The B Brave Project Podcast

Episode 17: What Nobody Tells You About Trauma After Justice | A Solo Episode

This week's episode is slightly different. For the first time in a while, it's just me. No guest. No interview. Just me sharing a part of my story that I've never fully spoken about before. After my abuser was convicted and sentenced to prison, everyone assumed that was the end of the story. The happy ending. The closure. But what nobody talks about is what happens afterwards. In this deeply personal solo episode, I share the mental and physical breakdown I experienced years after the trial ended. From CPTSD and severe health anxiety to panic attacks, hospital admissions, being sectioned under mental health services and eventually being diagnosed with Visual Snow Syndrome. This episode is about the aftermath of trauma. The part nobody prepares you for. The part that happens when your body has spent years holding everything together and can no longer carry the weight. If you've ever struggled after a traumatic experience, or wondered why healing isn't as straightforward as people think, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone. 🎙️ Thank you for listening and for continuing to support The B Brave Project.

Episode 16: Therapy After Trauma – Finding What Helps You Heal

Healing after child sexual abuse isn't one-size-fits-all — and therapy can often feel confusing, overwhelming, and inaccessible when you don't know where to start. In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Chloe is joined by fellow survivor Emma to explore the reality of therapy after trauma. Together they share their own experiences of navigating recovery, the challenges of finding the right support, and the different therapeutic approaches that can help survivors process what they've been through. From CBT and EMDR to talking therapy, grounding techniques, creative therapies, and trauma-informed support, this episode breaks down the options in a simple, survivor-focused way. Chloe and Emma also discuss grief, PTSD, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, neurodiversity, trust, and the long journey of learning that healing isn't about being "fixed" — it's about understanding yourself with compassion. Whether you're considering therapy for the first time, struggling to find the right therapist, or supporting someone who has experienced trauma, this episode offers practical advice, hope, and reassurance that you don't have to navigate it alone. In this episode we discuss: • How to know when you're ready for therapy • CBT, EMDR, talking therapy and other trauma therapies explained • NHS vs private therapy options • Finding a therapist you trust • Grounding techniques for flashbacks and anxiety • Living with intrusive thoughts and PTSD • The connection between trauma, grief and neurodiversity • Why healing isn't linear • Learning that what happened to you was never your fault A gentle reminder: there is no "right" way to heal. The most important thing is taking the first step when you're ready. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. 🎙️ The B Brave Podcast — creating conversations that help survivors feel seen, heard and understood.

Episode 15: Breaking Generational Trauma | Matthew Harris

In this episode of The B Brave Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Harris, author of The Unhealed Man, to talk about childhood trauma, addiction, masculinity, healing, and breaking generational cycles. Matt grew up surrounded by violence, addiction, and sexual abuse. At just 12 years old, he experienced abuse at the hands of his brother. Soon after, his family was torn apart when another brother committed murder, forcing them into hiding and leaving Matt living in constant fear. For years, trauma shaped the way he saw himself and the choices he made. Through drugs, self-destruction, fitness, success, and ultimately confronting the truth of his past, Matt began the long journey of healing. In this powerful conversation, we discuss: • Growing up in a family affected by generational trauma • Childhood sexual abuse and the impact of silence • The aftermath of murder on the families left behind • Addiction, identity, and numbing emotional pain • Why success can hide unhealed wounds • Fatherhood, healing, and breaking generational cycles • What it truly means to face the truth and rebuild your life This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, addiction, violence, murder, and trauma. Please listen with care and take breaks if needed. If this conversation resonates with you, please follow, share, and leave a review. Every review helps these important stories reach more people. 🧡 The B Brave Project

Episode 14: When Silence Breaks You

In this episode of The B Brave Project Podcast, Chloe speaks with Adam, survivor, advocate and author of The Seventh Magpie. Adam shares his experience of childhood sexual abuse, the decades of silence that followed, and the moment he finally reported what happened to him. He speaks openly about grooming, shame, trauma, alcohol misuse, the criminal justice system, and what it felt like to go through the police and court process as an adult survivor. This conversation also explores the stigma around male survivors, the fear of not being believed, and the importance of taking that first step towards support — whether that is telling someone, reaching out for help, or reporting. A powerful and honest episode about silence, survival, justice, and finding your voice after years of carrying something alone. Content warning: This episode discusses child sexual abuse, trauma, PTSD, alcohol misuse and the criminal justice system. Please take care while listening.

Episode 13: Trauma Isn’t What You Think It Is (Audio)

In this episode of The B Brave Project Podcast, Chloe speaks with Vashti Wickers, Trauma-Informed Lead at the NSPCC, about what trauma-informed support really means — beyond policies, training and buzzwords. Together, they explore how trauma can impact children, families, survivors and professionals, and why the way we listen, respond and create safety can make such a difference. Vashti shares her professional insight from over 30 years working with children and families, as well as her own lived understanding of how trauma can shape identity, relationships, behaviour and hope. This conversation looks at why behaviour is often communication, how systems can unintentionally retraumatise people, why children need to feel heard and respected, and what needs to change across services, schools, justice, social care and wider society. Most importantly, this episode is about hope. It is a reminder that trauma may shape us, but it does not have to define all of who we are. For anyone who has experienced trauma, works with children or families, supports survivors, or wants to better understand trauma-informed practice, this is such an important conversation. 🧡 New episodes of The B Brave Project Podcast available on Spotify, YouTube and all major podcast platforms every Sunday.