In one of the most vulnerable conversations on Unlayered yet, Pan sits down with writer and podcaster Vishva to explore the invisible walls of a childhood built from trauma, fear, and the weight of unspoken truths.

Vishva shares his raw, unflinching story of navigating deep depression and the lasting impact of a physically abusive environment, all while wearing a smile for the outside world.

This is a deep dive into the process of escaping the past, not by running from it, but by turning inward to face, understand, and finally heal the child left behind.

𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱:

- The "life of the party" mask and the hidden reality of smiling depression.

- How a single dropped cup could trigger a deep, conditioned fear of being hit.

- The tools that helped: Using writing as a form of "prison escape" and a lifelong healing practice.

- Building a support system: The journey of finding people who truly understand.

- The critical distinction between psychological fear (thought) and physical fear (instinct).

- Navigating the stigma of mental health within a traditional culture.

- A powerful, heartfelt letter to his younger self on finding peace.

If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear they are not alone.

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𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

00:00 - Intro: A Story That Needs to Be Heard

01:22 - Beyond Labels: Who is Vishva?

03:18 - Writing as a "Prison Escape"

06:47 - Unmasking "The Life of the Party": The Hidden Battle with Depression

09:42 - How Migration Shapes the Healing Journey

15:11 - The Roots of Fear: "Dropping a Cup Meant Getting Hit"

20:42 - The Support Systems That Helped and The Ones That Didn't

26:39 - What is True Awareness?

30:04 - The Inner Child: Building Space Around a Wounded Past

38:06 - Dissecting Fear: Psychological vs. Physical

49:53 - The Power of Surrender (and Why It's Not Giving Up)

57:41 - On Shame and Sharing Your Art with the World

59:56 - A Message to Parents: Nurturing a Child's True Nature

01:06:19 - The Role of Self-Compassion in Healing

01:11:42 - A Letter to My Younger Self
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀Watch on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@pan.perera⁠⁠

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁

Vishva Prasad

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/wroteabookonce

Tiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@wroteabookonce

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishvapl?

Vishva’s Book: Undercurrents | https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1791789005?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮

LinkedIn | ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/panperera/⁠

Instagram | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/pan.perera/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@pan.perera

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/panpereraofficial