Livin' the Visions

Take a listen to my conversation with Melissa Kenady who is a single mother of 3 amazing daughters, the Owner & Managing Broker at Kenady Group Real Estate Brokerage and Founder of Illuminate Women's Conference. Melissa and I met in 2019 and we have been friends who dream big and support each other to make those visions a reality! HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EPISODE: Melissa's journey as a single mother raising 3 girls to opening her own real estate brokerage Update on the current real estate market in WA state Process for purchasing your own home after leaving an abusive relationship Financial abuse and how to protect your finances

Take a listen to my conversation with Tessa Henrichsen who is an Accountability & Mindset Coach whose focus is working with people with Neurodivergent Disorders. HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EPISODE: Neurodivergent: What It Is, Symptoms & Types Challenging Symptoms of Neurodiversity Techniques to help with the symptoms of Neurodivergent Disorder Why working with someone who has a solid understanding of trauma and the influence that it has on the brain and body is important as you navigate the healing process; and Tessa's own struggles with healing from trauma before she was diagnosed with ADHD

Take a listen to my conversation with Catherine Mayr who is a qualified and certified music therapist. Throughout this episode we discuss the concept of music therapy and how it can be instrumental in helping people who suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma and so many other mental and physical struggles. We also talk about how music can be a trigger for some so as a music therapist, there is a fine line between how music can be beneficial and how music can be a trigger. Did you know that certain types of music is designed and played in restaurants, malls, doctor's offices, etc. to impact the neurons in your brain while visiting these establishments! The topic of music therapy was so fascinating to me as you begin to think about how music impacts our lives in so many ways. I hope this episode resonates with you too!

Take a listen to Beck's story of abuse that started in her early childhood where she took the role as "protector" in her family dynamic and how she lived with an abusive father who was also in law enforcement. She touches on abuse within a religious family, hiding the abuse, being disowned by her family for 9 years, how she had to set boundaries with her dad before he died, and how therapy helped her break the cycle of abuse. We also talk about her recent adventure where her and her partner traveled around the country this past summer and how on that trip they came across a domestic violence situation at the campground they were staying and how they were able to help the victim as the abuse was taking place. And we wrap up our conversation discussing Beck's vision for creating safe places for people at the retreat they hope to build in Arizona in the future.

This episode I recorded with a very special guest, my BFF, Charity DaSilva. We laughed, shed some tears and provided some insight to our 15+ year friendship. Take a listen to this episode where we discuss the importance of having a support system, what you can do to support a loved one when they are going through a challenging life event and/or trauma, the advantages of having a support system and we shared personal details of life events that shook our world and had to lean on each other to overcome some of the most difficult times of our lives.

Listen to Tara's story of abuse that started at an early age and how that pattern of abuse and not knowing the signs of narcissistic personality lead her to marry a man that would emotionally and psychologically abuse her to maintain his Power and Control throughout their marriage. When she left the abusive marriage with her 3 children, began the process of healing from years of abuse and realized what she "didn't want from a relationship" she was emotionally ready to meet "one of the good ones" at 40 years old.

The most dangerous part of having a narcissist in your life is that you usually don't realize it until it's too late. Narcissists are really skilled at coming off charming and manipulating you into falling for their act. It's only once you fall in their grasp that they start to show you their true colors. Be careful as a narcissist will attempt to turn the tables on you every time that you confront them. They will do anything to not take accountability even if it means tearing you down in the process. But, it doesn't mean that you have to let them. Here are examples of how the narcissist play's the victim.

I handed over the mic to my first guest host, Johanne Holman, who interviewed me about my chapter in Hear Her Roar, Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. We cover several topics: Fear of writing my chapter and the ramifications of telling my story; Fairytales - why do we believe in them?; Training for First Responders; Freedom; and so much more. Take a listen as I share more about the night I had a knife to my throat and how a call to the police by our neighbors saved my life.

Listen to Lori's story of abuse which started on her honeymoon 37 years ago. She also discusses her belief that guardian angels saved her life during the 6 months she was married to her first husband. The emotional scars are still with her 37 years later and this is why she thinks it's so important to share your story of abuse so that others know they are not alone and there is help available.

I am one of the 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. Listen to my story of abuse, survival and my healing journey that allowed me to create the life I envisioned for myself. I also share how dreaming again was instrumental in creating Livin' the Visions which is my purpose and passion to help Educate, Empower and help women Envision life without abuse. Website - www.livinthevisions.com Email - chris@livinthevisions.com IG - @livinthevisions Facebook - Livin' the Visions Hear Her Roar can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Hear-Her-Roar-Successful-Experienced/dp/0645241571

Kristin Strawder is one of the 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. This book is an Amazon #1 International Best Seller and it also started the #HearHerRoarMovement globally. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. Listen to Kristin's story of how her spiritual awakening gave Kristen her voice back, healed her emotions and lit the way to embrace the parts of her soul that had been shattered by the years of emotional destruction happening behind closed doors. We also discuss how giving her TEDx talk and writing a poem about the Gabby Petito story were part of her healing journey.

Sheila Kadeer is one of the 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. Listen to Sheila's story of how for four years Sheila and her daughter were locked in a cycle of domestic abuse which included a long court battle with her abuser. After winning her court case she made it her mission to support other women going through domestic abuse and even became a police officer who was specially trained to work with victims of serious sexual assault and rape.

Johanne Holman is one of the 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. This book is an Amazon #1 International Best Seller and it also started the #HearHerRoarMovement globally. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. Listen to Johanne's story, her realization that there was no one place for women in the UK to go for guidance and support on their healing journey, and how creating She Sparkles helps women all over the world take back their power, reclaim their life and re-find their SPARKLE!

I wrote a blog on 2/14/2019 regarding my thoughts on Valentine's Day and I believe it deserves to be heard as it is as relevant now as it was when I wrote it in 2019. For this Valentine's Day, I ask that you give the experience of love by demonstrating love. Do something today that makes someone feel loved. It doesn't have to be huge, even a simple text to someone to let them know you were thinking of them and they are loved. Real connection doesn't cost a thing.

Brigid Holder is the Publisher and one of the 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. This book is an Amazon #1 International Best Seller and it also started the #HearHerRoarMovement globally. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. Listen to Brigid's story and why this book is different then anything she has ever put out in the world previously and why it's time to Speak Up about domestic abuse and allow women everywhere the opportunity to do the same.

Claudia Spahr is one of 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. This book is an Amazon #1 International Best Seller and it also started the #HearHerRoarMovement globally. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. We discuss her story from Hear Her Roar, why she left for the sake of the children, and how she took that pain and has dedicated herself to providing safe spaces for women and children to heal.

Jen Simms is one of 15 Contributing Authors in Hear Her Roar - Successful Women Who Experienced Domestic Abuse. This book is an Amazon #1 International Best Seller and it also started the #HearHerRoarMovement globally. In this book you will find 15 incredibly strong women who share their stories of Domestic Abuse and their healing journey. Listen to her story of how the pattern of abusive behaviors would erode her autonomy and self esteem and how through all of this, she became the heroine of her own story.

What you discover when you dive deeper into the private world of domestic violence is that no one actually knows, for sure, why men abuse women. Experts have many, and often competing, theories, but those tend to identify the symptoms, not the causes, of an intimate and individual problem. If we can figure out why men abuse the women they claim to like and love, maybe we can get them to stop. Maybe we can get better at preventing men from abusing in the first place.

This week we have a special guest, Karen, who will be sharing her Domestic Violence story with us. Karen and I met through an online women's group that we both belong to. I made a post about Domestic Violence and asked if anyone would be willing to share their story. Karen reached out to me and she shared her story with me last week and agreed to come back and share her story with you.

What is abuse? Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence, dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence doesn't discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don't want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control.

This podcast is for anyone who wants to break generational and personal cycles in their lives. It provides education, empowerment, insight, advise and my perspective as a Personal Development Coach, Domestic Violence Recovery Coach, Domestic Violence Survivor and Advocate along with other survivors who have a story to share. This isn't just a podcast, it's a healing journey through education, empowerment and envisioning the life you want to create in your next chapter as a Survivor. Together we can break the cycle of abuse. Welcome to the discussion.