Turning 40 and Healing From Parental Kidnapping as a Baby
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In this moving episode of the Forty Drinks Podcast, host Stephanie McLaughlin talks with Rita Bliven about her tumultuous early life, marked by a messy parental divorce, being kidnapped by her father, and reunion with her mother. This early instability led to deep attachment issues that shaped Rita's relationships and personal growth. Rita shares how therapeutic counseling in her teens, reconnecting with her Mexican family in her twenties, and her spiritual experiences contributed to her ongoing healing journey. Through perseverance and self-awareness, Rita found love and built a family, emphasizing the importance of connection and attachment in parenting her stepdaughter. Despite late fulfillment in love and career, Rita contemplates the 'what-ifs' of her life's timeline, ultimately expressing gratitude for her transformative journey.
Guest Bio
Rita Bliven suffered from a debilitating avoidant attachment style or disorder due to an international parental kidnapping. Much of her adult life has been spent learning about attachment theory, the different attachment styles, the traumas that cause attachment issues, and attachment healing. Rita chronicles her healing journey in her upcoming book, Canyons & Fireworks. In sharing her story, Rita hopes to inspire others to explore their own attachment styles so that true identity, purpose, and intimacy can flourish.
Turning 40 and Healing From Parental Kidnapping as a Baby
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Rita Bilven, a woman who navigates the complexities of attachment issues stemming from a tumultuous childhood. By the time she was three, Rita had been kidnapped twice by her parents. The first time, her father abducted her and brought her to Mexico. Two years later, her mother lured her father back to California, kidnapped Rita back and moved cross country. Rita shares her journey of healing and self-discovery, which led her to reconnect with her estranged father and embrace her Mexican heritage. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of understanding and addressing one's past.
Episode Highlights:
- Early Childhood Trauma: Rita discusses her early experiences of being kidnapped by her father and the subsequent legal and emotional battles that shaped her childhood.
- Attachment Theory: Rita explains how attachment theory played a crucial role in understanding her struggles with relationships and self-identity.
- Reconnecting with Her Roots: The emotional recount of Rita's journey to reconnect with her father and her Mexican family, which brought significant healing and understanding.
- Personal and Spiritual Growth: Insights into how personal development and spirituality have guided Rita through her healing process.
- Marriage and Family Life: Rita opens up about meeting her husband later in life and how they've built a strong, loving relationship, including the importance of connection and attachment in parenting her stepdaughter.
- Writing as Healing: Rita shares how writing helped her process her experiences and aided her healing journey.
Rita's story is a reminder of the importance of confronting our past to shape a happier, healthier future and the enduring strength of love. Her experiences with attachment issues, cultural identity, and personal growth are interwoven with practical insights into overcoming adversity. Whether you're dealing with similar issues or just looking for an inspiring story of transformation, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, love, and healing.
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Guest Resources
Connect with Rita on Instagram
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