Healing After Horror: Finding Purpose When Life Breaks You (S2 -E9 )
Host: Kathryn Lancioni
Guest: Tess Millay
Episode Overview:
In this powerful conversation, Tess Millay joins host Kathryn Lancioni to share her story of survival and transformation after being abducted, assaulted, and left for dead at just 21 years old. Tess describes the moments leading up to the attack, the shock and terror during her abduction, and her determined fight to escape. She opens up about the aftermath—dealing with PTSD, navigating recovery, and learning to trust again. Kathryn and Tess discuss the importance of trauma therapy, evidence-based healing, and finding purpose after unimaginable pain. Tess’s journey is one of courage, faith, and hard work; her narrative offers hope to anyone who feels stuck after a life-altering “gut punch.”
5 Key Lessons from This Episode:
1. Trust Your Instincts:
Tess’s story underscores the value of gut feelings and intuition. Despite unsettling nightmares and discomfort about her parking spot, she was urged to follow rules rather than her instincts. This lesson reminds us to prioritize our own sense of safety, even when societal norms dictate otherwise.
2. The Critical Importance of Trauma Therapy:
Tess credits much of her healing to specialized trauma therapy, especially evidence-based practices. She explains that talk therapy alone isn’t enough for deep trauma; therapies like EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help “rewire” the brain. Seeking appropriate help was crucial to her recovery.
3. Healing Is a Choice and a Daily Commitment:
Tess emphasizes that healing is not automatic—it requires active determination. Choosing to confront trauma and do the difficult emotional work was the only way to move forward. There will be moments when it feels impossible, but resilience is built one step at a time.
4. Community and Support Matter:
Tess’s family played a pivotal role during her recovery, providing unwavering support when friends and others couldn’t fully understand her situation. Kathryn adds that finding “your people”—those who are simply present without judgment—can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
5. Faith and Purpose Can Transform Pain:
Tess shares how her faith was a lifeline during recovery, helping her find meaning beyond her trauma. Ultimately, reclaiming purpose—through advocacy and sharing her story—enabled her to rebuild trust and step into a life she never imagined.
Read Tess Millay’s book, Abducted in Broad Daylight: A Trauma Survivor’s Story Through Trauma Healing and Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places.: https://www.amazon.com/Abducted-Broad-Daylight-Survivors-Unexpected/dp/B0FS7977RB/ref=sr_1_1
This episode uncovers a powerful story of survival and resilience after unimaginable trauma. Discover how one individual found healing and purpose, offering hope for anyone facing their own life-changing moments.
Produced by the Digital Transformation Broadcast Network.