How do you rebuild a life after surviving the unimaginable?
In this moving episode of *Perfectly Flawed*, I speak with **Madeleine Black**—author, professional speaker, sexual violence activist, and host of the acclaimed podcast *Unbroken: Healing Through Storytelling*. As a teenager, Madeleine was gang raped and left fearing for her life. For decades, she carried her trauma in silence. Then, in 2014, she stepped onto a TEDx stage to share her story—and the response changed everything.
Today, Madeleine is a powerful voice against sexual violence, advocating for survivors to reclaim their courage, trust their bodies, and set boundaries without apology. Her journey from silence to strength is one of profound resilience, joy, and advocacy.
In our conversation, we explore:
💡 Why victims of sexual violence are never “asking for it.”
💡 How shame and silence can be broken through courage and community.
💡 The long road of healing—and the power of reconnecting with life.
💡 How Madeleine helps others find their voice and step into their own strength.
Madeleine reminds us that even in the darkest experiences, it is possible to heal, to speak, and to inspire others with courage.
🎧 Tune in for a conversation that is raw, hopeful, and deeply human.
Madeleine Black is an author, professional speaker, sexual violence activist, former psychotherapist and has a podcast show called “Unbroken: Healing Through Storytelling”
After decades of silence, Madeleine decided to share her own story publicly online in September 2014 and she completely underestimated what the response would be.
She is passionate about speaking out to end the shame, stigma and silence surrounding sexual violence and to help others find their courage and voice too
www.linkedin.com/in/madeleineblackspeaker444