Survivor Episodes

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that this episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and molestation.Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know need support, please refer to the resources listed in the show notes. On this week's episode, I will discuss cruising 101, offer a travel tip and share some more about myself. At 15:39 is when the trauma topic starts so feel free to stop at this point if it is uncomfortable to you. Website: https://rainn.org/resour...

In this episode of Travel Time Stories with Shannon, I open up about one of the most difficult journeys of my life: surviving a narcissistic relationship. I share what these toxic relationships look like, how to recognize the signs, and why setting boundaries is not only important but life-saving. You’ll also hear a deeply personal story of survival that blends the supernatural with faith, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, the light is stronger than the darkness. A...

In this raw and honest episode of Travel Time Stories with Shannon, I share the beginning of my story with David — the man I’ve long called “the devil.” What started as charm and protection quickly became control, abuse, and the kind of toxic love that nearly destroyed me. This is the beginning of my descent into darkness, and I tell it exactly as I lived it — the good, the bad, and the ugly. But life, like travel, always has layers. Alongside the shadows, I also bring you ligh...

This week on Travel Time Stories with Shannon, I continue sharing the raw, unfiltered chapters of my life with David — the calm before the storm. After heartbreak and rebellion, I found myself drawn to someone older, magnetic, and dangerous. From runaway nights to secret phone calls and reckless bonfires, my world with David unfolded in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What began as protection and passion soon pulled me deeper into a life that felt both thrilling and terrif...

In this deeply personal episode of Travel Time Stories with Shannon, I continue my story with David—the man who became both my anchor and my undoing. From pool halls and jealousy, to an unforgettable trip to Memphis, and finally a night where love, trauma, and something unexplainable collided, this chapter of my journey is where light and darkness began their battle. Alongside my personal story, I share today’s travel tip about group travel and booking strategies that can save ...

In this deeply emotional episode of Travel Time Stories with Shannon, I share the final chapter of my story with David - a story of love that turned dark, of abuse that nearly cost me everything, and of the moment light broke through the shadows. What began as young love became a journey through fear, control, and survival. This is the story of how I lost myself, found my strength, and learned that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way back to the light. If you or ...

Today’s episode is a little different. It’s a follow-up to my four-part series The Devil I Loved, where I shared my story—raw, real, and unfiltered—about my life with David.” If you’ve listened to those episodes, you know it wasn’t easy to tell. But it was necessary. And today, I want to talk more about what has happened since, how I’ve grown, and what I’ve learned from sharing my truth.

What happens after the storm? In this powerful episode, I share the raw and real process of rebuilding life after an abusive relationship. From navigating the emotional wreckage to rediscovering your identity, this is about moving beyond survival and learning to truly live again. Shannon shares her deeply personal journey of healing after escaping an abusive relationship. She reflects on the challenges of reclaiming her identity, the importance of support systems, and the...

What happens when your life changes in an instant? In this powerful episode of Travel Time Stories, we sit down with trauma and traumatic brain injury survivor Nicholas Ruchlewicz to talk about the motorcycle accident that changed everything—and the unexpected path that followed. Nicholas shares what it was like to go from living a normal life to navigating the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of a traumatic brain injury. From identity loss and mental health struggles to finding ...

What if your life didn’t begin here… and doesn’t end here either? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Travel Time Stories, Shannon and Ann sit down with Donna Hartley—international speaker, past-life reader, and survivor who has crossed over six times and returned with a completely different understanding of life, purpose, and the soul. Donna’s experiences challenge everything we think we know about life and death. After facing multiple near-death experiences, she began to un...