Having a spiritual walk with Jesus for survivors of ritual abuse and mind control. Trauma survivors Samara Lucero and Sharri Burggraaf chat about challenges there are for survivors with spiritual healing, how the Christian walk is different than what the church may think is correct for them. What does walking with Jesus look like when having multiple identities in one body? Samara shares a bit about her journey from trauma based mind control and accepting Jesus at the age of 5 and how that got her through until the Holy Spirit could help her different identities navigate healing. It did not come without struggles and she wasn't always as close to God's heart as she is now. Samara and Sharri talk about the gaping wound of not knowing that God loves them; Samara shares dreams given to her by God that gave her a look at what she needed, lacked, and what God had for her life. Listen as she tells you the difference between recovery without Jesus and what a difference He has made in her life; going from victim to survivor to thriving and having joy in her life. This is one in the first of a possible series on the spiritual aspects of the satanic assault on children using ritual abuse and mind control as a way to try to get humans starting as young as prenatal to join in the satanic rebellion against God. Sharing about how not all paths go to heaven, these two survivors touch on the difference between Jesus who is the Way to other new age practices that still involve demons and hold no true healing. Hear how challenging it is to follow the normal steps that people take with Christianity and how God takes the parts of survivors with DID on an individual journey with Him that is filled with gentle, patient love.

April is sexual assault awareness month. In recognition of the often overlooked male survivors, we're joined by Mike Chapman, a certified Recovery Life Coach with over 25 years of experience in helping men navigate the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse , assault and trafficking. In this candid conversation, Mike shares his journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and sex trafficking, as well as clergy assault as a young adult. We delve into the staggering statistics highlighting the prevalence of male sexual abuse, discussing its emotional after affects on survivors and society at large. Mike talks about the common challenges faced by male survivors, including stigma, misconceptions and difficulties in identifying that what happened was abuse and in seeking support. Mike's insights shed light on the unique experiences and needs of male survivors, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for healing and connection. Mike talks about how sharing our story is a powerful way to heal and others can realize that it was not their fault and they are not alone. Remember, your voice matters, there is hope and support available. Join us in breaking the silence and empowering survivors to arise and shine after abuse. References are mentioned for male survivors of sexual abuse and assault. If you are a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse or assault Polar Life Consulting can help.

If you are a survivor of abuse you may have been silenced by your perpetrator. Join Sharri in this discussion about how being silenced by a perpetrator can be considered a form of violence causing great psychological and emotional harm although it is not legally categorized as a crime in the traditional sense. With a focus on physical, sexual, and overt abuse the profound impact of being silenced can become overlooked yet the impact is profound. Abusers employ tactics like manipulation, threats, and intimidation to intentionally keep victims silent, causing lasting and recurrent trauma. This perpetuates a destructive cycle, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue for future generations. Suppressing a person’s voice is a violation of basic human rights and freedom. The terror that abusers instill denies and restricts freedom and is a tool that is used to maintain power and control that perpetuates oppression. As an advocate for myself and others one of my passions is to be a voice for the voiceless and speak up for those who can’t yet speak for themselves and encourage survivors to find and use their voice. As part of the solution we need to first recognize the significance of this powerful form of violence and the harm that is done to be able to create environments that promote empowerment and recovery. Being silenced profoundly impacts a person's ability to make decisions for themselves and to have control over their own life. When your voice is suppressed, your thoughts dismissed, and your experiences invalidated it’s like being confined to a small, dark room where your perspective and feelings are not acknowledged, validated or respected. In abusive or toxic relationships or situations where silence is enforced, individuals lose the power to shape their own narrative. It's like having the pen taken away in the story of one’s life and their own unique experiences and perspectives are erased, resulting in a story that may not reflect the true essence of who they are.This dynamic robs them of the authority to define their own reality and make choices that align with their own needs, desires, and values. Survivors of abuse will want to hear this podcast to break the silence and go on to take back their power and their voice that was stolen from them.

"Have a Self-Compassionate Christmas," is the latest podcast dedicated to helping survivors navigate the challenges of the holiday season and find empowerment and joy. If you're looking for a supportive community and practical insights to make your holidays more bearable, you've come to the right place. In this unique podcast, Sharri Burggraaf delves into the diverse experiences of survivors dealing with trauma during the festive season. She explores the emotional impact of abuse, triggers, coping mechanisms, and the complex dynamics of family relationships. Join us as Sharri shares personal answers from a poll that survivors of abuse shared, their insights, and empowering strategies to help you not only survive but thrive during the holidays.

Podcast Highlights:

1. Real Talk on Holiday Struggles: Explore the varied experiences survivors face during the holidays, from navigating triggers to coping with memories. Gain insights from a poll where survivors candidly share their Christmas ratings and discuss the emotional challenges they encounter.

2. Coping Mechanisms and Setting Boundaries: Dive into the discussion on how past trauma can be triggered during the holidays. Discover empowering stories of survivors setting boundaries and practicing self-care to protect their emotional well-being.

3. Navigating Family Dynamics: Uncover the realities of survivors' relationships with their families of origin during Christmas. Gain valuable insights into contact, celebrations, and the importance of establishing boundaries for a healthier emotional state.

4. Finding Joy and Creating New Traditions: Explore survivors' enjoyment and challenges with Christmas activities. Learn about traditions from childhood and discover the creative ways survivors have started new traditions for themselves. Get tips on reducing stress and engaging in self-care during the festive season.

5. Connecting with Others and Acts of Kindness: Understand the significance of support and connections with fellow survivors. Hear heartwarming stories of volunteering and giving back to the community, along with survivor advice on establishing boundaries and finding joy.

6. Embracing Self-Compassion: Dive into the importance of self-compassion and empowering survivors to be kind to themselves. Hear coping mechanisms and strategies to navigate holiday stress, culminating in a heartfelt message acknowledging survivors' bravery and wishing for a peaceful and joy-filled holiday season.

Join us on "Have a Self-Compassionate Christmas" and be part of a community that understands, supports, and empowers survivors during the holidays. Your journey to healing and discovering joy begins here. Subscribe now for weekly episodes filled with insightful discussions, survivor stories, and practical tips. Let's make this holiday season a time of self-compassion, empowerment, and genuine happiness.

Join survivor Sharri Burggraaf in this podcast where she talks about the complexities surrounding the term "endogenic dissociative identity" and its impact on the DID and therapeutic community. This podcast critically examines the controversies stemming from the adoption of the term, particularly its origins in the Lunastus Collective, also known as the Plural system. The discussion unfolds, exploring the motivations behind the Plural system's introduction of alternative terms such as “traumagenic” to describe systems with trauma and "ecogenic" as neutral alternatives to describe systems without trauma.

The host delves into the unintended consequences of using non-standardized terminology, emphasizing the potential for confusion among professionals, challenges in accurate diagnosis and treatment, and the risk of divisions within the therapeutic community. The podcast raises ethical considerations, highlighting the importance of clear clinical grounding and adherence to established diagnostic frameworks. The absence of standardized definitions and the potential for misinformation are scrutinized, with an emphasis on the impact on clients' trust and credibility in the therapeutic community.

While acknowledging the Plural System's intentions to provide inclusive language, the podcast critically examines the adoption of endogenic terminology and its lack of recognition in the DSM-5. It discusses the potential harm to clients, the validation of non-evidence-based concepts, and the ethical considerations faced by therapists. The episode concludes by emphasizing the necessity of clear communication, transparency, and a commitment to evidence-based practices in the therapeutic community, particularly when addressing sensitive topics related to trauma and dissociative disorders.

The parts of a survivor that split off or dissociate into different parts to cope with the overwhelming internal conflict that results as a protective mechanism to having to perpetrate harm to other victims are actually heroes in a person's system. Well, you may think how can they be a hero if they did such harm to other people? They protected the survivor’s heart during the most horrific and unconceivable acts against others because there was no choice for either of them. I want you to hear that again. If you are a survivor I want to talk directly to you. Those parts of you that harmed other victims protected you from having to experience what you were not capable of doing because you have a heart of love and compassion. You might say, but you don’t know what I’ve done. I’m just as evil as my perpetrators. No. That is what they wanted you to believe. But, I’m here to say that I know that if you had actually been given a choice which you weren’t, you would not have decided to harm anyone. Listen as Sharri talks about the abuse of power and control that abuser groups have over survivors that leads to forced perpetration and how survivors can take a different look at themselves than one of self-condemnation and self-hatred.

Survivors of abuse often struggle with a myriad of sleep-related challenges stemming from the profound psychological and emotional toll of their traumatic past. In this informative podcast episode, Sharri engages in a thoughtful conversation with Cathy Collyer an esteemed author of "Staying in the Room" for those with DID but this time asking for her expertise as a distinguished sleep expert and coach. Cathy delves into the intricate landscape of sleep issues exploring the realm of nightmares and the paralyzing grip of sleep paralysis that can torment survivors, valuable insights into the impact of medication on sleep patterns, shedding light on a crucial aspect of recovery. The episode delves into the distressing reality of sleep deprivation being wielded as a tool in the context of RA/MC (Ritual Abuse/Mind Control). As you immerse yourself in this conversation, you'll discover a treasure trove of practical sleep strategies and solutions as Cathy generously shares her extensive knowledge of accessible resources that can empower anyone to achieve improved sleep quality. Moreover, the podcast touches upon the significance of lighting choices in the context of waking up refreshed and revitalized. Be sure to listen all the way to the end, where Sharri delivers a heartfelt message directly to survivors, offering hope, understanding, and support in their journey towards healing and reclaiming their lives.

Survivors of abuse often experience a variety of sleep issues as a result of the psychological and emotional impact of their traumatic experiences. Sharri talks again in another podcast with Cathy Collyer author of Staying in the Room this time as the sleep expert and coach that she is about some of the issues and challenges that survivors have regarding sleep. Some of the topics discussed are nightmares, sleep paralysis, medication and how it effects sleep, and how sleep deprivation is used with RA/MC. Listen for some very real sleep strategies and sleep solutions. Cathy mentions some very effective resources that she uses that are available to anyone to get better sleep and lighting to use for waking up. Listen to the end for a very touching message from Sharri to survivors.

In this podcast, survivor Sharri Burggraaf explores a deeply sensitive and highly triggering topic; specifically addressing survivors of ritual abuse and mind control. (If you are a survivor, I want to emphasize the importance of having a support person available while listening, and please remember to practice self-care throughout this episode).

Sharri discusses some of her journey and what she has learned about the lies that she was told as she recovered her traumatic memories which included learning the truth about the actual power these groups actually have and how the perception of a child that was terrorized, can cause an adult survivor to then still live by in fear. Although these groups can be dangerous and follow through on their threats to keep from being exposed, they are not as all powerful, all knowing as they claim to be.

She delves into the crucial topic of possible ongoing contact with perpetrators and cultic groups and discusses the power they wield over survivors. When a survivor begins recovery and starts to deal with the trauma through therapy, it is highly likely that an insider part could then contact a designated person in the abusing group who will then call out a reporter part to disclose all of what the survivor is doing. Threats and harassments can start to happen in the form of phone calls, emails, letters or cards in an attempt to trigger parts into doing their jobs like to return to the group or obey their rules of silence and loyalty. Join Sharri as she talks about the truth that can be so empowering that she now knows that she shares with other survivors, their supporters and therapists that work with them.