Episode 529. Breaking Chains and Embracing Healing with Memoirist Brittany Means

Radically Loved with Rosie Acosta

Get ready for an empowering episode of Radically Loved as we dive into the inspiring journey of Brittany Means, a dynamic writer and editor who's breaking the cycle of abuse and rewriting her narrative. In this riveting conversation, we explore the intersections of poverty, abuse, and addiction while delving into the importance of recognizing signs of abuse and neglect. Brittany opens up about the complexities of forgiveness, sharing her unique perspective on this transformative process. She bares it all on the vulnerability of memoir writing, detailing the surprises and challenges encountered during her courageous journey. But that's not all – we get an exclusive sneak peek into Brittany's upcoming project on health and mental health within religious communities, promising thought-provoking insights. In this episode, you'll discover that breaking the cycle of abuse requires self-awareness and a reflective examination of how past experiences shape our behavior. Recognizing signs of abuse and neglect becomes a crucial step in fostering a safe space for children to share their truths. Takeaways

1. Breaking the cycle of abuse requires self-awareness and reflection on how past experiences have shaped one's behavior.
2. Recognizing signs of abuse and neglect is crucial in order to support children and create a safe environment for them to speak their truth.
3. Forgiveness is a complex process that can be defined in different ways for different people. It is important to find a definition that aligns with one's own healing journey.
4. Writing can be a cathartic tool for processing trauma, but it is essential to prioritize self-care and engage in grounding practices outside of writing.
5. Memory is unreliable, and our brains can create different narratives of the same events. It is important to be aware of the limitations of memory when writing memoirs.
6. Connecting with mentors and finding inspiration from other writers can be instrumental in developing one's own writing style and pursuing a career in writing.

Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warning 00:59 Introduction of Guest 01:56 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse 04:30 The Intersection of Poverty, Abuse, and Addiction 09:25 Recognizing Signs of Abuse and Neglect 12:30 The Complexity of Forgiveness 21:26 The Intimacy and Vulnerability of Memoir Writing 24:55 Mentors and Inspirations 29:36 Self-Care and Writing Practices 38:19 Cutting Out Parts of the Book and Surprises in the Writing Process 42:23 Upcoming Project 45:06 Connecting with Brittany Means 46:13 Final Takeaway Resources: Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are people and organizations ready to provide support. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call emergency services in your country. Hotlines:National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA): https://www.thehotline.org/ Phone: [phone]-SAFE (7233) TTY: 1-800-787-32242. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - USA): https://www.rainn.org/ National Sexual Assault Hotline: [phone]-HOPE (4673) Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (USA): https://www.childhelp.org/ Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Phone: [phone]-TALK (1-800-273-8255) National Sexual Violence Resource Center (USA): https://www.nsvrc.org/ International Resources: International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies: http://www.hotpeachpages.net/ 2. International Suicide Prevention Hotlines: https://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html Online Resources:Pandora's Project: http://www.pandys.org/ Psych Central - Abuse and Trauma Center: https://psychcentral.com/lib/types-of-abuse Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Online Hotline: https://ohl.rainn.org/online/ Connect with Brittany Means

• Website: www.brittanymeans.com
• Hell If We Don’t Change Our Ways Book: https://www.brittanymeans.com/book
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrittanyMeansIt
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/brittanymeansit

Connect with Rosie Acosta:

• Get You Are Radically Loved the book: https://www.radicallyloved.com/book
• Listen to Rosie on Radio Headspace: https://open.spotify.com/episode/51BBKoCzz2Wzmi7TTsYfNI?si=65bc001ec09d4e8e&nd=1
• Create a daily meditation ritual in just seven days! Download BUILD YOUR DAILY MEDITATION RITUAL and other freebies at https://www.radicallyloved.com/free-stuff!

Connect with Tessa Tovar:

• Website: https://tessatovar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessamarietovar/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHMYm-7kNZfulgaiCi2w8Cw
• Outside the Studio Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outside-the-studio-with-tessa-tovar/id1483077110
• Book of Poetry for Savasana: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Moon-Book-Poetry-Savasana/dp/1731243588