Podcasts about Breaking the Silence

Mental health in agriculture is a conversation that can no longer be ignored. Behind every successful farming operation are people carrying the weight of unpredictable weather, volatile markets, financial pressures, family dynamics, succession planning, and the everyday challenges that come with life on the farm. Yet too often, these struggles remain hidden. In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy Brunet is joined by Thomas Eisenbarth, farmer, mental health advocate, and founder of Grounded Ag, alongside Colleen Stegenga, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, agricultural mental health therapist, and founder of Embracing Change Counseling Services. Thomas courageously shares his personal mental health journey and why he believes vulnerability can save lives. Colleen offers both clinical expertise and firsthand understanding of agriculture, helping bridge the gap between mental health care and the unique realities of rural communities. Together, they discuss why these conversations matter, how we can better support one another, and introduce their impactful presentation, From the Field to the Feelings, designed specifically for agricultural conferences, organizations, and producer groups. Episode Highlights • Thomas shares his personal mental health journey and why he chose to tell his story • Colleen explains the unique mental health challenges facing farmers and ranchers • Why stigma continues to keep many people in agriculture suffering in silence • Recognizing the warning signs that someone may be struggling • Practical ways family members, friends, and colleagues can offer support • Why combining lived farming experience with clinical expertise creates meaningful conversations • The story behind From the Field to the Feelings • What organizations can expect when they bring this presentation to their conference or event • Who this presentation is designed for and why agricultural communities are embracing it Conversation Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The Impact Farming Show 01:05 – Meet Thomas Eisenbarth and Colleen Stegenga 1:41 – Colleen's background 5:05 – Thomas shares his background 5:45 – Why Colleen decided to focus on agriculture mental health 9:06 – Thomas shares his personal mental health journey 15:00 – Why stigma continues to exist in farming 27:59 – Recognizing warning signs, starting conversations and having your tribe 29:34 – How Colleen and Thomas teamed up together for mental health presentations 34:37 – The story behind From the Field to the Feelings 48:00 – Final thoughts and words of encouragement Whether you're a farmer, rancher, agribusiness professional, agricultural leader, or someone who simply cares about the people behind our food system, this conversation offers hope, practical advice, and an important reminder that no one has to face life's challenges alone. Thanks for tuning in, Tracy

What if the person staring back at you in the mirror isn't who everyone else sees?In this powerful episode of The Raw Vibe Podcast, author, educator, and advocate Linda Summersea shares her deeply personal journey of living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), overcoming childhood trauma, and discovering the courage to embrace an authentic life.Drawing from her memoir, The Girl with the Black and Blue Doll, Linda opens up about the emotional isolation, negative self-image, and societal pressures that shaped her life—and the healing that became possible through self-awareness, writing, and resilience.Whether you or someone you love struggles with body image, anxiety, trauma, or self-worth, this conversation offers hope, practical insights, and a reminder that healing is possible.

Amelia speaks with Jerry Shearer and Sarah Haines about the faith community response to domestic violence.

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Breaking Shame and Building a Mission of Healing Guests, Diana and Micah LaCerte, Owners of HitchFit and Co-Authors of The Breaker This week's guests are back by popular demand. Micah and Diana will be discussing not only their book: "The Breaker." but the movement that this couple and their message is starting across the country. Do not miss this inspirational program! Don't forget to check out the guest's book, "The Breaker: How Men Can Overcome Shame and Live in True Freedom" Find it at all major book retailers and Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637634889?tag=simonsayscom Check out The Breaker Below: https://thebreakermission.com/ The Hidden Weight Survivors Carry Dr. Gregory Williams opens the program by introducing a new multiweek discussion focused especially on men who have survived childhood sexual abuse, while noting that the principles also apply to women. He describes how survivors may appear successful, strong, disciplined, professionally accomplished, or outwardly composed while privately carrying shame, fear, anger, confusion, nightmares, relationship difficulties, and the belief that something inside them has been permanently damaged. Williams shares that he remained silent about his own abuse for thirty-seven years and explains how fear of disbelief, judgment, and altered relationships can prevent disclosure. He emphasizes that the abuse was not the survivor's fault and does not define identity. He explains that once healing begins, the wound can become a scar that no longer defines the survivor and may instead be used to encourage and empower others facing similar pain. The Breaker Becomes a Platform for Vulnerability Williams welcomes Micah and Diana LaCerte, co-authors of The Breaker, and presents the book as a resource for trauma disclosure, courage, healing, faith, and personal transformation. Micah explains that since the book's release, he and Diana have heard from many people who felt safe enough to reveal deeply personal experiences after encountering their story. He describes the work as both a blessing and a source of heartbreak because every testimony carries pain, yet he believes vulnerability can help others find courage and begin healing. Diana adds that the book has created opportunities to hold difficult stories with compassion while helping people move toward the identity they believe God intended for them rather than remaining defined by trauma. Both describe the work as ministry rather than promotion. Carrying Other People's Stories Without Being Consumed Williams asks how the couple emotionally handles the painful accounts people bring to them. Diana says their relationship with Jesus has become essential because they need the capacity to listen while also surrendering burdens that are not theirs to carry permanently. She describes beginning her mornings in prayer and asking for the words and strength needed to sustain weary people. She says their background in fitness has also helped them understand the importance of physically and emotionally processing difficult experiences rather than allowing those burdens to remain stored within them. Some stories stay with her and bring genuine grief, but she also feels gratitude when survivors or spouses explain that the book gave them courage to disclose abuse, offer support, or enter a healing process. Success Measured by Individual Breakthroughs The guests explain that traditional bestseller rankings were never their primary goal. Diana says they measure success through individual stories of breakthrough, disclosure, and healing, believing that each person reached confirms the book is fulfilling its intended purpose. Micah adds that although they are normally highly competitive and accustomed to pursuing championships, visible accomplishments, and measurable success, they felt led not to treat the book as another contest. Their hope is that The Breaker will remain useful ten, twenty, or thirty years from now and continue helping people long after the initial release period. Williams agrees that trauma-related books often gain influence slowly through trust, testimony, sustained ministry, and repeated personal recommendation. From Shame to a Voice for Other Survivors When Williams asks what “the breaker” means, Micah explains that the most painful and shame-filled part of his life has become the subject he now most wants to discuss. He recalls how difficult it was to disclose the abuse even to close family members and contrasts that with the freedom he now experiences speaking openly. Diana observes that the hesitation and shame that remained even a year earlier are no longer controlling him. Micah says that when he shares his experience, strangers frequently respond with stories involving themselves, a child, a parent, or another loved one. He describes healing as a difficult process requiring courage, time, persistence, and the willingness to keep moving after setbacks. Once survivors reach greater freedom, he believes their lived understanding can become a powerful source of hope for those still trapped in secrecy. Forgiveness as a Process, Not Permission A major part of the conversation focuses on forgiveness. Micah says his most difficult forgiveness was not directed only toward the abuser, but also toward the people who should have protected him and did not. He describes a seven-year healing process in which he addressed major and smaller traumas before becoming capable of authentic forgiveness. Micah recounts a spiritual turning point during a walk, when reflecting on Jesus's words of forgiveness helped him begin releasing the anger he still held toward the abuser and those who failed to protect him. Diana stresses that forgiveness does not mean saying the abuse was acceptable, restoring access to the offender, or abandoning necessary boundaries. Williams agrees from his own experience, explaining that although he worked toward forgiveness, he never allowed his children to be alone with his father. The Breaker Mission and Restoring Men, Families, and Faith Micah describes The Breaker Mission as an evolving ministry that he expects to work alongside other aligned organizations rather than compete with them. Its developing focus includes protecting children, helping men heal, strengthening families, and guiding survivors toward a renewed relationship with Christ, especially when church-related wounds have complicated faith. He says he feels called to be a strong male voice for men who have not yet found their own voice and believes healing fathers can positively affect wives, children, and entire households. He also discusses speaking to young people in a juvenile detention center and observing that none reported having a father consistently present in the home. The closing highlights Soul Fit TV, the couple's upcoming fifteenth anniversary, Williams's hope for future events and collaborations, and his blessing over their marriage, ministry, and expanding impact.

Mental health is one of the most misunderstood topics in the church, and it's time we start having honest conversations.In this deeply personal episode, I share my own journey through postpartum anxiety and panic disorder, the hurtful responses I received from well-meaning Christians, and the hope I found as God faithfully walked with me toward healing. We'll also look at Elijah's burnout, David's honest cries to God, and the Good Samaritan to discover God's heart for those who are hurting.Whether you're battling anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, grief, burnout, intrusive thoughts, postpartum struggles, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this message is for you.You are not a weak Christian because you're struggling.You are not alone.Healing is a journey, and Jesus walks every step with you.If this episode encourages you, please share it with someone who needs hope today. Together, let's break the silence and create a church culture marked by compassion, truth, and healing.–To connect with Lauren or to become a Supporter, visit gravetop.com and follow her @laurenahargrove on Instagram and Facebook

In this week's episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we sit down with HR leader, accredited coach and fertility specialist Kali Crow to discuss one of the most overlooked workplace challenges: navigating fertility treatment whilst building a career.Drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experience of IVF, Kali shares practical advice, honest reflections and compassionate guidance for anyone experiencing fertility challenges, pregnancy loss or reproductive health issues. What we cover: Kali's journey into fertility coaching  The impact of fertility treatment on careers, confidence and mental wellbeing  Practical ways to manage work alongside IVF and treatment  Setting boundaries and building the right support network  Coaching vs counselling  How employers can better support employees experiencing fertility challenges  The Fertility Workplace Pledge and why it matters. Key takeaways:

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by Writer, Commentator and Community Advocate, Elaine Crory to discuss the Jeffrey Donaldson case, sexual violence, challenges within the justice system, and societal issues across the island of Ireland. They explore the impact of political power, rape myths, and systemic failures on justice and social progress. The Whistleblowers Podcast - In Their Own Words:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163145416 The Venezuelan Earthquake podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162431599

This is a reflection on a Gospel passage from Matthew in which Jesus heals a mute man and calls for more laborers for the harvest. The homily interprets spiritual muteness as a barrier to confession and personal growth, emphasizing that the devil often discourages people from seeking spiritual guidance. The narrative highlights how Jesus felt compassion for the crowds, viewing them as defenseless sheep lacking a shepherd to guide them toward truth. Drawing on personal experience, the author credits his religious formation to a mentor who helped him navigate complex doctrinal challenges in his youth. Ultimately, this serves as a call to action for listeners to stop being spectators and become active participants in sharing their faith. By engaging in the Lord's work, individuals can protect others from being misled and help provide the guidance and support needed for a meaningful life.

Amelia speaks with Kristen McGee, the Executive Director of Ann's Heart in Phoenixville.

Summer Of Psalms: Psalm 34 "Breaking The Silence" (Josh Morales) by Pastor Harold Guerra

Send us Fan MailFor many people, mental health is difficult to talk about. Too often, the struggles remain hidden behind successful careers, busy lives, and smiling faces.On this episode, Enrique Cerna is joined by two longtime friends and respected journalists—Roberta Romero, executive producer of KING 5 News' Facing Race unit, and Randy Eng, producer, photographer, and editor with the Seattle Channel—for an honest and deeply personal conversation about their mental health journeys.Together, they talk about their experiences with depression, anxiety, grief, and the challenges of asking for help.  They also talk about the importance of therapy, support from family and friends, and why breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness matters now more than ever.This is a conversation about vulnerability, resilience, hope, and the reminder that no one has to face mental health challenges alone.If you or someone you know is struggling, we hope this discussion encourages you to reach out, seek support, and know that help is available.Read: https://southseattleemerald.org/voices/2025/07/22/masked-men-are-detaining-people-when-will-washingtons-leaders-protect-usRead: https://nieman.harvard.edu/mark-trahant-wins-the-2025-i-f-stone-medal-for-journalistic-independence/Read: https://www.24thstreet.org/blog/2025/1/17/letting-goRead:https://www.amazon.com/Harbingers-January-Charlottesville-American-Democracy/dp/1586424017Read: https://www.mapresearch.org/2024-dei-report "Dismantling DEI: A Coordinated Attack on American Values"https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/01/07/these-companies-have-rolled-back-dei-policies-mcdonalds-is-latest-to-abandon-diversity-standards/https://www.chronicle.com/package/the-assault-on-dei  Chronicle of Higher Education https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supreme/bios/?fa=scbios.display_file&fileID=gonzalezRead: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/chinatown-international-district-activist-matt-chan-dead-at-71/Hear Rick Shenkman on the BBC Radio Program Sideways:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001xdg0Read: https://www.thedailybeast.com/i-stuck-with-nixon-heres-why-science-said-i-did-itRead: https://www.washcog.org/in-the-news/your-right-to-knowRead: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/the-legislatures-sunshine-committee-has-fallen-into-darkness/Read: https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2024/feb/2...

Breaking the Silence: Chester County--Same Song, Different Tune. Abuse is like a jazz standard: familiar yet constantly shifting. While we listen to various renditions of Sleepwalk, we will be unpacking an issue that has bubbled up to the surface with recent pop-culture-related headlines about domestic abuse: the myth of the perfect victim.

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Outcry, Healing, and the Courage to Face What Fear Has Hidden Guest, JoDee Neil, Owner of Neil Now Legal, Prosecutor, Attorney and Author of "Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence" This week's guest is back by popular demand. JoDee Neil is an acclaimed trail attorney and author of the new book: "Outcry Witness." She owns Neil Now Legal, PLLC. She has served as a prosecutor of sexual abuse cases and specializes in Crimes Against Children cases. Interested in our guest? Visit their Website at: https://www.jodeeneil.com/ Don't forget to check out her book: "Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1965766196/ Opening From Houston With Gratitude and Hope In this episode of Breaking the Silence, host Dr. Gregory Williams welcomes listeners from his home in Houston, Texas, and reflects on the city, the Texas Medical Center, the approaching Fourth of July weekend, and gratitude for military service members and veterans. He then introduces the evening's guest, JoDee Neil, attorney, author, advocate, and returning guest. The episode centers on trauma, anxiety, disclosure, recovery, workplace harm, and JoDee's book Outcry, Witness. A Practical Game Plan for Anxiety and Triggers Before bringing JoDee into the conversation, Dr. Williams shares a practical ten-step approach for dealing with anxiety when a traumatic trigger appears. He encourages listeners to recognize and name the trigger, breathe slowly, ground themselves through the five senses, challenge fearful thoughts, relax the body, replace fear with truth, take one small action, reduce outside stimulation, practice gratitude, and, for those who believe, turn to God in prayer. He explains that these steps can help move the brain out of panic and into a more rational, grounded state. JoDee Neil on Becoming Unfrozen JoDee responds by describing anxiety and trauma response as a kind of frozen state, where a person may feel unable to move, think clearly, or act. She affirms Dr. Williams' grounding tools and adds that writing can also help people come out of that frozen condition. She speaks candidly about her own past reliance on pills and other numbing methods, explaining that many people try to avoid discomfort rather than face the pain underneath. For JoDee, healing required learning to feel, endure, and move through the truth rather than continually medicating it away. Disclosure, Truth, and the Possibility of Joy The conversation turns to disclosure, which JoDee defines as first admitting the truth to oneself and then saying it aloud to someone else. She explains that healing begins when a person recognizes that present pain may be connected to something that happened long ago, and that a joyful life requires facing that reality. Dr. Williams asks whether she once believed she was worthy of happiness, and JoDee says happiness felt distant and almost imaginary until she began accepting the truth and healing from it. From Courthouse Healing to a Wider Calling JoDee reflects on her career as a trial attorney, particularly her work with sexual abuse cases and crimes against children. She describes how helping others in court once made her feel whole and purposeful, but after writing Outcry, Witness, she no longer feels the same need to keep healing inside courthouses. Instead, she now sees a broader calling to bring her experience, communication skills, and trauma-informed understanding into businesses, schools, boards, leadership groups, and public speaking settings where she can reach more people at once. Workplace Trauma, Retaliation, and Better Leadership A major part of the interview focuses on how JoDee's legal and survivor experience can help organizations. She discusses workplace sexual harassment, retaliation, human resources failures, and the need for better reporting protocols. JoDee says retaliation often causes additional harm and liability, and she argues that organizations should create clearer, safer processes before matters escalate into legal battles. She also discusses de-escalation, communication, chain of command, listening, smiling, reducing tension, and creating healthier workplace cultures that protect both people and organizations. Facing Fear and Choosing Life As the interview closes, JoDee describes her dream of speaking widely, including a future TED Talk, and says she wants people to hear her and decide that life is worth truly living. She encourages listeners who are trapped in despair, addiction, or avoidance to take the first step toward healing, saying that the fear of facing pain is often worse than the act of beginning. Dr. Williams and JoDee also discuss a possible future Houston event connected to their books and nonprofit fundraising. The episode ends with Dr. Williams reminding listeners that both he and JoDee have survived deep pain, that help begins with a first step, and that as long as there is breath, there is hope.

There's a part of the fertility journey that is so often overlooked.Because while so much of this experience is centred around women, the truth is, fertility is never just one person's journey.So today, we're opening up that conversation in a really powerful way. In this episode, I'm joined by Jacky maughan and his story brings a perspective we don't hear nearly enough.After experiencing male factor infertility himself, he shares what it's really like to walk this path as a man… the pressure to stay strong, the quiet sense of responsibility, the emotional impact that often goes unspoken, and the ways it can affect identity, relationships, and self-worth.We talk about why so many men struggle in silence during IVF, what support actually looks like from a male perspective, and how couples can feel more connected through this process.And most importantly, we explore how men can begin to feel more empowered, more involved, and more supported on this journey too.This is such an honest, grounding and deeply needed conversation… whether you're navigating fertility right now, or you want to better understand your partner's experience.By the time you finish listening, you'll find out:Jacky's own personal journey through infertility + IVFWhere men can reach out for support when trying to conceiveHow to support your male partner through this process You can connect with Jacky via his website or InstagramEMBRACE THE JOURNEY IS BACK at the end of this month!This FREE 3-day live training event will show you how to use the practices of Fertility Yoga, Meditation + Breathwork to:Support your fertilityRegulate your menstrual cycleCam your nervous systemEase the anxiety of TTCAnd be in the energy of a group of Thanks for being here on Your Journey to Fertility! When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, share it to your Instagram stories and tag me @jen.elementpilatesyoga If you're trying to conceive, I have lots of resources to support you:To grab a copy of my Free Fertility Yoga Guide, click here:To jump inside the Secret Fertility Shift private podcast series, click here:To learn more about In Your Element - The Fertility Yoga Experience click here and start using so many of the practices I speak about for yourself.This program is a guided way to: Sync with your cycle & synchronize your hormonesIncrease success rates through proven, scientific methodsRegulate your nervous system & make every part of this journey feel easier

In this segment, host Taranjeet Kaur Ghuman was joined by Harinder Singh Sahota, a social worker specializing in mental health and addiction, for an important conversation on men's mental health. The discussion explores the stigma surrounding emotional well-being, societal expectations placed on men, and the unique challenges faced within the South Asian community. The episode also highlights that men account for a significant majority of suicide deaths, emphasizing the need for open conversations, early support, and greater awareness around mental health.    

Why do so many men suffer in silence?In this episode of The Common Knowledge Podcast, Marcus L-Spade Johnson sits down with Johnny Moore III, author of Anchor, for an honest conversation about men's mental health, emotional resilience, faith, purpose, and what it truly means to heal.Together, they discuss:Why men often struggle to ask for helpThe mental health challenges facing Black men and their communitiesBreaking generational cycles of silenceThe importance of strong male mentors and brotherhoodFaith, hope, and finding purpose through life's stormsPractical steps every man can take toward healingThis isn't just another conversation about mental health—it's a conversation about becoming stronger without pretending you're unbreakable.Featured Guest: Johnny Moore IIIAuthor of: Anchor (Available now on Amazon)If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. One conversation could change a life.

Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases, but nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems before preventable conditions turn life-threatening. June is 'Men's Health Month', and the Department of Health and Human Services wants raise awareness on growing concerns over low testosterone and mental health issues in men. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Adm. Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who says men need to be open and honest about their health concerns. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite the political fascism in Israel, the daily abuses and ethnic cleansing on the West Bank, the genocide in Gaza and forever wars on Iran and Lebanon, there are those in Israel – both Jewish and Palestinian – who organise resistance. In fact, Standing Together recently launched a new Jewish-Arab political party.Standing Together describes itself as a force for equal rights, peace and justice. It is worth mentioning here, though, that Israeli human rights organisations like Standing Together, B'Tselem, Yesh Din and Breaking The Silence do not, in any way, represent the majority of Israelis. Not even close. In fact, Israelis opinion polls consistently show that a large majority of Jewish Israelis believe that the war in Gaza is justified, many even calling for a military escalation. Polling also shows widespread support among Israeli Jews for Netanyahu's wars in Iran and Lebanon, as well as for the occupation of the West Bank. Despite this fact, however, Standing Together has actually grown in numbers since the 7th of October. So there are parallel processes at play – one Israeli reality is the fascist one, where the government reinstates the death penalty but only for Palestinians, where settler thugs shoot Palestinian children on the West Bank with impunity, where systematic rape is employed in Israeli prisons. Another reality consists of Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Arabs uniting around the most basic of objectives: End the wars, end the occupation, equal rights for all. The problem is that the fascist reality seems to be taking over. However, that does not mean you stop resisting.To listen to the episode ad-free subscribe to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/kalampodcastFollow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kalampodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases, but nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems before preventable conditions turn life-threatening. June is 'Men's Health Month', and the Department of Health and Human Services wants raise awareness on growing concerns over low testosterone and mental health issues in men. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Adm. Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who says men need to be open and honest about their health concerns. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases, but nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems before preventable conditions turn life-threatening. June is 'Men's Health Month', and the Department of Health and Human Services wants raise awareness on growing concerns over low testosterone and mental health issues in men. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Adm. Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who says men need to be open and honest about their health concerns. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lara St. John was sexually assaulted by her aged instructor when she was a teenager at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. After she went public in 2019, Lara was inundated with messages from others who said they had suffered similar abuse in the classical music world. Now she's telling their stories in a new documentary, Dear Lara. She joined Tom Power in the Q studio to talk about this darker side of classical music and the changes she hopes her film can help make.

Bill Mitchell - the author of "When Dating Hurts" joins Amelia to talk about dating violence and his advocacy journey and story - as well as about his book and podcast.

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Unconquerable: Chief Matt Antkowiak on Trauma, Resilience, Faith, and Becoming a Protector Guest, Chief Matt Antkowiak, Former Police Chief, Detective, Author and Survivor This week's guest is Chief Matt Antkowiak, Author and Survivor Scoop was conducting an interview with Chief Matt, when something amazing happened. You Will NOT want to miss this life-changing program! A Father's Day Conversation About Resilience and Hope In this Father's Day episode of Breaking the Silence, host Dr. Gregory Williams welcomes Chief Matt Antkowiak for a deeply personal conversation about childhood abuse, trauma, resilience, law enforcement, faith, and the mission to protect vulnerable children. Dr. Williams opens by reflecting on his recent visit to a juvenile detention center, where many young people had experienced abuse, trafficking, foster care, fatherlessness, and serious criminal charges. He uses that experience to introduce the theme of resilience, stressing that children need adults who teach them how to recover, adapt, keep moving forward, learn from failure, and believe that there is always hope. Learning Resilience the Hard Way Chief Antkowiak explains that resilience is not simply something people are born with; it must be taught, modeled, and practiced. He says he did not learn healthy resilience as a child, but later encountered it in the military through drill sergeants who taught him that each step forward is a choice. He describes how, as a young person, he dealt with trauma through hiding, shame, drinking, fighting, and suppressing pain. Looking back, he says he was leaving “breadcrumbs” and wanted someone to notice, ask the right questions, and help stop what was happening, but the adults around him did not respond in the way he needed. Abuse, Silence, and the Need for Protectors Much of the conversation centers on the silence that surrounds childhood abuse and the urgent need to equip parents, teachers, pastors, coaches, and other adults to recognize warning signs. Chief Antkowiak says most abusers are known to the child, often occupying trusted roles within families, schools, churches, sports, or community circles. He argues that society must shift from merely responding after abuse happens to building protectors on the front end. For him, breaking the silence means removing shame from survivors, asking better questions, teaching children what trusted adults look like, and understanding that the shame belongs to the abuser, not the victim. Law Enforcement, Human Trafficking, and Searching for Justice Chief Antkowiak reflects on his long career in law enforcement, including military service and decades as a police officer and chief. He explains that working sex crimes, child abuse, and human trafficking cases gave him a way to pursue justice for others, even while he had not yet publicly spoken about his own abuse. He discusses major investigations, including the Blakemore human-trafficking case, and says that catching offenders did not fully heal him because he was still searching for justice for himself. Over time, he came to understand that his pain had become part of his purpose and that his experience helped him connect with survivors while also understanding the behavior of predators. The Moment the Silence Broke One of the most powerful parts of the interview comes when Chief Antkowiak describes publicly revealing his own abuse during a media interview connected to a school-related abuse investigation. He says an investigative reporter recognized that the case seemed deeply personal, and Antkowiak unexpectedly disclosed that he had been abused as a child. Moments later, he repeated that disclosure in a press conference, realizing only afterward that he had broken a silence he had carried for decades. Rather than stopping, he returned to the work, but the moment forced him to begin processing what he had long buried. Faith, Healing, and Taking Back What Was Stolen Chief Antkowiak also speaks openly about faith, therapy, forgiveness, and his belief that God was present with him even in the darkest moments of his life. He recounts a life-threatening incident as a Dallas police officer in 2000, when he survived being dragged by a car and badly injured, and says his young son's comment that “God went to work with my dad” changed the way he understood God's presence. He connects that experience to his later healing, saying he has come to believe that God did not create the abuse but was with him through it. He also shares how a trafficking survivor once told him about Jesus and reminded him that God loved him, a moment that deeply affected him. Team Unconquerable and the Call to Expose the Darkness The episode closes with Chief Antkowiak describing his developing movement, Team Unconquerable, and his upcoming book, Unconquerable, which he says is planned for a Black Friday release tied to reclaiming the anniversary of one of the hardest moments in his own story. His mission is to expose darkness, speak up, and build protectors who can recognize abuse, support survivors, and prevent harm. Dr. Williams thanks him for the conversation and says he wants to bring him back for another episode. He closes with the show's recurring message: survivors are not alone, healing is possible, the silence can be broken, and there is always hope.

This week, Benjamin Hall reflects on Men's Mental Health Month and the challenges many men face in asking for help. Drawing from his own experiences as a war correspondent and his recovery after being wounded in Ukraine, Benjamin shares why vulnerability, resilience, and honest conversations can make all the difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the very institutions designed to educate and empower were also places where harm could quietly thriveIn this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Julie Cruse—writer, inventor, instructional designer, and author of The Burn List: A Memoir of Abuse from Home to Higher Education. Julie has been recognized by Dance Magazine as a “pioneer of computational choreography,” and her work spans over two decades across Ivy League, public, and community colleges. With more than 30 grants and honors, including a National Science Foundation fellowship, her accomplishments are remarkable—but her story is also deeply sobering.Julie courageously shares her journey from an abusive childhood into a prolonged experience of academic exploitation. Across seven universities, she faced grooming, harassment, and retaliation from faculty—experiences that ultimately forced her out of her PhD program and academic career.What Is Academic Abuse?Academic abuse is often hidden in plain sight. It can include:Grooming and manipulation by those in positions of authorityHarassment and coercionRetaliation when boundaries are set or complaints are madeDespite protections like Title IX and Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), these issues persist—making awareness and advocacy more important than ever.Key Takeaways from This Episode✨ Why some students are more vulnerable Julie explains how factors like isolation, power imbalance, and a desire to succeed can make students easier targets.✨ How to protect yourself Practical, empowering advice including:Set clear boundariesAvoid being alone with faculty in private settingsKeep detailed records of interactions (dates, times, events)✨ What to do if harassment occurs There is often a required process and hierarchy of reporting. Understanding the steps ahead of time can help you navigate the system more effectively.✨ Why this conversation matters Silence allows abuse to continue. Open conversations help validate survivors, create accountability, and drive change.A Safe Place to Be HeardJulie has created a survivor-led platform at Academic Abuse where individuals can:Share their stories in a safe, supportive environmentAccess resources for healingResearch documented cases of abuse at specific universitiesIf you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or abuse in higher education, this platform offers both validation and support.Connect with JulieWebsite: Julie Cruse official website https://www.juliecruse.com/Advocacy Platform: Academic Abuse https://www.academicabuse.com/  Final ThoughtsThis episode is a courageous step toward shining light on a difficult but critical issue. By speaking openly about academic abuse, we can better protect students, support survivors, and work toward meaningful change in higher education.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might benefit.And don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Linda's Corner to help spread more hope, healing, and awareness.Listen, Share, and SupportIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need hope today.Be sure to subscribe, leave a rating and review, and help us spread more healing and inspiration to the world.Free Resource for HealingIf you're ready to release stress, calm your mind, and begin healing from within, visit:

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Scars, Service, and Built-to-Lead Resilience: Turning Struggle Into Strength Guest, Keith Grounsell, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, two-time Chief of Police, former DEA Special Agent, international police advisor, entrepreneur, speaker, and multi-book author Back by popular demand, this week's guest will be Keith Grounsell. Keith is a veteran law enforcement leader with nearly 30 years at the city, county, federal and international levels. A former deep undercover narcotics officer and 2-time Chief of Police. He is the author of more than 12 books. You can find all of Keith's book at his author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keith-P.-Grounsell/author/B08J456MMW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1773710088&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true A Night of Hope After Hurt In this episode of Breaking the Silence, host Dr. Gregory Williams opens from his home near the Texas Medical Center in Houston, welcoming listeners to a Sunday evening conversation about trauma, healing, and perseverance. He reminds the audience that the show's purpose is to give people something useful they can carry into the week, whether for themselves or someone they care about. He also notes that the program is approaching seven years on the air, making the episode part of a long-running effort to help people break the silence around personal pain. The Value That Trauma Cannot Destroy Before introducing his guest, Dr. Williams offers two illustrations about value after damage. First, he uses a $100 bill to show that even when something is crumpled, stepped on, or dirtied, its value remains unchanged. Then he tells the story of a broken antique vase repaired with gold, making the cracks visible but even more beautiful and valuable. He applies both images to survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, and other forms of trauma, emphasizing that their worth has not been diminished by what was done to them. Scars as Testimonies of Healing Dr. Williams connects the broken-vase image to spiritual healing, saying God does not pretend that wounds never happened but instead binds broken pieces together in a way that turns scars into testimonies. He cites Psalm 147:3, which says God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. His message is that survivors may still carry visible cracks, but those scars can become signs of victory rather than defeat. He also acknowledges his own ongoing healing process, describing progress as sometimes taking two steps forward and one step back. Keith Grounsell Returns by Popular Demand Dr. Williams welcomes Keith Grounsell, a veteran law enforcement leader, former deep undercover narcotics officer, two-time police chief, international law enforcement professional, and author of more than a dozen books. Dr. Williams says Keith is returning for a third appearance by popular demand and highlights both his leadership experience and writing career. Keith responds to the opening message by saying that struggles and scars have made him stronger, more empathetic, and more committed to helping others. Failure, Work Ethic, and the Drive to Help Others Keith explains that his own life has included failures, struggles, and setbacks, but he does not allow those failures to define him. Instead, he says the way a person rebounds from failure is what reveals their character, especially in leadership. He also discusses being diagnosed with a learning disability early in life and how that challenge forced him to work harder, memorize more intentionally, and develop a strong work ethic. Keith says that what first seemed like a handicap later became fuel for his drive, education, writing, and leadership. Teen Takeovers, Social Media, and Personal Responsibility Dr. Williams asks Keith about recent incidents involving large groups of youth taking over public areas, including one in downtown Houston. Keith frames these “teen takeovers” as criminal activity tied to declining personal responsibility, social media influence, weak accountability, and breakdowns in family structure. He argues that parents and caregivers must be held responsible when minors participate in destructive behavior, while adults involved should face serious consequences. He also points to the role of viral attention, influencer culture, and online reward systems that encourage shocking or chaotic behavior. Leadership, Iran, and Peace Through Strength Dr. Williams also asks Keith to comment on breaking news about a reported peace agreement involving Iran. Keith says effective leadership requires conviction, courage, and the ability to ignore constant criticism. He praises Donald Trump's approach as “peace through strength,” saying Trump showed restraint while still demonstrating power. Keith argues that the prevention of a broader regional war and the limiting of Iran's nuclear ambitions required unusually difficult negotiation and strong leadership, though he notes the agreement still needed to be signed. Writing, Discipline, and the System Behind Many Books After the break, the conversation shifts to Keith's writing process. Keith explains that he now devotes around sixty hours a week to writing and has developed a system that allows him to complete books efficiently. Instead of trying to perfect each chapter immediately, he focuses on getting the story down first, often using dictation in Microsoft Word and then editing afterward. He also discusses the value of self-publishing, retaining creative rights, and transforming his books into scenario-driven online leadership courses through the Institute of Global Integrity and Leadership. Books on Policing, Leadership, and Character Keith describes several upcoming or recent books, including a leadership book on community policing, a book for frontline law enforcement supervisors, and a book about field training officers. He also discusses his children's books in the Kids' Character and Confidence series, which he created to help families have deeper conversations about values, boundaries, kindness, and personal growth. One book focuses on inappropriate touching and the importance of children being able to say no when something feels wrong. Keith also shares plans for a future book inspired by his adopted son, who was born drug-addicted and later faced developmental challenges. Built to Lead and the Daily Standard of Discipline Dr. Williams closes the interview by focusing on Keith's book Built to Lead, especially the chapter “Discipline Is the Leader's Daily Standard.” Keith says discipline begins with self-discipline, because people are always watching how leaders live. He describes daily routines involving health, exercise, focus, goal-setting, and protecting one's most productive time of day. Dr. Williams and Keith discuss the importance of knowing one's peak mental hours, reducing distractions, and using that time for the most important work. The episode closes with Dr. Williams reminding listeners that storms eventually pass, hope remains, and no one should ever say they are worthless.

Send us Fan Mail *This episode includes open and honest discussion about suicide, suicide loss, and mental health struggles. We talk about lived experiences, prevention myths, language that reduces stigma, and ways to seek help when safety is at risk. If these topics are difficult or activating for you, please listen with care. You may want to pause, step away, or skip this episode entirely if it feels overwhelming. Your wellbeing matters, and it's okay to take the space you need. *Silence can feel polite, but around suicide it can be deadly. I sit down with Kelly Poelker, the heart behind Glow for Hope, to talk about what happens when we stop whispering about mental health and start building real community around it. Kelly shares how personal loss shaped her mission, and why creating spaces where people feel safe enough to speak can be the first step toward saving a life. We dig into what Glow for Hope actually does, from glow-in-the-dark events like Spike Out Suicide to community tables where a single brochure and a simple question can lead to a breakthrough conversation. Kelly explains the organization's pillars, how fun and connection can coexist with grief, and why lived experience matters alongside clinical expertise. We also tackle common suicide prevention myths, including the fear that asking about suicide “puts the idea” in someone's head, and why the words we choose like “died by suicide” can reduce stigma and make room for healing. If you're a parent, we talk about modelling emotional regulation, starting coping skills early, and learning to listen without rushing to fix. If you're struggling yourself, we name clear starting points for help, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text), trusted people in your life, and emergency options when safety is at risk. Subscribe, share this with someone you care about, and leave a review so more listeners can find these conversations that can truly change outcomes.Support the show

Men can be victims of emotional abuse too—but many struggle to recognize it, talk about it, or seek help.In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Tim Golden—philosophy professor, author, actor, former attorney, and national speaker on men's mental health—shares his journey as a survivor of emotional abuse. Best known for his TEDx Talk, Suffering in Silence: The Emotional Abuse of Men, Tim opens up about how emotional abuse affected his self-esteem, identity, relationships, intimacy, and overall well-being.Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, Tim discusses the lasting impact of childhood trauma, the importance of therapy, setting healthy boundaries, learning self-love, and the role faith played in his healing journey. His story is one of resilience, recovery, and hope, offering an important perspective on a topic that is too often overlooked.Topics discussed: Emotional abuse, men's mental health, childhood trauma, self-esteem, therapy, healing, recovery, relationships, intimacy, boundaries, faith, resilience, and personal growth.Chapters02:00Introduction to Emotional Abuse Awareness10:12Tim's Personal Journey and Relationship Dynamics29:01The Breaking Point of the Marriage41:42Recognizing Emotional Abuse and Its Impact42:35The Burden of Marriage and Divorce44:57The Journey to Therapy and Healing56:02Forgiveness and Reconciliation59:47Living by Principle and Self-Acceptance01:08:59Integration of Past Trauma01:18:03The Importance of Therapy and Self-Care01:20:00Closing ResourcesThe Center for Relationship Abuse AwarenessNational Action Alliance for Suicide PreventionGuest links - Dr. Timothy GoldenTEDx Talk: Suffering in Silence: The Emotional Abuse of Men - Dr. Timothy GoldenPublication: Frederick Douglass and the Philosophy of ReligionInstagramLike what you heard?  Share with others and follow us @ponderingthoughtspodcast Instagram

Focus on WHY podcast episode 518 Breaking the Silence with Angie McQuillin How does breaking a decades-old silence change a life? Angie McQuillin opens up about her powerful journey through trauma, justice and personal transformation. Navigating six years in the justice system after reporting historic sexual assault, Angie uncovers the emotional cost of silence, the liberating reward of owning her voice and the unexpected ripple effects for others still suffering quietly. From the pain of containment to the empowering impact of communication and boundary-setting, Angie's experience inspires those ready to reclaim their narrative. Tune in for vulnerability, purpose and healing through the power of breaking the silence.  KEY TAKEAWAY "I just basically got to the stage where if I didn't do it, I was going to implode, like the cost of silence was actually bigger than the cost of speaking out."   ABOUT THE GUEST – ANGIE MCQUILLIN Angie McQuillin was groomed aged 10 by her swimming coach and was violently sexually assaulted at the age of sixteen. She stayed silent about the abuse for twenty-three years until she reached her breaking point and went to the police aged 39. What followed was a six-year criminal justice battle: multiple rearranged court dates, one hung jury, one retrial and an eventual conviction for a crime committed almost thirty years ago. He was sentenced to six years. Angie now speaks openly about the life of being a silent survivor including the cost of silence, what the justice system looks like from the inside and what life on the other side of a verdict really feels like. A professional speaker, workshop facilitator and executive coach and for circa a decade, she brings both lived experience and personally encountered rare insights into why people don't use their voice, and what it takes to finally speak up when it'd be easier to stay silent.   CONNECT WITH ANGIE MCQUILLIN https://www.youtube.com/@AngieMcQuillinUnsilenced https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemcquillincoaching/   ABOUT THE HOST - AMY ROWLINSON Amy is a purpose and fulfilment coach, author, podcast strategist and mastermind host who empowers purpose-driven leaders to boost productivity, engagement and meaning in life and work. Through transformational conversations, Amy helps individuals overcome overwhelm and live with clarity, building living legacies along the way.   WORK WITH AMY If you're interested in how purpose can help you and/or your business, please book a free 30 min call via https://calendly.com/amyrowlinson/call    KEEP IN TOUCH WITH AMY Sign up for the weekly Friday Focus - https://www.amyrowlinson.com/subscribe-to-weekly-newsletter    CONNECT WITH AMY https://linktr.ee/AmyRowlinson    BUY AMY'S BOOK (Shortlisted in the 2025 Business Book Awards) * Focus on Why by Amy Rowlinson with George F. Kerr – https://amzn.eu/d/6W02HWu    HOSTED BY AMY ROWLINSON   DISCLAIMER The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. Please conduct your own due diligence.  *As an Amazon Associate, Amy earns from qualifying purchases.

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Breaking the Silence and Building Resilience: Dr. Gregory Williams and JoDee Neil on Abuse Disclosure, Justice, and Outcry Witness Guest, JoDee Neil, Owner of Neil Now Legal, Prosecutor, Attorney and Author of "Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence" This Week's Guest will be JoDee Neil. She is an acclaimed trail attorney and author of then ew book: "Outcry Witness." She owns Neil Now Legal, PLLC. She has served as a prosecutor of sexual abuse cases and specializes in Crimes Against Children cases. Interested in our guest? Visit their Website at: https://www.jodeeneil.com/ Don't forget to check out our guests book: "Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1965766196/ Dr. Gregory Williams Opens with Concern, Resilience, and Public Awareness In this episode of Breaking the Silence, host Dr. Gregory Williams opens from Houston by reflecting on the coming World Cup activity and the dangers that large events can create for children, including increased risks of trafficking, prostitution, and abuse. He urges listeners to stay alert and watchful in communities that may host large crowds. Before introducing his guest, Dr. Williams also shares a brief teaching on resilience, encouraging survivors to acknowledge their feelings, seek trusted support, learn about trauma, set healthy boundaries, develop coping strategies, practice self-compassion, and allow healing to unfold over time rather than trying to force it. He frames resilience not as something to buy or imitate from someone else, but as something already present inside a person that can be uncovered and strengthened. JoDee Neil and the Purpose of Outcry Witness Dr. Williams then welcomes JoDee Neil, an attorney who has spent more than two decades working with survivors and prosecuting or handling cases involving sexual abuse and crimes against children. He praises her recently released book, Outcry Witness, and strongly recommends it to parents, counselors, teachers, attorneys, judges, and police officers. JoDee explains that the title comes from a Texas legal term describing the first adult to whom a child discloses abuse. That adult, the outcry witness, may later testify in court about what the child said. She says she intentionally wrote the book in a concise, practical format that people could carry easily, read privately, and use as a helpful guide rather than an overwhelming legal text. The Scale of Abuse and the Hidden Reality Survivors Carry A major theme of the conversation is the widespread prevalence of sexual violence. JoDee cites statistics showing that one in four girls may be sexually assaulted before age 18 and that significant numbers of women and men live with the effects of contact sexual violence. She says these numbers likely remain underreported, especially for boys and men. The two discuss how abuse is often far more common than people want to admit and how many survivors carry silence, shame, and isolation for years or even decades. JoDee says some of the hardest cases for her to emotionally process involve abuse within biological families, and she also warns about the growing horror of AI-generated child sexual abuse material and the many ways new technology can exploit children. Shame, Disclosure, and the Need to Be Believed JoDee and Dr. Williams spend significant time discussing shame and disclosure. JoDee explains that many survivors remain frozen and unable to speak because trauma creates paralysis, fear, and deep internalized shame. She says that when a child or adult finally discloses abuse and is not believed, that response can be even more damaging than the original abuse. Both stress that a child usually has nothing to gain by making such a disclosure and that the details children share often reveal knowledge and experience they could not easily fabricate. JoDee says adults must listen carefully, believe children, and understand that disclosure is often a slow and painful process. Dr. Williams adds that survivors can spend decades suppressing trauma, only to have it damage their relationships, bodies, and emotional lives over time. Parents, Predators, and the Failure to Take Warning Signs Seriously The discussion then turns to what parents and adults miss or ignore. JoDee says one of the most basic failures is simply refusing to believe a child who says someone is creepy or that something bad happened. She urges adults to stop automatically giving suspicious people the benefit of the doubt when warning signs are already present. The conversation also explores predator behavior more broadly, with JoDee explaining that predators often do not resemble the stereotypical stranger in a van. Instead, they may appear respectable, trusted, polished, and safe. She argues that adults now need evidence-based self-protection and far greater vigilance in everyday life, including around sports teams, sleepovers, schools, public bathrooms, phones, social media, and internet-connected devices. Both speakers say parents must know the adults around their children, supervise access to technology, and stop assuming that danger only comes from obvious outsiders. Technology, Sextortion, and the Limits of Legal Protection Another major section of the interview focuses on technology and the legal difficulties surrounding online exploitation. JoDee warns about AI, deepfakes, image scraping, online grooming, and the permanence of harmful digital content once it is created or circulated. She says schools and parents are often not doing enough to lock down devices and online access. When Dr. Williams asks about sextortion and app-based exploitation, JoDee responds that large technology companies remain difficult to challenge because federal legal protections shield them from much civil liability. She explains that this leaves many survivors with little recourse even when harm began through apps, platforms, or online tools. Her frustration with those systemic barriers is part of why she says she is moving more toward consulting and broader public education rather than relying only on courtroom-based solutions. A Justice System That Often Re-Traumatizes Survivors JoDee also speaks candidly about the legal system itself, arguing that survivors often receive very few protections while defendants receive numerous constitutional safeguards. She describes child sexual abuse cases that drag on for years and says survivors are too often treated as though they are presumptively lying. She expresses frustration about the lack of structural protections for children and about the emotional toll of watching vulnerable people repeatedly retraumatized by court processes. When asked what kind of change is needed, she says she has a long list of reforms in mind and points especially to the need for a system that treats child survivors with greater dignity, urgency, and care. Even while acknowledging tools like forensic interviews and closed-circuit testimony, she says the broader justice framework still fails many of the people it is supposed to protect. JoDee Neil's Own Healing Journey and a Closing Message of Hope Near the end of the program, JoDee shares some of her own experience as a survivor, explaining that it took her many years to meaningfully speak the truth about what happened to her. She says she survived for a long time by compartmentalizing pain, avoiding it, and using unhealthy coping strategies, but eventually began to release it through writing and truth-telling. She describes healing as a non-linear, deeply spiritual process and says holding her published book in her hands felt like reclaiming authorship over part of her life and purpose. She also mentions future writing projects, including books on how mothers are treated in family courts and how perpetrator behavior affects workplaces. Dr. Williams closes by praising Outcry Witness, encouraging listeners to buy and review the book, and reminding survivors that no matter how painful their experiences have been, there is always hope and healing remains possible.

This episode is deeply personal to me.As the daughter of Indian immigrants, a breast surgeon, and a breast cancer survivor, I've seen firsthand how difficult it can be for our community to talk openly about health issues—especially breast cancer.Too often, conversations are delayed by fear, stigma, modesty, or the belief that we should simply "stay strong" and endure.But when it comes to breast cancer:

My good friend Matt Cline is here with me today to talk through the cultural epidemic of pornography. We are diving into the deeper roots behind sexual sin, temptation, and transformation. Matt discusses why behavior modification alone isn't enough, how our view of sex shapes the way we lead and relate to others, and why isolation keeps people stuck. Explore how true freedom comes through renewing the mind, pursuing Christlikeness, and allowing God to transform us from the inside out.    Episode Highlights: Surface-level behavior change isn't enough—you have to deal with the root issue. The way we follow Christ should shape the way we think about sex and intimacy. Hidden sexual sin doesn't stay isolated—it affects every relationship around us. Sexual immorality pulls us toward selfishness instead of self-giving love. God invites you to live in His grace and the freedom He offers. Quotes from this Conversation: Matt: Love, living in love and engaging in sexual immorality cannot happen at the same time.  The purpose for our sexual desire is a training ground for Christlikeness. For dying to self and stewarding our urges. Accountability should not be focused simply on not sinning. Temptation is simply an opportunity for transformation.  I tried to quit the sin for so long without ever learning how to renew my mind. Never learning how to think like Jesus in the sexual area of my life.  The amount of perversion in our faces all the time, lends to us justifying "lesser sins." You can get rid of the behavior but what about the worldview or the view on sex that has been established in you that you have not yet had renewed?   Dr. Kim: Isolation does nothing good for us at all. Isolation when we're dealing with something negative should not be something that we do. We give people hope because not in us and not our ministries, but in this God who created us. I want to know Nancy loves me even with everything out on the table.  Time to Talk About It: Are there areas in my life where I've focused more on behavior management than true heart transformation? How has my worldview around sex, intimacy, or temptation been shaped more by culture than by Christ? When I struggle, do I tend to isolate myself or invite trusted people into honesty, accountability, and healing?   Mentioned in This Episode: Check out what Matt is doing at Restored Ministries If your marriage is struggling with betrayal, check out our course: Marriage Undefiled  

In this powerful first part of my conversation with Jake Messier, we discuss the reality that men get breast cancer too, and why so many people still don't know it. Jake shares his personal diagnosis story, the emotional impact of navigating a disease often viewed as “only for women,” and the isolation many men experience in breast cancer spaces.We also talk about:Male breast cancer awarenessFeeling excluded in pink-centered spacesAdvocacy and representationThe emotional side of diagnosisSupport groups and communityWhy language and inclusion matterThe need for more awareness, research, and education for menThis conversation is honest, eye-opening, and incredibly important.Part 2 will continue Jake's story as we discuss treatment, stage 4 breast cancer, mental health, survivorship, and finding purpose through advocacy.Jake Messier:theguywithstage4breastcancer@gmail.com@theguywithstage4breastcancer on TikTok and Instagramwww.theguywithstage4breastcancer.com

A conversation with Dr. Arthur Burnett“Optimizing sexual function is one of the most important things men can do to increase their overall health and happiness.”We welcome Dr. Arthur Burnett to the conversation, one of the world's leading urological surgeons, educators and a pioneer in surgery and men's health.His discovery of the role of Nitric Oxide in the erectile function helped make Viagra possible, his surgical work transformed prostate cancer care, and his career has consistently challenged how medicine treats men's bodies and concerns. Who better to talk us through how stigma and silence are shaping men's health outcomes?It's time to talk.—We spoke about why sexual health is one of the most overlooked warning signs in modern medicine, how time-limited primary care visits mean physicians avoid sexual health conversations, how men's reluctance to seek care is reinforced, not corrected, by the system, and how access gaps disproportionately affect Black men and marginalized groups.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Staying Calm in Crisis: Faith, Discernment, and a Family's Emergency with Baby Baron Guests, Blake and Veronika Bristow Joined by this week's special guests: Blake and Veronika Bristow Blake and Veronika will be sharing their personal story that happened to them and their son, Barron just a week or so ago. You will NOT want to miss this very special interview and hear how Hope, Faith and Prayer latterly saves lives. Opening the Conversation on Calm Under Pressure In this episode of Breaking the Silence, Dr. Gregory Williams opens from Houston, Texas, and introduces the evening as a powerful, fresh story involving personal friends from his church community. He explains that the episode will focus on how people respond when something frightening and unexpected happens, especially in moments they cannot control. Before bringing on his guests, Dr. Williams frames the discussion around stress, family emergencies, and the importance of remaining calm enough to think clearly. He cites Proverbs 14:29 and describes calmness not as weakness, but as “wisdom under pressure.” Introducing Blake, Veronica, and Their Family Dr. Williams welcomes Blake and Veronica Bristow, who join the program with their baby son, Baron. They introduce themselves as a family from Pearland, Texas, with Blake working as an elevator mechanic and Veronica as a hairdresser, stay-at-home mother, and full-time mom. They also share that they have four children, including their older children and baby Baron, and that they are members of Faith. Dr. Williams explains that the story centers on Baron and on a frightening medical emergency that had happened only days earlier. Veronica's Motherly Discernment Veronica explains that the emergency began on a Thursday, when one of their children, Freddie, was preparing for his final school band concert. Baron had been teething and fussy, so Veronica decided not to attend the concert and instead stayed home with him. She noticed that Baron was acting unusually still and cuddly, which stood out because he normally did not lay his head on her that way. Then, after a small movement and a comment from her mother that he was staring straight at her, Veronica turned him over and saw that he looked catatonic, unresponsive, and unlike himself. She immediately sensed something was wrong and believed he was having a seizure. Blake's Response and the Drive to Emergency Care Blake recalls that he had just come home from work and heard Veronica say Baron's name in a tone that was different from normal. As a husband and father, he recognized the desperation in her voice and immediately responded. Veronica did not want him to stop and analyze the situation because she feared he might freeze or collapse emotionally, so she urged him to start the car and get them moving. The drive to emergency care was intense, with construction, traffic, lights, and hazards in the way, but Blake drove quickly and decisively while Veronica held Baron in the back seat. They describe reaching the emergency room in roughly half the normal time, with no one waiting when they arrived. Prayer, Surrender, and Peace in the Emergency Room Once medical staff began treating Baron, the situation shifted from panic into prayer. Blake describes falling to his knees beside the bed, holding Baron, and surrendering the child to God. He says he prayed for God's will and stood on the promises of Scripture, especially the belief that God is faithful and present in crisis. Veronica says she expected Blake to fall apart, but instead saw a calm and spiritual steadiness in him that deeply affected her. She describes the peace they experienced as the “peace that surpasses all understanding,” saying that even though they were worried, they knew Baron was in the right place and surrounded by prayer from family, church members, and friends. Trusting God Through the Crisis By the end of the episode, Blake and Veronica reflect on what the experience taught them. Veronica emphasizes the importance of listening to discernment, even when the signal seems small, and jokingly adds that wives should let their husbands drive in emergencies. Blake focuses on God's faithfulness, saying that God is always present, keeps His promises, and wants people to turn back to Him. Dr. Williams closes by calling the interview one of his favorites because of the family's honesty, faith, and the clear way the story points back to trusting Jesus. He encourages listeners to lean into God, no matter what crisis they may face.

Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, gave away over 100 million pairs of shoes and built a $700 million company — yet the pain of "not enough" nearly cost him his life. Through his healing journey, he discovered the truth that saved him: he had always been enough. Today, Blake is dedicating his life to ENOUGH, a cultural intervention reminding us all of what's always been true: we are enough.   Mark Fujiwara is a Modern Samurai, transformation architect, and conscious wealth advisor. Drawing on the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing broken pottery with gold — Mark helps leaders turn their "cracks" into sites of strength by uncovering their ikigai, their highest purpose.   In this episode, we'll explore: The fact that suffering doesn't discriminate, and vulnerability can be the antidote to your isolation Why the shame-isolation cycle is what puts lives at risk, and how finding even one person to talk to about your mental health can begin to break that cycle When turning your mess into your message heals you, too How to be your own advocate with medication for your mental health   Claim Your Free "We Are Enough" Bracelet Blake is giving away free bracelets to The Big Talk community! Visit https://weareenough.co/bigtalk to claim yours. Normally $30, yours free — because you are enough. 100% of bracelet profits go directly to mental health organizations saving lives every day. When your bracelet arrives, snap a photo and tag @wearenough, @blakemycoskie, @markfujiwara, and @triciabrouk so we can celebrate you! Mental Health & Crisis Resources If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out. You are never alone. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (US) Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 International Association for Suicide Prevention — https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ for global crisis center listings NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741741 Psychology Today Therapist Finder — https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists This episode discusses mental health and suicide. If you are personally affected, please know that help is available, and you deserve support.   More from Blake Mycoskie Websites: https://blakemycoskie.com/ and https://weareenough.co/  Instagram: @weareenough and @blakemycoskie  More from Mark Fujiwara Website: markfujiwara.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fujiwarapm/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fujfocus    More from Tricia  Publish your book with The Big Talk Press Join me LIVE for my Complimentary Monthly Workshop Explore my content and follow me on YouTube Follow me on Instagram  Connect with me on Facebook  Connect with me on LinkedIn  Visit my website at TriciaBrouk.com 

Am I the Genius? is the show where you get real answers to questions you've always wondered but didn't think to ask. Subscribe on YouTube - youtube.com/@amithegenius?sub_confirmation=1 Am I the Jerk? on Instagram - instagram.com/amithegenius Am I the Jerk? on Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0uEkxvRMpxLuuHeyPVVioF?si=b279dadfe593432b⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ x.com/amithejerk facebook.com/amithejerk SUBMIT YOUR OWN STORIES HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://amithejerk.com/submit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mint Mobile - Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at MINTMOBILE.com/AITJ Quince - Keep it classic and cool — with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to Quince.com/AITJ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. EveryPlate - Dig into these flavor-packed meals your household will love. New customers can enjoy this special offer of only $1.99 a meal. Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AITG199 to get started. Green Chef - Head to Greenchef.com/50AITJ and use code 50AITJ to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Lola Blankets - Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code AITJ at checkout. Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to UncommonGoods.com/AITJ Don't miss out on this limited-time offer. Uncommon Goods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of alleged child sexual abuse and institutional violence. Some content may be distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Support resources are listed in the show notes. In this episode of Badge of Betrayal, we return to Alysha, the whistleblower who helped expose abuse at Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre. For the first time, we also hear from a former detainee, now an adult, who speaks anonymously about his experiences inside the centre. His voice has been altered and identifying details removed. This conversation was approached with care, expert guidance, and a clear public-interest purpose. It explores power, accountability, and the lasting impact of institutional failure while centring the courage it takes to speak when silence once felt safer. If this episode is triggering, please pause and seek support. Lifeline: 13 11 14 — https://www.lifeline.org.au Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 — https://kidshelpline.com.au 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 — https://www.1800respect.org.au If you have information that you would like to share, email us anonymously at podshape@proton.meSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes. Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations. If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below. Listen to the full episode: https://karenmartel.com/blogs/podcast/breaking-the-silence-andrea-donsky-on-103-menopause-symptoms-and-taking-control Known as the "Menopause Educator and Researcher" to her 340,000+ TikTok followers, Andrea Donsky is a nutritionist on a mission to change the conversation around perimenopause and menopause. Her new book "Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best" comes out May 5th! Our conversation explores the role of nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplements in managing symptoms, with a particular focus on personalized intermittent fasting. We also share strategies you can use for improving sleep quality and discuss self-advocacy in healthcare settings. In this episode: How Andrea redefines menopause conversations through education and advocacy. Why menopause and perimenopause symptoms are often misunderstood by the medical community. Lesser-known menopause symptoms, including dizziness. Why education and openness are crucial for future generations in navigating menopause. How nutrition and lifestyle changes help manage menopause symptoms effectively. Why sleep is often overlooked but crucial in menopause care. How Andrea's upcoming research publication contributes to menopause education. Why fatigue, brain fog, and sleep issues are top menopause symptoms. How Andrea's personal menopause journey influences her advocacy work. Why weight gain is a primary concern for many menopausal women. How personalized fasting methods can address individual menopause needs. Why maintaining a dark, cool room improves sleep quality during menopause. How specific supplements can enhance sleep quality for menopausal women. Why consistent sleep routines and avoiding blue light are beneficial. Why it's important to be prepared with symptoms and questions for medical appointments.   Andrea on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andreadonsky     Sponsors Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheet with coupon code HORMONES     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Youth Foster Care, Social Workers and the Juvenile Justice System Guest, Journey Ishmon This Week's Guest is Journey Ishmon. Journey is a first-generation college student at the university of North Texas studying social work and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She has a strong focus on advocacy for youth in foster care. Her work is shaped by lived experience inside the foster care system and juvenile justice system that strengthen her commitment to supporting children impacted by systemic harm. If you wish to get into contact with Journey, invite her to speak at an event or interview Journey. Feel free to contact her at her email: ishmonjourney91@gmail.com Dr. Gregory Williams hosts social work student and advocate Journey Ishmon to explore the profound pressures facing modern youth and the systemic failures of the foster care system. The discussion highlights the critical importance of breaking the silence surrounding personal trauma and demonstrates how lived experience can be transformed into a powerful engine for social reform. Invisible Burden of Modern Youth Today's youth face a unique landscape of pressure that differs significantly from previous generations, primarily driven by the omnipresence of social media and heightened societal expectations. Dr. Williams notes that young people often feel a relentless need to succeed and "fit in," which is exacerbated by the digital age where every mistake can be broadcasted and archived forever. This environment fosters a "masking" culture, where individuals smile publicly while struggling privately with anxiety and isolation. Journey Ishmon corroborates this, noting that social media creates a false standard of perfection that makes real-life struggles feel shameful and isolating. Navigating the Failures of Foster Care Journey Ishmon's personal narrative reveals the harrowing realities of a system that often prioritizes placement over well-being. Entering foster care at age 13 due to domestic violence and neglect, Journey experienced 10 different placements over four years. Her time was largely spent in group homes and emergency shelters rather than traditional family settings. She describes environments where basic rights like privacy and safety were compromised, including facilities where doors were locked from the inside and windows were bolted with plastic. Despite her "basic" care level and high academic performance, her pleas for a safer environment were frequently minimized or ignored by caseworkers and the system at large. Turning Pain into Purpose Despite the systemic harm she endured—including a period of being over-medicated with antidepressants to "manage" a poor environment—Journey maintained a 4.0 GPA and is now a social work student at the University of North Texas. Her advocacy focuses on the shortage of foster homes and the need for "safety nets" that prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system. She emphasizes that while her trauma was temporary, her commitment to changing the system is permanent. Journey now works with programs like PUSH to support foster care alumni in higher education, ensuring that their voices, which were once silenced, are now heard at the highest levels of policy. The dialogue between Dr. Williams and Journey Ishmon serves as a stark reminder that while the foster care system is often "failed," individual resilience and advocacy can forge a path toward healing. Journey's story underscores that a person's history does not define their identity, and that "breaking the silence" is the first step in turning life's pain into life's purpose.

Send us Fan MailOn this powerful episode of the Stories to Create Podcast, Cornell Bunting brings together six men for an honest, unfiltered conversation about one of the most important and overlooked topics today—men's mental health.Featuring Bernard Faithful, Ronald Marshall, Drew Brown, Jephte Forges, Dr. Duane Cumberbatch, and Cornell Bunting, this panel dives deep into the realities that many men face but rarely speak about.From childhood expectations and emotional suppression to pressure, relationships, fatherhood, and healing, this conversation explores the question: How did we get here?This is not a surface-level discussion. These are real experiences, real struggles, and real perspectives from men who choose to speak up rather than stay silent.Whether you are a man navigating your own journey or someone seeking to understand the men in your life better, this episode offers insight, truth, and the beginning of healing conversations.At EHAS Inc., we believe that sharing stories creates connection, and connection creates change. This episode is a reminder that no one has to carry their story alone.

Reproductive Empowerment and Fertility Clarity with Dr. Vasiliki MoragianniChristine interviews Dr. Vasiliki Moragianni, a double Board-certified fertility physician and Johns Hopkins Medical Director of the Fertility Center, about fertility, infertility, and reproductive empowerment for high-performing women. Moragianni shares her personal experience of secondary infertility, miscarriage, diminished ovarian reserve, and unsuccessful IVF after having her first child, emphasizing that “control” looks different for everyone and requires information and options. She explains infertility definitions and earlier evaluation after age 35, highlights that age is the most important predictor of fertility decline, and urges patients to seek care sooner. The conversation addresses stigma and professional silence around infertility and pregnancy loss, especially in demanding careers and medicine, citing higher infertility and complication rates among female physicians. Moragianni recommends optimizing overall health, stress management, and sustainable habits while giving oneself grace. Find Dr. Moragianni on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.00:00 Meet Dr Moragianni01:37 Her Fertility Story04:22 What Infertility Means06:19 Age Options And Stigma10:44 Workplace Silence And Shame14:14 Physician Fertility Data15:55 Optimizing Health For Pregnancy18:04 Stress Self Blame And Grace19:30 Final Takeaways And Hope

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Leadership, Integrity and Generational Character Guest, Keith Grounsell, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, two-time Chief of Police, former DEA Special Agent, international police advisor, entrepreneur, speaker, and multi-book author This Week's Guest is back by popular demand: Keith Grounsell! Keith is a veteran law enforcement leader with nearly 30 years at the city, county, federal and international levels. A former deep undercover narcotics and officer and 2-time Chief of Police. He is the author of more than 12 books. You can find all of Keith's book at his author page on Amazon: Amazon.com: Keith P. Grounsell: books, biography, latest update In this episode of Breaking the Silence, Dr. Gregory Williams hosts author and former police chief Keith Groundswell to explore the essential pillars of leadership. The discussion moves from the personal influence of mentors and family to the high-stakes realities of international undercover work and global counter-terrorism. Groundswell emphasizes that true leadership is built on a foundation of integrity that must remain consistent across both public and private life. The Foundation of Leadership: Integrity and Accountability Keith Groundswell posits that leadership is a lifelong journey of learning, where the primary responsibility is to mentor others and make them better than oneself. He identifies integrity as the "first brick" of any leadership foundation; without it, even qualities like courage and discipline can be misdirected toward harmful ends. In the modern era, Groundswell notes that the ubiquity of social media and cameras acts as a form of external accountability, ensuring that a leader's public "happy face" matches their private actions. He argues that as one rises in an organization, the responsibility to work harder and act righteously increases rather than diminishes. A critical component of maintaining this integrity is the presence of an "accountability partner" or a tight inner circle. Groundswell highlights that leaders must surround themselves with people—whether a spouse or a professional command staff—who are empowered to tell the "honest truth" and challenge potentially poor decisions. He stresses that a leader must create an environment of trust where respectful disagreement is encouraged, ensuring that once a collective decision is made, the entire team supports it. Mentorship and the Influence of the Father Groundswell attributes his drive and work ethic to his father, a 22-year U.S. Marine who worked three jobs to support the family. This model of sacrifice taught him that a leader's role is to step up and support those around them, regardless of personal cost. He acknowledges that while some have positive models to mimic, others use a negative upbringing as motivation to "not repeat the process." Regardless of the source, Groundswell believes that finding a mentor—someone who "checks" you at critical crossroads—is what keeps a person on the correct path. Global Security and Decisive Action Drawing from his experience commanding a 5,000-man SWAT team in Afghanistan and working in international narcotics, Groundswell offers a stark critique of current global affairs. He discusses the dangers of "narco-terrorism" and the strategic importance of maintaining a U.S. footprint abroad to prevent the growth of terrorist networks. He specifically criticizes the abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he claims left vital intelligence databases and $90 billion in weapons in the hands of the Taliban, effectively making them one of the most powerful terrorist organizations overnight. He advocates for decisive leadership in the face of regimes like Iran, arguing that diplomatic policing and human rights protection are essential for a safer world. Shaping the Next Generation A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the "diminishment of society" caused by instant gratification and the lack of personal responsibility. Groundswell has authored a children's book series to help parents spark tough conversations about kindness, boundaries, and self-respect. He argues that respect for authority must begin in the home; if children do not respect their parents or caregivers, they will inevitably become a disruption in school and society. His goal is to move youth away from "victim culture" and toward a mindset of accountability and resilience. The dialogue serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by title or power, but by the consistency of one's character. Whether managing a national SWAT team or raising a child, the principles remain the same: take responsibility, maintain a foundation of integrity, and never be afraid to take a stand for what is right.

Dr. Dan sits down with Melissa Doman, Organizational Psychologist, former mental health therapist, founder of The Workplace Mental Health Method™ and the author of Cornered Office: Why We Need To Talk About Leadership Mental Health to discuss one of the biggest blind spots in modern leadership: mental health. They explore all things leadership and apply a fresh take: we must acknowledge the truth that leaders are human, too. Dr. Dan and Melissa explore the hidden pressures leaders face, the myths we continue to believe, and why ignoring mental health at the top impacts everyone. Melissa brings both clinical insight and real-world experience to break down why vulnerability, self-awareness, and emotional honesty are not weaknesses—but essential leadership skills. This episode dives into the nuance of mental health in the workplace, the importance of understanding neurodiversity, and how leaders and organizations can begin to create cultures where people can actually thrive.   If you're a leader, aspiring leader, or simply someone committed to growth and authenticity, this conversation will challenge your mindset and inspire you to think differently about what it truly means to lead. For more information visit  www.melissadoman.com and follow @thewanderingmel on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let's make it a great one.– Dr. Dan #Leadership #MentalHealth #MakeItaGreatOne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More than 70 million Americans live with a disability. That's roughly one in four adults. And any of us can join that number at any point in our lives. Through an injury, illness, or simply getting older.Disabled people are one of the largest minorities in this country. Yet there's one part of their lives that almost never gets discussed: sex.Today, that silence is being challenged – by disabled people themselves – online, in film and television, and in conversations happening in bedrooms and doctors' offices across the country.In February, we brought you 1A's first sex week – about sex across our lifespans. And you told us you wanted more about sex and disability.How do we express our needs in the bedroom, especially when the sex we want doesn't match common ideas of what sex – and the people who have it – can look like?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Navigating Youth Safety and Human Trafficking in the Digital Age Guest, Heidi Chance, Author of the book "Talk to Them: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Youth in the Digital Age." This Week's Guest will be Heidi Chance. Heidi is the author of the book: "Talk to Them: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Youth in the Digital Age." She has over 27 years of distinguished law enforcement experience and is recognized as one of the nation's leading subject matter experts in sex trafficking, undercover operations and online safety. This episode of Breaking the Silence features host Dr. Gregory Williams and guest Detective Heidi Chance, a 27-year law enforcement veteran and expert in sex trafficking. The discussion centers on the urgent need for personal boundaries and the evolving dangers of the "digital white van"—the smartphone—which has become the primary tool for child exploitation. The Philosophy of Personal Boundaries Dr. Gregory Williams opens the program by defining boundaries as "guardrails" designed to protect individuals from falling into "deep ditches" or off "cliffs" in their personal lives. He emphasizes that boundaries are not about being standoffish but are essential for safety and minimizing emotional damage. He identifies several critical areas for boundary-setting, including Time (learning to say "no" to protect family time), Emotional (avoiding the "vicarious trauma" of taking on others' pain), and Mental (shutting the door on negative, intrusive thoughts). He notes that for those who have experienced trauma, the goal is often a "manageable life" rather than a return to a perceived "normal." The Digital "White Van" and Online Exploitation Detective Heidi Chance introduces the concept of the "digital white van," explaining that the traditional stranger-danger threat has moved from the street into the child's bedroom via the smartphone. Statistics show a 93% increase in online child exploitation since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Predators are increasingly bypassing traffickers to message children directly on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Detective Chance warns that grooming is alarmingly fast; in undercover operations, she has seen the transition from an initial greeting to a request for a physical meeting happen in as little as 23 minutes. Law Enforcement Challenges and High-Risk Events The conversation highlights a significant gap in proactive law enforcement. In large cities like Phoenix, only a handful of detectives are dedicated to undercover sex trafficking work, leaving many departments purely reactive. This vulnerability is exacerbated during major events like the Super Bowl or the World Cup, which attract traffickers who follow the "client" base. Detective Chance stresses that because police are overwhelmed, parents must take the lead in educating their children and monitoring their digital footprints. Strategies for Parental Intervention Detective Chance provides practical advice for parents, including the use of specialized devices like Bark or Gabb phones that have built-in safety filters. She emphasizes that parents should never allow phones in bedrooms at night and should lead by example. When discussing difficult topics, she recommends "rapport building" and "verbal judo" rather than immediate confrontation, which can cause a child to shut down. If a child is caught in a "sextortion" or compromising photo situation, parents are urged to stay calm, capture evidence with a separate device, and contact professionals immediately rather than engaging the predator themselves. The digital landscape has fundamentally changed the nature of child safety, requiring parents to move beyond the "white van" warnings of the past. By establishing firm personal boundaries and actively monitoring digital interactions, families can create a safer environment against the rising tide of online exploitation. As Dr. Williams notes, as long as there is "air in your lungs," there is hope for healing and protection.

Today, Jess, Matthew, and Andy examine the first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in more than 30 years. The talks come in the aftermath of Israel's military offensive against Hezbollah, which has left more than 2,000 people dead and placed the Iran-backed group under sustained military pressure in southern Lebanon. With Hezbollah functioning as Tehran's powerful proxy on Israel's northern border, the stakes extend far beyond Lebanon itself.What can these talks realistically achieve — a ceasefire, clearer rules along the border, or something else? How much of this negotiation is really about Lebanon, and how much is about containing Iran's influence in the region? Could this moment become the first step toward broader normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbors?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.@nottvjessjones@andykeiserLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube; watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/_Vu2TkRtaEo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three years ago, I hit record because women deserved better answers. They deserved conversations about leaking, pain, prolapse, postpartum recovery, intimacy, strength, hormones, confidence, and healing that were honest, empowering, and rooted in real support. And now… 184 episodes later… here we are

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Guest, Lena Fein, Retired Engineer, Philanthropist and Author of "Shattering the Mirror: A Memoir" This Week's Guest will be Lena Fein. Lena is the author of "Shattering the Mirror," This book is her memoir about her quest to confront her life and see through the distortions of her traumatic past. Her story is a testament that healing is possible at any age and that wholeness is priceless. To Find out more about tonight's guest and their work, visit at their website: https://shatteringthemirror.com/ Don't Forget to check out our guest 's book: "Shattering the Mirror: A Memoir" at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDX5R89C?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_C0PQCTNZ5B3YSCHX19FY&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_C0PQCTNZ5B3YSCHX19FY&bestFormat=true This episode of Breaking the Silence follows a profound conversation between Dr. Gregory Williams and author Lena Fein regarding the long-term impact of childhood abuse. They explore the psychological mechanisms of shame and guilt, the journey of "breaking the silence" after decades of suppression, and the transformative power of living an authentic life regardless of age. The "Terrible Twins": Navigating Guilt and Shame Dr. Gregory Williams introduces the concept of "The Terrible Twins"—guilt and shame—which often take up permanent residence in the minds of trauma survivors. These emotions can lead a person to feel unworthy or "dirty," even when the events were not their fault. The host emphasizes that while these feelings are natural responses to trauma, they do not define a person's value. To combat this, survivors must acknowledge their feelings without self-judgment and challenge irrational beliefs that stem from decades-old events. Shattering the Mirror: A Memoir Guest Lena Fein, author of Shattering the Mirror, discusses how her mother's death at age 51 served as a catalyst for her own healing journey from childhood trauma. She recounts a pivotal childhood moment where her mother publicly shamed her for keeping a diary, which led Lena to "shut down" her emotional voice for years to focus on a successful but compartmentalized career in engineering. Fein also reveals a traumatic physical accident at age two-and-a-half where her nose was severed by a glass window. This event created a lifelong subconscious pattern of "rushing" to outrun danger and a struggle with shallow breathing. It wasn't until a corrective surgery in her late 60s that she experienced a "freeway of air," allowing her to finally feel grounded and present. Breaking the Generational Cycle of Silence The dialogue highlights the specific challenges of the post-World War II generation, where domestic abuse was often shrouded in secrecy ("what happens in this house stays in this house"). Fein notes that her mother, likely a victim of her own era's trauma and mental illness, projected her insecurities onto her daughters through relentless shaming. Healing required Fein and her sisters to "compare notes" after their mother's death, realizing the abuse was a reflection of their mother's illness rather than their own "badness." The core message of the discussion is that it is "never too late" to heal. Whether at 62 or 68, the transition from a "shattered mirror" of distorted self-perception to a life of 100% authenticity is possible. By facing trauma head-on and releasing the "junk" of the past, individuals can transform their scars into a source of power and purpose.

In this powerful episode, we talked with JoDee Neil - former crimes-against-children prosecutor, civil litigator, and fierce advocate for survivors - to explore the realities of sexual abuse, disclosure, and healing. JoDee brings a rare and critical perspective shaped by both her legal career and her own lived experience as a sexual assault survivor.  Now the author of Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence - she sheds light on what it truly means to speak up - and why disclosure is not a single moment, but a complex and courageous process. Together, we unpack barriers, and breakthroughs surrounding abuse and survivor healing - and why this moment in history presents new opportunities for truth, justice, and healing transformation. Learn more about JoDee Neil and her work: https://neilnowlegal.com/about-jodee/ Purchase her book Outcry Witness here.