Misty Nesbitt on Surviving Abuse, Child Marriage at 14, and Breaking the Silence in The Girl Who Kept Breathing

This episode features author Misty Nesbitt discussing her memoir, The Girl Who Kept Breathing, and her life story of surviving severe childhood abuse, being married off at age 14, and learning to live with ongoing trauma.

Misty describes growing up in Texas with an abusive, alcoholic and drug-addicted stepfather and a mother she believes was narcissistic, including physical, mental, and sexual abuse, cruel punishments, and being taught to lie about bruises. She explains that from ages 10 to 14 she lived in a state home that was safer than her home life, then was brought back and quickly married in a “sham” wedding arranged by her mother.

Misty recounts abuse and control in her first marriage, losing  ...