Podcasts

Family dynamics are the patterns of interactions that we have with family members. Healthy family dynamics give us a sense of safety within the family unit, and unhealthy or even abusive dynamics may cause harm from a young age into adulthood. Join Marissa and Krystal in understanding family dynamics, and making sustainable choices for yourself that honor your voice in these relationships.

Coping looks different for everyone, especially when in a living environment that you might not be used to. Join Marissa and Renee in providing some possible tools that can aid in reducing the stress of your living environment, especially within shelters and...

What is an advocate? How can I use advocacy skills to support survivors? Join Marissa and Jon in a discussion on how we can support the survivors around us, practice self-advocacy, and help break the cycle of violence. Resources Advocacy and Empowerment Wheel The...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Join Marissa and Angela in discussing the history and impact of domestic violence, the history of the awareness month in itself, the ways in which we support survivors here at The Women's Center, and ways to get involved...

You may have heard of a restraining order,  but what is it and how can it help in a survivor's overall safety plan? Marissa and Fio break down the legal jargon of a restraining order, explain what you can expect in the process, and ways to continue safety planning...

Financial abuse is extremely common--94 to 99% of domestic violence survivors also report experiencing financial abuse by their partners. What is it, and how can a survivor find financial empowerment following abuse? Join Marissa and Jesikah in exploring the signs of...

What is consent, and how do you know if you have it? Join Marissa and Susannah to discuss affirmative consent, healthy relationships, and supporting a friend. Content warning: there is a focus on teen dating violence and sexual assault, including examples of...

Back to school can be a tough time for families, and this year adds new stressors to this transition. Join Marissa and Rachel to discuss ways to best prepare and how to be a supportive adult to the kids in your life as they navigate the upcoming school...

Domestic violence and sexual assault programs are designed to center survivors of any kind of abuse, with a mission to believe and support survivors. That said, there are many myths associated with reaching out to a program for the first time. Join Marissa to dispel...

Isolation is a common power and control tactic abusers use to cut off a survivor's access to their support system to make them feel dependent upon an abuser. Rebuilding support systems during or following abusive relationships is a crucial component to healing. Join...

Reclaiming your space is a really important concept after leaving an abusive relationship, where we may be struggling to find out who we really are as survivors. While it is incredible to have our own power and control returned to us, it can be really overwhelming,...

You've maybe heard of the word "trigger", but what exactly is one in the context of healing? Join us as we explore these trauma responses on a biological level, identify what your own triggers might be, and reflect on the impact they hold on your overall...

Values are the core of us—our worldview, our sense of self, our moral compass. Our values make up who we are and reflect our true nature; so, what are they? Join us as we dive deep, straight to that core.  Resources Personal Values Card Sort Power and Control Chart...

Boundaries are guidelines, rules, and limits that we set to identify what are reasonable, safe, and permissible ways for others to behave around us, as well as how we respond when someone steps over those limits. Have you felt like your boundaries have been crossed...

As survivors, taking care of ourselves and re-learning what safety is for us is a crucial part of healing.​ Few common threads exist between survivors, but the need to practice self care and emotional safety are two of them. Now more than ever, we can look to add to...

What is coping? This might be something that you're familiar with, have heard us talk about on prior podcasts, or have heard in the news recently. This is an especially important conversation to have right now, when coping skills we might have utilized aren't as...

Grounding is a technique or a skill anyone can use to help keep themselves in the present moment​ when feeling triggered, stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. Especially during a time of heightened emotions during COVID-19 and facing unique challenges, grounding is...

Safety planning is a personalized, practical plan that addresses ways to stay safe whether you're in an abusive relationship, planning to leave that relationship, or after leaving. Join us in learning ways to identify pathways to safety and peace. Resources Safety...

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. It is observed in April. We will be looking at national and state statistics,...