Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Breaking Free from Toxicity (feat. Ashley Taylor-Maland)
Host/Author: PodcastOne
Release Date: March 4, 2025

Introduction and Trigger Warning

Kaitlyn Bristowe opens the episode by issuing a trigger warning for listeners who have experienced abuse or are on their healing journey. She introduces Ashley Taylor-Maland, highlighting her rise to prominence through a viral TikTok video that inspired Kaitlyn to invite her onto the podcast.

Ashley’s Journey Through Toxic Relationships

Timestamp: [00:50]

Ashley shares her personal history with abusive relationships, beginning with her first serious relationship at a young age. She recounts enduring an abusive partnership that plagued her early adulthood, leading to further turmoil in subsequent relationships.

"I keep choosing people that don't love me, they don't care about me, they're abusive mentally, emotionally, verbally. And I keep sticking it out with them because I don't have the self-worth to know I deserve better."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [02:30]

The Viral TikTok and Its Unexpected Impact

Timestamp: [05:25]

After her divorce, Ashley began creating TikTok videos to encourage others facing similar struggles. One emotionally charged video, created shortly after a painful breakup, unexpectedly went viral, amassing over 500,000 views in just three hours. Initially embarrassed and intending to delete it, Ashley decided to keep the video after realizing it was helping others.

"There were so many people, like, I needed to hear this. Oh, my God. Thank you so much."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [06:08]

This surge in attention catapulted her into the spotlight, allowing her to share her story widely and connect with a larger audience.

Healing Through Therapy and Self-Discovery

Timestamp: [07:38]

Ashley discusses the aftermath of her divorce, which served as a catalyst for her deep healing journey. She admits that her unresolved trauma was affecting her mental health and relationships, leading her to seek therapy and confront her past.

"You can't get into a healthy relationship with someone when you're that broken."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [08:45]

Through therapy, Ashley began to understand the impact of her trauma, including a traumatic experience of sexual assault at 24, which she had not previously addressed.

Confronting Sexual Assault and Its Long-Term Effects

Timestamp: [16:18]

Ashley bravely opens up about her sexual assault at 24, a subject she hadn't publicly addressed until recent years. She describes the lasting emotional and psychological scars, including feelings of shame and self-blame that hindered her healing process.

"I felt disgusting. Like, I felt so embarrassed by what had happened to me, even though it happened to me and there was nothing... it was out of my control."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [16:43]

Through extensive therapy, Ashley began to process and heal from this trauma, which previously left her emotionally numb and robotic in her interactions.

Breaking Free and Empowering Others

Timestamp: [21:02]

Ashley emphasizes the importance of seeking help immediately after experiencing abuse and encourages others to share their stories to combat shame and isolation.

"Get help immediately. Like, get therapy immediately. Tell someone you love that you're close to immediately."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [21:02]

She discusses her commitment to encouraging others to avoid unhealthy relationships, choose themselves, and recognize their own value.

Current Status and Future Goals

Timestamp: [25:47]

Having spent the past year and a half focusing on her personal healing, Ashley shares her current state of well-being and her plans to continue supporting others. She aims to build a community where people can encourage and support one another through similar struggles.

"My entire goal for my entire life, for the rest of my life, is to just keep encouraging women and men to avoid unhealthy relationships and to find themselves and to choose themselves and to invest in themselves and to know their value."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [28:00]

Advice for Those Struggling to Break Free

Timestamp: [30:21]

Ashley offers practical advice for individuals struggling to leave toxic relationships:

• Accept the Pain: Understand that both leaving and staying in an abusive relationship involve pain, but leaving offers hope for a better future.
• Recognize Red Flags: Educate yourself on the signs of an unhealthy relationship to avoid falling back into harmful patterns.
• Invest in Self-Healing: Focus on personal growth and self-worth to build healthier relationships moving forward.

"Get comfortable with it being painful in that moment... It hurts to stay, and it hurts leaving. But at least when you leave, it's a temporary pain because there is hope on the other side of that."
— Ashley Taylor-Maland [30:21]

Connecting with Ashley Taylor-Maland

For those inspired by Ashley’s story and seeking further support, she can be followed on various social media platforms:

• Website: thisiswhereweheal.com
• TikTok, Instagram, Facebook: AshleyTaylorMayland

Conclusion

Ashley Taylor-Maland’s episode on Breaking Free from Toxicity serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of self-worth. Her candid discussions on trauma, healing, and empowerment offer invaluable insights for listeners navigating similar challenges, embodying the essence of Savannah Chrisley’s mission to inspire authenticity and growth through difficult conversations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Choosing Self-Worth Over Toxicity:

  "You have to take a stand for yourself. Even when it hurts to let go, take a stand for yourself and walk away."
  — Ashley Taylor-Maland [01:12]

• On the Impact of Trauma:

  "You can't get into a healthy relationship with someone when you're that broken."
  — Ashley Taylor-Maland [08:45]

• On Empathy and Healing:

  "Get comfortable with it being painful in that moment... It hurts to stay, and it hurts leaving. But at least when you leave, it's a temporary pain because there is hope on the other side of that."
  — Ashley Taylor-Maland [30:21]

This episode of Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley not only sheds light on Ashley Taylor-Maland’s personal struggles and triumphs but also serves as a beacon of hope for anyone striving to break free from toxicity and embrace a healthier, more fulfilling life.