Connected By Stories Podcast

16/07/2020

On today's episode, Aisha talks to us about how a long term abusive relationship completely changed her into someone she could not recognise. After another abusive experience, she had to pack up and move countries to help her heal. This was a really insightful conversation and I am grateful to Aisha for sharing her story⁣⁣
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If Aisha's story has inspired you, you can find her on instagram . Aisha also runs a story blog where she encourages the black community to share their stories.⁣⁣
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Episode 7 is now available on the website (link in bio), Spotify, Apple and all other streaming platforms.⁣⁣
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Quote reposted from: ⁣
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11/07/2020

"But one day you will wake up and find that it hurts a little less and you can focus on moving forward instead of hurting from the past."

Swipe to read...

***de **e **o

05/07/2020

"You are strong, you are a survivor, and you WILL be happy again. Please trust me, from one survivor to another, you will feel whole again. You will."

Swipe to read...

***de **e

03/07/2020

Growing up in a less than ideal environment, Jameesha narrates the effects her childhood had on her life and in turn her choices in partners. On this episode, She takes us through her experiences in abusive relationships and leaves us with some amazing advice 💜🤎

Today's episode is a special one as Meesh happens to be a very good friend of mine and I am very grateful to her for sharing her stories with me and all you listeners 💜🤎

Episode 6 is now available on the website (link in bio), Spotify, Apple and all other streaming platforms.

02/07/2020

"I am a 22 year old male who is just now getting out of an abusive relationship"

Swipe to read...

**e

28/06/2020

I was 17 and on spring break. Most of my friends came with boyfriends. I met a guy a little older and was hanging out with him and his friends. I asked them to get me a drink because the hotel was strict and wouldn’t let anyone under 18 drink. They came back I remember noticing but not thinking anything of it but they had three drinks two of them the same that they drank and mine was a different type of drink. I drank about a third of it and woke up naked covered in blood in a strange hotel room and the two of them were leaving.

I didn’t think I was r***d. I didn’t really process anything. I remember having breakfast alone because my friends were mad I disappeared and my body felt so weird. Weeks later I googled after affects of roofies and it seemed pretty similar to what I had experienced. Later that trip they offered to sell a guy friend of mine a video they took that night. Yet no one was alarmed or concerned. Which made me question what happened that night. If one person would’ve been like that’s fu**ed up are you okay I think I would’ve processed things differently. Right now I feel very disconnected from that story. So removed from it I feel no emotions towards it like it wasn’t me that night.

I’ve really really tried hard to bury that story and did a good job doing it. This week, as for many, has been extremely triggering and anxiety filled. But all of those feelings coming up now with others story is so much better than having all of us still silenced. I have many other stories. All of my friends have many stories. We are hurt and suffering and no one seems to care.

**e

25/06/2020

When I was 16 my friends and I hung out at the same house every weekend. There was 10 of us. We had small parties and we rarely invited others. On Valentine’s Day we had a themed party. We were drinking, dancing, and just having fun.
By the end of the night I was pretty intoxicated and found myself confused when I saw faces of people who weren’t apart of the group, in the house. When one of the faces came up to me I was nervous. I knew of him and didn’t like what I heard. He told me the music was too loud and needed to tell me something and proceeded to grab my arm and pull me into the bathroom down the hall.
I felt myself coming in and out of consciousness. I couldn’t scream because his hand was covering my mouth so tightly I thought he was going to break my jaw. I don’t remember anything after that. Except I woke up with no clothes on, on the floor of the same bathroom. I got up, went home, and showered. No one in the group knows. Still to this day,
After this, I stopped drinking. Never allowing myself to become vulnerable enough to have this happen again.
It’s been four years, I still think about it. But I do not let this define me. I am strong. I am brave. I am okay.

**e

23/06/2020

I was 14 and I met my abuser at the age of 10. He was two months older than me. We started seeing each other aged 13. I thought everything was fine until he began to put me down and tell me I was ugly through name calling etc would make me feel as though nobody else would ever want me. I had to come home from school and the first thing I had to do was turn on the we**am and allow him watch every single thing I did I wasn’t allowed to turn it off or he would get angry. He needed to see everything i was doing. If he couldn’t he would contact my family to find me. He would be furious if I saw my friends. I wasn’t allowed to see my dad longer than an hour at the weekend because he demanded me. Then it started with sexual abuse. He would shove my head so hard down for oral no matter how much I cried. And I cried a lot. He would constantly shove my head and hands down there so much so my hair would be ripped out from the force and my wrists would have hand marks. At aged aged 14 he r***d me. I had bruises all over my shoulders and he even used a condom to make sure he was “safe”. I was not. I told him he was hurting me and he continued despite me crying and wincing from pain. I got home and hid my clothes which had blood stains on them from my mother. She found them. I think she was suspicious but I was so scared I begged her to believe me that he didn’t pressure me because I was afraid and ashamed. I hated myself. This didn’t happen again but he continued with the assaults of shoving my head and gripping my hair or just generally forcing me into situations I begged him not to. This went on until I turned 16 almost 17. I broke up with him via Skype to avoid the threats of su***de and manipulation. He showed up at my house at 7 am the next morning. From then on I was stalked for over a year. It didn’t stop until I threatened a restraining order. I’m a lot stronger now than I was then. This will be the first time I have ever spoken out in detail despite it being anonymous. I’m proud of me and I’m proud of everyone that’s survived. We are so strong !

**e

22/06/2020

Noone should have to endure abuse regardless of who it's coming from 🤎💜

19/06/2020

New Episode: On Today's episode, Tabitha shares her experiences with a narcissitic boyfriend. An encounter with some material on Reddit or to her finally leaving. Find out what happened after she decided to end things

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Episode 5 is now available on the website (link in bio), Spotify, Apple and all other streaming platforms 🤎💜☀️

15/06/2020

Some words of wisdom from my conversation with on the latest episode of the podcast.

A lot of people tend to think abusers will change due to a ring or a child, but in most cases it only gets worse.

You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts and everywhere else that you listen to podcasts

21/05/2020

At the young age of 6, Vodka had to experience what no child should ever have to go through. Living with this experience for years had numerous effects on him and on today's episode he shares this story with us
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Episode 3 is now available on the website (link in bio), , all other streaming platforms. Listen as Vodka shares some of the horrors of sexual abuse from a male perspective. We hope this inspires other men out there who have been through similar situations. Please know you're not alone💜☀️⁣
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20/05/2020

Hi I was brought up in an abusive household. My entire life my mom would make me feel worthless and like everything I did offended her. My grandma is a horrible person and I know that my mom went through abuse from her. They barely have a relationship and my mom would always complain about how she was treated as a child, but she would treat me in the same way she complained that her mom treated her. ⁣
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She never ever saw anything wrong with what she did, nothing was ever her fault and she would blame everybody but herself for everything. Living with her was a nightmare, I could never do anything right and you never knew when she would lose it at you. This went on for years and one day on one of her rants about grandma, I pointed out to her that she does the same thing to me and we would probably end up like they are. SHE LOST IT! She started yelling at me for comparing her to grandma after all she had done for me, saying that all she had ever tried to do was be a good mother and this was how I repayed her. She said a lot of hurtful things that day, but the one thing that sticks is her saying that I was very ungrateful after all the sacrifices she made and that maybe she should have listened to grandma and aborted me when she got pregnant. She said if I knew what she went through to have me I would never speak to her in the way I was. ⁣
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I moved out not too long after that incident, but I tried to keep a relationship with her. I remember I had an incident with an abusive ex where he hit me and when I told her about it, she made it about herself and said that maybe I deserved it because of how I treat people who try to be good to me. I think at that point I had just about had enough. That was 3 years ago, and next month it will be a whole year since I cut off all contact with her and I've never felt happier⁣
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17/05/2020

Men are less likely to speak up about abuse, and when they do they are less likely to be taken seriously. But this doesn't mean they do not go through the different types of abuse. To male survivors of abuse, please know that we hear you.

This is another creation by as a part of his . ⁣

13/05/2020

Never Forget That 💜⁣
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13/05/2020

I was abused by my coworker when I was 18. A few of us had met up at another coworker's place and there was food and alcohol and most of us got pretty drunk so we ended up staying there that night. I don't remember all the details but at some point I got up to p**s and she followed me into the loo. I think I asked her to wait till I was done, or tried to leave so she could use it but she closed the door behind her and moved in on me. She kept trying to kiss me and when I tried to walk out, she said she would tell everyone I was gay if I didn't let her. I am gay and I hadn't come out to anyone except my closest friends so I panicked and gave in and she ended up giving me a bl***ob that night. I told two of my friends at the time that she had basically forced herself on me and they only cared about the bl***ob and laughed it off. I know I felt violated but for a long time I felt like I had to keep up this image that it wasn't a big deal because I was a guy and I didn't want people thinking I was gay. This is the first time I have called it abuse or spoken about it since then and honestly I am still not sure if it counts as abuse. Please share⁣
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12/05/2020

Approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. Statistically, only about one third of child sexual abuse incidents are identified. Fewer are reported.

Children should be educated early on the signs of abuse and what to do should a situation arise. Most importantly they need to know that if anything were to happen they can (and should) tell you as a parent.

This is another creation by as a part of his . ⁣

12/05/2020

When I was 5, me and my mom traveled to visit my cousins, aunts and uncles, etc. After we had settled in, my mom said I'd have to share a room with my cousin. He had a bunkbed, and I got the top bunk. After I had gotten ready for bed, my cousin started asking if he could kiss me. Now as a child, I knew only adults did that, and I felt uncomfortable. I said "no" every time he would ask me, which was alot. After I had climbed into bed, and everyone else was asleep, my cousin climbed up to the top bunk, where I was. I didn't know what was happening until he was ontop of me, and I struggled to breathe. I was a very small child, and he was older, and much bigger. He forced kisses all over my face and used his hands to touch me. I tried to push him off, and I said "stop. Get off. Please." so many times. But nothing worked. I felt alone and helpless. I felt so violated and confused. ⁣
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To this day, it still haunts me, I'm insecure and I have trust issues. In grade 7, is when I was at my worst. My stuttering was terrible, and I was self harming. I was getting bad grades, and I attempted su***de once. I don't self harm as much and my grades are better now.But the stuttering comes back every few months, and I have nightmares. I feel that I can't tell anyone because this was ten years ago, and I'd only be judged or told that it was my imagination. I'd be told that I'm exaggerating or something. Thankyou for taking the time to read this💜⁣
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***deattempt

11/05/2020

Just a reminder that abuse is not always physical. Just because you can't see what someone has been through does not mean it hasn't left lasting scars.⁣
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This amazing work was created by Penciled Celebrities as a part of his . ⁣
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10/05/2020

Hi, I listened to your last episode and I want to share a story of how I was also abused by a family member. ⁣⁣
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I lived with my dad as my mum passed away when I was 4 and this happened when I was 11. My dad's step-brother was in town and staying with us for a while. A few days before it happened, he had walked in on me in the shower and just said he didn't know I was in there. Looking back now he would have known as the shower was on at the time, also I never heard the door open so I don't know how long he would have been there for before I saw him. On the day it happened, I was home alone with him and had fallen asleep on the couch. I woke up when I felt a hand rubbing against my lady parts. He had taken my underwear off and was touching me down there. When I woke and immediately moved, all he could say was "doesn't it feel nice". I said I was going to report him to my dad, and that was when he got serious and started asking me not to say anything. He promised to get me anything I wanted if I said nothing to my dad. As luck would have it, my dad came back while that was happening and I told him everything. He immediately got very protective and pounced on him, screaming and hitting him. He kicked him out of the house that day and we haven't seen him since. I am 26 now and I still flinch when anyone touches me down there. I have been seeing a therapist which has made it a lot easier. Thank you for letting me share my story.⁣
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07/05/2020

Separated from her parents at a very young age, Rose thought she would be safe living with her uncle, after all that is family. But she came to find that abusers come in different forms and sometimes it can be your own family members.

Episode 2 is now available on the website (link in bio), Spotify, Apple and all other streaming platforms. Listen to the incredibly strong and courageous () as she narrates her experience with sexual abuse, and leaves us with some profound advice 💜☀️

07/05/2020

New episode out tomorrow at 9am! This is one of those episodes you don't want to miss 💜

01/05/2020

For anyone currently in a relationship or trying to build one with a survivor of abuse, next week's guest has some great advice for you 🙏🏾 Thank you for sharing your story with us, and your wonderful message of hope ☀️🤎

The full episode will be available next week, Friday 7th May @ 9am AEST. Make sure to tune in.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other streaming platforms.

01/05/2020

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone that listened to and shared the first episode 😊 The response has been absolutely amazing!! To those of you who have reached out to let us know the impact it had, we really appreciate you 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Can't wait to share more stories with you 💜💜

30/04/2020

From my conversations, Financial Abuse seems to be one aspect of abuse that not too many people talk about or are familiar with. Do the following things sound familiar?

29/04/2020

Came across this chart which contains some very good examples of tactics used by abusers. What do you think?

28/04/2020

On the first episode of the podcast, we learnt about some different ways abusers can carry out emotional and sexual abuse. It's important to understand these signs

28/04/2020

We're also on twitter, give us a follow

28/04/2020

We have added a blog section to the website! Look out for more posts coming to you soon.

All interviews will also be available to read through.

27/04/2020

Beautiful words from . If you have not caught up on the first episode, it's available on the website (link in bio) and all other streaming platforms.

23/04/2020

"If I could be better, I could earn the love I wanted" - Have you ever felt this way in a relationship? Episode 1 of the podcast is finally out and has some amazing words for you.☀️🤎

To listen to her story, click the link in our bio. Also available on Spotify, Apple and all other streaming platforms.

23/04/2020

Thank you to the wonderful Emmy, who will be my first guest on the podcast, for sharing her truly inspiring story. ☀️🤎
The full episode will be available tomorrow, Friday 9am AEST. Make sure to tune in.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other streaming platforms.

22/04/2020

Over the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of speaking to some of the most courageous and amazing individuals who have all trusted me to bring their stories to you. Together we want anyone in a similar situation to know that you are NEVER alone ☀️💜

21/04/2020

20/04/2020

Very excited to announce the launch of the podcast!!

The aim of this podcast is to give Survivors a voice and a platform to share their stories and for these stories to act as a beacon of hope and empowerment to anyone who is or has been through similar situations. Many people go through these experiences alone and I want you to know that you are NEVER alone!

The Trailer episode is now LIVE!! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and all other platforms.

20/04/2020

Very excited to announce the launch of the podcast!!

The aim of this podcast is to give Survivors a voice and a platform to share their stories and for these stories to act as a beacon of hope and empowerment to anyone who is or has been through similar situations. Many people go through these experiences alone and I want you to know that you are NEVER alone!

The Trailer episode is now LIVE!! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and all other platforms.

14/04/2020

Hi All! I am launching my new podcast where I speak to Abuse Survivors as they share their personal stories. I hope these stories act as a beacon of hope and empowerment to anyone who is in a similar situation. Please know you are NEVER alone ☀🤎