Desperate for Love
"It's oftentimes unbearable, and if left untreated and hidden will cause lifelong consequences"
“The abused are shamed and made out to be liars. The damaging effects of being abused within a spiritual context is another layer of abuse. And yet you are made to feel like it was your fault and you are the unclean one. It’s deep. And it’s a shame that is oftentimes unbearable, and if left untreated and hidden will cause lifelong consequences.” - Kristen Harness, Founder, Extended Hands For Hope
When I created The Global League of Women podcast, I wanted to create a safe space for women to share their stories, but what I didn’t expect was just how powerful the stories would be, not only for our listeners, but also for the women themselves.
Keeping a painful story to yourself can be like poison, and the act of releasing it into the world is, in some cases, lifesaving. This week’s story was one of those instances.
I’m continually grateful for all of you - women and men - who read, listen, and support the women’s stories we share. If you’ve found value in the weekly episodes and believe that #HerVoiceMatters, consider supporting The Global League of Women Podcast by subscribing for just $9/Month.
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In this week’s GLOW episode, Kristen Harness opens up about her own experience of abuse within The Catholic Church at a time in her life when she was most vulnerable and desperate for love. She had turned to religion to find a safe space, but what she found instead was the exact opposite.
Today, she is the Founder and Executive Director of Extended Hands of Hope, a nonprofit that offers safe housing and supportive services to survivors of sex trafficking. Her work shines a light on the unspoken darkness of this industry. Through this work and with mental fortitude, she decided to share her own story on The GLOW to heal and recover.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
The prevalence of human trafficking and religious abuse at all levels
How psychological manipulation keeps people in abusive relationships
How sharing your story can be a source of hope and strength for others
🔥 Voices That Inspire 🔥
Reading: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
“As you move toward a dream, the dream moves toward you.”
Playing: Underdog, Alicia Keys
“So I sing a song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop
Single mothers waiting on a check to come
Young teachers, student doctors
Sons on the frontline knowing they don't get to run
This goes out to the underdog
Keep on keeping at what you love
You'll find that someday soon enough
You will rise up, rise up"
Watching: Elizabeth Warren SNL Skit
🔥 Women We Admire 🔥
Dr. Helen Chu for her noble COVID testing work and leadership in Seattle. According to The New York Times, by Feb. 25, Dr. Chu and her colleagues could not bear to wait any longer. They began performing coronavirus tests, without government approval.
Carole Tome for stepping up as CEO of the Fortune 500, UPS.
Nancy Killefer and Tracey T. Travis for being added to Facebook’s Board of Directors. Killefer previously had leadership roles in the U.S. Department of the Treasury and at McKinsey & Company. Travis joins from Estée Lauder, where she currently serves as EVP and CFO for the cosmetics company
Thanks for reading,
~ Powered by Lisa Carmen Wang, The GLOW ⚢
PS - as always, I am here for you. I know that these are very stressful times. Feel free to reply back with any thoughts - including your favorite emoji or GIF :) 💃🏽