From Betrayal To Breakthrough

By: Dr. Debi Silber
  • Summary

  • The betrayal of a family member, partner, friend, etc. can create physical, mental and emotional challenges. If left unhealed, it impacts us personally and professionally. The From Betrayal to Breakthrough podcast shares insights from the best therapists, coaches, healers, thought leaders and everyday people, combined with the findings of a recent Ph.D. study on betrayal to help you move forward and heal...once and for all.
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • 419: Breaking the Silence: Family Secrets, Abuse, and Generational Healing
    May 5 2025
    Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive material about abuse, incest, and generational trauma. Please listen or watch at your own pace, and practice self-care as needed. Episode Overview: In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, Dr. Debi Silber speaks with author and advocate Babs Walters about the lifelong impact of childhood abuse, the burden of keeping family secrets, and what it truly takes to heal. Babs courageously shares her deeply personal story, tracing the effects of trauma through her family history—and how she finally found freedom and purpose in breaking the silence. Key Themes Covered: The Legacy of Abuse and Secret-Keeping Babs recounts her childhood experience of incest, the secrecy that surrounded it, and the emotional and physical toll it took on her body and relationships. Dissociation and Survival As a child, Babs survived by dissociating and escaping into books—one of the few places she found hope and happy endings. From Silence to Advocacy Her journey from secrecy to speaking out includes therapy, education, and eventually, writing her memoir. Her mission: to make sure no other child feels as isolated as she did. Family Secrets and Their Lasting Damage The harm isn't just in the trauma—it’s in the demand for secrecy. Babs explains how family systems force silence, and how that pressure keeps generations stuck. Generational Trauma and Its Roots A shocking story about her father’s childhood reveals the hidden trauma that shaped his inability to love, empathize, or protect his children. The Healing Journey With over 45 years of therapy, programs like est (Erhard Seminars Training), and a commitment to self-growth, Babs shows that deep healing is possible—even decades later. Breaking the Chain Despite being criticized by her children for her own “extreme” parenting, Babs is proud to have disrupted the abusive legacy passed down through generations. Her Memoir and Mission: Babs made a vow as a child to someday write a book that would let another little girl know she wasn’t alone. That book is finally here—along with her advocacy work, speaking, and involvement with Brave Voices, a Library of Congress archive preserving survivor stories. Notable Quotes: “I made a promise to myself that one day I’d write a book so some other little girl wouldn’t feel all alone.” “The pain was bad—but my self-talk may have been worse.” “Healing isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. And it’s never too late to begin.” Resources & Where to Find Babs: Website: https://babswalters.com Instagram: @babswalters Resources & Links Learn more about the PBT Institute  What Stage Are You In? Find out here  Want to bring the 5 Stages of Healing into your organization? Contact us about corporate programs  Explore our flagship program Reclaim  Become a Certified PBT® Coach/Practitioner  Final Thoughts from Dr. Debi: Healing from trauma takes courage, community, and compassion. Babs is living proof that no matter your age or how long it’s been, healing is possible—and your story has power. If you’re keeping a family secret, know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it forever. Be sure to share this episode with someone who may need to hear it. And as always, take what serves you, leave what doesn’t, and treat yourself with gentleness as you heal.
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Episode 418 : From Betrayed to Brave: How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Betrayal
    Apr 28 2025
    In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Dr. Debi Silber reflects on the significance of Episode 418 and explores one of the most emotionally charged topics in betrayal recovery: how your children are affected by betrayal—and what to consider when deciding whether to share your story with them. Whether your kids were young when the betrayal happened or are now grown and sensing something was never quite right, this episode offers guidance, compassion, and clarity for navigating this complex family dynamic. 🔍 In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why kids often sense something is wrong, even if they don’t know the details The emotional cost of keeping betrayal hidden from children What happens when they find out from someone else—and how that can feel like a second betrayal How to check your intentions before opening up Why the energy in your home matters—and what your kids may be picking up The difference between sharing out of pain vs. sharing as part of your healing journey What it looks like when a betrayer is truly rebuilding—and how that can impact your kids Dr. Debi’s personal story of telling her four children—and how it shaped their growth, healing, and strength as a family The role of honesty, spiritual growth, and aligned action in rebuilding trust The importance of giving kids a voice and a space to process their own emotions 💡 Key Takeaways: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every family must decide what's right for them. Honesty, done with intention and care, can be a powerful part of healing—for you and your children. Kids notice more than we think. Trying to fake wellness only teaches them to ignore their instincts. The energy in the home speaks volumes. Even if nothing is said, everything is felt. Rebuilding isn’t just between partners—it includes your children too. You can’t rebuild with the same person who broke everything. The betrayer must be willing to transform and come clean. Healing is uncomfortable—but necessary. It’s a choice between “hard now, easy later” or “easy now, hard later.” ✨ Dr. Debi’s Story: Dr. Debi shares how her husband told their children about the betrayal, her decision to be transparent, and the profound impact it had on her family. From grueling healing to remarriage—with new vows and their kids as the bridal party—she offers a rare glimpse into what full-circle transformation looks like when everyone is committed to truth, growth, and healing. “I didn’t just want to heal—I wanted to rebuild. Not just me, but my family. And that required honesty, integrity, and love—at the deepest level.” 🛠️ Resources Mentioned: The 5 Stages from Betrayal to Breakthrough: https://thepbtinstitute.com/reclaim/ Trust Again (Book by Dr. Debi Silber) The Rebuild Program (For those who betrayed and want to heal): https://thepbtinstitute.com/rebuild/ The PBT Institute Community (Join the healing conversation): https://thepbtinstitute.com 📣 Final Words: This episode is a must-listen for any parent navigating betrayal. Whether you're still reeling from the pain or beginning to rebuild, you’ll leave with tools, reflection prompts, and the reassurance that while the path is hard—it’s also transformative. Trust your gut. You know what’s right for your family. And if you decide to open up to your children, do it with intention, clarity, and love. Connect with Dr. Debi Silber: 🌐 ThePBTInstitute.com 📘 Trust Again - Book 🎓 Rebuild Program: https://thepbtinstitute.com/rebuild/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://thepbtinstitute.com/speaking/
    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • 417: How Unhealed Betrayal Impacts Your Business Performance
    Apr 21 2025
    If you're in business—whether you’re running your own company, leading a team, or working within an organization—this episode is for you. Dr. Debi Silber dives deep into how unhealed betrayal isn’t just a personal issue—it has direct, tangible consequences on your professional performance, leadership, confidence, decision-making, and success. In this eye-opening solo episode, Dr. Debi unpacks how betrayal silently sabotages your ability to lead, sell, build, and succeed—years or even decades after the betrayal occurred. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or employee, you'll gain powerful insights on how trauma is showing up in your business (often without you realizing it) and what you can do to change that. What You'll Learn: Why betrayal impacts more than just your relationships—it affects your performance at work How shattered trust leads to overthinking, indecision, micromanagement, and burnout The hidden link between betrayal and stress-related illnesses, brain fog, insomnia, and more Why unresolved emotional pain leads to undercharging, people-pleasing, and poor boundaries How healing restores your confidence, clarity, energy, and ability to lead and grow The business case for understanding the 5 Stages from Betrayal to Breakthrough Key Topics Covered: The ripple effect of betrayal in business settings How betrayal affects your ability to trust yourself, your team, and leadership The emotional and physiological toll of carrying unhealed trauma into the workplace Signs betrayal is hurting your performance (and that of your employees) Indecision, overthinking, and poor boundaries: where they really come from Why burnout and reactive decision-making are often symptoms of a deeper wound The cost of unaddressed trauma on productivity, visibility, and financial success What happens when you heal—and how it elevates every part of your professional life Quotes from the Episode: “If you don’t trust the person you trusted most—and then you stop trusting yourself—how do you trust a boss, a coworker, or a collaborative partner?” “You can be showing up to a meeting, making decisions, promoting your brand… but if you’re carrying unhealed betrayal, you’re not showing up fully.” “Burnout, poor boundaries, fear of visibility—these aren’t business problems. They’re symptoms of a personal wound that hasn’t healed yet.” Resources & Links: 🎓 Learn more about the PBT Institute 🔍 What Stage Are You In? Find out here 💼 Want to bring the 5 Stages of Healing into your organization? Contact us about corporate programs 🌟 Explore our flagship program Reclaim 🧭 Become a Certified PBT® Coach/Practitioner Take Action: Ask yourself: Where has betrayal impacted my business, my confidence, or my ability to lead and grow? Once you’re aware of it—you can finally begin to change it. And when you heal, every part of your life and business transforms.
    Show more Show less
    24 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup

What listeners say about From Betrayal To Breakthrough

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.