Joelle Castei is a writer, advocate, and self-proclaimed ‘accidental activist.’ Her story is one of pain, resilience, and ultimately, triumph. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Joelle’s journey began in the place where she should have felt safest—her catholic high school in Southern California. But instead, she found herself in the clutches of predatory groomer and abuser.

Joelle’s narrative is heart-wrenchingly common among survivors, yet her courage to speak out is extraordinary. She takes us through the dark corridors of her past, from battling depression and a suicide attempt to the betrayal of those who should have protected her. Joelle’s story, however, is not just about the abuse she suffered; it’s about the systemic failure of the school officials at Mater Dei High School who turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed within their walls.

This is a story about the incredible strength it takes to rebuild a life from the ashes of trauma. After hitting rock bottom, she made a choice—a choice to live, to fight, and to ensure that “the bad people don’t win.” And fight she did. Joelle’s activism led her to speak out against abuse, work with the media, testify in front of state legislatures, and even pen a book to help parents protect their children from predators.

Her journey is a testament to the power of taking responsibility—not for the abuse, but for her healing and future. It’s a message she now shares with survivors and parents alike, teaching them to arm themselves and their children against predators and to take control of their lives.

Tune in to this powerful episode to witness the journey of an incredible woman who turned her pain into purpose. Joelle Castex’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone who has faced adversity, a reminder that with courage and determination, we can overcome the darkest of times and emerge stronger and more determined to make the world a better place.

It's an Amazon best selling book!

What they're saying:

“This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove

“Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for

souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”

–Gary Hensel

Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us

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Side Trips are super short podcasts that let me reflect and share my thoughts. This Side Trip came about due to my podcast with Lya Badgley. Lya said:

"Choices you'll make may appear reckless to the people around you and to society. But you're thinking, I don't care, right? What's the worst that can happen? I could die?"

Did this hit home with me as I went from a decade of diability to a decade of wild adventure. Listen in and see what you think.

It's an Amazon best selling book!

What they're saying:

“This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove

“Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for

souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”

–Gary Hensel

Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us

Follow Bump on:

➡️ Twitter

➡️ Facebook

➡️ Substack

➡️ Instagram

➡️ YouTube

Have you ever felt trapped by the shadows of your past, particularly when those shadows are cast by generational anger and emotional turmoil? Meet Paul Holman, a man who courageously shares his journey from being ensnared in a legacy of anger to finding freedom through love and understanding.

Paul’s story is not just about personal transformation; it’s a beacon of hope for anyone who believes they are doomed to repeat the mistakes of their predecessors. Growing up in an environment where anger was the primary emotion, Paul vowed at 17 to create a different life for himself and his future children. Yet, despite his best intentions, he found himself perpetuating the very patterns he despised.

It wasn’t until the age of 35, after the end of his first marriage and a series of life-altering realizations, that Paul truly began to take responsibility for his actions. He embarked on a quest to break the cycle of anger, diving into resources like The Color Code and The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. These tools, combined with a healthy dose of introspection, led Paul to a novel approach to fostering love and kindness.

Paul’s invention, the Roll of Love game, is a playful yet profound method to practice the love languages daily. His story of how this game came to be, the challenges he faced along the way, and the joy it has brought into his life is nothing short of inspirational.

This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence and the power of love languages to change the way we interact with the world. Paul’s insights into the importance of focusing on the good in people, rather than their faults, are a valuable lesson for us all.

It's an Amazon best selling book!

What they're saying:

“This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove

“Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for

souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”

–Gary Hensel

Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us

Follow Bump on:

➡️ Twitter

➡️ Facebook

➡️ Substack

➡️ Instagram

➡️ YouTube