Silenced: When Speaking Up Wasn’t an Option - Donna

The Healing In Sharing

The Healing In Sharing
Silenced: When Speaking Up Wasn’t an Option - Donna
Mar 16, 2026 Season 7 Episode 2
Jennifer Lee/Donna

Breaking the Silence of Abuse.  Reclaiming Power After Faith-Based Shame. Embracing Healing and Restoration.

Donna shares her journey growing up in the 70s and 80s, a time when women were expected to “protect the marriage,” “don’t embarrass the family,” and keep domestic struggles hidden. Enduring religious shame and domestic abuse, she faced fear, isolation, and near tragedy, yet found the courage to reclaim her life.

In this deeply honest episode, Donna opens up about confronting trauma, seeking faith and counseling, and leaning on community to turn shame into restoration. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to heal, this conversation shows that hope endures, strength can be rebuilt, and your voice can finally be heard.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.)
Call or text 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Chat at thehotline.org
Available 24/7, confidential, and free.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Learn more: www.thehealinginsharing.com

Follow: 

Instagram: @TheHealingInSharing

YouTube: @TheHealingInSharing11

Email: TheHealingInSharing@gmail.com

Subscribe: Apple podcast, Spotify, etc

Book: Why I Survived; Where Survival Becomes Strength: https://a.co/d/0dKLym3O 

The background music is written, performed and produced exclusively by Melissa Turri.
https://melissaturrimusic.com/

Support the show

Episode Artwork Silenced: When Speaking Up Wasn’t an Option - Donna 41:28 Episode Artwork Why I Changed the Podcast and What It Means for You 8:55 Episode Artwork What Does Healing After Dating Violence Look Like? - Mika 45:43 Episode Artwork The Moment Forgiveness Transformed Trauma Into Strength - Dharasena 40:37 Episode Artwork The Mob, the Marines, & the Path to Meditation - Mark 40:19 Episode Artwork Can First Responders Truly Heal from Burnout? - BJ 48:23 Episode Artwork What Trauma Does to Your Brain and How Healing Begins - Marly 47:16 Episode Artwork When Doctors Miss the Bigger Picture - Sondee 32:04 Episode Artwork How Do You Rebuild Life After Losing Your Sight? - Jennifer 50:58 Episode Artwork Turning Pain Into Music and Healing - Melissa Turri Introduction 3:24 Episode Artwork How Does a Woman Rebuild After Everything Falls Apart? - Sherry 44:25 Episode Artwork How Can We Prevent Shallow Water Blackout After Maddisyn’s Loss? - Michelle 39:45 Episode Artwork A Survivor's Journey from Abduction to Advocacy - Dawn 51:47 Episode Artwork After Alienation and Loss, She Chose to Speak - Barbara 33:10 Episode Artwork How Can You Stay Safe in Real-Life Situations? - Sifu James DeFillips 24:54 Episode Artwork How Do You Turn a Child’s Tragic Loss Into Purpose? - Yvonne 38:53 Episode Artwork After Seventeen Years of Silence, A Sexual Assualt Survivor Shares - Theresa 47:35 Episode Artwork How Can We Protect Children From Human Trafficking? - Alma & Andi 1:10:41 Episode Artwork Can Grandparent Alienation Be Healed? - Maria 34:16 Episode Artwork Escaping Abuse: How Can Survivors Find Strength? - E’ala 57:36 Episode Artwork Healing After Losing a Homeless Child to Violence - Alexis 35:42 Episode Artwork What Happens When Love Ends Too Soon? - Diane 46:32 Episode Artwork How Can Parents Protect Teens From Fentanyl? - Suzy 52:36 Episode Artwork How Do You Heal When Your Abuser Denies the Truth? - Nichole 48:28 Episode Artwork How Do You Build Sisterhood From Your Struggle? - Shala 50:35