Bella Fox and her mum, Lauren, join me for a powerful and thoughtful conversation about trauma, healing, parenting and finding your voice.

Together, they share two perspectives on the same journey.

Bella talks about navigating the impact of sexual assault at a young age, PTSD, therapy, friendships, faith, body autonomy and gradually finding a sense of ownership over her life again.

Lauren shares what it can be like to support your child through trauma — learning when to listen, how to create space for difficult conversations, recognising when something isn’t right and remembering that parents and carers may need support too.

We also explore why children don’t always have the language to understand or explain what has happened to them, why age-appropriate education matters, and the reality that healing is rarely a straight line.

Today, Bella is using her voice through Becoming Bella Fox to help other young people feel less alone.

This episode holds space for the difficult parts of their story, but also for hope, growth, connection and everything that can exist beyond trauma.

⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes conversations about childhood sexual trauma, PTSD, suicidal thoughts and mental health. There are no graphic descriptions of the sexual trauma.

Please listen in the way that feels right for you. 🤍

In this episode of The B Brave Podcast, Chloe sits down with Ebs to talk about reproductive coercion — a form of abuse that is still widely misunderstood and rarely spoken about.

Ebs shares her experience of coercive control, sexual and physical abuse, pregnancy, and being pressured into an abortion she did not want. She speaks openly about the devastating impact that experience had on her mental health, her relationships, her career and her sense of self.

She also talks about what happened after the relationship ended, her experience of trying to seek justice, and how she has turned that pain into purpose through HerHaven and her My Choice Was Taken campaign.

This is an incredibly raw conversation about power, control, survival, grief, rebuilding and finding your voice again.

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, sexual assault, reproductive coercion, pregnancy loss/abortion, suicidal thoughts and threats of violence.

Why do so many male survivors wait decades before speaking about childhood sexual abuse?

In this episode, Chloe speaks with Kieron, founder of Speak It Out, about surviving a decade of abuse that began when he was just six years old.

Kieron shares how grooming shaped his understanding of love, affection and relationships; why the end of the abuse didn’t mean the end of its impact; and what it took to finally tell someone more than 20 years later.

They also explore the complicated feelings survivors can have towards the person who abused them, the effects of trauma and rejection, and the societal conditioning that teaches boys to remain silent.

Kieron has now turned his experience into action through Speak It Out, delivering workshops for boys, training for teachers and guidance for parents and carers. His mission is not only to help prevent abuse, but to ensure boys have the language, confidence and trusted people they need to speak sooner.

This is an honest and deeply important conversation about survival, silence and creating change from lived experience.

Content warning: This episode discusses child sexual abuse, grooming, trauma and suicidal thoughts. Please listen with care.

Support:

Samaritans: 116 123
Childline: 0800 1111
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
In an immediate emergency, call 999.

Kieron and Speak It Out: https://www.speakitout.org/
The B Brave Project: https://www.instagram.com/chloe_speaks_out/

How do we talk about childhood sexual abuse without allowing the weight of the subject to silence us?

In this episode, Chloe Jean speaks to Sophia Lu — a Vietnamese-British designer, survivor and founder of Secrets Worth Sharing.

Sophia introduces “Serious Joy,” her approach to discussing difficult subjects with warmth, creativity and humanity, without ever making light of the abuse itself.

Together, Chloe and Sophia discuss why silence allows abuse to thrive, the reactions survivors face when they disclose, the limitations of traditional awareness campaigns and how film, storytelling and design can help people engage with conversations they might otherwise avoid.

They also explore the criminal justice system, survivor-led change, inclusive advocacy and the small but meaningful ways everyone can become a safer ally.

This is an honest, hopeful conversation about creating change — one conversation and one planted seed at a time.

Content note: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and the criminal justice system.

We often hear stories about surviving abuse but we don't hear enough about what happens afterwards.

In this episode, Chloe speaks with Laura – survivor of child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation and rape, and founder of Survivor Sanctuary.

Together they explore the lifelong impact of trauma, rebuilding your identity, navigating relationships, grief, healing, and why being told to "move on" can often be one of the most painful things a survivor hears.

This is an honest conversation about life after abuse—and a reminder that healing doesn't have to happen alone.

Sometimes talking isn’t enough!In this episode of The B Brave Podcast, Chloe is joined by Moya, founder of Yoma Therapies, to explore Reiki, meditation and holistic approaches to healing.Together, they discuss the connection between trauma, the nervous system and the body; why meditation can feel uncomfortable or even unsafe for people who have experienced trauma; and how practices such as Reiki, mindfulness and breathwork may support a wider healing journey.Moya explains what Reiki is, what someone can expect during a session and why approaching it without pressure or expectation can be so important. She also guides Chloe and listeners through a short grounding and breathing practice that you can follow from wherever you are.In this episode:* What Reiki is and how a session works* Why people can feel disconnected from their bodies after trauma* Why stillness and meditation may initially feel uncomfortable* Simple ways to begin meditating without overcomplicating it* The importance of choice, trust and feeling safe with a practitioner* Why healing can include both talking therapies and holistic practices* A guided grounding practice with Moya* You don’t have to heal in one particular way. * You are allowed to explore what feels safe and right for you.Connect with Moya and Yoma Therapies:https://www.yomarelax.com@yoma_therapiesFollow The B Brave Project:www.thebbraveproject.com@chloe_speaks_out / @thebbraveprojectpodcastIf this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a comment and share it with someone who may need to hear it.Please remember that Reiki and meditation are complementary practices and are not substitutes for professional medical or psychological treatment.

This week's episode is slightly different. For the first time in a while, it's just me. No guest. No interview.

Just me sharing a part of my story that I've never fully spoken about before.

After my abuser was convicted and sentenced to prison, everyone assumed that was the end of the story. The happy ending. The closure.

But what nobody talks about is what happens afterwards.

In this deeply personal solo episode, I share the mental and physical breakdown I experienced years after the trial ended. From CPTSD and severe health anxiety to panic attacks, hospital admissions, being sectioned under mental health services and eventually being diagnosed with Visual Snow Syndrome.

This episode is about the aftermath of trauma. The part nobody prepares you for.

The part that happens when your body has spent years holding everything together and can no longer carry the weight.

If you've ever struggled after a traumatic experience, or wondered why healing isn't as straightforward as people think, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone.

🎙️ Thank you for listening and for continuing to support The B Brave Project.

Healing after child sexual abuse isn't one-size-fits-all — and therapy can often feel confusing, overwhelming, and inaccessible when you don't know where to start.

In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Chloe is joined by fellow survivor Emma to explore the reality of therapy after trauma. Together they share their own experiences of navigating recovery, the challenges of finding the right support, and the different therapeutic approaches that can help survivors process what they've been through.

From CBT and EMDR to talking therapy, grounding techniques, creative therapies, and trauma-informed support, this episode breaks down the options in a simple, survivor-focused way. Chloe and Emma also discuss grief, PTSD, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, neurodiversity, trust, and the long journey of learning that healing isn't about being "fixed" — it's about understanding yourself with compassion.

Whether you're considering therapy for the first time, struggling to find the right therapist, or supporting someone who has experienced trauma, this episode offers practical advice, hope, and reassurance that you don't have to navigate it alone.

In this episode we discuss:
• How to know when you're ready for therapy
• CBT, EMDR, talking therapy and other trauma therapies explained
• NHS vs private therapy options
• Finding a therapist you trust
• Grounding techniques for flashbacks and anxiety
• Living with intrusive thoughts and PTSD
• The connection between trauma, grief and neurodiversity
• Why healing isn't linear
• Learning that what happened to you was never your fault

A gentle reminder: there is no "right" way to heal. The most important thing is taking the first step when you're ready.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it.

🎙️ The B Brave Podcast — creating conversations that help survivors feel seen, heard and understood.