As survivors we often don't realize that our abuse doesn't just affect ourselves Especially if we don't address our issues and just try to hide what happened to us There are many ways that the abuse has affects in our relationships that we might not even be aware of It can hold us back from having healthy relationships with those that we care the most about --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

Dr. Ron Ramsey is the author of "Forty Days to Forgiveness; a Christians Field Guide to the Forgiveness Journey" He draws on his experiences as an organization development consultant, his knowledge of the behavioral sciences,  and theological studies and his own unforgiveness challenges to lead readers on a forgiveness journey in this book We talk with him about why he wrote this book and the differences between forgiveness and reconciliation and why unforgiveness  is so harmful https://fortydaystoforgiveness.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

In his powerful and deeply vulnerable memoir "Toy Cars: One man's journey from trauma to triumph", Nathan dives into the trauma of being brutally abused, groomed and manipulated by the actions of a vicious pedophile. It is a coming of age story that ushers the reader into the world of abuse, addiction, sex, drugs and violence. He paints a masterpiece of triumph over tragedy, a powerful canvas of self-discovery, therapeutic growth and self love. https://www.nathanspiteri.com/toy-cars --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

In this panel we talk about shame, both healthy shame and toxic shame Former guests Tracy, Stephanie and Ashleigh are joined with a newcomer to the show Kevin's wife Charnell  They all weigh in on how shame affects our lives and how to handle shame effectively --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

Stephanie is a wife, mother, grandmother and recently is letting go of her caretaker rolls in her family She runs a community closet for people who need a hand up! She shares her story of childhood abuse, how it has affected her and how she has come to terms with it --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

Kendrick contacted us after finding our podcast and was interested in doing an interview He was abused as a child and went through some difficult periods in his life  He also had some healing times in his life where he felt he was handling his issues with the trauma but when his son turned about the same age as he was when he was abused he was triggered and realized that he still had work to do During this process he has found some people that he could feel safe sharing his story with and through them he realized how important it is to have someone that you can feel safe talking about this with and  that has inspired him to want to help others to have a safe place to share --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

Alan contacted us on the Male Survivor website and offered his encouragement for our work After corresponding with him and hearing more of his story we asked if he would like to do an interview and he agreed He has struggled with SSA for years without understanding why Then a few years ago after hearing a post from a pastor that reminded him of a memory that he had repressed about being abused He started searching for help with understanding his issues which led him to the Male Survivor website and then our podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

We first interviewed Dan about a year ago and then he joined us on our PTSD panel just recently During that panel he shared about how much had changed for him since we originally interviewed him So we thought it would be great to have him on to do a follow up interview to hear about what has been happening with him And it turns out that there has been a lot that he is very exited about and was happy to share with us --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

One of the hardest questions survivors ask is if there is a God why does He let abuse happen? Was it a part of his plan? Or was I being punished for something? None of us truly know Gods plan but if we are given free will than the only one to blame for our abuse  should be the perpetrator We are never at fault for the abuse that happened to us and blaming anyone besides the perpetrator does not help our healing --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support

For this panel we are joined with our previous guests Mike, Luke, Dr. Doug Carpenter and Dan, to discuss PTSD We reflect on what PTSD is and how it affects our lives and what helps in treating our PTSD We also discuss whether it should be called PTSD or if it would be more accurate and helpful to call it PTSI Since it seems more accurate to identify it as an injury rather than a disorder --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kevin-bolger4/support