Bleeding Daylight

This episode is confronting. It’s the story of a young boy’s nightmare of abuse but thankfully it doesn’t end there. Forgiving the Nightmare is Mark Sowersby’s journey to forgive those who allowed the abuse to take place, and even the predator who stole his childhood. His message is clear, no matter the shape of your nightmare, there can be forgiveness and even joy.

Terry Nightingale is a pastor and author. His new book focuses on how we deal with past failings, disappointments, and broken dreams. How can we be free of a damaged past and walk into a fruitful future? How do we use what has happened to move forward? In a world that either demonizes past failings or tries to sweep them under the rug, Looking Back to Move Forward takes the more biblical approach of examining and learning from our mistakes to move forwards into a more fruitful future.

Tammy Becker slipped into a 6-day coma following surgery. Her doctors had no idea what was happening or how to bring her out of the coma. She thought she had dodged a childhood illness but several decades later, there was no way to dodge the surgery that went so horribly wrong. Since that time, Tammy has begun reaching out to help others.

Shonah Marie had a fairly sheltered upbringing, and would now admit that she was quite removed from what she would call real-world issues. However, it wasn't too long before some very real issues invaded her life. It was the tough times that helped her to become the person that she is today but the lessons she learned during those times haven't been easy.

As well as sharing his personal story, Ryan Roy has some extremely valuable encouragement and guidance for parents, especially dads. From being abandoned by his father when he was just five years of age to being a champion for hundreds of other fathers, Ryan's story is inspiring.

Life for Suzanne Burns went off the rails when she left home as a young woman. From a very sheltered upbringing, she soon found herself using drugs and alcohol and shortly afterwards becoming a single mother. Suzanne has spent the last 20 years serving others. Part of that service includes being the founder and executive director of Foundation House, a maternity home for pregnant and homeless women, which offers educational and job training programs. She holds a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Studies from Lee University Cleveland. She's a certified Family Trauma Professional and a member of the International Association of Trauma Professionals, the National Center for Crisis Management and the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Suzanne also serves on the Executive Council for the National Maternity Housing Coalition, as well as the Leadership Council for the Southeast Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.

After meeting Ada, a young girl in Dominican Republic, I recorded a short radio program to tell her story. It was broadcast on 98five Sonshine FM, Perth, back in 2008. The episode is much shorter than most but I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s still powerful.

Sheridan Voysey is the author of seven books, a broadcaster heard by millions of people and a speaker in demand in a number of countries. Much of his success has come from the courage to share some of the deepest moments of his life with his various audiences.  I’ve known today’s guest for many years and it’s an honour to be able to introduce you to him. I know you’ll enjoy hearing from him as he takes us on a very personal journey.

Nalini Tranquim has lived on various continents and brings together several cultures. She’s an artist, author, singer/songwriter, life coach and so much more. Her latest song took 15 years to finish, only being completed in the aftermath of a very dark season for her family where she found herself battling depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. On Bleeding Daylight we’ll delve into some of her story and hear about the constant call on her life that she just couldn’t ignore.

Brian Steele is a former cult member who underwent deprogramming by a world renowned expert. Even after his escape from the cult he battled to find acceptance and belonging. These days he’s a pastor and has recently become an author, publishing his first book in a series focussed on one of the parables told by Jesus. He has a passion for people to discover a really real kingdom as described throughout the Christian scriptures.

When part of your job is helping others overcome their doubts, how do you admit to the doubts that you’re experiencing? Should faith mean that we never face questions or doubts? Steve Hinton is a pastor and Author who has used his own uncertainties to bring greater certainty to others. He has published the book Confessions: Finding Hope Through One Pastor's Doubt.

When she was just seven years old, Amy Watson's mother left her in the care of two notorious serial killers. She spent several years in a children’s home and later her abusive husband tried to kill her. Amy has faced unimaginable trauma but her story is also one of healing and forgiveness.

Jennifer Wilcox is the Founder and Managing Director of Rahab Center, a place for women to break the chains of poverty and learn to grow and thrive in the community. Jennifer turned a horrific childhood and abusive, broken marriage into the beginnings of a program that is now helping other women to transform their lives. Her own story of transformation is inspiring. Today we’ll hear how she went from using alcohol and bad relationships to numb the pain to being in a stable marriage with two children and hope for the future.

Sandy Phillips Kirkham authored a book titled, Let Me Prey Upon You. It details how a youth pastor preyed upon her, a betrayal which left her broken, with a shattered faith, and the ultimate shame of being blamed and forced from the church she loved. It’s a story of sexual abuse which may be confronting for some people. It’s also a story of hope and healing.

Losing a child is hard enough but what about if no one is prepared to admit that there was even a child to begin with? That’s part of the trauma that Elizabeth Meyers suffered and why she wrote a book to help others facing distress, doubt and suffering. She is also the host of the podcast, Resilient Life Hacks. These days, she uses her experiences to reach out to others who find themselves in life's dark nights. Her book, Undefeated: From Trial to Triumph, How to Stop Fighting the Wrong Battles and Start Living Victoriously tells the story of her journey.