Join us for a heartfelt episode where we explore the profound impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for prevention and protection. My guests, Nichole and Jim Schmidt from the Gabby Petito Foundation, share their heartbreaking journey following the tragic loss of their daughter, Gabby Petito, in 2021. They discuss the vital importance of recognizing the signs of domestic abuse, which affects one in four women and one in nine men, and the need for society to become more proactive in addressing this pervasive issue.

We emphasize the critical role of education in schools to help young people understand what constitutes a healthy relationship and how to set boundaries. They stress the importance of teaching respectful relationships from a young age and providing children with the tools to navigate the complexities of social media and peer interactions. They also highlight the need for community support and training to create safe spaces for victims to seek help.

We share insights into the challenges faced by survivors, including the barriers to leaving abusive relationships and the societal misconceptions that often blame victims. They call for greater awareness and legal reform to address issues like coercive control and strangulation, which are often overlooked but incredibly dangerous.

Join us as we delve into the foundations' advocacy work and their mission to change the narrative around domestic violence, offering hope and resources to those in need.

How to contact:
https://www.gabbypetitofoundation.org/

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Hello!!

Can you believe 2024 is almost over and 2025 is just around the corner? This year has been gratifying, filled with memorable moments like filming live on Alcatraz Island. I'm excited to share some of these highlights and to give you a glimpse of what's on the horizon for 2025, including the amazing lineup starting in January. 

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Addiction recovery isn’t just about the person struggling — it’s about healing the entire family. In this episode, Andrew Levander, LMFT, M.A.C, shares 25 years of expertise and his personal journey from opiates and alcohol to recovery. As the founder of Encino Recovery and Detox Center (seen on Oprah and Dr. Phil), Andrew breaks down the realities of addiction, withdrawal, and lasting healing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
 ✅ Why treating the whole family is essential to recovery
 ✅ The life-threatening risks of certain withdrawals
 ✅ How medication-assisted treatment works
 ✅ The link between trauma and addiction
 ✅ Why a digital detox can be part of healing

This is more than an interview — it’s a guide to understanding addiction and finding a path forward.

How to contact:
https://theencinodetoxcenter.com/
https://licasatreatment.com/
Encino Recovery and Detox Center 833-433-2435

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Fear can quietly control your life — or it can fuel your transformation. In this episode, Brett Dellar, Aussie author of Soften the Fuck Up and Emerge, shares how he turned depression, childhood trauma, and addiction into a life of passion, courage, and purpose.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
 ✅ How fear hides in daily life and keeps you stuck
 ✅ Why confronting your past is the key to growth
 ✅ How sharing your truth leads to healing
 ✅ Steps to turn fear into unstoppable passion

This conversation is your reminder that it’s never too late to find your voice and live without fear.

How to contact:
https://www.drbrettdellar.com/

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The life you want starts in your mind. In this episode, Yvonne Trost, former IT strategist turned Chief Happiness Officer, shares how she went from a difficult divorce to a fearless, purpose-driven life through yoga, meditation, and subconscious reprogramming.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
 ✅ How to rewire limiting childhood beliefs
 ✅ Practical strategies for setting and holding boundaries
 ✅ The role of self-love in creating lasting change
 ✅ How to break free from life’s ruts and embrace fearless living

This conversation will inspire you to rewrite your story and step into your full potential.

How to contact:
https://unlocklimitlessyou.com/

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Healing happens when science meets spirit.
Iván Chocrón shares how he blends plant medicine, emotional intelligence, and spiritual practices to help over 10,000 people heal from trauma.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ How unmet emotional needs fuel trauma
✅ The role of emotional intelligence in healing
✅ The truth about plant medicine like Ayahuasca
✅ How to choose safe and trustworthy facilitators

This episode is a guide for anyone seeking deep, holistic healing.

How to contact:
https://www.ivanchocron.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@ivanchocron

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One act of violence can change countless lives — but healing is possible.
In this episode, Rhonda Parker Taylor shares her journey from surviving a violent attack at 15 to losing her adopted son in a shooting. She opens up about the ripple effects of crime, the power of emotional intelligence, and the tools that helped her reclaim her life.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why acknowledging trauma is the first step to healing
✅ How emotional intelligence can aid recovery
✅ The value of journaling and self-reflection after trauma
✅ Why community and spirituality are vital for resilience

This conversation is a reminder that even after tragedy, hope and healing are within reach.

How to contact:
https://rhondaparkertaylor.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Crossroads-Rhonda-Parker-Taylor-ebook/dp/B0BTTRMJCL?ref_=ast_author_dp

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 Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the key to healing and connection.

In this episode, Jayson Blair, former journalist and host of the Silver Linings Handbook podcast, shares his journey from childhood abuse to the emotional highs and lows of crime reporting. He reveals how opening up about pain can transform relationships and bring deeper meaning to life.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
 ✅ How vulnerability can turn pain into connection
 ✅ Why grace and forgiveness are essential in healing
 ✅ The universal nature of suffering — and how to navigate it
 ✅ How self-awareness builds resilience

This conversation is packed with wisdom, love, and the reminder that connection is often found through our most difficult experiences.

How to contact:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-silver-linings-handbook/id1665733166
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Fmk2Sz9rXGltwt9eQHbtz

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What if the roots of violent crime start in childhood? In this episode, Bev Mitelman, M.A., relationship and attachment trauma practitioner and founder of Securely Loved, explains how chaotic, unpredictable childhoods can shape adult behaviors — sometimes with deadly consequences.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
 ✅ How early caregiver interactions shape attachment styles
 ✅ Why emotional regulation is a form of crime prevention
 ✅ The link between childhood trauma and violent behavior
 ✅ Why some women are drawn to incarcerated men
 ✅ How to identify and heal core wounds to break the cycle

This conversation offers hope, understanding, and tools to prevent cycles of violence before they start.

How to contact:
https://securelyloved.com/

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Join me this week as I uncover the chilling story of Ronald Clark O'Brien, infamously known as the Candyman, whose heinous act on Halloween night in 1974 cast a dark shadow over the holiday.

Dive into the haunting details of how a seemingly ordinary family man and church deacon from Deer Park, Texas, turned into a murderer, using potassium cyanide-laced pixie sticks as his weapon of choice. Discover how his sinister plot unfolded during a night of innocent trick-or-treating with his children and neighbors.

The investigation led by former county prosecutor Mike Hinton, revealed O'Brien's financial desperation and calculated plan to claim life insurance money by poisoning his son. Learn about the crucial clues that pointed to O'Brien's guilt, including suspicious questions about poison and failed attempts to purchase cyanide.

This episode highlights the tragic impact of O'Brien's actions on his family and community and the lingering fear it instilled in Halloween celebrations.

Stay safe this Halloween by being vigilant and cautious with your treats. The story of the Candyman is a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that can hide in plain sight.

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