In this episode I have the privilege of hosting for the 2nd time American Jon Vaughn. Former Michigan University and NFL football player, Jon is an outspoken global leader advocating for survivors of sexual assault.

In this segment Jon speaks to us open heartedly about how Headspace Health has been such a critical resource and service guiding his recovery and healing from sexual abuse. 

Thanks for listening and please remember to share this information with others. You never know who may need it or how it can truly help someone else.

It is my honor and privilege to welcome Jon Vaughn to Open Stance.

One of the most important honours I have ever received was my invitation to present at Marymount High School in Los Angeles, my alma mater, with the extraordinary support of Beth Cranston, the Director of the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center, and her extraordinary team providing essential support and learnings.

Speaking to the 9th graders, my talk focuses on sharing information about sexual assault and rape with the heart of my presentation emphasising education around prevention, awareness, healing from trauma and available support services.

As you will learn in this presentation, this education is what I needed before I left high school for Duke University.

I am filled with a sense of absolute pride for Marymount High School at their decision to support my presentation discussing confronting issues like sexual abuse and assault. This is incredibly responsible education which can help equip students, educators and families with potentially life-saving information and critical support services for themselves or for someone they know who has been impacted by sexual violence.

Looking into the faces of these vibrant students was a defining moment for me... knowing without doubt that the most important action I can take is to lead by example every day, share my truth and continue breaking the silence as a way to create awareness, contribute to prevention, eliminate the stigmas surrounding sexual abuse, offer support to survivors and send the impactful message that true healing and full recovery from sexual abuse is possible.

This education can help save lives. Thank you for sharing across your networks so we can extend our reach to those who need it.

This is segment four of a five-part series which looks into the heart of domestic violence.

In this episode, I have the privilege to speak with Thelma Schwartz.

Thelma is the Principal Legal Officer at the Queensland Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) based in the Head office in Cairns Australia.

She has over 23 years of legal experience delivering critical services to victims within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

This is an intimate, powerful and informative conversation in which we learn how Thelma’s own trauma surviving childhood family violence makes her work a deeply personal and empowering experience.

It is my privilege and honor to welcome Thelma Schwartz to Open Stance.

This is episode three of a five-part series which looks into the heart of domestic violence where our guests share personal stories discussing the emotional and physical abuse towards a partner, former partner or family members.

In this episode, I speak with Junior “The One” Talipeau, a New Zealand born Samoan raised in Sydney Australia. Junior, is an Australian professional boxer and former Super Middleweight Champion. His remarkable career includes 25 professional fights in Australia and on the world stage.

Junior is a child witness and survivor of family domestic violence. Raised in a home terrorised by a violent father, Junior talks about his life’s mission to fight against the atrocities of domestic violence and to find ways his experience can help break the cycle of abuse.

Junior speaks about the impact of domestic violence in his life and how deep rooted anger and broken trust manifested in his teens; he speaks about justice and the power of healing through “opening up” to have tough and confronting conversations.

We also hear from Junior how strong mentors and finding the love of God saved his life.

Junior’s episode is critical education and a powerful message of hope that must be shared.

It is my privilege and honor to welcome Junior Talipeau to Open Stance.

This five part series is a confronting journey into the heart of domestic violence where our guests share personal stories discussing the emotional and physical abuse towards a partner, former partner or family member.

We have the privilege to listen to brave and intensely personal conversations of victim-survivors and frontline domestic violence advocates who share confronting insight educating our audience on what domestic and family violence is, who is at risk, what domestic violence involves and what forms it can take. And through these tough conversations we learn about the harrowing aftermath of domestic violence and the life long impact it has on individuals and communities around the world.

In this episode, I speak with Kylie O’Connor the Barefoot Warrior Coach. This remarkable woman dedicates her life to helping victim-survivors recover their self worth after domestic violence. Kylie fearlessly opens up and shares with us her personal experience with domestic violence and the trauma of abusive relationships especially in relation to the LGBTQI community.

You will hear from Kylie about the cycle of violence, forms of abuse, shame, safety plans, escaping violence, homelessness, gaslighting, domestic violence in lesbian relationships, healing from trauma, and breaking the cycle of abuse. This is a forceful conversation which delivers critical education, important support and necessary understanding around the complexity of domestic violence-information we all need to hear in order to stop these crimes of violence.

Kylie's Blog

https://barefootwarriorhome.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/the-journey-begins/

FB group Barefoot Warrior Coaching

https://www.facebook.com/barefootwarriorcoaching

The Warrior's Way

https://www.facebook.com/groups/barefootwarriordiscussion/?ref=share_group_link

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-o%E2%80%99connor-barefoot-warrior-coaching-590482192/

Ashton Wood - Founder and CEO of Australian Charity DV Safe Phone

https://dvsafephone.org/

DV Safe Phone collects, repurposes and gifts mobile phones to victims of domestic violence (DV) through registered charities, safe houses and authorities serving this vulnerable community. Our Safe Phones are then provided as part of an individual's 'safe' or 'escape' plan' offering a lifeline to call for help when it is needed most.

This special 5 part series is a confronting journey into the heart of domestic violence where our guests share personal stories discussing the emotional and physical abuse towards a partner, former partner or family member.

We have the privilege to listen to brave and intensely personal conversations of victim-survivors and frontline domestic violence advocates who share confronting insight educating our audience on what domestic and family violence is, who is at risk, what domestic violence involves and what forms it can take. And through these tough conversations we learn about the harrowing aftermath of domestic violence and the life long impact it has on individuals and communities around the world.

In ep 1, we hear from Ashton Wood, Founder and CEO of Australian charity DV Safe Phone.

Established in response to COVID-19 lock downs,

DV Safe Phone collects, repurposes and gifts

mobile phones to victims of domestic violence

in need. This is done in partnership with registered

charities, safe houses and law enforcement

authorities serving this vulnerable community. A

practical, community-driven initiative, DV Safe

Phone has to date facilitated the delivery of over

3,000 safe phones to enable victims to access help

when it is needed most.

Welcome Ashton Wood to Open Stance.

To contact Ashton Wood and DV Safe Phone

Ashton Wood

Founder & CEO, DV Safe Phone

Ph: 1300 151 939

Mob: 0412 281 900

Intl: +61 2 72288843

Email: [email protected]

Find us on Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

All donations over $2 to DV Safe Phone are fully tax deductible.

In this episode I am joined by a truly remarkable and prominent Australian leader, Dr. Cathy Kezelman, AM. Cathy is the President and CEO of Australia's Blue Knot Foundation-The National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma.

This organization is driven by their vision “To reach the more than 1-4 adult Australians impacted by Complex Trauma.”

Cathy was recognized in 2015 by the Australian government when she was awarded the AM (Member of the Order) “for significant service to community health as a supporter and advocate for survivors of child abuse”.

Cathy speaks with us from a place of intense personal understanding and compassion as she is a survivor who lost a decade of her childhood to sexual abuse. Cathy's story is bravely shared in her memoir: Innocence Revisited: A Tale in Parts.

Listeners will hear from Cathy crucially important information, education and understanding around WHAT is complex trauma, HOW these experiences can present in childhood, adulthood and into old age and WHAT options are available for people to receive specialized trauma-informed support. But the most resounding message Cathy shares in this episode is a message of HOPE.

As a prominent leader, medical professional and advocate, Cathy stays focused on the message that RECOVERY and HEALING from complex trauma is absolutely possible.

Thank you Cathy for this profound contribution of information, education and support.

It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to Open Stance.

For Dr. Cathy’s Kezelman’s full bio please visit:

https://blueknot.org.au/about-us/our-people/executive/

Blue Knot Foundation website https://blueknot.org.au/about-us/

Innocence Revisted: A Tale in Two Parts by Dr. Cathy Kezelman (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Innocence-Revisited-Dr-Cathy-Kezelman/dp/0980619335

FB: https://www.facebook.com/BlueKnotFoundation/

IG: @blueknotfoundation

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/blueknotorgau

Twitter: Blue Knot Foundation @BlueKnotOrg

JAKIA LINDLEY IS A WRITER, US AIRFORCE STAFF SERGEANT, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM ADVOCATE, CERTIFIED RESILIENCY INSTRUCTOR, WIFE AND MOTHER

JAKIA IS THE AUTHOR OF HER MEMOIR TITLED WAR AT HOME.

THIS BOOK IS JAKIA'S CANDID AND VULNERABLE ACCOUNT OF HER EXPERIENCES AS A WOMAN SERVING IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WHERE SHE ENDURED SEXUAL ASSAULT, ABUSE, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND AS A WOMAN OF COLOR OUTRIGHT RACISM FROM THOSE IN POSITIONS OF POWER

FOR MANY YEARS JAKIA SUFFERED THE TRAUMAS OF ABUSE ALONE AND IN SILENCE AND HER WARS - AS SHE POWERFULLY COMMUNICATES-WERE NOT IN FOREIGN LANDS- THEY ARE AT HOME

JAKIA RISKS HER PERSONAL SAFETY AND CAREER BY SHARING HER STORY AND LIFE EXPERIENCES FOR THE FIRST TIME PUBLICLY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF COUNTLESS MILITARY SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SUFFER IN SILENCE AND WHO HAVE ULTIMATELY BEEN LET DOWN BY A SYSTEM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEM

IT IS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME JAKIA LINDLEY TO OPEN STANCE

Hello and welcome to Open Stance.

I am your host,Tracey Hiete Smith, and in this episode I am joined by Trinea Gonczar.

Trinea is a former elite gymnast from Lansing, Michigan where she trained under 2012 Gold Medal Olympic Women's Gymnastics coach John Geddert. (Geddert was charged in 2018 on multiple criminal charges including sex trafficking and first degree criminal sexual assault involving a minors. Geddert died by suicide in 2021 shortly after being charged with felony crimes)

In 2018, the world watched in anguish, as Trinea stood in court and delivered a heart wrenching Victim Impact Statement to her abuser, the former renowned USA Olympic gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar. Her statement went global within hours.

Trinea was 37 years old when she first confronted the realization that she too was one of hundreds of victims of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her perpetrator Larry Nassar. It has been recognized that Trinea is one the earliest victims enduring an estimated 800 “treatments” beginning at 6 years old.

Since the trial, Trinea has joined forces with the Avalon Healing Center in Michigan, as the Director of Development, where she focuses on bringing national awareness to the comprehensive services available to victims of sexual assault and abuse.

http://avalonhealing.org

Trinea features in the HBO documentary At The Heart of Gold: Inside The USA Gymnastics Scandal, in 2022 is a guest on the Dr. Phil Show and Trinea was honored in 2018 at the ESPYS- one of hundreds of brave survivors-receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Trinea was named one of Glamour Magazines 2018 Women of the Year and also has been featured in an NPR produced podcast called “BELIEVED”. Additionally, Trinea features in the books “The Girls” by Abigail Pesta and “Start By Believing: Larry Nassar’s Crimes, The Institutions that Enabled Him, and the Brave Women Who Stopped a Monster” by John Barr and Dan Murphy.

In this episode, Trinea takes us on a deeply personal and intimate journey into her life after the trial, when the international media frenzy dies down and life returns to routine. What happens next for Trinea when she is left to cope with her truth as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse? This is an exceptionally raw and emotional conversation in which Trinea shares the very human side of her trauma from childhood sexual abuse. She confronts her truths when coping with the immense emotions of guilt and shame and talks about Finding Time to Heal in the throes of family life, pregnancy, motherhood and career. Trinea opens up about the self destructive, “Band Aid fix” behaviors which can present in a survivor’s life when trauma is unresolved. We hear from Trinea about the impact on her marriage and intimacy issues after assault and listen to her encouraging and profound belief in the power of connection to help heal.

I am so sorry Trinea for the childhood abuse you have suffered. I am so inspired and so proud of your determination to push through your own pain in order to help support and protect others. And without doubt, your voice and your ability to share your experiences- in the midst of your own healing- is helping thousands. Thank You.

It is my honor and privilege, to welcome this beautiful human and fierce advocate for survivors, Trinea Gonczar to Open Stance.

http://avalonhealing.org

Open Stance with former University of Michigan Wolverine running back & NFL professional for the Chiefs, Patriots & Seahawks - JON VAUGHN

Jon Vaughn has spent a lifetime meeting challenges. From a troubled childhood, that included years of sexual violence, to a spot on the famed University of Michigan Wolverines football team where Jon became a victim of repeated sexual abuse at the hands of Athletic Department Physician Dr. Robert Anderson. Now, the challenges Jon faces include thyroid cancer, but, more notable, is his fierce focus on challenging the University of Michigan to acknowledge his and hundreds of other victim's sexual abuse and the institutional cover-up which enabled Dr. Anderson to commit these atrocious crimes over the course of forty years. This challenge, like all those presented before him, Jon is tackling head on.

It is my honor and privilege to welcome this warrior for justice, Jon Vaughn, to Open Stance.