E48. The Other Side of the Gun: A Journey Through Trauma, Healing, and Forgiveness with Susan Snow

What happens when your entire world is torn apart in a single moment, and how do you begin again?In this profoundly moving episode of Internally Guided Life, Kayla Sweet sits down with Susan Snow, author of The Other Side of the Gun, to talk about what it really means to live, love, and lead after trauma. At just 17 years old, Susan’s father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, was ambushed and killed in 1985. That tragedy set her on a lifelong journey through the depths of grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the courageous act of healing.With raw honesty and profound wisdom, Susan shares how decades of silence and survival eventually gave way to forgiveness, self-compassion, and purpose. Together, Kayla and Susan explore the tender and often untold layers of trauma recovery: the fear, the resistance, the exhaustion, and the profound moments of grace that come with choosing to heal.This episode is for anyone who has ever carried invisible pain, questioned their strength, or longed to feel whole again. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t about erasing what happened; it’s about transforming your relationship to it.Kayla and Susan discuss the importance of finding a trauma-informed therapist, the healing power of vulnerability, and how sharing your story can help you reclaim a sense of safety and freedom. They explore the distinction between private healing and public leadership, showing how courage grows from the quiet spaces where truth and tenderness meet.Susan’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience, forgiveness, and growth. Whether you’re navigating your own healing journey or supporting someone through theirs, this conversation will leave you with hope, tools, and a deeper understanding of what it means to move from victimhood to empowerment.Meet the Guest: Susan Snow is a published author, speaker, and trauma resiliency coach whose story began in tragedy but evolved into one of profound hope and leadership. At 17, Susan lost her father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, when he was ambushed and killed on Halloween night in 1985.Her book, The Other Side of the Gun, offers a raw and redemptive look at loss, PTSD, and the lifelong process of healing. Today, Susan uses her voice to inspire others to bulldoze their fear, face their pain, and step into freedom. Her mission is to reach 10,000 people through storytelling, coaching, and public speaking, reminding us all that forgiveness, though difficult, is one of the most powerful acts of self-liberation.Connect with Susan:Buy Susan’s Book: The Other Side of the Gun on Amazon 🌐 Website: Susan Snow’s Official Site FacebookInstagramYouTubeTikTokMeet the Host:Kayla Sweet is the host of Internally Guided Life and an expert in burnout prevention, transformational leadership, self-care, and personal growth. As a life coach, she specializes in helping people reclaim their worthiness and purpose, guiding them to create fulfilling lives with balance and ease. With a background in psychology, mindfulness, and transformational leadership, Kayla empowers her community to align with their authentic selves, develop their strengths, and embrace intentional growth.Kayla's debut poetry collection, Alchemy of Life, is available now at internallyguidedleadership.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart. This is a reflective collection of poems on transformation, healing, and becoming.Connect with Kayla:LinktreeFacebookInstagramTikTokLinkedInSubscribe to Kayla’s email list, read the blog, and explore free resources:Visit Internally Guided LeadershipEpisode Credits:Intro & Outro Music: By artist Goat On The River, produced by Christian Michael Smith at https://www.microdotstudioproductions.com/ Podcast recorded by Christian Michael Smith at https://www.microdotstudioproductions.com/