Get Real With Robin!

*Originally aired 5 years ago* Being a first responder is not an easy job. Putting your life on the line, day after day for those you serve. We entrust these brave men and women to run into the gates of hell and we don't really get to see The Human Side and how certain things can affect them. They are exposed to things that most of us average folks will never have to experience in our lifetime. Co-Host - Retired Major of the Oklahoma City Fire Department and Oklahoma City Bombing Responder, Chris Fields Oklahoma City suffered the Deadliest Domestic Terrorist Attack in American History, killing 168 men, women and children and injuring close to 800. Chris Fields was there front and center, serving his community as a firefighter. He was captured in a photo that became an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, when he was cradling the body of 1 year old Baylee Almon. He served the citizens of Oklahoma City for over 31 years and has now dedicated his life to speak to other 1st responders, discussing the brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours. He also shares his personal story of how that day in 1995, along with other traumas, took a toll on his life and his family. Having suffered in silence for many years, he now shares how he found his way out of the darkness, in the hopes of helping others to avoid the failure and pitfalls, along with encouraging them to reach out when they need help. www.chrisfields.org

*WARNING- explicit language and possible triggers Co-Host Tonya Join us as we have a real and raw discussion about generational curses and how we can break them and find our way to healing. Off the Floor, into the Mirror Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/offthefloorintothemirror #childabuse #childsexualabuse #domesticviolence #childhoodtrauma #trauma #rape #molestation #complicit #narcissisticmother #narcissisticfather #narcissisticparent #predator #childmolester #crimesagainstchildren #blacksheep #blacksheepconfessions #traumabond #sacrificiallamb #iwontstaysilent #useyourvoice #nomoresecrets #breakthechains #breakthesilence #breakthecycle #survivingthetrauma #survivor #thriving #healingpain #abusesurvivor #thetruthshallsetyoufree #generationaltrauma #generationalabuse #generationalcurses #breakthecurse #THECOLLECTIVE

Co-Host Kirk Nurmi

Co-Host Kathleen Nightingale Liars, tyrants and flying monkeys oh my! No we're not talking about the circus but we are talking about narcissism, narcissistic abuse and how we can empower ourselves to no longer be their doormats. Kathleen Nightingale is a coach who specializes in helping those who have dealt with narcissistic abuse. She herself has been through the trials and tribulations of dealing with a narcissist first hand, which gives her valuable insight into helping others through their healing journey to self-empowerment. https://kathleennightingale.com #narcissistic #narcissist #narcissisticabuse #narcissism #gaslighting #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissisticpersonalitydisorder #emotionalabuse #toxicrelationships #toxicpeople #sociopath #narcissisticabuserecovery #abuse #covertnarcissist #narcissisticmother #nocontact #narcissists #greyrock #narcissisticabuseawareness #empath #npd #manipulation #psychologicalabuse #traumabonding #narcissistsurvivor #narcissisticparent #selflove #toxicrelationship

Co-Hosts Bob Jenkins and Stacey Goodman On this Anniversary of 9/11, we look back on the events that day and what took place in the weeks after. Bob Jenkins, who escaped the North Tower before it collapsed and Stacey Goodman, a Long Island Police Officer, who spent 23 days working down at Ground Zero., share their heart-wrenching stories of what they experienced and how it still affects them all these years later. Bob Jenkins: https://www.vetsbuilt.com Stacey Goodman: https://staceygoodmanbook.com #september11 #neverforget #groundzero #wtc #twintowers #thepile #nyc #worldtradecenter #newyork #manhattan #wewillneverforget #fdny #twintowersnyc #heroes #911 #9/11/2001 #freedomtower #worldtradecentermemorial #alwaysremember #nypd #southtower #northtower #shanksville #pentagon #letsroll #tribute #flight93 #nycneverforget #victims #survivors #firstresponders #towers #honor #history #usa #america #WTCdust #humanity #sheroe #thedustneversettles #StaceyGoodman #BobJenkins #THECOLLECTIVE #GetRealWithRobin

Co-Host Will Rogers Will's father was murdered a month before he was born. Later in life, his mother took her life. He struggled to make sense of his own life and checked himself into a mental health facility, where he had a life altering realization. He shares his story with us and talks about the journey of finding yourself and creating a better life. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #selflove #anxiety #love #mentalhealthmatters #depression #motivation #health #wellness #mindfulness #healing #life #loveyourself #therapy #inspiration #happiness #mindset #positivity #positivevibes #mentalillness #wellbeing

Today, more than a quarter of the world's slaves are children. These children are forced to commit sex acts, forced into a system of domestic servitude or employed in occupations that are mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful. It's estimated that those children being enslaved bring in more than 100 billion dollars a year to their captors. Many of these children are born and bred into a cult like family, where they are forced to engage in sexual acts with much older adults in order to bear children to continue building the family of slaves. What happens to these children when they age out and are no longer a valuable commodity to those who control them? What happens to these children when they decide they want out and desperately try to find a way to escape? How do these children cope with a much different world than many of us would never experience? How do they survive in a world that doesn't look familiar, once they get out? Co-Host Diana Davis Diana Davis is the founder of Movies Making a Difference. Their Mission Statement is to make a difference by making socially conscious feature films, then directly aiding the victims upon whom these films shed light. ~ Human Trafficking victims ~ Child Brides ~ Child Labor ~ Physical, Sexual, Emotional and Spiritual Abuse victims. Diana's film Cathedral Canyon shed light into the underworld of the religious persecution of women in a rural polygamist community. Diana and her team rescue and help these young people escape the cult life in order to find a better life for themselves. Also joining us are two survivors who bravely share their stories about being in the FLDS cult and how they escaped; Sarah Taylor and Briel Decker. For more information on MovieMakingADifference: https://www.moviesmakingadifference.org/

Co-Host Retired Police Sgt. Steve Wamsley School shootings have become an epidemic and yet we still can't seem to have an honest discussion about what needs to be done to prevent these massacres from happening. Join us as we GET REAL about school shootings and what we can do to help protect our children. #schoolshooting #schoolviolence #protectourchildren #stepup #dosomething #mentalhealth #awareness #safetyforourchildren #nomoreschoolshootings #schoolshooter #activeshooter #columbine #sandyhook #protectingourchildren #thechildrencomefirst #enough #thechildrenarethemostimportantthing #schools #elementaryschool #highschool #Uvalde #children

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but why do we need a special month to talk about this important issue? Being a first responder is not an easy job. Putting your life on the line, day after day for those you serve. We entrust these brave men and women to run into the gates of hell and we don't really get to see The Human Side and how certain things can affect them. They are exposed to things that most of us average folks will never have to experience in our lifetime. Co-Host - Retired Major of the Oklahoma City Fire Department and Oklahoma City Bombing Responder, Chris Fields Oklahoma City suffered the Deadliest Domestic Terrorist Attack in American History, killing 168 men, women and children and injuring close to 800. Chris Fields was there front and center, serving his community as a firefighter. He was captured in a photo that became an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, when he was cradling the body of 1 year old Baylee Almon. He served the citizens of Oklahoma City for over 31 years and has now dedicated his life to speak to other 1st responders, discussing the brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours. He also shares his personal story of how that day in 1995, along with other traumas, took a toll on his life and his family. Having suffered in silence for many years, he now shares how he found his way out of the darkness, in the hopes of helping others to avoid the failure and pitfalls, along with encouraging them to reach out when they need help. www.chrisfields.org

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Darren Burch April is sexual assault awareness month but why do we need a special month to talk about this issue plaguing our society? On average, there are over a half a million victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped at some time in their lives. That's just the cases that are reported and in the US. So many go unreported. And what about the children under 12, who are sexually assaulted, molested, raised in sex cults, taken and used in sex trafficking. There is no way of knowing just how many children have been affected by this. So many of us survivors blame ourselves and wonder why this happened to us. We didn't ask for this. So many suffer in silence and often don't speak about what they endured until much later in their lives. Thanks to things like the Me Too Movement and the case against Jeffrey Epstein, more light is being shed on sex crimes but we are still a long ways away of understanding why these things happen because we don't talk openly about them enough. Join us as we have this very real and raw conversation about sex crimes.

Co-Host - David Simmons, Founder and Executive Director of the UBU Project David Simmons is the Founder and Executive Director of the UBU Project, an arts education outreach company specializing in social emotional arts integration. Their mission is the prevention of youth suicide, addiction and bullying through social-emotional arts integration residencies. David's diverse career as an educator, performer, producer, recording artist, inspirational speaker, worship leader and mental health advocate has taken him all over the world. He is a thriving survivor of his own suicide attempts, is a recovering alcoholic, celebrating 29 years of sobriety, dealt with bullying in school and lives with the managed mental health diagnoses of depression, PTSD and anxiety. His life experiences offer valuable insight and he brings a unique and hope-filled perspective to the kids he works with at the UBU Project. To learn more about The UBU Project visit their website: www.ubuproject.org #mentalhealth #awareness #TheUBUProject #DavidSimmons #children #suicideawarness #suicideprevention #bullyingprevention #bullying #selfcare #musicheals #hope #curriculum #givingback #givingkidsavoice #mentalhealthsupport #communication #mentalhealthadvocate #selflove #encouragingkidstobethemselves #resilience #selfcompassion #empathy

Co-Hosts Amy Van Dyken-Rouen and Kirk Nurmi Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Our mindset plays a very intricate part in our day to day life. Having a positive mindset can redirect everything negative that happens in our lives. It's not what happens to us but what we do with it that makes all the difference. Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is a six-time Olympic gold medalist, and has spent a lifetime defying the odds. She took up swimming to beat her childhood asthma and In the 1996 games, she broke records and made history for becoming the first American woman to earn four gold medals in a single Olympics. In June 2014 , a freak ATV accident altered her life and left her paralyzed from the waist down. She also suffered broken ribs, a head injury, and a severe vascular injury. Her prognosis was anything but good as one doctor told her to say goodbye to her husband before going into surgery because they weren't sure they could save her. As any warrior does, Amy fought her way back and now has become an outspoken advocate for those who have suffered spinal cord injuries and those who are disabled. She once said that she wants to be known as a woman who did things that have never been done before, breaking barriers, hopefully making it more human to be a disabled person. Join us as we talk about Amy's journey, go off on tangents and have a fun time just conversing about life. #determination #perseverance #humanspirit #humanwill #happiness #kindness #livingyourbestlife #goldmedal #swimming #motivation #teamusa #champion #mindfullness #positivity #olympics #olympicgames #athlete #mentalhealth #awareness #selflove #selfcare #sheddingyourskin #beingyourtrueself #loveofself #nolimitations #perception #dowhatmakesyouhappy #livingwithiuntention #THECOLLECTIVE #GetRealWithRobin #KirkNurmi #AmyVanDykenRouen

Co-Host Kelly Smith Kelly Smith is a founding member of the metal band FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, in which he played the drums for many years. He is no stranger to life's tough dealings, having gone through many challenges personally. He left the band back in 1997, eventually rejoining in 2011, but had to make his final exit in 2014 after his family suffered major loss and tragedy. Kelly shares his story of success, hardship, heartache and survival. Join us for this candid conversation about the human condition. #drummer #music #musician #tourlife #musicbusiness #flotsamandjetsam #addiction #recovery #lifestoughdealings #heavymetal #metal #touring #rockandroll #lifestyle #choices #livemusic #healingjourney #vulnerability #musicislife #human #humancondition #beinghuman #learningfromourmistakes #appreciationforlife #iwanttolive #suicide #mentalhealth #awareness #choosingme #choosingfamily #beinghuman #THECOLLECTIVE #kellysmith

A beautiful woman I was lucky enough to call a friend recently lost her battle with cancer. Kirk Nurmi and I had planned to do a show with her a while back but I got word from her husband that she would have to postpone due to her being in the hospital. She had since recovered and we were planning on doing the show once again, but the cancer had returned. The last time I spoke to her was just a few weeks ago. Then I got the word that she was gone. Jennifer Ruddle was a true warrior. She was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in 2017 with 11% chance of survival. But she fought and beat it. She then opened herself up and shared her story on the pageant circuit, earning herself the title of Mrs. Arizona in 2020. Back in June of 2019, I had the chance to sit down and have a conversation one on one with Jennifer. Her message is so important that I want to share it with you all. She fought hard and in the public eye, never backing away from talking so openly about her journey through colorectal cancer . So to honor her warrior strength, here is that conversation. Thank you for being such a bright light and beautiful soul Jennifer. We all weep at your loss but will never forget what you brought to our lives.

Co-Host Mary Jo West Mary Jo West has been called "the First Lady of TV News in Phoenix." She became the first prime time anchorwoman in Phoenix in 1976, thus opening the door for women who followed in her footsteps. Being a trailblazer in the field was not easy as she dealt with a male co-anchor who saw the newsroom as a “man's domain” and wasn't pleased that she would be sharing his anchor desk. But she was determined to be more than just an arm decoration. She wanted to talk about issues that were vital and to report stories of substance. She was the first woman to go into the Arizona State Prison in Florence and interview inmates for her documentary on sexual assault, for which she won a Rocky Mountain Emmy. Having won the Peabody, two Rocky Mountain Emmys, 13 Arizona Press Club awards, and the national "Gracie Allen Award" from American Women in Radio and TV, she was the first news woman inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The City of Phoenix honored her with the Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award for her work fighting discrimination against the mentally ill.

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Glenna Trout October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. It's a difficult subject to talk about but we need to. As we've seen in recent headlines and stories throughout the years, many times lives are lost due to the toxicity and abuse going on behind closed doors. In this episode, we have a real conversation about the affects of abuse, what signs to look out for and how you can reach out for help if you find yourself in a toxic situation. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1−800−799−7233

Co-Host Lisa Moler Many of us grew up in an unhealthy environment, with little to no guidance on how to navigate our lives. Feeling abandoned, struggling with our own self-love and self-esteem, we sometimes found ourselves in mirrored situations that were unhealthy or abusive. We owe it to ourselves to break the unhealthy cycles of our childhood and past, in order to find our way to healing. and to live a better life. www.lisamoler.com

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Nielson Trauma is not what happens to us. Trauma is what happens inside us as a result of what happens to us. Unhealed trauma impacts every aspect of our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love, and the way we make sense of the world. It is the root of our deepest wounds. Join us as we have a discussion about leaning into your productive discomfort on your journey to healing. www.jennifer-nielson.com

Co-Hosts Bob Jenkins and Stacey Goodman On this 20th Anniversary of 9/11, we look back on the events that day and what took place in the weeks after. Bob Jenkins, who escaped the North Tower before it collapsed and Stacey Goodman, a Long Island Police Officer, who spent 23 days working down at Ground Zero., share their heart-wrenching stories of what they experienced and how it still affects them all these years later. Bob Jenkins: https://www.vetsbuilt.com Stacey Goodman: https://staceygoodmanbook.com #neverforget

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Rob Best In his 20's, Rob became addicted to opiates and would spiral out of control for the next decade. At 31, he finally got clean and started down a path of sobriety, fitness, and healthy living. Since then, he has owned two CrossFit gyms and has helped countless people both in fitness and in recovery. Now, The Barbell Saves Project allows him to combine those two passions to help others in their journey of recovery, fitness and self-worth. www.thebarbellsavesproject.org

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Cody Byrns In May of 2013, Cody's life was drastically changed. While stopped at a red light on the highway, Cody was rear-ended by a box-truck that failed to stop. As a result, he was considered dead until first responders saw his hand move. He received many injuries that day, including severe burns to almost 40% of his body. After years of countless surgeries and rehabilitation, Cody has chosen to not allow his scars to keep him bound in bitterness and defeat. Instead, he uses his story to uplift others. His goal is to help people live free from the bonds of scars (physical and emotional), equipping others with the proper steps to walk out of their past hurt and defeat, and run towards their God-given potential. https://codybyrns.com

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Ann Cabano So many of us have been affected by suicide. Many of us have contemplated it. Many have attempted and failed. Many have lost those we love to this epidemic. The ones left behind carry a cross to bear all their own. The soul crushing pain, the guilt, the overwhelming sadness. The thoughts of… why didn't we see this coming? What could we have done to prevent it? And the biggest question of all…WHY? The signs are not always visible. We don't always know what's going on below the surface in someone. Sometimes their smiles are very deceiving. Depression, mental illness, sadness, suffering, being bullied, feeling so alone…the list of reasons go on. So why are we not talking about this more often? What can we do to help those we love going through something so bad that they would want to end their life? How do we even begin the healing process after we lose someone to suicide? Listen in to a mother's story of loss and the healing journey she is on, as she talks about walking with it - suicide and grief. National Suicide Prevention Hotline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Co-Hosts Darren Burch and Dr. Lisa Strohman There are so many dangers facing our children when it comes predators and social media. So many offenders can be family members, friends and even those who hide behind their keyboard and lure our children into bad situations by pretending to be someone they are not, gaining their trust. Then there is the other side of social media that can add to the mental destruction of our children, causing so many to be bullied and to commit suicide because of the attacks they face online. Join us for this candid conversation about how we can help protect our children from these predators and online dangers. https://drlisastrohman.com/

“I wake up and cry. My aching heart is uttering...Why? Why did they do this to us? I cannot stop the tears. They keep running down my face, for the pain in my heart remains.” Mania Lichtenstein, Holocaust Survivor Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Adena Astrowsky Adena introduces us to her amazing Grandmother "Bubbie" Mania Lichtenstein, who survived the Holocaust and shared her stories and writings of what she had endured throughout her life. Join us as we take a look back at history and also discuss how we still deal with so many of these issues in today's world. https://www.adenaastrowsky.com/

Addiction. It can take many forms. Drugs, prescription medication, alcohol, sex, gambling, the list goes on. Addiction can tear apart families and leave so much destruction in its wake. During the COVID pandemic, this tragedy has gotten worse. In some communities, overdose-related emergency calls are up as much as 40% and 42 states reported increases in overdose deaths during the pandemic. And it’s not just overdoses taking lives: In 2018, more than 175,000 deaths in the U.S. were related to alcohol and other drugs. That makes substance use the third largest cause of death in the nation. Co-Host Donna Alexander Donna has had her own dealings with addiction, having experienced her first drunk at the young age of 11 and her first DUI at 19. She has been sober since 2008 and has gone on to help others by not only sharing her story but she is actively involved with their recovery journey as the Community Outreach Director for Crossroads for the past 10 years. She is also the co-host of Recovery On Air, a podcast that gets real about breaking the stigma of addiction.

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Jeff Trudgian Stress. It can make you sick. It can kill you. It can cause you to do things you wouldn't normally do. Sometimes the pressures we face in life can cause so much stress and damage to not only ourselves but to those in our lives. Join us as we have a real and raw conversation about stress, the things we can do to help ourselves live a less stressful life and to find peace and happiness. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273- TALK (8255) Link to article Kirk read - 'Big Law Killed My Husband': An Open Letter From a Sidley Partner's Widow | The American Lawyer https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2018/11/12/big-law-killed-my-husband-an-open-letter-from-a-sidley-partners-widow/

Co-Hosts Kirk Nurmi and Darren Burch On average, there are over a half a million victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped at some time in their lives. That’s just the cases that are reported and in the US. So many go unreported. And what about the children under 12, who are sexually assaulted, molested, raised in sex cults, taken and used in sex trafficking. There is no way of knowing just how many children have been affected by this. So many of us survivors blame ourselves and wonder why this happened to us. We didn’t ask for this. So many suffer in silence and often don’t speak about what they endured until much later in their lives. Thanks to things like the Me Too Movement and the case against Jeffrey Epstein, more light is being shed on sex crimes but we are still a long ways away of understanding why these things happen because we don’t talk openly about them enough. Why would someone hurt a child in this way? Why would someone rape somebody they claim to love? Why would a stranger sexually assault someone they didn’t know? On this episode, we talk candidly about sex crimes, what makes a person do these things, how important is it to support the survivors and how we can watch out for the signs and maybe just maybe prevent another senseless sex crime from happening.

Co-Hosts: Kirk Nurmi, Holly and Kenzie of the Crimeaholics Podcast OJ Simpson and the trial of the century. Most of us remember exactly where we were when that verdict was read. We were glued to the TV set as if it involved one of our own family members. Many of us followed the trial from gavel-to-gavel and were captivated by the story unfolding. Then there are those other cases that captured our attention like Scott and Lacey Peterson, Casey and Caylee Anthony, Drew Peterson, Jodi Arias, Chris Watts, The Doomsday Mom and so on. Networks like Court TV, Oxygen, Discovery ID and even Netflix have jumped into the arena of focusing on true crime with live trial coverage, serial killer documentaries and shows like Making a Murderer, Forensic Files, The Confession Tapes, Snapped, Dirty John, Fear they Neighbor and even the crazy world of The Tiger King. Why are we so captivated with these trials and shows? Psychologists have said true crime stories allow us to explore the darker side of nature in a safe way, and that watching crime shows can trigger chemical reactions in our bodies, while also affirming our moral views about right and wrong. We as members of the collective are here to crack the case wide open and have a real discussion about why true crime has become such an obsession.

Co-Host Kirk Nurmi Men are taught that they shouldn't express their feelings and to keep things to themselves. Why? They're entitled to express their feelings just as women are. Join us as we have a candid discussion about men, their feelings, and why we should listen to what they have to say.

Things happen in life that we have no control over. But what we do have control over is how we deal with them. We can let what happened to us destroy us and keep us stuck in the victim mentality or we can take back our life, confront what's happened, work on healing ourselves and then find a way to make the best life possible for ourselves. Co-Host Tiffany Armstrong Tiffany Armstrong is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and dealt with physical and verbal abuse throughout two marriages. At the age of 20, she survived an attack that took place in a home with her friends, who all froze with fear of the intruder. Tiffany fought back using the only three self-defense moves she knew. Without mastering a few simple self-defense skills, and the mindset to overcome the fear of an attack, Tiffany may not be here today. But she is, and she’s on a mission to educate and empower women to have peace of mind in avoiding and handling a physical attack, to live without fear of an attack on themselves or their children, and to walk strong everywhere they go. Tiffany is committed to helping women find their voice. With two second-degree black belts and more than 19 years of experience teaching street-smart self-defense to over 60,000 women at seminars, corporations and schools, Tiffany strongly believes in the importance of preparedness using two facets of self-defense not often taught together: technique and mindset. These are the foundation of how she educates women. https://www.tiffanyarmstrong.net

We are taught not to quit when quitting might be the best thing for our mental health. Co-Host Kirk Nurmi

Life is all about the choices we make. We all make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes have consequences that force us to take a hard look at ourselves. We are not our mistakes and we can change our lives for the better. We have the ability to change the direction we are headed in just by making a different choice. Co-Host Michael Hale Michael Hale made a bad decision that landed him in prison at the age of 20. Instead of getting caught up in the "prison way of life" he made the decision to use his time to work on bettering himself, working to help educate other prisoners and eventually getting himself on to the prison fire fighting crew. Michael has taken back his life and now he shares his story in hopes of inspiring others and letting them know that even though you make a mistake, you can change the direction your life is headed in for the better.

Co-Host Bob Jenkins Do you believe in life after death? Do you believe in ghosts or spirits? Many don't believe that life after death exists because they can’t actually see it for themselves but think about this…we can’t see the wind until it blows through the trees, so just because we can’t see something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Join us as we have a fun and insightful chat about ghosts, spirits, UFO's and everything Paranormal.

The traumatic events that we go through in life can take their toll on us physically, emotionally and mentally. Research has shown that stress, trauma and repressed emotions are capable of causing persistent real pain and other physical symptoms, along with affecting our mental health. There is no one-size-fits-all way of dealing with our traumas in order to find our way to healing. Some of the more traditional methods work for some but not always for others. Co-host Audra Renee Weeks On this episode, we will not only share some of our own personal experiences as trauma survivors but we will offer some insight into the methods we used and continue to use in our journey to healing. It is our hope that this conversation will help others understand that there is a way to heal and move beyond the trauma in order to have a better life for yourself.

Co-Host Kirk Nurmi Is it child pornography or a very risqué coming of age film? It's time to have a REAL conversation about the documentary CUTIES and the over sexualization of young children. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen things like this…remember Jon Benet the child beauty queen or the reality TV series Dance Mom’s? These young girls were made to look so much older and as in the dance show, the young girls were scantily clad many times on screen. As someone who has spent four decades working in the film industry, I did my best to watch this film to the end, searching for the story. It won awards at both Sundance and the Berlin film festivals, so it had to be more than child pornography, right? You would think a respected film festival like Sundance wouldn’t allow child porn to grace their roster. The Director of Cuties has defended her film saying it’s a feminist cautionary tale about the sexualization of girls in today's society. So join Kirk and I as we get real about this subject.

There are those moments in history where something major happens and we always remember where we were at that precise moment. For all of us 19 years ago, it was September 11, 2001. In total that day, 2,977 people lost their lives and over 25,000 were injured, with many more health related issues and deaths being reported through the years from those who survived the initial attacks and those who worked down at Ground Zero during the rescue and recovery phase. 9/11 is the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers. Co-Hosts Bob Jenkins and Larry Carito Bob Jenkins proudly served his country as a Marine. He found himself in the North tower that fateful day for a business meeting. He managed to make it out and will share his harrowing story of what he saw, felt and went through making his escape. He continues to share his story so that we never forget what happened that day and just how precious life is. Growing up in NYC, and coming from a family of police officers, Larry Carito spent over two decades working for the New York Police Department and retired as a Detective in 2015. He spent countless days working in the wreckage down at Ground Zero. He is here to share what he saw and experienced, from not only a human perspective but from the heart of a first responder.

Today, more than a quarter of the world’s slaves are children. These children are forced to commit commercial sex acts, forced into a system of domestic servitude or employed in occupations that are mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful. It's estimated that those children being enslaved bring in more than 100 billion dollars a year to their captors. Around the world, an influx in sex tourism, the insatiable demand for child pornography and greed play key roles in the prevalence of child sex slavery and trafficking. In addition to strangers, family and close friends have been known to sell children off to individuals, businesses and groups involved in the sex industry. Many of these children are born and bred into a cult like family where they are forced to engage in sexual acts with adults in order to bear children to continue building the family of slaves. What happens to these children when they age out and are no longer a valuable commodity to those who control them? What happens to these children when they decide they want out and desperately try to find a way to escape? How do these children cope with a much different world than many of us would never experience? How do they survive in a world that doesn't look familiar, once they get out? Co-Host Diana Davis Diana Davis is the founder of Movies Making a Difference. Their Mission Statement is to make a difference by making socially conscious feature films, then directly aiding the victims upon whom these films shed light. ~ Human Trafficking victims ~ Child Brides ~ Child Labor ~ Physical, Sexual, Emotional and Spiritual Abuse victims. Diana’s film Cathedral Canyon shed light into the underworld of the religious persecution of women in a rural polygamist community. I often see posts on social media of her team and their rescue efforts to help these young people escape the cult life in order to find a better life for themselves. Also joining us are two survivors who bravely share their stories about being in the FLDS cult and how they escaped; Sarah Taylor and Briel Decker. For more information on MovieMakingADifference: https://www.moviesmakingadifference.org/

Co-Host Kirk Nurmi We are not born with a sense of embarrassment, nor is there any sort of universal standard for what is and what is not embarrassing. Instead, it is a culturally sensitive concept taught to us by our family and our peers. A concept we accept without reflection because the burden of embarrassment appears to be universal, an inherent part of being human. Yet in reality, being embarrassed is a personal choice. A choice over which we have complete control. That’s right, no matter how much people judge us, the choice to accept or reject that judgment and be embarrassed by it rests solely within us. Join us as as we have a real conversation about lessening the impact that embarrassment can have on our life.

It’s not easy to be comfortable in our own skin. Many of us don’t like the reflection we see before us in the mirror. Imagine looking in that mirror and seeing a person looking back at you that you don’t recognize. Yes, it’s familiar because you’ve lived with it for years but deep down inside you see yourself as someone completely different. So many of us have often wondered what it would be like to spend just a day as the opposite sex, to gain some insight into the differences between men and women. Then there are those who have an internal need to be the true version of themselves, struggling every day to be accepted because they know they don’t belong in the body they were born in. Co-Host Nadia Nakano Da Silva From starting life out as a man, serving in the armed forces, being married and raising a family, to now beginning the road into transitioning into her true self and struggling to have others from her past life understand who she truly is, Nadia has been chronicling her journey on social media, sharing the ups and downs, the hardships and joys of becoming who she is meant to be.

Death is not an easy subject to talk about. So many fear what they don’t know or understand. Clarity is a beautiful thing and sometimes it comes in ways we would never expect. Out of tragic circumstances, something beautiful can be revealed. Co-Hosts Jeff and Spencer Olsen Jeff Olsen led a pretty normal life with his wife Tamara and young sons Griffin and Spencer until that fateful day, March 31st, 1997. A horrific car accident took the life of 31 year old Tamara and 14 month old Griffin, also leaving Jeff severely injured and fighting for his life. It was during his battle to stay alive when he experienced crossing over the veil and getting a birds eye view of what the other side looks like. Listen in as Jeff and Spencer share their experiences, talk about the event that changed their life, Jeff's conversations with Tamara that sent him back and the life they have both gone on to live. Jeff's book Knowing: https://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Memoirs-journey-beyond-choosing-ebook/dp/B079K5Q8JB/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=knowing+by+jeffery+olsen&qid=1594760015&sprefix=knowing+by+&sr=8-1 INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: @jefferycolsen EMAIL: jefferycolsen@gmail.com FaceBook: Jeffery C. Olsen or Jeffery Olsen, Author / Speaker www.EnvoyPublishing.com Live Event: SPIRIT KEEPER SERIES www.SpiritKeeperSeries.com

Being in the throes of passion is just one of the amazing gifts associated with the human experience. At the same time, passion can be very destructive. In states of destructive passion, we are capable of destroying not only ourselves but those around us. Many times, such destruction takes the label of a “crime of passion.” A crime of passion is said to be defined as a crime committed because of very strong emotional feelings. Join us as we talk about these crimes and how we can possibly prevent them. Co-Host former Criminal Defense Attorney Kirk Nurmi

Being a first responder is not an easy job. Putting your life on the line, day after day for those you serve. We entrust these brave men and women to run into the gates of hell and we don't really get to see The Human Side and how certain things can affect them. They are exposed to things that most of us average folks will never have to experience in our lifetime. Co-Host - Retired Major of the Oklahoma City Fire Department and Oklahoma City Bombing Responder, Chris Fields Oklahoma City suffered the Deadliest Domestic Terrorist Attack in American History, killing 168 men, women and children and injuring close to 800. Chris Fields was there front and center, serving his community as a firefighter. He was captured in a photo that became an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, when he was cradling the body of 1 year old Baylee Almon. He served the citizens of Oklahoma City for over 31 years and has now dedicated his life to speak to other 1st responders, discussing the brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours. He also shares his personal story of how that day in 1995, along with other traumas, took a toll on his life and his family. Having suffered in silence for many years, he now shares how he found his way out of the darkness, in the hopes of helping others to avoid the failure and pitfalls, along with encouraging them to reach out when they need help. www.chrisfields.org

Living our lives in the dark is a terrible place to be. Every one of us is unique and although our traumas and issues can be something someone else can relate to, it doesn't mean that they have all the answers or that they will completely understand what we are going through. We don't even have all the answers but sometimes the light reveals itself in a way we would never expect and it gives us that hope to try again and to work on ourselves in order to heal and live the best life possible for us. Co-Host Amanda Webster In October of 2018, Amanda stood on the ledge of a Canadian hotel room, ready to jump and end her life. She had been a victim of sexual assault at the age of 16, lost both of her parents in her very early 20's, and found herself spiraling down into the world of drugs and self-harm. She had sought help but wasn't able to get people to understand the pain she had been experiencing. As she stood upon that ledge with only the thought of easing her pain, a song began playing in the distance that woke her up from her daze and brought her down off that ledge, giving her hope to try once again. Amanda took back her life and is now a Mind-Body Wellness coach with a specialty in Holistic Nutrition. She is also a fitness instructor and coach. She has worked with the It Gets Better project and volunteered as a suicide prevention operator for the Trevor Project. To find out more about Amanda, visit her website www.amandawebsterhealth.com

Nothing can be more devastating than the death and loss of a child. The relationship between parents and their children is among the most intense in life. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Co-Host Retired Phoenix Police Sergeant Darren Burch Darren Burch is a 29-year veteran with the Phoenix Police Department and was the Silent Witness Program Director. His prior assignments include Detective Supervisor with the Crimes Against Children Unit, Night Detective Supervisor with the Homicide Unit, and Detective with Adult Sex Crimes Unit. The bulk of his investigative career was dedicated to the apprehension of sexual predators. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience, having also held positions with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Army Military Intelligence, Darren has received various awards to include the Medal of Lifesaving and the Army Commendation Medal. He was also named “Investigator of the Year” by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, “Detective of the Year” by the Phoenix Police Department and has over 100 written commendations. He is the co-host of the podcast Badge Boys and has authored several books about his escapades on the force. https://starworldwidenetworks.com/shows/badge-boys https://twistedbuttrue.com/

We all make mistakes in life. We all make choices that can cause us to go down some pretty dark roads. Sometimes life deals us a crappy hand, but these are all lessons that we can learn from. We can use those mistakes to redefine who we are and create a better outcome for ourselves. We can take ownership of our mistakes and choices we’ve made, to not only grow but to help others in the process. Co-Host Michael Ochotorena “Ocho” From a life as a gang member, drug addict and convict to now of worship, advocacy and acting in faith based films, Ocho is spreading his message of second chances and redemption by allowing himself to be vulnerable in sharing his journey through the darkness into the light. www.instagram.com/ocho8mm www.imdb.com/name/nm7760858/ www.twitter.com/ochomichael

Your mindset is everything! If you're stuck and not knowing what to do, maybe your mindset needs a reboot. Maybe it's time for you not to just think outside of the box but to crush that damn f'ing box and let your creative positive energy force take over! Co-Host Tray Goodman Tray Goodman is a visionary who provides practical, inspirational and often times satirical commentary on enlightened ways to see yourself and those around you. Tray's work has been described as inspired, transformative, and urgent. His expansive career has been an exploration of the evolving models of communication, allowing him to internalize the impact of narrative in a way that makes film and literature his intuitive expression rather than an exercise of craft. He takes what he refers to as a "non-lateral," approach to storytelling, understanding that the most comprehensive translation of our world involves not just looking backwards and forwards, but also looking outward and inward. Reflection upon the past and anticipation of what is to come are the critical scaffolding of our shared experiences, but aspiration and introspection are the dimensions that engender our most authentic truths. He is a man who rejects constraints. He draws his inspiration from the international landscape, and his extensive travels continually inform and refine his personal ethos. His book "Crushing Your Box - A Modern Guide to Finding and Improving Your Creative Positive Energy Force," encourages you to think outside and around and above the traditional "boxes" that say "you have to do it this way" or that tell us "you can't do that" or that drag us into thinking that "nothing ever seems to work out for me." By focusing on one CYB philosophy, or three philosophies, or any combination thereof, in any order you choose, you will be taking the necessary steps towards Crushing Your Box! www.wecrushthebox.com

Co-Host Kirk Nurmi interviews Robin Cote "The Queen of the Collective" Stories we share with others create bonds. The stories we tell ourselves, more often than not, separate us from who we really are. Why? Because more often than not, self-defeating, fear-based stories are designed to keep us in our comfort zone. How do we attack these thoughts? By confronting their truthfulness at it's source...the person telling the story. Another way of characterizing this would be "calling someone out on their own bullshit." At least those are the terms the host of this show and the Queen of the Collective uses. It is something we have done in the past and it is something we are going to do today as "Getting Real with Robin" will reach a whole new level, when Robin's truth is exposed.

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” More often than not, we humans have more questions than answers when it comes to our existence. There has to be a reason why things happen the way they do and why we must go through the trials and tribulations we face in our lives. Co-Host Retired Police Sgt. Steve Wamsley Steve spent 39 years in law enforcement, not just doing normal police work but also teaching classes and was a key member of the Critical Incident Stress Management team. He grew up in a spiritual family and learned some pretty interesting things at a young age, things that some of us spend most of our lives trying to understand and make sense of.

Trauma can be devastating but it can be something beautiful. We can either let our trauma take us down and ruin our lives or we can rise above it, finding a way to work through it, not only to heal ourselves but to share our stories in the hopes of helping others. Co-Host Audra Rene Weeks Audra's childhood was not an easy one, having faced her brother’s suicide when she was only 9, dealing with family members who tried to molest her and kill her and being a victim of teenage rape. She fought her way back and recently detailed her struggles and triumphs in her book, Moving Mountains: A Hero's Journey, A Survivors Memoir. She is a Clinically Certified Hypnotherapist and Energy Worker, and currently works with children as a professional nanny.

The staggering numbers of repeat offenders is mind-blowing! Recidivism is at an all-time high with little to no reform being offered to those incarcerated. Many of those behind prison walls will eventually rejoin society. What can we do to ensure that they can lead a productive life and not re-offend? Why are there more private prisons being built every day? Join us as we get real and delve into prison for profit and prison reform. Co-Host Chris Martin Chris Martin is the author of the book One Life, the subject of the documentary #HATERSMAKEMEFAMOUS, the host of the TV show Convicted Creations and the host of the podcast Haters Make Me Famous. Chris' journey from being a kid in the system to then an adult in the system has educated him on how flawed the system really is. He shares his knowledge in hopes to shed light on how we can make the system better in order to help others become productive members of society after spending time behind bars. The book One Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692042415/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_U_2DhtDbKR7NJCQ?fbclid=IwAR0ZqNka5JQp76Du3aLV7wjJnd1Z7NnxEy8xU4841k2d5w4g5ghA7jWO4lA https://chrismartinstory.com/ https://zonkamiles.org/ https://hatersmakemefamous.com/ Convicted Creations You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQN7ZLmaO1hq6BHOmrJ54VQ

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Your mindest plays a very intricate part in your day-to-day life. Having a positive mindset can redirect everything negative that happens in our lives. It's not what happens to us but what we do with it that makes all the difference. Co-Host Retired Phoenix Police Officer Jason Schechterle At the age of 26, Jason achieved his dream to work on the streets of Phoenix as a rookie police officer. Then, only 14 months into what was supposed to be a life-long career, Jason's life took a tragic turn. On the night of March 26th, 2001, a taxi cab crashed into the rear of Jason's patrol car. Upon impact, Jason's car burst into flames, trapping him inside with temperatures reaching over 700 degrees. Jason suffered severe burns to over 40% of his body which drastically altered his appearance. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries just to have the ability to accomplish simple daily tasks. Jason's journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. Jason represents the human experience at its very best - an ascent from despair to describing himself as the luckiest person alive! Jason is a public speaker, traveling all around the country to share his story, inspiring so many others to stay strong in the face of adversity. He is also the co-host of the podcast Badge Boys, which can be heard here: https://starworldwidenetworks.com/shows/badge-boys The book Burning Shield, details the events and triumps of Jason's battle to regain his life: https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Shield-Jason-Schechterle-Story/dp/0988651947