Join Nicole and Deb on the latest episode of "Not Just a Hashtag" as they delve into the complexities of dealing with sexual abuse, self-respect, and the importance of setting clear boundaries based on biblical principles of self-love and behavioral change. In this thought-provoking conversation, they share their personal experiences with anger and frustration, and emphasize the significance of accountability for one's actions. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining boundaries within...

Join us for an important episode where our team addresses the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. We explore the need for survivors to prioritize biblical self-care over the self-care that the world promotes. Our experts offer practical tips on maintaining discipline in your daily routine, grounding your identity in Christ, practicing gratitude, and trusting God during difficult times. We believe biblical self-care is an effective tool to help you grow in integrity and personal growth when done...

The podcast “Not Just a Hashtag” by Trees of Hope explores the multifaceted issue of sexual abuse, intertwining personal narratives with education on the subject. It features discussions on the prevalence of sexual abuse, recognizing its signs, and methods for prevention. The host shares the story behind the creation of Trees of Hope and details their “Shelter from the Storm” curriculum designed to facilitate healing while safeguarding personal information. The ministry was founded as a...

On this episode of the Not Just a Hashtag podcast, host Nicole Escobar and guest Deb Marsalisi have a candid conversation about sexual abuse and its effects. They both share their personal experiences as survivors, emphasizing the importance of being vulnerable and the need for Christians to be seen as real people. The discussion covers a history of abuse within a dysfunctional family, which led to issues with body image, self-worth, and unhealthy relationships. The episode highlights the...

As the team, Nicole Escobar and Kristen Torres, continue their candid conversation about the impact of sexual abuse on a person's life, they share how minimization plays a significant role in the healing process. Nicole shares her personal story of minimization and encourages listeners to take an honest and courageous look at their story and allow the truth of their abuse to guide them to a deeper level of healing! This episode serves as a refresher of what sexual abuse is and what effect...

In this episode, the Trees of Hope team revisits its mission and the purpose of the podcast. They engage in a candid conversation about the impact of sexual abuse on a person's life. For both new listeners and long-time followers, this episode serves as a refresher on the organization's identity and offers a safe and welcoming space for survivors seeking the courage to share their stories. If you're looking for support, the "Not Just a Hashtag" podcast is the perfect place for you! ---...

In this episode, the team examines why many survivors struggle with self-talk and limiting beliefs about what they can or can't do, how they will heal, and if they will heal. So this episode gives some tips on prioritizing yourself and encouraging yourself when no one else will. If you struggle with insecurities, doubts, or disbelief that healing is possible, this episode is for you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notjustahashtag/support

In this second episode of a two-part series, the team discusses the state of our children and youth. Like never before in our lifetime, the topics of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and the sexualization of our children have been headlining the news and social media posts over the past year. Much of the discussion concerns children being exposed to content in the public school system with an overt sexual agenda that doesn’t protect their innocent hearts and minds. So in this episode, the...

In this first episode of a two-part series, the team discusses the state of our children and youth. Like never before in our lifetime, the topics of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and the sexualization of our children have been headlining the news and social media posts over the past year. Much of the discussion concerns children being exposed to content in the public school system with an overt sexual agenda that doesn’t protect their innocent hearts and minds. So in this episode, the...

In this episode, the team talks about how we can choose joy in every circumstance, even when life isn't going the way we want or we are suffering. Of course, happiness is not the same as joy. We may not be able to choose happiness all the time. But we can always choose joy. We can overcome our fear, doubts, worry, and anxiety when we lean into God's joyful nature. We can grow through dark times instead of letting them paralyze us. When we suffer or have pain in our life, we can tap into the...

In this episode, the team talks about the lie of shame which says, “I am what I am. I can’t change. I’m hopeless.” When we believe this lie, it makes us feel like we have no worth or value. When we feel hopeless, we might make choices that reinforce those feelings. We might turn to substance abuse or other reckless decisions to numb the pain. Or, we may self-sabotage because we have no hope for anything better. If you have ever struggled with feeling hopeless because of a wrong decision or...

In this third episode of our four-part series, the team covers lie number three from the book Search For Significance. This lie tells us that because I have failed, I am unworthy and deserve to be punished. This lie results in self-loathing or blaming others for our failures. Consider a time when you have failed. Did you look inward, or did you blame somebody else for it, and you became the victim? If you took it upon yourself, did you look at the failure as an isolated incident, or did you...

In this second episode of our three-part series, the team covers lie number two from the book Search For Significance. This lie tells us that I must have the approval of certain people to feel good about myself. This is the lie of the approval addict, which results in fear of rejection. Many survivors find themselves in the trap of - I must be approved by others to be loved, have worth, and find identity. No matter how young or old we are, we are all just like the little child with the...

In this first episode of our three-part series, the team covers lie number one from the book Search For Significance. This lie tells us that I must meet specific standards to feel good about myself. This is the lie of perfectionism or the lie that I must perform to be considered worthy.  Many survivors find themselves in the trap of - I must perform a certain way to be loved, have worth, and find your identity. In addition, this way of thinking makes you believe that if I'm successful, I'm...

This month we are starting a four-part series based on the book Search for Significance, which Robert McGhee wrote.  Self-worth is vital, but it's where we find our worth that is the most important. The world will try to tell us where our identity comes from. Most people find self-worth in the outward thing or what they have achieved. But what happens when we fail? Do we still have self-worth, and do we still think we have value? We have to be careful about where we find our identity. We...

In this episode, mental health counselor, Kristan Torres, explains the importance of understanding your story - where you've come from, what you've been through, and what you're going through now. We need to understand and wrestle through our stories to find true freedom. We can know our story factually, such as seeing that we've been through sexual abuse. But understanding it and working through the details of it and the effects that it's had on our lives is a whole different story. It's a...

In episodes 41 - 43, we talked about the lies that survivors believe about themselves and the abuse they experienced that prevents them from healing. In this episode, we get the perspective of our male facilitator, Justin Young, as he shares from the second recording from our men's study called Renew on how these lies have affected his life and journey from healing. Justin's story is highly relatable and inspiring! We hope this episode will encourage you to make yourself a priority and to get...

This month we are wrapping up our three-part series on intimacy. In this last episode, the team looks at three critical barriers to intimacy - compulsive behaviors, need suppression, and unforgiveness. We often use these barriers to readjust or suppress our intimacy needs. Some people run out of ways to fulfill their needs, so they try to make themselves believe that they can live without intimacy. But, that's a lie! We were created to be connected to God and to other people. This episode is...

This month we are continuing with our three-part series on intimacy. In this second episode, the team looks at how a critical spirit or judgmental attitude can affect physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. We also talk about three different reasons people avoid intimacy and how those become barriers to genuine closeness with others.  Intimacy involves being open and talking through your thoughts and emotions, being vulnerable, and showing someone else how you feel and your hopes and...

This month we are starting a three-part series on intimacy and how sexual abuse can affect physical, emotional, and spiritual closeness. This episode will build the framework for the rest of the episodes by looking at what intimacy is and not. We will examine some feelings and related behaviors resulting from a lack of intimacy. Survivors often isolate themselves because their need for intimacy is not met. Anytime a personal need is not met, we experience painful feelings.  This episode is...

In this episode, the team looks at what sexual abuse is, the importance of terminology, and helping survivors understand its effect on their lives. When it comes to sexual abuse, terminology is fundamental for in healing process. However, if you have never been taught correct terminology, you can wrongly classify your abuse. The hard truth is that you cannot identify what you do not understand. If you are a survivor, we hope this episode encourages you to share your story with others one...

As we kick off a new season and year, we wanted to start 2022 with an episode about why a survivor should heal from sexual abuse. In this episode, Nicole Escobar shares her story of abuse and why she is so passionate about the work that Trees of Hope is doing. In this episode, we also share with you the first recording of our new men's study called Renew, that features our dear friend, Justin Young. Justin is a survivor of sexual abuse and our online men's facilitator. Justin's story is...

Over the past few months, we have been talking about the false beliefs that victims believe about themselves or the abuse they went through. As a recap, the false beliefs are: It's my fault. I must have been a terrible person for them to do this to me. I wanted them to do this to me. It didn't happen! I must have made it up. Last month we talked about having low self-esteem, which is one of the consequences of believing these false beliefs. The other two consequences that we cover in...

In this episode, Stevie and Nicole cover why a survivor should not reduce or downplay their abuse and the consequences of believing the lie that somehow the abuse was your fault.  Survivors often minimize their sexual abuse. This can be because the person who abused you made you believe that the situation was harmless. But it is so important that despite the messages you heard or the lies you believed, that you should not minimize the crime committed against you.  Often survivors feel that...