Dave Pelzer is one of the most recognized voices on childhood trauma, resilience, and forgiveness. In this deeply moving episode of From Dark to Light, Dave shares the untold layers behind A Child Called It, not just the abuse he survived, but the mindset, mentors, and moments that saved his life.

From enduring extreme childhood abuse and neglect to being rescued by teachers who refused to look away, Dave reflects on identity, shame, survival, and the lifelong work of healing. He speaks openly about forgiveness, breaking generational cycles, faith, service, and why surviving trauma comes with a responsibility to live fully.

This episode is not about reliving pain, it's about reclaiming purpose. Dave reminds us that our past does not define us, that happiness is a choice, and that even the smallest acts of kindness can change a life forever.

If you've ever struggled with trauma, identity, or believing your life can become more than what you survived, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
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🌿Connect and follow Dave Pelzer
👉Website: https://www.davepelzer.com/index.html
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044700194901


🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/

00:00 Meeting Dave Pelzer and the impact of A Child Called It
05:32 Childhood abuse, identity loss, and becoming "the boy"
11:48 The moment Dave realized he had to save himself
18:02 Teachers who noticed and the rescue that saved his life
25:20 Living with shame, hunger, and survival instincts
32:40 Foster care, mentors, and learning what safety felt like
40:18 Forgiveness, especially toward his father
47:05 "You survived for a reason" choosing happiness
54:10 Service, gratitude, and doing good every day
01:01:05 A final message of hope, purpose, and resilience

If today's episode stirred something in you, let it be a reminder that survival is not the end of the story. Healing is possible. Purpose can be reclaimed. And even after profound darkness, light can grow stronger than you ever imagined. You are not alone and your story is still unfolding.

#FromDarkToLight #DavePelzer #AChildCalledIt #HealingFromTrauma #ChildAbuseSurvivor #BreakingGenerationalCycles #ForgivenessAndHealing #ResilienceStories #FaithAndHope #MentalHealthAwareness #HumanSpirit #TraumaRecovery

Some stories are not just about surviving. They are about what someone chooses to do with the pain they were handed.

In this episode of From Dark To Light, Julie sits down with Kirsten Vanderjagt, who grew up surrounded by homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and constant instability. After attending over a dozen schools and experiencing foster care and profound family loss, Kirsten shares how one advocate changed the trajectory of her life and helped her choose purpose over despair.

This raw and deeply human conversation explores childhood trauma, generational patterns, forgiveness, and why people raised in the same home can end up on very different paths. Kirsten also shares the mission behind Katie's House Foundation and the Shelter Registry, created to bring safety, transparency, and accountability to shelters and recovery housing. A powerful reminder that darkness does not define destiny and that healing can become a force for change.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Kirsten VanderJagt
👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privatemoney.hardmoney.live.love.thrive/
👉LibkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenvanderjagt/

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/

00:00 Growing up surrounded by instability
05:10 Childhood homelessness and frequent moves
10:45 Divorce, addiction, and family separation
15:30 Calling Child Protective Services and the aftermath
20:55 Becoming the caretaker too young
26:40 Why siblings from the same home take different paths
32:15 The advocate who changed everything
38:30 Losing her mother and choosing forgiveness
44:10 Why Katie's House Foundation was created
50:20 Building systems that protect lives

💬 Kirsten's story reminds us that where we come from does not determine where we are going. Trauma may shape us, but it does not have to define us. When pain is met with courage, accountability, and compassion, it can become a catalyst for real and lasting change.

#FromDarkToLight #ChildhoodTrauma #HealingJourney #TraumaToPurpose #BreakingGenerationalCycles #AdvocacyAndHope #MentalHealthStories #Resilience #NonprofitLeadership #RealLifeTestimony

In this deeply moving episode of From Dark to Light, we sit down with Chasitey Kyle, a mother, widow, and survivor who has faced unimaginable loss. At 34, she lost her husband with five young children at home. After finding love again, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy—who tragically passed just 18 days later.

Through faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her family, Chasitey has turned her pain into purpose. She shares her story to encourage anyone navigating grief, heartbreak, or overwhelming life challenges. From finding strength in faith to leaning on community and small daily steps, her journey offers hope, inspiration, and practical wisdom.

Whether you're facing loss, seeking healing, or looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, this conversation reminds us all that we are never alone and that light can emerge even from the darkest times.

🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places.

🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain:
👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/

🌿Connect and follow Chasitey Kyle
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@chasdrealtor
👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasiteykyle

🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light!
Fill out the form here:
https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/

00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome
02:15 – Early Life & Family Foundations
05:40 – Teen Motherhood & Faith Deepening
09:30 – Marriage, Love, and Family Life
13:50 – Husband's Liver Failure Diagnosis
19:20 – Grieving the Loss of a Spouse
25:40 – Finding Strength for the Children
30:15 – Community Support & Unexpected Acts of Kindness
34:50 – Losing a Child & Experiencing Grief Again
39:10 – Maintaining Faith & Purpose Amid Tragedy
43:00 – Advice for Those Struggling & Moving Forward
45:10 – Closing Thoughts & Encouragement

💬 Chasitey's story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, hope, faith, and resilience can guide us forward. You are not alone in your struggles, and your pain can one day be transformed into purpose. May this conversation inspire you to take life one step, one moment, at a time, and to hold onto hope no matter the darkness.

#GriefSupport #FaithAndHealing #Resilience #OvercomingLoss #HealingJourney #MotherhoodAndLoss #EmotionalWellness #HopeAfterTragedy #LifeStories #TurningPainIntoPurpose #FromDarkToLight #FaithInAdversity