EPISODE 001 | How Repeating Patterns Help Break the Cycle of Abuse
CAUTION - This episode contains explicit and some distressing content.
In this first episode, I open up about childhood emotional abuse leading to an abrupt move across states to safety; how that abuse prompted me to justify smoking; quitting smoking; and cycles of healing. I recount the climax of domestic violence that led to the end of the 9-year relationship responsible for the trauma.
Related: My Teen Mom on Growing up and Letting Go of Abusive Relationships.
In this candid solo episode, I tell you why I started the podcast and explore how my own experiences of being safe from abuse, breaking the cycle, and quitting smoking help me have faith we can transform ourselves and therefore transform society.
I use comparisons between a chemical reaction - incomplete combustion - and the toxic effects of living life without enough fulfillment and meaningfulness to prove why a more fulfilling life is necessary.
Tune in to see how repeating patterns in the universe make the comparison possible and the lesson I learned about combating hurtful actions with love.
Listen
Highlights
A recount of the first time I smoked, using literary and oral story telling techniques
Why I started the podcast, from the Las Vegas mass shooting to painting portraits of people
The theme that emerged from the first 8 interviews I did for this podcast
Having empathy rooted in love
A personal story of emotional abuse and getting out (plus my love for marching band and colorguard)
How the scars from quitting smoking can be similar to the scars of leaving an abusive situation and how a cycle of healing begins and lasts over time
Hurting people hurt people and how to stop that cycle
What being human means to me
Cited Sources
Incomplete combustion:
How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavior Basis for Smoking Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General. Chapter 3: Chemistry and Toxicology of Cigarette Smoke and Biomarkers of Exposure and Harm.
Quitting smoking:
The UK’s National Health Service article: What Happens When You Quit?
How to Find Brandi
Leave a comment on this post!
Use the contact form on the website.
