Carol White, Doctor of Nursing Practice and abuse survivor, shares her mother's legacy of surviving her own abuse through publishing her mother's poetry.'My mother was a survivor of domestic violence who, after 23 years of marriage, was able to escape her husband. She filed charges against him and carried those through to trial. But writing poetry was her lifeline. While she was alive, my mother did not have the confidence or money to bring her work to publication outside of entering poetry...

The COVID-19 pandemic that began in March of 2020 is now in its third year. While it seems we're in an improving environment, it's still something we're all dealing with. How has the pandemic affected DASAS's services over the last couple years? What are we looking to in the future? This DASAS panel explores these questions in this episode. ———————————If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at 800-828-2023 or visit www.DASASMI.org.Subscribe for a new episode each...

Silas Caste, single father of 2 boys and the author of Interrupted Dreams, joins Dan on this episode to share his survivor story and his journey to becoming an author. His fictional thriller is based on the true events of his own story of domestic abuse and would-be murder. He says he wanted to write this book as a way to highlight attention to males who endure the consequences of domestic violence – and to offer hope and assurance that there is a way forward.* Website:...

What is intimate partner violence? Is intimate partner violence the same as domestic violence? What are the differences?The term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. DASAS therapist Elizabeth Alderson explains where the current term intimate partner violence stems from and how it compares to the standard term domestic violence.———————————If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at...

Christina Vitagliano is an author, entrepreneur, and the founder of the successful Family entertainment concept, Monster Mini Golf (https://pampum-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1uWJ85IwobxG0qyYhS9iRuZx1PiGWuS8-6CTKPfqMMu4-2092254946&key=YAMMID-68374142&link=https%3A%2F%2Fmonsterminigolf.com%2F). She's also a survivor of childhood abuse. In this episode, Christina shares her story of overcoming an abusive childhood to build a multi-million dollar business.Having spent...

The holidays can be tough for anyone. They're especially difficult for victims and survivors of abuse. Oftentimes they're immersed in family where their abuser lives. Or perhaps the question of, "Where is that nice person you were dating last year?" brings up all the emotions of surviving abuse. Whatever the case, Elizabeth Alderson, therapist at DASAS, offers insights into surviving the holidays as a survivor.———————————If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at...

Assistant Prosecutor St Joe County Debbie Davis joins Claudia Pahls on this episode to discuss how the Court is helping victims of violence.———————————If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at 800-828-2023 or visit www.DASASMI.org.Subscribe for a new episode each week. We publish every Wednesday morning at 8:00am. Subscribe to the weekly email newsletter here (http://eepurl.com/gtqeRb) or at our website here (https://www.dasasmi.org/podcast).We appreciate your help...

Host Dan Moyle met Amy Malin while conducting a business podcast interview. When she mentioned that she was a survivor of abuse, and how that was one factor in why she gave to others, Dan knew her story would resonate on I'm Not In An Abusive Relationship. Since the early 2000's, social entrepreneur Amy Malin "has worked at the intersection of Hollywood and philanthropy with her cause agency Trueheart where she connected celebrities and purpose-driven brands to team up for great causes."...

Hear Danielle’s survivor story and how she now helps others who face what she faced as a victim. * Domestic Harmony Shelter - Hillsdale, MI (https://www.domesticharmony.org/) * Read Danielle's story by Tine University (https://www.trine.edu/news/2021/tbtn.aspx) ——————————— If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at 800-828-2023 or visit www.DASASMI.org. Subscribe for a new episode each week. We publish every Wednesday morning at 8:00am. Subscribe to the weekly...

Margo Pierce, Drop-In Center Facilitator at the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, joins Dan Moyle in this conversation to close out Pride Month 2021. Margo is trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, CRM, and recently Healthy Relationships (with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community). She and Dan talk about issues facing the LGBTQ+ Community including intimate partner violence, domestic abuse and more. * OutCenter of Southwest Michigan (https://outcenter.org/) ——————————— If you need resources or...

Domestic abuse and sexual violence is often seen through a lens of cisgender, heterosexual relationships. It's an easy stereotype to fall back on. Unfortunately, abuse occurs across all relationship types, regardless of sexual or gender identity. J. Kyon, Community Impact Lead at the Kalamazoo YWCA, joins Dan Moyle on this episode to talk about the intersections of marginalized community members of the LGBTQIA+ Community as they face abuse while also facing societal judgements. Kalamazoo YWCA...

Lois Hollis, RN, BSN, REV. is a shame guilt educator, counselor, filmmaker. In this episode, Lois shifts our opinion on the taboo subject, shame and guilt. As a trailblazer, she helped create one of the first Kidney Hemodialysis Units in the USA in 1966. Today Lois establishes shame guilt as an independent study. Her 50 years’ experience in health, 15 years’ researching, and counseling brings NEW knowledge of these misunderstood conditions to release us from shame guilt blaming. Lois’ first...

Pamela Riley, Executive Director of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging, joins Dan Moyle to discuss Elder Abuse Awareness Month. In this episode, learn what elder abuse looks like, how you can keep an eye on your aging neighbors, the warning signs and more. Links: * St. Joseph County Commission on Aging website (https://www.sjccoa.com/) * Find an enrichment center near you (https://www.sjccoa.com/contactus.php) * St. Joseph County Commission on Aging on Facebook...

A quick programming note: I'm Not In An Abusive Relationship will take a brief hiatus for the month of May. We will return in June with new episodes. Thank you for listening. ——————————— If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at 800-828-2023 or visit www.DASASMI.org. Subscribe for a new episode each week. We publish every Wednesday morning at 8:00am. Subscribe to the weekly email newsletter here (http://eepurl.com/gtqeRb) or at our website here...

Healthy relationships look different for everyone. And sometimes, an unhealthy relationship isn't the fault of just one person. Looking for the red flags can be hard work. That's the idea behind Dean Anderson's book Was That a Red Flag? Dean shares his story of how he wrote the book and how he's helping people dealing with their relationships, find warning signs, and make better decisions. Links: * Was That a Red Flag? (https://fultonbooks.com/books/?book=was-that-a-red-flag?) * Information...

National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. (National Child Abuse Awareness Month resource (https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/)) Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services (DASAS) has child advocates to help prevent child abuse, to help children facing abuse and to offer services for families. On this episode, Claudia and a DASAS panel cover what...

Renee Abrams and Katey McPherson of Bark, a technology to help parents and caregivers proactively monitor text messages, social media and more for their children's safety, join Dan on this episode to talk about keeping our kids safe from sexual assault online. From red flags to technology to help, this conversation covers a lot as we continue our Sexual Assault Awareness Month coverage. Resources mentioned in this episode: * Bark (https://www.bark.us/) * Protect Young Eyes...

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we are helping parents and caretakers talk to their children about sexual assault. It's not easy to approach the subject without scaring (and scarring) them. But it's also not good to ignore the possibilities. On this episode, a panel of DASAS team members tackle the question "I'm afraid of scaring my children by talking to them about sexual abuse, but I'm also afraid not to talk to them about it. What should I do?" ——————————— If you need resources or...

In this episode, DASAS Executive Director Krista DeBoer shares information about a presentation she gave the DASAS Board of Directors on media coverage— news and entertainment media— on sexual assault, harassment, abuse and rape. Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is a campaign each April to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. The goal is to bring as many organizations together to highlight sexual violence...

Nicole Railsback - Co-Owner and Operator of Railsback Indoor Sports Expo - The RISE in Southwest Michigan, shares her story of abuse, escape, a return to the person who abused her, ultimately escaping and the damage her return caused... coupled with forgiveness, love and survival. * The RISE (https://www.riserailsbacksports.com/) ——————————— If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour hotline at 800-828-2023 or visit www.DASASMI.org. Subscribe for a new episode each week. We...

Bill Furr, President of the Board of Directors at DASAS and chair of the facilities committee, joins Dan on this episode to discuss how listeners can help support Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services (DASAS). From giving money to donating supplies to our emergency shelter, you can help us support survivors in many ways. * DASAS Wish List (https://www.dasasmi.org/wish-list) * Donate to DASAS (https://www.dasasmi.org/donate) ——————————— If you need resources or help in any way, call our 24 hour...

After two years and 100 episodes, some of the people behind I'm Not In An Abusive Relationship gather to discuss where we started, what expectations we had and where are now. As of this release, our little podcast produced in Southwest Michigan for our 3 counties we support has been downloaded (or streamed) nearly 80,000 times. We average 792 downloads/plays per episode (the industry average is 140 per episode). We reach every state in the U.S. plus another 103 countries. Our goal to spread...

Survivors of sexual abuse (and domestic violence) span genders, sex, orientation and other identifiers. In other words, yes, men are victims, too. In this episode, you'll hear from a licensed counselor who helps men find hope and healing. Papillion 'Poppy' DeBoer is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who, among other clients, specializes in helping male survivors navigate their healing. Poppy uses evidence-based techniques and methods, drawing primarily from Acceptance and Commitment...

Laura Kopacz is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE Nurse) at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital Branch County Sexual Assault Services. On this episode, Laura explores the question, "Is most violence against women committed by strangers?" Laura also explains what survivors of sexual abuse can expect when working with medical professionals trained in working with victims/survivors. Important note: victims of sexual assault do not pay for this service. There is no cost to you as a survivor...