What if the abuse you went through… started generations before you? And what if no one ever showed you a healthy version of love?

In this episode, therapist and survivor Sophora Acheson shares her raw, personal story—from being raised by a violent father in a biker gang, to surviving a toxic relationship that ended in blood and jail, to now leading one of the country’s top trauma recovery nonprofits.

We talk about what happens when your nervous system only recognizes chaos, how healing really feels, and why Restorative Pathways is now helping not just survivors—but the people who cause harm.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why did I stay? What’s wrong with me? How do I stop the cycle?” — this one is for you.

✅ What you’ll get from this episode:
✅ The link between childhood trauma and toxic adult relationships
✅ How your body can confuse chaos for love
✅ What actually starts the healing journey (hint: it's not therapy first)
✅ Why so many survivors become the abuser—and how to stop it
✅ The program helping people who cause harm break the cycle
✅ A new way to reclaim safety, voice, and peace—one layer at a time

How to connect:
https://restorativepathways.org/

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At just three years old, Avonley Lightstone tried to save her mother from a house fire — but lost her. Shortly after, her father gave her up for adoption, and she endured years of emotional and physical abuse in a home where love felt conditional. But her story doesn’t end in pain — it rises in faith.

In this powerful conversation, Avonley shares how she turned tragedy into testimony, writing her book Strength of Scars to help others find healing, forgiveness, and purpose.

✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to heal from childhood trauma and abandonment
✅ The power of forgiveness — even for those who hurt you most
✅ Why faith can transform pain into purpose
✅ Breaking generational trauma for the next generation
✅ Practical tips to nurture yourself when you feel alone

🎧 Listen now and discover how to turn your scars into strength — and why your story matters more than you think.

How to connect:
https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Scars-Avonley-Lightstone/dp/B0F8PKWW3V
https://www.tiktok.com/@avonleylightstone

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Rosario Chico is a DHS insider, whistleblower, and mother—now facing criminal charges for trying to protect her kids. After reporting abuse, getting a protective order, and being told by DHS to seek emergency custody, Rosario fled for safety… only to be arrested and labeled a kidnapper.

Why? Because of one powerful player in her case: the guardian ad litem. A woman Rosario, says lied under oath, hid evidence, and had personal connections with opposing counsel.

🎧 In this shocking episode, Rosario reveals:
✅ Why she filed a federal lawsuit against her GAL
✅ How the court failed her children—even with proof of abuse
✅ The disturbing pattern of retaliation and collusion she uncovered
✅ What really happens when the wrong people get courtroom power
✅ How you can help her fight back before it's too late

⚖️ Sign the petition: justice4rosario.com

📅 Rally: Sept 22, 2025 – Tulsa County - 
📍 Facebook: @Justice4Rosario

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In 1949, Norman and Anne Browne were enjoying retirement in the peaceful beach town of Crystal Beach, Florida. Until one morning, a stranger returned to their home with a shotgun in his hand and secrets nobody saw coming.

In this episode, Tiffanie sits down with author Michael Gross, whose book MADMAN uncovers the twisted true story of John “Rastus” Russell—a charming man with movie star looks and a history of violent crime. What unfolded that day wasn’t just murder—it was part of a mystery involving robbery, lies, and a small town that never forgot.

✅ The horrifying home invasion that shocked Florida’s Gulf Coast
 ✅ Why the victims might not have been as innocent as they seemed
 ✅ Local interviews that revealed the real story behind the headlines
✅ A killer’s final words before he was gunned down
✅ How this story stayed hidden for 70+ years

🎧 This isn’t just a true crime case. It’s a movie-worthy moment in history that most people have never heard of—until now.

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What if the person you trusted as a spiritual guide turned out to be the reason you lost yourself? In this gripping episode, Andrew-Ryan Profaci shares his harrowing experience inside the 'Love Has Won' cult, where he lived as 'Father God' under the control of Amy Carlson, known as 'Mother God.' 

From overcoming addiction and surviving stage four cancer to being manipulated and ultimately realizing the harsh truth, Andrew's story is a powerful testament to the struggle of reclaiming one's identity and finding real faith. This isn't just about escaping a cult; it's about discovering your true self and overcoming manipulation. Don't miss Andrew's emotional and unfiltered tale of survival and self-discovery.

How to Connect:
https://thewaronlove.com/
https://www.cultinsider.com/

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At just 14, Morgan Scafe was caught in a web of betrayal, abuse, and silence, handpicked by her best friend's family to endure unthinkable trauma. With nowhere to turn, she wrote an anonymous note that sparked a seven-year battle for justice, resulting in a high-stakes courtroom showdown. 

 Morgan shares her journey from victim to advocate, the flaws in the justice system, and the urgent need for legal reforms to protect survivors. Her upcoming book, 'Carpenter Road, ' promises to shed even more light on the complicity of institutions, such as the Catholic Church. Tune in to hear Morgan's powerful message about trauma and transformation.

What you’ll get:
✅ Clear signs of grooming most adults miss
✅ What to say (and not say) when a child hints at abuse
✅ Why many kids don’t report—and how to change that
✅ How church/school systems can block disclosure
✅ Statute of limitations: what it is and why it matters
✅ Action steps to support survivors & push for reform

How to connect:
https://morganscafe.net/
https://www.amazon.com/CARPENTER-ROAD-SENTENCED-MORGAN-SCAFE-ebook/dp/B0BVT3CW89?ref_=ast_author_mpb

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When Lt. JG Burr Johnson III was murdered aboard a U.S. Navy ship in Pearl Harbor, his daughter was just two years old. The government went silent. The killer disappeared. And for over 30 years, no answers came.

In this powerful true crime episode, Allicia Johnson Niles shares her journey to uncover the truth behind her father’s death—revealing a shocking military cover-up, emotional trauma from unresolved grief, and a spiritual connection that helped guide her search.

In this episode:
✅ What it’s like growing up haunted by a murder with no answers
✅ How a spiritual connection to her father led her to the truth
✅ Why unresolved childhood grief often becomes lifelong trauma
✅ The shocking moment she realized the Navy knew more than they said
✅ How her healing helped other sailors who served with her dad
✅ How the U.S. Navy buried the truth about a murder on the USS Richard S. Edwards
✅ What it’s like to spiritually connect with a parent you never got to know
✅ How Allicia’s investigation led to her father’s killer—and peace


🟨 Trigger Warning: Military murder, PTSD, childhood trauma, grief, spiritual themes.

How to connect:
https://www.unlikelycourage.com/
https://www.angelinarlington.com/

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Alan Katz carried a devastating secret for 45 years — even from himself. At 14, he was sexually abused twice by the religious director of his synagogue. The trauma buried itself deep, quietly poisoning his confidence, self-worth, and ability to connect with others… until it nearly cost him his life.

In this powerful conversation, Alan shares how he confronted his past, survived a near-suicide, and rebuilt his life through radical honesty, storytelling, and creativity — including his time as the creative mind behind HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.

We talk about:
✔️ How trauma hides in plain sight — even from the person living it
✔️ The moment everything came rushing back
✔️ The power of telling your story without shame
✔️ What Hollywood horror taught him about justice
✔️ How owning your “bullshit” can set you free
✔️ Why storytelling might be the most powerful tool for healing

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse, trauma, and suicide. Please listen with care.

How to connect:
https://costardandtouchstone.com/

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When Kristen Louise Duncombe was just 10 years old, her life changed forever. The man who abused her wasn’t hiding in the shadows — William Francis Mulcahy, a senior U.S. diplomat with diplomatic immunity, protected by the very government sworn to uphold justice. Even after multiple victims came forward, he kept his job, his freedom, and access to children.

Kristen recounts the insidious grooming tactics he employed and the systemic failures that allowed him to evade justice for 30 years. exposes the cover-up, the diplomatic loopholes, and the lifelong impact of the State Department’s silence. From the Ivory Coast to a Cape Cod arrest decades later, her story is both a devastating account of systemic failure and an unflinching call for change.


In this episode, we discuss:
✔️ How the U.S. government used diplomatic immunity to shield a serial pedophile from justice.
✔️ Why seven victims speaking out still wasn’t enough in the 1980s.
✔️ The grooming tactics that allowed him to charm an entire community.
✔️ The devastating ripple effect of institutional silence on survivors.
✔️ How Kristen reclaimed her voice through her book Object.

Key Takeaways:

·         Grooming doesn’t just target children — it conditions entire communities to trust the abuser.

·         Diplomatic immunity and legal loopholes can leave predators free to offend for decades.

·         Fawning is a survival response that can lead to repeated victimization.

·         The statute of limitations continues to protect abusers more than victims.

·         Survivors reclaim power by telling their stories, even years later.

·         Institutional accountability is critical to preventing future abuse.

How to connect:
https://www.kristinduncombe.com/about/
https://www.amazon.com/OBJECT-Childhood-Shocking-Cover-Up-Government-ebook/dp/B0DCK3T7G2?ref_=ast_author_dp

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Why does healing hurt so much? Why do we repeat painful patterns—even when we know better? This week, I sit down with Jasmina Sabi, author of Am I Thinking Correctly?, who opens up about surviving childhood trauma, becoming an escort, and the deep betrayal that broke her open. We talk about how your brain chemistry (dopamine, cortisol, serotonin) shapes your decisions—even when you're unaware—and how healing means facing the truth about yourself and the people you love.

This isn’t just her story. It’s a mirror.
 You’ll walk away with a new understanding of trauma, survival, and how to truly break the cycle.

How to connect:
https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Correctly-Jasmina-Janaye-Sabi/dp/B0F22WXGLQ
https://www.instagram.com/jasmina_sabiall1?igsh=d21idzBuaDhoYnE%3D

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