VSC Podcast

It’s the 100th Episode of the VSC Podcast!! Come join VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell as she chats with VSC Executive Director Lui Damiani and VSC Board Member and former Board Chair Craig Swygert to talk about the story of the VSC, how they got involved in this work, how this organization has grown and overcome challenges, and why rape crisis centers like the VSC are so important for our communities.

Craig Swygert uses he/him pronouns, is the current Branch President of Clear Channel Outdoor, and currently serves on the board of directors at the VSC. Advocacy and having an ability to make an impact in the community he grew up in is something he holds close to him.

Lui Damiani uses he/him pronouns and is the Executive Director of the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 individualized services and resources to victims of sexual assault, violent crime and other traumatic circumstances.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/IdczHvle-V8

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

How can Social Media be used as a Prevention tool? On the 99th episode of the VSC Podcast Emilie Mitchell sits down with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’s Digital Communications Manager Shannan Webster and VSC Marketing and Outreach Specialist Kyle Fray to chat about the power of Social Media in helping end violence.

Shannan Webster uses she/her pronouns and  is the former Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator with VSC where she managed our social media and community engagement for 3 years. She recently moved to Colorado and currently works at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless as their Digital Communications Manager. Shannan is passionate about advancing social justice and utilizing technology to educate and raise awareness. Shannan is a proud dog mom and enjoys trivia game shows and vegan cooking in her free time.

Kyle Fray uses he/him pronouns and is the Marketing and Outreach Specialist at the VSC. Kyle received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida in Public Relations. Advocacy and having an ability to make an impact in the community he grew up in is something he holds close to him. He has experience working public relations both agency side and in-house.  In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, playing video games and traveling around the country to play with his club Frisbee team.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/LaDEtJcI1XE

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

How does language and the way we talk about rape perpetuate it? On the 98th episode of the VSC Podcast Emilie Mitchell sits down with two amazing VSC interns Miles Poola-or and Nicola Prichard to chat about how language and the way we talk about rape as a society, on an interpersonal level, in the news, etc. can contribute to rape culture and ways we can mindfully change the language we use to help end sexual violence.

Miles Poola-Or uses he/him pronouns and is one of our Therapy Interns at the VSC. Miles is originally from Thailand where he received a BA in English. In 2019, he received a Master’s of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Columbia University in the City of New York where he developed his passion for the relationship between language and mind. Currently, he’s pursuing his Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College where he is also pursuing a Certification in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Nicola Prichard uses she/her pronouns and graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is one of VSC’s advocacy interns and is currently a graduate student in the Master’s of Social Work Program at the University of Central Florida. After graduating, she plans on working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and intends to continue working with individuals who have experienced trauma.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/DQs5WwygVyQ

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

We are so excited to be sitting down with one of VSC’s own SANE nurses and now best-selling author Marie McKenzie to chat about her book Things That Keep Me Up At Night! On the newest episode of the VSC Podcast Emilie Mitchell sits down with Author and SANE Marie McKenzie and VSC SANE nurse Chris Bemis to chat about Marie’s book, her journey to advocating for herself and survivors of sexual assault, and what Marie wants readers to take away from her book.

Marie McKenzie, #1 Amazon Bestselling author, uses she/her pronouns and is an accomplished Registered Nurse, educator, community volunteer, victims’ advocate, and trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Born in Jamaica, Marie migrated to the United States of America in 1989, and currently resides in Orlando, FL with her husband, George.

Chris Bemis uses she/her pronouns and is one of VSC’s contract Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Graduating from Saint Francis School of Nursing and UCF , she has served as a Registered Nurse for over 30 years; in areas including Emergency Care, Home Health and Nursing Education. Her passion is to provide compassionate, trauma informed care.

You can find links to purchase Marie’s book on her website marielmckenzie.com

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/poV7km7aaB4

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On the newest episode of the VSC Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sits down with VSC Victim Advocate and founder of the Passion Flower Project Steven Wilson and VSC Advocate Intern Nicola Prichard to chat about the benefits of support groups and the importance of building a community to help survivors heal. Come learn about this support group that incorporates gardening and CBT skills to help survivors come together and heal!

The Passion Flower Project is a support group funded by Winnie Palmer of Orlando Health.

Steven Wilson uses he/him pronouns and  is a Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate at Victim Service Center of Central Florida. Diversity, inclusivity, social justice, compassion and respect are values he lives by and what you can expect when joining him for crisis counseling. He obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida and continues to build upon his education and skills. He hopes that together they can rebuild and repair the traumas in their lives.

Nicola Prichard uses she/her pronouns and graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is one of VSC’s advocacy interns and is currently a graduate student in the Master’s of Social Work Program at the University of Central Florida. In her first year at UCF, Nicola interned at Children’s Advocacy Center Osceola, working with families of children who had experienced abuse. After graduating, she plans on working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and intends to continue working with individuals who have experienced trauma. In her free time, Nicola likes to read, cook, and play the piano.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/qrbWi7Z1kUQ 

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

Sexual Assault can affect anyone and everyone can be a part in preventing it. On the 95th episode of the VSC Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell chats with VSC Marketing and Outreach Specialist Kyle Fray and VSC Volunteer Jonathan Green about men in prevention, the societal pressures men can face, and ways we can all be better supporters and active bystanders.

Kyle Fray uses he/him pronouns and is the Marketing and Outreach Specialist at the VSC. Kyle received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida in Public Relations. Advocacy and having an ability to make an impact in the community he grew up in is something he holds close to him. He has experience working public relations both agency side and in-house.  In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, playing video games and traveling around the country to play with his club Frisbee team.

Jonathan Green uses he/him pronouns and is a current Volunteer here at the VSC. Jonathan, or JJ (whichever you’d like to call him!) grew up in a suburb outside of Portland, Oregon and moved to Orlando in 2019! He absolutely adores playing music, reading, and lending a helping hand whenever he gets the chance too!

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/7pHgGp4mSFM

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 70% of adolescents receiving treatment for substance abuse that were surveyed had a history of trauma. Trauma can have many diverse reactions and effects, and this week on the VSC Podcast VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell chats with Founder of HUSH no More Dr. Vanessa Guyton and VSC LGBTQ+ Victim Advocate Kevin Fox to chat about addiction following assault, removing the shame around this topic, and ways we can be better supporters.

Dr. Vanessa Guyton uses she/her pronouns and is the CEO of Consulting Experts & Associates, LLC. Additionally, she is the Founder and Executive Director of HUSH No More, a non-profit organization and movement that provides a platform to allow Survivors to share their story and help victims to heal and unleash the shame of their trauma. This platform led to her creating and producing the HUSH No More Book, Trauma Releasing Coloring Book, and “When a Date Turns to Rape.” Her documentary has been shown internationally in Japan, Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar to bring awareness to the HUSH Topics.

Kevin Fox uses he/him pronouns and is a Victim advocate in an adjunct position with the VSC and Zebra Coalition serving survivors in the LGBTQ+ Community. Kevin worked as a high school teacher while receiving his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. His passion when working with clients is to help them increase their resilience and satisfaction with their everyday lives; he seeks to help clients increase their meaning from life and live more authentically and honestly.

You can listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/9SGKyCqEfis

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

Ever feel pressure or that you just can’t say no during the Holidays? Tune into the newest episode of the VSC Podcast featuring VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell and VSC LGBTQ+ Victim Advocate Kevin Fox to learn how to set boundaries and advocate for you and your loved ones in practicing self-care.

Kevin Fox uses he/him pronouns and is a Victim advocate in an adjunct position with the VSC and Zebra Coalition serving survivors in the LGBTQ+ Community. Kevin worked as a high school teacher while receiving his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. His passion when working with clients is to help them increase their resilience and satisfaction with their everyday lives; he seeks to help clients increase their meaning from life and live more authentically and honestly.

Emilie Mitchell uses she/her and is the Education Coordinator at the Victim Service Center where she leads interactive discussions on violence prevention topics and runs the weekly VSC Podcast. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She found her passion for advocating social justice and ending gendered-violence as a trained paraprofessional co-facilitating discussions with first year college students about sexual assault on campus and how to support survivors at U of I. She is also enthusiastic about education and most recently lived in Japan teaching English to Elementary and Middle School children.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/g4twDe9_uI0

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

1 in 6 men experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. On the newest episode of the VSC Podcast, Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell is joined by VSC Speaker’s Bureau Member Ralph Reinert and VSC Therapy Intern Miles Poola-or to chat about Male Survivors, the culture of silence, and how we can be better supporters.

Ralph Reinert uses he/him pronouns and is a Retired Executive for a fortune 500 company. Ralph is the Father of two and a Pop Pop of 5. He is also a Survivor of childhood abuse and an amazing Volunteer at Victim Service Center where he participates in outreach, education, and co-facilitates our men’s support group.

Miles Poola-or uses he/him pronouns and is one of our Therapy Interns at the VSC. Miles is originally from Thailand where he received a BA in English and worked as an English as a Second Language teacher before deciding to move to the U.S. to further his education. In 2019, he received a Master’s of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Columbia University in the City of New York where he developed his passion for the relationship between language and mind. Currently, he’s pursuing his Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College where he is also pursuing a Certification in Marriage and Family Therapy.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/uMBipVE9-U0

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On the 91st episode of the VSC Podcast, Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell is joined by VSC Speaker’s Bureau Member Tracy Kelly and VSC Advocate Intern Yael Rivera to chat about Communal Healing, Activism, and ways some survivors make meaning from trauma as part of their healing path.

Tracy Kelly uses she/her pronouns and is a survivor of child sexual abuse from the ages of 9-11 years old by a family member. Tracy withheld her story for most of her life because she was scared but after having her own children she now speaks to other parents about keeping their children safe and also to other victims about how to not only survive their abuse but learn how to thrive in life.

Yael Rivera she/her pronouns attends Florida State University’s Master’s of Social Work clinical program. She completed her generalist internship at UCF CAPS where she developed a love for group therapy. Her approach is humanistic, person-centered, mindfulness-based, DBT informed (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and interpersonal. She has a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, college students, and survivors of traumatic experiences.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/sCbpfdUS-Ns

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Want to make a difference? Visit Victimservicecenter.org to learn how you can get involved and help the VSC continue supporting survivors of trauma.

-----------------------------------

Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL, for the Florida state sexual helpline call (888) 956-7273. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.