Alchemy: Where Trauma Meets Resilience

In this episode, I sit down with Donna Armstrong, author of Getting Here From There: The First 10 Years, for a powerful conversation about truth-telling, accountability, and resilience.

Donna’s memoir explores the hidden darkness within a family system marked by abuse and silence and the extraordinary resilience required to survive it. But this is not just a story about trauma. It’s a story about reclaiming one’s voice, integrating the past, and building a meaningful, successful life rooted in truth.

Set against today’s wider cultural reckoning, where individuals and institutions alike are being called to account, Donna’s story resonates far beyond the page. Together, we explore how judgment can obscure truth, why bearing witness matters, and how healing can become an act of fierce hope, not just for ourselves, but for the world we are shaping.

This episode is for anyone navigating their own “getting here from there” moment, and needs some hopeful company on the journey.

Content Warning

This episode contains explicit language and discussion of sensitive topics, including childhood abuse, sexual abuse, sexual references, disordered eating, trauma, and family dysfunction. These conversations are presented with care and intention, but may be distressing or triggering for some listeners.

Listener discretion is advised.

Please take care of yourself, and feel free to pause or skip this episode if needed.

If you or someone you love is struggling, support is available.

In Canada: Talk Suicide Crisis Helpline: 1-833-456-4566 or 45645 (text).

Listeners elsewhere: local crisis services or findahelpline.com can help you find support in your area.

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Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Harris and Walker. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by this podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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