What happens when the people meant to protect you become the source of your pain, and the system designed to save you only adds more trauma?
Adriene Caldwell shares her powerful story of growing up in foster care, surviving emotional and physical abuse, and witnessing unimaginable pain. But what begins as a tale of betrayal turns into a story of hope. Adriene later learns that her mother, once viewed only through the lens of trauma, was suffering from untreated schizophrenia. Her healing journey leads to compassion, understanding, and ultimately, a profound reconnection.
Less than 3% of foster youth attend college, and 1 in 5 people in prison came through the system.. Adriene shares her endured childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect, and how she found her voice in the process. From saving a friend’s life to writing her book “Unbroken Life Outside the Lines,” her story is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Inside this episode:
✔️ The day she trusted her gut—and saved a friend from danger
✔️ How foster care shaped her early years—and almost broke her
✔️ When she learned the truth about her mother’s mental illness
✔️ Why forgiveness and awareness go hand in hand in breaking cycles
✔️ The shocking statistics behind foster care and incarceration
✔️ Why her book is a must-read for trauma-informed professionals
Whether you're a survivor, a social worker, or someone who wants to make a difference, this episode will stay with you.
How to contact:
https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/
Adriene@UnbrokenCaldwell.com
10 Things About You: Self-Exploration Journal
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