Out Here Tryna Survive: From childhood trauma to healing, truth, and community (Grace Sandra)

What does it take to survive when the people and systems that were supposed to protect you become part of the pain? In this episode of Untamed Grace, Jeromy sits down with Grace Sandra for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, abuse, racial identity, church hurt, healing, and the long journey of learning to trust yourself again. Grace shares her story of growing up with sexual abuse, family dysfunction, and a mother struggling with severe mental illness. She reflects on what it was like to navigate life without a sense of safety, carrying wounds that shaped how she viewed herself, other people, and even God. Along the way, she opens up about surviving an abusive marriage, wrestling with religious conditioning, and discovering that healing often begins when we stop pretending we're okay. Together, Jeromy and Grace explore: Childhood trauma and its lasting impact Healing from abuse and survival mode Religious conditioning and church hurt Race, identity, and belonging Learning to trust yourself after trauma The connection between self-worth and spiritual healing Why telling the truth matters in recovery Finding healthy community after isolation and pain This conversation is honest, raw, and deeply human. Rather than offering easy answers, Grace invites listeners into the reality of what healing looks like when life has taught you to stay guarded, hypervigilant, and disconnected from yourself. If you've experienced trauma, struggled with self-trust, felt unseen by the church, or spent years simply trying to survive, this episode offers something many of us need: permission to tell the truth, compassion for the journey, and hope that healing is possible. Because eventually the goal isn't just surviving. It's becoming. Sandra's YouTube Channel.  Once grace is tamed, it ceases to be grace. Grace doesn’t hold back. She breaks the rules, softens hearts, and loves without apology. The open, universal, unapologetic love of God. Together we’re building a braver, more honest space. Thanks for your support and for listening. Got a story, question, guest suggestions, or topic idea? Email me.Please share if you believe this show and its message of grace is important in our time—keep it spreading!Be sure to follow on whichever podcast platform you use.Untamed Grace Facebook GroupEpisode partnered with QuoirCast, and written, hosted, edited and produced by Jeromy Johnson.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.