Newyorican Girl - Julia Torres Barden on The Authentic Woman with Shannon Fisher

Shannon's guest this week, Julia Torres Barden, an award-winning journalist, gubernatorial appointee, and PTSD survivor. She endured a violent New York City childhood as a Puerto Rican girl from the South Bronx, which she chronicles in her book, “NEWYORICANGIRL…Surviving my Spanglish Life.” This novel/memoir is a gritty tale of trauma and painful cultural assimilation while pursuing the American dream. After navigating a traumatic childhood that included rape, her mother's conflicted life as the mistress of a powerful CEO, alcoholic parents, and forced adoption, Julia found herself trapped in New York City on 9/11.

"In 2013, I pushed my luck and I lived. I stared down my deepest fears and didn’t back down. I shared my vulnerability with strangers and they embraced me. I took so many risks that I exhausted myself to the brink of disaster. I looked the boogeyman straight in the eye and he blinked first; leaving me victorious and free," said Julia about her memoir.

The Authentic Woman is a weekly radio show airing Sunday nights at 8:00 pm EST/EDT on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. Hosted by women's rights leader, Shannon Fisher, The Authentic Woman shares Perspectives on the Female Experience in America by delving deeply into the worlds of writers, artists, celebrities and community leaders. This podcast is owned by the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network LLC. Thanks to our sponsor Michael Lowndes, our website professional, at pmlmedia.com.