Reporting a sexual assault can be a scary thing, especially when you aren't sure what the process looks like. This week we sat down with Detective Mercer to demystify some of that process to help victims get a peak behind the curtain. Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and LinkedIn and …

Sometimes we come across a show or movie that really gets our attention and let me tell you Hazbin Hotel has us in a chokehold! It is always fun to talk about good representation of abuse in media so join as we discuss the season 1 and the character of Angel Dust! Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on Facebook, Threads…

Seth, as a young teen, experienced sexual assault at the hands of a man he believed was his friend. Seth endured the abuse for years but when he saw this man attempt the same thing with another one of his friends, he knew he had to act. Seth's story is one of resilience, strength, and a desire to protect others. Join us as we hear Seth's story, how…

Conversations on consent and sex are a vital piece for teens to growing up having healthy boundaries but sometimes those conversations can be awkward, especially for the parents. That is where friend of the podcast, Kitty Stryker's new book Say More comes into play. For more on Kitty, find them on Facebook at @KittyStryker, on Instagram @Kitty_Stry…

Did you know that when you experience trauma, your brains pathways actually change? Did you know that we can also change them ourselves to help us in our healing? Join as we sit down with our friend Jen Fraser to discuss this and more! To connect with Jen, find her on LinkedIn at jen-fraser-phd-1466a417 and on X at @Bulliedbrain Find Jen's book, Th…

When we think about leadership we all have certain traits we think of; go getter, driven, gets the job done no matter what. But sometimes these traits allow for narcissistic people to thrive. How do we differentiate between narcissism and leadership and what are the qualities of a good leader? These questions and more discussed this week with our f…

Many of us know the feeling of just not going to work. Sometimes though, that feeling is because of either a supervisor or manager who is abusive and narcissistic. Join us this week as we sit down with Lindsay Ruiz to discuss Narcissism in the Workplace, how it is so rampant, and what we can do if we notice it! To learn more about or connect with L…

Growing up we always here "there is no tolerance for bullying", but that is hardly the case when we are adults. Many people experience workplace bullying on a daily basis but many of us might not understand the impacts that bullying is having on our brains. Join us this week as we talk to Vicki Courtemanche, a workplace bullying victim, and Jennife…

Consent is a part of all of our dat to day lives. We use it all the time, even if we aren't consciously thinking about it. This week, we take that consent discussion to the theater. Join us as we discuss what consent in theater looks like, how to implement it, and other steps to take to make sure the theater is a safe place for all thespians! Stay …

Tabletop RPGs are supposed to be fun but sometimes as the improvised story gets told, things come up that might make those at the table feel uncomfortable or triggered and that is where safety tools come into play! Join us as we sit down with Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk to discuss the TTRPG safety toolkit they curated, how it is used, and ho…

Superheroes and their stories play a role in many of our lives. We know their powers, backgrounds, and relationships. It is with that knowledge that we often relate to one hero or another. For one reason or another we connect with these characters and its because of that, we can also use their stories to help us. With that in mind, join us as we di…

Survivors who share their stories often have different reasons for doing it. Join us as TJ share's their story to use their voice to get people thinking about how we view victims when their share their stories. For more about TJ, check out there Linktree here: linktr.ee/tjkeefer96 Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on …

We would like to think that if we are being harassed at work, our employer would take care of it. But what happens when they push it under the rug? When the harassment comes from the top? When HR protects the company over the employees? Join us as we discuss these questions and more with special guest Kimberly Williams! For more about Kim, check ou…

In 1999, while living in Paris as a foreign student, Claire was violently attacked, raped and left for dead. What followed was a long struggle through the French justice system that only came to an end 16 years later. This is her story. For more about Claire or Footsteps to Inspire, find her here on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website f…

Behavior change can be a challenge, especially when it's an addictive behavior. How can you accomplished the change you want to see and overcome that addiction? Find out this week as we sit down with J.K Emezi to discuss just that and how "rebooting" can be an effective tool for growing. For more on J.K visit his Facebook at @JKEmezi1, on Instagram…

Kitty is back again this week, this time with a deep dive into our consent culture conversation! If you missed our last episode with Kitty, check that one out first and then come back to this one! For more on Kitty, find them on Facebook at @KittyStryker, on Instagram @Kitty_Stryker, on Tik Tok at @KittyStryker, and on her website at kittystryker.c…

Often consent is just discussed in a sexual setting, but we are constantly using consent everyday in other situations. Whether we agree to a task at work or refuse to go out with friends, we are always using consent we just might be realizing it. This week we sat down with Kitty Stryker to discuss how we can build a culture of consent. For more on …

Sharing your story of sexual abuse is hard, especially when you were told for so long that you held part of that blame for that abuse. But that is just what Justin is doing this week when he joins us and shares his story. For more on Justin, find him on Facebook at Sheltered But Not Protected or his website at Shelteredbutnotprotected.com! Stay up …

Many of those who are sexual assault victims/survivors will never report to law enforcement. There are many reasons for that, but one of them may be not knowing what to expect. This week we sit down to chat with lawyer Ashley Norman to help shine light on what victims can expect when they go through the legal system. For more on Ashley you can find…

Kate Smith is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a secondary survivor of her children experiencing sexual assault. Join us today as she shares her story and Jennifer Francis-Gehring shares with us what sexual assault therapy is like. For more about Kate's story as well as other survivor stories, check out the documentary "Believe Me"! Jennife…

When you want to prevent something, it is important to know what the root causes of it are. But, unless you know what prevention looks like, you might not be able to address that root cause as effectively. This week Shawn and Amanda discuss what prevention is and give different tools that can be used when working in prevention. Stay up to date with…

Having a partner experience a sexual assault is nothing we ever plan for but knowing how to respond to the disclosure and how to assist in their healing journey can go a long way! We sat down with the author of "When Your Partner Says #MeToo", Shaun Hamilton, to discuss this very topic as he shares his successes and mistakes while helping his partn…

From strip clubs, to pornography, to escorting and prostitution, many of us are aware of the size of sex industry yet most of us don't know what its like inside of it. How does the sex industry thrive? Who does it target? And what is life like during and after being apart of it? Well that's what we a discussing this week with special guest Hannah S…

When Clare was a teenager, she was groomed by her neighbor into a sexual relationship. Unfortunately, many other teens have experiences similar to Clare, but it is her mission to use her story to help others. Join us as we hear Clare's story, her healing journey, and about her mission to help others recognizing the early red flags of grooming. Stay…

With the Department of Justice seeing an increase in reports of financial sextortion, we felt like it was time to cover it! Just us as we discuss what it is, who does it, who gets targeted, and how parents can recognize potential harm! Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and please e…

Entering into a domestic violence shelter can be scary when you don't know what to expect. This week we sit down with Program Director Amanda Johnson to help demystify the process and discuss what its like entering into a domestic violence shelter. Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram,…

We made a lot of episodes this year and met some amazing people along the way! Find out which episodes were our favorites and why in this short wrap up episode for 2022! Thank you all for listening this past year and we hope you'll continue to join us in 2023 as we work toward breaking the silence that comes with conversations on domestic and sexua…

When talking about the impacts of abuse, the spiritual impacts are often overlooked. That's why we have invited author and sexual assault victim advocate Emily Bernath to discuss how abuse can impact someone's faith and how they can go about healing their faith. For more on Emily, check out her website, emilybernathauthor.com, or find her on her so…

Many men both experience violence from men and commit violence against men, but why is that? Is there a better way? This week we sat down with author Brad Mewhort to discuss some reason why men commit violence, how we change that, and how we can heal from either perpetrating or receiving violence. Brad offers individual online sessions and men’s gr…

Domestic and sexual violence and homelessness often go hand in hand. Those who experience homelessness are more likely to experience domestic or sexual violence and visa versa. With November being Homeless Awareness Month, Shawn and Amanda chat about homelessness, the different types, those most at risk, and what we can do to address it. If you wou…

Engaging men in violence prevention doesn't have to be difficult, but we have to change how we get them in the door and the messages we give them. We sat down with Dr. Otis McGresham to discuss how we can start to build spaces for men to be vulnerable and, in turn, get them engaged in violence prevention. Stay up to date with our episodes and happe…

Title IX (9) can be confusing for many people so we brought in our friend and Title IX expert Cara Tuttle Bell to explain what Title IV is, how is it used, and why it is so important to schools! For more on Cara and her books, find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, or on her website at Caratuttlebell.com! Stay up to date with our episodes an…

It's spooky season and that means horror movies! Horror movies are far more than mindless slashers and things that go bump in the night, they can actually be a tool to educate viewers about what victims of violence experience and much more! Michael Beakhouse joins us again for this ghoulishly good episode! Stay up to date with our episodes and happ…

When we are vulnerable, we can see improvements in the relationships we have with partner, friends, and family. So why is it that vulnerability in men is seen as a weakness and not a strength? This week we discuss this very concept with our friend Dai Manuel! For more information on Dai find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or head to his we…

As men, we are taught that vulnerability is a weakness but what if that isn't true? What if a willingness to be vulnerable with ourselves and others is how we can change and grow to being a better version of ourselves? This week we discuss with health and lifestyle mentor Dai Manuel the importance of vulnerability and change! For more information o…

For some survivors and victims, sharing their story is part of their healing journey. Some survivors and victims may then use their story to help educate others, advocate for change, or raise awareness. But how can they do this? And how can we help them on this journey? This week we chat with Shereese Floyd to discuss just this! For more informatio…

Katie Koestner was on the cover of TIME Magazine at age 18 as the first to speak out nationally and publicly as the victim of “date” rape. Katie is the subject of an HBO movie and has lectured at over 5000 schools and universities around the world. Ms. Koestner is the founder of Take Back The Night Foundation, an international organization working …

Madeleine (Madi) Heather is a feminist, activist, survivor of child sexual assault and creator and host of the podcast Reclaim Me. Reclaim Me is a podcast where survivors of abuse and trauma can tell their stories freely, reclaiming their voice, reclaiming the narrative, and reclaiming control. With the vision, that all victim survivors have the fr…

From an early age, Jakia Lindley dreamed of being a judge, an attorney, or somehow being a part of something bigger than herself. She joined the military in 2010 and is currently a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Lindley studied criminal justice and psychology at the American Military University before switching her focus to business manageme…

We all have a desire that once we get into a relationship for it to be a healthy one. Sometimes there are things that stand in the way of that and sometimes that thing is US. This week we sat down with Kimberly Nina Hill, a Certified Dating & Relationship Coach and Master Neurolinguistic Practitioner, to discuss how we can help men attract and keep…

Noelle is a 22-year-old Psychology student who loves to travel the world. After a personal incident of trauma that occurred during her time abroad, she experienced the importance of a strong support system firsthand. Hear her story and learn how the support from those around her helped her healing journey! Stay up to date with our episodes and happ…

Melva LaJoy Legrand joins us this week to share her story, how her healing journey started, shares what helped her along the way, as well as gives our listeners tips on what we can do to help those in our lives. For more information on Melva, please head to her Instagram or her website: https://www.lajoyplans.com/! Stay up to date with our episodes…

We all know it is important to set boundaries but sometimes it can be difficult. This week we sit down with the Director of Project Safe at Vanderbilt to discuss assertiveness and how we can use it to help start to set boundaries. For more on Cara and her books, find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, or on her website at Caratuttlebell.com! …

Sexual assault nurse examiners, or SANEs, are vital in helping victims of sexual assault. This week, we sit down with Brooke Gomez and SANE Lindsey Bulgrien to discuss what SANE's are, why they are important, and how to become one. For more information on how to become a SANE, check out forensicnurses.org! For more about the Sexual Assault Center o…

Most of us want to be kind and respectful of others, yet one-third of us admit we have a hard time seeing another's point of view. How can we learn to do that? Well this week we sat down with Rob Volpe, CEO of Ignite 360 and author of "Let's Talk About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time", to discuss empathy, what it is, and…

Conversations on grief can be difficult, so we brought in Grief Connoisseur, Jessi Lestelle of Good Grief, Jessi LLC to share her expertise! Join us as we laugh and cry discussing grief and healing! To follow Jessi and listen to her podcast, check out her website, Goodgriefjessi.com, and find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok! Stay up to date…

Florida is, along with many other states in the US, working on implementing a bill that would harm LGBTQIA+ youth. This week we sat down with Executive Director of Great Lakes Bay Pride, Scott Ellis, and Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Michigan LGBTQ Project, Jay Kaplan, to discuss what this bill is and what are some of the potential impacts of the …

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! This week our hosts sit down with Lauren Pauwels, a child therapist, to discuss the impacts of teen dating violence and what steps we can take to help mitigate its effects. Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and please email any ques…

A barrier to doing prevention is often that people don't fully understand what prevention can look like as a preventionist. This week we are back the Tim Mousseau to discuss what prevention looks on a personal level and we share some tips on things we wish new before doing prevention work. Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by followi…

Shawn, had the opportunity to sit down with Reverend Jason Evans from Saginaw First Free Methodist Church to discuss violence prevention and how those of the Free Methodist faith can use its teachings to help building safer and stronger communities and relationships. You can find Jason and his church here on Facebook, and Twitter. Stay up to date w…