Rebuilding After the Wreck: Cheryl Wilder on Accountability, Healing, and the Power of Creativity
In this deeply moving episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin welcomes Cheryl Wilder, who shares her remarkable journey of survival, accountability, and transformation following a tragic car accident at age 20 that changed the course of her life.
Cheryl recounts the night of the crash that left her boyfriend severely injured and led to her being charged with manslaughter. She speaks with honesty about the trauma, shame, and legal challenges that followed—and how those painful experiences became catalysts for healing and self-discovery. Through creativity, poetry, and intentional inner work, Cheryl found a way to rebuild her life, redefining what it means to take responsibility, process grief, and embrace the complexity of the human experience.
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of alcohol use, trauma, and grief related to a fatal car accident. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Key Takeaways:
● Cheryl’s life was transformed by a tragic car accident at age 20.
● The role of alcohol and decision-making in shaping life-altering events.
● Legal consequences and the emotional toll of facing manslaughter charges.
● Living with shame, guilt, and the challenge of public judgment.
● The concept of post-traumatic growth and what it means to heal after devastation.
● Navigating family dynamics, isolation, and societal perceptions of drinking and driving.
● The coexistence of grief, remorse, and hope—learning to hold duality with grace.
● The importance of creativity, self-expression, and poetry in recovery.
● Intentional healing and the lifelong work of self-compassion and meaning-making.
Interview recorded in North Carolina.
Cheryl Wilder’s Bio:
Cheryl Wilder is an author, coach, and motivational speaker whose life and work center around authenticity, accountability, and the power of healing through creativity. In her community, Cheryl co-leads the For Alamance Arts & Culture Team, chairs a county-wide student writing contest, and serves as a member-at-large for the North Carolina Poetry Society.
She is the author of three poetry collections:
- What Binds Us (Finishing Line Press, 2017)
- Anything That Happens (Press 53, 2021)
- Singing Riptide (Press 53, 2025)
As the founder of BornWilder LLC, Cheryl helps clients nurture awareness and accountability to develop deeper connection and belonging in their lives. As a speaker, she shares her own experiences with shame, forgiveness, and personal growth to inspire others to reclaim their stories.
Connect with Cheryl Wilder:
🌐 Website: https://bornwilder.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-wilder/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@borncherylwilder
📰 Substack (coming 2026): https://cherylwilder.substack.com/
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