In this episode of Rights and Remedies, I speak with Renee Bernhard, co-founder and executive director of Be The Source, a nonprofit transforming child welfare support across Colorado. Renee is a former foster parent with a deep commitment to supporting families and children experiencing child welfare. She co-founded Be The Source (formerly Foster Source) to improve foster parent retention and advocate for the needs of foster and kinship families. Renee also speaks nationally and intern...

In this episode of Rights and Remedies, I sit down with Sophie Stephenson, Director of Operations at the Madison Tech Clinic and a PhD candidate in computer sciences at UW-Madison. Her research focuses on understanding and combating modern forms of technology-facilitated abuse - work that is not only groundbreaking but urgently needed. The Madison Tech Clinic provides direct, trauma-informed services to survivors of tech-based abuse across Wisconsin. Sophie shares how her team helps sur...

Content Warning: This episode discusses child abuse, neglect, and child welfare. What does it take to be a foster parent - and why are so many leaving the system? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, founder of The Foster Care Institute, who has welcomed over 60 children into his home. From the heartbreak of child loss to the systemic issues plaguing foster care, including burnout, compassion fatigue, and lack of placements, Dr. DeGarmo offers a frank and compassionate look...

In this episode of Rights and Remedies, I speak with Liz Entin - entrepreneur, podcast host, and a secondary witness in both New York trials against Harvey Weinstein. Liz shares her experience testifying in one of the most high-profile sexual assault cases in recent history and offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on what it’s like to be part of the legal process as a witness. We explore the emotional, mental, and legal challenges of testifying, the unexpected empowerment she f...

In this episode of Rights and Remedies, I speak with multi-disciplinary artist from Brooklyn, Choichun Leung about the deeply personal and often complex journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse. Choichun shares how suppressed memories surfaced later in life, especially after becoming a mother, and how art became both her outlet and her guide through recovery. We explore the origins of her Young Girl Project, work that began with unfinished sketches and evolved into a graphic-styl...

In this episode of Rights & Remedies, I sit down with Elizabeth Payne and Emily Jones from the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) to explore what legal advocacy really looks like for survivors of sexual harm. We dig into the criminal vs. civil legal systems and the massive disconnect between what survivors expect and what actually happens when they report. From how prosecutors aren’t your personal attorney to the overwhelming silence many face after filing a report, El...

What happens when a former federal prosecutor turns reformer, and uses data and AI to change the system from the inside out? This week on Rights and Remedies, host Alison Mahoney is joined by Allison Pierre, founder of Innovative Prosecution Consulting. After years working at the Brooklyn DA’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C., Allison pivoted to fight for fairness in a different way: helping prosecutors and public defenders harness the power of data and AI to improve outcomes, re...

In this episode of Rights and Remedies, I’m joined by Meg Applegate, CEO of UNSILENCED, a nonprofit dedicated to ending institutional child abuse in the so-called "troubled teen" industry. Meg shares her harrowing story of being abducted at age 15 and held in two residential facilities for over three years. She details her long journey of waking up to the abuse she experienced, and how that healing process ultimately led her to create UNSILENCED, one of the most active survivor-led organizati...

In this episode, I sit down with Dani Fankhauser - writer and intuitive coach - to explore how writing can be a transformative tool for healing. Together, we delve into: Dani's experience of writing and its impact on her healing journeyThe role of intuition and spirituality in the writing processHow writing can serve as a form of self-discovery and empowermentPractical advice for aspiring writers looking to tell their own storiesWhether you're a writer, a survivor, or someone seeking to ...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Shannon Meyer, the Executive Director of Response, a nonprofit doing critical work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking here in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. Shannon’s path to this work is unlike any I’ve heard - she came from a background in environmental conservation and ended up leading a survivor services organization through a period of major transformation. We talked about what it’s re...

Trigger warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of domestic violence, reproductive coercion, and sexual assault. Please listen with care. In this raw and unflinching conversation, Lynn Stroud shares her powerful story of surviving reproductive coercion, intimate partner violence, and the long journey from silence to advocacy. What started as a seemingly small betrayal became a pivotal moment that exposed the deeper patterns of control, abuse, and manipulation she endured f...

TW: This episode contains discussion of emotional abuse, narcissism, and trauma. Please take care while listening. What does it really take to rebuild your life after narcissistic abuse and deep emotional trauma? In this powerful episode, holistic counselor, author, and podcast host Lorene Roberts opens up about her personal journey from feeling completely broken to finding emotional freedom, and now helping others do the same. We dive into: The signs of narcissistic abuse most people...

If you’ve just discovered an intimate photo or video of yourself online without your consent, take a breath - you are not alone, and there is a way forward. When you're hit with the shock of finding an intimate image shared without your consent, the instinct is clear: make it disappear, fast. But here’s the hard truth: deleting too quickly could erase the very evidence you need to take legal action, get the content removed, or hold the person responsible accountable. Whether you're thinking ...

Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault. When writer and activist Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs was sexually assaulted by someone she knew and trusted, she began a journey that was painful, confusing, and deeply transformational. She reported to police, went through a two-year legal process, and along the way, realized how few meaningful, survivor-centered resources were available. So she created her own. In this episode of Rights + Remedies, Cheyenne shares the story beh...

Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, including the sexual abuse of minors. In this powerful episode of Rights + Remedies, I'm joined by Justin Boardman, retired detective and nationally recognised advocate for trauma-informed policing. Justin Boardman served as a detective in the Special Victims Unit for 15 years. Today, he’s a national speaker, consultant, and advocate for trauma-informed practices in gender-based violence cases. He co-authored a trauma-informed...

***TRIGGER WARNING: Child Abuse and Child Neglect*** The foster care system is complex, and for many families, navigating the legal process can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Rights + Remedies, Jill Roth-Gutman, a Child Welfare Law Specialist and experienced attorney, breaks down the key aspects of child welfare law and foster care. Jill shares: 🔹 What actually happens in court during a foster care case 🔹 The steps to becoming a licensed foster home 🔹 The adoption process, and how fo...

***TRIGGER WARNING: Child Abuse and Child Neglect*** Teenagers in foster care face an uphill battle - not just in finding placements but in overcoming the trauma they’ve endured. In this episode of Rights + Remedies, I sit down with Tiffani Dhooge, a relentless advocate for at-risk youth and CEO of Children’s Harbor, to discuss the realities of foster care and the power of community in healing trauma. Tiffani shares: 🔹 How her career started in the broom closet of a foster care agency and...

***TRIGGER WARNING: Cyber Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse*** In today's episode, I'm joined by Lindsay Lieberman, attorney and founder of Lindsay Lieberman, LLC, a legal and consulting firm dedicated to advocating for victims of cyber abuse. From sextortion to deep fakes, Lindsay works to support survivors and educate parents, schools, and law enforcement on the dangers of digital harm. We discuss: How cyber abuse impacts victims of sexual and domestic violenceWhy parents often underes...

In this episode, I'll shed light on the growing intersection of domestic violence and cyber abuse. While domestic violence is often thought of as physical or emotional harm, digital abuse is an increasing tool used by perpetrators to assert control, seek revenge, and punish victims. Today, I'll be talking about: The different types of domestic violence and their digital counterpartsThe dangers of deep fakes, doxing, revenge porn, sextortion, and image-based sexual abuseShocking statistics: 1 ...

In this episode, I'm joined by somatic trauma-informed coach Darla Radilla to discuss the journey of healing from narcissistic abuse and reclaiming your power. Darla shares her personal experiences of surviving an abusive childhood and multiple toxic relationships, and how she turned her pain into a mission to help others. We Explore: The signs of narcissistic abuse, including the love-bomb, devalue, discard cycle.How our bodies often know when something isn’t right - and why it’s crucial ...