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  • Ep. 64: Adversity to advocacy - Caralyn Dreyer’s story escaping domestic abuse & promoting mental health recovery

    Ep. 64: Adversity to advocacy - Caralyn Dreyer’s story escaping domestic abuse & promoting mental health recovery
    2025/10/27

    *****This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based kombucha tea: Use code Breanne10 at checkout for a discount!*****

    In this powerful episode, Caralyn Dreyer shares her journey through adoption, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and an eating disorder—and the lifelong work of healing that has followed.

    We openly talk about reclaiming identity, building self-worth after trauma, and the role therapy, forgiveness, and community play in recovery.

    As a fellow mother and mental health advocate, Caralyn opens up about breaking generational cycles and finding strength through vulnerability.

    Her story shines a light on the courage it takes to face the past and the beauty of resilience. She and I very candidly dive into what it truly means to heal.

    If you or someone you love is navigating trauma or mental health recovery, this conversation offers compassion, validation, and hope.


    More from Caralyn Dreyer:

    Read Caralyn's Blog: Darkness to Dialogue – Living Well With Mental Illness⁠ – Honest stories, trauma-informed recovery tools, and stigma-busting insights for those living with depression, anxiety, and more.

    Follow Caralyn on Instagram⁠ for daily reflections, lived experience, and advocacy.

    Listen to “Through the Darkness” – A Mental Health Recovery Podcast⁠

    Subscribe to Caralyn’s Substack⁠ for essays, recovery resources, and ongoing conversations about healing.
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    1 時間 23 分
  • Ep. 63: Coach Sylvie on "healing the root" — turning pain into empowered living

    Ep. 63: Coach Sylvie on "healing the root" — turning pain into empowered living
    2025/10/19

    In this episode, returning guest Sylvie, first featured in Episode 41, rejoins the conversation to share how her journey of healing from domestic violence evolved into a passionate mission to help others reclaim their power.

    ⁠Connect with Coach Sylvie on Instagram⁠⁠

    Now a trauma recovery coach and emotional wellness advocate, Sylvie guides individuals through their own healing journeys—helping them process grief, navigate trauma, and rediscover authenticity after pain.

    She reflects on how embracing radical honesty, emotional awareness, and spiritual intuition not only transformed her life but became the foundation of her coaching work.

    Sylvie believes healing is never about being rescued from the outside—it’s about learning to rescue yourself from within.

    This episode explores how she empowers clients to connect with their emotions, peel back layers of pain, and build resilience through self-trust and community support.

    Key Takeaways

    • Pain can become the foundation for purpose and advocacy.

    • Healing from trauma begins with inner strength and self-compassion.

    • Radical authenticity is the doorway to transformation.

    • Anger is valuable information that guides emotional clarity.

    • Healing unfolds in layers, revealing the root of deeper wounds.

    • Intuition and self-trust are essential tools for self-healing.

    • Community connection fuels empowerment and recovery.

    • Coaching creates a safe space for exploring and releasing pain.

    • Emotional awareness strengthens resilience and confidence.

    • Everyone has the capacity to heal and grow beyond their past.


    Memorable Quotes

    • "The rescue is an inside job."

    • "Anger is just information."

    • "You belong to God, not to a box."


    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction: Healing and Advocacy

    02:56 Purposing Pain — Turning Adversity into Advocacy

    06:00 The Inner Journey — Finding Strength Within

    08:53 Radical Authenticity — Living Your Truth

    11:59 Emotional Intelligence — Understanding Anger and Grief

    14:44 Layers of Healing — The Root Analogy

    17:53 The Power of Intuition — Trusting Yourself

    20:56 Authentic Living — Finding Where You Belong

    23:55 Coaching & Empowerment — Guiding Others Through Pain

    26:43 Community Healing — Why We Need Each Other

    29:40 Closing Reflections — Embracing the Ongoing Journey
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Ep 62: Adversity, DMT, & self-acceptance — Adam Butler’s journey thru addiction, healing, & psychedelic insight

    Ep 62: Adversity, DMT, & self-acceptance — Adam Butler’s journey thru addiction, healing, & psychedelic insight
    2025/10/13

    This episode was deeply personal and inspiring—my conversation with author and psychonaut Adam Butler cut to the heart of what it means to struggle, heal, and grow.

    Adam’s work, especially his book Butler’s DMT Field Guide: ABrief History, Step-by-Step Recipes, and Personal Experiences From a DMT Saturated Consciousness, captures his life-saving journey through mental health battles and hundreds of DMT experiences.

    Follow @booksbyadambutler

    Our dialogue explored how psychedelics, radical self-awareness, and inner work can transform lives.​

    Adam shared how facing his darkest hours and travelingacross America gave him tools for healing—through reflection, therapy, community, and DMT’s powerful insights.

    This episode is an invitation to dive into those uncomfortable places, honor growth, and find hope, whether through books, conversation, or your own journey.

    Key takeaways

    • Mental health struggles impact all of us at some point.​
    • Honest inner work and community support lead to real growth.​
    • Psychedelics like DMT can be life-changing tools for healing and self-acceptance.​
    • Adam’s book offers practical advice for safe, enlightening DMT experiences.​
    • Grounding in the present and gratitude are daily anchors.​


    Healing flourishes when we share stories and connect, and this episode is proof of that!
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    1 時間 21 分
  • Ep. 61: From 7th grade dreamer to music industry producer — my reunion with Julian

    Ep. 61: From 7th grade dreamer to music industry producer — my reunion with Julian
    2025/10/05

    What happens when a teacher’s favorite student grows up to become a force in the music industry—and your podcast partner, twenty years later?

    This episode is a celebration of those full-circle moments that remind us why sticking to your passion matters, even when the road gets tough.

    Back in 2005, I taught math and science to Julian, a creative seventh grader with a passion for music. Now, as a producer working with the likes of The Chainsmokers and Netflix—and my own podcast editor—Julian joins me for a heartfelt conversation about:

    The unforgettable school year at Mission Charter in Arizona

    -Turning a love of music into a thriving production career

    -Honest stories from inside the music industry: the good, the bad, and the dark side

    -Lessons on perseverance, creativity, and finding light in adversity

    -The joy of reconnecting and working together after twenty years

    Tune in to be inspired by a story of growth, mentorship, and the power of holding on to your dreams—even when life is unpredictable.

    Follow Julian’s journey on Instagram: ⁠@jacklondonmusic⁠ for music highlights and behind-the-scenes glimpses!

    #education #musicproducers #teachers #students
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    1 時間 22 分
  • Ep. 60: Remembering Sam - Pam Sharp on family, faith, grief, & suicide prevention

    Ep. 60: Remembering Sam - Pam Sharp on family, faith, grief, & suicide prevention
    2025/10/01

    On this final day of #SuicidePreventionMonth, I hope and pray this honest conversation becomes a light for anyone struggling in the dark — and a guide for those walking alongside a friend or loved one through their hardest battles.

    I'm so grateful I was able to connect with Pam Sharp, a fellow mom and podcast host of "Fight Hard, Love Much". Listen or watch Pam's podcast

    "Fight Hard, Love Much" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

    Pam bravely shares the adversity her family has faced in losing their son, Sam, to suicide in 2020, at just 16 years old. She openly shares how she and her family are doing their best to navigate their path to acceptance and healing every day.

    The Sharp family of 9 is the real deal. Since interviewing her incredible sons, Jake & Joe Sharp of @jduofit on ep. #45 of Adventures in Adversity: Ep. 45: Carrying Sam’s light! Brotherhood,...

    I’ve been deeply moved by their whole family's authenticity, their strength, and their ability to turn Sam’s light and memory into a vehicle for others to find God and find healing.

    I feel so blessed to know them and welcome Jake, Joe, & now Pam to the podcast as treasured guests.If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s okay to ask for help. Every single one of us deserves a helping hand, and support is available. 🎗️


    Need compassionate mental health support?

    If you live in the United States

    U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call/text 988 (FREE - English & Spanish)⁠


    If you live outside the United States:

    International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)⁠


    Topics covered

    • Personal stories of parenting and faith after losing Sam
    • Healing as a family and keeping your loved one’s memory alive
    • Honest talk about grief, mental health, and suicide prevention
    • Practical ways to support someone struggling and where to find help


    Timestamps

    0:02 – Meet Pam and remembering Sam

    0:10 – How faith shapes the journey of loss

    0:23 – Grief, healing, and hope in tough seasons

    0:32 – Resources, support, and honoring Sam’s legacy


    🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories about family, faith, and healing.

    💬 If this episode touched you, share your thoughts in the comments and help spread hope by sharing this video.

    ❤️ You’re not alone—light and support are out there.
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    54 分
  • Ep. 59: Radically rooted - Adoptee Coach Julie Brumley, MA on adoption, trauma, & coming home to self

    Ep. 59: Radically rooted - Adoptee Coach Julie Brumley, MA on adoption, trauma, & coming home to self
    2025/09/23
    In this episode, I sit down with Julie Brumley, a trauma-informed adoptee coach whose own story is nothing short of courageous. For over 15 years, she has helped other adoptees overcome addiction, regulate their nervous systems, and find a sense of true belonging. Julie Brumley - Trauma-Informed Adoptee CoachThe Resilience Project - Where Adoptees Find BelongingAs an adoptee herself, Julie survived unimaginable early life adversity—abandonment, attempted abortion, & multiple caregivers in the first 7 weeks of her life.Julie weaves somatic therapy, community, and fierce self-compassion into everything she offers. Her wisdom speaks to the primal abandonment wounds many adoptees share, and her bravery in transforming pain into powerful purpose is inspiring.If adoption has touched your life—or if you've ever felt out of place, struggled to belong, or wrestled with grief—you’ll resonate with the honesty and hope in this episode.What we dive into:-How adoption trauma and the “primal wound” can shape identity-Julie’s survival story and journey to finding belonging within-The role of somatic healing and nervous system work-Radical self-acceptance as a path to wholeness-Why processing grief is essential-The unique set of challenges adoptees face in community and relationships-How pain transforms into purposeChapters00:00 Introduction02:08 Meeting Julie and starting her journey04:53 Naming adoption trauma08:53 Julie’s calling to support adoptees11:05 How addiction links to abandonment wounds13:35 Finding birth family and the realities that followed16:49 Loss, resilience, and adversity19:31 Therapeutic tools for real healing22:21 The impact of adoption on emotional intimacy25:07 DNA, self-discovery, and identity27:40 Connecting to biological and cultural lineage29:45 Navigating relationships & emotional overwhelm33:18 Slowing down and honoring the reunion process36:55 Transmuting pain into purpose40:57 Belonging—starting from within44:03 Grief and living with loss47:32 Setting boundaries in relationships50:49 Emotional processing techniques56:07 The ongoing journey to self-acceptance and belonging
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    1 時間 2 分
  • Ep. 58: Why I chose to stay & heal out loud from narcissistic abuse #SuicidePreventionMonth

    Ep. 58: Why I chose to stay & heal out loud from narcissistic abuse #SuicidePreventionMonth
    2025/09/17
    What does it mean to choose hope after deep pain?September is #SuicidePreventionMonth—a reminder to cut through the surface and talk honestly about mental health.As reported by the World Health Organization, 720,000 people take their own lives per year.-Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.-73% of suicides occur in low and middle-income countries-The reasons for suicide are multifaceted, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors present across the life-course.-For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide in the general population.These stats are heartbreaking...and alarming...and we have to talk about them, BEFORE we lose more people.I’ll never forget when a classmate died by suicide in college during my senior year. Suddenly, everything people kept bottled up—grief, confusion, guilt—was right there in the open. 2003 Harvard Crimson tribute "Friends Remember 'Beautiful & Vibrant' Smith - May she rest in peaceIt was a harsh wake-up call to just how much pain goes unseen, how many of us are fighting battles no one notices, and how real the impact is when someone’s gone.In this episode of Adventures in Adversity, I open up about college experiences with suicide and trauma, as well as an experience my family had last year with someone we lost. I talk about surviving narcissistic abuse, dealing with loss, and what it’s really like to try to put your life back together after everything falls apart.Learning about suicide in my own life and through the lives of my guests on this podcast has changed the way I look at others and myself. Hearing about suicide for the first time didn’t just make me aware; it showed me how easily pain gets missed and how complicated life can get before someone finally asks for help.These are the hard conversations—but silence does more damage. If any of this feels familiar, know that you’re not alone, or broken, or strange for having a hard time. Reaching out isn’t weakness. Sometimes, it’s the only thing left that makes sense.SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCESStay Herehttps://www.stayhere.live/resourcesSuicide prevention education, support, and ACT training for individuals and communities.988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 support from trained counselors for suicidal crisis, mental health emergencies, or emotional distress. Available nationwide in the U.S. - English and SpanishMENTAL HEALTH APPS (2025 BEST PICKS)Calm — Meditation and sleep aidHeadspace — Mindfulness and guided relaxationBearable — Mood & symptom trackingFinch — Habit tracker and daily self-careBreathe, Think, Do (for kids)ADDITIONAL CRISIS SUPPORTCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free crisis support in the U.S..SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (Mental health and substance use)This episode was recorded in California at The Oakland Podcast StudioSpecial thanks to Louiza for making this happen and DK, my fantastic sound engineer!Follow Oakland Podcast Studio on Instagram
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    28 分
  • Ep. 57: 19-year old Wilson Munsterman on resilience, identity, & his book, "Marked by Adoption"

    Ep. 57: 19-year old Wilson Munsterman on resilience, identity, & his book, "Marked by Adoption"
    2025/09/09

    In this episode, I’m joined by Wilson Munsterman, a 19-year-old author and powerful advocate for adoptees.

    Visit Wilson's website: MarkedByAdoption.com

    Buy Wilson's book on Amazon: Marked by Adoption: 10 Key Insights from an Adoptee's Perspective

    Follow and connect with Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonmuns/...

    Wilson shares his remarkable journey from being abandoned in China as a baby and left on a doorstep. He spent time in orphanages in China and was adopted in America.

    He highlights the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-worth faced by so many in the adoption community.

    We delve into the transformative power of mindset and the critical roles that faith and mentorship have played in Wilson’s journey.

    Wilson also opens up about his motivation behind writing his book, Marked by Adoption, which is now available on Amazon.

    The conversation explores how intentional storytelling and meaningful connection can help shift perspectives and foster understanding within families and communities.

    Highlights from this episode include:

    • Wilson’s story of resilience, from abandonment to finding belonging through adoption.

    • Insights into how adoption influences identity and self-worth.

    • The importance of cultivating the right mindset and grounding in faith when navigating adversity.

    • The mentorship and support systems that guided Wilson’s path.

    • Reflections from his book, Marked by Adoption, and practical wisdom for parents and adoptees alike.

    • His story, his attitude, and the way Wilson lives his life is a true source of encouragement to approach adoption with openness, love, and a willingness to learn.
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    1 時間 9 分