Ep. 80: When The Unknown Feels Scarier & The Courage To Leave What You Know | with Stephanie Strickland

In this deeply honest episode, I sit down with abuse survivor and author Stephanie Strickland, whose new book Finding Peace Within shares her journey of survival, self-discovery, and healing.

Stephanie opens up about how her abuser convinced her that she was the cause of the abuse—leading her to believe that if she could just be more perfect, more careful, or do everything “right,” the conflict would stop. She describes the exhausting cycle of walking on eggshells, constantly trying to manage another person’s emotions in order to stay safe.

We talk about the painful pattern so many survivors recognize: periods that felt like a fairytale—full of hope, love, and promises—followed by moments when the darkness slowly crept back in. Not all at once, but subtly enough to make her question her own reality and hold onto hope that things would change again.

One of the most profound parts of our conversation centers on fear of the unknown. Stephanie shares how there was a time when the unknown felt so terrifying that she believed she would rather die than leave. Staying in the abuse felt familiar—even if it was devastating—while stepping into uncertainty felt unbearable.

Stephanie's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsdstrickland?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Website: https://www.stephaniedstrickland.com/

Book: https://www.stephaniedstrickland.com/my-books

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