This is part one of a two-part story with Christy.

Our interview with Christy demonstrates how hard this selfless woman tried to keep her marriage intact with barely any assistance from her narcissistic husband.

Christy was consistently the best, most generous, wife and mother of three she could be. Her husband took full advantage of her with his power and control techniques. He took away most of her freedom in life. It took a strong will to break free.

Be listening for the warning signs that could have steered Christy away from this terribly abusive man.

Every survivor story is unique, but many of the warning signs in our survivor stories have similarities. Every one of our interviews illustrates the determination it takes to find freedom and restart a life.

If you need to regain your freedom, start today. Seek assistance from a trusted friend, your church, your doctor, or domestic violence agencies in your area. Do something to save yourself. Abusive relationships are bound to get worse.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of a two-part story with Anna Astwood.

Anna is a survivor of teen dating violence. It happened about 25 years ago, but she has lived with it every day since. As a survivor herself of sexual assault and teenage dating violence from the ages of 12 to 18 years old, she knows the pain, the trauma, the guilt of what relationship violence brings. Most importantly, she knows the healing that can take place after trauma.

Although not an easy task, Anna explains that by taking the steps to heal and being willing to be vulnerable and authentic with what she has experienced, will bring back the power and peace that was stolen from her many years ago.

Listen for warning signs in her story. See how not feeling you can go to your friends or family only makes everything worse.

Anna suffered emotional and physical abuse. She had to figure out, on her own, what to do about it: How to cope. How to live.

Listen carefully, feel the experience, and learn from this true story from Anna Astwood on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast.

The "Love Doesn't Hurt" Mission Statement:

Love Doesn’t Hurt is a nonprofit dedicated to ending teenage dating violence and supporting those affected through education, empowerment and community support. 

You can contact Anna Astwood at this link. Or email Anna: [email protected].

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of a two-part story with Anna Astwood.

Anna is a survivor of teen dating violence. It happened about 25 years ago, but she has lived with it every day since. As a survivor herself of sexual assault and teenage dating violence from the ages of 12 to 18 years old, she knows the pain, the trauma, the guilt of what relationship violence brings. Most importantly, she knows the healing that can take place after trauma.

Although not an easy task, Anna explains that by taking the steps to heal and being willing to be vulnerable and authentic with what she has experienced, will bring back the power and peace that was stolen from her many years ago.

Listen for warning signs in her story. See how not feeling you can go to your friends or family only makes everything worse.

Anna suffered emotional and physical abuse. She had to figure out, on her own, what to do about it: How to cope. How to live.

Listen carefully, feel the experience, and learn from this true story from Anna Astwood on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast.

The "Love Doesn't Hurt" Mission Statement:

Love Doesn’t Hurt is a nonprofit dedicated to ending teenage dating violence and supporting those affected through education, empowerment and community support. 

You can contact Anna Astwood at this link. Or email Anna: [email protected].

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You will find many lists of warning signs if you google. You can also see a list of warning signs on the WhenDatingHurts.com website, if you like.

Danielle's story has warning signs of a toxic relationship that will show up throughout. Listen to her interview and learn where she made mistakes.

Danielle's story underscores that breaking free is never easy. It can take multiple attempts. From the outside, it looks so obvious: Just break up. Get your stuff. And get out of there. Right?

But it hardly ever happens that way. Lasting freedom takes time and patience.

And it is all worth it.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A couple of years back, I was interviewed by David Keck of the Process of Healing podcast.

David was the unfortunate victim of a hate crime. It is not hyperbole to say it was a miracle he survived this. David has taken his personal tragedy, and his sympathetic outlook on life, to help others and bring hope, healing, and education to individuals who have endured personal trauma.

This WHEN DATING HURTS episode is a comprehensive interview which I feel is quite worthwhile for the way in which it explains the whole situation surrounded my daughter's dating violence, murder, and the steps that followed it.

We cover a lot of points. So, you might want to take notes.

Here is David Keck of the Process of Healing podcast.

The Process of Healing Podcast

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This will be our third interview with Mindy. She is a survivor who first appeared in the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast 18 months ago.

During our first interview together, Mindy used a created name (Becca). Back then, she had very recently broken away from her abuser of eight years. Mindy was determined to stay away from him, and a year and a half later, she is successful.

Six months after our first interview, Mindy gave us her "progress report". She remained zero tolerance against any communications with this toxic man: a predator who had emotionally and violently abused her.

Today, a year after her first progress report, Mindy is back with with us for another report.

She is a happy person. She managed to see the importance of putting more emphasis on getting her personal life together. She doesn't feel she needs a partner to complete her life.

Mindy represents a model case for moving on and doing her best to never look back. Her future is getting the attention now.

Mindy has a new boyfriend today. It's still early, at the three months mark, but there are signs this new boyfriend, "Dustin", understands the importance of fairness in a relationship, and the need to be honest at all times.

Be sure to share Mindy's interview with someone you feel needs to see what it's like to have your freedom back–on your own terms.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of a two-part story with Sarah.

This story comes with warnings. There are of graphic descriptions of violence, use of adult language, and other disturbing depictions. So, please proceed carefully.

We pick up where we left off with Sarah and part one.

Things will become much worse. Sarah will have plenty of reasons to break up with Johnnie, but when she does break away, she weakens and goes back.

This is quite common in these unhealthy relationships. Listen for the warning signs as they come along.

Listen to Sarah in part two, the final episode of her story.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of a two-part story with Sarah.

This story comes with warnings. There are of graphic descriptions of violence, use of adult language, and other disturbing depictions. So, please proceed carefully.

Sarah lives in the Midwest. From the time she was young, she was denied attention from her parents. Her mother was alcoholic. Her father not only used drugs, he manufactured them.

Sarah will tell us about this and a lot more.

Life was not kind to Sarah as she advanced through high school and college. She was always generous to everyone, even when she should have walked away from them.

Especially her boyfriends. You will hear about Johnnie. He was her savior at first but then her abuser. For six years.

Watch for the warning signs as you listen to Sarah. The isolation from friends, the speeded it up parts of the relationship, the shaming and the misguided blaming. It is on full display her in part one.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of a two-part story with Katie. Be sure you are ready to hear this story. As it proceeds, you will be hearing about horribly abusive physical violence and actual torture... Trigger warnings need to be expressed due to both the content and graphic descriptions.

Katie's Story

When Katie met Mark, he appeared as this attractive guy playing amazing bass fiddle in a rockabilly band. She loved his music and soon felt he was the one.

As soon as they were introduced, they were an item from the start. Things happened fast as Mark and Katie seemed to click in all manner of speaking. But, as time wore on, she found herself to be his total support person, seeing to it that his career came first. She was doing everything imaginable to pay the bills and make ends meet. His sole purpose was to find stardom making his music.

Mixed into the relationship came the warning signs that were missed when any person is not educated about them. The isolation. The jealousies. The various kinds of emotional abuse that creep in. And then came physical abuse, which was just horrible.

Katie is fortunate to be alive today. Had Mark finished what he intended, he would have murdered her.

This story is not for everyone. Be careful with those you share this story.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of a two-part story with Katie. Be sure you are ready to hear this story. As it proceeds, you will be hearing about horribly abusive physical violence and actual torture... Trigger warnings need to be expressed due to both the content and graphic descriptions.

Katie's Story

When Katie met Mark, he appeared as this attractive guy playing amazing bass fiddle in a rockabilly band. She loved his music and soon felt he was the one.

As soon as they were introduced, they were an item from the start. Things happened fast as Mark and Katie seemed to click in all manner of speaking. But, as time wore on, she found herself to be his total support person, seeing to it that his career came first. She was doing everything imaginable to pay the bills and make ends meet. His sole purpose was to find stardom making his music.

Mixed into the relationship came the warning signs that were missed when any person is not educated about them. The isolation. The jealousies. The various kinds of emotional abuse that creep in. And then came physical abuse, which was just horrible.

Katie is fortunate to be alive today. Had Mark finished what he intended, he would have murdered her.

This story is not for everyone. Be careful with those you share this story.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices