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Defiance of Silence - A Sacred Witness

Defiance of Silence – A Sacred Witness is a podcast for survivors, healers, and those who walk beside them. Together, we stand against the silence that isolates us, and embrace the silence that allows us to be truly heard.

Hosted by Valerie — a U.S. Army veteran, Nurse, survivor, and trauma-informed witness — the show was born from her own two-decade journey of healing from sexual trauma and the power of being witnessed. Through real and unpolished conversations, guests share stories of courage, grief, resilience, and awakening.

This is not therapy. This is not performance. This is sacred witness. A space where vulnerability becomes strength, and where no one has to carry their story alone.

New episodes release every other week.

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Defiance of Silence - A Sacred Witness

Lucy - The Invisible Weight of Silence

November 05, 2025 • Valerie Foglesong • Season 1 • Episode 6

When the US Army stamps your discharge Chapter 8 and strips your benefits, it’s easy to believe your service didn’t count. Lucy wouldn’t accept that ending. She walks us through growing up in chaos, surviving assault in uniform, and carrying a story so heavy it nearly pushed her over the edge—until a clinician named PTSD and a fellow vet’s challenge rekindled her fire.

We trace the moments that changed everything: a panic attack at work that sent her to the ER, the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen that turned avoidance into action. Lucy shows how advocacy can spark policy change while quietly draining a survivor’s reserves. She speaks frankly about the Netflix spotlight, the flood of requests from other survivors, and her decision t to ask for help.

What follows is a blueprint for sustainable healing and service. Lucy returns to medication on her terms, builds daily breath work and yoga practices. Takes long walks with her husband to decompress and reconnect. She sets boundaries, practices seasonal advocacy, and reframes worth beyond a DD214. The message is clear and compassionate: give yourself grace. If you’re navigating MST, PTSD, or the invisible weight of silence, you’ll find practical tools, hard-won wisdom, and the courage to make your own pace.

Lucy is a proud United States Army Veteran and a lifelong advocate for veterans’ rights and recognition, both in New Jersey and across the country. Lucy currently serves as Program Coordinator for YWCA Northern New Jersey’s Operation Sisterhood, a comprehensive initiative designed to support women veterans as they transition from military service to civilian life. Beyond her professional roles, Lucy is a dedicated volunteer and national advocate. She works with Minority Veterans of America, The Pink Berets, and is a prominent voice in the #MeTooMilitary movement, which emerged in the wake of Specialist Vanessa Guillen’s death. Lucy testified before the House Armed Services Committee on July 29, 2020, during the landmark hearing, The Military MeToo Movement. Her advocacy was featured in the Netflix documentary “I Am Vanessa Guillen.” In recognition of her leadership and service, Lucy was appointed by VA Secretary Denis McDonough to the VA’s Workgroup on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault. She was also appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to the New Jersey Comm

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Remember YOU are loved and worthy of being witnessed!

If today’s episode stirred heavy feelings, you are not alone. Please reach out to a trusted friend or a professional if you need support: