From Dark To Light: Stories of Resilience

Julie Crawford
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Alternative Health

Welcome to From Dark to Light, a podcast that shares powerful stories of resilience, healing, and hope. Each episode features conversations with people who have walked through unimaginable struggles—loss, trauma, illness, and adversity—and found a way to rise, rebuild, and thrive. Inspired by my late mother's incredible strength through tragedy and hardship, this channel is dedicated to proving that even in our darkest moments, there is always a light to be found. My guests open up about their journeys, the lessons they've learned, and the wisdom they carry for others walking through their own battles. Whether you're searching for inspiration, encouragement, or simply a reminder that you are not alone—this is a space for truth, compassion, and transformation.

  1. Feb 5

    He Was Called "It" | How Dave Pelzer Turned Trauma Into Healing and Purpose

    Dave Pelzer is one of the most recognized voices on childhood trauma, resilience, and forgiveness. In this deeply moving episode of From Dark to Light, Dave shares the untold layers behind A Child Called It, not just the abuse he survived, but the mindset, mentors, and moments that saved his life. From enduring extreme childhood abuse and neglect to being rescued by teachers who refused to look away, Dave reflects on identity, shame, survival, and the lifelong work of healing. He speaks openly about forgiveness, breaking generational cycles, faith, service, and why surviving trauma comes with a responsibility to live fully. This episode is not about reliving pain, it's about reclaiming purpose. Dave reminds us that our past does not define us, that happiness is a choice, and that even the smallest acts of kindness can change a life forever. If you've ever struggled with trauma, identity, or believing your life can become more than what you survived, this conversation is for you. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Dave Pelzer 👉Website: https://www.davepelzer.com/index.html 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044700194901 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 Meeting Dave Pelzer and the impact of A Child Called It 05:32 Childhood abuse, identity loss, and becoming "the boy" 11:48 The moment Dave realized he had to save himself 18:02 Teachers who noticed and the rescue that saved his life 25:20 Living with shame, hunger, and survival instincts 32:40 Foster care, mentors, and learning what safety felt like 40:18 Forgiveness, especially toward his father 47:05 "You survived for a reason" choosing happiness 54:10 Service, gratitude, and doing good every day 01:01:05 A final message of hope, purpose, and resilience If today's episode stirred something in you, let it be a reminder that survival is not the end of the story. Healing is possible. Purpose can be reclaimed. And even after profound darkness, light can grow stronger than you ever imagined. You are not alone and your story is still unfolding. #FromDarkToLight #DavePelzer #AChildCalledIt #HealingFromTrauma #ChildAbuseSurvivor #BreakingGenerationalCycles #ForgivenessAndHealing #ResilienceStories #FaithAndHope #MentalHealthAwareness #HumanSpirit #TraumaRecovery

    1h 6m
  2. She Grew Up in Chaos and Built Systems That Save Lives | Kirsten VanderJagt's Story | From Dark To Light | Ep 12

    Jan 15

    She Grew Up in Chaos and Built Systems That Save Lives | Kirsten VanderJagt's Story | From Dark To Light | Ep 12

    Some stories are not just about surviving. They are about what someone chooses to do with the pain they were handed. In this episode of From Dark To Light, Julie sits down with Kirsten Vanderjagt, who grew up surrounded by homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and constant instability. After attending over a dozen schools and experiencing foster care and profound family loss, Kirsten shares how one advocate changed the trajectory of her life and helped her choose purpose over despair. This raw and deeply human conversation explores childhood trauma, generational patterns, forgiveness, and why people raised in the same home can end up on very different paths. Kirsten also shares the mission behind Katie's House Foundation and the Shelter Registry, created to bring safety, transparency, and accountability to shelters and recovery housing. A powerful reminder that darkness does not define destiny and that healing can become a force for change.   🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Kirsten VanderJagt 👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privatemoney.hardmoney.live.love.thrive/ 👉LibkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenvanderjagt/ 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 Growing up surrounded by instability 05:10 Childhood homelessness and frequent moves 10:45 Divorce, addiction, and family separation 15:30 Calling Child Protective Services and the aftermath 20:55 Becoming the caretaker too young 26:40 Why siblings from the same home take different paths 32:15 The advocate who changed everything 38:30 Losing her mother and choosing forgiveness 44:10 Why Katie's House Foundation was created 50:20 Building systems that protect lives 💬 Kirsten's story reminds us that where we come from does not determine where we are going. Trauma may shape us, but it does not have to define us. When pain is met with courage, accountability, and compassion, it can become a catalyst for real and lasting change. #FromDarkToLight #ChildhoodTrauma #HealingJourney #TraumaToPurpose #BreakingGenerationalCycles #AdvocacyAndHope #MentalHealthStories #Resilience #NonprofitLeadership #RealLifeTestimony

    55 min
  3. How Faith and Strength Carried Her Through Life's Hardest Season | From Dark To Light | Episode 11

    Jan 5

    How Faith and Strength Carried Her Through Life's Hardest Season | From Dark To Light | Episode 11

    In this deeply moving episode of From Dark to Light, we sit down with Chasitey Kyle, a mother, widow, and survivor who has faced unimaginable loss. At 34, she lost her husband with five young children at home. After finding love again, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy—who tragically passed just 18 days later. Through faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her family, Chasitey has turned her pain into purpose. She shares her story to encourage anyone navigating grief, heartbreak, or overwhelming life challenges. From finding strength in faith to leaning on community and small daily steps, her journey offers hope, inspiration, and practical wisdom. Whether you're facing loss, seeking healing, or looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, this conversation reminds us all that we are never alone and that light can emerge even from the darkest times. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Chasitey Kyle 👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@chasdrealtor 👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasiteykyle 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome 02:15 – Early Life & Family Foundations 05:40 – Teen Motherhood & Faith Deepening 09:30 – Marriage, Love, and Family Life 13:50 – Husband's Liver Failure Diagnosis 19:20 – Grieving the Loss of a Spouse 25:40 – Finding Strength for the Children 30:15 – Community Support & Unexpected Acts of Kindness 34:50 – Losing a Child & Experiencing Grief Again 39:10 – Maintaining Faith & Purpose Amid Tragedy 43

    47 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dianna Nicole's Story of Redefining Success | From Dark To Light | Episode 10

    In this episode of From Dark to Light, Julie Crawford sits down with Dianna Nicole Stewart to talk about a kind of darkness many people know well—burnout. Before success, before TikTok, and before financial freedom, Dianna was a mother, wife, former school teacher, and homeschool mom doing everything she could to keep life running. Through years of caregiving, side hustles, health crises, divorce, and constant responsibility, she slowly lost sight of who she was beneath all the roles she carried. Burnout didn't arrive as a single moment; it came after illness, exhaustion, guilt, and the realization that something had to give. When Diana finally stepped away, she didn't have a plan. She had desperation, fear, and a hope that there had to be another way. What followed was an unexpected path toward impact, time freedom, and a new definition of success rooted not in money but in meaning. This conversation speaks directly to anyone who feels tired, stretched thin, or unsure if quitting something means failure. Dianna's story is a reminder that sometimes burnout is not the end, it's the beginning of becoming who you were always meant to be. ✨ 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Dianna Nicole Stewart 👉Website: https://www.diannanicole.org/home32339399 👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlydiannanicole/ 👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianna.stewart.758 👉YT Channel: a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_-40DiannaNicole&d=DwMDaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=XWWtxeMBktDFQyhAnGIWMNlx7FOj6BBxd4UvFEyFhBA&m=lE5Ru__dXbJv7brzUWbohifwsha2Xtu2Ws_4eoDxU82Qp8ZQDotPT1OpI7GgbWKR&s=oF1RGV

    35 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    Breaking Cultural Barriers: Rewriting the Rules Between Two Cultures | Mai's Story | From Dark To Light - Episode 9

    In this episode of From Dark to Light, Julie Crawford sits down with Mai to explore what it means to grow up between two cultures and the strength it takes to reclaim your voice. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled the Vietnam War, Mai was raised navigating Hmong cultural expectations while adapting to life in the United States. From becoming her family's translator at a young age to entering a cultural marriage at just 14, Mai shares how silence, responsibility, and patriarchy shaped her early life. As a young mother, she faced the painful decision to leave an unhealthy marriage and begin again. This conversation dives into cultural identity, generational trauma, breaking cycles, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. Mai's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—and that your voice matters, even after years of silence. ✨ 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Mai 👉Website: https://www.maiforus.com/ 👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmmaivang/ 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 – Welcome to From Dark to Light 01:10 – Introducing Mai and her powerful journey 03:05 – Life today: "I'm living the life I always dreamed of" 05:10 – Born in a refugee camp: Mai's early years 08:00 – Hmong history, war, and fleeing Laos 11:30 – Memories of the refugee camp 14:05 – Coming to America at age five 16:30 – Being the oldest child and family translator 19:40 – Growing up between two cultures 22:10 – Understanding Hmong culture a

    51 min
  6. She Beat Breast Cancer and Became a Light for Women Everywhere | From Dark To Light - Episode 8

    12/15/2025

    She Beat Breast Cancer and Became a Light for Women Everywhere | From Dark To Light - Episode 8

    In this heartfelt episode of From Dark to Light, Julie sits down with Jessica Norman, a wife, mother, advocate, and breast cancer survivor whose world changed with one phone call. At just 37 years old, Jessica went from living her happiest chapter to facing appointments, biopsies, chemo plans, surgeries, and the overwhelming uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Through fear, pain, insurance battles, long treatment days, and moments no one saw, Jessica made a choice—to fight, to hope, and to believe she would come out stronger on the other side. Her journey led her to cold capping, a double mastectomy, immunotherapy, and countless nights of exhaustion and prayer. But it also led her to a newfound purpose: supporting other women walking the same terrifying path. Today, she is a co-founder of a foundation that has already donated over $69,000 to women battling cancer, offering financial relief, community, and emotional support. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when life pulls the ground out from under us, resilience can rise in ways we never expected. If you or someone you love is navigating cancer, grief, uncertainty, or fear, Jessica's honesty and courage will make you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Jessica Norman 👉Website: http://joshpalmerfund.org 👉Instagram: https://instagram.com/wat_iz_next 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 — Introduction to Jessica's journey and unexpected diagnosis 02:12 — Life before cancer and the moment everything shifted 05:40 — Mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy—getting answers in one emotional day 09:08 — The call on her anniversary that changed her life 12:55 — Insurance battles, panic, and the reality of what cancer demands 17:44 — Hearing the words "You'll need chemo" and the fear of losing her hair 21:30 — Cold capping: the pain,

    44 min
  7. From a Fishing Boat to the American Dream: Long's Story of Survival | From Dark To Light - Episode 7

    12/08/2025

    From a Fishing Boat to the American Dream: Long's Story of Survival | From Dark To Light - Episode 7

    At just 13 years old, Long Don's life came down to a simple, terrifying equation: a 50–50 chance of living or dying. In today's episode of From Dark to Light, Long shares his extraordinary path from communist-controlled Vietnam to the open ocean, a brutal refugee camp, and eventually the United States — where he would rebuild his life from the ground up. Sent away by his mother in a desperate attempt to save him, Long boarded a small fishing boat with 153 others, hiding beneath the deck in suffocating darkness for days at a time. He survived starvation, the threat of pirates, and the constant fear of being captured. After nearly two weeks at sea, he was rescued and taken to Snell Island, a refugee camp known for its overcrowding and unimaginable conditions. Long spent eight long months there alone — hungry, scared, and unsure of what his future held. But somewhere between despair and determination, he discovered a mindset that would carry him for the rest of his life: a decision to choose gratitude, courage, and purpose no matter what was happening around him. Today, Long is the co-founder and broker of one of Minnesota's fastest-growing real estate groups. But behind every success is a beginning — and Long's began in the dark beneath a fishing boat, fueled by hope, faith, and a vision for a life beyond survival. If you're struggling, uncertain of your path, or searching for light in a difficult season, Long's story is a powerful reminder that even in impossible moments, the human spirit can rise. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Long Doan 👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/long-doan-4baa3725/ 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 — Introduction to Long's incredible journey from fear to freedom 02:05 — Growing up in Vietnam and witnessing his father's arrest at age eight 06:58 — Life under communist control and his mother's impossible decisions 11:25 — First escape attempt and the heavy cost of failure 15:40 — The second attempt: betrayal, capture, and two days without food or water 20:45 — The night his mother woke him at 3am and said, "It's time" 27:12 — Beneath the boat with 153 people: darkness, heat, silence, survival 33:50 — Pirates, drifting at sea, and the terrifying 50/50 chance of living 38:30 — Rescue at sea: the moment hope returned with a single apple 41:55 — Life on Snell Island: hunger, fear, and the night he chose his minds

    56 min
  8. From Trauma to Transformation: Jackie Council's Story of Faith and Resilience | From Dark To Light - Episode 6

    12/01/2025

    From Trauma to Transformation: Jackie Council's Story of Faith and Resilience | From Dark To Light - Episode 6

    In this powerful episode of From Dark to Light, Julie sits down with Jackie Council, a multi-trauma survivor whose life is a living testament to faith, courage, and the incredible strength of the human spirit. Born in a small village in the Dominican Republic and brought to the United States through a missionary adoption, Jackie's story begins with loss, separation, and the wounds of a childhood shaped by poverty and exploitation. Her journey only grew more complex as she faced emotional abuse, sexual assault, homelessness, and domestic violence—yet at every turn, Jackie chose to rise. From living in her car while working two jobs, to rebuilding her life as a single mother, to finding healing through advocacy, Jackie has transformed her pain into purpose and has helped hundreds of survivors reclaim their own stories. If you have ever felt stuck in the dark, alone in your struggle, or unsure how to move forward, Jackie's story offers a gentle reminder: healing isn't linear, but it is possible. This episode is an invitation to breathe, reflect, and believe that your story is still unfolding—and it's not too late for light to break through. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more stories of courage, faith, and resilience and help us shine light into the darkest places. 🌿 Follow From Dark To Light Podcast for more conversations on healing, resilience, and finding peace after pain: 👉YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@FromDarktolightpodcast 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdarktolightpodcast 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-crawford-3b2372206/ 🌿Connect and follow Jackie Council 👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-council-92661a215/ 🎙️ Have a story to share? We'd love to feature you on From Dark to Light! Fill out the form here: https://c47films.com/podcast-guest-submissions-from-dark-to-light/ 00:00 A powerful introduction to Jackie: loss, courage, and a life rebuilt 02:12 The truth about her adoption: orphan trafficking and a father's unintended surrender 06:40 Childhood in rural America and the emotional cost of being "different" 11:58 Reconnecting with her siblings and finding her voice for the first time 17:20 Breaking point with her adoptive parents and choosing self-respect 23:05 Assaults, stolen innocence, and the moment her faith was shaken 30:40 The Florida years: pregnancy, control, violence, and total isolation 38:25 Her daughter becomes her turning point: "If he does it to you…" 44:50 Life inside the domestic violence shelter and the beginning of her rebirth 52:10 What healing looks like today and the power of unbecoming old labels Jackie's story reminds us that even when life breaks us in ways we never asked for, healing is still possible. Light returns slowly, gently, and often through the choices we make in our darkest moments. Wherever you are right now, know that you are not alone. There is hope for you, too, and a future waiti

    57 min
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About

Welcome to From Dark to Light, a podcast that shares powerful stories of resilience, healing, and hope. Each episode features conversations with people who have walked through unimaginable struggles—loss, trauma, illness, and adversity—and found a way to rise, rebuild, and thrive. Inspired by my late mother's incredible strength through tragedy and hardship, this channel is dedicated to proving that even in our darkest moments, there is always a light to be found. My guests open up about their journeys, the lessons they've learned, and the wisdom they carry for others walking through their own battles. Whether you're searching for inspiration, encouragement, or simply a reminder that you are not alone—this is a space for truth, compassion, and transformation.

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