Podcasts

Have you ever felt tired all the time, even though you’ve gotten enough sleep? Did you know that there are different types of tired, and that they can be felt individually, all at once, and can fluctuate with time and stressors in our lives? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, join Aspen and Mo as they discuss physical, emotional, mental, social, and soul fatigue, as well as sustainable ways to take care of yourself.

Every April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), The Women’s Center works to leave you more educated, emboldened and empowered to continue advocating for all survivors of sexual violence and trafficking year-round. Join us as we recognize SAAM and call on everyone to work together to dismantle the attitudes and beliefs that makeup rape culture. Join Mo, our Advocacy Specialist, in an interview with our 2023 EmPower Luncheon speakers, Dr. Sara McKinnon and Dr. Rachel Lovell. Let’s continue the CONVO!

**Content warning: discussions of rape culture, sexual violence, homicide, and systemic oppression. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and trained Advocates are always available to process with you by calling 262.542.3828. A transcript of this podcast is also available in the Podcasts section of our website, ⁠www.twcwaukesha.org/podcasts⁠.

In our society, specifically within pop culture, we often hear phrases like “You complete me”, “My world is empty without you”, “I have nothing if I don’t have you”, “I can’t live without you”, and so on to show devotion to a loved one. What happens, however, when an abuser uses these phrases to manipulate their partner? Aren’t we already complete anyway?

Join Aspen and Mo as they unpack the impact of these messages, define interdependence, and discuss ways in which survivors can reiterate to themselves and others that they are already complete.

This #DVAM, we feel it’s important to acknowledge that there’s Strength In Numbers. There’s strength in numbers when we raise awareness of domestic violence in our communities, and as Mo and Aspen discuss in this episode, there is an abundance of strength within the...

 Experiencing distress from news--whether it be the news cycle, stressful updates from friends or family, or even general bad news--is common and universal, especially these days. Our Advocates shared insights on this topic back in April of 2020, and we figured we...

Last year during Pride Month, we covered dynamics that specifically impact LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This year, we wanted to take this topic a step further and consider what comes after abuse: healing. Join Marissa, with special guest Ayden...

Survivor, activist, and change-maker: these are three words that describe Dylan Farrow, The Women Center's Keynote Speaker for our 2022 EmPower Luncheon! Join Marissa and Dylan as they discuss the power of speaking your truth, self-care in healing, and the identity of...

Traumaversaries are time-specific anniversaries of traumatic events. Normally, everyday moments are filtered throughout our thoughts, feelings, and then are eventually stored or encoded into our long or short term memory. When we experience trauma, however, our brains...

You may have heard of the phrase, "the body keeps the score." What does this mean for survivors of abuse? Join Sam and Marissa in a conversation about the body's response to trauma, and practical tools to reclaim your mind and body.  Please note that this workshop is...

In 1943, Abraham Maslow proposed that we have to meet our needs from the ground up, from physiological to self-actualization. What does this mean for survivors of abuse? Join Marissa and Sam in a conversation on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, as well as strategies for...

Many survivors may reflect on what they could have changed throughout an abusive relationship or situation, as well as the outcomes that have appeared due to the abuse. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, even though the abuse was never their fault. Join...

Trauma bonding is intense, unlike a normal bond we may create with safe family and friends. Join Marissa and Nouchee in a discussion on how trauma bonds operate in the brain, how to tell if you are in a trauma bonded relationship, and ultimately how to safely break...

Identity encompasses the memories, experiences, relationships and values that creates one sense of self. It's normal to question or reflect on our identity from time to time, but in abuse, someone else may be trying to actively change or control who you are and the...

This June, we recognize and celebrate Pride Month, while acknowledging the unique challenges LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and sexual violence face. Join Marissa and Nouchee in a discussion of the different forms of abuse and barriers that the LGBTQ+ community may...

How are abuse and mental health connected? According to the CDC, survivors of intimate partner violence often experience mental health diagnoses, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and survivors of sexual violence also experience similar...

Victims and survivors may have a complicated relationship with self-worth and motivation, often based off of the messages they have received from their partners when in an abusive relationship. Join Marissa and Nouchee into understanding these ideas through the lens...

Many survivors find comfort in sharing their own story with others. Sharing your story may strengthen your own self-image as someone who can reclaim their power, bring solidarity with other victim/survivors in your life, and help you on the road to overcoming sexual...

Shame is a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt; when used by abuser, shame can exert power and control over a victim of abuse, and also discourage them from speaking out. Join Marissa and Nouchee in this important conversation for Sexual Assault Awareness...

As parents and children both get older, it’s inevitable that your relationship dynamics will change. In a healthy familial relationship, there is space to talk about these changes openly, and renegotiate boundaries. When the relationship is not so healthy, these...

It isn’t easy telling others about abuse that we’ve endured; it can bring upon feelings of shame, and we aren’t really sure if our loved ones will be supportive. Telling our adult children can feel even more daunting and exacerbate those feelings. You might not know...

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month; this month and any time of year, it is important to raise awareness about this issue and open up the conversation to help everyone better understand the signs of dating violence and how to prevent it from happening in...