Andrea Leeb on Recognizing Hidden Signs of Abuse

Find Alicja: Listen Wherever You Stream Podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/g1foYRUn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakedtruthatherapypodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@alicjamatusiak All Links: https://www.nakedtruthatherapypodcast.com/link-in-bio This podcast is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice.

In this powerful episode of the Shine Within Podcast, host Gina Kunadian sits down with author and advocate Andrea Leeb, whose debut memoir Such a Pretty Picture is making waves for its raw honesty, emotional depth, and message of hope for survivors of childhood trauma. Andrea opens up about her journey from surviving childhood sexual abuse, living in silence for decades, and finally reclaiming her voice, agency, and purpose through writing and advocacy. She shares how trauma lives in the body, how healing is never linear, and why it’s never too late to speak your truth. We explore the intersection of trauma and the body, how shame and secrecy impact our nervous system, and what it truly means to heal, forgive, and shine from within. Whether you're on your own healing journey or supporting someone you love, this conversation is filled with deep wisdom, compassion, and real-life inspiration. 🔹 Topics Covered: – Childhood trauma & healing – The power of storytelling & memoir – Anxiety, and the body – Inner child compassion & forgiveness – Advocacy for survivors – Finding purpose after pain ✨ About Andrea Leeb: Andrea is a writer, attorney, nurse, and advocate who now dedicates her time to mentoring young women and supporting survivors of sexual assault. A finalist for the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award and a volunteer at the UCLA Rape Treatment Center, she uses her voice to help others find theirs. 📚 Grab her memoir "Such a Pretty Picture" 📲 Visit: https://www.andrealeebauthor.com/ 📸 Follow: https://www.instagram.com/andrealisaleeb?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== ✨ Ready to heal, rise, and shine from within? Subscribe for more soul-nourishing episodes with inspiring women who’ve turned their pain into purpose. 🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a moment of transformation. #AndreaLeeb #ChildhoodTrauma #Memoir #SurvivorStory #SexualAbuseAwareness #HealingJourney #ShineWithinPodcast #GinaKunadian #TraumaHealing #InnerChildHealing #WomenEmpowerment #Recovery #AdvocateForSurvivors CONNECT WITH GINA: Book a Free Call: https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min Visit my Website: http://www.ginakunadian.com/ Follow Gina: https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian RESOURCES: My TEDx Talk Sobriety: Unlocking Freedom | Gina Kunadian | TEDxPort Saint Lucie https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr Listeners Gift’s: 6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life and navigate the action steps I took to stay sober. Text the word GIFT to 18556496196 or click this link: https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2 Are you sober curious? Ready to explore the empowering path to an alcohol-free life? Click this link: https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx and Jumpstart Your Sober Journey with this 7-Day Challenge Join Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness on FB. This space was created with a singular purpose: to support and uplift women like you on your journey towards sobriety, spiritual awakening, and wholeness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/ Check out my NEW Mini Course Overcoming Challenges: https://minicourse.ginakunadian.com/i6Y3eb Check out FeedSpots Best 40 Women’s Sobriety Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/ Listen to Podcast Show: Shine Within with Gina Kunadian https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shine-within-w-gina-kunadian/id1670751132

*Explicit Content Shared. Details of Incest Abuse. Viewer's Discretion Advised. Andrea Leeb shares her powerful journey from childhood incest survivor to advocate on the Lifejacked: The Resilience Podcast with Dr. Ro. She courageously recounts being first molested at 4 1/2 by her father; her mother witnessed the abuse and later went blind from trauma. The abuse continued until age ten, leaving Andrea silent and blaming herself. At 33, a subway assault triggered overwhelming flashbacks, forcing her to confront her past after decades of trying to compartmentalize the trauma and finally seek help. Her upcoming memoir, “Such a Pretty Picture,” was inspired by her father’s death in 2017 and the Me Too movement, which motivated her to share her story so others know they’re not alone. Andrea says writing her memoir helped her reclaim her voice, transform shame into strength, and connect with a community of survivors who reflect her resilience and hope. #resilience #healingjourney #advocacy #dontstaysilent