Bretta shares her journey of growing up in a family marked by instability, mental illness, and abuse. Raised by a mother with undiagnosed borderline personality disorder and a father with a history of violence, Bretta’s childhood was filled with uncertainty, emotional neglect, and moments of deep fear. From walking on eggshells at home to being pressured by her father to live with him as a teen, she carried the heavy weight of dysfunctional family dynamics.

Despite the chaos, Bretta found refuge in summers with her grandparents and the stability of boarding school. As an adult, she pursued therapy, built a support system, and learned to set healthy boundaries and skills that helped her navigate her mother’s later struggles with dementia and her father’s attempts at reconciliation before his passing. Through forgiveness, firm boundaries, and faith in her own resilience, Bretta has transformed pain into strength and now shares her story so others know they are not alone.

Her story is candid, emotional, and a reminder that even when family wounds run deep, healing is possible.

Your Host: Angie Sedore Our Guest: Bretta Provost YouTube @Brettaprovost74 | Facebook @Bretta.Provost | Instagram @brettaprovost

Trigger Warning This episode includes discussions of mental illness, suicide threats, childhood neglect, and family abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Disclaimer The Survivor’s Voice Podcast provides a platform for survivors to share their personal stories in their own words. The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Survivor’s Voice, its hosts, or production team. This podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional or call your local crisis hotline for immediate support.

What to Expect: · Growing up with a parent living with borderline personality disorder. · The impact of emotional neglect, instability, and walking on eggshells as a child. · A father’s history of abuse and a strained relationship into adulthood. · Finding stability through grandparents and boarding school. · The challenges of setting boundaries with toxic parents. · Walking through dementia and end-of-life care with her mother. · Choosing forgiveness, healing, and breaking cycles for her own family.

Key Takeaways: · Forgiveness doesn’t excuse abuse. It frees you to move forward. · Boundaries are an act of love for yourself and others. · Therapy and support systems are essential when healing from family trauma. · Sharing your story releases shame and brings connection. · You can break generational cycles and create a new legacy.

Stay Connected www.thesurvivorsvoice.net @TheSurvivorsVoicePodcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

If Bretta’s story moved you, please share this episode and help us bring awareness to hidden struggles and unseen strength.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Please follow our show, leave us a 5-star rating, and a review.

Do you have a story to share? Contact: booking@thesurvivorsvoice.net

Together, we remind survivors everywhere: Your story matters.

Produced & Edited by Krystina Elder | YouTube: @ElderHouseMedia

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsor: Safe Harbor Supporting survivors with compassion and care. https://safeharborforfreedom.com

Special Thanks to Dan Wise | YouTube: @NorthIdahoPodcastProductions Bowman Carter | YouTube: @BowmanCarterMusic | Spotify: Bowman Carter

Ellie opens up about a part of her past she has rarely spoken aloud: the betrayal, bullying, and violence she endured at the hands of a high school friend in Bulgaria. What began as a seemingly innocent friendship turned into years of harassment, culminating in a brutal attack that left Ellie scarred emotionally long after the physical pain faded.

After moving to the United States in her early 20s, Ellie built a new life. Becoming a mother, earning her CPA license, and recently starting her own accounting business. But beneath the successes, the trauma of her teenage years lingered until she made the courageous choice to pursue therapy. Through counseling, learning boundaries, and trusting her instincts, Ellie has begun to release fear, reclaim her confidence, and step into new opportunities she once thought impossible.

Her story is raw, brave, and an important reminder that bullying and violence can leave lifelong marks. But healing, growth, and freedom are possible.

Your Host: Angie Sedore Our Guest: Ellie Tashkova

Trigger Warning This episode includes discussions of bullying, physical assault, and emotional trauma. Listener discretion is advised. The views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast.

What to Expect: · Growing up in Bulgaria and moving to the U.S. in her 20s. · Navigating marriage, divorce, and single motherhood. · The devastating impact of a teenage friendship turned abusive. · Years of harassment, bullying, and the night of a violent attack. · Finding courage to enter therapy and break the silence. · Learning boundaries, trusting her gut, and starting fresh with her own business.

Key Takeaways: · Time alone doesn’t heal trauma. Intentional healing does. · Therapy and safe friendships can be life-changing in recovery. · Boundaries are vital for protection and freedom. · Trusting your instincts can protect you from further harm. · Speaking your story releases its power and brings hope.

Stay Connected www.thesurvivorsvoice.net @TheSurvivorsVoicePodcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

If Ellie’s story moved you, please share this episode and help us bring awareness to hidden struggles and unseen strength.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Please follow our show, leave us a 5-star rating, and a review.

Do you have a story to share? Contact: booking@thesurvivorsvoice.net

Together, we remind survivors everywhere: Your story matters.

Produced & Edited by Krystina Elder | YouTube: @ElderHouseMedia

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsor: Safe Harbor Supporting survivors with compassion and care. https://safeharborforfreedom.com

Special Thanks to Dan Wise | YouTube: @NorthIdahoPodcastProductions Bowman Carter | YouTube: @BowmanCarterMusic | Spotify: Bowman Carter

Join us today as Jessica shares her incredible journey of survival, faith, and rediscovery. From enduring abuse and neglect in childhood, to navigating betrayal and brokenness in her first marriage, Jessica’s path has been marked by pain but also by resilience. Her years of ministry work in Thailand shaped her perspective on faith, culture, and perseverance. Even as she faced isolation, spiritual abuse, and the heavy responsibility of raising children overseas.

After making the courageous decision to leave an unhealthy marriage, Jessica returned to the U.S., determined to create a better future for herself and her children. Through faith, somatic healing, and learning to challenge fear with truth, Jessica has embraced freedom, found her voice, and stepped into her calling as both a healer and a survivor.

Her story is a powerful reminder that God’s heart is for His daughters, healing is possible, and freedom is worth fighting for.

Your Host: Angie Sedore Our Guest: Jessica Atwell

Trigger Warning This episode includes discussions of childhood abuse, marital betrayal, spiritual abuse, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised. The views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast.

What to Expect: · Growing up in a home marked by abuse, fear, and survival · Discovering faith in Jesus at 21 and entering full-time ministry · Serving eight years in Thailand while raising children in a foreign culture · Facing betrayal, spiritual neglect, and emotional isolation in marriage · Making the courageous choice to leave an abusive situation · Returning home to begin a new chapter of healing, freedom, and self-discovery

Key Takeaways: · Abuse and neglect are never God’s design—He calls His children to freedom · Healing is possible through truth, vulnerability, and intentional practices · Emotional intelligence and faith help break cycles of fear and people-pleasing · Words have the power to shape our healing and future · God can redeem broken stories into testimonies of strength and hope

Stay Connected www.thesurvivorsvoice.net @TheSurvivorsVoicePodcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

If Jessica’s story moved you, please share this episode and help us bring awareness to hidden struggles and unseen strength.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Please follow our show, leave us a 5-star rating, and a review.

Do you have a story to share? Contact: booking@thesurvivorsvoice.net

Together, we remind survivors everywhere: Your story matters.

Produced & Edited by Krystina Elder | YouTube: @ElderHouseMedia

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsor: Safe Harbor Supporting survivors with compassion and care. https://safeharborforfreedom.com

Special Thanks to Dan Wise | YouTube: @NorthIdahoPodcastProductions Bowman Carter | YouTube: @BowmanCarterMusic | Spotify: Bowman Carter