From the Convent to Coming Out: Breaking the Silence with Barb Rebon
In this powerful episode of Shot At Love, Kerry Brett sits down with Barb Rebon, author of The Heartbeat of My Silence, to discuss her extraordinary journey from childhood trauma and religious devotion to self-acceptance and healing. After experiencing sexual abuse as a child, Barb sought safety and belonging in the Catholic Church, eventually entering a convent at just sixteen years old. What followed was a decades-long struggle with faith, identity, forbidden love, shame, and the fear of living authentically. For nearly forty-five years, Barb wrestled with her sexuality while trying to reconcile it with the beliefs that had shaped her life. Together, Kerry and Barb explore the lasting effects of trauma, the human need for connection, the courage it takes to break lifelong silence, and the power of finding people who love and accept us exactly as we are. Barb shares the pivotal moments that led her toward healing, including the experiences that inspired her memoir and ultimately helped her embrace her true self. This is a deeply moving conversation about resilience, forgiveness, self-discovery, and the freedom that comes from finally telling your truth.
Former nun. Survivor. Teacher. Author. Truth-teller. Tune into From the Convent to Coming Out: Breaking the Silence with Barb Rebon.
In this deeply moving episode of Shot At Love, Kerry Brett sits down with Barb Rebon, author of The Heartbeat of My Silence, to discuss a life shaped by childhood trauma, faith, secrecy, and ultimately, self-acceptance.
After enduring sexual abuse as a child, Barb found refuge in the Catholic Church and entered a convent at just sixteen years old. What followed was a decades-long journey of navigating forbidden relationships, struggling with her sexuality, and wrestling with the belief that who she was could never coexist with her faith.
For nearly forty-five years, Barb lived with overwhelming guilt, shame, and silence. Yet through resilience, therapy, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to healing, she eventually found the courage to embrace her true self and share her story with the world.
This conversation explores the lasting effects of trauma, the human need for belonging, the power of unconditional acceptance, and why healing begins the moment we stop hiding.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
- How childhood abuse shaped Barb's search for safety and belonging
- Why she entered a convent at sixteen years old
- The complicated relationships that challenged her faith and identity
- What it was like living with shame and secrecy for nearly four decades
- The Oprah interview that helped change everything
- How she finally reconciled her faith with her sexuality
- Why silence can become its own form of suffering
- The importance of finding even one person who accepts you unconditionally
- How resilience, therapy, and community helped her heal
- What inspired her memoir, The Heartbeat of My Silence
"My silence had a heartbeat. It was living inside of me. I could hear it every day, and it tormented me until I finally allowed that silence to shatter." — Barb Rebon
About Barb Rebon
Barb Rebon is an educator, advocate, and author of The Heartbeat of My Silence. Through her memoir, she shares her journey from childhood trauma and religious life to self-discovery, healing, and authenticity. Her mission is to help others find the courage to speak their truth and know they are worthy of love exactly as they are.
Connect with Barb
Website: BarbaraRebonAuthor.com
This Week's Shot At Love Takeaways
Find one person who accepts you without judgment and supports you unconditionally.
f someone helped you through your darkest moments, never forget it. Show up for others the way someone once showed up for you.
Keywords
Barb Rebon, The Heartbeat of My Silence, former nun, Catholic Church, faith and sexuality, coming out story, LGBTQ journey, childhood trauma, healing from abuse, resilience, self-acceptance, personal growth, memoir, forgiveness, identity, emotional healing, Shot At Love Podcast.
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