Unspoken: Conversations with Candace
Welcome to Unspoken: Conversations with Candace Where we talk openly about “taboo” topics in order to spark difficult and uncomfortable conversations. Where we allow a safe place for anyone who has had trauma to be heard. Unspoken Conversations with Candace is about speaking your truth by using your voice because you matter. Each episode will feature a guest who will talk candidly about their personal journey that will give you the feeling of HOPE that no matter what you are going through, no matter how difficult it can be to talk about, you are not alone and there are plenty of resources to help. We are all about healing, encouragement, and support. Trust that there is power in speaking your truth and sharing your experiences with others because you can have an impact or even save someone’s life. Hosted by yours truly, Candace Sanchez, by day I am a Healthcare IT Professional, I am the Author of my personal story Unspoken -- because I wasn’t supposed to tell. I am also a Life Coach and Motivational Speaker. You can connect with me at www.candacesanchez.com and through my social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram to stay on the loop on all things related to Unspoken Conversations with Candace, the links are in the show notes. You can also support the show by purchasing a copy of my book titled Unspoken available on Amazon. I hope you’ll join me on this path to healing. Now be prepared to spark your own conversations, be encouraged to share your story and envision how your voice can be an impact to many!!
Unspoken: Conversations with Candace
S3 E7: Breaking Through Shame to Find Freedom with Shawn Hittman
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Can speaking your truth save your life? Candace Sanchez and Neil Parekh are joined by special guest Shawn Hittman. Shawn, a finance professional who is a survivor and thriver, shares his courageous journey of healing. Through heartfelt anecdotes, Shawn paints a vivid picture of his childhood innocence and the impact of abuse that unfolded.
Discover how Shawn's healing journey at the Aurora Healing Center became a pivotal moment in his life, leading him to co-write the inspiring book, "Healing Happens." Shawn's resilience and recognition as a Thrive Award Honoree at the Hope Shining Blue event demonstrates his extraordinary strength.
Listen as Shawn shares his insights on the power of vulnerability and the importance of forgiveness in the recovery process. Find out how Shawn's support system, including his girlfriend and sister, played a crucial role in his healing journey. Tune in to this episode which is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the immense strength found in community.
Episode Highlights:
15:16 - In my healing journey, and in my sort of what they call it recovery, but I'll call it healing and survivor journey, one of the pivotal things that I realized was, in order to give myself compassion, I also had to give Shannon compassion. He's 11. He learned it somewhere. So, if I'm seven and I'm not expected to know better, what would make me think an 11-year-old would be expected to know better? Naturally, he didn't wake up one day and just decide, "Oh, I'm going to go ruin some kid's life, and his sister, too."
21:50 - Healing is a lifelong process. I don't think you're ever truly finished, but it's also a very worthy process. I'm probably 12 years now into my formal healing journey, or 13 years maybe. I'm always pushing a little harder, digging a little deeper, learning something new. But also, there's a bright side to this stuff, too, is like turning your pain into your power, purpose, passion.
36:00 - My chapter in Healing Happens is called Disclosure Sparking A Victorious Cycle versus a vicious cycle. We know a vicious cycle, like alcoholism or addiction or sexual abuse, it gets worse, right? Because it gets passed down. No, this is a victorious cycle. When I tell a couple of people and then they tell a couple of people, and we have this disclosure, that is how we heal on a bigger scale. The one thing that perpetrators fear most is you talking about it. They don't have the asylum anymore. So, that's the way to really beat it.
Connect with Shawn Hittman
Resources
Living from a Place of Surrender
Connect with Neil
Connect with Digimentors