Aware And Prepared

Financial sextortion occurs when someone is blackmailed after sharing intimate photos or videos online, often with someone they believe to be a trusted friend or partner. The episode shares info from EndTab.org highlighting chilling statistics, with most victims being young men and boys. This has tragic results.

We also explore how these scams typically unfold. The episode covers the responses from law enforcement and social media platforms, as well as practical steps to prevent sextortion. increasing prevalence of these scams, it's crucial to discuss this issue with our children and equip them with the knowledge to protect themselves online.

LESSONS LEARNED

Financial sextortion is the fastest-growing cyber crime.

Scammers often pretend to be someone they're not to obtain intimate photos or videos and then blackmail the victims.

This crime is a growing problem that is not slowing down.

It's important to report sextortion to law enforcement and talk with family about it.

Five key ways to prevent sextortion:

• Be skeptical of strangers online
• Online friends of friends should be treated with caution
• Verify the identity of people who contact you
• Limit personal information in shared images
• Be aware of synthetic images or deepfakes

RESOURCES

Aware and Prepared Podcast Weekly Email: Provides show notes and links to resources mentioned in each episode. Sign up at awareandprepared.life at the bottom of the website.

EndTAB (Ending Tech-Enabled Abuse): endtab.org and LinkedIn and Instagram

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call / Text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org

DHS (Dept. Homeland Security) “Know To Protect” Campaign to help kids identify and protect themselves

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on her website AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Send me a message

Dangers of online deception, particularly catfishing scams from romance scammers, are shared as the host reads insights from guest Adam Dodge, who specializes in combating tech-enabled abuse through his organization, EndTAB.

Hear the evolution of catfishing tactics, now incorporating advanced AI technologies like deepfakes and voice cloning to create convincing but fake live videos. Listeners are educated on how to spot and avoid these scams, with practical tips such as observing unnatural eye and lip movements, checking for consistent lighting, and scrutinizing behavior for red flags. 

The host stresses the importance of sharing this knowledge, especially with those vulnerable to online dating scams, to foster a safer online environment for all.

LESSONS LEARNED

Ask the Person to Stand Up: Face-swapping apps can generate realistic heads and hands but currently can't create an entire body. Ask the person to stand up.

Watch Eye and Lip Movements: Unnatural eye blinks, facial expressions, or lips that don't sync perfectly with spoken words. 

Check the Lighting: In face-swapped videos, the lighting and shadows on the face often don't match those in the background. Ask the person to show their real background.

Focus on Behavior: Scammers typically use love bombing, escalate relationships quickly, and maintain constant communication. The biggest red flag is when they ask for money, gifts, or intimate images. 

RESOURCES

Aware and Prepared Podcast Weekly Email: Show notes and links to resources mentioned in each episode. Sign up at awareandprepared.life bottom of the website.

EndTAB (Ending Tech-Enabled Abuse): endtab.org and LinkedIn and Instagram

Article From Wired on Real-Time AI Manipulated Videos

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared

Send me a message

What are the risks and implications of sharing digital access with partners?

Introduction to Digital Entanglement: The blend of personal and digital lives in relationships. Potential risks of sharing digital access with partners.


Study by Malwarebytes: Examining digital sharing behaviors in relationships.

Key findings:

High Rates of Sharing: 85% of people in relationships share personal account access; for Gen Z, it's 95%.

Pressure and Regret: 43% feel pressured to share logins; higher pressure experienced by Gen Z and Millennials.

Misuse and Abuse: Nearly 30% have faced harmful effects from digital sharing; higher rates among Gen Z and Millennials.

Perceived Invincibility: Many do not feel personally concerned about digital sharing risks.

Need for Support: 70% acknowledge needing support to navigate digital sharing.

LESSONS

Be Cautious with Sharing: Only share passwords with trusted individuals.

Right to Refuse: It's okay to say no to sharing passwords, regardless of the relationship duration. You can say "I'm not comfortable" or "Let me think about that" or simply, "No."

Teach Children: Educate children on the importance of not sharing passwords with friends.

Following Someone With an Air Tag is a Crime: Personal Story - Mandi shares an experience of being tracked by an Apple AirTag

RESOURCES

• EndTAB Website: endtab.org and Instagram

• Previous Episodes with Adam here and here plus my AirTag story

SEND THIS TO one Millenial and one Gen Z person you love!

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on her website AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

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

Afraid you’ll freeze when in danger or in an awkward social situation? 

Returning guest, Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP and Mandi discuss the often-overlooked freeze response, exploring its biological basis and the associated feelings of shame. They highlight that freezing is a natural, uncontrollable reaction and stress the importance of self-compassion and preparation. 

Britt introduces concepts from her workbook, and then emphasizes listening to one's intuition and building trust in oneself to manage responses more effectively, providing a compassionate and empowering perspective on staying safer mentally.

LESSONS LEARNED

Freeze Response: Understand that freezing is a natural, uncontrollable reaction, not a conscious choice.

Self-Compassion: Emphasize the importance of self-compassion when dealing with freeze responses.

Preparation: Focus on preparing to minimize the likelihood of freezing, though it cannot be entirely prevented.

Intuition: Learn to listen to and trust your intuition to better navigate potentially unsafe situations.

Workbook Insights: Utilize Britt Frank’s workbook for practical exercises tailored to individual learning styles.

Recovery Strategies: Develop strategies to recover from a freeze response effectively.

Biological Reality: Recognize that freeze responses are biological and not indicative of personal failure.

Training: Acknowledge that even with training, freeze responses can occur, and it’s essential to be kind to oneself.

Holistic Approach: Address anxiety, procrastination, relationships, and boundaries as part of a comprehensive mental health strategy.

RESOURCES


Britt Frank’s Books: The Science of Stuck /  The Getting Unstuck Workbook

Movie mentioned: Inside Out by Pixar

Website: Britt Frank’s website: scienceofstuck.com

Social Media: Britt Frank’s Instagram: @britfrank

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on her website AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

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

Does the statement “I Love You” match with loving behavior of respect, patience, etc? In this podcast episode, Dr. Jill Murray emphasizes that love should be seen as a consistent behavior rather than merely a feeling or words. 

She highlights the importance of evaluating actions over verbal expressions in relationships and underscores that true friendship and love cannot coexist with abusive behavior. 

Dr. Jill also discusses the value of healthy conflict, which aims for the relationship's overall success rather than individual victory. She advises individuals to define love for themselves and ensure their partner's behavior aligns with that definition. For fun, at the end Dr. Jill shares her experience being in the Oprah Winfrey show.

LESSONS

Love and Behavior: Love is demonstrated through consistent behavior, not just words. Evaluate actions over words in any relationship.

Healthy Conflict: Disagreements are natural and should aim for the relationship's overall health, not individual victory.

Defining Love Personally: Each person should define what love means to them and ensure their partner’s behavior aligns with that definition.

No Excuses for Harmful Behavior: Abusive behavior cannot be justified by expressions of love. Consistent, loving actions are essential.

Empowerment: Supporting and empowering others, especially women, is crucial for collective success.

RESOURCES

Dr. Jill Murray’s website with books listed

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on her website AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

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

DRAMA DETOX! Dr. Jill Murray realized her life was filled with chaotic and drama-filled relationships. Determined to change, she made the drastic decision to cut out all toxic relationships, including some family members and friends. 

She apologized for her past dishonesty about her seemingly perfect life and embraced a period of loneliness, which eventually led to healthier, more supportive relationships. She highlights the addictive nature of drama, the importance of self-awareness, and taking responsibility for one's own thoughts, behaviors, and reactions as key steps in breaking free from a cycle of chaos and victimhood.

LESSONS

We can get addicted to drama and sometimes find ourselves seeing ourselves as a victim.  

Do a check. Are we the common denominator in all of these chaotic toxic relationships?

Drama is an actual addiction that happens in our brain. 

We only have control over three things: Our own thoughts / own behaviors / own reactions

RESOURCES

Dr. Jill Murray’s website with books listed

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on her website AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

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

What is THE main issue affecting teens today? In Dr. Jill Murray’s answer: social media. She says platforms like Instagram can create unrealistic expectations and contribute to depression and anxiety. Dr. Jill suggests limiting social media use and encouraging teens to be present in their own lives. 

Excessive social media use isolates and negatively impacts mental health. Learn questions you can ask those addicted to social media to help them enjoy living life in the present.

LESSONS

Keeping kids in a domestic violence home is child abuse.  

A victim doesn't break up a family, an abuser's behavior does.  

An abuser is not really a good dad (or mom) if he (she) abuses their spouse.

The main issue for kids today is social media - seeing everybody's highlight reel but not having any real life expectations is not reality.

Limit social media use and ask teens - How does that benefit your life?What does it take away in your life right now?

Spending hours and hours per day on social media makes a kid live in an alternate reality.

This isolation perpetuates depression and anxiety. 

RESOURCES

Dr. Jill Murray’s website with books listed

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find Mandi on her website AwareAndPrepared.Life or Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

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

SUMMARY

Slow DOWN to live safer! Today Mandi talks about the mind body connection - the importance of addressing both mental and physical health in the body to break the cycle of stress and calm our nervous system so we can live safer with more peace!

LESSONS LEARNED

Importance of Slowing Down: Slowing down is crucial for safety and overall well-being

Impact of Chronic Stress: Living in a prolonged state of fight-or-flight can lead to heightened cortisol levels and various health issues, both mental and physical

Mind-Body Connection: The mind and body are interconnected. Unprocessed emotions and trauma can get stuck in the body, affecting both mental and physical health

Calming the Nervous System: It is essential to actively work on calming the nervous system through techniques shared

EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be a powerful tool for processing trauma without the need to rehash painful experiences

Reminder To Take Action: Incorporating practical self-care routines, such as using calming apps like Better Sleep and engaging in regular relaxation techniques, can significantly improve emotional resilience and overall health

Professional Help: Seeking professional help, such as therapy or counseling, is important when dealing with significant trauma or persistent stress

Proactive Health Management: Prioritizing health by managing stress, practicing self-care, and using available resources can lead to a safer more peaceful life

RESOURCES

Britt Frank's Book: "The Science of Stuck" and new workbook plus episode with her

Book "The Body Keeps the Score" by Dr. Van Der Kolk

Better Sleep App

Havening Technique: Explanation and instructions

Breathing Techniques: Previous podcast episode on breathing techniques.

Learn more about Tapping (EFT): Emotional Freedom Technique

Find an EMDR Therapist near you

Email and Instagram details for requesting the printable list of calming things Mandi does

Psychology Today Article on Nurturing Serenity

Send me a message

Hear some of the unresolved aspects of Mica Miller’s death and the behavior of her abuser, Pastor JP Miller. The first part updates listeners on the inconsistencies in Micah’s death, as shared by her family. 

The second part delves deeper into JP Miller’s abusive patterns and broader behaviors seen in similar individuals. This part also explores the psychological profile of a narcissistic abuser, including traits like grandiosity, lack of empathy, and entitlement. 

Mandi connects these behaviors to epigenetics, suggesting that trauma and abusive tendencies can be passed through generations, and emphasizes the importance of early intervention and escape for victims. The episode ends with a call for stronger protective laws and recognition of the rights to self-defense.

LESSONS LEARNED

Document everything when facing harassment or abuse.

Be aware of the patterns and behaviors of narcissistic abusers.

Understand the importance of early intervention in abusive situations.

Recognize that trauma and abusive tendencies can be passed through generations.

Know your rights to self-defense and follow legal procedures to protect yourself.

Advocate for stronger protective laws and support systems for abuse victims.

Raise awareness about the signs of manipulation and grooming, especially by authority figures.

RESOURCES

Mica’s Friend and Advocate, Kyler Harlowe Facebook Page (has Mica’s family on video, etc.)

Articles about JP Miller's illegal actions and actions of his father, Reginald Miller

Pepper Spray episodes here and here

A Scientific American article on epigenetics study involving mice and the inheritance of trauma responses.

Very Well Mind article on epigenetics

Psychology Today article on epigenetics

***Don’t forget to review the show (bottom of all episodes) - is it helpful, practical, insightful?***

Book Mandi for a keynote and workshops for your school, conference or retreat to share her real life story, how she healed and practical takeaways to inspire and empower your audience.

Find out the top 10 things Mandi does to keep herself safe at the bottom of her website WomenAwareAndPrepared.com.

You can find Mandi, on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Music by Andrea Hamilton Binley at HopefulPop.com.

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

SUMMARY

#JusticeForMica - This episode delves into the tragic case of Mica Miller, the wife of Pastor John Paul Miller. She was found deceased with a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound shortly after having divorce papers and a no-contact order served to her husband. 

Despite the medical examiner ruling it as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, suspicions of foul play continue due to Mica's prior warnings about her husband's potential involvement and the documented abuse she suffered from him. 

Experts discuss the dangerous dynamics of abusive relationships within religious communities, highlighting the manipulation tactics used by perpetrators. They discuss Mica's own reflections on forgiveness, abuse, and the church's role in addressing domestic violence pointing out the complexities victims face. 

The episode underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing abuse within religious communities and offering proper support to those navigating similar situations.

LESSONS LEARNED

Warning signs of abuse: Mica's experiences highlight red flags such as financial control, emotional manipulation, verbal abuse, and isolation from support networks.

Manipulation tactics: Perpetrators may use religious rhetoric, such as misinterpretations of scripture or guilt-tripping about forgiveness, to maintain control over their victims.

Importance of validation: Victims often face disbelief or blame when they speak out, exacerbating their trauma. Validation and support from trusted people can be crucial in helping them recognize the abuse and seek help.

Recognizing dangerous situations: Risk is elevated particularly when served with divorce papers and / or a no-contact order. A local domestic violence shelter or The HotLine.org can aid in assessing risk and safety planning.

Challenging cultural narratives: Societal expectations around marriage and forgiveness can perpetuate harmful situations. It's essential to challenge these narratives and prioritize safety and well-being over pressures to maintain relationships at all costs.

Role of religious institutions: Religious communities should address domestic violence openly, providing support and resources for victims and holding perpetrators accountable. Education on healthy relationships and recognizing abuse should be integrated into religious teachings and practices.

Self Defense: You have a right to self defense - to peace and safety, which are basic human rights.

RESOURCES

Evie Magazine article about Mica Miller

Annette Oltmanns The Mend Project 

Rev. Geneece Goertzen-Morrison podcast HopeRiseThrive.com

Host Mandi Pratt WomenAwareAndPrepared.com IG @WomenAwareAndPrepared

Mica’s Friend and Advocate, Kyler Harlowe Facebook Page

Gretchen Baskerville's book, "The Life Saving Divorce"

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Send me a message