Untamed Voices in Healing

Step into a world where personal tales meet unwavering advocacy in this engaging episode. We welcome our guest, a passionate self-employed advocate who bravely shares her journey through caring for her family, which includes children with mental health challenges. As she recounts the fluctuating dynamics of her life, listeners get a front-row seat to the thoughts and feelings associated with balancing a career while nurturing loved ones who face difficulties.

Lisa Zarcone

• Instagram: lisaunspokentruth 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-zarcone-0ba19135/
• Website: http://www.lisazarcone.net/
• Email: lzarcone@comcast.net

As the episode comes to a close, we turn our attention to an inspiring nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adult survivors of child abuse. By sharing their mission, we aim to raise awareness and encourage listeners to engage with causes that resonate on a personal level. This episode is more than just a conversation; it’s a rallying cry for community action and personal growth. Join us, and let’s amplify our voices together!

Join us as we support the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse this month!

Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a review. Your engagement helps us continue this important dialogue.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Tales from the Wild
• 8:31 The Hearts Behind the Stories
• 23:17 The Journey of a Passionate Advocate
• 39:55 Navigating Family Dynamics and Challenges
• 57:29 Complex Trauma: Understanding Our Children
• 1:11:47 Finding Balance in a Busy Life

Transcript

Voiceover: 0:03

Tales from the wild, stories from the heart. A journey into the mind and soul of fired up business professionals, where they share their vision for the future and hear from a different non-profit organization every month as they create awareness of their goals and their needs. Dive into a world of untamed passion as we join our host, Shireen Bo tha, for this month's episode of Friends from Wild Places.

Shireen Botha: 0:35

You know you touched on a little bit about your life. Currently You're self-employed. You not only have your own kids, but you also took on two of your grandchildren, and I think you mentioned one has, um, some kind of a mental health issue as well.

Lisa Zarcone: 0:55

A contra yes okay, no, you're right. My youngest, my youngest, our grandson, he's 12, he has autism, sensory sensory issues and also, unfortunately, he was abused in the first couple years of life by his own mother who had mental health issues. I mean, how profound is that, that that continued on and that he has complex PTSD because of it. So we adopted Liam at the age of three and you know we've it's been a work in progress and we've had to learn so much. You know, as, as you know, parents doing it over again, you have to be up with the times, of course, because life has changed so much since our children grew.

Lisa Zarcone: 1:37

But then to learn about, you know, the autism piece, the sensory piece, the trauma piece, I do get and I do understand. But my husband, you know, he, his life is polar, was polar opposite of mine. So you know, when we talk childhoods together, his childhood was like, oh, that's wonderful. He was like he walked on water and mine was just like a complete train wreck. So you know we had to learn. You know all these things about, you know the autism and so sensory stuff, so we can help him the best that we can. So it really has been an interesting journey with Liam and our granddaughter Phoebe, who is 16 now. We've had her since she was a young, young child as well and she's had her own struggles, you know, with anxiety and abandonment issues, you know, because of her parents and things that have happened. But you know, we've we've put everything back into them and push forward and I have to say they really are doing wonderful. They're a work in progress.

Shireen Botha: 2:32

That's awesome. That's awesome. So I guess my question being self employed and have so many different factors on your plate, like that, you're quite a busy woman and, as you said, with many hats. So I guess I would love for you to just to share one of the biggest struggles that you've faced on this journey and how you conquered it, how you got over it and faced it. And come to the other side.

Lisa Zarcone: 2:59

Yes, so interesting. So, of course, yeah, my life is pretty, pretty busy, pretty complicated, with so many things happening. I'm pulled in a million different directions every single day and trying to find balance with all that. So raising your family and doing all of those things, and then you're looking at your own business. You're, you know, you're selling yourself. When you're self-employed, you're selling yourself, you're selling who you are, what you do, your talents. You have to put them out there.

Lisa Zarcone: 3:26

So for me, the biggest challenge has been, you know, finding the appropriate time to do so. How do I fit that into my daily life? How do I want to present myself out there and what do I want to do with all of my gifts and talents? So, on that note, being self-employed, being an author so, on that note, being self-employed, being an author, you kind of get ignored a lot and I'm going to say that very frankly. You know, out there, in the big world of business, when you're this small entity, just, you know, trying to get your voice out there, you're ignored a lot. And I have been ignored a lot because I think being, you know, the one woman show, first of all and second of all, my topics are strong. My stop. My topics are still taboo. A lot of people don't want to touch upon it. So I find myself fighting twice as hard to really push myself out there.

Lisa Zarcone: 4:20

Always, you know, the wheels are always turning. How can I get myself out there in this way? How can I get someone to notice me in this light? And it's a constant. It's a constant grind. It's a constant grind and I've been frustrated countless times where I'm like am I, am I really like, meant to be doing this? But then there's always something that happens and it brings me back to my baseline. It brings me, grounds me back down to say okay, lisa, you've got this, you keep going, you keep pushing out there, you're going to make your way and the right things are going to fall into your lap. And I do believe that because it seems like when I'm the most frustrated, something wonderful happens, a new door opens. So it really is about when you're your own boss. It's about perseverance, it's about consistency, it's about really thinking outside the box to make your goals, wishes and dreams all come true. It's a lot of work, but when you do have those successes, it's really exciting.

Tanya Scotece: 5:20

Lisa, what do you when you speak and you say you do public speaking engagements. You're involved in the community. What type of topics are you speaking about specifically and what type of audiences? For example, like I mean, are you talking to schools and what is? I mean? We've heard your journey, I've read your book, anxious to read the second book, but what are the topics that people can come into your presentation and leave with, and do you have different formats?

Lisa Zarcone: 5:51

I do have different formats. It really depends. So if I'm doing an author talk about, you know, either one of my stories or both of my stories. When someone comes to hear me speak, they're going to hear about my books, they're going to hear about you know what I've been through, how it all came to be, and I share the story. So that's one aspect of what I do.

Lisa Zarcone: 6:10

And when I talk about public speaking keynote speaking, I speak to educators, I speak to social workers. I've spoken, you know, in front of doctors, nurses and all those types of things. So you talk more about the clinical, the clinical aspect, the mental health aspect. I, you know, I do a little bit of everything. The last presentation that I, the biggest presentation I did in the fall of this past year, was through Helix Human Services. So what they do they're, they're social workers, it's foster care, nurses, doctors and all of that.

Lisa Zarcone: 6:44

So when I spoke that day, I shared my personal story. I shared what happened to me and how I overcame all of the abuse and how I survived and then thrived forward and how you can heal. My workshop that day was about the body keeps score and I talked in great deal about how trauma and abuse stays within the body and how it affects you when you don't even realize it and how silence can be deadly. So I do speak about a lot of different topics. I've done a lot of you know work with speaking about suicide prevention and in that realm I always share my personal experience of when I wanted to commit suicide and my thought and my planning and then go into how we can help people you know who are struggling find the resources that they need.

Lisa Zarcone: 7:35

So I do a little bit of everything. In a couple of weeks I'm going to be speaking at a college with women who have been through their own issues and problems in life and they've been through abuse and now they're turning their lives around. So I'm going to be speaking at a luncheon just sharing about my story and how I was able to step forward to be successful in my life in a business fashion. So I'm always you know it's amazing these things come up and I tap into different parts of my life and different parts of my experiences to. You know, give them what they need whoever is looking for a certain topic. So my basis is always does go back to my story and abdicating for awareness and, you know child safety and all of those things awareness and you know child safety and all of those things.

Tanya Scotece: 8:27

And what would you say? Or maybe I don't know, I don't know how many you have, but let's say three takeaways for our listeners today from hearing your journey, you know, with such inspiration, such hope for anybody that may have a triggering event, like you described the woman that you know was at your presentation that you know either positive or negative. What are some things that you could share with us that you do either daily or weekly, or you know that you look forward to doing, to stay grounded yourself.

Lisa Zarcone: 8:54

Yes, it's always a lot. You know, I'm always big on what I call brain breaks and I you know it's funny I'm on TikTok, okay, and I got onto TikTok just to send inspirational messages and motivation, and when I talk about those things, I'm on TikTok, okay, and I got onto TikTok just to send inspirational messages and motivation, and when I talk about those things, I'm always talking about brain breaks. We all need brain breaks in our lives. We live busy, fast-paced lives and when we have all these past things that have been sitting heavy with us, they do again ping out in different ways when we don't realize it. But what we need to do is stop in parts of our days and just be, just do something for yourself that really makes you happy, brings you joy, makes you feel you know, talking yourself off that ledge, bringing you back down to again your baseline, grounding yourself.

Lisa Zarcone: 9:41

For me, there's a few things. Of course, I love writing. I'll always. Writing is my thing. I love to do poetry, I love just journaling and putting my thoughts down.

Lisa Zarcone: 9:50

But I'm a nature geek. I truly, truly love to be out in nature. You know birds and and all kinds of nature I garden and my flowers and my veggies. But I really, when I'm out there, I tap into it, Like I tap into the sites, the sounds, the smells, and when you do those things you're actually shifting your brain. Smells, and when you do those things you're actually shifting your brain, you're shifting the gears in your brain. You're going from this crazy chaotic mode to like, all of a sudden, now you're just slowly bringing yourself back down and you're giving your brain those moments to just rest it. Whatever you're doing, let it be carefree and mindless. You know, I take my dog for a walk, or I'll just be out in the yard and let her run around and I'm just feeling the breeze, I'm really focusing on the sunshine or whatever it may be, and those are the things that that really always make me feel good and relaxes me enough to move forward on with my day.

Lisa Zarcone: 10:46

And I also say like, if you're stuck in an office building, get up from that desk, go take a walk, change, change the scenery, even if it's for ten minutes. When I worked in an office, I would do that. I would walk the outside perimeter of the building or, if it was bad weather, I'd walk inside the building. I'd look at people, I'd smile, I would do my thing, you know, and just just taking those few moments to change up your scenery, your location, and it really does shift the gears inside of you. So those are some of the things that I personally do. Other people love music, driving in their car, you know all those things, but whatever it is that makes you happy and what makes you feel good, do it. Do it as often as possible, take time throughout your day and really just take care of yourself for a few minutes. It's so very important.

Shireen Botha: 11:32

I love that. Thank you so much for sharing. Yeah, tanya, and I very much agree with you when it comes to that. But yes, I think that's the perfect time, since you did touch on a few things, but now's the perfect time to slot in our non-profit. Slot in our non-profit. Our non-profit for the month is the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. We did touch on it earlier on, but, lisa, please go ahead and share and tell us and the listeners a little bit about what they do and how we can support them.

Lisa Zarcone: 12:10

Yes, so NASCA is a non-profit, nonprofit organization and I am the Massachusetts National Ambassador and Regional Director for Massachusetts and you know we're worldwide, it's a worldwide organization and there's very, there's so many free services within our organization that are there to help adult survivors of child abuse and it has reached out now also to the mental health piece and, and even you know, drug addiction, because it all comes back into the same circles of you know the struggles that people go through. So NASCA is a great resource to tap into. Go to nascaorg and see all the different things that are on there and they also do their blog talk radio show. See all the different things that are on there and they also do their blog talk radio show. I know blog blog talk is now ended and they're they're coming on and I I'm not sure who they've chosen to step forward, but the radio show is going to step up again and be and be mobile. So, and the radio show people can come on as guests, they can share their personal stories and what a huge thing that is for people to have that opportunity to do so. When you've done the healing work and now you're like ready and you want to share your story.

Lisa Zarcone: 13:18

Nasca gives you the place to do that and they also have other you know little support groups that people can tap into and share their struggles and there's always somebody there to offer and lend a helping hand. I know for myself, you know people will write me privately and I will offer, you know, any support and information that I can. I, you know I'll do research if they're from a different state. You know I'm from Massachusetts but if somebody from a different state you know is looking for help, I'll always tap into resources wherever I can find to help get them the support that they need. So NASCA really is a wonderful organization that does help people who are struggling. So I, you know it's it's, it's really a wonderful thing. I've been involved in NASCA for oh my goodness, 10 years now and I I'm really proud of the work that I've done with them and I support them and I encourage people to check it out.

Shireen Botha: 14:13

Well, we're proud of you. Yeah, yeah, thank you, listeners, you heard it. And if you are feeling a little dry, if you are feeling a little depressed, if you are feeling like life is a little bit overwhelming right now and you feel enclosed, let me tell you you something. I think that might be a sign. It is for me. I'm not saying that this is for everybody, but it might be a sign that you need to maybe start thinking outside of what's going on in your life and what's you know, consuming you and your mind, and this is the perfect opportunity to put your mind elsewhere.

Shireen Botha: 14:59

go and support NASCA, go and give a donation, go and out in your car, go to the shops, buy a couple of loaves of bread, go get a couple of meals. Go find a couple of people that are homeless, that need your help, that don't know where their next meal is going to come from, or that are also just mentally suffering in silence. Put your mind on something else other than what's going on in your life. I can assure you it'll help. It'll really help. So, listeners, do yourselves a favor and go to NASCA and see how you can support theirs. So we have come to the end of the podcast, but the more lighthearted part of the podcast and I thought, ladies, to end it off, we could play a little bit of a game called 20 questions no, tanya, and I have played this before. Lisa, have you? No, no.

Lisa Zarcone: 16:10

Because we know we're just going on and play games. I know I didn't know we were playing games, but I'm excited. I'm down for it. Let's do it.

Shireen Botha: 16:18

Right? Well, it's called 20 questions because it's in one minute. You have to answer as many questions as possible, and I mean these questions are to get to know each other, and so the listeners can get to know each other. But you know, the winner is whoever answers as many questions in that minute as possible. So I think, Tanya, I think you should show us how it's done. I'll start with you. I've put one minute on the clock here and I'm just full disclosure.

Tanya Scotece: 16:52

this has not been rehearsed, so I don't know what questions are coming my way. Lisa, you neither right, we don't know. Okay, go ahead.

Shireen Botha: 16:59

These ladies listeners don't know what questions are coming their way. I've picked new ones, so let's see. Okay, tanya, are you ready? I'm'm ready. Let's be put it on the clock and let's begin now. What is your favorite food? Lobster. What is your favorite color? Black. What is your favorite song? Sweet caroline. Who is your favorite song? Sweet Caroline? Who is your favorite celebrity?

Tanya Scotece: 17:34

I don't really have one, but I'm going to say Neil Diamond, if that counts.

Shireen Botha: 17:39

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Tanya Scotece: 17:43

I'm going to say Christmas just because of the lights. What is your favorite fruit?

Shireen Botha: 17:49

Fruit I like pineapple. What is your favorite fruit Fruit I like pineapple. What is your favorite season and why?

Tanya Scotece: 17:55

I'm going to say fall, just because of the crisp breeze.

Shireen Botha: 17:58

What was your favorite TV show growing up? I'm going to say Bewitched. What is your least favorite color?

Tanya Scotece: 18:08

My least favorite color is yellow no-transcript done, done, finished.

Shireen Botha: 18:24

Beep, beep, beep, beep. 11 questions. That's pretty good 11 questions. My gosh, tanya, answered those like extremely fast okay so 11 questions, one minute okay, let's try. All right, one minute on the clock, lisa. Are you ready? I'm ready. Okay, let's begin now. What is your dream destination? New zealand. Do you like watching good morning cartoons as a kid? Yes what was, or is your favorite subject in school English? What is your biggest fear? The dark. Are you a night person or a morning person?

Lisa Zarcone: 19:17

I'm a night person.

Shireen Botha: 19:18

What is your favorite color Pink. Do you have any pets? Yes. What are your three favorite color Pink. Do you have any pets? Yes. What are your three favorite songs?

Lisa Zarcone: 19:29

Three favorite. Oh, my goodness, lean on Me. Kentucky, rain and the Unforgiven.

Shireen Botha: 19:40

Nice. What is your dream job?

Lisa Zarcone: 19:43

My dream job is what I'm doing right now lovely.

Shireen Botha: 19:46

What do you like wearing often? Uh leggings okay, all right, that is 10 questions in a minute. Sorry, tanya, you won just by one, just by one Awesome, awesome. That's a great game, just to get to know each other a little bit better.

Tanya Scotece: 20:09

That was fun, that is fun. Yeah, that is fun, that is fun.

Shireen Botha: 20:13

Thank you for partaking, but I can't believe that we've come to the end of the podcast already. So you know many listeners listen and sometimes they really connect with us. So if you don't mind, just sharing with the listeners where they can find you if they want to reach out, ask you questions or anything like that. Lisa, go ahead.

Lisa Zarcone: 20:35

Yes, if anybody wants to reach me, go to lisasarconenet. You can find me there. You can write to me and I answer everybody who writes to me. I'm a really firm believer in responding to everyone who reaches out. You can also find me on social media. I'm on LinkedIn, on Instagram, facebook. I'm all over the place, tiktok. Like I was saying, write to me, connect with me. I will answer you and I hope to hear from people because I know you know people are struggling and if they need some support and advice, I'm here to lend a helping hand.

Shireen Botha: 21:07

I love it. Thank you, lisa. Tanya what about yourself?

Tanya Scotece: 21:10

Okay. Also, linkedin is my hub. I don't have a TV and haven't watched it in about 30 years, so you can find me on LinkedIn. I serve as the program coordinator for Miami Dade College Funeral Service Education Program, so anybody wanting to become a funeral director or embalmer and or embalmer feel free to seek me out. I also serve as expert witness placement, so I do those two expert witness for funeral home and cemetery wrongdoings, and senior placement for finding communities for people who can no longer live alone, usually due to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. So I do cover independent living, assisted living, memory care and the little casitas in the area of Florida, east and West Coast alike. And how about you, shireen?

Shireen Botha: 21:57

Thank you, tanya. So, yes, you can find me, Shireen Botha, on most of the social medias personally, but you'll find Shireen's bookkeeping services mostly on LinkedIn and Instagram. But friendsfromwildplaces that's friendsfromwildplaces. buzzsprout. com. Please take a moment to go and subscribe. It's just $5 a month for extra content and leave a message. Let us know how you, what you think of this and what did you think of the latest podcast? Now, we really enjoy hearing from you guys. We have a youtube channel. You can catch us on all the live streaming platforms. So thank you so much for listening. Ladies and gents, we'll see you next time and remember you got this and stay wild. Bye, guys.

Voiceover: 22:50

You've been listening to Friends from Wild Places with Shireen Botha. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast from the links to catch every episode and unleash your passion.