Hello and welcome to Getting Out From Under! I'm so happy to have you here! This episode explains why I started this podcast and what I hope to achieve by publishing a podcast. I am an American woman, who has been living in Japan nearly 30 years. I had a successful career and satisfying social life when I met the man I would marry nearly 20 years ago. I quit my job and moved across the country to be with him. We then had 4 beautiful children together. However, our relationship was not the flowers and rainbows it appeared to be on social media. I was subject to emotional and financial abuse that I didn't think I would ever be able to free myself from...but I did. I realized that for many, if not all, women (and men) in abusive relationships, shame plays a significant role in keeping us trapped in our situations. There is no shame in being abused. When we talk about our stories, we take back our power from our abusers. I hope my stories help other people in abusive situations gain the courage to share their stories and take back their power, and I hope that those with loved ones in abusive relationships gain some insight into how to provide help and support. *Disclaimer - I have no mental health training. I am not a mental health expert or professional. I am only sharing my own, personal story of abuse and what I learned from it.