210: You Cannot Be Silenced — Dr. Rosenna Bakari with Talking Tree Survivors

You are strong and you can overcome your childhood trauma.

Dr. Rosenna Bakari, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and incest, started Talking Trees in 2010 to help provide support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and incest and to help them live openly. Rosenna recently wrote her memoir, Too Much Love Is Not Enough, which details her silence and struggle to overcome her trauma years later in her adult life. The book will be be released on April 12th. On the show, Rosenna discusses why she was compelled to start Talking Trees, how the organization helps victims and survivors, and why it was time to write a memoir.

Key Takeaways:

[5:15] Why did Rosenna write her book about her personal experience surviving abuse?

[12:20] One of the reasons why surviving abuse is so hard is because survivors have a lack of support to talk about the abuse they’ve just been through.

[13:55] People want to keep telling you that you’re ‘okay’, but the truth is it’s okay not to be okay. You don’t have to put on the mask just for them.

[16:00] Rosenna explains why she decided not to write a ‘how to’ book.

[19:00] The sad part is, no one is going to rescue you and save you from the trauma. However, the good news is, you can rescue yourself.

[24:15] What were some of the hardest parts to write in the book for Rosenna?

[28:20] Why did Rosenna start Talking Trees?

[30:40] Rosenna did not understand how there were 40 million survivors (in America) and yet she felt so isolated and alone with her pain. Where were they??

[31:35] Did you know that 80% of people in addiction counseling have a background of childhood sexual abuse?

[34:30] How do you talk about something that you’re not supposed to talk about?

[41:40] How has Talking Trees helped the survivors of abuse?

[45:30] Rosenna offers some advice for those who are facing the aftermath of abuse, in their adult life.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

Talking Trees, Inc.

Too Much Love Is Not Enough: A Memoir of Silence of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Dr. Rosenna Bakari