Hope when there was none

Hope when there was none

After leaving a toxic relationship over a decade ago I embraced a journey to share my story and help others that are healing from emotional traumas, learn about self-care, and find empowerment to re-invent themselves. Here you will hear about the journey of courageous Survivors and many experts that share a passion for helping and inspiring others to awaken the beauty of life without abuse. Thanks for tuning in! I hope your day is filled with blessings, magic, and miracles!

Episodes

December 26, 2024 ‱ 20 mins

What is Financial abuse? It's deeper than you think! It can look like:

Giving an allowance to your partner with accountability for all of it.

Not allowing your partner to have his/her name on any credit cards, banking, or loans.

Not sharing decision making with your partner pertaining to financial issues. This and more in today's episode.

After listening into today's broadcast, do you recognize any of these in your own life?

Find m...

Mark as Played

I'm digging into Emotional abuse on today's episode!


Here's what it can look like:

Emotional abuse-

The abuser's psychological or mental violence can include anything that impacts the mental health and well being of their partner.

Examples-

name calling, insults, put downs

crazy making, blaming the victim for everything

jealousy, unfounded accusations of cheating

intimidation

shaming, humiliation

socially isolating the victim from...

Mark as Played

Verbal abuse is the first topic of an 8 part series where I dig deep into what abuse is and the different types. You can find more information here- httls://facebook.com/hopewhentherewasnone


Have you ever heard the childhood rhyme, "Sticks and stones, may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?" You can actually find many examples of this here- https://literarydevices.net/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones/


Words can make ...

Mark as Played
October 27, 2024 ‱ 19 mins

Leaving someone that is toxic in a relationship is hard! The decision is not made lightly or without much thought. This can be between you and a family member or an intimate partner.

I mentioned copying documents and here is the list:

If you are concerned your partner will notice these are gone make copies of the original and leave the copies!

Marriage/Birth certificates

Social Security cards

Bills- Student loans, Credit ca...

Mark as Played

Gatekeeping sounds like some sort of gaming thing, but it can be darker than this. It is where someone is controlling opportunities, power, resources, and who get these.
You can see this in any type of relationship, and you are also capable of doing this! Anytime you have monitored someone and nitpick or take over the task... Yep, that is gatekeeping!
There are questions you can use yourself and tools to help you heal on today's p...

Mark as Played
October 17, 2024 ‱ 13 mins

Abuse can happen between anyone. Whether this is between you and a family member, friend or intimate partner. Answer me this:

Do you make excuses for this persons poor behavior?

Do you dread seeing them or feel exhausted with them or after seeing them?

Is there always the same excuse for why they hurt you?

Does this person say that "they" are the victim?

If this person makes you cry, intimidates you, or hurts your feeling more than...

Mark as Played
October 16, 2024 ‱ 15 mins

Abusers don't see the world as we do. They see no fault in their behavior. Abusers will tell others that you were the cause of the demise of the break-up. Question your sanity.

You may feel: Scared, depressed, confused, and angry

The abuser may: Use the legal system against you. Pressure the kids to tell him things about you. If your kids have a cell phone/computer he may gather information about your social media/friends/location...

Mark as Played

With any one of these there can use the tactics of - isolating the victim, creating a dependency with the abuser, or may have other mental health issues. Can cause victim to become depressed, have a breakdown, or commit suicide. A proper diagnosis needs to be from a licensed Counselor or Therapist.

Find me here- ⁠https://linktr.ee/melindajkunst⁠

Find help and info here-

National Domestic Violence Hotline- ⁠https://www.thehotline.o...

Mark as Played
October 14, 2024 ‱ 7 mins

*Trigger warning!*

Sexual abuse can be hard to talk about. Victims can experience a wide range of unwanted assaults. It may become difficult for a victim to develop trust with intimate partners. Here are a few examples of what it can look like. If you relate to any of these please contact a shelter, counselor, or law enforcement. If you need to talk I am happy to hold space for you.


After listening into today's broadcast, do you...

Mark as Played

*Trigger warning!*

This month has been a bit busy and I have not gotten these out as planned. Life happens! On today's unscripted episode I dove into answering a common question that I often hear. How do you start over after a toxic relationship?


Mark as Played

Words you may come across frequently while dealing with an abuser:

Baiting

Boundaries

Hoovering

Love bombing

No Contact and more on today's episode.

#healingjourney #domesticviolenceawareness #domesticabuseawareness #narcissistsurvivor #toxicrelationship

Mark as Played
October 9, 2024 ‱ 10 mins

Pet abuse is a difficult topic as well as reason many survivors stay in abusive relationships. An abuser may threaten harm to kill the pet if the survivor wants to leave. Signs to looks out for: - Anxiety- Fear responses- Flinching- Limping and many more

Abusers may harm pets by/with:

- Physically harming

- Torture - Neglect

- Sexual abuse...

For more information on the Purple Leash Project:

https://www.purina.com/purple-leash-proj...

Mark as Played
October 8, 2024 ‱ 13 mins

It can be hard to spot an abuser but there are things you can look out for. Is this person: - Controlling - Moody - Complaining all the time - Have strange sexual needs or requests, and they don't respect your boundaries? - Jealous - Cruel/ Sarcastic and find more on today's episode!

Mark as Played
October 7, 2024 ‱ 7 mins

Grooming is the topic for today's episode. We usually picture grooming as something that happens between a child and adult but this can happen between adults as well. This is a gradual process in order to gain the trust of a person in order to have control and take advantage of someone. This can look like:

Romantic, sexual, financial, materially and more! The victim can become withdrawn or depressed. They may suddenly be without mo...

Mark as Played
October 6, 2024 ‱ 11 mins

You may find it hard to figure out if the relationship you are in is unhealthy when you are in it. Consider talking with a trusted family member or friend for their opinion of this person. You may feel defensive of their thoughts but remember to try to keep an open mind. Here are a few things you may take notice of:

- The relationship is intense FAST!

- You catch the person in lies

- They are controlling

- Isolate you

- Jealousy

-...

Mark as Played
October 3, 2024 ‱ 11 mins

It can be hard to understand why someone would stay in a toxic relationship. I have heard people say:
đŸŒ© She/he must like it!
đŸŒ© I don't understand why she/he won't just leave!
đŸŒ© How stupid is she/he?!
đŸŒ© He/she is so wonderful! Why are they not happy/lying about how "bad" he/she is?!
What happens behind closed doors is a mystery. Many secrets/poor behaviors are passed down from generation to generation and that can trickle into inti...

Mark as Played
October 2, 2024 ‱ 14 mins

Besides physical abuse there are many more:
Financial
Emotional
Immigration
Mental
Spiritual
Verbal
Child
Elder
After listening into today's broadcast, do you recognize any of these in your own life?
Find me here- ⁠https://linktr.ee/melindajkunst⁠
Find help and info here-
National Domestic Violence Hotline- ⁠https://www.thehotline.org/⁠
Safe Horizon- ⁠https://www.safehorizon.org/⁠
⁠https://www.domesticshelters.org/⁠
⁠https://internationalwomen...

Mark as Played
October 1, 2024 ‱ 60 mins

*Trigger warning!*

It's Day 1 of the 31 days about Domestic Violence Awareness. I'll be coming on sharing bits of information and parts of my own story. Today, I dove into the origin of DVAM. You can find the podcast on your favorite listening platform. If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please know there is help and you are not alone! Feel free to message me privately for resources or support. Stay safe, and ...

Mark as Played
September 3, 2024 ‱ 14 mins

*Trigger warning*

Pregnancy is supposed to be a time of happiness and joy. But, what happens if you're partner is not happy with this bundle of joy? You may experience your partner being:

-Jealous at different stages of your pregnancy or after the baby arrives

-Abuser denying you food or medical attention

-Pressure you into being intimate or not give you a choice

-Use the child as a weapon against you to keep you with him

-May...

Mark as Played

Taking a media break can be helpful to your peace of mind. I hadn't realized how much the news on TV or in the newspaper was adding to my stress. Being mindful of what causes you distress can be so helpful and important! If you are listening to music, or that heart pumping movie/show how is it showing up in your body?

Is your, neck/shoulders tense?

Do you notice you feel jumpy?

Do you feel emotional or triggered by what you ar...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.