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What happens when the chaos of abuse finally ends, and you're faced with the possibility of new love? For many survivors, this terrain feels more frightening than familiar.

Dating after domestic violence isn't just about meeting someone new—it's about rewiring your entire understanding of what relationships should feel like. When you've spent years walking on eggshells, genuine kindness can feel suspici...

The words "narcissist" and "gaslighting" get thrown around a lot these days, but do we truly understand what they mean? In this powerful conversation with Nova Gibson, author of the bestselling book "Fake Love" and host of "Fake Love and Flying Monkeys" podcast, we dive deep into the insidious world of narcissistic abuse and why recognizing it could literally save your life.

Nova sha...

Sometimes the shortest messages carry the most profound weight. After the controversial Diddy verdict sent ripples through survivor communities, many wondered if speaking truth to power still matters in a system that often protects the wealthy and influential. This episode stands as both shield and sword—defending those feeling discouraged while cutting through the noise with a message of unwavering resolve.

"They sti...

When a celebrity like Bill Maher uses his platform to tell domestic violence victims they "need to leave right away," it reveals a profound misunderstanding of abuse dynamics that puts real lives at risk. This episode takes on Maher's recent comments about Cassie Ventura and others facing abuse, exposing the dangerous myths behind victim-blaming rhetoric that permeates our culture.

Did you know that leaving ...

When tragedy strikes, some people find themselves transformed into reluctant warriors. After losing her daughter Terri and grandchildren to domestic violence, Angie Smith became exactly that—channeling unimaginable grief into life-saving advocacy work that's reshaping how we protect vulnerable people.

The heart of this powerful conversation explores Clare's Law, a domestic violence disclosure scheme that allows i...

"You just cannot comprehend that." These words from Angie Smith barely scratch the surface of the unfathomable tragedy that befell her family during COVID lockdown in 2021. What begins as the story of an "average mom and nan" quickly unfolds into one of the most devastating accounts of domestic violence in recent UK history.

When Angie's daughter Terri ended a 14-year relationship just before natio...

What happens when the person you believe is your soulmate becomes your abuser? James Barr—MTV anchor, radio personality, podcast host, and LGBTQ rights ambassador—discovered this devastating reality firsthand, and now he's breaking his silence.

Despite his public persona as a fearless voice who has never been one to keep quiet, James fell victim to a relationship that started with love bombing and quickly escalated to...

Happy Pride Month, Warriors. This episode takes you on a powerful journey through LGBTQ+ history in America while exploring a critical issue often overlooked amid the celebrations: the alarmingly high rates of domestic violence affecting queer communities.

From New York's 1966 laws prohibiting alcohol service to gay patrons to the watershed moment of the Stonewall uprising, I trace how systemic discrimination created ...

The summer months bring more than just sunshine and vacations—they create a perfect storm for domestic violence. Did you know abuse incidents spike by 12% during summer? This jarring statistic reveals how stretched family time, rising temperatures, and increased substance use create dangerous environments for vulnerable individuals.

Warriors, I'm sharing crucial safety strategies for every situation. For those experie...

The murder of seven-month-old Aaden Moreno stands as a haunting example of what happens when our protective systems fail those they're designed to protect. Just days after a Connecticut judge denied a restraining order that would have protected the infant and his young mother, 21-year-old Tony Moreno took baby Aaden to the Arrigoni Bridge and threw him 90 feet into the waters below.

We walk through the devastating tim...

Trusting a victim's instincts could be the difference between life and death. Dorothy Giunta-Cotter knew her husband was dangerous. She told authorities he repeatedly threatened to kill her if she ever left him. She did everything right - fled with her child, sought help from a crisis center, filed a restraining order, and reported violations. Yet despite all these precautions, Dorothy's worst fears came true when her est...

Dana's transformation from abuse survivor to community leader shows how trauma can become purpose when channeled into helping others. After enduring 17 years of family court battles and multiple forms of abuse, Dana founded the Survivor Center to create the support system she wished she'd had during her darkest moments.

The Survivor Center began with online support groups connecting women across the country facin...

The journey from victim to advocate is rarely straightforward, but Dana's story reveals the remarkable resilience of the human spirit against unimaginable odds. As a child in the Bronx, Dana navigated parental addiction, homelessness from age nine, and cultural displacement as the only Caucasian person in her neighborhood. Rather than succumbing to these challenges, she found solace in education and the kindness of neighbors w...

George's story begins with a childhood shaped by three different abusive men. From physical beatings by his foster father for minor childish behaviors to learning at age nine that the man he'd called "dad" wasn't his biological father, his early years were marked by confusion and pain.

When his stepfather entered the picture, the abuse escalated. One particularly cruel moment led to George's d...

Money and fame shouldn't protect abusers, but they often do. This latest episode delves deep into one of Hollywood's most notorious domestic violence cases – the disturbing relationship between Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva.

The relationship began like a Hollywood romance in 2009, quickly resulting in the birth of their daughter. But by January 2010, Gibson allegedly punched Oksana while she held their infant,...

Two years in, and I'm finally ready to share some of my personal healing journey following domestic violence. What began as determination to leave my abuser slowly morphed into doubt and questioning - was it really abuse? Could the relationship be saved? In therapy, a seemingly simple exercise changed everything. Writing my story on an imaginary scroll and reading it back as if it belonged to someone else broke me open. "...

The devastating intersection between suicide and domestic violence remains largely hidden, yet the statistics tell a shocking story. In this deeply important conversation, LCSW Jessica reveals that one in three women who attempted suicide in the past year were recent victims of intimate partner violence.

Drawing from her years of experience working with suicidal individuals, Jessica unpacks how the risk factors for suicide...

What happens after you leave an abuse relationship? The movies would have you believe it's all sunshine and roses once you escape, but the reality is far more complicated. Author Emma Jean Rowin returns to share the final chapter of her journey, reading from her powerful memoir "When Things Collapse" and exploring the complex aftermath of domestic abuse.

Emma Jean opens with a reading about "The Work of...

When Emma Jean's young daughter offered to "act really cute" to prevent her father's rage, something profound shifted. In this raw, emotional conversation, Emma Jean reads a pivotal passage from her book, "When Things Collapse," revealing the exact moment she realized her children weren't just witnessing abuse—they were absorbing it as training for their future.

This powerful discussion d...