrender Agenda-Memoir My Witty & Honest Journey Of Learning To Accept & Love My Pain - By Lorraine Ansell Genres: Self-help, Memoir, Humour | Publication date: | 25th June 2024 Availability: International, EB (£3.99) PB (£6.99) AB (variable, from £0.99) | ISBN: 9781838383084 (PB) 9781838383091 (EB) | ASIN: B0F22Y848QA (AB) Publisher: Amazon | Page count: | 172 Media folder & enquiries: https://bit.ly/LorraineAnsell | [email protected] | Author online: Website: https://www.lorraineansellauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglavoiceart/ Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineansellcontentcreator/ MEDIA FOLDER & ENQUIRIES: HTTPS://BIT.LY/LORRAINEANSELL [email protected] Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Email: [email protected] To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: [email protected] - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: [email protected]