What happens when the very things that helped you survive become the things holding you back from truly living? In this Healing Chapter of Surviving Me, Dai sits down with Rich Dunning, author of Silence Was My First Language, for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, fatherhood, and finding your voice. Growing up in the Bronx, Rich experienced severe abuse, poverty, and homelessness. The survival instincts he developed as a child followed him into adulthood, even as he built a successful career and became a father. Together, we explore how success can become armor, the reality of addiction and relapse, the importance of breaking generational cycles, and what it takes to move beyond simply surviving. Because healing isn't always about becoming someone new. Sometimes it's about finally feeling safe enough to be yourself. 🎙️ IN THIS HEALING CHAPTER When survival becomes your identityHow success can hide unresolved traumaAddiction, relapse, and the journey of recoveryFatherhood and breaking generational cyclesFinding your voice after years of silenceLearning how to live instead of simply survive ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Introduction 01:39 — When Survival Becomes Your Identity 11:24 — When the Armor Looks Like Success 16:03 — Addiction, Relapse, and Recovery 30:14 — Fatherhood and Breaking Cycles 37:15 — Learning How to Live 42:48 — The Book and Foundation 📖 ABOUT RICH DUNNING Rich is the author of Silence Was My First Language, a memoir exploring childhood adversity, survival, and the journey toward healing. The book is available wherever books are sold, including audiobook. For every book sold, $1 goes to the First Language Foundation, supporting children facing abuse, hunger, and homelessness. 🌐 Rich's Website: https://richdunningbooks.com 💛 First Language Foundation: https://firstlanguagefoundation.org 🦋 MORE FROM SURVIVING ME 📚 Join the Surviving Me Book Club A community where stories spark meaningful conversations, connection, and personal growth. 💌 Explore Glow Letters Words of encouragement, reflection, and gentle reminders for every stage of your healing journey. 🔗 Find the Book Club, Glow Letters, and more: [Insert Surviving Me Linktree URL] 💬 A QUESTION FOR MY BUTTERFLIES Have you ever had to unlearn something that once helped you survive? Remember, your past may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to define your future. To meet you where you are… and walk with you to where you're going. 🦋
