Aware And Prepared

By Mandi Pratt

Hello! This is the Aware and Prepared podcast. I'm your host, Mandi Pratt, a trained domestic violence advocate. I teach women and vulnerable populations how to be street smart. I'm a mom with a gn

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FAQs about Aware And Prepared:

How many episodes does Aware And Prepared have?

The podcast currently has 140 episodes available.

Aware And Prepared episodes:

May 04, 2026What Students Reflected on Victim Blaming and Boundaries
We have to stop teaching only potential victims and start asking what we're doing to prevent harm from being caused at all. In this episode, Mandi Pratt returns from delivering her keynote "End Victim Blaming: Creating Safer Communities" at two college campuses, and the students' own words in their feedback after the keynote say it all. One student admitted they never learned how to respect boundaries. Another said it was the first time she heard it wasn't her fault for being a people pleaser. That's why this work matters.
Mandi makes the case that women's safety is a community issue, not an individual one. Listen in!
RESOURCES
Last episode (sneak peek of my keynote)
Bloom365 - Organization supporting both survivors and those who cause harm, addressing the full spectrum of relationship violence.
Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt
The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
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7min
April 20, 2026Sexual Assault Awareness: Ending Victim Blaming and Building Safer Communities
In this episode Mandi Pratt breaks down why victim-blaming culture persists, where it comes from, and most importantly what we can ALL do to dismantle it: one conversation, one word choice, one moment of showing up at a time.
Drawing on her own powerful story of survival and resilience, Mandi shares practical tools anyone can use to trust their intuition, set boundaries, and create communities where survivors are believed and supported.
This episode is for everyone: survivors, allies, students, parents, and anyone who has ever wondered what they can actually do to make the world a safer, more peaceful place. Because it turns out the answer starts closer to home than most of us think.
RESOURCES
Hassl.Uk for free courses men (or anyone) can take
Bloom365.org for victims AND those who cause harm and violence
Past episode: Empowering Bystanders
RAINN: Sexual Assault Hotline
Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt
The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
30min
April 13, 2026How to Cope With Grief From Divorce to Pet Loss and More With Thanatologist Karen Omand
What if the grief you're carrying doesn't have a name BUT it's still very real?
Most of us know grief as something that follows death. But what about the loss of your identity after divorce? The quiet grief of watching the world change around you? Pet loss? These losses are just as profound and they deserve to be processed, not pushed aside.
In this episode, I sit down with Karen Omand, a thanatologist (yes, that's a real degree: the study of grief, bereavement, and loss) who has dedicated her career to helping people navigate all kinds of loss, not just the ones society gives us permission to mourn.
If you've ever felt like you were grieving something you couldn't quite explain or wondered why moving on feels so much harder than it "should" this episode is for you.
We cover:
The hidden layers of loss that come with divorce beyond just the relationship ending
Why grief looks so different from person to person, and how to stop judging yourself or others for it
How to cope when the grief isn't just personal, but collective like the weight so many of us feel from today's nonstop news cycle
Practical ways to practice self-compassion when you're in the thick of it

RESOURCES
Dr. Kristin Neff's work on self-compassion
Connect with Karen Omand:
Website: DivorceWorkshop.ca
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @DivorceWorkshop.ca
LinkedIn: Karen Omand
Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
31min
April 06, 2026Use Your Senses to Find Joy in Chaos | Simple Steps to Feel More Joy
SUMMARY
Discover practical ways to foster joy, especially when the world feels chaotic. Helen Thompson, a seasoned life coach, shares actionable tips on using your senses, managing feelings, and cultivating more joy regardless of external circumstances.

Key Topics / Timestamps
02:37 - Sensory Triggers for Joy
03:16 - How the 5 Senses Create Joy in Everyday Life & Examples
05:29 - Our relationship with joy & how thoughts influence our experience
06:50 - Overcoming Guilt Around Feeling Joy in Hard Times
07:55 - Benefits of Joy: Resilience, Clarity and More
09:22 - Holding multiple feelings: sadness, anger, and joy simultaneously
10:47 - Happiness vs. Joy: Key Differences Explained
11:30 - Reframing Shame & "Shoulds" Around Feeling Joy
12:22 - Guilt as Unprocessed Sadness: Neuroscience Insights
13:35 - Using gratitude as a tool to cultivate joy daily
15:01 - Noticing "glimmers" of joy through small, intentional moments
17:20 - Helen's "Joy Guide" Resource Overview
22:00 - Negativity Bias & Intentional Practices for Positive Emotions
23:33 - Self-Care as a Gift to Others, Not Just Yourself
25:06 - Overcoming Your Brain's Default to Negativity

RESOURCES

Your Joy Guide – Download Helen Thompson's Joy Guide to cultivate daily joy
Life Coach Helen Thompson – Weekly Love Notes

Connect with Helen Thompson:
Website: Lifecoachhelenthompson.com
Instagram:@LifeCoachHelenThompson
Facebook:@LifeCoachHelenThompson

Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
23min
March 30, 2026Beyond Calm: How to Heal Anxiety by Building True Safety in Your Body
True anxiety relief isn't about calm, it's about safety.
We explore what it actually means for your nervous system to feel safe, how small, repeatable daily actions build that safety over time, and why your body may still feel on alert even when your mind knows you're okay.
You'll also walk away with a simple audit to identify who and what is draining your sense of safety, plus a curiosity-based affirmation technique to try today.
RESOURCES
Last episode with Tom on Getting Through Anxiety & Panic Attacks
National DV Hotline website and 1-800-799-SAFE
Nervous System Healing with Dr. Keean podcast / Instagram and Jen Mann Instagram
Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
15min
March 23, 2026Understanding Panic Attacks: Tools for Relief and What NOT to Say to Someone Struggling
Hear real tools that actually help during a panic attack AND find out what NOT to say to someone who's struggling.
In this episode, I sit down with certified life coach and author Tom Seaman to talk about what really happens in the brain and body during anxiety and panic and why fighting it often makes it worse. Tom brings his expertise on panic attacks and anxiety in the context of chronic health conditions, sharing practical tools, mental models, and compassionate approaches to help you navigate the hard moments and build real resilience.
This one is full of grace, hope, and tools you can really use! Listen and share!
In this episode you'll learn:
The difference between anxiety and panic attacks
What your brain is actually doing during anxiety and why it's not working against you
Practical tools for moving through panic: curiosity, distraction, movement and more
Why self-compassion and naming your feelings are more powerful than you think
What NOT to say to someone struggling with a panic attack and what actually helps
RESOURCES
Tom Seaman's website and Instagram

Tom's Books:
Diagnosis Dystonia, Navigating the Journey
Beyond Pain and Suffering, Adapting to Adversity

Dr. Claire Weekes:
Hope and Help for Your Nerves — Dr. Claire Weekes' classic, groundbreaking guide to breaking the anxiety cycle
Pass Through Panic: Freeing Yourself from Anxiety and Fear — her original 8-part radio series, narrated in her own voice

Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt
The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
54min
March 16, 2026When to Call 911 vs. the Non-Emergency Line: Tips from a Real Dispatcher
Listen to Dispatch Supervisor, Glenna, inform us on:
- When to call 911 versus the non-emergency line
- Handling suspicious situations
- Providing tips for effective communication with law enforcement

Glenna emphasizes the importance of using 911 for situations involving imminent threats to life or significant property loss. The topic of reporting harm to pets is discussed as well as the distinction between felonies and misdemeanors.

Glenna provides insights into the dispatch process and encourages callers to be proactive in saving the correct police department number in their phones. They discuss anonymous reporting and more.

The episode concludes with a role-play scenario where Mandi calls 911 to report a car accident, highlighting how a dispatcher may respond in order to gather information and ensure caller safety.

RESOURCES

WeTip.com: A resource for reporting information anonymously. It allows individuals to provide information about crimes without revealing their identity. (Note: Some limitations were discussed.)

Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt
The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
40min
March 09, 2026Bystander Intervention: Empowering Bystanders to Make a Difference
Learn how to safely intervene as a bystander and hear Kelly Pfleider's, founder of Pure Praxis, innovative approaches to sexual assault prevention training. They discuss the importance of engaging student leaders, and empowering individuals to take action in difficult situations.
Kelly emphasizes the role of storytelling in education and the need for continuous conversations about consent and support for survivors. The episode highlights how Pure Praxis customizes its training to create safe spaces for dialogue and encourages listeners to get involved in their community.

TAKEAWAYS
Kelly Pfleider is the founder of Pure Praxis, focusing on social justice through theater.
Bystander intervention is crucial in preventing sexual assault.
Engaging student leaders can create a ripple effect in communities.
Empowerment comes from understanding one's own skills and instincts.
Storytelling is a powerful tool in educating about consent and prevention.
Creating safe spaces for dialogue is essential for honest conversations.
Every situation is unique, and responses should be tailored accordingly.
Believing survivors is fundamental to encouraging them to come forward.
Training should avoid re-traumatization and focus on support.
Continuous conversations about consent and prevention are necessary for societal change.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Kelly Pfleider and Pure Praxis
03:02 Innovative Approaches to Sexual Assault Prevention Training
06:04 The Importance of Bystander Intervention
08:57 Engaging Student Leaders in Conversations
12:00 Empowering Individuals to Take Action
14:46 Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue
18:02 The Role of Storytelling in Education
21:10 Addressing the Complexity of Consent
24:00 The Need for Continuous Conversations
26:58 How to Get Involved with Pure Praxis

RESOURCES

Pure Praxis - Customizable prevention & response training programs

Kelly Pfleider on LinkedIn

Instagram: PurePraxis

Are You Sure? Program for faculty and mandated reporters

Connect with Kelly: LinkedIn / Official website

Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.

Send me a message
...more
35min
March 02, 2026The Invisible Cage: Tactics of Coercive Control Every Person Needs to Know
Coercive control = any intentional pattern of behavior designed to control or dominate another person and is the umbrella over all forms of abuse. Bethany Jantzi, DPC, MSc. explains why intelligent, strong people fall victim to it, and the early red flags to watch for: from love bombing and commitment whirlwinds to sexual pressure and the slow erosion of your autonomy.
She also shares her powerful FOG-C framework to help you recognize coercion in real time. And if someone you love is being controlled, whether in a relationship or a cult, Bethany shares why compassionate curiosity, not confrontation, is the key to keeping that lifeline open.
Whether you're a parent worried about your teen, someone dating again after abuse, or a survivor still making sense of what happened, this conversation is for you.

RESOURCES
Dr. Jane Monckton Smith's TED Talk – The domestic homicide timeline
Bethany's Website & Instagram – freefromcontrol.ca / @freefromcontrol.ca

Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.

Send me a message
...more
36min
February 23, 2026Signs of a Healthy Relationship Most People Have Never Been Taught: More Than Green Flags
Why do healthy relationships feel uncomfortable at first? If you've ever come out of a toxic or abusive relationship and wondered whether you'd even recognize a healthy one, this episode is for you.

Most of us know what a red flag looks like, but knowing what a green flag feels like is a different skill entirely. Today's guest walks us through the real signs of a healthy relationship from emotional safety and mutual respect to shared power, conflict resolution, and building trust slowly and intentionally.

We also talk about why if someone manipulated you into believing they were a good partner, that is never your fault. Whether you're healing from a past relationship or simply want to show up better in the one you're in, this episode will give you a whole new framework for what love is supposed to feel like.

RESOURCES

DOVES Program, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
DOVESprogram.com
24 Hr Helpline: 866-95-DOVES
24 Hr. Text Line: 515-599-6620
Green Flags Worksheet PDF download

Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt

The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
Send me a message
...more
42min

FAQs about Aware And Prepared:

How many episodes does Aware And Prepared have?

The podcast currently has 140 episodes available.

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