Title: Navigating the Shadows: Kaylin's Journey Through Abuse, Trafficking, and Healing
Release Date: 12/10/2025
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info_outlineIn this episode of "Braveheart Speak," host Lucia Severtson welcomes Kaylin, a survivor and advocate, who shares her powerful journey through childhood abuse, human trafficking, and addiction. Kaylin details her struggles, the failures of support systems, and her path to healing through faith, therapy, and advocacy. She reflects on reclaiming her voice, the importance of empathy, and her work supporting other survivors. The episode highlights the complexities of trauma, the need for compassionate listening, and encourages listeners to speak out, support survivors, and join a growing community of brave voices.
Timestamps
Grounding and Content Warning (00:01:06) Lucia offers a grounding exercise and cautions listeners about the episode’s sensitive topics.
Family of Origin and Early Abuse (00:06:28) Kaylin describes her childhood, her mother’s hospitalizations, and abuse by her grandmother.
Mother’s Emotional Abuse and Judgment (00:07:37) Kaylin explains her mother’s shift to judgmental behavior and emotional abuse.
Grandmother’s Continued Stalking (00:11:02) Kaylin describes her grandmother’s stalking and the failure of authorities to intervene.
Systemic Failures and Stigma (00:11:59) Kaylin discusses the difficulty of being believed and the justice system’s failures.
Leaving Home and Teenage Pregnancy (00:14:05) Kaylin describes running away, early independence, and becoming pregnant at 17.
Finding Stability and Support (00:15:36) Kaylin’s father helps her move, leading to subsidized housing and some stability.
Entry into Human Trafficking (00:17:28) Kaylin explains how vulnerability led to being trafficked, and the manipulative tactics used.
Seeking Validation and Worth (00:19:15) Kaylin reflects on seeking love and validation through appearance and pleasing others.
Forced Criminal Activity and Homelessness (00:23:14) Kaylin describes being forced to transport drugs and guns, losing her home, and increased exploitation.
Reflection on Numbness and Love (00:26:41) Kaylin discusses being in love with her trafficker and not recognizing abuse as abnormal.
Cycle of Abuse and Addiction (00:36:12) Kaylin describes further abuse, addiction, and the struggle to break free from toxic relationships.
Turning Point and Reinvention (00:39:39) Kaylin describes being arrested, using jail as a chance to reinvent herself, and regaining self-control.
Relearning Empathy (00:46:07) Kaylin shares how she had to relearn empathy for herself and others during recovery.
Advice to Survivors and Allies (00:47:23) Kaylin offers advice to survivors and the importance of speaking out and seeking help.
Advocacy Work and Future Goals (00:51:41) Kaylin shares her current advocacy, public speaking, and hopes to influence legislation and support survivors.
Powerful Quotes from the Episode
Kaylin, 'I have a deep faith in God now through my healing process, and I've come to understand that every person has inherent value.'
Kaylin, 'The drugs were going in my daughter’s car seat. Then the sex trafficking started, really bad. It was constant, all day long.'
Kaylin, 'I always say I think I had “Please Abuse Me” written on my forehead because that’s all I could find. I just couldn’t help but fall into that every single time.'
Kaylin, 'I was thanking the officer for catching me. It was a huge, bright light. Finally, someone was going to put me away long enough to get sober and change my life.'
Kaylin, 'I’m not afraid to speak anymore. I have a voice and I like to use it.'
RESOURCES:
Connect with Kaylin:
Email: kaylinpolksme@gmail.comShe welcomes survivors reaching out and is open to speaking engagements.
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