Amanda speaks with Elizabeth Smart, survivor, author and speaker about her abduction from her Salt Lake City home in 2002, at the age of 14. Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee would keep her chained and dressed in disguise, raping her daily, often multiple times a day, until she was rescued on March 12, 2003 and reunited with her family.
In this candid conversation, Amanda and Elizabeth discuss the little miracles that occurred during the 9 months that she was held captive that kept her alive. They talk about how she intentionally decided to lean into gratitude and joy, instead of despair, upon her return. They discuss our resilient human spirit, always giving people the benefit of the doubt and how we should always default to compassion and kindness in all that we do.
Elizabeth Smart is an activist, author and speaker. She is the Founder of the “Elizabeth Smart Foundation.” Elizabeth has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.
Elizabeth has chronicled her experiences in the New York Times best-selling book, "My Story." In addition, she and other abduction survivors worked with the Department of Justice to create a survivors guide, entitled, “You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment.” She has also written an inspiring book about what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim one’s life. "Where There’s Hope" is the result of Elizabeth’s mission: It is both an up-close-and-personal glimpse into her healing process and a heartfelt how-to guide for readers to make peace with the past and embrace the future.
Connect with Elizabeth: https://www.elizabethsmart.com/
Connect with Amanda: https://linktr.ee/amandawjohnson
To buy virtual or in-person tickets for the Dennis H. Jones Living Well Network Mental Health Breakfast, featuring Elizabeth Smart as the guest speaker on June 8th, 2021 click the link below.
https://www.methodisthealth.org/ways-to-help/signature-events/living-well-network-mental-health-breakfast/
You can also find Elizabeth's book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/My-Story-audiobook/dp/B00ELPUG9A/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=elizabeth+smart&qid=1619044100&s=audible&sr=1-1
