Neglected and abandoned by one father, and threated, verbally abused and psychologically terrorized by another, Brian Guarding endured a childhood of silent suffering. Who would believe a boy with no bruises?

The signs were there — straight A's giving way to failing grades, and quiet compliance replaced with angry outbursts — but like Brian, they were ignored. When his stepfather's cruelty reached a vindictive new low, Brian found the courage to break his silence. And in doing so, he discovered that words don't just inflict pain — they can also set you free. Brian's voice led him to the one thing he had so desperately longed for: a father.

Parenting a little girl to feel beautiful, capable and worthy is important to Heidi Anderson. So is providing a safe, loving home. Particularly because that little girl is her own inner child. The home Heidi physically grew up in was the complete opposite, filled with alcoholism, codependence, blurred lines and no boundaries.

Not allowed to have any needs and starved for affection, Heidi felt special when her father first began showering her with attention. The more her parents’ marriage dissolved the more she got. Then the grooming kicked into high gear.

From sacrificial lamb to incest survivor, Heidi’s story is one of courage, faith, and conviction connecting to the child within and setting them both free from shame.

As a World War II and Korean War Veteran some would consider Tim Broderick’s father a hero. At home, he was a horror. A raging alcoholic and full of demons which he took out on his family. The beatings Tim endured were brutal. The ones his mother took routinely put her in the hospital.

Tim went to extremes to shield his little sister but was helpless to protect himself. Then at the age of 15, his dad died and a surprising new abuser emerged.

Full of rage and resentment and held hostage by his past, Tim did something his parents couldn’t. He learned how to put his demons to rest.