Growing up with Balkan parents came with love, culture, and traditions — but also unspoken struggles, abuse, and generational wounds. We will dive into the stories many of us were never allowed to tell: my own journey of survival and healing, the experiences of others who grew up in similar homes, and the voices of special guests who have walked this path too. Together, we’ll explore trauma, resilience, and the ways we can reclaim our stories, break cycles, and find healing. This is for anyone who has ever felt unseen, silenced, or misunderstood — you are not alone.
If you would like to share your story anonymously, please either email: amelavfit@gmail.com OR DM me on Unspoken Balkans (TikTok or Instagram).
9 Oct 2025
A Survivor’s Story #8
“I grew up with both parents. I have 3 sisters so it was 4 girls total. My dad was an alcoholic, he abused my mom and all of my sisters including myself physically, emotionally, and mentally. Unfortunately, I was the one who got the most abuse from him because I was always the one who stood up for my mom and sisters as I got a little older. My dad would beat us for no reason. “
If you would like to share your anonymous story with me, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM me on TikTok or Instagram (Unspoken Balkans).
9 Oct 2025
A Survivor’s Story #7
If you’d like to share your story anonymously, you can reach out to me through email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM me on Unspoken Balkans (TikTok & Instagram).
This is Unspoken Balkans. Until next time, take care of yourself, and remember: your story deserves to be heard.
2 Oct 2025
A Survivor’s Story #6
Today’s episode is not my story, but one shared with me by a brave listener who asked to remain anonymous. Tune into Unspoken Balkans to listen to the full episode.
🎙️Email amelavfit@gmail.com or DM Unspoken Balkans on TikTok to submit your own anonymous story!
28 Sept 2025
Growing up Balkan, Let’s Chat
In today’s episode, I chat with Murisa about her life, growing up Balkan! We dive into several relatable topics and discover similarities and differences between her and I growing up Bosnian!
Follow Murisa’s YouTube channel: @MurisaStories
25 Sept 2025
Dating for my Parents
In today’s episode of Unspoken Balkans, we are taking a deep dive into a personal experience of mine. Dating a Bosnian Muslim boy/man just to appease my parents, starting at a very young age.
25 Sept 2025
A Survivor’s Story #5
Welcome back to Unspoken Balkans. Today’s episode is not my story, but one shared with me by a brave listener who asked to remain anonymous. They trusted me with their truth — a truth about abuse at the hands of their family — and I am honored to be the voice to share it here.
Before we begin, I want to give a trigger warning: this story contains mentions of abuse and neglect. Please take care of yourself while listening, and skip this episode if you need to.
This is their story.
If you are wanting to share your own story, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM Unspoken Balkans on TikTok.
25 Sept 2025
A Survivor’s Story #4
Welcome back to Unspoken Balkans. Today’s episode is not my story, but one shared with me by a brave listener who asked to remain anonymous. They trusted me with their truth — a truth about abuse at the hands of their family — and I am honored to be the voice to share it here.
Before we begin, I want to give a trigger warning: this story contains mentions of abuse and neglect. Please take care of yourself while listening, and skip this episode if you need to.
This is their story.
If you are wanting to share your own story, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM Unspoken Balkans on TikTok.
22 Sept 2025
A Survivor’s Story #3
Welcome back to Unspoken Balkans. Today’s episode is not my story, but one shared with me by a brave listener who asked to remain anonymous. They trusted me with their truth — a truth about abuse at the hands of their family — and I am honored to be the voice to share it here.
Before we begin, I want to give a trigger warning: this story contains mentions of abuse and neglect. Please take care of yourself while listening, and skip this episode if you need to.
This is their story.
If you are wanting to share your own story, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM Unspoken Balkans on TikTok.
22 Sept 2025
A Survivor’s Story #2
Today’s episode is not my story, but one shared with me by a brave listener who asked to remain anonymous. They trusted me with their truth — a truth about abuse at the hands of their family — and I am honored to be the voice to share it here.
Before we begin, I want to give a trigger warning: this story contains mentions of abuse and neglect. Please take care of yourself while listening, and skip this episode if you need to.
This is their story.
If you are wanting to share your own story, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM Unspoken Balkans on TikTok.
18 Sept 2025
Trauma does not Excuse Abuse
I grew up in a Bosnian refugee home where war trauma was used as a shield for abuse. In this episode, I share my story — and why trauma may shape us, but it never excuses violence.
If you are in Bosnia & Herzegovina:
* SOS Hotline (BH Women’s Network): +387 (info varies by canton — local NGOs provide support)
* Medica Zenica — counseling and shelter for survivors
* Foundation United Women Banja Luka — legal and psychosocial support
If you are outside Bosnia:
* RAINN (US): 1-800-656-4673
* National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788
* International hotlines: https://findahelpline.com
You are not alone.
11 Sept 2025
War, Violence & Identity
Did you know that the war in Bosnia didn’t just take lives during the 90s… it’s still taking lives today?
Since 2015, 56 women have been killed in Bosnia because of gender-based violence. In 2024 alone — almost one woman every month.
Why? Because the trauma of war doesn’t just end. It moves into homes. It turns silence into survival.
Almost 1 in 2 women in Bosnia have experienced violence. That’s the hidden aftermath of genocide and war — it didn’t stop at the borders, it followed us into our families.
In this episode, I talk about how war trauma, domestic violence, and even patriotism are connected… and why breaking the silence is the only way forward.
11 Sept 2025
Hidden Violence in Bosnia
Every 1 in 2 women in Bosnia have lived through violence. Since 2015, 56 women have been killed by intimate partner or family violence. And in 2024, nearly one woman every month lost her life this way.
These aren’t just numbers — they’re lives. They’re stories. They’re the silence so many of us grew up with.
🎙️ In this episode of Unspoken Balkans, I share the painful reality behind Bosnia’s statistics on domestic violence and gender-based violence, and why breaking the silence is the only way forward.
11 Sept 2025
A Letter to my Mom, Unedited
In this episode of Unspoken Balkans, I read a deeply personal letter I wrote to my mom, unedited, — the woman who stayed, who enabled, and who failed to protect me. This letter is about the silence, the neglect, and the pain of growing up in a home where abuse was allowed to thrive.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mentions of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, trauma responses, and suicidal thoughts.
This is not an easy episode. But it’s a necessary one. By reading this letter out loud, I’m giving voice to the parts of me that were silenced for years — and I hope it reminds others that they are not alone in their pain or in their healing.
Thank you for listening and for holding space for my story.
👉 Follow Unspoken Balkans for more stories of truth, survival, and breaking generational cycles.
11 Sept 2025
A Letter to my Dad, Unedited
This episode is one of the most personal and raw I’ve ever shared. It’s a letter I wrote to my father — a reflection on pain, generational trauma, and the scars left behind by abuse. I chose to upload a raw, unedited version with more details today.
I chose to read this letter out loud because silence has protected the wrong people for too long. My hope is that by sharing my truth, I can connect with others who grew up in households filled with fear instead of love — and remind you that you are not alone.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mentions of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as trauma responses.
This letter is not about seeking pity or revenge, but about reclaiming my voice, honoring my healing, and showing how cycles of abuse can be broken.
If you’ve experienced something similar, I hope this episode gives you strength and reminds you that your story matters too.
💌 Thank you for holding space with me.
—
👉 If you connected with this episode, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.
🎙️ Follow Unspoken Balkans for more unfiltered stories and truths.
11 Sept 2025
A Survivor’s Story #1
In this episode, I share the story of an anonymous listener who bravely opened up about the abuse they endured at the hands of their own family. Their story is raw, painful, and honest — a reminder of how many of us carry wounds that others never see.
⚠️ Trigger warning: this episode includes mentions of abuse and trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening.
By giving their story a voice, we honor their courage and shine a light on cycles of silence that are too often hidden. My hope is that in sharing this truth, someone listening will feel less alone — and more seen in their own journey.
Thank you to this listener for trusting me with their story.
👉 Follow Unspoken Balkans for more unfiltered stories of truth, survival, and healing.
If you are wanting to share your own story, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com or DM Unspoken Balkans on TikTok.
11 Sept 2025
A Letter to my Mom
In this episode of Unspoken Balkans, I read a deeply personal letter I wrote to my mom — the woman who stayed, who enabled, and who failed to protect me. This letter is about the silence, the neglect, and the pain of growing up in a home where abuse was allowed to thrive.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mentions of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, trauma responses, and suicidal thoughts.
This is not an easy episode. But it’s a necessary one. By reading this letter out loud, I’m giving voice to the parts of me that were silenced for years — and I hope it reminds others that they are not alone in their pain or in their healing.
Thank you for listening and for holding space for my story.
👉 Follow Unspoken Balkans for more stories of truth, survival, and breaking generational cycles.
11 Sept 2025
A Letter to my Dad
This episode is one of the most personal and raw I’ve ever shared. It’s a letter I wrote to my father — a reflection on pain, generational trauma, and the scars left behind by abuse.
I chose to read this letter out loud because silence has protected the wrong people for too long. My hope is that by sharing my truth, I can connect with others who grew up in households filled with fear instead of love — and remind you that you are not alone.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mentions of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as trauma responses.
This letter is not about seeking pity or revenge, but about reclaiming my voice, honoring my healing, and showing how cycles of abuse can be broken.
If you’ve experienced something similar, I hope this episode gives you strength and reminds you that your story matters too.
💌 Thank you for holding space with me.
—
👉 If you connected with this episode, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.
🎙️ Follow Unspoken Balkans for more unfiltered stories and truths.
👋 If you would like to share your story anonymously, please email: amelavfit@gmail.com.
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