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A survivor who refuses to be defined by her trauma: in this raw and powerful conversation, Leah McSpadden shares her extraordinary journey from human trafficking survivor to law student, advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Voice for the Silent.
Leah challenges us to move beyond seeing survivors as mere tokens of sensationalized trauma. "When people dumb down survivors to just tokens of sensationalized trauma, we miss the point that they can overcome," she explains with clarity that comes from lived experience. Her perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint to typical survivor narratives, emphasizing that healing isn't about achieving perfection but about reclaiming agency.
One of the most profound concepts Leah introduces is the idea of a "jumping point" in recovery - not simply a turning point, but "a trampoline." This metaphor beautifully captures what many survivors need: not just transformation, but community and safety as they take risks and rebuild their lives.
The conversation doesn't shy away from mental health challenges. Leah courageously shares her experiences with navigating mental health systems that often apply labels without adequate support. Yet she demonstrates how these challenges don't disqualify survivors from leadership - they can actually deepen capacity for understanding and helping others.
Through her organization Voice for the Silent, Leah creates spaces where survivors can truly be heard, focusing not on trauma stories but on wellness and connection. As she powerfully states, "Freedom starts with a voice and change starts when we listen."
Connect with Leah on Instagram @voiceforthesilent to learn more about her advocacy work or support her initiatives at change.org/voiceforthesilent.

Episode edited by Victoria Holanda.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey.

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