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66-Domestic Violence WARRIOR: Dana Hanuszczak; Part 1


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The journey from victim to advocate is rarely straightforward, but Dana's story reveals the remarkable resilience of the human spirit against unimaginable odds. As a child in the Bronx, Dana navigated parental addiction, homelessness from age nine, and cultural displacement as the only Caucasian person in her neighborhood. Rather than succumbing to these challenges, she found solace in education and the kindness of neighbors who welcomed her into their homes.

Dana's candid account pulls no punches as she shares her experiences with trafficking at seventeen, surviving multiple violent relationships, and the gut-wrenching ordeal of fighting for her children. Perhaps most revealing is her seventeen-year battle through family courts across three states—a journey that transformed her pain into expertise. "Courts don't appreciate it," she explains about domestic violence claims, dispelling the myth that mothers always receive custody. Her hard-won insights into emotional regulation during court proceedings and strategic self-representation offer invaluable wisdom for listeners facing similar battles.

What sets Dana's testimony apart is her evolution from survival to purpose. After winning her final custody case, she channeled her experiences into "Savage Angel," a book helping women navigate family court trauma. When moving to Florida revealed a community plagued by domestic violence, addiction, and mental health crises with minimal resources, Dana founded The Survivor Center. Her approach—built on lived experience rather than theory—reframes trauma not as a life sentence but as a temporary chapter. "I want to be the poster child for what life looks like after abuse," she shares, offering hope to those who wonder if recovery is possible. Though her faith provided her personal pathway to healing, Dana serves everyone without judgment, recognizing that freedom from "captivity"—whether addiction, mental illness, or destructive relationships—begins with being truly seen and supported by someone who has walked the same path. This first episode in a two-part series lays the groundwork for understanding how one woman's darkest moments became the foundation for helping countless others find their way to light.

Link to Dana's 1 in 3 profile: https://www.1in3podcast.com/guests/dana-hanuszczak/

1 in 3 is intended for mature audiences. Episodes contain explicit content and may be triggering to some.

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If you are in the United States and need help right now, call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or text the word “start” to 88788.

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Cover art by Laura Swift Dahlke
Music by Tim Crowe

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1 in 3By Ingrid Dutton