Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2460

Tonight's special guest is Joe Potosi from Dubuque, Iowa, a returning NAASCA family member who's a child abuse survivor, minister, motivational speaker and author of the book 'When The Dust Settled.' At age 3, his father abandoned the family. Over the next 15 years, his mother and stepfather used drugs and alcohol, had a turbulent relationship, and were both physically and emotionally abusive to him. After high school, Joe joined the Navy which was the first time he realized the resentment and anger he carried inside about the years of abuse. However, he did not yet have coping skills to deal with those emotions and made some poor choices in life. Becoming a father of two sons helped Joe change his behavior, explaining, “They'd rented space in my mind for far too long. Now as a father I made a conscious decision I was going to break that cycle of abuse, violence and neglect toward my children.” Writing was a way for Joe to let go of traumatic memories and gave him the strength and courage to forgive his tormentors. He attributes his faith in God as helping him most with his recovery. Years of journaling to help himself heal developed into his book (watch this Youtube interview). Joe is now helping other survivors who are struggling with resentment, anger and unforgiveness. “People struggle every day in situations that they cannot control,” he says. “They feel helpless and held hostage by whatever trials hold them down in life. 'When The Dust Settled' is the ultimate story of success. This is a story of inspiration, courage and triumph.”