Nearly one in four American adults experiences family estrangement, and countless others carry invisible wounds from childhood trauma. Stephanie Weaver's story offers something rare: an honest look at pain without sensationalism, paired with a hopeful reminder that healing is possible even when reconciliation isn't.

Stephanie’s memoir, BITTER, SWEET: HOW TO HEAL YOURSELF WHEN YOUR FAMILY IS BROKEN, intertwines family recipes with a deeply personal story of trauma, resilience, estrangement, and forgiveness.

Stephanie was a guest for the RECORD SCRATCH Mother’s Day exploration of mother loss.

STEPHANIE WEAVER, MPH

Website: https://stephanieweaver.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanieweavermph/

KARA KAVENSKY

Website: Kara Kavensky

Visit Kara’s website to receive updates and pre-order her new memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY.

Record Scratch with Kara is sponsored by Adam Gibson Design and Remain Relevant, a corporate storytelling masterclass

Produced by Marilou Marosz

Original music written and performed by Adam W. Gibson

TIMESTAMPS

[01:10] **Content warning**

[02:10] Becoming a writer

[04:02] BITTER, SWEET

[05:10] Resurfacing memories

[06:25] Mom's recipe box

[07:44] Healing therapies

[10:42] Making a trauma memoir approachable

[13:34] Estrangement and writing for others

[15:20] Response to book

[16:38] Forgiveness is for *us*