Aware And Prepared

SUMMARY

In this podcast episode, the host addresses a question she frequently receives about her healing journey after escaping a domestic abuse situation. Her friend, Andrea, interviews her, posing questions that many people ask her. 

The host shares details about her leaving process and the lack of resources available at the time, about 20 years ago. She emphasizes the role of faith, both helpful and harmful, and the challenges of navigating well-intentioned but misguided advice within a religious context. 

The episode delves into the practical aspects of leaving, the difficulties of co-parenting with an abuser, and the ongoing legal struggles. The host also offers insights into supporting survivors, highlighting the importance of compassion, patience, and providing choices. 

The conversation extends to addressing concerns about the impact on children and the complexity of explaining the situation to them. The host shares her experience of speaking with her son about his father's absence and the importance of giving children a sense of control amid chaos. 

Throughout the episode, there is a strong emphasis on the gradual process of healing, the role of counseling, and the support available for survivors, encouraging others in similar situations to seek help and resources. The episode concludes with the host expressing confidence in her ability to protect herself and her son, while acknowledging the uncertainties of the future.

LESSONS LEARNED

Lesson 1 = Healing from abuse takes time. Here’s what helped Mandi: 

Spending a lot of time being present in nature / Lots of ongoing individual counseling / Getting closer to God to hear him / Friends and family who had similar experiences

Lesson 2 = It’s important to stay away from factors that impede healing. For Mandi those were:

Couples counseling / Spiritual abuse / Judgement from people without the whole story / People pleasing / Harmful cultural ideas / Lack of resources 

Lesson 3 = An abuser isn’t usually abusive 100% of the time, but any is enough.

Lesson 4 = Get support! It’s a good idea to develop a safety plan with your counselor, hotline or other expert

Lesson 5 = The worst thing you can do to support a victim is judge them and abandon them when they don’t do what you suggest. Just listen and provide a safe space.

RESOURCES

You can say thank you here if this podcast is helpful to you


National DV Hotline

Here’s the book Andrea mentions “The Life Saving Divorce”

You can find your podcast host, Mandi, on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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.

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SUMMARY

In this podcast episode, Mandi engages in a conversation with her guest, Joe, who shares a real-life story about helping a woman named Tracy deal with a serious stalking threat. 

Joe, who has a background in teaching shooting and personal defense, explains how Tracy sought his assistance after her life was endangered by a persistent stalker. The story unfolds as he delves into the intense series of classes, phone calls, and advice he provided Tracy beyond just firearm training. Key topics include situational awareness, surveillance, and the importance of expanding one's security measures beyond the home. 

He emphasized the need to be vigilant and proactive in dealing with potential threats, offering practical advice on recognizing surveillance, involving law enforcement, and making oneself a hard target. 

The podcast concludes with a discussion on the significance of situational and scenario-driven training for personal safety.

LESSONS LEARNED

Lesson 1 = Situational Awareness

Emphasizes the need for awareness of surroundings and changes in the environment.

Lesson 2 = Surveillance Awareness

Stresses the importance of recognizing and understanding surveillance as a prerequisite for potential attacks.

Lesson 3 = Proactive Measures

Encourages proactive steps, including involving law enforcement at the first sign of a threat, maintaining a surveillance log, and making oneself a hard target.

Lesson 4 = Involving Law Enforcement

Provides practical advice on involving law enforcement early on, such as documenting suspicious activities and providing detailed information.

Lesson 5 = Scenario-Driven Training: Highlights the significance of situational and scenario-driven training for personal safety, emphasizing the importance of practical knowledge.

RESOURCES

Support this podcast if it’s helpful to you

You can find your podcast host, Mandi, on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

My guest, Andrea, recounts a chilling stalking experience from over a decade ago when she was a young graduate living in Pasadena. As the story unfolds, she shares the gradual realization of being watched, the eerie encounters, and the unsettling intuition that preceded the revelation of an imminent threat. 

The narrative intensifies when her apartment manager reveals a disturbing encounter involving a suspicious individual armed with duct tape and lock-picking tools heading up to Andrea’s apartment. 

As the stalking escalates, Andrea shares the unsettling moments leading up to a critical incident involving her and a friend confronted by potential abductors in a white van. The episode delves into the emotional toll of the stalking experience, emphasizing the importance of personal safety awareness and street smarts. 

LESSONS LEARNED

Lesson 1 = Listen to your intuition and ACT

Lesson 2 = Pay attention to your surroundings (no earphones in, not looking down at phone)

Lesson 3 = Call the police 911 if someone is stalking you (document it every time)

Lesson 4 = Carry a self defense tool and train with it

Lesson 5 = Share with someone you know and trust what is happening to you

Lesson 6 = Talk with our kids and tell them it’s ok to yell and lie, if needed, to stay safe

RESOURCES

Support this podcast if it’s helpful to you

You can find your podcast host, Mandi, on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

The podcast episode delves into the contrasting traits of narcissists and empaths, shedding light on their dynamics in relationships. It emphasizes how narcissists, lacking empathy and introspection, manipulate and control empathetic individuals, making them feel unworthy and drained. Real-life examples depict how narcissists deflect blame, lack accountability, and bulldoze boundaries. The empath's excessive empathy becomes a magnet for narcissistic manipulation. 

The episode highlights instances where the narcissist's impulsive actions clash with the empath's need for understanding. It stresses the importance of recognizing red flags and the challenges of disentangling from relationships with narcissists, especially when they're family or have children. Ultimately, it underscores the critical need for self-care and vigilance in identifying these behavioral traits to maintain healthier relationships.

LESSONS LEARNED

Lesson 1 = The characteristics of a Narcissist were shared along with real life examples of interactions.

Lesson 2 = The characteristics of an Empath were shared along with real life examples of interactions between an empath and a narcissist.

Lesson 3 = Pay close attention to red flags if you find yourself in a relationship with a narcissist and consider the possibility of leaving. Remember, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being.

RESOURCES

Article 13 Common Behaviors and Values of Narcissistic People by Psychology Today

Article The Top 10 Traits of an Empath by Judith Orloff, M.D.

Support this podcast if it’s helpful to you

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared 

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

In this week's episode, Mandi, the host and Andrea, the show producer, have a discussion about the best way to start learning self defense and also how to spot a narcissist and what types of personalities they are most drawn to. Listen in as Mandi shares from personal experience.

RESOURCES

The book CoDependent No More by Melody Beattie

Article by the Mayo Clinic describing narcissist traits

Article by  Healthline describing empaths

Grab a friend and take my online self defense course (two live 2 hour trainings with me).

If you'd like to help sustain this podcast project to help empower others too, buy your host a coffee. Coffee Cheers!

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared to message her.

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

Mandi, the podcast host, shares a heartbreaking story of Caitlin and her dog losing their lives, due to domestic violence, emphasizing the urgent need for help. There is a lack of pet-friendly shelters for domestic violence victims, but there are organizations working to make more domestic violence shelters pet-friendly. There are a few resources for victims seeking safety with their pets that most people don't know about.

This episode underscores the importance of providing options for victims with pets and the necessity of change in domestic violence shelters to ensure the safety of both survivors and their pets so they can heal together in safety.

LESSONS LEARNED


Only 17% of domestic violence shelters accommodate pets but that number is rising!

The interconnected bonds between pets and their people affects safety of victims as they often delay leaving not knowing where to get to safety WITH their pet

Victims need to seek help promptly, such as calling 911 or TheHotline.org (1-800-799-7233).

Red Rover's goal is to make 25% of domestic violence shelters pet-friendly by 2025 signifies proactive efforts for positive change.

There are MULTIPLE resources, expanding awareness about available support systems beyond Red Rover.

Victims can get to safety by using another phone, dialing 211 for discreet access to the hotline, and calling 911 for life-threatening situations.

This is going to take collaborative efforts between organizations, communities, and individuals to improve victims being able to get to safety WITH their companion pets.

RESOURCES

Caitlyn Speck and Bailey Mae’s story

RedRover Relief 

Purple Leash Project with Purina and RedRover

Safe Havens For Pets mapping project to find a pet-friendly DV shelter

Greyboy Pet Portraits website and Instagram or Facebook for a smile!

If you'd like to help sustain this podcast project to help empower others too, buy your host a coffee. Coffee Cheers!

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared to message her.

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

In this podcast episode, the host delivers a message emphasizing the importance of personal safety and preparedness. They stress that individuals should not rely solely on military or police in times of crisis and should take responsibility for their own safety. Mandi outlines a five-step approach to prioritize safety.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Make your safety a top priority
2. Discuss possible dangerous situations with family
3. Create a safety plan
4. Practice that plan
5. Practice that plan some more

RESOURCES

Sign up for Mandi’s helpful weekly emails (“Tuesday Tips”) at the bottom of her website and receive her top 10 list of things to do to stay safer.

Grab a friend and take Mandi’s online self defense course (two live 2 hour trainings with her).


She mentioned a book in regards to the psychology of possibly having to terminate another life in order to save yours:  On Killing

Reach out to Mandi via Instagram or website to ask about any other resources you may be wanting.

Send me a message

SUMMARY

In this podcast episode, Mandi recounts her experience of being followed by an Apple AirTag and offers valuable advice, emphasizing the importance of awareness regarding new technologies, privacy concerns, and the potential for misuse. 

She guides listeners on what to do if they suspect they're being tracked by an AirTag, including documenting the situation, trusting their intuition, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities. 

Additionally, she highlights the need for stronger safety measures and regulations by technology companies and suggests apps for Android users to detect AirTags while providing resources for further information.

LESSONS LEARNED

Lesson 1 = It's important to be aware of new technologies and their potential uses both positive and negative.

Lesson 2 = This underscores the importance of privacy and the potential for those tracking devices to be misused. Users might be cautious about the information they share and their presence online. 

Lesson 3 = If you suspect that you're being tracked or stalked using such devices, it's important to document all relevant information. Including notifications, routes and such. This can be crucial for evidence and reporting to authorities. 

Lesson 4 = Being informed and prepared can contribute to personal safety and feeling more freedom. 

Lesson 5 = This episode also highlights the importance of advocating for stronger safety measures and regulations from technology companies to prevent misuse of their products. 

Lesson 6 = Trust your intuition. Follow your intuition and conduct research. Trusting your instincts can be valuable in such situations. 

Lesson 7 = Reporting suspicious activities to the police or relevant authorities is crucial in situations involving stalking or harassment. This ensures that there is an official record of the incident. 

RESOURCES

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212227

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-class-action-lawsuit-airtag-stalking-big-deal-why/

https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/6/23060113/airtags-safety-phantom-alerts-apple

https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-airtags/

If you'd like to help sustain this podcast project to help empower others too, buy your host a coffee. Coffee Cheers!

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared to message her.

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

This episode with special guest, Adam Dodge, continues the conversation from last episode on the complexities of gender-based violence in the digital age, the importance of developing empathy and awareness in online interactions and what we can do to help prevent tech-abuse.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Prevention is key. Providing young adults with tools to navigate online spaces from a young age. can help prevent tech facilitated violence. 

2. Parents should be equipped with the knowledge and resources to guide their children in building digital instincts and navigating online spaces safely. 

3. Recognize the importance of age appropriate content. We talked about teaching children, how to navigate age appropriate content online being crucial, given the vast and easily accessible digital landscape. 

4. Understand the digital world's unique challenges. Concepts like consent, empathy and boundaries take on different forms in the online world and children should be educated accordingly. 

5. Catfishing awareness: teaching children how to recognize and verify the identity of online contacts can help protect them from impersonation.

6. Encourage open communication. Parents can create a safe and open environment for children to discuss their online experiences and concerns.

RESOURCES

Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB (helping organizations keep people safe in the digital age) and The Tech-Savvy Parent (helping parents keep kids safe online). He can be found on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter @Adam R Dodge.

If you'd like to help sustain this podcast project to help empower others too, buy your host a coffee. Coffee Cheers!

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared to message her.

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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

This episode with special guest, Adam Dodge, highlights the complexities of gender-based violence in the digital age and the importance of developing empathy and awareness in online interactions.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Tech-facilitated gender-based violence is not limited to a specific region but is a global issue affecting victims worldwide.

2. Image-based sexual abuse is on the rise, where individuals use technology to manipulate and share explicit images of others without their consent.

3. The author emphasizes the importance of validating the experiences of victims of image-based sexual abuse and recognizing the harm it causes, regardless of the authenticity of the images.

4. Adam underscores the need for education, particularly among parents, educators and trusted adults to address online behaviors and promote empathy in digital interactions. 

5. It's noted that the lack of face-to-face interactions in online spaces can lead to a breakdown in empathy highlighting the importance of teaching empathy in digital contexts as well. 

6. Adam calls on parents to adapt their parenting strategies, to include digital awareness and empathy recognizing that today's youth is growing up in a predominantly online world. 

RESOURCES

Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB (helping organizations keep people safe in the digital age) and The Tech-Savvy Parent (helping parents keep kids safe online). He can be found on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter @Adam R Dodge.

If you'd like to help sustain this podcast project to help empower others too, buy your host a coffee. Coffee Cheers!

You can find Mandi on Instagram @WomenAwareAndPrepared to message her.

Her website is WomenAwareAndPrepared.com where you can contact her or sign up for her weekly Tuesday Tip emails (at the bottom of the website) to stay safer and feel more empowered. You’ll receive a downloadable list of Mandi’s favorite 10 things to do to stay safer.

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