Elissa Swihart (part 1 of 2)

Written By Nick Gaylord
 
 

Domestic Violence, Hidden Trauma, and the Hard Road Through Grief with Elissa Swihart

DESCRIPTION:
In this powerful episode, Nick Gaylord sits down with Elissa Swihart to unpack the hidden emotional cost of domestic violence, trauma, and identity loss. Elissa shares how her abusive relationship began, the isolation that followed, and the brutal erosion of her confidence, voice, and sense of self. She describes the moment she realized she had become a shell of the person she once was—and the day she finally escaped with her son, her dog, and a single laundry basket of clothes. Nick guides the conversation through the grief that survivors carry long after leaving: grief for the life they imagined, grief for the version of themselves they lost, and grief for the safety they never had. Elissa’s story is raw, grounding, and rooted in truth, offering survivors and supporters a roadmap toward healing, self-awareness, and reclaiming personal power. This episode opens the door to conversations many survivors have never been able to speak out loud, shining a light on emotional strength, community, and the long road out of darkness.

WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS:
Survivors of domestic violence, people navigating trauma, and anyone grieving the loss of identity, safety, or self-worth.

WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET:
A deeply honest look at surviving abuse, understanding trauma bonding, rebuilding identity, and finding hope after profound emotional grief.

THIS EPISODE ANSWERS:

  • What are the early warning signs of emotional abuse that most people miss?

  • Why do so many survivors stay, return, or feel trapped in abusive relationships?

  • How does identity loss show up during long-term domestic violence?

  • What does the escape process really look like for survivors with children?

  • How can survivors rebuild confidence, autonomy, and safety after trauma?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Abuse often begins with love-bombing, isolation, and subtle emotional erosion.

  • Survivors grieve the loss of identity, safety, and autonomy long before they can leave.

  • Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely a single event—it's a repeated, dangerous cycle.

  • Self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools a survivor gains after escaping.

  • Healing requires support, community, and the reclamation of personal voice and power.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If you want to listen to the Dismissed True Stories Podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sp42T4Tr0NaPas6Q8nQ27

Connect with Elissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedvsurvivorsisterhood/

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

KIM GAYLORD TRAVEL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimgaylordtravel
Contact: kim@kimgaylordtravel@gmail.com


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Nick Gaylord
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Heather Locklear