Beyond the Monsters

Amy shares her story of enduring nearly three decades of sexual abuse that began when she was just four years old. After her mother married her stepfather, the family moved overseas, where Amy says he began sexually abusing her and trafficking her to other men. As the abuse continued throughout her childhood, Amy struggled to understand what was happening, especially when the adults she depended on repeatedly failed to protect her. Despite telling her mother about the abuse on multiple occasions, Amy was met with denial, threats, and accusations of lying. At 32 years old, now a mother to three young boys, Amy reached a turning point that led her to confront her mother once again and end contact with her stepfather.

Amy opens up about the lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse, the complicated relationship she maintained with her mother, and the ways trauma continued to affect her well into adulthood. She discusses her experiences with dissociation, self-harm, and dissociative identity disorder, along with the challenges of navigating relationships and motherhood while carrying the effects of her childhood. Amy also reflects on the difficulty of confronting experiences she had spent much of her life trying to survive, her decision to seek specialized trauma treatment, and the ongoing process of understanding how those experiences have shaped her life.

Amy’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/goldielocks_and_brownbear_farm

https://www.facebook.com/aim.lynn1

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Childhood SA (CSA), Mental Health, Childhood Trauma, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morgan Berry shares her story of becoming a mother to identical twin girls, Bailey Grace and Ally, whose lives would be shaped by an incredibly rare genetic disorder. What began as a seemingly normal pregnancy and the challenges of caring for newborn twins quickly turned into years of unanswered questions as Morgan noticed developmental delays and unusual seizure activity in both daughters. After countless appointments, extensive genetic testing, and a search for answers that eventually led them to the National Institutes of Health, the girls were diagnosed with HECW2, a disorder so rare that very little was known about what their futures might look like. As their medical needs became increasingly complex, Morgan found herself navigating around-the-clock care, difficult decisions about their quality of life, and the constant uncertainty of what might come next.

Morgan opens up about the emotional and physical toll of caring for her daughters, the complicated role her faith played throughout their illnesses, and the experience of adopting her son, James, from China while navigating an already overwhelming chapter of motherhood. She also reflects on being sexually assaulted during college, how that experience shaped her understanding of safety, intimacy, and relationships, and the ways unresolved trauma influenced the years that followed. Morgan discusses the pressure she felt to remain strong through her daughters' suffering, the difficult realities of making end-of-life decisions, and how years of living in survival mode affected her sense of identity. She also shares how her experiences with grief, trauma, and major changes in her personal life eventually led her to reevaluate what she believed about herself, her faith, and the life she wanted moving forward.

Morgan’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/seedsandleaven

https://www.allymorganb.com

https://seedsandleaven.substack.com

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Child Loss and Grief, Rare Genetic Disorders, SA, Medical Trauma, Healing After Loss, Childhood Disability and Chronic Illness, Motherhood

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alicia shares her story of growing up in a close-knit Christian family, building a successful career in real estate, and entering a marriage that eventually left her feeling more like a roommate than a wife. After losing two of her closest friends and becoming estranged from the church community she had been part of for years, Alicia developed a friendship with an older, married man through their shared involvement in the horse racing industry. What began as a business partnership eventually turned into a four-year affair that left her struggling with secrecy, emotional dependence, and thoughts of suicide. Despite repeatedly trying to end the relationship, Alicia found herself caught between the man she had fallen in love with and the life she knew she could never openly have with him.

Alicia opens up about the emotional toll of being the other woman, the guilt she carries for the people affected by the affair, and the years it took to finally break free. She discusses the turning point that led her to confide in her sister, seek counseling, and begin confronting the grief and shame she had been carrying in silence. Now the author of More Than a Secret: How a Mistress Broke Free from Her Affair, Alicia is sharing a perspective that is often left out of conversations about infidelity, while taking responsibility for her own decisions and acknowledging the pain they caused. Through her story, she hopes to reach others who feel trapped in similar relationships and show that it is possible to walk away, seek help, and rebuild a life beyond secrecy.

Alicia’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/aliciabarrauthor

https://www.facebook.com/people/Alicia-Barr-Author

https://aliciabarrauthor.substack.com

https://aliciabarr.com

Alicia’s Book - More Than a Secret: How a Mistress Broke Free from Her Affair

https://a.co/d/01gIZFgp

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Shame and Guilt, Emotional Dependency, Infidelity, Extramarital Affairs, Toxic Relationships

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Griffin shares his story of spending more than two decades in the U.S. Navy and law enforcement and the experiences that would eventually change the course of his life. Early in his career as a police officer, Matt responded to the accidental death of his friend’s two-year-old son and was left carrying guilt over the belief that he should have gotten there sooner. As he continued his career, he became an undercover officer during the height of the opioid epidemic, immersing himself in a world that became increasingly difficult to separate from his life at home. Years of unprocessed trauma, drinking, the breakdown of his marriage, and the loss of a fellow officer and close friend to suicide eventually brought Matt to a point where he no longer wanted to live.

On March 17, 2017, Matt wrote a suicide note and planned to take his own life at midnight. Less than an hour before, an unexpected phone call from a friend changed what happened that night, and Matt began making the decision to get through life one day at a time. He opens up about rebuilding after divorce, homelessness, and suicidal thoughts, his complicated relationship with alcohol, and the years he spent trying to become the person he was before everything happened. More recently, Matt traveled to Mexico for Ibogaine treatment as part of his continued search for healing and shares what that experience was like, why he no longer believes healing means getting his old self back, and how he is learning to build a life where what happened to him is part of his story without becoming all of it.

Matt’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/authormatthewgriffin

https://www.matthewagriffin.com

Matt’s Book - The Journey to Midnight

https://a.co/d/0aU4gl7R

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Undercover Police, Law Enforcement, PTSD, Opioid Epidemic, Mental Health, Loss & Grief

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Hayes shares her story of growing up in a family where sexual abuse began at an incredibly young age and continued for years at the hands of her older brother. With the adults around her repeatedly failing to intervene, Sarah was left to grow up alongside abuse while also taking on a caregiving role with her youngest sister, Dani, who she describes as being like her own baby. Years later, Sarah would become Dani’s legal guardian while still trying to navigate the effects of her own childhood. What followed would leave Sarah carrying a devastating loss alongside the trauma she had already spent much of her life trying to understand.

Years later, Sarah began writing about her experiences as a way to process what had happened, never expecting those pages to eventually become her book, Invisible Monster. She opens up about what ultimately pushed her to put her name and story behind it, the complicated reality of speaking publicly about abuse within your own family, and the emotional toll that came with telling her story. Today, Sarah is using what she survived to work with children who have experienced trauma, hoping to give them the encouragement and support she and her sisters needed when they were young.

Sarah’s Links:

Sarah’s Book - Invisible Monster

https://a.co/d/06wxNaIi

Invisible Monster Etsy Shop

https://share.google/3rCBnchGRcq2TjIjh

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Childhood SA (CSA), Suicide Loss, Childhood Trauma, Complex PTSD, Loss & Grief, SSA

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonny Von Cleveland shares his story of being trafficked by his mother from the time he was three until he was twelve, surviving years of abuse, and growing up without the intervention or support he needed. As a child, getting into trouble became an unexpected form of safety, eventually leading him into the juvenile justice system and then prison at sixteen, where he was SAed during his first week. In the years that followed, Sonny became involved in gangs and violence, returned to prison with fifteen additional felonies, and eventually found himself facing years in solitary confinement.

It was there that an unlikely friendship with a man in the cell across from him forced Sonny to confront the anger, trauma, and harm that had shaped so much of his life. Through that relationship, Sonny began taking responsibility for the pain he had caused while finding a way to give purpose to the pain he had survived. After spending a total of eighteen years incarcerated, he rebuilt his life through music, storytelling, advocacy, and a commitment to helping others. Today, Sonny works in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation, using both his lived experience and his voice to educate families, support survivors, and help protect the children he says deserve the intervention he never had.

Sonny’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/sonnyvonclevelandofficial

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

https://www.youtube.com/@sonnyvonclevelandofficial

https://www.sonnyvoncleveland.com

https://linktr.ee/sonnyvonclevelandofficial

Sonny’s Book - Hey White Boy: Conversations of Redemption

https://a.co/d/0iVuFHs6

Our Rescue

https://ourrescue.org

Sonny’s Podcast - Unlikely Allies: Inside Our Fight - Coming Soon!

https://ourrescue.org/unlikelyallies

Resources:

National Grooming Prevention Hotline

https://www.ngph.org

623-688-3214

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Fight Against Child Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Childhood Trauma, Prison Trauma, CSA,

Child Exploitation Prevention

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our 100th episode and Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, Chell shares one of the most difficult and personal stories she has ever told: losing her friend David to suicide. David was a successful businessman and philanthropist who was known for his generosity, but behind the life people saw, he was struggling with drugs, alcohol, and his mental health. When David reached out to Chell during a crisis in November 2017, she spent hours trying to keep him talking and convince him that what he was feeling was temporary. What happened over the course of that night would leave Chell carrying an experience she never could have prepared for.

Chell opens up about witnessing her friend’s suicide, the guilt and questions she carried afterward, and the severe depression that followed. Having spent much of her career working in psychiatry and addiction, she struggled with the belief that she should have known what to do and ultimately stepped away from that work after his death. Nearly nine years later, Chell shares what this experience taught her about taking suicidal statements seriously, getting help when someone is in crisis, and the lasting impact suicide can have on the people left behind. More than anything, she shares David’s story in the hope that someone listening will check on the people they love and never assume that a cry for help shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Resources:

Suicide & Crisis Hotline

Call or text 988

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Complex PTSD, Substance Use Disorder, Loss & Grief 

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LaRon shares his story of growing up in extreme poverty surrounded by addiction, violence, neglect, and abuse before entering the foster care system. After being placed in a foster home where he was starved, tortured, threatened with weapons, and made to eat from dog bowls, LaRon reached a point where he no longer wanted to live. In one of his darkest moments, music interrupted a suicide attempt and became something he could hold onto until he eventually returned to a foster mother who gave him the safety and unconditional love he had never known.

LaRon opens up about being adopted, pursuing a career in music, and the ways his childhood trauma continued to follow him into adulthood, marriage, and fatherhood. After his marriage ended and the mother who adopted him unexpectedly died, LaRon found himself struggling again with grief, anger, and suicidal thoughts while trying to rebuild his life and remain present for his children. Today, he is confronting the patterns passed down through his family, navigating an ongoing fight to reunite with his youngest daughter, and using his music and story to turn what he survived into something that might give someone else hope.

LaRon’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/iamlaronmusic

https://m.youtube.com/stevie3580?ra=m

https://beacons.ai/iamlaronmusic

LaRon’s Book: From My Test To My Testimony

https://a.co/d/0942q33m

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

SAMHSA’s National Helpline 

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Foster care abuse, Child neglect, Childhood trauma, mental health, Generational trauma, Foster care system, Child welfare system

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariel shares her story of surviving childhood SA, addiction, and years of struggling with her mental health before reaching a point where she attempted to take her own life. After six months of sobriety from alcohol, a difficult night became a breaking point, and Ariel survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, an experience she describes as being followed almost immediately by regret and the realization that she wanted to live.

In the years since, Ariel has had to confront not only the trauma that contributed to her attempt, but the physical and emotional aftermath of surviving it. She opens up about the impact on her son and family, her experiences within the mental health system, and the work it took to rebuild her life. Today, Ariel lives and works at Mattersville, a nonprofit wolf dog rescue that works with veterans struggling with PTSD, where caring for the animals and finding purpose within the community became an important part of her healing.

Mattersville 

https://mattersvillevets.org/

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Suicide Attempt Survivor, Mental Health Recovery, CSA, Complex PTSD, Alcohol Addiction, Suicide Prevention

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rhiannon Thoreson was 19 years old and washing her car in broad daylight when a stranger came up behind her, held a knife to her throat, and kidnapped her. He drove her to a remote area, where she was held for hours, repeatedly sexually assaulted, physically assaulted, and threatened with death. What followed was a years-long struggle with severe PTSD, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, hypervigilance, shame, and the pressure to appear successful on the outside while privately struggling with what had happened to her.

Rhiannon opens up about returning to college shortly after the attack, hiding how badly she was struggling from the people around her, and spending years in therapy as she learned how to live with the trauma. She shares how EMDR changed her experience with PTSD, why she stopped expecting herself to one day be completely “healed,” and how surviving the attack ultimately influenced her decision to attend law school and advocate for victims of crime. Rhiannon and Chell also discuss survivor guilt, forgiveness, restorative justice, and the complicated reality that a conviction and courtroom victory can hold someone accountable without necessarily bringing a survivor healing or closure.

Rhiannon’s links:

https://www.instagram.com/mybeautyfromashes

https://linktr.ee/mybeautyfromashes

https://rhiannonthoreson.com

Rhiannon’s TEDx Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSV0IrT8eDA

Rhiannon’s book: My Beauty from Ashes 

https://rhiannonthoreson.com/books

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Kidnapping Survivor, SA Survivor, PTSD After Trauma, Trauma Healing, Stranger Abduction, True Crime, Crime Victim Advocacy

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fausto Castellanos shares his story of surviving childhood SA, grooming, addiction, and years of shame that left him questioning himself and searching for acceptance in relationships, substances, and the people around him. After being abused at 7 years old and again by an adult man while struggling with meth addiction at 14, Fausto spent years trying to outrun what happened to him, eventually reaching a point where his substance use, seizures, and suicidal thoughts left him believing he might not survive.

Fausto opens up about finally asking for help, finding sobriety, and experiencing unconditional acceptance from a sponsor who helped him begin confronting the trauma he had carried since childhood. He also shares how becoming a counselor and helping others gave his pain a sense of purpose, but eventually forced him to confront another pattern: tying his worth to how much he could do for everyone else. Today, nearly a decade into his healing journey, Fausto has built a life around trauma recovery, addiction advocacy, mental health, and helping others find hope without abandoning himself in the process.

Fausto’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/hopedealerfausto

https://www.youtube.com/@HopeDealerFausto

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

https://www.facebook.com/faustocastellanoss

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: CSA Survivor, Childhood Trauma, Grooming, Addiction Recovery, Trauma Recovery, Sobriety, Men’s Mental Health

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzzette grew up in a family where addiction, mental illness, violence, and instability existed alongside a lot of love. Her father struggled with heroin addiction, her mother battled cancer and dissociative identity disorder, and much of what was happening inside their home became normal to her simply because it was all she knew. As a teenager, things reached a breaking point when her father and older brother were arrested, her mother disappeared, and Suzzette and her younger brother were left behind in a home that had been taken over by strangers.

Years later, after losing her father, mother, and eventually her older brother, Suzzette began therapy and started looking back at her childhood with a completely different understanding. She had to untangle the complicated reality of loving her family deeply while also recognizing the ways their choices shaped her anxiety, relationships, coping mechanisms, and sense of what was normal. She opens up about the guilt she still carries over believing her father instead of her mother, the grief of losing so much of her family, and what it has taken to unlearn the patterns she grew up believing were normal.

Suzzette’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/suzzettewrites

https://msha.ke/suzzettewrites

https://substack.com/@suzzettewrites

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Childhood Trauma, Parental Addiction, Generational Trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shavon was just 11 years old when she woke up to find her mother and her mother’s ex-boyfriend dead after a murder-suicide that unfolded while she slept in the next room. She shares the trauma of discovering the scene, the warning signs she now recognizes as an adult, and how losing her mother shaped every stage of her life. 

Shavon and Chell discuss domestic violence, intimate partner homicide, childhood trauma, grief, PTSD, healing, family support, and the lifelong impact of losing a parent to violence. Shavon reflects on carrying her mother’s memory through adulthood, navigating profound loss after later losing her grandparents, and why sharing stories like hers can help others feel less alone. She also shares the powerful spoken-word poem she wrote about the night her life changed forever, honoring her mother’s memory while encouraging others to speak openly about trauma and survival. 

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: DV, losing a parent, true crime, childhood trauma, grief and loss

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Harger Thompson moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dreams, but soon after arriving, she was drugged, SAed, and strangled by a Hollywood producer who had offered her a job. Although she immediately reported the assault, underwent a forensic exam, and fully cooperated with law enforcement, prosecutors declined to file charges, leaving her to navigate the aftermath of SA, trauma, and a criminal justice system that offered no accountability.

Hoping for a fresh start, Angela joined a sailing expedition across the Pacific Ocean just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Stranded at sea for nearly 50 days before returning to a world in lockdown, she found herself trapped in an increasingly unhealthy relationship marked by emotional abuse, gaslighting, coercive control, and isolation. What began as an adventure quickly became another fight for her safety as years of harassment, legal battles, and a deeply personal documentary forced her to keep fighting long after reaching shore.

Angela’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/messengeroftruth

https://linktr.ee/angelaharger

https://angelahargerproductions.com

Angela’s Book - Worst Tits Ever:

https://a.co/d/0ie9HuRB

Angela’s Documentary - Quarantine at Sea: Trapped Halfway to Nowhere

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0D33BPJMN?ref_=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: SA, Coercive Control, Emotional Abuse, Gaslighting

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brandi Morey-Pols shares the story of her six-year-old son, Rowan, who was murdered by his biological father just days before a custody hearing that she hoped would finally bring him to safety. She recounts years of coercive control, stalking, emotional abuse, repeated warnings that went unheard, and the devastating failures of multiple systems that left Rowan unprotected despite mounting evidence and escalating concerns.

Brandi and Chell explore what happens when coercive control is dismissed, warning signs are overlooked, and systems fail to recognize the danger children can face during custody disputes. Brandi also shares how honoring Rowan's life has become her purpose through the Rowan Project and Rowan's Promise, advocating for greater awareness of filicide, stronger protections for children, and legislative change aimed at preventing other families from experiencing the same unimaginable loss.

Brandi’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/dollbb55

https://therowanproject.org/

https://www.facebook.com/brandi.brennan.3

Resources:

The Rowan Project - List of Resources

https://therowanproject.org/?page_id=1989

Crisis Text Line

741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233

National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-422-4453 – push 1 to talk to a hotline counselor

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV), custody system failure, true crime

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marta Barreto shares her story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking, addiction, incarceration, and years of being blamed, disbelieved, and left without the protection she needed. She opens up about being harmed by family members beginning at nine years old, turning to methamphetamine to cope, serving in the United States Navy, losing her military career after becoming addicted to cocaine, and later being trafficked again while trapped in an abusive relationship. Marta also recounts losing her parental rights, facing a potential sentence of 40 years to life, and the moment her family finally learned that she had been telling the truth all along.

Marta and Chell discuss childhood trauma, human trafficking, addiction, incarceration, family betrayal, religious shame, forgiveness, motherhood, second chances, and breaking generational cycles. After receiving a reduced sentence under Proposition 57, Marta returned home, earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors, and became a propulsion technician for Virgin Orbit, where she helped build rocket engines that went into space. Today, she speaks inside prisons to people convicted of sexual offenses and trafficking, advocates for formerly incarcerated people, and uses her story to show that accountability, healing, mercy, and redemption can exist together.

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: CSA, Human Trafficking, Family Abuse, Childhood Trauma, Trauma Recovery, Addiction Recovery, Prison Reform

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Kelley was a standout high school football player with a full scholarship, dreams of playing in the NFL, and what appeared to be a bright future ahead of him. At just 18 years old, everything changed when he was falsely accused and wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting a child, despite the absence of physical evidence. Greg shares the devastating reality of losing his freedom, spending years in a Texas maximum-security prison, and the emotional toll of being labeled one of society's most hated offenders while knowing he was innocent.

Greg and Chell discuss wrongful convictions, false allegations, failures within the criminal justice system, prison survival, trauma, faith, forgiveness, resilience, and rebuilding a life after exoneration. Greg reflects on the lasting psychological impact of incarceration, the importance of choosing integrity even when the cost is unimaginable, and how his faith helped him survive the darkest years of his life. He also shares what life looks like today as a husband, father, entrepreneur, and man of faith, using his story to raise awareness about wrongful convictions while encouraging others to persevere through life's darkest moments. 

Greg’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/grkelley2

https://www.youtube.com/@gregkelleyfreedom

Watch Outcry:

https://tv.apple.com/us/show/outcry/umc.cmc.4vx1rnu8swy3q1z2wn4nqei8l

Greg’s Company - Tomahawk Targets:

https://www.tomahawktargetsatx.com

Resources:

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Wrongful Conviction, Criminal Justice Reform, Prison Survival, Exoneration, Trauma Recovery, Texas Court System

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dasan "DJ" Jones was just 15 years old when he was murdered inside his own home by the man he had called dad for nearly a decade. His mother, Latrice, shares the devastating story of trying to escape an emotionally abusive marriage marked by stalking, surveillance, coercive control, and repeated failures by the courts to provide protection. In the aftermath of DJ's death, Latrice was left to navigate overwhelming grief while raising her two younger sons and seeking justice for the child she lost. 

Latrice and Chell explore how coercive control, stalking, and emotional abuse can escalate behind closed doors, the devastating gaps that can exist within the justice system, and the lifelong impact of losing a child to domestic violence. They also talk about grief, healing, and how Latrice is honoring DJ's legacy through the Dasan Jones Foundation while advocating for stronger protections for families facing abuse.

The Dasan Jones Foundation

https://www.instagram.com/dasanjonesfoundation0201?igsh=bTQwdXluYXpob2Zn

https://www.bonfire.com/store/djf-merch/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=djf-merch&utm_content=default&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV) true crime

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Avalon members Michael Passons and Melissa Greene alongside country music artist Ty Herndon share the story behind their powerful re-recording of Testify to Loveand the deeply personal journey that led them back to a song that now carries an entirely new meaning. Michael opens up about being removed from Avalon because he was gay, the years of silence and healing that followed, and what it meant to finally reclaim his voice nearly two decades later alongside longtime friends Melissa and Ty.

Together, they discuss the lasting impact rejection from faith communities can have on LGBTQ+ people, the trauma of feeling forced to hide who you are, and the complicated relationship many carry with faith after experiencing exclusion and shame. They also reflect on forgiveness, authenticity, personal growth, and why they believe love, faith, and belonging should never be reserved for only a select few. What began as a beloved Christian music classic has become a message of healing, inclusion, hope, and the freedom to finally live as your authentic self.

Listen to Testify To Love

https://c44.lnk.to/TestifyToLove

Testify To Love Music Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l7IPvr6b8s

Michael’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelpassons

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

https://www.youtube.com/@michaelpassonsmusic

Ty’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/tyherndonofficial

https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTyHerndon

https://www.tyherndon.com

Ty’s book: What Mattered Most

https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/tyherndon

Melissa’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/melissagreene

https://linktr.ee/melissagreene

https://www.melissagreene.net

https://substack.com/@melissagreene

Resources:

The LGBT National Hotline

888-843-4564

The Trevor Project

https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Religious Trauma, LGBTQ, Faith Journey, Christian Music Industry, Self Acceptance

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dawn Simmons and her daughter Katie DeRouen share the unimaginable story of losing Dawn's three children, Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn, in a head-on crash caused by a drunk driver going the wrong way on the interstate just days before Christmas. Dawn survived the collision with life-threatening injuries, while Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn were killed, forever changing the lives of everyone who loved them. Together, they recount the devastating hours that followed, the trauma of identifying their loved ones, and the reality of navigating grief after losing multiple children in a single night.

Dawn and Katie talk about traumatic loss, surviving the unthinkable, grief after child loss, survivor's guilt, faith, healing, and finding purpose through tragedy. They share how their family's heartbreak led to the creation of The Simmons Three, a nonprofit dedicated to educating students about impaired driving, decision-making, and the lasting consequences of a single choice. Their story is one of profound loss, resilience, hope, and honoring the legacy of Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn by helping save lives.

Katie and Dawn’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/katiederouen

https://www.tiktok.com/@katiederouen1

https://bio.site/Katiederouen1

The Simmons 3:

https://www.simmons3.com

https://www.instagram.com/simmons3inc

Support their mission:

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ieeapA?vid=1qzgvv

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Child Loss, Drunk Driving, Survivor's Guilt, Grief Journey, Impaired Driving, Traumatic Loss

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe spent years carrying the trauma of a SA she never spoke about, burying the experience for nearly five years before PTSD, flashbacks, and overwhelming anxiety forced her to confront what happened. As she worked through therapy, marriage struggles, and the lasting impact of trauma, she found herself raising her husband’s young niece, Olivia, after the child was removed from her biological parents' care. What began as a temporary arrangement turned into a life-changing bond that would ultimately redefine Chloe’s future.

While Chloe was dealing with the breakdown of her marriage, she learned her husband had become involved with another woman who was expecting his child, setting off a series of events that would lead to a high-conflict custody fight over the daughter she had spent years raising. She shares the emotional reality of navigating family court, parental abandonment, PTSD, divorce, childhood trauma, and the fight to protect a child caught in the middle. Chloe opens up about healing after SA, learning to advocate for herself, rebuilding her life, and the journey that eventually led to formally adopting the daughter she refused to leave behind.

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Sexual Assault, PTSD Recovery, Child Custody, Family Court, Infidelity, Adoption Journey, Custody Battle

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JaHana Holloway spent much of her life searching for love while carrying deep wounds from childhood trauma, abandonment, SA, and years of believing her worth depended on what she could give to other people. Those experiences shaped the relationships she chose and eventually led her into a marriage marked by infidelity, manipulation, emotional abuse, gaslighting, and the devastating reality of narcissistic abuse. She shares how growing up without consistent support left her vulnerable to predators, unhealthy relationships, and a lifelong struggle with self-worth.

JaHana opens up about discovering her husband's affairs, surviving the chaos that followed, navigating divorce, and confronting the painful patterns that kept repeating throughout her life. She and Chell talk about narcissistic relationships, cheating, trauma bonding, emotional manipulation, childhood wounds, healing the inner child, setting boundaries, and learning that self-worth cannot be found through someone else's validation. After years of silence, JaHana shares her story for the first time and explains how speaking openly became part of reclaiming her voice and rebuilding her life.

JaHana’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/vibewithjahana

https://linktr.ee/jahanaholloway

JaHana’s book - Metamorphosis: The Alchemy of Turning Wounds Into Wings

https://a.co/d/0hUQWSOH

Resources:

Crisis Text Line 

741741

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Narcissistic Abuse, Narcissistic Relationship, Childhood Trauma, SA, Cheating Spouse, Emotional Abuse, Self Worth Healing

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attorney JoDee Neil spent years prosecuting crimes against children while carrying the truth about what she had survived herself. After hearing thousands of outcries from survivors throughout her career, she finally shared her own story and began writing Outcry Witness, a book focused on trauma, sexual violence, and the process of becoming “unfrozen” after years of silence. She opens up about working child abuse cases, what she has witnessed inside the criminal and family court systems, and how trauma reshapes the brain, nervous system, and sense of self over time.

JoDee and Chell talk about childhood trauma, SA, addiction, EMDR therapy, recovery, dissociation, and the survival patterns many trauma survivors repeat for years without realizing it. They also discuss mandatory reporting, child abuse investigations, grooming, victim blaming, family court failures, workplace sexual violence, and why so many survivors become caretakers and protectors while quietly carrying unresolved trauma themselves. 

JoDee’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/jodeeneilattorney

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

https://www.youtube.com/@jodeeneil

https://www.jodeeneil.com

JoDee’s book - Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence

https://a.co/d/0eE21UNM

Resources:

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

Crisis Text Line 

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: family court system, CSA survivors, childhood trauma, trauma recovery, SA trauma, criminal justice system

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer grew up in a severe hoarder home (level 5) where rooms became inaccessible, utilities stopped working, and over 30 animals lived in extreme neglect inside the house. Behind the scenes, she was dealing with chronic bullying, isolation, domestic violence, emotional abuse, and the impossible pressure of protecting her family while trying to survive her own childhood. She opens up about what it was really like going to school embarrassed by the conditions she was living in, being removed by CPS, couch surfing as a teenager, and realizing in college that the life she grew up in was never normal.

Summer shares the long-term impact of growing up with parents who have hoarding disorder, narcissistic family dynamics, parentification, and severe animal hoarding, along with the complicated grief that comes from loving parents who were unable to provide safety or stability. She talks about the shame children of hoarders carry, the survival behaviors that follow them into adulthood, and the difficult process of learning basic self-care, relationships, and normalcy after years of living in chaos.

Summer’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/summerjoy.cptsd_survivor

https://www.tiktok.com/@summerjoy4

https://youtube.com/@summerjoy4

https://linktr.ee/summerjoy4

Collaborations/Media: summerjoy.officialmgmt@gmail.com

Resources:

International OCD Foundation (Hoarding)

https://iocdf.org/hoarding

Children of Hoarders

https://childrenofhoarders.com

Institute for Challenging Disorganization

https://challengingdisorganization.org

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

https://nami.org

Hoarding Cleanup Directory

https://hoardingcleanup.com

Crisis Text Line 

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Hoarding Disorder, Animal Hoarding, Childhood Trauma, Family Dysfunction, Childhood Neglect, Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this follow-up to episode 18, Sarah is joined by her stepdaughter Avery more than 20 years after Avery’s mother was murdered when she was just five months old. After spending most of their lives carrying the weight of the case, they received the call that the execution date had finally been set for the man responsible. Sarah and Avery share what it was like preparing for the execution, traveling to Texas together, and walking into a situation neither of them truly knew how to process until they were living it in real time.

Avery opens up about growing up without her mother and later losing her father to suicide in 2023, while Sarah reflects on the years of grief and emotional survival that followed both tragedies. What they expected would bring closure instead forced them to confront layers of trauma, family pain, suicide loss, and the emotional reality of watching a case that shaped their lives finally come to an end. Together, they talk about the complicated emotions surrounding the execution, the unexpected moments that stayed with them afterward, and the difficult process of figuring out who they were once this chapter of their lives was finally over.

Sarah’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/skyvisions333

Sarah’s Podcast - All The Things Shoals:

https://www.instagram.com/allthethings.shoals

https://www.youtube.com/@allthethingsshoals

https://open.spotify.com/show/65FFAsKIBmYj3sEocu9eXQ?si=c8973a65da1a49bf

Resources:

Project Unbroken

https://projectunbroken.org

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: true crime, grief, murder case, family trauma, healing after loss, capital punishment 

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darlene Lekowski was sexually abused by two of her older brothers beginning at just 7 years old, carrying the trauma in silence for more than five decades while building a life that looked perfect from the outside. She shares the long-term reality of sibling sexual abuse, PTSD, perfectionism, fear of abandonment, and what happens when trauma is buried instead of healed. After finally confronting one of her brothers, he responded by suing her for defamation, forcing her into a two year legal battle where she was made to relive the abuse publicly in court.

Darlene breaks down the family dynamics that kept her silent, the threats and manipulation used against her as a child, and the emotional toll of protecting everyone else while destroying herself in the process. She talks about raising children while carrying hidden trauma, how PTSD showed up throughout her life, and the moment she realized surviving wasn’t the same thing as healing. After winning the lawsuit and being validated by a jury, she began rebuilding her life, writing her book Shattering Silence, and speaking publicly to help other survivors break the shame and secrecy surrounding sibling sexual abuse, trauma, and family betrayal.

Darlene’s Links:

darlene-lekowski.com 

https://www.instagram.com/darlenelekowski

https://www.facebook.com/darlenelekowski

“Shattering Silence” book

 https://a.co/d/003yCIaB

Resources:

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: sibling sexual trauma and abuse (SSTA), childhood trauma, family abuse, PTSD recovery, sexual abuse awareness, court trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hope’s estranged husband murdered their two young children in an act of filicide after being granted unsupervised custody, despite clear warning signs of instability, prior abuse, and escalating mental health concerns. Just before their deaths, he made suicidal and homicidal statements, was hospitalized, and still walked out of court with 50/50 custody. Hope’s story exposes the reality of how quickly systems can fail, how mental health is misunderstood in legal settings, and how lethal risk is often missed until it’s too late.

Hope shares what led up to that moment, including years of coercive control, psychological abuse, gaslighting, and physical violence that she kept hidden while trying to survive and protect her children. She breaks down the timeline of events, the court decisions, and the warning signs that were overlooked, while also speaking to the unimaginable reality of losing both of her children and what it means to live after that level of loss.

Hope’s Links:

Fill out the link to pass The Alec and Lydia Act!

https://rallystarter.com/rally/2948/please-pass-the-alec-and-lydia-act-in-the-arizona-senate

https://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_pain

https://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.pain

https://www.facebook.com/people/Hope-In-The-Pain

https://linktr.ee/hopeinthepain 

Voices Against Filicide - Hope’s Podcast

https://tr.ee/4zExkNUIYi 

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters 

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters 

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV), custody system failure, true crime

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jess Patz was 18 when she entered an abusive relationship that quickly escalated from love bombing into domestic violence, coercive control, and manipulation. The first physical assault happened during her first pregnancy, followed by years of emotional abuse, gaslighting, sexual assault, and financial control that caused her to question her own reality. She breaks down what intimate partner violence actually looks like behind closed doors, including how someone can be conditioned to stay, how abuse escalates over time, and how early warning signs are often missed or dismissed.

After leaving, she was pulled into a 10 year custody battle where family court systems failed to recognize patterns of abuse, allowing continued exposure for her children. During that time and years after, her body began to break down with severe health complications, including recurrent pulmonary embolisms, chronic pain, autoimmune disease, and eventually a stroke that forced her to relearn how to walk. Jess shares the reality of post separation abuse, child custody in abusive relationships, and how trauma doesn’t just stay mental, it shows up physically in ways that can change your life. She is now a speaker, advocate, and TEDx presenter using her story to raise awareness about domestic violence and its long term impact.

Jess’ Links:

https://www.instagram.com/_jesspatz

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

https://www.jesspatz.com

Jess’ TEDx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-T8Yxg35uw

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

https://dvsacenter.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: DV, coercive control, family court system, SA, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, autoimmune disease, lupus, stroke recovery, chronic illness

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Tobias Ambriz joined the Army at 18 and was deployed to Afghanistan early in his military career, where he was unexpectedly assigned as a combat medic in an active war zone. With accelerated training, he was responsible for treating wounded soldiers during intense firefights, navigating Taliban ambushes, sniper fire, and life-or-death decisions in the mountains.

He describes being surrounded during combat, running toward gunfire to reach injured soldiers, and working through mass casualties with limited medical supplies. He also speaks on how experiences like his are often overlooked, as attention is typically focused on special operations forces, despite conventional Army units facing the same level of danger and loss. The trauma of war, loss of fellow soldiers, and repeated exposure to combat carried into multiple deployments, PTSD, and the long-term reality veterans face after surviving combat. 

Sean’s links:

https://www.instagram.com/chief_pinkmist

https://www.seantobiasambriz.com

Resources:

Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD

https://www.ptsd.va.gov

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: combat medic, Afghanistan war, military PTSD, war trauma, Army veteran

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jori lost her fiancé to an overdose after trying to save him from a hidden addiction to pills that began before they met. Kyle came into her life on New Year’s Eve and quickly became someone she saw a future with, outgoing, magnetic, and deeply loved by everyone around him. As their relationship grew, so did the life they were building together, but behind it, he was quietly battling a pill addiction. It quickly turned into the reality of loving someone struggling with substance abuse, relapse, and the cycle of recovery attempts that didn’t last. Jori found herself questioning the signs of addiction in real time, trying to make sense of behavior changes, secrecy, and the emotional weight of being in a relationship affected by addiction.

After losing her fiancé to an overdose just eight months after having their son, Jori was left navigating grief, trauma, and the lasting impact of sudden loss. She was now facing life without her partner and the father of her child, a loss that reshaped everything moving forward. She shares what it’s really like to love someone through addiction, the moments that don’t make sense at the time, and the ones that stay with you long after they’re gone. She also opens up about the loss of her best friend in a car accident she witnessed at 10 years old, a moment that stayed with her and shaped how she processes grief, trauma, and emotional attachment.

Jori’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/jorikinney

Jori’s Podcast - Shattered Silence:

https://www.youtube.com/@ShatteredSilencePodcast

https://www.instagram.com/shatteredsilencepod

https://linktr.ee/shatteredsilencepod

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: addiction, overdose, grief, relationships, mental health, loss, trauma healing, substance abuse

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tressa was 21 years old when she attended a company party expecting a normal night with coworkers. Within minutes of taking a shot, she began to lose control of her body. She was drugged, taken out of the bar, carried to an apartment, and left alone with a man she had never met. What followed was hours of rape and violent assault that resulted in severe, permanent physical injuries and long-term medical complications that still impact her life today.

In the aftermath, Tressa was forced to repeatedly recount what happened to law enforcement, medical staff, and investigators while navigating an invasive forensic exam and a system that questioned her account. She shares the reality of what happens after rape, including the physical trauma, the psychological impact of sexual assault, and the way these cases are handled behind the scenes. More than two decades later, Tressa is now working with state and federal lawmakers to reform the sex offender registry, using her experience to advocate for change and bring awareness to the long-term impact people live with after sexual violence.

Resources:

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

Crisis Text Line

741741

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: violent crime, date rape drug, sexual assault (SA), true crime, victim advocacy

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ember grew up surrounded by manipulation, addiction, and instability that shaped her life long before she had the ability to understand or escape it. With a father in and out of prison for organized crime and a mother struggling with severe alcoholism, she was forced into survival mode early. By her teenage years, she was already raising her younger sister while navigating emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and constant instability. The environment she was raised in shaped how she viewed love, trust, and safety, making her vulnerable to repeated patterns of manipulation in adulthood. 

As an adult, those patterns escalated into domestic violence, coercive control, and a situation where she was held in a motel for weeks under psychological and physical abuse. She eventually escaped by using the same manipulation tactics she was raised around. Even after getting out, the cycle didn’t immediately end. She continued to encounter people who exploited her trust, including someone she lived with for years who was secretly struggling with addiction and deception. Ember is now in the process of rebuilding her life, setting boundaries, and working in crisis support to help others, while actively breaking the patterns she was conditioned to accept.

Ember’s links:

https://www.instagram.com/survivorsalchemy

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: human trafficking, domestic violence, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, childhood trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony was once a talented BMX athlete with a promising future before addiction took over his life in his early twenties. What followed was a rapid descent into homelessness, drug addiction, and eventually prison. But prison became the turning point that forced him to confront everything he had been running from and rebuild his life from the inside out.

After his release, Tony returned to BMX racing, competing professionally and eventually coaching at the Olympic level. He went on to become a nationally recognized speaker and the founder of multiple addiction treatment centers dedicated to helping people stabilize during the earliest and most dangerous stages of recovery. His work is built on a simple belief: people are not defined by their worst chapter, and with the right tools, accountability, and support, transformation is possible. 

Tony’s links:

https://www.instagram.com/tonymhoffman

www.tonyhoffmanspeaking.com

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: addiction recovery, prison transformation, recovery story, substance abuse, personal growth

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A birthday celebration with friends, music, THC, and psychedelic mushroom tea quickly turned into something terrifying. Within days, Shannon began experiencing drug-induced psychosis. Music felt like it was speaking directly to her, television shows appeared filled with hidden messages, and everyday sights like billboards and street signs started to feel like coded signals guiding her through a test she believed she had to pass. As severe sleep deprivation set in, paranoia intensified and reality blurred. Friends became threats, strangers felt dangerous, and the streets of Orlando became a maze of symbols she believed would determine whether she lived or died. 

For nearly a week she wandered through this altered reality experiencing psychosis, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts, convinced she was trapped in a world designed to punish or test her. After being hospitalized and treated, Shannon slowly returned to reality. Her story reveals how quickly the mind can fracture under trauma, substances, and lack of sleep, and why conversations about mental health and psychosis recovery matter more than people realize.

Shannon’s links:

https://www.instagram.com/shannified

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Drug-Induced Psychosis, Mental Health Crisis, Psychedelic Experience, Mental Health Recovery, Trauma Healing

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At 24 years old, Martin made a decision that would change multiple families forever. After a day of heavy drinking, he got behind the wheel on New Year’s Eve and caused a fatal DUI crash that left two women dead and another man seriously injured. He was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison, day for day. What followed was not a story about excuses. It was a story about accountability, addiction, guilt, shame, and what happens when you are forced to confront the irreversible consequences of drunk driving.

While incarcerated, Martin earned his GED, completed a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, and became a certified alcohol and drug counselor. Today he speaks at high schools, colleges, DUI victim impact panels, and law enforcement conferences about alcohol abuse, recovery, reckless choices, and the ripple effect of one night that cannot be undone. This conversation dives into addiction, incarceration, forgiveness, trauma, and the difference between guilt and shame.

Martin’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/martinllockett

martinlockett.com

Martin’s Books:

Prison to Purpose Pipeline: How one sentence led to a life of service

https://a.co/d/04fk1toj

My Prison Life: A Blogger's Insights from the Inside

https://a.co/d/0dl1fAny

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Stop High-Risk Impaired Driving

https://www.responsibility.org/high-risk-impaired-driving

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former tennis pro turned forensic psychic medium, Nichole Duncan, shares how a remote viewing session cracked open an entirely new reality. What began with scientific curiosity about telepathy and intuition led to verified details in missing persons cases, homicide investigations, and human trafficking work. From describing evidence later confirmed by law enforcement to navigating strict ethical boundaries around spiritual consent, she explains how mediumship intersects with criminal cases without replacing investigative process. She breaks down what remote viewing actually is, how intuitive impressions form, and why evidence should be a byproduct of connection rather than the goal.

The conversation moves into near-death experiences, life review, intuition, and what may happen in the moments before impact during sudden death. Chell shares her own experience the night her husband died and asks the questions many survivors quietly carry: Can they hear us? Do they suffer? Are we ever alone? From meditation and grounding to telepathic communication and signs from loved ones, this discussion explores grief, spiritual connection, trauma, and the possibility that consciousness continues beyond the body.

A special additional conversation released outside our regular Wednesday schedule.

Nichole’s links:

https://www.nicholeduncanintuitive.com

https://www.instagram.com/nicholeduncanintuitive

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

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: Psychic Medium, Remote Viewing, Near Death Experience, Spiritual Communication, Intuition and Trauma, Consciousness After Death

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lori was finishing a work project in her mother’s quiet home when a violent home invasion began with men kicking in the front door. Within seconds she was running upstairs toward her firearm, calculating escape routes in real time, and opening fire as armed intruders stormed the hallway. When her gun malfunctioned and one of the intruders returned fire, everything shifted in an instant. One bullet tore through her body, ruptured her intestine, destroyed blood vessels, and ultimately led to a below the knee amputation. She was resuscitated three times, airlifted to a trauma center, and placed on life support for two weeks after a random gang related armed robbery changed everything.

A former criminal justice professional with a 20 year career in law enforcement, Lori shares the mindset that shaped her split second decisions, the psychological aftermath of violent crime, survivor’s guilt, PTSD, and the reality of navigating the justice system while learning to walk again with a prosthetic. From elderly parent care and rising crime rates to firearm safety, self defense preparedness, and trauma recovery, this conversation explores what it means to survive a near fatal shooting and rebuild after catastrophic trauma.

Lori’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/lorisolvup

Lori's Vigilant Living - Your High-Five Guide

https://www.facebook.com/lorisolvup

Resources Lori mentioned:

Dr Bohdi Sanders, author The Stoic Mindset, etc.

https://thewisdomwarrior.com

Alain Burrese, Enjoy Life Safely

https://www.enjoylifesafely.com

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: armed robbery, attempted murder, violent crime survival, true crime, amputation recovery

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris spent 23 years in law enforcement, 18 of them in K9, but nothing prepared him for bonding with the dog no one else wanted. Tambo had cycled through handlers, labeled aloof and difficult, until the two recognized something familiar in each other. What followed was an explosive detection career, a devastating cancer diagnosis, emergency surgery costing over $10,000, and a prognosis of just weeks to live. Instead of accepting an expiration date, Chris chose to fight, documenting Tambo’s chemotherapy journey, partnering with Project K9 Hero, and turning a silent working dog into a symbol of resilience for families facing cancer.

As Tambo defied hemangiosarcoma and stood before the Philadelphia Eagles stadium filled with fans on Sunday Night Football, something deeper unfolded. A fractured father son relationship began to heal, a new generation witnessed cycles being broken, and a “forgotten” K9 became the bridge between grief, redemption, and legacy. 

Chris and Tambo’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/k9_tambo

Project K9 Hero:

https://projectk9hero.org

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: police dog, K9 handler, K9 unit, explosive detection dog, terminal diagnosis

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Hurley shares a life shaped by institutional betrayal, childhood abuse, and a family court system that protected power over truth. After discovering his identity had been legally altered as a child and surviving physical abuse in his own home, Paul later fought a seven-year custody battle when his children were removed from him under false allegations. He uncovers how a police department, CPS worker, psychologist, and judge failed to contact him after his children were sexually abused in their mother’s home, choosing instead to restrict his parental rights while minimizing consequences for the offender.

As he battles corruption in Smith County, Texas, Paul simultaneously investigates his father’s murder, infiltrating motorcycle clubs to expose drug trafficking activity involving individuals connected to the sheriff’s office. From wrongful arrest and supervised visitation to courtroom retaliation and systemic coverups, this story exposes the intersection of family court corruption, law enforcement misconduct, and the psychological toll of being labeled dangerous while fighting to protect your children. What happens when the system designed to protect families becomes the weapon used against them?

Paul’s Links:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12877863/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

https://www.instagram.com/actorpaulhurley

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Family Court, Court Corruption, Custody Battle, Parental Rights, Institutional Betrayal, Undercover Investigation, True Crime, Organized Crime

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Nae (Nadine Macaluso) speaks from lived experience about what coercive control actually looks like behind wealth, power, and public spectacle. Known to the world as the real-life wife portrayed in The Wolf of Wall Street, she unpacks the psychological mechanics woven throughout the story, explaining how trauma bonding, intimidation, manipulation, and addiction shaped daily life inside the relationship. What many viewers recognized as chaos or entertainment is reframed as part of a sustained pattern driven by fear, intermittent affection, and a profound power imbalance that slowly erodes identity and safety.

Now a licensed therapist, Dr. Nae explains why leaving is rarely simple, why survivors stay longer than they ever planned, and why the most dangerous moment is often the decision to go. She breaks down post-separation abuse, power-based retaliation, and the myths that fuel victim blaming, while offering hard-won insight on planning safely, trusting your body when your mind is confused, and rebuilding after years of survival mode.

Dr. Nae’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine

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

https://www.facebook.com/drnaelmft

https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealDrNadine

https://drnae.com

Run Like Hell by Nadine Macaluso

https://a.co/d/1lgb7jL

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Text BEGIN to 88788

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: coercive control, trauma bond, leaving abuse, post separation abuse, domestic violence (DV), therapist

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kitty shares how the family court system used parental alienation claims and court-ordered reunification therapy to forcibly remove children from their protective parent and place them with their abusive parent, exposing a devastating pattern of institutional failure. 

After marrying a man with sole custody of two young boys, concerning behavioral changes and SA disclosures emerged following court-ordered visitation with their biological mother. Counselors, forensic interviews, and law enforcement became involved, with professionals acknowledging abuse had occurred, yet prosecutors declined to move forward. What followed was years of ignored testimony, sealed records, institutional silence, and a family court system that failed to protect children who spoke up.

As the case escalated, the court labeled the protective parents as alienators and ordered placement in a court-mandated reunification camp that forcibly removed the boys from their home and isolated them from their support system. Kitty shares the psychological and physical toll of prolonged legal trauma, coercive control disguised as treatment, judicial overreach, financial devastation, and the long-term impact on children subjected to court-sanctioned separation. This episode exposes systemic family court failures and the path that led Kitty to advocacy and legislative efforts aimed at protecting children from institutional and legal abuse.

Kitty’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/georgiaprotectiveparents

https://www.facebook.com/Georgiaprotectiveparents

https://x.com/gaprotectvprnts

Email: georgiaprotectiveparents@gmail.com

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: family court, coercive control, reunification therapy, reunification camp, institutional failure, systemic trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larissa survived an attempted murder by a former partner who had spent months isolating, controlling, and manipulating her under the guise of protection and faith. She recounts how what appeared stable and safe escalated into coercive control, sexual violence, stalking, and a near-fatal shooting that led to the amputation of several fingers.

In the aftermath, Larissa navigates the psychological recovery that follows surviving extreme violence. She speaks to what it takes to escape, what happens after you do, and how healing is built slowly through reclaiming identity and self trust.

Larissa's Links:

http://www.larissaslovenotes.com

https://www.instagram.com/ann_ri3

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Text BEGIN to 88788

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topic: attempted murder, domestic violence (DV), coercive control, survivor story, stalking

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kyleigh shares the continuation of her story, detailing the escalation of domestic violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, and psychological manipulation within her marriage. The pattern includes physical assault, sexual boundary violations, gaslighting, intimidation, and explicit threats tied to military careers and reputation. Alongside the violence, Kyleigh describes repeated infidelity, secret relationships, deleted messages, inappropriate emotional and sexual boundaries with other women, and chronic deception. Betrayal by trusted friends, minimization of harm, blame shifting, and isolation compound the abuse and reinforce forced silence.

As the relationship continues, Kyleigh explains how ongoing cheating, emotional neglect, body shaming, and intimidation severely impacted her mental health. Following a catastrophic knee injury, dependence and vulnerability intensified the power imbalance, leading to abandonment, control, and further psychological harm. Even during periods of academic achievement, military advancement, and professional growth, manipulation and instability persisted. Kyleigh’s account highlights trauma bonding, intermittent reinforcement, and the progressive erosion of identity that can occur in abusive relationships marked by both violence and infidelity.

Kyleigh’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/kyleighraexo

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

https://www.facebook.com/kyleighrae19

Kyleigh’s Outfit:

https://www.instagram.com/urbanecollectivellc

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Text BEGIN to 88788

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Domestic violence, Coercive control, Emotional abuse, Infidelity/Cheating, Trauma bonding

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kyleigh’s story begins in Eastern Iowa, moving through foster care in early childhood before being adopted at a young age. Inside that adoptive home, she describes years of SA, physical abuse, neglect, and adults who prioritized image over child safety. As a teenager, after a report was finally taken seriously, Kyleigh was removed by authorities and placed back into the system, moving through temporary placements before transitioning into independent living.

Adulthood did not bring immediate stability. Kyleigh describes marrying young while trying to escape having no family foundation, only to find herself in a relationship that escalated to domestic violence. The military later became a turning point, first through the National Guard and then active duty service, including Hurricane Harvey response and deployment to Afghanistan. Her story traces how childhood trauma, domestic violence, housing insecurity at different points in life, and military service intersect without a simple cause-and-effect narrative.

Kyleigh’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/kyleighraexo

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

https://www.facebook.com/kyleighrae19

Kyleigh’s Outfit:

https://www.instagram.com/urbanecollectivellc

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Text BEGIN to 88788

Crisis Text Line

741741

RAINN

1-800-656-HOPE

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: foster care, failed adoption, domestic violence, military service, childhood trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What began as a marriage marked by love bombing, manipulation, and emotional volatility escalated into a custody battle rooted in coercive control, deception, and credible allegations of sexual harm. Indee describes years of psychological abuse, isolation, and intimidation, including being physically restrained, gaslit, and threatened into silence. As she attempted to leave, the abuse intensified, evolving into legal retaliation, false narratives, and a calculated effort to maintain power through the family court system. The unraveling of her ex-husband’s lies revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that family members had long concealed, leaving Indee to fight alone to protect her child.

This episode exposes how coercive control does not end when a relationship does, but often resurfaces through custody disputes, institutional failures, and court-sanctioned access to children. Indee shares the psychological toll of trauma bonding, suicidal crisis, and complex PTSD, alongside the exhausting reality of self-representation in court while facing a manipulative abuser. Her story underscores the dangers of dismissing survivor testimony, the consequences of silence within families, and the urgent need for trauma-informed custody decisions.

Indee’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/simplyindee

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

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Text BEGIN to 88788

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Crisis Text Line

741741

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Coercive control, Custody abuse, Narcissistic abuse, Parental alienation, Family court trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jessica Buchanan never imagined that a career rooted in service would lead her into one of the most extreme survival situations imaginable. A former schoolteacher turned humanitarian aid worker, she was kidnapped while working in Somalia and held captive for 93 days in the desert. What began as a mission driven by responsibility, purpose, and service became a fight for survival involving armed captors, ransom negotiations, physical illness, psychological terror, and the constant uncertainty of whether she would live to see another day. Her story exposes the hidden risks faced by humanitarian workers, the failures of institutional duty of care, and the devastating consequences of ignoring intuition.

What ultimately carried Jessica through captivity was not blind optimism or belief alone, but a disciplined inner survival strategy. Drawing from spirituality, memory, ritual, and mental control, she created structure where none existed and meaning where despair could have taken over. Her rescue by U.S. special operations forces marked the end of captivity but not the end of the trauma. Returning home meant rebuilding identity, navigating PTSD, motherhood after survival, betrayal by systems meant to protect her, and the long process of surviving survival. 

Jessica’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/jessicacbuchanan

https://linktr.ee/jessbuchanan

https://www.jessbuchanan.com

Her Book “Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six”:

https://a.co/d/2oFjqwH

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Humanitarian worker kidnapping, Surviving captivity and hostage trauma, PTSD after extreme trauma, Intuition and survival psychology, Life after survival trauma

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick experienced childhood sexual abuse that began when he was around five years old by his first best friend. This was a case of peer-on-peer sexual abuse, a form of childhood sexual assault that is often misunderstood, minimized, or overlooked despite its long-term psychological impact. At that age, he did not have the developmental ability to consent, understand, or stop what was happening, while fear, confusion, and secrecy became his primary survival responses. What occurred was not experimentation, but abuse, shaped by power, confusion, and trust violations that a child cannot navigate.

As he grew older, the unresolved effects of childhood sexual abuse surfaced through anger, addiction, and struggles with trust and identity. Living with a lifelong degenerative hearing loss and tinnitus added another layer of isolation and difference during critical developmental years. Healing did not begin until adulthood, when sobriety, therapy, and accountability allowed him to accurately name what happened and confront its impact without allowing it to define him. By speaking openly, he helps illuminate how early sexual trauma and unaddressed disability can shape a life, and how breaking secrecy can be a meaningful step toward reclaiming agency.

Nick’s Links:

https://linktr.ee/nickmiddaugh

www.nickmiddaugh.com

Character Is Destiny

nickmiddaugh.substack.com

Nick’s essay he read an excerpt from:

https://open.substack.com/pub/nickmiddaugh/p/005-violation-the-forge-opens?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: childhood sexual abuse (CSA), addiction & alcoholism, mental health, degenerative hearing loss & tinnitus

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Mabry was 21 years old when a catastrophic car crash during his senior year of college killed a close friend and ultimately led to the amputation of his leg. What followed were years of surgeries, chronic pain, phantom limb pain, and the psychological impact of limb loss that no one prepared him for. On the outside, his life appeared extraordinary, including Hollywood film and television appearances, major network shows, and access to elite spaces like the Playboy Mansion. Beneath that surface, unresolved trauma, grief, and physical pain quietly fueled a growing struggle with addiction and substance use disorder.

His unraveling came through relapse, loss, and the moment his own child recognized what he could no longer deny. Recovery required accountability, trauma therapy, and long term sobriety rather than image or success. Today, John speaks openly about addiction recovery, amputation, grief, and rebuilding life after trauma.

John’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/johnmabryconnects

https://www.youtube.com/@johnmabry_speaker

https://www.johnmabryconnects.com

https://linktr.ee/johnmabry

Resources:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Celebrate Recovery

https://celebraterecovery.com

Amputee Coalition

https://amputee-coalition.org

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: medical trauma, leg amputation survivor, addiction, car crash, chronic pain

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scarlet McKenzie shares the moment her attempt to leave a controlling relationship escalated into something far more devastating. After enduring coercive control, surveillance, isolation, and retaliation, her child was taken without a warrant or court order following false allegations. What followed was a fight against a system that ignored due process, dismissed evidence, and repeatedly failed to protect families while prioritizing procedure over truth. Her story exposes how power, control, and retaliation can extend beyond relationships and into institutions meant to protect children. 

Rather than staying silent, Scarlet turned survival into advocacy. As a mother and child welfare reform advocate, she speaks openly about family court trauma, CPS overreach, generational harm, and the long psychological impact of forced separation. Her experience sheds light on how survivors are often punished for leaving, how children are caught in the middle, and why accountability and reform are urgently needed.

Scarlet McKenzie’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/scarletmckenzie

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

https://linktr.ee/professionalbrat

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/scarletmckenzie/run-this-back

https://music.apple.com/us/album/run-this-back/1835128990?i=1835128991

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Text BEGIN to 88788

National Coalition for Child Protection Reform (NCCPR)

https://nccpr.org

Beyond the Monsters’ Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: Child custody removal, False CPS reports, Domestic violence retaliation, Family court trauma, Coercive control

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jes lost her fifteen-year-old son, Rayce, to a baseball-sized brain tumor that no one knew was there, a loss that unfolded in a matter of hours and changed the course of her life forever. She grew up in a small town in Utah and lost her mother to cancer at thirteen, an early grief that quietly shaped how she learned to survive, adapt, and care for others long before she became a parent. As an adult, Jes built her life around her three children, immersing herself in the demanding world of competitive youth sports, where teams became extended families and weekends revolved around tournaments, travel, and shared routines. That sense of closeness would later become both a lifeline and a source of unimaginable heartbreak.

In the hours leading up to Rayce’s death, normal life unraveled: emergency rooms, unanswered questions, organ donation decisions, and the impossible task of telling his younger siblings their brother wasn’t coming home. Jes speaks openly about the shock, anger, and disorientation that followed, and the long road of learning how to survive grief without letting it define her entire identity. Her story is not about finding neat explanations, but about continuing to show up for her children, honoring Rayce’s life, and choosing to keep moving forward even when nothing makes sense.

Jes’ Links:

https://www.instagram.com/jes.marie18

https://linktr.ee/jes.marie18

Resources:

Bereaved Parents of the USA (BPUSA)

https://bereavedparentsusa.org

MISS Foundation

https://www.missfoundation.org

GriefShare

https://www.griefshare.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.

Topics: child loss, grief, bereaved parent, healing, parenting after loss

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristi and Katrina are two mothers bound by the unthinkable loss of their sons during the height of the fentanyl crisis. Their stories trace long, complex journeys through addiction, grief, survival, and the systems that repeatedly failed their children. From early trauma, mental health struggles, and substance use to the devastating reality of fentanyl exposure, their paths reveal how addiction does not begin in isolation and does not end with a single decision. Their experiences challenge the myths around weed, recovery timelines, and personal responsibility while exposing the gaps in treatment, prevention, and support for families.

What emerged from their shared loss was purpose. Kristi and Katrina speak openly about parenting through addiction, loving without enabling, surviving unimaginable grief, and choosing to recover out loud. Their voices confront stigma, normalize grief, and demand accountability from systems that prioritize punishment over care. 

DK805Podcast’s Links

https://www.youtube.com/@DK805Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/dk805podcast

https://dk805podcast.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dk805-podcast/id1833586069

https://open.spotify.com/show/5yAuLfqgs3CTu4YMHXhdm6?si=4a66d9946b47450a

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two decades of silence shaped how KJ learned to hide her pain, but speaking her truth became the only way forward. She grew up inside a volatile home where emotional harm, physical fear, and childhood sexual trauma were ignored, minimized, or treated like her fault. As she tried to survive the chaos around her, she carried flashbacks, chronic pain, shame, teen pregnancy stigma, and years of being told she was too sensitive or dramatic, even when she was begging for help. 

Her story moves from a childhood where no one protected her to the moment she finally found safety, stability, and love outside the home that broke her. Through motherhood, therapy battles, chronic illness, and rebuilding her identity from the ground up, KJ created Mend in Lines as a place for anyone who has been silenced to feel seen. Her episode brings forward family trauma, childhood abuse, teen motherhood, medical invalidation, chronic pain, and the long road from being completely alone to realizing she was worth saving. 

Kj’s Socials

https://www.youtube.com/@Kj_Mendinlines

https://www.instagram.com/kj_mendinlines

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

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)

https://www.nsvrc.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terry survived a targeted shooting by his girlfriend’s ex who believed killing him would bring her back. Nineteen bullets hit his car and four struck his chest, leaving him dying in the front seat while trying to call 911 to say goodbye to his daughter. When his heart stopped, he found himself in the same dark mental space he had been living in for years, followed by a sudden pull into a bright tunnel that showed him a clear review of his life and the intentions behind it.

Coming back changed everything. He woke in the hospital with holes in his lungs, a ventilator in his throat, and a certainty that his mindset, his reactions, and his purpose had to shift. Terry let go of resentment, forgave the man who shot him, repaired fractured relationships, and built daily habits around accountability, gratitude, and calm. His experience now guides how he moves through the world and how he helps others who feel stuck in the same darkness he once lived in.

Terry’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/mrtmadondo

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

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chell opens up about the early years that shaped her entire life: her biological father shooting her mother, growing up in a violently abusive home, and being placed into group homes and foster care after her mother chose an abusive partner over her safety. Those years were marked by racism inside the household, constant fear, sexual violence, and the reality of being a child no one protected.

As she moves into her teens and early adulthood, Chell describes patterns of abuse repeating through toxic relationships, the exhaustion of raising a baby alone while going through nursing school, and the heartbreak of losing the one person who truly showed her love. Grief, anxiety, addiction, and betrayal from people in positions of trust continued to shape her twenties, leaving her to navigate motherhood and trauma with no roadmap.

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sana shares what it was like growing up in a culture where arranged marriage was expected and how it led her into years of emotional shutdown, loneliness, and survival-mode living. She opens up about the pressure to please her family, the guilt she carried for wanting more, and the moment she realized the life she was living was slowly erasing her identity. Her story brings forward the quiet battles women face when cultural expectations, marriage, motherhood, and personal truth collide. Sana explains how numbing her pain, hiding behind perfection, and trying to hold a family together on her own pushed her into a breaking point that changed everything.

Her transformation began when she turned toward therapy, self-help, and spirituality, rebuilding her confidence piece by piece and repairing her relationship with her family through honesty and accountability. Sana shares how choosing herself reshaped her future, opened the door to a healthier life for her children, and inspired her to become a coach for women who feel trapped by expectation or fear. Her story proves that empowerment is possible at any stage of life and that reclaiming your voice can change everything.

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natasha J. Layton grew up inside the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), a closed polygamist cult where Warren Jeffs dictated every part of family life and enforced a strict hierarchy. As 1 of 20 siblings in a household built around a father with multiple wives at the same time, Natasha shares the pressure, physical abuse, fear, and isolation that shaped childhood in a high control religious community. She describes the emotional and psychological toll of growing up in a system rooted in control, obedience, and spiritual manipulation. Girls were raised to submit and serve, while boys were raised under strict obedience to priesthood leaders.

Natasha also opens up about losing 5 brothers to suicide and the grief that followed her long after leaving the FLDS, while navigating her own suicide attempts and the darkness she carried for years. She speaks about the deep generational trauma, the silence surrounding mental health, and the lack of support families received inside a group that punished vulnerability. Her story brings needed attention to cult recovery, suicide prevention, and the hidden pain carried by survivors who grew up in high demand religious environments. Natasha’s voice is a reminder of how important it is to break cycles that were designed to keep people trapped and to tell the truth even when it hurts.

Natasha’s Socials

www.instagram.com/natashajlayton

www.tiktok.com/@natashajlayton

www.facebook.com/share/178BB9xFnM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Survivors Podcast

thesurvivors.net

www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast

www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

Resources:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)

https://www.nsvrc.org

Crisis Text Line

741741

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reunification therapy became the most frightening part of Moriah’s fight for her children, but her story begins much earlier inside Bill Gothard’s teachings and the strict religious environment she was raised in. Growing up under the same ideology highlighted in “Shiny Happy People,” she was taught to obey without question, suppress her instincts, and surrender her identity. Those beliefs shaped her entire childhood and set the stage for the covert narcissistic abuse she later endured in her marriage.

After escaping, Moriah found herself up against a family court system that protected her abuser and punished her children for telling the truth. At one point, her kids were even forced into a reunification camp, cut off from their safe parent and pressured to silence their fears. Moriah sheds light on how parental alienation claims, court-appointed evaluators, and high-control therapeutic programs are being used to benefit abusers and financially exploit families. Her story highlights the corruption surrounding reunification practices, the deep wounds caused by religious trauma, and the lasting impact of growing up in a system that teaches children to erase themselves to survive.

Moriah’s Links:

https://www.healingispossible.org/about

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

1-800-799-7233

thehotline.org

24/7 Crisis Line 

988

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)

https://nrcdv.org/contact-us?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Beyond the Monsters Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Key opens up about the hidden weight men carry and the silence that has cost too many lives. He shares the losses that shaped him, the friends he loved who died by suicide, and the moment he found himself staring at a gun on the table after betrayal trauma shattered everything he thought was real. His story exposes what loneliness truly feels like when pain gets loud, cold, and blinding, and why men so often hide their suffering behind humor, hard work, or quiet perseverance. Through statistics, personal history, and raw honesty, he brings needed attention to the fact that 75-80% of suicides are men and that 14% of men report having no one to talk to.

This conversation becomes a lifeline for anyone who has ever felt like a burden or believed they had to carry everything alone. Jonathan talks about the moments that kept him alive, the people who showed up, and the purpose he eventually found in helping others stay in the fight. He shares how grief can travel with you without defining you, how presence can save a life, and why asking a man if he is okay might be the most important question you ever ask. His message is simple and powerful. You are not weak for hurting. You are not alone for struggling. You matter, and someone will sit with you in the dark until the light comes back.

Jonathan’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/cloudsoverjax/

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Crisis Text Line

741741

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Acasha shares her harrowing journey through a decades-long abusive relationship that began when she was just 17. What started as teenage infatuation with a charming partner turned into years of manipulation, control, and isolation. She opens up about emotional and financial abuse, his double life, and the terrifying reality of living under constant threats. After their divorce, the violence intensified as stalking, assault, and coercion became part of her daily existence while she fought to protect her children and survive.

Her story exposes the psychological toll of domestic violence, trauma bonding, and the complex process of breaking free from an abuser. It reveals how years of fear and control can reshape a person’s sense of safety, and how healing begins when survival turns into self-empowerment. Acasha’s journey is a raw and powerful reminder of the strength it takes to rebuild your life after being broken down by someone who once promised to love you.

Domestic Violence Resources:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233

thehotline.org

National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)

nnedv.org

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)

1-717-461-3939

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Denny Giamazzo opens up about a childhood shaped by neglect, abuse, and survival. From being left alone for days while his mother battled addiction and worked as a sex worker to rebuilding his life after foster care, loss, and service as a combat veteran, his story shows what it means to turn pain into purpose. After years of physical abuse and being taken from his home, Denny entered foster care and finally experienced what safety and love could feel like. He shares the devastating loss of his mother to AIDS and his foster mom to a sudden heart attack, along with the lasting impact of trauma that defined how he saw himself and the world around him.

As a young adult, Denny joined the military and served in Afghanistan, facing the violence of war and the emotional battles that followed. He speaks candidly about PTSD, compartmentalizing pain, and how his unresolved childhood trauma carried into adulthood, marriage, and relationships. Through therapy, reflection, and brutal honesty, Denny is learning to heal, trust again, and redefine what strength really means. This episode explores childhood abuse, foster care, military trauma, and the lifelong journey of recovery and self-acceptance.

Denny’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/dennygiamazzo

‘Wired For Action: TRAUMA. WAR. RESILIENCE.’ By Denny Giamazzo

Available NOW!

https://a.co/d/buR5KZd

Be The Standard Podcast

https://www.bethestandardpodcast.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethestandardpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@be.the.standard

Resources:

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-422-4453

https://www.nctsn.org

Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)

ascasupport.org

Veterans Crisis Line

Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-4357

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angelina opens up about the moment CPS removed her children due to domestic violence, meth addiction, and a life spiraling out of control. Determined to break the cycle she was born into, she reflects on how a strict Catholic upbringing, childhood abandonment, and never being allowed to express feelings shaped the path that led to alcohol misuse, military trauma, and a dangerous relationship that fueled her addiction. From becoming a teen mom to serving in the Army and deploying to Afghanistan, she spent years trying to hold everything together while losing herself in the process.

This emotional episode explores PTSD, homelessness, relapse, and the heartbreaking decision to relinquish parental rights. Through therapy, domestic violence shelters, and recovery programs, Angelina fought her way back and rebuilt her life with support, purpose, and newfound strength. Now over three years sober, she is reunited with her daughter, a proud grandmother, and pursuing a career in social work to help others heal from addiction, trauma, and abuse. Her story shows that even after losing everything, recovery and redemption are possible.

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

1-800-799-7233

thehotline.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (SAMHSA) 

1-800-662-4357

24/7 Crisis Line 

988

Women Veterans Call Center

855-829-6636

RAINN 

1-800-656-4673

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walking Tall shares their story of surviving years of extreme physical and sexual abuse inflicted by their stepfather, who targeted them from early childhood. In their small Texas town, religious extremism, white supremacy, and corruption created an environment where children were not protected. Their home became a place of drugs, violence, and child sexual exploitation, while teachers, relatives, and pastors ignored clear signs of danger. When their mother finally tried to expose the truth and escape, she was found dead with injuries that contradict the official claim of suicide. The truth was buried and the people who could have protected them turned away.

After a near death motorcycle accident that resulted in a profound spiritual encounter with their mother, Walking Tall chose to transform their suffering into purpose. They are now an Indigenous healer and sound practitioner using ancestral wisdom and embodied healing to help others reclaim their lives after trauma. Their story shows the courage it takes to break generational cycles, honor truth in the face of denial, and create a life defined by healing and love instead of violence and silence.

Walking Tall's Socials and Websites

https://www.instagram.com/walkingtall888

www.chiefwalkingtall.com

https://taplink.cc/chiefwalkingtall

https://openmypro.com/doctor/7TgPeYOTtWghkk6kx2w0uO22yD73

Resources:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)

https://www.nsvrc.org

Crisis Text Line

741741

The National Child Abuse Hotline

800-422-4453

https://childhelphotline.org/

Childhelp

Prevention education and child abuse intervention services

https://www.childhelp.org/

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny survived what most people never do. A random knife attack outside a bar left him with life-threatening internal injuries, months in the hospital, and the devastating news that his firefighting career and active life were over. He fought his way back through recovery and found purpose again.

Then a car crash left him paralyzed from the waist down. In an instant he was facing a spinal cord injury, a wheelchair, new trauma, and the emotional battle of rebuilding his future all over again. Danny talks about surviving violent crime, living with disability, navigating depression and chronic pain, and finding strength through fatherhood and adaptive sports. Today he plays wheelchair softball, wheelchair basketball, handcycling, and sit skiing. His story proves resilience is not a single comeback. It is choosing to keep going every time life hits harder.

Danny's Socials

https://www.tiktok.com/@danimal1518

https://www.facebook.com/daniel.mila.9

https://www.instagram.com/milaman15

https://www.instagram.com/milamonster15

Resources:

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

https://www.christopherreeve.org

Education, peer support groups, and SCI resources

Paralysis Resource Center: 1-800-539-7309

Kelly Brush Foundation

https://kellybrushfoundation.org

Grants for adaptive sports equipment including sit-skis

High Fives Foundation

https://highfivesfoundation.org

Supports people with life-changing injuries through adventure sports

United Spinal Association

https://unitedspinal.org

Advocacy, grants for accessibility, wheelchair sports opportunities

Move United

https://www.moveunitedsport.org

Find adaptive sports programs nationwide

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace Stuart opens up about her harrowing journey through domestic violence and the psychological manipulation that kept her trapped for years. From the early “glimpses” of control and gaslighting to the trauma bond that blurred love and survival, Grace shares how her abuser used charm, addiction, and coercive control to isolate and dominate her. She speaks candidly about sexual coercion, emotional abuse, and the illusion of “potential” that keeps so many survivors from recognizing danger until it’s too late.

Now an advocate for survivors and educator on abuse awareness, Grace exposes the tactics of narcissistic partners, the impact of addiction and trauma bonding, and the courage it takes to leave. Her story is a powerful reminder that abuse thrives in silence and that sharing our stories can help others recognize the signs, break the cycle, and reclaim their voice.

Grace’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/gracee__elizabethh

https://linktr.ee/gracestuart01

Grace’s Podcast - Why She Stayed

https://www.instagram.com/whyshestayedpodcast

https://tr.ee/QrEH4OI5sW

Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.)

https://www.thehotline.org

1-800-799-7233 

Text “START” to 88788

Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

https://dvsacenter.org

U.S Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims Program

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/legal-assistance-victims-program

Resources for assistance - financial, housing, necessities, food, etc.

https://www.findhelp.org

https://www.domesticshelters.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah shares the heartbreaking story of her son, Logan, whose lifelong battle with mental illness and psychosis ended in tragedy. From her experience as a teen mom navigating life alone and the challenges she faced during pregnancy, to Logan’s early struggles with voices and night terrors, Sarah opens up about grief, mental health, and the stigma surrounding suicide loss. Her story is a raw reflection on healing, motherhood, and the enduring bond between a parent and child.

Through her honesty, she sheds light on the silent pain so many families face and the importance of compassion, awareness, and acknowledging grief without judgment. This conversation reminds us that even in the depths of loss, love still finds a way to speak.

It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine

https://a.co/d/f0pMKu3

Mental Health Resources:

Crisis Text Line

741741

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After surviving a brutal sexual assault in 2011, Angelique refused to let her story end in silence. In this raw and powerful episode, she opens up about the day she was attacked by a serial rapist in Gainesville, Florida — the fight for her life, the trauma that followed, and the system that failed to deliver justice.

Angelique speaks openly about the trauma of sexual violence, the realities of victim-blaming, and the deep cracks within a legal system that too often protects offenders over survivors. She exposes how rape kits sit untested, how alcohol and advocacy collide in spaces meant to be “safe,” and how many survivors are left without justice or support.

But this isn’t just a story of what was taken; it’s about what she built after. Angelique found sobriety, purpose, and a mission to create trauma-informed, survivor-centered spaces where healing is possible. Her voice has become a force in sexual assault awareness and survivor advocacy, challenging the culture of silence and calling out the systems that need to change.

Colorado’s Rape Kit Backlog Gofundme

https://gofund.me/50413c11

Resources:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 

1-800-656-HOPE

https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/

NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)

https://www.nsvrc.org

Crisis Text Line

741741

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After being medically discharged from the Air Force due to Crohn’s disease, Destynie’s life was turned upside down. Crohn’s disease (a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disorder) took away her career and nearly took her life. What followed was a decade-long battle not only with her own body but with the military healthcare system and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that were supposed to protect her.

Destynie opens up about losing over 60 pounds in nine months, facing multiple hospitalizations and surgeries, and enduring years of pain while fighting for proper medical recognition. She shares how the system dismissed her suffering, how she learned to advocate for herself, and what it took to finally be heard.

This episode shines a light on the realities of living with severe Crohn’s disease, the failures of veteran healthcare, and the strength it takes to keep fighting when your illness—and the system—try to silence you.

Crohn’s Disease & Autoimmune Support:

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCF)

https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Global Healthy Living Foundation – IBD Support

https://ghlf.org

Veteran Advocacy & Legal Aid Resources:

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

https://www.dav.org

National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)

https://www.nvlsp.org

Wounded Warrior Project – Benefits & Advocacy

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Veterans Legal Institute

https://www.vetslegal.com

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee Alexander shares his powerful journey from military service to surviving the unseen battles that followed. A U.S. Navy veteran who later served in the Army National Guard, Lee spent years deployed in the Middle East and Mogadishu, Somalia, working as a criminal investigator aboard the USS Ranger. After injuries forced him to leave active duty, he grappled with PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and the silence surrounding mental health in the armed forces.

When the Humvee carrying the soldier who replaced him hit an IED, killing everyone inside, Lee was consumed by guilt — struggling with nightmares and the feeling that he had no right to speak about his pain. He opens up about the night he almost ended his life, the friend whose unexpected text saved him, and the importance of connection and support for veterans who often suffer in silence.

Writing became his turning point. What began as private notes evolved into poetry and fiction that helped him heal. Today, Lee is a published author of a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired novel (The Fortuitous Few), a dark Victorian fantasy series (TheDamienBlackwell Chronicles), and a poetry collection titled In the Obsidian Mirror, I Remain: Reflections of a Fractured Soul, which explores trauma, reflection, and recovery. His short story Writing in the Shadowswas also recognized by Writer’s Digest.

Now working in IT and military simulation training, Lee continues to advocate for veteran mental health, creative healing, and the power of storytelling. 

Lee’s Websites and Social Media:

https://shadowpagespressllc.com

https://www.instagram.com/leea.writes

Storytellers Convention: https://onceuponeverystorycon.com

Lee’s Books:

In The Obsidian Mirror, I Remain: Reflections of a Fractured Soul

(Available on Amazon)

https://a.co/d/gnqRHVY

Shadows of the Past: The Damien Blackwell Chronicles - International Reader’s Choice Award 

(Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble)

https://a.co/d/g8HxubD

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-the-past-lee-alexander/1146110569?ean=9798991136006

Echoes of Dark and Light: The Damien Blackwell Chronicles

(Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble)

https://a.co/d/2Ur1lGX

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echoes-of-dark-and-light-lee-alexander/1147052734?ean=9798991136020

The Fortuitous Few

(Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble)

https://a.co/d/78SrAsO

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fortuitous-few-lee-alexander/1146878393?ean=9798991136082

Writing in the Shadows - Writer's Digest Annual Award Nomination 

Veteran PTSD Resources:

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ptsd/next-step.asp

Combat Call Center: (877)WAR-VETS

PTSD Foundation of America -Veteran Line: (877)717-PTSD

https://ptsdusa.org

Mental Health Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura’s story is a haunting look at the hidden realities of domestic violence — and the systems that fail survivors. She opens up about falling in love with a man who slowly stripped away her confidence through manipulation, gaslighting, and control. What began as subtle red flags turned into emotional and physical terror, leaving her fighting to reclaim her sense of safety and self-worth. As a trained martial artist and health advocate, Laura reflects on the painful irony of being both strong and trapped as well as how abusers exploit empathy, guilt, and love to maintain power.

Laura takes us through the aftermath, the failed trial that never gave her closure, the retraumatization within the legal system, and the painful silence from a community that protected her abuser. She discusses the generational patterns of abuse within her family, the importance of therapy, and the long journey of rebuilding trust in herself. Laura’s courage to speak out gives voice to countless survivors who were silenced by fear or disbelief. Her story is not just about violence; it’s about reclaiming autonomy, exposing injustice, and reminding others that healing begins when you finally refuse to be quiet.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

https://dvsacenter.org

U.S Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims Program: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/legal-assistance-victims-program

Resources for assistance - financial, housing, necessities, food, etc.

https://www.findhelp.org

https://www.domesticshelters.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melisa shares the heart-wrenching story of her ex-partner Alex’s motorcycle accident that left him quadriplegic after being struck by a Grubhub driver. In the aftermath, she faced not only the devastation of ICU visits and breaking the news to her daughter, but also the unraveling of family trust.

As Alex’s girlfriend stepped in as his caretaker, Melisa describes how she cut him off from loved ones, took control through a secret marriage, power of attorney, and a new will, and left the family fighting for access, truth, and justice. This powerful conversation explores love, betrayal, and the painful reality of losing someone not just to tragedy, but also to deception and control.

Justice for Alex and His Children Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567689483408

Flag to Remember Foundation

https://flagtoremember.com/

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Savannah, a police officer and military veteran, shares her story of sacrifice, betrayal, and survival. After giving up her entire life in Washington to move to Chicago for marriage, she quickly discovered her husband was not the man she thought he was. Once married, he became emotionally abusive and revealed struggles with cheating, drug addiction, and sex addiction, leaving Savannah to navigate devastating betrayal and the painful unraveling of the life she had built.

Her journey reaches further back into a childhood shaped by domestic violence and family dysfunction, where she learned patterns that influenced her adult relationships and left her vulnerable to manipulation. Savannah reflects on how family betrayal, military service, and her role as a police officer all intersected with the trauma she carried—and how she found the strength to reclaim her boundaries, self-worth, and future. Her story exposes the realities of toxic family dynamics, generational trauma, and emotional abuse, while shining a light on the resilience it takes to heal, rebuild, and rise stronger.

Savannah’s Book: In the Wake of Wounds

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPRNYMZ6?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_9ANEMFQ0X0EZ1PNM0Q7T

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clair’s life began in chaos—raised by a father who fabricated shocking lies about his family being murdered and a mother who was later deported. Her childhood was marked by deception, abandonment, and the weight of secrets no child should carry. As she grew older, Clair uncovered more truths about her family’s past, while navigating the pain of loss, strained relationships, and the emotional toll of addiction.

She shares what it was like to grow up with a mother battling alcoholism and a father whose life was cut short in a car accident when she was young. She reflects on the dark moments where she questioned whether life was worth continuing—and the resilience it took to keep going. Today, Clair is rewriting the narrative, determined to raise her daughter with honesty, empathy, and a safe space to express her emotions.

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After growing up in Trenton, New Jersey, Prince broke the cycle and built a life defined by discipline and service; first in the Army, then as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer. Ten years into his career, everything changed when a drunk driver hit him, forcing an abrupt medical retirement.

While facing the aftermath of the crash, Prince was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. Instead of breaking, he rebuilt—returning to school, earning multiple degrees, and ultimately completing his doctorate in criminal justice. Today, he uses his lived experience and education to teach the next generation as a college professor, while continuing to speak openly about mental health, resilience, and overcoming trauma.

Prince has transformed his pain into purpose advocating for mental health awareness in law enforcement and veteran communities while proving that it’s possible to rise from loss stronger than before. From losing the identity he once clung to, to finding purpose beyond the badge, his story is proof that resilience is possible even when the world falls apart.

Prince’s Socials and Links

https://instagram.com/realprinceblue

https://x.com/realprinceblue3

https://tiktok.com/@realprinceblue

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prince-blue

Email: armyprince2020@gmail.com

Real Time with Prince Blue Podcast 

https://www.youtube.com/@realprinceblue

Black and Blue Lives Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-and-blue-lives/id1574245761

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Misti Blu Day shares her powerful story of surviving both childhood trauma and life-threatening health battles. Growing up in a home marked by abuse, alcoholism, and trauma bonds, she learned early on what it meant to live in survival mode. Later in life, she faced congenital heart issues, dangerous arrhythmias, and multiple open-heart surgeries — first in 2011, again seven years later, and most recently just three years ago. She also lives with Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder, and Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome (WPW), a rare heart condition that causes abnormal rhythms.

Her journey highlights the connection between trauma, chronic illness, and the fight to reclaim life after repeated medical emergencies. From navigating grief and gaslighting to waking up after open-heart surgery with a second chance, Misti’s story is one of raw honesty, resilience, and hope.

This episode dives into themes of childhood abuse, trauma recovery, resilience, congenital heart disease, open-heart surgery, healing after medical trauma, PTSD, abuse survival, and overcoming adversity.

Misti’s Socials and Links

https://www.instagram.com/mistibluday

https://mistibludream.com/

Books:

Botanical Rebellion: Apothecary Guide to Nature's Alchemy

https://a.co/d/7kyZwn3

Garden of Blu

https://a.co/d/5EUPCAZ

Botanical Rebellion Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/botanical-rebellion/id1802984202

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Hutchinson, executive producer of Sound of Freedom and founder of multiple child-rescue initiatives, exposes the hidden realities of human trafficking and child exploitation. He shares his firsthand experiences from undercover operations, detailing how traffickers target children, the signs families should recognize, and why awareness is the first step in prevention.

Hutchinson also addresses the deep impact of trauma and the urgent need for meaningful healing. He discusses the role of psilocybin therapy and his retreat work, explaining how structured psychedelic experiences can help survivors, rescuers, and others carrying unresolved pain achieve breakthroughs in recovery.

This conversation reveals both the darkness of trafficking networks and the hope found in innovative healing. Hutchinson’s perspective underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable children while also creating pathways for long-term restoration and resilience.

Paul’s Socials and Website

https://liberating-humanity.com

https://www.instagram.com/liberating.humanity

https://www.youtube.com/@Liberatinghumanity

https://www.tiktok.com/@liberating.humanity

https://www.facebook.com/liberating.humanity

https://x.com/Paulhutchinson

‘The Sound of Freedom: True Stories that Inspired the Film’ Book

(Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!)

https://a.co/d/flncht7

Sound of Freedom movie

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CV3TMD6M/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

The Liberating Humanity Podcast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4X5cFDS0DlHCe3xhlr8yfB?si=a8fb6aea2c654679

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liberating-humanity-real-heroes-real-stories-and/id1699211825

Child Liberation Foundation

https://childliberation.org

https://www.instagram.com/childliberationfoundation

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lTb0RGJKgR04ALjeYkrXA

https://x.com/CLF_Org

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two, Lyndsey continues her courageous domestic violence survivor story, exposing the realities of life after leaving an abusive relationship. She opens up about the trauma responses that follow abuse, the challenges of co-parenting with an abuser, and the emotional impact on her children. Lyndsey shares her experience of navigating the justice system, the cycle of manipulation and intimidation, and the lasting scars of emotional, physical, and psychological abuse. She goes into detail about the trial, revealing the emotional toll of facing her abuser in court and the painful ways the legal system often retraumatized her while she fought for justice and safety.

Through raw honesty, she highlights the hidden battles survivors face—financial struggles, fear of retaliation, and the long journey of trauma healing and abuse recovery. Yet, Lyndsey also shows the power of resilience, rebuilding her identity, creating a safe home for her children, and reclaiming her voice. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to survive domestic violence and the hope that healing and freedom are possible.

Lyndsey’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/lyndseyh6723

https://www.instagram.com/living.inthe.aftermath

The Refuge Utah

https://www.instagram.com/therefugeutah

https://therefugeutah.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

https://dvsacenter.org

U.S Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims Program: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/legal-assistance-victims-program

Resources for assistance - financial, housing, necessities, food, etc.

https://www.findhelp.org

https://www.domesticshelters.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lyndsey shares her powerful story as a survivor of domestic violence, opening up about the early signs of manipulation, control, and emotional abuse that slowly escalated into physical violence. She reflects on the devastating impact on her children, the painful cycle of leaving and returning, and the emotional toll of the justice system that often failed to protect her. Lyndsey recounts how the last and most severe instances of abuse occurred during COVID, when isolation and fear made escaping even harder.

Through raw honesty, she exposes the hidden realities of abusive relationships, the courage it takes to recognize red flags, and the strength required to finally break free. This conversation highlights the complexities of family dynamics, legal battles, and recovery, while showing the power of resilience and the importance of strong support systems. Lyndsey’s journey is one of survival, healing, and reclaiming her voice—and her story offers hope to anyone fighting to escape abuse.

Lyndsey’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/lyndseyh6723

https://www.instagram.com/living.inthe.aftermath

The Refuge Utah

https://www.instagram.com/therefugeutah

https://therefugeutah.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

https://dvsacenter.org

U.S Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims Program: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/legal-assistance-victims-program

Resources for assistance - financial, housing, necessities, food, etc.

https://www.findhelp.org

https://www.domesticshelters.org

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Pizano is an author, filmmaker, producer, and passionate advocate for domestic violence survivors and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) awareness. As the founder of MVP3 Entertainment Group, she’s brought compelling stories to life—from serving as executive producer on the multi-award-winning documentary Momo: The Sam Giancana Story, to producing the feature film Shattered. In her memoir From Barefoot to Stilettos: It’s Not for Sissies, she reflects on her journey out of a high‑conflict divorce and emotional abuse toward healing, resilience, and purposeful storytelling. Through her media work—spanning film and community events—Marie highlights how authenticity, the arts, and community can empower individuals to transform adversity into their own “yes.”

Marie’s Socials and Links

https://www.instagram.com/mariemvp

https://frombarefoottostilettos.com

From Barefoot to Stilettos, It's Not For Sissies by Marie Pizano

https://a.co/d/5gwnwbQ

12 Steps To Finding Your Yes by Marie Pizano

https://a.co/d/8F8afhu

MVP3

https://mvp3foundation.org

https://mvp3network.com/

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mariah Heller exposes what really happened to her when she was offered a deal with a major record label. She shares how the label took control of her image, silenced her voice, and used her past trauma as part of their branding—without her consent. Pressured to change her name, aesthetic, and personal narrative, she was told to lose weight and put on a strict diet under a label-assigned nutritionist.

She opens up about being silenced, manipulated, and nearly branded as a product of her pain. This is a raw look into music industry exploitation, mental health abuse, body image pressure, identity erasure, and the dangerous price of chasing a dream when the industry cares more about marketable trauma than authentic artistry.

Mariah’s Music and Business Socials:

Music

https://www.instagram.com/riahmusic

Linktr.ee/riahmusic1991

Business

https://www.instagram.com/pain_free_fitness

www.painfree-fitness.com

SAMHSA National Helpline 

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danielle shares what it was like to live in an abusive marriage while silently battling depression, alcoholism, and the pressures of motherhood. During the Covid pandemic, she was raising her children, working from home, and struggling from alcoholism. In this episode, we talk about the emotional toll of high-functioning addiction, domestic violence, and what it means to live in survival mode for so long that it starts to feel normal. Danielle opens up about the moment she knew she had to leave, the guilt that followed, and the process of starting over—for herself and for her kids.

SAMHSA National Helpline 

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 

800-799-SAFE or Text “START” to 88788

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At just 29 years old, Adriana Sansam lost her husband to a fentanyl overdose—leaving her to raise their three young children alone. she shares the reality of falling in love, building a family, and discovering her partner’s hidden struggle with heroin addiction. Adriana opens up about navigating sudden widowhood and the challenges of grief while raising kids. She also talks about battling postpartum depression and lifelong depression—silent struggles that shaped her journey long before and after loss. This powerful conversation explores the intersection of addiction, mental health, motherhood, and grief—and what it takes to keep going when everything falls apart.

Adriana’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/adrianasansam

https://www.facebook.com/p/Adriana-Sansam-100086399725563/

https://www.tiktok.com/@adriana.sansam

Just for Today Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@justfortodaypodcast

https://www.instagram.com/justfortodaypodcast

https://linktr.ee/justfortodaypodcast

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2, Charles opens up about his powerful journey through addiction, incarceration, and personal transformation. He reflects on the emotional toll of navigating the legal system, the impact on his family, and the hard lessons learned from jail time and courtrooms. Through faith, service work, and creative healing—like tattoos—he began to rebuild his identity and repair broken relationships. This conversation dives deep into trauma, recovery, and the evolution of addiction, highlighting the dangers of modern substance use, the importance of connection, and what it means to choose healing over survival.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Robb Kelly had it all—a music career, talent, success—until alcoholism took everything and left him living on the streets. In this raw conversation, he shares how addiction shattered his life and family, and the spiritual awakening that led him to recovery and a powerful reunion with his children.

Now a leading voice in addiction science, Dr. Kelly breaks down why traditional treatment models fail, the neuroscience of alcoholism, and how self-talk, nutrition, and neuroplasticity can rewire the brain for healing. He offers a new paradigm—one rooted in connection, family, and practical steps for daily change. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, loved someone who has, or questioned what real recovery looks like, this episode will shift your perspective.

Robb Kelly’s Website

https://robbkelly.com

Robb’s Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/addiction_doctor/

Robb’s Book - Daddy, Daddy Please Stop Drinking

https://a.co/d/gQ7MdPi

Contact:

General Questions
JANET@ROBBKELLY.COM

Office Phones
210-620-3555
214-649-5427

Schedule a call

https://robbkelly.com/schedule/

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles opens up about a life shaped by childhood trauma, addiction, mental health struggles, and the fight for identity. From a violent upbringing and a devastating car crash to the spiral into substance abuse, he shares the turning points that led him to seek help. This raw conversation covers the emotional weight of PTSD, broken family dynamics, infidelity, and the impact of addiction on fatherhood and marriage. With unfiltered honesty, Charles reveals how he rebuilt his life—finding hope, support, and a new path through recovery.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sheri shares her story of being groomed and trafficked by her boyfriend’s father at the age of 15. She details her journey from a shy teenager to a victim of manipulation and abuse due to human trafficking. The importance of awareness and education to prevent such tragedies is emphasized, illustrating how grooming can happen to any child, regardless of their background. Sheri’s story highlights the psychological impact of trafficking, the struggle for survival, and the long road to recovery after escaping her traffickers. Her resilience and determination to share her story serve as a beacon of hope for others who may be suffering in silence.

Sheri and Pearl at the Mailbox’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/pearlatthemailbox

https://www.facebook.com/pearlatthemailbox

https://x.com/at_mailbox15370

https://www.pearlatthemailbox.com

Sheri’s Books:

Pearl at the Mailbox

https://a.co/d/6iEnHZ4

Smart, Safe, and Strong

https://a.co/d/4jWY8Jg

National Grooming Prevention Hotline

https://www.ngph.org

623-688-3214

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vittorio "Wyatt" Gray's journey is one of surviving the unimaginable—kidnapping, rape, childhood abuse, and homelessness—while discovering his identity as a transgender man. He opens up about the emotional weight of growing up in an abusive family that struggled to accept him, the mental health toll of constant rejection, and the isolation of navigating gender identity in a world that often misunderstands. As he built a new life in the entertainment industry, Wyatt found strength in community, resilience through storytelling, and healing in embracing his truth. His voice now serves as a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals who face similar battles, reminding us of the deep need for compassion, support, and visibility.

Vittorio’s Socials and Website

www.VittorioWyattGray.com 

https://www.instagram.com/voiceactorvittorio/

Vittorio’s Book

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vittorio%20Wyatt%20Gray%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

Resources

Trans Lifeline

https://translifeline.org/

877-565-8860

The LGBT National Hotline

888-843-4564

Crisis Text Line

Text START to 741-741

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace Ann’s story isn’t just about surviving addiction or doing time—it’s about what happens when the system spits you out, and life still expects you to show up. In this episode, she opens up about catching federal RICO charges, navigating probation, and the reality of incarceration as a young mother. She talks about losing her son, finding her way back through grief, and how that pain pushed her to fight for sobriety. Grace also shares what it's like working behind the scenes in the music world with country rap artist Struggle Jennings, and how their friendship became a lifeline. This episode is a raw look at consequences, comeback stories, and the grit it takes to rebuild when the odds are stacked against you.

Grace Ann’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/graceann_angelsandoutlaws

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

https://www.facebook.com/GraceAnnAngelsandOutlaws

Struggle Jennings

https://www.instagram.com/iamstruggle

https://linktr.ee/IAMSTRUGGLE

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kira Wahlstrom shares her journey of trauma, survival, and the pursuit of justice after being brutally raped. She recounts the emotional turmoil faced by her and her family, the challenges of navigating the legal system, and the impact it had on her mental health. Kira discusses the civil trial that followed the criminal trial (the biggest premises liability case in Massachusetts history), the difficulties of testifying, and the eventual victory that set legal precedent. She emphasizes the importance of healing, the ongoing struggle with PTSD, and her commitment to raising awareness through a film about her story. Kira's resilience shines through as she advocates for others and reflects on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. She speaks on the mental health struggles she faced, the coping mechanisms she employed, and the importance of advocacy and support. Through her story, she highlights the complexities of trauma, the need for understanding, and the resilience required to heal and move forward.

Kira’s socials

https://www.instagram.com/mynameiskiraw

https://www.facebook.com/mynameiskiraw

Boston Herald Articles

https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/03/14/for-this-survivor-remaining-silent-was-not-an-option/

https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/03/15/vocal-rape-victim-is-a-beacon-of-hope-to-others/

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN 800-656-4673

https://rainn.org/consulting-services/Crisis-Support

Sexual Assault Crisis Text Line

741741

https://www.crisistextline.org

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roanna shares her harrowing journey of growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family within the cult-like religious group known as The Order of the Lamb. She opens up about the trauma she endured as a child—severe punishment, emotional control, and fear-based obedience—and how it shaped her mental health and sense of self.

Her story weaves through early play therapy with dolls, the isolating experience of being raised in a predominantly Mormon community, and the internal conflict between genuine spirituality and the oppressive structure of organized religion.

As she began to heal, repressed memories resurfaced, leading her to confront PTSD, complex triggers, and the legacy of abuse she was determined not to pass on to her own children. Roanna credits her therapist and osteopath with helping her navigate the most difficult parts of her healing.

She speaks powerfully about the importance of emotional awareness, the role of shame, and the courage it takes to face the truth. Through grief, growth, and education, Roanna is not only breaking generational cycles—she’s building a life rooted in truth, freedom, and purpose.

Roanna’s socials

https://www.instagram.com/thegfculinaryschool/

https://www.instagram.com/roannacanete/

https://thegfculinaryschool.com/

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Benedict shares her deeply personal and harrowing journey involving her late husband, Andrew, and the tragic murder of his first wife, Rachelle. She recounts the early years of their relationship, the challenges of young parenthood, and the shocking events that unfolded in their small town in Texas. As the story unravels, Sarah reflects on the devastating impact of Rachelle’s murder and the investigation that followed, touching on themes of trauma, justice, and the lasting scars of unresolved emotional pain.

The episode explores the complex dynamics of small-town life, the ripple effects of violent loss, and the emotional toll of navigating mental health struggles within a relationship. Sarah speaks candidly about the weight of supporting a loved one in crisis, the heartbreaking moment of Andrew’s suicide, and her journey through grief, searching for meaning and closure.

She highlights the vital role of town support, the power of truth in healing, and the transformative strength that can emerge from tragedy. Sarah also discusses the importance of addressing men’s mental health, breaking the silence around suicide, and supporting children and families through loss.

Project Unbroken

www.projectunbroken.org

Forensic Files' episode covering Rachelle's case:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muPm136yF5I

Mental Health/S.A Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carissa shares how her spark for life was reignited after meeting and working closely with powerhouse entrepreneur Jessie Lee Ward, who was navigating a Stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. As Jessie’s personal assistant, Carissa found herself transformed—not just by the challenges they faced together, but by Jessie’s relentless spirit, drive, and vulnerability.

In this powerful episode, Carissa opens up about overcoming chronic depression and anxiety, the deep impact of friendship, and how loss became a catalyst for purpose. She reflects on the importance of emotional honesty with her daughter, rebuilding after separation, and the courage it takes to be authentic while starting a new chapter.

Carissa’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/carissalovesu/

https://www.youtube.com/@carissalovesu

Jessie Lee’s

https://www.instagram.com/imbosslee/

https://www.youtube.com/@Imbosslee

https://www.tiktok.com/@imbosslee?lang=en

Mental Health/S.A Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amie Ichikawa shares her remarkable transformation from incarceration to becoming the founder of the Woman II Woman organization. She opens up about her experiences behind bars, the emotional and psychological toll of prison life, and the difficult transition back into society. Through her story, Amie sheds light on the harsh realities faced by incarcerated women, the silent battles with PTSD, and the urgent need for mental health support.

She also dives into the complex and often overlooked impact of gender self-ID laws on the safety and well-being of women in prison. Her insights reveal the systemic neglect, lack of proper healthcare, and legislative apathy that continue to endanger vulnerable populations within the justice system.

Amie’s advocacy focuses on the need for reform, empathy, and accountability. She challenges the status quo, amplifies the voices of incarcerated women, and calls for stronger support systems and protections.

*Trigger Warning: Discussion of SA and other explicit content

*We support the trans community and respect their right to safety, identity, and inclusion! This discussion of concern is not directed at trans individuals, but at violent offenders who are abusing gender self-ID laws to cause harm. 

Amie’s Socials

https://www.instagram.com/ichix310 

https://x.com/ichinita310

https://www.facebook.com/amie.ichikawa

Woman II Woman Organization

https://www.womaniiwoman.org 

https://www.facebook.com/WomaniiWomaninc 

https://x.com/womaniiwomaninc 

https://www.instagram.com/womaniiwomaninc 

Amie’s Articles of Support

California rape case

https://www.foxnews.com/us/third-strike-trans-rape-suspect-prompts-rebellion-against-ca-law-after-attack-womens-prison

https://abc7chicago.com/post/pronoun-use-center-rape-case-involving-former-chowchilla-central-california-womens-facility-prisoner-tremaine-carroll/15696730/

Wisconsin

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/01/1179301244/minnesota-settlement-lawsuit-transgender-inmate-christina-lusk-prison

New York

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/man-posing-as-transgender-woman-raped-female-prisoner-at-rikers-lawsuit-says/5067904/

https://nypost.com/2022/04/09/trans-serial-killer-harvey-marcelins-first-prison-interview/

New Jersey

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/nj-trans-prisoner-impregnated-2-inmates-transferred-mens-facility-rcna38947

Canada

https://torontosun.com/news/national/hunter-whos-pushing-violent-trans-sex-killer-on-female-prisons

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11818117/Canadas-trans-male-female-prisoners-killers-sex-criminals-alarming-study-shows.html

Baby case

https://torontosun.com/news/national/hunter-trans-dangerous-offender-raped-baby-wants-temporary-passes

Washington

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/former-female-inmate-files-lawsuit-claiming-sex-assaults-inmate-who-identified-woman/6VNDA4Y3TJENPBU2N3UFTJ6YE4/

Mental Health/S.A Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN 800-656-4673

Sexual Assault Crisis Text Line

741741

https://www.crisistextline.org

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of his powerful story, Trevor Beaman opens up about his journey through substance abuse, mental health struggles, and the impact of military life on his personal relationships. He reflects on the turning points that led him to seek help, asking for support within the military, and the realizations that came during deployments. Trevor also shares his transition to a new life in Key West and his path to healing through therapies like EMDR and ketamine treatment. This episode explores themes of healing, self-love, and the lasting effects of trauma on identity, parenting, and connection. It highlights the transformative power of therapy, the importance of community, and how sharing our stories can spark purpose, resilience, and generational change.

Trevor’s Links/Socials:

Trevor’s book, No One Else Can See Your Fire: https://a.co/d/5sgQN5R

https://trevorbeaman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevor_a_beaman

Veteran PTSD Resources:

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ptsd/next-step.asp

Combat Call Center: (877)WAR-VETS

PTSD Foundation of America -Veteran Line: (877)717-PTSD

https://ptsdusa.org

Mental Health/S.A Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN 800-656-4673

Sexual Assault Crisis Text Line

741741

https://www.crisistextline.org

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trevor Beaman is an active duty U.S. Army Green Beret, a husband, father, and a dedicated advocate for mental health and trauma awareness. He shares his journey from a difficult childhood marked by sexual abuse and dysfunction to the rigorous path of becoming a Special Forces soldier.

He opens up about the harsh realities of war—witnessing extreme violence in Afghanistan, losing fellow soldiers, and grappling with the psychological toll of combat. Trevor discusses how these experiences compounded his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, forcing him to confront the lasting impact of both his military career and his past.

Trevor’s Links/Socials:

Trevor’s book, No One Else Can See Your Fire: https://a.co/d/5sgQN5R

https://trevorbeaman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevor_a_beaman

Veteran PTSD Resources:

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ptsd/next-step.asp

Combat Call Center: (877)WAR-VETS

PTSD Foundation of America -Veteran Line: (877)717-PTSD

https://ptsdusa.org

Mental Health/S.A Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN 800-656-4673

Sexual Assault Crisis Text Line

741741

https://www.crisistextline.org

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Smith, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex therapist, shares her expertise in working with survivors of sexual trauma. She explores the crucial role of consent in therapy, the challenges trauma survivors face, and the diverse therapeutic approaches she employs to support healing. Emma also examines the profound influence of societal norms—such as purity culture—on individuals’ experiences of trauma, emphasizing the importance of trust and collaboration in the therapeutic process.  

In this compelling conversation, Emma and Chell navigate key aspects of sexual health, trauma, and therapy. They discuss the delicate dynamics of couples therapy—particularly in the context of trauma and infidelity—and the transformative journey from trauma to post-traumatic growth. Emma underscores the significance of specialized training in sex therapy, the exploration of sexual fantasies in a therapeutic setting, and the importance of finding the right therapist. Cultural influences on relationships also take center stage, offering a deeper understanding of how personal and societal narratives shape individual healing and intimacy.

Emma’s Socials and Contact

https://www.instagram.com/emmasmithphd

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/emma-j-smith-nashville-tn/443578

https://linktr.ee/EmmaSmithPhD

Emma’s Website: https://soliloquie.co/ 

Sexual Assault Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN 800-656-4673

https://rainn.org/consulting-services/Crisis-Support

Sexual Assault Crisis Text Line

741741

https://www.crisistextline.org

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nathan Wray's journey unfolds from being an "Air Force brat" to facing the harsh realities of bullying, substance abuse, and academic struggles. He reflects on the profound impact of his childhood experiences, the power of support and connection in education, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Emphasizing the importance of understanding and communication in both parenting and education, he highlights how these elements shape a child's path to success. His story delves into the consequences of past decisions, including a desperate escape from danger, a turning point with family, battles with sobriety, and the transformative experience of fatherhood. Coping with new responsibilities, financial hardships, and the resilience required to overcome adversity, he ultimately chooses purpose over pain, finding a fresh start in non-profit work. From personal struggles with substance use to becoming a passionate advocate for youth, Nathan sheds light on the importance of emotional regulation, strong support systems, and meaningful student engagement. Addressing the alarming rise of vaping among teenagers and the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, he underscores the significance of positive childhood experiences, the critical role of parental presence, and the lasting lessons from his father about preparation and performance.

Nathan’s Socials and Links

https://www.nathanwrayspeaks.com

https://www.facebook.com/nwrayspeaks

https://www.instagram.com/thatnathanwray

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

https://www.gigsalad.com/nathan_wray_harriman

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tessa Jennings shares her deeply personal journey through mental health struggles, addiction, loss, and redemption after a tragic DUI accident that took a life and led to her imprisonment. She opens up about the emotional and legal consequences of her actions, the overwhelming guilt she carried, and the societal judgment she faced. As she navigated the hardships of incarceration, she also endured the devastating loss of her sister to suicide, highlighting the painful intersections of grief, mental health struggles, and the failures of the mental health system. Tessa reflects on her path to healing, the coping mechanisms that helped her—including skydiving—and the difficulties of rebuilding her life after prison. She discusses the importance of self-discovery, authenticity, and using her experiences to raise awareness about addiction, mental health, and the power of second chances. Through her story, she hopes to inspire others to find meaning in their struggles and to advocate for compassion and change.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

Drunk Driving Prevention Resource

https://www.responsibility.org/end-impaired-driving

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chell, the host, shares her deeply personal journey through trauma, love, and loss. In order to help other widows, she opens up about the heartbreaking experience of losing her first husband due to a tragic drunken night that ultimately led to the accident. She reflects on past experiences—including tumultuous relationships and the weight of generational trauma—that have shaped her life. Chell candidly recounts the events of the accident, the emergency response, and the heart-wrenching decisions that followed. Her story stands as a testament to resilience and the complex process of healing from profound grief. Through her narrative, Chell illuminates the emotional struggles of widowhood, the challenges of societal judgment, and the transformative power of empathy and support. Her reflections on the raw realities of grief and personal healing aim to offer comfort and understanding to others navigating similar journeys.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naima Hill opens up about her profound journey through grief after the tragic loss of her daughter, Avy, and her beloved dog in a devastating car accident. She shares the raw reality of navigating immense sorrow, the challenges of finding support, and the ways in which society often falls short in offering empathy to those experiencing deep loss.

In her quest to honor Avy’s memory, Naima turned her pain into purpose by founding a nonprofit dedicated to creating spaces that celebrate love and remembrance. She reflects on the contradictions of joy and sorrow, the weight of PTSD, and the complexities of moving forward while carrying the past.

In this heartfelt conversation, Naima and Chell explore the impact of trauma and grief, the struggles of overprotection and fear, and the unpredictable stages of healing. They discuss the power of storytelling, the importance of community, and the ongoing journey of finding light amid the darkness. Naima’s resilience serves as a testament to the strength it takes to rebuild after loss, proving that even in the depths of grief, love and legacy can endure.

Avy’s Sunshine Tribe Foundation

https://avyssunshinetribe.com/

https://www.instagram.com/avyssunshinetribe 

https://www.facebook.com/AvysSunshineTribe

Beyond the Monsters Socials

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters

https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters

*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:

https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153

Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.