The two episodes in this story come with content warnings. 

You may find when listening to this story that the content is too intense for you. If that becomes the case, I strongly urge you: do not continue listening. The content and its descriptions tell of the intense emotional and physical abuse a husband put on his wife.

I thought many times about following this story, but I promised myself years ago that listeners deserved the option of knowing about the worst of dating and domestic violence without looking the other way.

Lisa Clayton is a hero in real terms. 

She was so nice, sweet and innocent when she dated and married Josh Holden. Josh was, and remains today, a very sick-minded individual. He eventually held no conscience or barriers in what he would do to keep Lisa in line under his thumb. 

The purpose of the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is to inform. You will find in this episode that warning signs that are overlooked will lead to the worst kinds of behavior when a relationship continues to be as unhealthy as it can get.

In this story, Lisa Clayton gets to know the real Josh Holden. You will too.

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

In 2015, I met with Carla Clanagan at many domestic-violence related events. Besides her limitless work in the domestic violence field, Carla was also the founder of "In His Eyes", an organization committed to helping women labeled as ex-offenders. 

In 2017, Carla's daughter, Makenzie, was brutally attacked by an ex-boyfriend. She was fortunate to survive al that happened. After much rehabilitation, Makenzie is now using her tragedy to speak out on intimate partner violence. 

Carla dedicated her life to helping young women stay safe from the epidemic we both know only too well as dating violence.

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

Jen's friend, Mary, is serving a 15-year sentence in a state prison. How could this happen???

Q: Was Mary guilty of her crime?  

A: Yes, she was.

Q: What was Mary's crime? 

A: While intoxicated, she ran over and killed a man riding his bike.

Q: Was Mary's abusive husband the real perpetrator of her crime.  

A: Yes, I think he is.   

In a multi-faceted interview, Jen talks about her friend, Mary, and what happened as result of decades of serious marital abuse by a predatory abuser (her husband).    

What makes Jen's interview about Mary even more poignant? Jen is also survivor of abuse.

In one of our most-comprehensive WHEN DATING HURTS interviews to date, Jen gives insights you will want to write down and save.

This interview adds testimony to why learning the warning signs is so important. You, and those you care about, have to get out of unhealthy relationships before they swallow you up and ruin your life. This is a cautionary tale.

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

Jen's friend, Mary, is serving a 15-year sentence in a state prison. How could this happen???

Q: Was Mary guilty of her crime? 

A: Yes, she was.  

Q: What was Mary's crime?

A: While intoxicated, she ran over and killed a man riding his bike.  

Q: Was Mary's abusive husband the real perpetrator of her crime. 

A: Yes, I think he is. 

In a multi-faceted interview, Jen talks about her friend, Mary, and what happened as result of decades of serious marital abuse by a predatory abuser (her husband).  

What makes Jen's interview about Mary even more poignant? Jen is also survivor of abuse.  

In one of our most-comprehensive WHEN DATING HURTS interviews to date, Jen gives insights you will want to write down and save.

This interview adds testimony to why learning the warning signs is so important. You, and those you care about, have to get out of unhealthy relationships before they swallow you up and ruin your life. This is a cautionary tale.

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

Jen's friend, Mary, is serving a 15-year sentence in a state prison. How could this happen???

Q: Was Mary guilty of her crime?

A: Yes, she was.

Q: What was Mary's crime?

A: While intoxicated, she ran over and killed a man riding his bike.

Q: Was Mary's abusive husband the real perpetrator of her crime.

A: Yes, I think he is.

In a multi-faceted interview, Jen talks about her friend, Mary, and what happened as result of decades of serious marital abuse by a predatory abuser (her husband).

What makes Jen's interview about Mary even more poignant?

Jen is also survivor of abuse.

In one of our most-comprehensive WHEN DATING HURTS interviews to date, Jen gives insights you will want to write down and save. 

This interview adds testimony to why learning the warning signs is so important. You, and those you care about, have to get out of unhealthy relationships before they swallow you up and ruin your life. This is a cautionary tale. 

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and graphic violence.

We are most fortunate to have this two-part conversation with Lt. Mark Wynn. This is part two.

Part quest for justice. Part journey towards healing. Decorated Nashville cop Mark Wynn wrestles with his own violent childhood while working to reform decades of domestic violence mishandling, cover-ups, and abuse from deep within law enforcement.

The film, “This Is Where I Learned Not to Sleep”, follows the story of Lt. Mark Wynn.

Mark is a retired Nashville police officer with 20 years on the force.

After surviving and escaping a violent childhood home, Mark has gone on to be one of the foremost advocates for supporting families facing domestic violence in this country.

Mark has trained police departments in all 50 states and 16 countries. His work is not only vital but imperative as family violence continues to increase.

Domestic Violence cases have increased by 25 to 33 percent globally since the Covid pandemic began. This shadow epidemic hides behind closed doors, but we have an opportunity with this film to bring the issue to the fore and help Mark on his mission to save families.

“As Mark Wynn’s story tells us, domestic abuse is a deeper root and normalizer of violence than all the wars combined. Ending it is a path to peace.”—Gloria Steinem 

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and graphic violence.

We are most fortunate to have this two-part conversation with Lt. Mark Wynn. This is part one. 

Part quest for justice. Part journey towards healing. Decorated Nashville cop Mark Wynn wrestles with his own violent childhood while working to reform decades of domestic violence mishandling, cover-ups, and abuse from deep within law enforcement.

The film, “This Is Where I Learned Not to Sleep”, follows the story of Lt. Mark Wynn.

Mark is a retired Nashville police officer with 20 years on the force.

After surviving and escaping a violent childhood home, Mark has gone on to be one of the foremost advocates for supporting families facing domestic violence in this country.

Mark has trained police departments in all 50 states and 16 countries. His work is not only vital but imperative as family violence continues to increase.

Domestic Violence cases have increased by 25 to 33 percent globally since the Covid pandemic began. This shadow epidemic hides behind closed doors, but we have an opportunity with this film to bring the issue to the fore and help Mark on his mission to save families.

“As Mark Wynn’s story tells us, domestic abuse is a deeper root and normalizer of violence than all the wars combined. Ending it is a path to peace.”—Gloria Steinem

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

This is part two of a two-part narrative.

Let me say upfront that I totally admire this woman.

This is a cautionary tale for parents and children. There is much to be learned as Cherice Bloom tells of years of abusive behavior while dating and being married to Cody (not his real name).

Growing up, early family life offered little comfort. Cherice’s father’s job took him away from home most of the time. Her mother was schizophrenic, which created shocking upheavals for young Cherice.   

Still in her teens, she was forced to flee her own home. During that time, she met a slightly older boy who swept her off her feet. She admits she was naïve and innocent, but he was not. Even in the earliest stages of dating, you will hear how unhealthy behavior crept in.

Cherice was not aware that the warning signs she experienced would lead to all kinds of trouble. So, she stayed with Cody.

Cherice Bloom overcame many hurdles placed in her path. You will learn how her journey made her strong. You will benefit greatly from hearing her tell it all for your benefit.

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

This is part one of a two-part narrative.

Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and graphic violence.

Let me say upfront that I totally admire this woman.

This is a cautionary tale for parents and children. There is much to be learned as Cherice Bloom tells of years of abusive behavior while dating and being married to Cody (not his real name).

Growing up, early family life offered little comfort. Cherice’s father’s job took him away from home most of the time. Her mother was schizophrenic, which created shocking upheavals for young Cherice.

Still in her teens, she was forced to flee her own home. During that time, she met a slightly older boy who swept her off her feet. She admits she was naïve and innocent, but he was not. Even in the earliest stages of dating, you will hear how unhealthy behavior crept in.

Cherice was not aware that the warning signs she experienced would lead to all kinds of trouble. So, she stayed with Cody. 

Cherice Bloom overcame many hurdles placed in her path. You will learn how her journey made her strong. You will benefit greatly from hearing her tell it all for your benefit.

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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

Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and graphic violence.

This is part two of a two-part narrative.

What you hear on this WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast episode was created by artificial intelligence. It is not a real person's voice.

The words spoken are a composite of beliefs and concepts expressed by dating and domestic abusers found within notes and interviews. They have been collected over nearly two decades. They have been combined to form complete ideas and thoughts.  

The purpose of this episode is to illustrate how abusers often portray themselves as the victims. There is not one "portrait" that fits all abusers, of course. But let it be said that many never take ownership of their words or actions, and they justify any abusive and destructive behaviors.    

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

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

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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