Some kids run away to rebel. Sarah ran to survive.
By 16, she had lived in homeless shelters, watched her mother spiral through addiction, been adopted into a deeply abusive household, and slept in a garage while her brothers got bedrooms. When she asked to be placed back into foster care, she was denied. So she packed up her life, lied about her age, and disappeared.
In this episode of BHostel, host Bryant Perkins sits down with Sarah Burris—who at the time of this interview in 2021 was 20 years old and working at a hostel in Austin, Texas—to unpack a harrowing but astonishing story of trauma, flight, survival, and redefinition. From escaping the man who tried to groom her in a corporate job, to reuniting with her mother in a moment that feels too cinematic to be real, Sarah's story isn't about being found.
It's about finding her way out.
This conversation pulls back the curtain on what it means to wake up in a world where every adult failed you—and still choose to keep going. Sarah is funny. Fierce. Grateful. And above all, real.
This episode contains themes of abuse, neglect, and survival. Listener discretion is advised.
—
🎙️ Recorded inside 11th Ave Hostel, Denver, CO
📍 Part of our efforts to get you reacquainted with our platform and to launch Season 3 of the podcast with a deeper dive into the lives that don't post themselves online
💼 For survivors, seekers, and soul travelers
You B the Storyteller!
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.
Follow
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!