Episode 57 - When Silence Becomes a Weapon and How You Take Your Voice Back | Business Therapy™

The silent treatment is a form of abuse, even when it never raises its voice.In this episode, I sit down with author and empowerment coach Ama Karikari for a raw and powerful conversation about chronic silent treatment, a form of emotional abuse that many people have experienced but often struggle to name.Ama shares her personal story, from studying at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Wharton, to working as Senior Counsel at Citigroup, while navigating a 15-year marriage where silence was used as a tool of control. Together, we explore what chronic silent treatment actually is, why it activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain and how it can impact a child's nervous system and development.We also discuss the difference between chosen silence and imposed silence, what it means to reclaim your voice after years of suppression and why Ama now believes the silent treatment dynamic she experienced may have been connected to her son's neurodivergence diagnosis.One of the most important themes we unpack is the impact unresolved pain has on leadership and business. The energy you suppress at home does not stay at home. It influences how you lead, how you show up in your business and what you believe is possible for yourself.This episode covers:✅ What chronic silent treatment is and how to recognize it✅ Why silence can cause more psychological damage than verbal conflict✅ The connection between home environments and childhood neurodivergence✅ The difference between control and "loss of control" in abusive dynamics✅ How to become a cycle breaker instead of a cycle continuer✅ Why healing in community matters✅ How unresolved silence affects leadership and businessAbout  Ama KarikariAma Karikari is the author of Silence to Soaring: Heal From Chronic Silent Treatments, Toxic Relationships and Abuse. She helps people recognise unhealthy relationship dynamics, reclaim their voice and begin the healing process. You can learn more about her work, join her free community and access her free course at AmaKarikari.com.Connect with Ama Karikari: Website: AmaKarikari.com.LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amakarikariyawsonInstagram: www.instagram.com/amakkarikariYoutube: www.youtube.com/@amayawson2608💼 Explore Business Therapy™If you’d like support while building your business, Business Therapy™ is a space designed to help you move forward with more clarity, confidence and grounded support as you navigate growth. Learn more at www.jokedurojaiye.me 📖 Download the Free Unmute Yourself Discussion GuideIf this episode resonated with you, you can download the free Unmute Yourself Book Club Discussion Guide for deeper reflection and more intentional conversations around voice, visibility, growth, and purpose. Click here to download. 📖 Read the book, Unmute YourselfUnmute Yourself explores identity, voice, growth and becoming the version of yourself that can hold what you’re building. you can order here.If you’ve read Unmute Yourself and it resonated, then please leave a review here.