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The Shushbox

2:1 Survivors in the spotlight with Melissa Schuman

Season 2, Ep. 1

Melissa Schuman is an American singer and actress best known for her role in the all-girl teen band Dream and their platinum hit "He Loves U Not". Her acting success includes appearances in movies, including Love Don't Cost a Thing, The Hollow and Silent Scream.  Melissa is also a survivor of sexual assault and came publicly forward with her story at the height of the Me Too Movement in 2017. In this episode, we discuss her experience of being a survivor in the spotlight and how it affected her both privately and publicly. We also discuss the importance of having community whilst on the healing journey.

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The Shushbox Podcast is Produced by Aamir Yaqub at Bison Studios, London, UK

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  • 9. 2:9 Sexually abused by my HIV positive father - Lauren-Eden Penn's story

    30:39||Season 2, Ep. 9
    In this week's episode we are joined by Lauren-Eden Penn, a survivor of childhood sexual trauma at the hands of her HIV positive father. Lauren is a mother and business owner who has recently waived her right to anonymity to speak out about her story in the hopes to inspire and support other survivors. She also recently went viral on TikTok after sharing her story in light of the recent overturning of Roe Vs Wade in the US and changes to abortion laws. "For those that may not have seen the recent trend on TikTok, thousands of people are sharing their personal traumatic sexual experiences, followed by the words ‘Keep your laws off our bodies’, to illustrate how, in many cases abortions may well be necessary. My TikTok featured the words ‘Have you ever lost your virginity at the age of 14 to your HIV+ Father? What’d you say? Oh you haven’t? 'Keep your laws off our bodies’ I decided to participate in the trend after another girl's video came up on my For You page."While the issue began in America, Lauren strongly feels that the problem is not limited to those across the pond. "Although I don’t reside in the US, I felt it was important to speak up on the issue and use my voice to show support and stand in solidarity with every woman in the US who could be affected by the harmful effects of overturning Roe v Wade," she said. - Words via Dorset Live article here. As a society, by avoiding the subject of child sexual abuse we run the risk of normalising it and many survivors are then left feeling isolated in their experiences; Lauren's courage in coming forward and speaking out about her story aims to change this. For more information find Lauren via Instagram and TikTok with handle @LozCreates
  • 8. 2:8 Dissociative identity disorder - discovery and recovery with Lyn Barrett

    33:53||Season 2, Ep. 8
    In this week's episode of The Shushbox podcast we are joined by former school teacher, principal, and survivor of early childhood trauma, Lynn Barrett. In 1992 Lynn was diagnosed with MPD (multiple personality disorder) which later was diagnosed as DID (disassociation identity disorder.) In this episode, Lynn talks about her life with early childhood trauma and how she survived and pushed through despite being exposed to abuse at such a young age. Lynn talks about her experiences growing up with DID and how common it is in young children who have been abused in the past. She now helps those who are diagnosed with DID or MPD navigate life through the eyes of someone who has brought light from her own diagnosis. She runs weekly dissociative disorder writing writing workshops which can be found here and has also released her memoir entitled - 'Crazy - Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory' which can be found here. Lynn speaks extensively on perseverance and how people with DID can navigate relationships, work, friendships, etc through footwork and an open heart. She instills the importance of having a good therapist and support network whilst going on the healing journey. “Just the very fact that you survived this chronic abuse, means you have the strength, and wisdom, and resilience inside you that you don’t know you have yet. I hope that in hopes of sharing my story, that it gives some people the courage to share theirs too so we can de stigmatise this disorder"For the latest Shushbox content sign up to our newsletter via www.shushbox.comThe Shushbox Podcast is Produced by Aamir Yaqub at Bison Studios, London, UK
  • 7. 2:7 Toxic relationships and emotional abuse with Dr Heidi Brocke

    38:55||Season 2, Ep. 7
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    41:43||Season 2, Ep. 6
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    46:34||Season 2, Ep. 5
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    45:23||Season 2, Ep. 4
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    25:00||Season 2, Ep. 3
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    39:56||Season 2, Ep. 2
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