Truth wasn’t meant to be buried—it was meant to be shared. That’s the heart behind Broken Silence, a podcast where real struggles are acknowledged, redemption is celebrated, and deep conversations lead to healing. In their very first episode, hosts Anne Beiler and Isik Abla open up about their unique backgrounds, their unlikely friendship, and the lessons they’ve learned through perseverance, faith, and hardship.

A Friendship That Crosses Worlds

At first glance, Anne and Isik couldn’t be more different. Isik, a former Muslim, and Anne, a former Amish woman, come from vastly different backgrounds. And yet, their conversations have revealed a surprising number of shared values—respect, humility, and perseverance. As they got to know each other, they realized how their pasts, though challenging, had shaped them into who they are today.

Their friendship is a testament to the idea that when people open up and truly listen, they can find common ground in the most unexpected places.

Growing Up Amish: Anne’s Story

Anne grew up in a traditional Amish family, one of eight children, where faith, family, and hard work were core values. She recalls her father transitioning from the old-order Amish lifestyle (horse and buggy) to a slightly more modern sect that allowed for black cars and electricity. Even with these small changes, the Amish way of life remained centered around simplicity, community, and peace.

At just 14, Anne left school to work—common practice in Amish culture. Her first job at a truck stop diner exposed her to a world far beyond the Amish community. Hearing people curse, smoke, and engage in behaviors foreign to her upbringing was eye-opening, yet it helped her understand that, deep down, people are the same everywhere. This experience was one of the first steps in broadening her perspective beyond the Amish way of life.

Lessons from Childhood: Discipline, Gratitude, and Hard Work

While Anne’s upbringing was rooted in a peaceful, community-driven culture, Isik’s was starkly different. She grew up in an environment where discipline often came in the form of public beatings—at home, at school, and later in marriage. This created deep-seated social anxiety and a fear of public embarrassment. However, through all the pain, she learned resilience.

Despite their different experiences, both women agree on one thing: childhood instilled in them a sense of perseverance. Anne recalls baking 70 pies in one evening for her family’s farmers’ market business—not for money, but simply to help her parents. Isik, on the other hand, was taught by her father to always come up with three solutions for every problem she faced. Both of them learned early on that life doesn’t hand you things—you work for them.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is a quality both Anne and Isik deeply value. Anne explains that her Amish upbringing taught her to push through challenges, even when things got hard. This mindset would later help her build Auntie Anne’s Pretzels—a household name across the country.

For Isik, perseverance meant navigating an oppressive environment and eventually finding the courage to leave a toxic marriage. She credits her father’s tough-love approach for teaching her to think critically and find solutions rather than dwell on problems.

In a world where it’s easy to quit when things get tough, both women emphasize the importance of pushing forward, even when the road ahead looks uncertain.

Finding Freedom and Redemption

Despite their struggles, both women have found peace and redemption. They believe that our past—no matter how painful—does not have to define our future. Anne, once a quiet Amish girl, became a successful entrepreneur. Isik, once trapped in a life of fear, now uses her voice to help others find freedom.

Their message is clear: No matter what you’ve been through, there is hope. There is healing. And there is a way forward.

Join the Conversation

The goal of Broken Silence is to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. Anne and Isik aren’t here to pretend they have it all figured out, but they are here to share their journeys—failures, victories, and all—with the hope that it helps someone else along the way.

So, whether you’ve faced trauma, are wrestling with your faith, or simply need encouragement, this podcast is for you. You are not alone, and your story matters. Stay tuned for more raw, real, and redemptive conversations.