Content Warning:  verbal abuse, physical abuse, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, and suicidal ideation.

Janelle Hill is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and survivor from Montana. She and I first had the chance to meet each other at an intimate dinner celebrating the survivor-founded non-profit, The Army of Survivors, and their newest evolution: a full rebranding as The Athlete Survivor's Assist. Janelle currently proudly serves on their advisory board, and shared a bit of her story that evening. I was deeply moved by her strength, expertise, and ability to encapsulate her difficult experiences with grace and relatability. The Broken Cycle Media team is grateful Janelle took the time to share her story of survivorship and about her advocacy work with our audience in the following two episodes.

The Athlete Survivor's Assist:

https://theathletesurvivorsassist.org/

The Athlete Survivor's Assist on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theathletesurvivorsassist/

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

*Content warning: self-harm, child abuse, physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse and assault.

Dr. Danielle Moore is a doctorate of forensic psychology, victim advocate, and former competitive gymnast. Despite the fact that her tumultuous journey has included extensive abuse and physical and emotional pain, Dr. Dani is a true beacon of hope for survivors. No matter what came next for her, she has managed to channel her energies into advocacy, to make true change in athletic systems all-around.

The Athlete Survivors' Assist formerly Army of Survivors:

https://theathletesurvivorsassist.org/what-we-do/

The Athlete Survivors' Assist formerly Army of Survivors on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theathletesurvivorsassist/

Dr. Danielle Moore on Instagram

http://www.instagram.com/dr.dani2016

End Violence Against Women International

https://evawintl.org/

Sources:

“Wheels.” Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, 24 Apr. 2021, www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/

Tim Evans, Mark Alesia. “Former USA Gymnastics Doctor Accused of Abuse.” The Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 24 Jan. 2018, www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/09/12/former-usa-gymnastics-doctor-accused-abuse/89995734/

Yancey-Bragg, N’dea. “1 in 4 College Athletes Say They Experienced Sexual Abuse from an Authority Figure, Survey Finds.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 26 Aug. 2021, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/08/26/college-athlete-report-sexual-assault-common-survey/8253766002/

Free + Confidential resources: somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Thank you again to Lola Blankets and Quince for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget, to experience the world’s #1 blanket & get 40% off your entire order go to  Lolablankets.com and use code [WCN] at checkout. And step into the holiday season with layers made to feel good, look polished, and last— from Quince.  Go to Quince.com/WCN for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. 

Content warning: wrongful conviction, domestic violence, childhood abuse, robbery, death, and murder.

 Maggie Freleng is an advocate, award-winning journalist, and producer reporting on wrongful convictions, the criminal legal system, and social issues. She's the host and producer of the Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast Suave on PRX, as well as the host and producer of the Signal and Anthem award-winning podcast, Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng. She also hosts Up and Vanished Weekly podcast, and is here to share about her newest release, Bone Valley Season three entitled Graves County, as well as about her work across all genres of storytelling. The Broken Cycle Media team is extremely grateful for this illuminating conversation and for Maggie's expertise and advocacy.

Bone Valley, S3: Graves County

https://lavaforgood.com/graves-county

Suave on PRX:

https://play.prx.org/listen?uf=https%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fsuavepodcast

Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng:

https://lavaforgood.com/with-maggie-freleng

Up and Vanished Weekly:

https://upandvanished.com/up-and-vanished-weekly/

Maggie on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maggiefreleng/

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Sources:

Carson, E. Ann. “Prisons Report Series: Preliminary Data Release.” Bureau of Justice Statistics, bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/prisons-report-series-preliminary-data-release

“National Registry of Exonerations’ Annual Report Finds Majority of Exonerees Are People of Color and Official Misconduct Is the Main Cause of Wrongful Convictions.” Death Penalty Information Center, deathpenaltyinfo.org/national-registry-of-exonerations-annual-report-finds-majority-of-exonerees-are-people-of-color-and-official-misconduct-is-the-main-cause-of-wrongful-convictions

Ostoyich, Halle. WV Innocence Project | West Virginia University, 2 Oct. 2020, wvinnocenceproject.law.wvu.edu/innocence-project-blog/our-voices/2020/10/02/wrongful-convictions-the-facts

Thank you again to CashApp for sponsoring this episode. Download Cash App Today: [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/394eb6t5] #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

Content Warning: rape, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

Marlee Liss is a survivor,award-winning speaker, victim advocate, somatic educator, and author from Toronto, Canada. She grew up in the arts, but pivoted to social work when she began her college career. It was in Marlee’s junior year when her life changed forever; she became the victim of a sexual assault and entered an arduous journey in the criminal justice system as a result. However, three years into that battle for justice, Marlee found an additional path: restorative justice. According to Walden University, quote “Punitive justice is the idea of punishing criminals for their crimes against society or the legal system itself, and is the traditional method of handling crime in the United States. Restorative justice seeks to bring victims of crimes into the justice process. Criminals are asked to take accountability for their wrongdoing by facing those they have wronged... The theory is that criminals owe more than a debt to society—they owe a debt to specific people,” end quote. The two processes are not always mutually exclusive. It’s important to note that criminal justice can occur tandemly with restorative justice practices. The Broken Cycle Media team is so very grateful for Marlee's powerful perspective advocacy and time and energy in sharing in this episode.

Resources:

Survivors for Justice Reform:

https://www.survivors4justicereform.com/

Dr. Alissa Ackerman:

https://www.alissaackerman.com/

Marlee's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/marleeliss/

Marlee's TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@marleeliss

Survivors for Justice Reform on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/survivors4justicereform/

National Association of Community and Restorative Justice:

https://www.nacrj.org/

NACRJ Restorative Justice Map:

https://members.nacrj.org/rj-map/FindStartsWith?term=%23%21

Sources:

Statistics: The Criminal Justice System - Rainn, rainn.org/facts-statistics-the-scope-of-the-problem/statistics-the-criminal-justice-system/

“What Is Restorative Justice?” Walden University, www.waldenu.edu/programs/criminal-justice/resource/what-Is-restorative-justice.

Thank you again to Scamfluencers and Lola Blankets for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget, listen to Scamfluencers now, wherever you get your podcasts. And get 40% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code [WCN] at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.

Content Warning: self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual assault, multiple perpetrator sexual assault, rape, gang violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, physical abuse, mental abuse, abduction, murder.

Bevin Llanes is a mother, survivor, and victim advocate from New York. Bevin joins us today to share about her daughter Meghan’s journey, as well as to bring awareness to domestic violence. In these two episodes, Bevin candidly shares about the immense trauma Meghan was forced to face in her youth, and the harmful path she was launched down as a result. Devastatingly, Meghan’s young life was stolen on October 23rd, 2021, after experiencing years of violence. In the wake of her loss, Bevin has made it her mission to advocate for victims of intimate partner violence, by amplifying what she calls, “Meggie’s Voice.” The Broken Cycle Media team is eternally appreciative of Bevin’s honesty, advocacy, and desire to change the future for those who experience violence at the hands of a loved one. This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Meghan Kiefer.

Meggie's Voice - In Memory of Meghan - on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Meggies-Voice-In-Memory-of-Meghan-a-victim-of-domestic-violence-100082584594717/

Meggie's Voice on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@meggiesvoice

The Petito Foundation:

https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/

Conference on Crimes Against Women:

https://conferencecaw.org/

Long Island Against Domestic Violence:

https://www.lawhelpny.org/organization/li-against-domestic-violence

ECLI-Vibes:

https://eclivibes.org/

The Retreat:

https://allagainstabuse.org/

For domestic violence resources, please visit https://www.thehotline.org/

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

And thank you again to Scamfluencers for sponsoring this episode.  Listen to Scamfluencers now wherever you get your podcasts. 

Content Warning: self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual assault, multiple perpetrator sexual assault, rape, gang violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, physical abuse, mental abuse, abduction, murder. 

Bevin Llanes is a mother, survivor, and victim advocate from New York. Bevin joins us today to share about her daughter Meghan’s journey, as well as to bring awareness to domestic violence. In these two episodes, Bevin candidly shares about the immense trauma Meghan was forced to face in her youth, and the harmful path she was launched down as a result. Devastatingly, Meghan’s young life was stolen on October 23rd, 2021, after experiencing years of violence. In the wake of her loss, Bevin has made it her mission to advocate for victims of intimate partner violence, by amplifying what she calls, “Meggie’s Voice.” The Broken Cycle Media team is eternally appreciative of Bevin’s honesty, advocacy, and desire to change the future for those who experience violence at the hands of a loved one. This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Meghan Kiefer. 

Meggie's Voice - In Memory of Meghan - on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Meggies-Voice-In-Memory-of-Meghan-a-victim-of-domestic-violence-100082584594717/

For domestic violence resources, please visit https://www.thehotline.org/

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

If you’ve ever thought about writing your story - whether that's for personal catharsis or for connection to your community - today’s episode is for you. Our goal with this episode is to empower survivors! In it we’re sharing some lesser-known literary world tips and tricks that help you organize, plan, write, and even publish your non-fiction works. For example, did you know you don’t even need to write your non-fiction book in order to pitch it to a publisher or an agent? You just have to write a non-fiction manuscript proposal, which is a fabulous tool for writers, whether your goal is to share your story with others or not.  If you have a loved one who's interested in penning their personal story, this is the episode for them! 

Resources: 

Nonfiction Authors Association Book Proposal Template:

https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/book-proposal-template-3/

Writing a Non-Fiction Query Letter:

https://blog.reedsy.com/non-fiction-query-letter/

Publishers Marketplace:

https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/

445 Agents Seeking Nonfiction Submissions in 2025:

https://blog.reedsy.com/literary-agents/nonfiction/

Alpha & Beta Readers: What Are They & Why Bother?

https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/alpha-and-beta-readers-what-are-they-and-why-bother

JJ Comerford on What Came Next:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-came-next/id1674051643?i=1000728525469

Working for Justice: One Family’s Tale of Murder, Betrayal, and Healing

https://amzn.to/4qu4eR4

Amy B. Chesler on Instagram

http://www.instagram.com/amybchesler

For a list of survivor resources and non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Thank you again to Cash App for sponsoring this app. Download Cash App Today: [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/394eb6t5] #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at

https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct Deposit, Overdraft Coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

Content Warning: neglect, miscarriage, gang violence, assault, physical violence, substance use disorder, and suicidal ideation.

Cesar Cardona is a survivor, public speaker, and mindfulness educator living in Los Angeles, California. Cesar’s tumultuous youth first set him on a path of self-destruction. But after he faced a brutal, life-altering attack, Cesar found Buddhism and meditation as a means of coping and healing. Now he is on a mission, both within his speaking career and on his podcast “Beauty in the Break,” to bring light and hope to others’ lives. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Cesar’s grace, advocacy, and soulful sentiments within this episode.

Cesar’s Website: http://www.cesarcardona.com

Cesar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_cesarcardona

Beauty in the Break: https://cesarcardona.com/podcast

Beauty in the Break YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BeautyintheBreak

Beauty in the Break on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beautyinthebreakpod/

Thank you again to Lola Blankets for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget to wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets for a limited time. Our listeners are getting a huge 35% off their entire order lolablankets.com by using the code [WCN] at checkout. Just head to lolablankets.com and use the code WCN for 35% off. After you purchase, remember they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you!

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content Warning: pedophilia, religious abuse, physical abuse, rape, childhood sexual abuse, childhood sexual assault, child abuse, substance use disorder, professional abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide.

JJ Comerford is an author, professional, former servicemember, and survivor from Australia. In these two episodes, J.J. rawly shares about the physical and sexual abuse he experienced as a student in the private Catholic school system in the 1970’s. After decades of suffering in silence, J.J. was eventually encouraged to share about his abuse at-large. Since he began his mission of awareness, his media efforts and book have offered much solace to his supporters. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply honored that J.J. was willing to so rawly share his story, strength, and resilience with our audience. 

Sources: 

“Abused schoolboy John Comerford took gun to school to kill his rapist teacher.” The Daily Telegraph, 16 July 2017, www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/john-comerford-was-raped-at-11-he-returned-to-the-school-at-18-with-a-loaded-shotgun-to-kill-his-rapist-but-he-was-told-he-was-already-dead/news-story/5d61f68d4bbc7d4c17d25c7d118be1cb

Resources:

Survivors & Mates Support Network: https://www.samsn.org.au/

JJ’s Website: https://jjcomerford.com/

JJ's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.comerford.779/

JJ's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jjcomerford_/

JJ's Books: https://jjcomerford.com/books

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content Warning: pedophilia, religious abuse, physical abuse, rape, childhood sexual abuse, childhood sexual assault, child abuse, substance use disorder, professional abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide.

JJ Comerford is an author, professional, former servicemember, and survivor from Australia. In these two episodes, J.J. rawly shares about the physical and sexual abuse he experienced as a student in the private Catholic school system in the 1970’s. After decades of suffering in silence, J.J. was eventually encouraged to share about his abuse at-large. Since he began his mission of awareness, his media efforts and book have offered much solace to his supporters. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply honored that J.J. was willing to so rawly share his story, strength, and resilience with our audience. 

Sources: 

“Abused schoolboy John Comerford took gun to school to kill his rapist teacher.” The Daily Telegraph, 16 July 2017, www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/john-comerford-was-raped-at-11-he-returned-to-the-school-at-18-with-a-loaded-shotgun-to-kill-his-rapist-but-he-was-told-he-was-already-dead/news-story/5d61f68d4bbc7d4c17d25c7d118be1cb

Resources:

JJ’s Website: https://jjcomerford.com/

JJ's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jjcomerford_/

JJ's Books: https://jjcomerford.com/books

For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

And thank you again to Quince for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget that you can keep it classic and cozy this fall with long lasting staples from Quince. Just go to quince.com/wcn for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns!