Down the Rabbit Hole

This episode includes discussions of domestic violence, sexual violence, hate crimes, anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and homicide. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and feel free to pause and return when you are ready. How can survivors feel safe asking for help when the systems meant to support them do not reflect who they are? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, we welcome Johnny Argumedo, Anti-Violence Program Specialist at the Montrose Center, to discuss the realities LGBTQ+ survivors face when seeking support. Johnny shares how the Anti-Violence Program provides advocacy, therapy, case management, housing assistance, prevention services, professional training, and community outreach. He discusses barriers to safety and together we unpack what safety means beyond physical protection, how organizations can demonstrate meaningful allyship, and what accountability should look like after a harmful misstep. Johnny also explores the importance of chosen family, community connection, and creating a future where LGBTQ+ people can live and love without fear. Tune in to learn about survivor support, belonging, and building safer communities with Johnny Argumedo. https://montrosecenter.org/

This episode explores topics of homophobia and identity-based violence. Please listen with care.Happy Pride!Today is all about being an LGBTQIA+ parent and parenting LGBTQIA+ kids. We are joined by Sam, a father of two, and an advocate at Safer Path Family Violence Shelter and by Lucas, the Director of Development for The Delores Project and father of three. Join us as we get into our main discussion by unpacking queer identities and how they inform how we show up at work and at home. We talk about how Pride support differs in smaller communities compared to larger ones, the effects of social media on queer identities, and the pressures of being an influential LGBTQIA+ voice or community leader. We also learn how to approach uncomfortable conversations, how to set boundaries with your kids and other family members and why leading with love is the best way to support queer youth and those struggling with their identities. Finally, Sam and Lucas describe how their jobs and skills in advocacy help them better navigate difficult conversations while exploring the importance of creating safe and secure healing spaces for the Pride community.Resources: Family Acceptance Project - San Francisco State UniversityNo One Taught Me How to Be a ManThe Delores Project

What happens when healthcare and the criminal justice system intersect? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William, Samantha, and Tracie dive into the world of forensic nursing in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Joined by forensic nursing specialists Karen Carroll and Kalen Knight from the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN), they explore the critical role that forensic nurses play in patient advocacy, evidence collection, and legal proceedings. The conversation highlights the importance of trauma-informed care, the wide-ranging responsibilities of forensic nurses beyond sexual assault cases, and the ethical and legal challenges they navigate daily. You’ll also discover how forensic nurses contribute to justice by bridging the gap between medicine and law. Whether you're a healthcare professional, legal expert, a survivor of violence and trauma, or simply curious about the unseen heroes of the medical world, be sure to tune in for an eye-opening look at a profoundly important profession dedicated to care, compassion, and accountability! This episode involves discussions of sensitive topics, including sexual assault, death, and domestic violence. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If you need to take a break, feel free to do so. You can always return to the podcast whenever you're ready. IAFN Website: https://www.forensicnurses.org/IAFN Foundation: https://fundforensicnursing.org/SAFEta Resource Page: https://www.safeta.org/

Young people are essential to the future of advocacy and social justice, but how do we create meaningful opportunities for them to engage? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Samantha, William, and Tracie are joined by TCFV interns Mishal Ali and Veronika Croan to explore youth involvement in the movement to end domestic violence and promote social change. They dive into the challenges young people face when trying to get involved, including organizational hesitancy and lack of awareness, and share creative outreach strategies that make engagement more accessible. The conversation highlights the power of mentorship, the importance of social media as a recruitment tool, and how organizations can align their messaging with their mission to foster an inclusive and empowering culture for youth. Whether you’re an organization looking to better engage youth or a young person eager to make a difference, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn how to break down barriers, cultivate young leaders, and ensure that youth voices aren’t just included but heard and valued!

As the holiday season approaches, creating trauma-informed spaces is more important than ever. In this episode, William and Tracie are joined by Diane Bocklage, Family Violence Services Manager at TCFV, to discuss how the ReCentered Project helps domestic violence organizations prioritize wellness for survivors and staff alike. By fostering environments of trust, support, and emotional care, ReCentering ensures that trauma-informed practices extend beyond direct services, promoting long-term healing and sustainable wellbeing for everyone involved. You’ll learn how the ReCentered Project empowers centers to make survivor-centered changes, such as revising policies, enhancing staff support, and improving program structures. This also includes offering staff wellness programs, creating supportive environments that reduce burnout, and ensuring that trauma-informed care is not only practiced with survivors but also within the staff culture. By promoting a holistic approach to wellbeing, ReCentering helps organizations build sustainable, compassionate systems that address both immediate needs and long-term healing. Tune in to learn more about how this process is shaping safer, more inclusive spaces!

It’s incredibly powerful when a survivor begins to see their true selves again and separate from the trauma they’ve experienced, and occupational therapy is an underrated lifeboat that brings calm and clarity to the tumultuous sea of domestic violence. Today, we are joined by two incredible women from Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support in Dallas – CEO Jan Langbein and Occupational Therapist Saidah Fletcher. Our guests begin with their journeys into the DV movement before detailing the inner workings of the remarkable Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support. We define occupational therapy and highlight its importance in DV, why Genesis was deliberate and urgent in hiring its own onsite occupational therapist, the benefits of occupation therapy for survivors, and some helpful advice for OTs who are active in the DV space. We end with a deeper exploration of the intersectionality between DV, OT, and improved family life, the pros and cons of having an onsite OT in DV centers, and helpful resources for OTs in DV that underline our guest’s hopes for how this episode will impact listeners. This podcast explores topics of intimate partner violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. Please listen with care and take breaks as you need to. Resources mentioned in this episode: Genesis Women's Shelter & Support Occupational Therapy at Genesis Domestic Violence at Genesis Conference on Crimes Against Women Brain Breaks with Miss S

This podcast explores topics of intimate partner violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. If you have the strength to listen, please do so with care. The United States v. Rahimi brought about a telling ruling that could have a widespread impact on the policing of domestic and family violence cases involving firearms. To help unpack the Rahimi decision and its consequences, William and Samantha are joined by Amanda, the Legal Sub-Team Manager at TCFV, who explains how she ended up at TCFV and why she got involved in this line of work. Then, we dive into the Rahimi case and begin to understand its core issues before seeing how the case played out in various courts, the underlying issues that made advocates fearful of the final ruling, how Bruen relates to Rahimi, and the ins and outs of the Supreme Court’s decision. To end, we share everything we hope will happen next after the relief of the Rahimi verdict. https://tcfv.org/wp-content/uploads/TCFV-2022-HTV-Report_Final-Web2.pdf

In 2024, Pride is a movement, but it originated as a collection of moments when brave LGBTQ people who were experiencing severe hardships stood up for their identities. In celebration of Pride month, we are joined by the CEO of The Montrose Center, Avery Belyeu to discuss the LGBTQ+ community, their resilience, the intersection between the community and domestic violence, and the challenges of being queer in Texas. More specifically, you’ll hear about our guest’s life as an LGBTQ activist, the incredible Montrose Center and what they offer, where Pride originated from, why it is so important, and so much more! We delve into the public health issues surrounding domestic violence in LGBTQ communities before discussing cultural fluency and cultural humility. We even talk about how faith communities can either be healing or dangerous for the LGBTQ community and how to find joy and resilience as a queer person, even in harsher environments like Texas. Finally, Avery shares her hopes and dreams for her community. Thank you for tuning in and happy Pride! Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for homophobia and violence against the LGBTQ+ community and may be sensitive to some listeners. Please listen with care.