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What if the real shift isn’t “why me” but “now what”? We sit down with author and coach Terri Kozlowski to unpack how a childhood marked by sexual trauma and abandonment transformed into a life of awareness, courage, and purpose. Terri shares the moment her father asked the question that would change everything, the difference between guilt and shame, and why speaking the truth dissolves secrets that keep us small.

Together, we explore the messy, human process of healing. Terri’s “thorny blanket” metaphor reveals why victimhood can feel comfortable and why taking it off hurts before it helps. She walks us through identifying triggers, replacing fear with choice, and reframing perfectionism as armor that dims our light. We talk about the body’s alarms—stomach aches, ruptured appendix, peritonitis—and how those “Mack truck” moments force the pause we resist. From working among those who resembled her abusers to redefining alcohol in safe contexts, Terri shows how exposure, boundaries, and compassion can retrain a protective nervous system.

Parenting becomes a laboratory for breaking cycles. We compare notes on ending generational trauma with presence, clear consequences, and daily “I am” statements that anchor self-worth: I am safe, I am worthy, I am enough. There’s no manual for kids because each child is one-of-one; the real manual is written in relationship. Terri's morning rituals—meditation, journaling, intentional language—set a higher frequency that steadies the day. The takeaway is simple and powerful: awareness is the hardest step, community is essential, and self-forgiveness opens the door to authentic living.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. Your next brave step could start with one question: now what?

Connect with Terri:

Facebook Group: Soul Solutions for Survivors & Overcomers
Twitter: @tmkozlowski
LinkedIn: Terri Kozlowski 
Youtube: @KozmicSoulSolutions
Pinterest: @terrikozlowski
Tiktok: @terrikozlowski?lang=en

Instagram: @terrikozlowski

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