Chapter XXV: No second chances.

For the last chapter of this season we meet Veronika. She shares with Shan what it was like to come out to her extremely religious parents; how they tried to use the church to change her and how she set lines in the sand to protect herself. Listen to Veronika talk about how her families attitude towards her sexuality played a big part in ending her relationship with the love of her life. For the final chapter of season 3 of the trauma tales we meet Veronika. She tells me what its like to be abandoned by her family because their religion hates her. Don't forget to get your ticket to the free wrap party on Friday at 8.30pm (AEST) https://linktr.ee/thetraumatales Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527 Lifeline: 13 11 14

For this week's episode, I spend time with Thien who shares with me what it was like when his father was jailed for 5 years for corruption in a communist country. We then explore his experiences of racism, isolation, and mental health when he came to Australia. Through all this, he has managed to find his groove, build his career, find a community, and is now turning to help others.  https://linktr.ee/thetraumatales Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527

When we see an Australian service member, many of us will say “Thank you for your service”. We dedicate an entire day of our calendar to this exact sentiment. What does that service actually look like? Brian sits down with Shan and shares what it's like to be a teenage boy who is given a uniform, a group of mates, and a gun. He shares what it's like to give your life to service only to find that when your personal life is falling apart and you’re not the poster boy for a good soldier, an entire institution will turn their backs on you and hang you out to dry.  https://linktr.ee/thetraumatales    Lifeline: 13 11 14  1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732  Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987    Qlife: 1800 184 527 

What would you do if you didn’t know your own language? This week we meet Aunty Deb, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman who shares with Shan how the traumas inflicted on those that went before her impact on her childhood, her parents, and her relationships. Aunty Deb shares how, through her strength and defiance, has built her own connection to country and culture through developing her skills as a linguist. Her passion for helping people connect to their culture, country, and community by learning language is nothing short of beautiful. [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527

What is it like when the ones you trust are not trustworthy? What happens when a family keeps a secret for generations? This week we meet with award winning author Denise who graciously shares her story of childhood sexual abuse and history of multigenerational incest. Her candour and stoicism are apparent through this heart wrenching interview. To get yourself a copy of Denise’s book head to: https://thrivingaftersexualabusebook.com/ [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527

Billie felt the moment she could finally breathe would be the moment she finally left her abusive partner. Little did she know the worst was yet to come. Shan and Billie explore how the system of family law is used by abusers as a resource and a tool to keep hurting. We’ve seen it time and time again and every time we beg for something to change. Billie opens up about the abuse perpetrated against her and her son over nearly a decade after she escaped by a man intent on ruining their lives or taking them. [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527

What is it like to be on the edge? This week Alex is back for the second half of his story. Alex shares what the moments before suicide feel like. He shares the moment he knew he could murder someone and how that knowledge changed who he is. To find Alex’s poetry and podcast head to www.thenomidicpodcast.com [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527

A few months ago, Alex approached Shan to go on his podcast and talk about mental health. She did, and boy did they talk. What started as a simple interview turned into a real connection. After going onto Alex’s podcast, they got to chatting and bonded over some deep chats about mental health and trauma. Today the tables are turned; Alex has come onto The Trauma Tales to share his insight into his own trauma; what it taught him and how he has channelled his pain into poetry and podcasting. To find Alex’s poetry and podcast head to www.thenomidicpodcast.com [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527 

Lily didn’t see it coming. It couldn’t possibly happen again, could it? For the second time, on the same road; in the same spot, she was the victim of a motor vehicle accident. The first one didn’t break her. The second time she wouldn’t be so lucky. Lily shares what it's like to be hit by a car, twice. She tells Shan how she rebuild her body from the jigsaw puzzle it had become; learned to walk again; spent months and months in grueling rehab and spends every day hyper-focused on doing everything she can to keep going for her 3 kids. [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527

Meet Paula. Paula was born with a physical deformity on her face. In Australia in the 80s and 90s that meant she was bullied mercilessly throughout her childhood. To the point of being suicidal. Join Shan as she and Paula talk about the impacts of bullying and how Paula has turned her pain into her power. Paula now refers to herself as an accidental Entrepreneur, but in reality, she is an International Award-Winning Speaker, Organisational, and Leadership Expert. She has literally written the book on how parents and educators can support teenage girls to become leaders without limits. https://nolimitsconsulting.com.au/ [email protected] Facebook:@traumatalespodcast Instagram: @traumatalespodcast Lifeline: 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Men's Helpline: 1300 789 987 Qlife: 1800 184 527