In this deeply moving episode of Chatting with Betsy, host Betsy Wurzel welcomes poet, survivor, and mental health advocate Desiree Pearl to share her inspiring story in Desiree Pearl’s Journey Through Trauma and Healing. Introduced to Betsy by her son Josh Sloan, Desiree opens up about her path of resilience, the risks of vulnerability, and the powerful role writing played in her decades-long journey to confront trauma and embrace healing.
🎧 Listen to the audio interview with Betsy Wurzel and Desiree Pearl as they explore life’s challenges, resilience, and the power of healing.📌 Click here to listen…
Desiree discusses her powerful new book, TRASH: A Survivor’s Journey Through Trauma, Abuse, and Healing, which took 20 years to write. She and Betsy take a deep dive into the courage it takes to share one’s story, knowing it exposes the most vulnerable parts of oneself. In Desiree Pearl’s Journey Through Trauma and Healing, she explains how setting boundaries can upset those who once disrespected or abused us — and why finding the right therapist can require patience and persistence.
They explore how childhood trauma shapes us as adults, and why acknowledging and validating painful feelings is essential for recovery. Desiree shares her own experiences of losing both parents young, living with a hoarder grandmother, and enduring narcissistic relationships. Her candid words, “The first time I married my father. The second time, I married my grandmother,” reveal the patterns many survivors recognize — attracting what is familiar to the brain.
The conversation also highlights the lingering stigma around mental health care. Seeking support, Desiree insists, is a sign of strength, especially when faced with gaslighting, name-calling, and a lack of understanding from those around you. In Desiree Pearl’s Journey Through Trauma and Healing, both she and Betsy remind listeners that we are all works in progress — and that small acts of kindness can have a life-changing impact.
Desiree’s message is one of hope: you are not alone, there is light even in the darkest times, and you must never give up. Her work is a testament to the healing power of perseverance, creativity, and connection.
Betys was truly inspired chatting with Desiree Pearl, and this conversation touched me deeply. Her courage, honesty, and strength shine through in every word, and Betsy knows her story will resonate with many of you.
For more information about Desiree Pearl and her powerful book TRASH: A Survivor’s Journey Through Trauma, Abuse, and Healing, please visit her website where you can order a copy and connect directly with her:
👉 Desiree Pearl’s Website & Book
You can also follow and support Desiree Pearl here:
