From Self-Harm to Self-Love: A Conversation with Author and Artist Maggie Parr Artwork

Persistence U with Lizbeth

An award-winning author turned Lifetime TV movie subject, host Lizbeth Meredith works to tame trauma and increase resilience leveraging the power of persistence.Created for and by survivors and strivers, Persistence U podcast with Lizbeth hosts guests willing to share from the heart to both inform and inspire. Whether they've published a first book after 70, or slowly re-entered life after a crushing setback, they'll tell who and what helped. Because big goals and obstacles are no match when you have a good community.

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Persistence U with Lizbeth

From Self-Harm to Self-Love: A Conversation with Author and Artist Maggie Parr

May 07, 2025 • Lizbeth Meredith • Season 5 • Episode 182

In this episode of Persistence U, Maggie Parr joins us to explore the often overlooked topic of self-harm in adulthood.

A celebrated artist and longtime Disney Imagineer, Maggie shares her deeply personal journey from childhood trauma and relapse in midlife to recovery through art, therapy, and self-love. She candidly discusses how self-harm was once her survival tool, and how she eventually learned to listen to the inner child driving the behavior—and love her back to life. Maggie’s message is clear: healing is possible at any age, and creativity can be a vital tool on that path. Thank you, Maggie, for your courage, your artistry, and your commitment to helping others find light through darkness.

You Will Learn:

Why self-harm isn’t just a teenage issue—and why adult experiences deserve more attention.
How childhood trauma and high achievement can intertwine with self-destructive coping mechanisms.
Why embracing all parts of ourselves, even the ones we fear, can lead to lasting healing.

Call for Entries:

Are you a woman who used solo travel to heal or increase resilience after the age of 40? Would you like to write about it? Consider submitting an essay for my forthcoming anthology! Details HERE

Lizbeth’s links

Want to comment on the show? Connect at Lizbeth's author/podcast Facebook page

Lizbeth's memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters can be ordered where books are sold, and is now a TV movie, #Stolen By Their Father on Lifetime.

Lizbeth's second book, Grounded in Grit: Turn Your Challenges Into Superpowers is available to order wherever books are sold!

Tilka Faces the Odds, One Man at a Time, new release novel https://books2read.com/u/4j760X