Podcast Episodes

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 suspicious. When you've learned to anticipate mood swings, a stable partner might seem boring. Wh...

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 shares her expertise as both a survivor and therapist who exclusively works with victims of narcissistic abuse. S...

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 still don't understand the resilience of a survivor," I remind my listeners, spea...

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 an abuser increases a victim's risk of being killed by 70%? Or that on a single day i...

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 individuals to check if their partner has a history of abuse. But as Angie discovere...

"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 national lockdown, she turned to online dating for connection. The man she met, initially charming b...

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 physical violence. His partner would hit him over losing games like Uno, usin...

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 environments where LGBTQ+ individuals were criminalized simply for existing. U...

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 experiencing abuse, having a prepared escape plan can be lifesaving—from packed emerg...

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 timeline of events that led to this tragedy. Nineteen-year-old Adrianne Oyola had...

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 estranged husband William fatally shot her in her Massachusetts home in 200...

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 who welcomed her into their homes. Dana's candid account pulls no p...

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 decision to bury his emotions completely—a survival mechanism that would last nearly four decades. W...

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, breaking her teeth. What followed was extraordinary – recorded phone calls capt...

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. "That poor woman," I whispered through tears, before realizing that woman...

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 directly mirror the experiences of domestic violence victims. The isolat...

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 Letting Peace In," describing how survivors often develop hypervigilance as a protection ...

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 dismantles the myth that staying "for the kids" benefits children in abusive households. Emma Jean shares ...

Emma Jean Rowin survived an abusive marriage that culminated in her ex-husband becoming an active shooter. Her powerful memoir "When Things Collapse" chronicles this journey, but more importantly, reveals the subtle pathway that led her there - the very pathway many dismiss with "I would never stay in an abusive relationship."Through reading passages from her book, Emma Jean transports us to her college years when the relationship began. We witness the seemingly small moments that were actuall...

Discover the art of thriving amidst the challenges of high-conflict co-parenting in this engaging episode featuring insights from Marisol, a co-parenting coach with firsthand experience. Uncover practical strategies for maintaining your identity as a parent while ensuring your kids have a balanced relationship with both parents. We delve into the importance of stepping back and letting kids navigate their time with their other parent, alongside the emotional hurdles that come with independence....

Navigating the stormy seas of high-conflict co-parenting is no easy feat, and today I have Marisol sharing her compelling journey. Imagine juggling not one, but two custody and child support cases, all while facing the emotional upheaval of multiple court hearings and even bankruptcy. Marisol's story is a testament to resilience, offering listeners a raw glimpse into the challenges of dealing with high-conflict co-parents and the emotional toll such situations take on both parents and children....

What if cultural traditions are quietly trapping victims in cycles of abuse? Join us as Dr. Anisha returns to "1 in 3" with a profound exploration of Indian marriage dynamics and their influence on domestic violence. Drawing from her personal experiences and her book, "The Power to Break Free: Surviving Domestic Violence, With a Special Reference to Abuse in Indian Marriages," Dr. Anisha sheds light on the pressures women face within arranged, introduced, and love marriages, and the cultural exp...

After a personal encounter with the shocking realities of domestic violence, this week's episode of 1 in 3 offers a compassionate and expert-led exploration of the healing process. I welcome Dr. Anisha, an integrative medicine practitioner and trauma specialist, who sheds light on the complex layers of trauma victims face and the journey towards reclaiming their lives. Her approach, which combines acupuncture, Ayurveda, and yoga therapy, provides victims with a personalized path to recovery. ...

Meet Sheena Yap Chan, a remarkable author and podcaster whose mission is to uplift and empower Asian women through self-confidence and leadership. Sheena's journey from experiencing cultural identity struggles after moving from the Philippines to Toronto, to embracing her heritage and launching the influential podcast "The Tao of Self-Confidence," is nothing short of inspiring. With hundreds of interviews to her name, she dismantles stereotypes and amplifies underrepresented voices, culminating ...