The Laura Dowling Experience A Survivor’s Journey to Purpose: Ciara Mangan’s Story
🎧 Episode Description
In this episode of The Laura Dowling Experience, Laura is joined by Ciara Mangan, founder of Beyond Surviving. Ciara reflects on the gaps in long-term trauma support, the challenges survivors face once formal services fall away, and why survival is so often treated as the endpoint rather than the beginning of healing.
She speaks about navigating the justice process, the emotional toll of prolonged legal proceedings, and the ways trauma can ripple through families and relationships. Ciara also explores post-traumatic growth, describing how meaning, connection, and purpose became possible over time - without minimising the pain that came before.
This episode centres on healing beyond crisis, the importance of survivor-led support, and the understanding that recovery is deeply personal and looks different for everyone.
🔑 Key Points
Survival is often treated as the finish line
Ciara reflects on how recovery is expected to be complete once immediate danger has passed, even though healing is only beginning for many survivors.
The gap in long-term trauma support
She speaks about feeling lost once formal services fell away, highlighting how many survivors are left without guidance or connection after crisis support ends.
The emotional toll of the justice process
Ciara shares the impact of navigating prolonged legal proceedings and how systems intended to protect can sometimes retraumatise survivors.
How trauma ripples through families and relationships
The conversation explores the long-term effects of trauma on trust, intimacy, and family dynamics.
Post-traumatic growth without minimising pain
Ciara discusses growth as something that can emerge slowly over time, without pressure to reframe trauma as a positive experience.
The importance of being believed
Validation from family, professionals, and the justice system is shown to be central to rebuilding self-worth and safety.
Why survivor-led support matters
Ciara explains the value of spaces shaped by lived experience, where understanding, safety, and choice are prioritised.
Turning lived experience into purpose
The episode closes on Ciara’s decision to found Beyond Surviving, using her experience to support others navigating life after trauma.
📚 Mentioned in this Episode
Beyond Surviving – Survivor-led charity supporting healing beyond crisis. https://beyondsurviving.ie/
Beyond Surviving – Survivors Hub – Resources + community support. https://beyondsurviving.ie/survivors-hub/
Rape Crisis Ireland – 24-hour helpline + links to local support. https://www.rapecrisisireland.ie/
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) – Support services and info. https://www.drcc.ie/
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Opening reflections on survival and recovery
06:20 – Reaching the end of crisis support
12:40 – Workplace response and social fallout
18:00 – Telling her parents what happened
25:40 – Deciding to pursue justice
30:10 – The trial process
35:50 – Being believed and legal validation
38:40 – Why survivor-led spaces matter
44:10 – The origins of Beyond Surviving
45:20 – Exploring post-traumatic growth
50:30 – Relationships and rebuilding self-worth
57:00 – Closing reflections on healing
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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