The silent treatment is a form of abuse, even when it never raises its voice.
In this episode, I sit down with author and empowerment coach Ama Karikari for a raw and powerful conversation about chronic silent treatment, a form of emotional abuse that many people have experienced but often struggle to name.
Ama shares her personal story, from studying at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Wharton, to working as Senior Counsel at Citigroup, while navigating a 15-year marriage where silence was used as a tool of control. Together, we explore what chronic silent treatment actually is, why it activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain and how it can impact a child's nervous system and development.
We also discuss the difference between chosen silence and imposed silence, what it means to reclaim your voice after years of suppression and why Ama now believes the silent treatment dynamic she experienced may have been connected to her son's neurodivergence diagnosis.
One of the most important themes we unpack is the impact unresolved pain has on leadership and business. The energy you suppress at home does not stay at home. It influences how you lead, how you show up in your business and what you believe is possible for yourself.
This episode covers:
✅ What chronic silent treatment is and how to recognize it
✅ Why silence can cause more psychological damage than verbal conflict
✅ The connection between home environments and childhood neurodivergence
✅ The difference between control and "loss of control" in abusive dynamics
✅ How to become a cycle breaker instead of a cycle continuer
✅ Why healing in community matters
✅ How unresolved silence affects leadership and business
About Ama Karikari
Ama Karikari is the author of
Silence to Soaring: Heal From Chronic Silent Treatments, Toxic Relationships and Abuse. She helps people recognise unhealthy relationship dynamics, reclaim their voice and begin the healing process. You can learn more about her work, join her free community and access her free course at
AmaKarikari.com.
Connect with Ama Karikari:
Website: AmaKarikari.com.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amakarikariyawson
Instagram: www.instagram.com/amakkarikari
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@amayawson2608
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Formerly Creative Business Mindset Podcast™
Welcome to Business Therapy™ with Joké, where we separate the math from the drama so creative entrepreneurs can build profitable businesses with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Joké Durojaiye, is a mom of three, Certified Life Coach, Author, serial entrepreneur and a business strategist who has lived through the real, messy middle of building businesses from the ground up. This podcast goes beyond surface level success and into the honest conversations around fear, visibility, burnout, reinvention, leadership, and what it actually takes to grow something sustainable.
If you are tired of guessing your way through business, overworking, or feeling stuck between your talent and profitability, you are in the right place.
Here, we talk about the mindset behind the money, the systems behind the success, and the emotional patterns that can either move your business forward or keep you playing small.
Whether you are a creative entrepreneur, home stager, designer, coach, speaker, or someone building a purpose driven brand, expect candid conversations, practical strategies, and real life stories designed to help you attract aligned clients, increase your income, and grow without losing yourself in the process.
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Disclaimer: Business Therapy with Joké™ and Creative Business Network™ do not guarantee specific results and are not responsible for any business, financial, or personal decisions made based on the information shared on this podcast. The content reflects the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host and guests and is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. Please consult qualified professionals for financial, legal, tax, medical, or mental health advice specific to your situation.