Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival

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Welcome to Extraordinary, my retelling of the story of my almost rape and violent stabbing in 2018 from my perspective, as well as from the perspectives of some of my closest friends and family. My hope is that this story, and the stories of the extraordinary people who helped me along the way, will inspire a better understanding of the effects of extreme violence, PTSD and recovery on individuals and the people supporting them. Thank you so much for listening, and you can follow along on our Instagram account, @extraordinary.podcast, to see the photos, video and helpful resources that correspond to the content of every episode. And please please please, if you are a survivor or someone suffering from the effects of sexual assault, violence, or PTSD, take care while listening.

Leigh Collins


    • Mar 16, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 15m AVG DURATION
    • 11 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival

    Finale: Conclusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 106:50


    The last episode ! You hear from me, my mom, Meg and Andrew on how this has impacted us, final thoughts on the outcome, and what we'll walk away with.

    Episode 10: The Trial & The Letter

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 113:58


    In this episode, I walk you through when we finally reach the criminal trial, my testimony, the verdict reading, and we learn what was in that letter.

    Episode 09: Surprises in Court

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 57:09


    In this episode, I take you through what it was like to testify against my attacker for the first time, and the surprising way he greeted us in court.

    Episode 08: A Legal Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 45:11


    In this episode, I take a slight detour into the past, then you follow along with me, my friend Meg, and my mom as we navigate the legal process leading up to the trial.

    Episode 07: PTSD & The Road to Recovery

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 89:20


    In this episode, I define some of the things that happen to the mind of someone experiencing PTSD, share what helped me get myself back over time, and share pivotal updates in the case.

    Episode 06: Checking In

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022


    This is a short episode! I wanted to check in with how I'm feeling about doing the podcast, what I've heard from you guys, and how I'm working through self doubt.

    Episode 05: Mind Invasion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 96:12


    In this episode, I share my descent into the most gripping point in my PTSD, and at the end, a pivotal twist in the case. TRIGGER WARNING: Depictions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts. Please take care.

    Episode 04: A New Normal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 74:57


    This episode is the first departure, I think, from a story about an attack to a story about recovery. In this episode, I wanted to share what the aftershock of leaving the hospital and trying to piece together a new life felt like, along with my family and the friendships that were willing to stick it through.Note: Explicit language and depictions of pain and recovery.

    Episode 03: The Hospital

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2022 66:55


    In Episode 03, you'll follow along with me as a ride in the ambulance to the hospital, my experience early that morning in the ER, and continue with my mom's point of view as she flies to Los Angeles. I'll also introduce you to a friend that was in the hospital, and hear what it was like from his point of view.

    Episode 02: Manhunt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 43:19


    In this episode, you'll follow along exactly where we left off in the last episode on that night in February, but you'll follow along through the perspective of the police and the manhunt that ensued early that morning for the man who did this to me.

    Episode 01: That Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2021 56:06


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