*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In this conversation, Lisa Sugarman and Natasha J Layton discuss the various pressures surrounding the holiday season, particularly focusing on the financial burdens that many families face.

They explore the emotional toll of trying to keep up with societal expectations, the importance of creating meaningful traditions, and practical tips for navigating the holidays without succumbing to financial stress. The discussion emphasizes the value of presence over presents and encourages listeners to prioritize what truly matters during the holiday season.

Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

• We want to broaden the conversation beyond just surviving mental illness.
• The financial burden of the holidays can add significant stress.
• It's important to navigate family dynamics during the holidays.
• Many families spend thousands on holiday celebrations.
• Social media can create pressure to keep up with others.
• Financial stress can take an emotional toll on parents.
• Creating meaningful traditions can be more valuable than expensive gifts.
• It's okay to prioritize what matters most during the holidays.
• Families should set realistic budgets for holiday spending.
• It's important to ask for support when feeling overwhelmed.

Chapters

00:00 Broadening the Conversation on Survival

00:30 Surviving the Financial Burden of the Holidays

02:47 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays

05:09 The Cost of Holiday Celebrations

10:35 The Pressure of Keeping Up with Social Norms

15:51 The Emotional Toll of Financial Stress

20:41 Creating Meaningful Holiday Traditions

26:50 Practical Tips for Surviving Holiday Financial Stress

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In this conversation, Lisa Sugarman and Natasha J Layton delve into Natasha's experiences growing up in the FLDS, a polygamous cult. They discuss the unique dynamics of her family life, the influence of Warren Jeffs, and the emotional climate of the community. Natasha shares personal anecdotes that highlight the challenges and complexities of her upbringing, setting the stage for deeper discussions in future episodes. In this conversation, Natasha J Layton shares her experiences growing up in a polygamous community under the control of Warren Jeffs.

The discussion highlights the growing tension within her family as her mother began to assert her independence, the challenges faced when transitioning to public school, and the emotional bonds formed with her brother Ward. The conversation also touches on the financial stress experienced during the holidays and the importance of self-care amidst trauma.

Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

• This conversation is like a teaser episode.
• Natasha's brother has never shared anything publicly.
• The FLDS community had a unique emotional climate.
• Natasha's family was an anomaly in the polygamous world.
• Their household ran like a well-oiled machine.
• Warren Jeffs was a significant authority figure in their lives.
• The family dynamics were complex with multiple mothers.
• Natasha's father chose his children over the church.
• The community prepared for the end of the world.
• School days were heavily influenced by Warren Jeffs' rules. Warren Jeffs had a controlling presence in the community.
• Natasha's mother began to break away from community norms.
• The family faced tension as they navigated their identities.
• Public school was a challenging experience for Natasha.
• Bullying was a significant issue for Natasha in public school.
• Natasha and Ward share a strong bond despite family challenges.
• Financial stress can impact holiday experiences.
• Coping mechanisms are essential for dealing with trauma.
• The importance of self-care during difficult times.
• The family's story is a complex mix of trauma and resilience.

Chapters

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt conversation, Lisa and Natasha explore the complexities of navigating the holiday season, particularly for those dealing with grief and mental health challenges. They discuss the societal pressures to appear joyful, the impact of social media on self-perception, and the importance of setting boundaries. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity, self-care, and the significance of meaningful connections during a time that can often feel overwhelming.

Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

• The holiday season can amplify feelings of grief and loss.
• It's okay to not feel joyful during the holidays.
• Social media often portrays a curated version of happiness that can be misleading.
• Setting boundaries is crucial for mental well-being during the holidays.
• Family dynamics can add pressure to conform to expectations.
• It's important to honor your feelings and not feel obligated to attend events.
• Authenticity in relationships is key; true friends will support you in tough times.
• Children remember the time spent together more than material gifts.
• You don't have to perform happiness for others' comfort.
• Self-care should be prioritized over societal expectations.

Chapters

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Lisa and Natasha discuss the complexities of family abuse, particularly within polygamous communities.

Natasha shares her personal experiences growing up in the FLDS polygamy cult as the niece of Warren Jeffs, highlighting the hidden abuse and the pressure to maintain a facade of perfection. The conversation emphasizes the importance of breaking the cycle of abuse and finding strength in vulnerability.

Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

• Family abuse often remains hidden behind closed doors.
• Growing up in a polygamous community, Natasha faced unique challenges.
• The pressure to maintain a facade of perfection was immense.
• Abuse is not always loud; it can be subtle and insidious.
• Breaking the cycle of abuse requires courage and support.
• Vulnerability can be a source of strength and healing.
• It's important to remember that abuse is never the victim's fault.
• Support systems and community can play a crucial role in healing.
• Sharing personal stories can help others feel less alone.
• Healing is a journey that requires time and patience.

Chapters

00:00:01 Introduction and Personal Reflections

00:01:48 Discussing Family Abuse

00:09:12 Natasha's Personal Experiences

00:21:08 Breaking the Cycle and Healing

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide & grief and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, Lisa and Natasha dive into the complicated intersection of grief and gratitude during the holiday season—especially around the holidays, when the world feels hyper-focused on joy, family, and celebration.

They talk openly about how the pressure to “be grateful” can feel almost suffocating for people who are navigating loss. Because while gratitude is beautiful, it doesn’t erase the ache of who’s missing. And sometimes the relentless messaging about thankfulness can make people feel guilty for the sadness they can’t just switch off.

Lisa and Natasha unpack what it’s really like to show up at a holiday table with an empty chair staring back at you—or to feel the heaviness of that absence even if no one speaks about it out loud.

They explore how grief and gratitude can (and often do) coexist—even when it feels messy, contradictory, or confusing. Because the truth is: holding both joy and sorrow at the same time isn’t a failure. It’s human.

Ultimately, this episode is an honest reminder that it’s okay if your holidays don’t look like a Hallmark movie. It’s okay if gratitude feels complicated. And it’s okay if there’s a lump in your throat while everyone else is going around the table saying what they’re thankful for.

Grief doesn’t disappear just because the calendar says it’s time to celebrate. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of love. And love doesn’t stop at the holidays.

Takeaways

• Gratitude and grief can coexist during the holidays.
• Holidays can evoke both joy and sadness.
• It's important to acknowledge the empty chairs at the table.
• Creating new rituals can help honor lost loved ones.
• Grief is a personal journey that varies for everyone.
• Small, personal rituals can be meaningful.
• It's okay to express sadness during joyful occasions.
• Feelings of guilt around gratitude are common.
• Sharing memories of lost loved ones can be healing.
• Grief is love, and it's important to embrace it.

Chapters

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Lisa and Natasha sit down for one of the most honest and emotionally layered conversations of the season as they explore what it really means to survive childhood sexual abuse. Natasha opens up about her experience as a survivor of childhood abuse — how it shaped her sense of safety, her nervous system, and her understanding of herself. She talks about the silence she carried for years, the moments that broke her open, and the slow, nonlinear path she’s walked toward reclaiming her life.

Together, Lisa and Natasha unpack the realities survivors face long after the abuse ends: learning how to trust again, rebuilding relationships, navigating triggers, and understanding that healing doesn’t follow a timeline. They talk about the power of speaking your truth, even when your voice shakes, and the importance of creating a world where survivors are believed without having to offer the graphic details of their trauma.

This conversation reminds listeners that surviving domestic abuse isn't a single moment — it’s an ongoing process of reclaiming your voice, your body, and your power. And no survivor ever has to walk that journey alone.

🎙️ Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

- Survivors have the autonomy to share their stories on their own terms.

- The impact of childhood trauma can manifest in various ways throughout life.

- Healing is a daily choice and can take many forms.

- Community support is crucial for survivors of abuse.

- It's important to listen to your body and its signals during the healing process.

- Therapy can play a significant role in processing trauma and its effects.

- Survivors should seek help from those who will listen and support them.

- Reclaiming one's voice is a powerful step in the healing journey.

- Healing isn't linear and can involve ups and downs.

- Hypersexualization can be a coping mechanism for those who have experienced sexual trauma.

Chapters

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

#TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #MentalHealthPodcast #Community #Hope #Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #TheHelpHUB #NatashaJLayton #FLDS #WarrenJeffs #SexualAbuse #Abuse #Trauma #ChildhoodTrauma #Depression #SuicideLoss #SuicideAttempt #Cults #DomesticViolence #DomesticAbuse

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™

Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

• Survival is about choosing to keep going every day.
• Grief evolves and is rooted in love.
• Each suicide attempt was a different experience for Natasha.
• The impact of family trauma can be profound and long-lasting.
• Support systems are crucial in navigating mental health challenges.
• Healing is a lifelong commitment and looks different for everyone.
• Talking about trauma can help others feel less alone.
• Natasha's story highlights the importance of community in healing.
• Finding meaning in survival is possible, even after great loss.
• It's okay to have different reactions to trauma and grief.

Chapters

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

#TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #MentalHealthPodcast #Community #Hope #Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #TheHelpHUB #NatashaJLayton #FLDS #WarrenJeffs #SexualAbuse #Abuse #Trauma #ChildhoodTrauma #Depression #SuicideLoss #SuicideAttempt #Cults

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide, sexual abuse & trauma and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Survivors, Lisa Sugarman introduces her new co-host Natasha J. Layton, who shares her harrowing story of sexual abuse, religious trauma, domestic abuse, and survival after growing up in the FLDS cult as the niece of Warren Jeffs. Natasha recounts her experiences of childhood trauma and the complexities of life within a polygamous community. The conversation dives into the impact of her past on her mental health and the journey towards reclaiming her narrative and healing.

🎙️ Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™ Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.

Takeaways

- Natasha's story is a powerful testament to survival.

- The FLDS cult's impact on individual lives is profound.

- Trauma can be a dirty family secret that is hard to confront.

- Survivors often grapple with guilt and self-blame.

- Naming one's story is a crucial step in healing.

- The importance of pacing in sharing traumatic experiences.

- Community ties can be severed in the name of faith.

- Understanding the dynamics of polygamy is essential.

- Healing is a layered process that takes time.

- Survival often begins long before it is recognized.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Survivors Podcast

01:39 Natasha's Journey Begins

03:02 Life Inside the FLDS Cult

13:34 Understanding the FLDS and Warren Jeffs

24:18 The Impact of Trauma and Abuse

34:01 Reflections on Survival and Healing

Mental Health Resources

• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• National Sexual Abuse Hotline 800-656-4673
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/

Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

🎵📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.

#TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #MentalHealthPodcast #Community #Hope #Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #TheHelpHUB #NatashaJLayton #FLDS #LisaSugarman #WarrenJeffs #SexualAbuse #Abuse #Trauma #ChildhoodTrauma #Depression #SuicideLoss #SuicideAttempt #Cults