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Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey. Her life story is one marked by profound trauma, resilience, and an inspiring quest to build a life of hope. From a childhood shadowed by abuse to a series of harrowing experiences in adulthood, her journey has taken her across states, from California to Colorado, Wyoming, and finally settling in Montana. Through travel, reflection, and a commitment to healing, Colleen "Co Co" Issa has faced the lingering effects of PTSD head-on, sharing her recovery process openly on platforms like the "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast", which is available on their website for free in addition to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as through other podcast platforms. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
A Childhood of Trauma
Colleen stated that her early years were defined by a father who was both physically and sexually abusive, a pedophile whose actions left deep scars. She recalls reporting this to a therapist later in life, only to learn that too much time had passed for legal action. The trauma didn’t end with her; her sister, also a victim of this violence, struggled with alcoholism and fatal illnesses worsened by her pain, ultimately taking her own life on January 26, 2024. For Colleen, confirmation of her worst memories came during a conversation with her sibling, a revelation that cemented the shared horror of their past. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium, Newsbreak and Blogspot.
At 15, Colleen fled this toxic environment, but the world beyond offered little reprieve. Life grew tougher as she faced further assaults: a rape by a girlfriend’s boyfriend, which she never officially reported, and another at 21, outside in the bitter winter cold. Passersby saw the latter attack but drove on, leaving her alone. The perpetrator was later arrested and charged with third-degree sexual assault, a resolution that felt inadequate for the suffering endured. Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast website, also available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast outlets.
The Toll of Trauma and the Seeds of Hope
Colleen’s experiences reflect a grim reality faced by many survivors of interpersonal violence. Studies reveal that 6% of American youth experience sexual victimization annually, with rates soaring to 16% for adolescents aged 14-17 in the past year and 28% over their lifetimes. Girls, in particular, bear a heavier burden, with lifetime prevalence rates of sexual assault reaching 17% for those aged 14-17, compared to 4% for boys. These statistics underscore the pervasive nature of such trauma, and its lasting echo in conditions like PTSD. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
For Colleen, the death of her sister became a turning point. Grieving and determined to reclaim her life, she embarked on a journey of travel and relocation. From California to Colorado, then Wyoming, she sought a place to heal, eventually finding solace in Montana. The physical journey mirrored an emotional one: building a life of hope after trauma is no small feat, but Colleen embraced the challenge.
Understanding PTSD and Recovery
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a frequent companion for survivors of sexual assault, with prevalence rates far exceeding the national average. Symptoms, intrusive memories, avoidance, negative shifts in mood, and heightened arousal, can emerge months or even years after the event, disrupting daily life. Colleen has lived these realities: unwanted flashbacks, emotional numbness, and the struggle to feel safe. Yet, her story is also one of recovery, fueled by a desire to move beyond survival into thriving. Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey. Check out the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms
Research highlights the complexity of PTSD after sexual assault. A dysregulated Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis can drive symptoms, while societal factors like victim-blaming and rape myths exacerbate the pain. Effective recovery, experts note, hinges on early social support and a holistic approach, biological, psychological, and sociological. Colleen’s openness about her journey reflects this, as she leans on community, education, and personal strength to navigate her healing.
Sharing the Journey
Colleen’s candidness shines in her appearance on the "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast". Hosted by John "Jay" Wiley, the episode, available for free on their website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and promoted via Facebook, Instagram and other social media delves into her past, her travels, and her hopes for the future. News of her story will resonate with listeners, offering a raw look at the aftermath of trauma and the power of resilience. It is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
Montana, with its vast skies and quiet expanses, has become her haven. Building a life of hope after trauma isn’t linear, but Colleen’s travels, from California to Colorado to Montana, symbolize a refusal to let her past define her. Through her story, she invites others to confront their pain, seek support, and imagine a future where healing is possible. Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey.
A Voice for Survivors
Colleen "Co Co" Issa’s journey underscores a universal truth: trauma may shape us, but it doesn’t have to end us. Her recovery, shared through podcasts and social media, is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability. As she builds her life in Montana, she offers hope to others—proof that even after the darkest chapters, a new story can begin.
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Building A Life of Hope, After Trauma. Her Travels and Journey.
Attributions
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Retired Police Sergeant, Music Radio Personality, Talk Radio Show Host, Podcaster and Producer
John J. Wiley is a retired Police Sergeant turned radio personality. He has been a full time FM Music Radio DJ since 2005. In 2017 he founded the Law Enforcement Today Podcast, in a partnership with Robert Greenberg of Law Enforcement Today. The show is now named the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast.
Within a couple months a radio station heard an episode of the podcast and asked him to create a radio version, which he did. It has been syndicated since the Spring of 2017 and has numerous affiliate radio stations across the US.
