How Trauma Turned One Woman into a Global Advocate (S2 -E(No episode number) )
Host: Kathryn Lancioni
Guest: Tess Millay
Episode Overview:
In this episode, Kathryn Lancioni continues her conversation with Tess Millay, diving deep into what happens after a life-altering trauma. Tess Millay recounts her recovery journey after surviving abduction, facing unexpected setbacks in her personal life, and ultimately discovering an unexpected sense of purpose. She discusses her healing process through therapy and cognitive behavioral strategies, the reality of rebuilding her life, and how her own experiences shaped her work advocating for women and survivors of trauma around the world.
5 Key Lessons from This Episode:
1. Trauma Affects More Than Just the Survivor
Tess Millay highlights how trauma isnโt experienced in isolation; its impact ripples into relationships and family dynamics. After her abduction, she noticed not just her own struggles with fear and PTSD, but also changes in those closest to her, reminding listeners that healing is an interconnected journey for everyone involved 02:12, 26:03.
2. Life-Altering Decisions Need Time After Trauma
Following her ordeal, Tess Millay rushed into marriage, seeking normalcy and comfort. She later realized that making huge life decisions shortly after trauma can be risky, as both partners carry complex emotional baggage. Her experience serves as a cautionary tale about allowing space and time for recovery before major commitments 02:44.
3. The Brain Can HealโWith the Right Help
Therapy played a crucial role in Tess Millayโs recovery, especially learning how trauma physically affects the brainโs neural pathways. Through cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure exercises, she learned not just to cope, but to rewire fear responsesโproving that healing is possible with commitment and professional support 05:10, 06:11.
4. Turning Pain Into Purpose Fuels Recovery
When Tess Millay began to openly share her story, she discovered that her journey could inspire and help others. This realization led her to international advocacy work, supporting women facing extreme trauma and cultural barriers, and delivering practical programs in the Middle East. By transforming her own pain into a mission, she found deeper meaning and strength 11:06, 13:41.
5. Awareness Is Empowerment, Fear Is Paralysis
A major theme of Tess Millayโs story is the difference between being aware and living in fear. Through personal and familial challenges, she learned the importance of teaching her daughterโand herselfโto cultivate awareness and safety without surrendering to constant anxiety. Itโs not about pretending danger doesnโt exist, but about moving forward equipped rather than immobilized 24:08.
The path to healing is rarely linear, but as Tess Millayโs story reveals, even the most devastating gut punch can be the beginning of a new chapter. No matter how hard life may hit, itโs possible to adapt, grow, and find purpose in places you never expected. If you find yourself rebuilding after your own โgut punch,โ remember: resilience is within you, and support is out there.
If youโd like to learn more about Tess Millayโs remarkable journey and the lessons she gained through surviving trauma, be sure to check out her book, Abducted in Broad Daylight: A Survivorโs Journey Through Trauma Healing and Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places, available on Amazon. You can also connect with Tess and discover more about her advocacy work by visiting her website, https://www.tessmillay.com/, where youโll find links to her social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Whether you or someone you know is seeking inspiration or resources for overcoming adversity, Tessโs story and work offer hope and guidance for anyone on the path to healing.
https://www.amazon.com/Abducted-Broad-Daylight-Survivors-Unexpected/dp/B0FS7977RB/ref=sr_1_1
Produced by the Digital Transformation Broadcast Network.