Hello again;
I hope that you are doing well in spite of all the world's challenges.
One of the reasons that I bring you these interviews is to help keep you from being overwhelmed by all the bad news out there.
And today I have a wonderful person to share with you.
Jenna Ashlyn, is a real story of overcoming so much of the worst that one person can be subjected to by another.
She endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from her husband.
She went away to a city far from her home to support her family financially, and experienced more abuse on the job.
She lived through the indifference of her local police.
She finally did escape her terrible environment and caught help.
Now she helps others through Southern Ohio Survivor Advocacy Outreach at www.saopseoh.org/
We talked about how she managed to keep going and make it through. And about how she was able to allow a new man into her life after all of her experiences.
We also talked a lot about her writing. And what it took to write not one but two deeply personal books.
Her books are categorized as creative nonfiction for legal reasons. She had to change many of the names and locations to get her books published.
Best thing about her story, which we didn't talk about quite enough; is that Jenna is planning her wedding.
How exciting and encouraging.
Trust me if she can do it then what's your excuse?
Now on to the show
About Jenna
photo of Jenna Ashlyn
She currently resides in southern Ohio with her three children, fiancé, and an assortment of pets including two cocker spaniels and a guinea pig.
she is a volunteer for Southern Ohio’s Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program, providing support and services to victims of abuse.
She studied creative writing at both the University of Rio Grande and Marshall University, where she worked for the campus literary magazine Et Cetera.
Jenna’s writing has appeared in numerous literary magazines, including Night Roses, The Atwood Review, and Poet’s Choice.
In 2015, she won the overall writing award in the StarJewel Nationals and Talent Showcase arts contest.
And in 2019, she was nominated for a Maier Award, which celebrates the best writing by Marshall University students.
In 2020, Jenna released her debut novel, Within the Gray.
Her second novel, Sheila's Men
was just released.
Connect with Jenna
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Jenna-Ashlyn
Face Book: www.facebook.com/authorjennaashlyn
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JennaAshlyn1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennaashl
I just know you are going to come away from Jenna's story with a new appreciation for what we are capable of.
I hope you enjoy it enough to share with your friends, family, and coworkers.
I would appreciate new subscriptions to my YouTube channel, or my podcast.
This show is now the flagship program of the WYExcuse Podcast Network.
A home for podcasts hosted by people with disabilities and or the people who want to support us.
If you are considering starting a podcast, please consider hosting your show with our sponsors at www.blubrry.com
I want to close by reminding you just how important you are to the success of my podcast.
Knowing you are watching or listening and following along sometimes is the only thing keeping me going.
Would love to hear from you in the comments. Thanks so much.
Take care out there, Max