Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse

Grace Ovba

Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse Show with Grace Ovba, is about the topical issues of abuse prevalent in our society and culture. The impact on lives and possible reformation strategies. The show portrays real life stories of exceptional valiant women, who suffered pain, shame, trauma and guilt. Some of these individuals, used the tools of healing, forgiveness and compassion to serve as a positive propellant to actualising their dreams and breaking barriers in their various fields of human endeavours. Each episode showcases case studies, stories, inspirational talks; involving interviews, conversations, solo/panel sessions with survivors, everyday people, professionals, charities, thought leaders and notable guests(Celebrities) KEY TAKEAWAYS "Abuse changes your life... Fight back and change the life of your abusers by breaking your silence on abuse" - Patty Rase Hopson ''So many people suffer abuse and suffer alone'' -Pamela Stephenson ''To those who abuse: The sin is yours, the crime is yours and the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: blaming the victim only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse. Stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest.'' - Flora Jessop #I take back my power #Voice for the Voiceless #Resilience #Courage #Mental health ABOUT THE HOST - GRACE OVBA Grace is a survivor of Domestic Violence, who is passionate about using her experiences to pave the way for other victims who are stuck in any form of abusive situations. She is a transformational coach, mentor, author, inspirational speaker and mother. She has a background in education, law and psychotherapy. She's on a mission to bring healing and wholeness to bruised and broken women. Registered member of BACP (British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy) Registered member of Law Society UK Connect via email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com Social media platforms: twitter @risinaboveabuse YouTube @risingaboveshadowsofabuse Patreon @risingaboveshadowsofabuse.com

  1. 6d ago

    AI for Trauma Awareness: Dr. Turner on Using Technology to Detect Coercive Control

    Grace is joined in today's episode by Dr. Lisa Turner — a survivor, an award-winning coach and founder of CET Freedom. Her work sits at the cutting edge of trauma awareness, where artificial intelligence meets lived experience. Having survived trafficking and grooming as a teenager, Dr. Turner has transformed her journey into a mission: to make the invisible visible. Through precision-built AI tools, she is helping uncover the subtle, often overlooked patterns of coercive control within relationships — patterns that can be difficult to name, yet deeply significant. ` Quotes “AI can hold far more variables in view at once, making it easier to identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.” — Dr. Turner“Rather than relying on generic chatbots, my work focuses on structured models that reflect what truly happens within and between human minds.” — Dr. Turner“Carefully designed AI systems can support deeper awareness and meaningful change — turning insight into action.” — Dr. Turner Key Takeaways AI Reveals the Invisible Artificial intelligence can identify subtle relational and behavioral patterns that are often missed by the human eye, especially in cases of coercive control. Structured Intelligence Over Generic Tools Dr. Turner’s work goes beyond standard AI chatbots by using structured psychological and behavioural models that reflect real human dynamics. Clarity Through Complexity Her AI systems are designed to hold multiple variables at once, offering deeper insight and faster decision-making clarity. Lived Experience as Innovation Her personal journey through trauma informs the authenticity, depth, and effectiveness of her work. A New Frontier in Personal Development CET Freedom’s AI tools are reshaping coaching, leadership, and personal growth by integrating trauma awareness with advanced technology. Journal Prompts Reflect on a relationship where something felt “off” but was difficult to explain. What patterns do you now recognize in hindsight?How could technology — particularly AI — support your personal growth, healing, or decision-making process?Write about a moment when increased awareness (through insight, support, or tools) helped you reclaim your power. Contact Dr. Lisa Turner: Website: https://cetfreedom.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cetfreedom Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cetfreedom/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlisaturner/ Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liturner Twitter / X: https://x.com/DrLisaTurner TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlisaturner Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com

  2. Aug 6

    "Blood, Silence, & Survival: The Story Behind Blood Orphan"

    Grace sits with Dr. Ashley S. Glosson, an infectious diseases scientist, global health expert and memoirist. She is the author of "Blood Orphans." A harrowing true story of growing up trapped inside a home ruled by fear, violence, secrecy and psychological terror. Behind the image of a respected, educated and affluent family, she and her siblings endured years of abuse that stole their innocence far too soon... This is more than a story of survival, it is about what happens after trauma and lasting scars of childhood violence and breaking free from generational cycles of abuse. It explores, resilience, faith and the lasting impact of adversity and the healing it takes... CONGRATULATIONS!!! Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse (RASA) We have reached a major milestone - 250 Episode! To all our amazing listeners and viewers, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this journey. Your support, encouragement, messages and continued connection with the podcast, have made every episode meaningful. This milestone is possible because of YOU. The journey continues - expect more inspiring conversations, inspiring guests, fresh perspectives, unforgettable moments and content that continues to inform, entertain and connect our community. Thank you for being part of the family. Here's to the next chapter! Quotes "Our past may shape us, but it does not have to define us" - Dr. Ashley S. Glosson, Author of "Blood Orphan." “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey “What happened to you was not your fault. But healing is your responsibility.” — Dr. Thema Bryant “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls.” — Khalil Gibran “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brené Brown “Your story is what you have, what you will always have.” — Michelle Obama “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling Key Takeaways Survivors can carry immense responsibility at a very young age. Abuse can exist behind “perfect” or “respectable” family images. Silence is often a survival mechanism—not weakness. Healing is not linear—it’s built piece by piece. Success does not erase trauma, but it can coexist with healing. Breaking silence is a powerful act of reclaiming identity. Protecting others as a child often leads to delayed self-healing. Resilience is not about minimising pain—it’s about facing it. Sharing your story can become a pathway for others to heal. Journal Prompts What does “rising above” mean to me personally? What parts of my story have I kept silent, and why? When did I first learn to protect others before myself? What does safety feel like to me today? How has my past shaped my strength? What would my younger self need to hear from me now? Where am I still minimising my pain? What does healing look like in this season of my life? Who can I trust with my truth? What does resilience mean beyond survival? How can I begin reclaiming my voice? What boundaries do I need to feel safe? What am I ready to release? How do I define my identity beyond my trauma? What does “freedom” look like for me emotionally? Contact Dr. Ashley S. Glosson: https://ashleyglosson-author.com/ Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com

  3. Jul 30

    "From Burnout To Biology: How We Recode Emotional Pain"

    Grace sits with our special guest today, Elsa Valentine, the founder of INNATE, a vision exploring emotional intelligence, self-dialogue, and the relationship between healing, technology, and human connection. Her work has been shaped by a deeply personal journey through wellness, entrepreneurship, burnout, recovery, and the understanding that fascination can act as a compass toward purpose. Drawing from experiences in the nutrition and startup world; she is passionate about redefining growth and wellness through the lens of nervous system safety, self-compassion, and sustainable expansion. The heart of her work is a curiosity about what helps people reconnect with their innate wisdom, humanity, and sense of self in an increasingly performance-driven world. Quotes Neuroscience & emotional truth “The body keeps the score.” — Bessel van der Kolk (Key idea: emotional experience is stored somatically, not just mentally) “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” — Viktor E. Frankl (Core of emotional agency and identity transformation) “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” — Donald Hebb (Foundational principle of neuroplasticity) “We are not our emotions; we are the awareness behind them.” — often attributed to mindfulness teachings (Jon Kabat-Zinn influenced) (Useful framing for emotional detachment without suppression) Identity & transformation framing “Identity is not discovered, it is constructed through repetition and meaning.” — modern neuroscience synthesis (not a single author) “What we cannot feel, we will repeat.” — trauma-informed therapy principle (Used in somatic psychology) Key Takeaways for Listeners 1. The body is not betraying you—it is communicating with you Physical symptoms often appear when emotional suppression becomes chronic. 2. Emotional suppression has a biological cost Stress hormones, nervous system dysregulation, fatigue, anxiety, and burnout often reflect unresolved emotional load. 3. Identity is plastic, not fixed Through repetition, reflection, and guided emotional dialogue, identity patterns can be rewired. 4. Healing is not only reflection—it is retraining Tools like guided “past/present/future self” dialogue help create new neural pathways. 5. Safety comes before transformation The nervous system cannot evolve in chronic threat; regulation is foundational. 6. Storytelling is a biological intervention Narrative integration helps the brain reorganise memory, meaning, and emotional charge. 7. Emotional literacy is a survival skill for Gen Z & millennials Not optional—essential for relationships, work, and self-leadership. Journal Prompts: Awareness & body connection What physical sensations do I experience when I suppress emotion? Where in my body do I feel stress before I can name it emotionally? Emotional pattern recognition What emotional patterns keep repeating in my relationships or work? When do I override my emotional needs to stay “functional”? Identity exploration What identity did I build to stay safe in my environment? Which parts of me feel most disconnected from my “true self”? Future self integration What would my emotionally regulated future self do differently today? What habits would my healed self refuse to continue? Rewriting narratives What story do I tell myself about why I can’t change? If that story were no longer true, what would become possible? Contact Elsa Valentine: Website - www.innate.love Instagram - @ be.innate Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com

  4. Jul 16

    “Beyond Survival: Rewriting Power, Law, and Healing in Domestic Abuse”

    Today's episode is not just about awareness - it's about equipping survivors with language, strategy and validation. GAWGO's -(Getting Ahead While Getting Out) work bridges the gap between lived experience and systemic recognition, offering both critique and concrete tools for change. Our guest today is Sofi Khan, a survivor, lawyer, feminist, author , activist and shadow board member of a domestic abuse charity in the UK- SOLACE. QUOTES “Leaving isn’t just about escape—it’s about strategy.” — GAWGO“Silence is not always submission; sometimes, it is survival & Peace” — Grace Ovba“The system asks for proof, but survivors carry truth in their bodies.” — GAWGO“What we call ‘lack of evidence’ is often a failure of language.” — GAWGO“Abuse thrives in systems that refuse to name it properly.” — GAWGO KEY TAKEAWAYS Domestic abuse must be understood as both a personal and structural issue.Survivors’ lived experiences are valid forms of evidence—even when systems fail to recognise them.Strategic silence is an intentional, powerful survival tool—not passivity.Legal language often fails to capture the complexity of abuse.Documentation and evidence gathering are essential for navigating legal systems.Risk assessment and safety planning can save lives.Trauma affects identity, cognition, and decision-making—but healing is possible.Evidence-based therapies like trauma-focused CBT can support recovery.Patriarchal systems, including courts and institutions, can perpetuate harm.Survivors need both emotional support and practical strategy. JOURNAL PROMPTS: What does safety mean to me right now—emotionally, physically, and psychologically?Where in my life have I used silence as protection or strategy?What are the signs of control or coercion I may have overlooked?How has my experience shaped my identity—and what parts of me am I reclaiming?What evidence of my strength have I ignored or minimised?What support systems do I need to build or strengthen?What fears come up when I think about leaving or changing my situation?How can I begin documenting my truth safely?What does healing look like for me beyond survival?Where can I give myself compassion instead of judgement? Contact Sofi Khan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metoomyway/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@metoomyway Website: https://www.solacewomensaid.org/people/sofi-khan/ Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com

  5. Jul 9

    "The Surrender Agenda: Chronic Pain, Clarity & Becoming"

    Grace talks with Lorraine Ansell, the author of "The Surrender Agenda, a memoir recognised by the 'Ink Book Prize.' She's also a speaker and creator who lives with Hypermobile Ehlers - Danlos Syndrome. Her symptoms were minimised, misunderstood or misread for years-until clarity arrived in form of a diagnosis. Quotable Quotes: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzsche “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Viktor E. Frankl “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi Key Takeaways: Chronic pain is often invisible long before it is diagnosed, shaping identity in silence. Misdiagnosis can create emotional and psychological layers of suffering beyond physical symptoms. Understanding connective tissue disorders like hEDS can change how patients are treated and believed. Pain can become both a limitation and a lens—altering perception, creativity, and awareness. Thriving with chronic illness is not about elimination of pain, but adaptation and meaning-making. Small daily practices often matter more than large breakthroughs in managing chronic conditions. Creativity can emerge as a response to constraint, not just inspiration. Journal Prompts Where in my life have I been trying to “push through” instead of listening more closely to what my body or emotions are communicating? What parts of my experience have I dismissed because they were not immediately understood by others? What would it look like to validate them myself? If my challenges were not something to “fix,” but something to understand, what new questions would I begin asking about my life? Contact Lorraine Ansell: Email: lorraineansellauthor@gmail.com The Surrender Agenda-Memoir My Witty & Honest Journey Of Learning To Accept & Love My Pain - By Lorraine Ansell Genres: Self-help, Memoir, Humour | Publication date: | 25th June 2024 Availability: International, EB (£3.99) PB (£6.99) AB (variable, from £0.99) | ISBN: 9781838383084 (PB) 9781838383091 (EB) | ASIN: B0F22Y848QA (AB) Publisher: Amazon | Page count: | 172 Media folder & enquiries: https://bit.ly/LorraineAnsell | info@literallypr.com | Author online: Website: https://www.lorraineansellauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglavoiceart/ Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineansellcontentcreator/ MEDIA FOLDER & ENQUIRIES: HTTPS://BIT.LY/LORRAINEANSELL INFO@LITERALLYPR.COM Contacts For RASA: +447984098577 Book a therapy and, or coaching session via my website: https://www.freedom4betterlife.com/ MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy) Email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com To contribute, use #participation to be a guest, # feedback or comment on the subject title. To share your story on the podcast, kindly send an email to: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com - using #STORY for subject title. Kindly subscribe and leave reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rising-above-shadows-of-abuse/id1592540880 Follow RASA Podcast on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Realrasa1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasareal1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/risinaboveabuse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuse YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UColB9fTRkBSuon4lfsFaSJw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risingaboveshadowsofabuse/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/risingaboveshadowsofabuseEmail: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com

About

Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse Show with Grace Ovba, is about the topical issues of abuse prevalent in our society and culture. The impact on lives and possible reformation strategies. The show portrays real life stories of exceptional valiant women, who suffered pain, shame, trauma and guilt. Some of these individuals, used the tools of healing, forgiveness and compassion to serve as a positive propellant to actualising their dreams and breaking barriers in their various fields of human endeavours. Each episode showcases case studies, stories, inspirational talks; involving interviews, conversations, solo/panel sessions with survivors, everyday people, professionals, charities, thought leaders and notable guests(Celebrities) KEY TAKEAWAYS "Abuse changes your life... Fight back and change the life of your abusers by breaking your silence on abuse" - Patty Rase Hopson ''So many people suffer abuse and suffer alone'' -Pamela Stephenson ''To those who abuse: The sin is yours, the crime is yours and the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: blaming the victim only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse. Stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest.'' - Flora Jessop #I take back my power #Voice for the Voiceless #Resilience #Courage #Mental health ABOUT THE HOST - GRACE OVBA Grace is a survivor of Domestic Violence, who is passionate about using her experiences to pave the way for other victims who are stuck in any form of abusive situations. She is a transformational coach, mentor, author, inspirational speaker and mother. She has a background in education, law and psychotherapy. She's on a mission to bring healing and wholeness to bruised and broken women. Registered member of BACP (British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy) Registered member of Law Society UK Connect via email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com Social media platforms: twitter @risinaboveabuse YouTube @risingaboveshadowsofabuse Patreon @risingaboveshadowsofabuse.com