"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou
What happens when writing your story becomes part of your healing?
In this deeply honest and emotional episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly sits down with bestselling author, speaker, life transition coach, and podcast host Deborah Griffiths for a powerful conversation about trauma, healing, storytelling, and reclaiming your voice.
Deborah shares the story behind her book, Torched Burnt by a Gaslighter, and opens up about surviving years of narcissistic abuse, the emotional process of writing about trauma, and how storytelling ultimately became part of her healing journey.
Together, Holly and Deborah discuss:
Writing through pain and emotional trauma
Why keeping your authentic voice matters in memoir writing
The difference between surviving and healing
How editing can strengthen—not silence—a writer's voice
The emotional challenges of revisiting difficult memories
Why sharing your story may help someone else find hope
The subtle warning signs of toxic and emotionally abusive relationships
The healing power of podcasting, coaching, and storytelling
This conversation is raw, compassionate, hopeful, and full of wisdom for anyone who has ever felt silenced, invisible, or afraid to share their story.
How Deborah knew it was finally time to write her story.
Why she chose to fictionalize the characters in her book.
The role editing played in helping her tell the story more honestly.
What surprised her during the writing process?
The emotional impact of hearing readers say, "That happened to me too."
How trauma stays in the body—and the healing work she continues to do.
Why finding your voice again changes everything.
Torched Burnt by a Gaslighter by Deborah Griffiths https://www.amazon.com/Torched-Burnt-Gaslighter-Deborah-Griffiths/dp/1956353364/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Broken to Boldness https://www.brokentoboldness.com/home
Bent Not Broken: Starting Over After Divorce/Post Divorce https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bent-not-broken-starting-over-after-divorce-post-divorce/id1840019186
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Klok
Domestic Violence Awareness Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
Motivation Champs Publishing with Dominick Domasky https://www.motivationchamps.com/publishing/
The Edit Season 1- published 4/11/23 "I'm Working on What I Can Do Better with Debbie Griffiths" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edit-writing-your-book-without-losing-your-voice/id1891432033?i=1000760099227
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahgriffiths7/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.griffiths.77
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brokentoboldness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-griffiths/
Email Address: Deborah@brokentoboldness.com
Website: writelynotable.com
If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters.
Because your story without your voice is only words.
