What Came Next

Content warning: organized crime, murder, attempted murder, extortion, child abuse, physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.Kurt Calabrese is a survivor, father, grandfather, and Chicago native whose life and family history have become the subject of many media productions. Kurt has shared his firsthand story in such outlets as ABC7 Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times, Soft White Underbelly, Gangland Wire, and the Underbelly: Killing Kurt podcast. It is Kurt’s goal to bring greater awareness to the lasting impact of childhood abuse and trauma, drawing from his own experiences to encourage conversations about healing, mental health, and breaking the cycle of abuse. His story offers a deeply personal perspective on the effects that violence within a family can have long after childhood ends, and also highlights the impact a larger social system of organized crime has. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Kurt’s honesty, openness, and rawness over these next several episodes.Sources: - “Hoax Bomb Shakes Trial.” Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2007, https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/06/20/hoax-bomb-shakes-trial/-“How a Son’s Betrayal Brought Down Chicago’s Mob.” NPR, 14 Mar. 2011, https://www.npr.org/2011/03/14/134425257/how-a-sons-betrayal-brought-down-chicagos-mob- “Jurors Claim Defendant Threatened Prosecutor During Mob Trial.” Courthouse News Service, https://www.courthousenews.com/jurors-claim-defendant-threatened-prosecutor-during-mob-trial/- “Frank Calabrese Jr: Mobster Who Shopped His Dad to the FBI.” The Guardian, 25 Nov. 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/25/frank-calabrese-jr-mobster-shopped-dad- “Verdict in ‘Family Secrets’ Trial: All Guilty.” ABA Journal, [publication date if available], https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/verdict_in_family_secrets_trial_all_guiltyIf you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, help is available. If you believe you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or contact your local authorities for emergency assistance. Local domestic violence programs, shelters, and crisis hotlines can also provide confidential support. Resources can be found via local agencies or thehotline.orgFor a list of resources and non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesThank you again to Cash App & Mint Mobile for sponsoring this episode. Download Cash App today and make your money work for you. Click here to get started: [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/394eb6t5] #CashAppPartner Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card (https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement), Sutton debit flex card (https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton), and Bancorp debit flex card (https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp). Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. And don't forget for a new wireless plan starting at 15 bucks a month, go to MintMobile.com/wcn!

Content warning: organized crime, child abuse, physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Kurt Calabrese is a survivor, father, grandfather, and Chicago native whose life and family history have become the subject of many media productions. Kurt has shared his firsthand story in such outlets as ABC7 Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times, Soft White Underbelly, Gangland Wire, and the Underbelly: Killing Kurt podcast. It is Kurt’s goal to bring greater awareness to the lasting impact of childhood abuse and trauma, drawing from his own experiences to encourage conversations about healing, mental health, and breaking the cycle of abuse. His story offers a deeply personal perspective on the effects that violence within a family can have long after childhood ends, and also highlights the impact a larger social system of organized crime has. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Kurt’s honesty, openness, and rawness over these next several episodes. If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, help is available. If you believe you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or contact your local authorities for emergency assistance. Local domestic violence programs, shelters, and crisis hotlines can also provide confidential support. Resources can be found via local agencies or thehotline.orgFor a list of resources and non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesThank you again to Rula for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget that Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/wcn #rulapod

Content Warning: sexual assault, rape, image-based sexual abuse, strangulation, domestic violence, and attempted murder.Kelly Sutliff is a survivor, founder of the nonprofit Kelly’s K-9’s: Tails of Courage, and a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey. In 2018, after a devastating grief journey, Kelly decided to return to her search for a life partner. It wouldn’t be long before she met a government contractor promising her the future she desired. However, her entire life changed on December 16th, 2019, when the loving relationship she had been cultivating with her new husband ended violently. After surviving an alleged attempted murder, Kelly has made it her mission to bring awareness and advocacy through her non-profit and sharing her story in the media. The Broken Cycle Media team is so very grateful for Kelly’s transparency, expertise, warmth, and listenership and support throughout the years.Kelly's K-9's: Tails of Couragehttps://www.kellysk9s.org/Kelly's K-9's on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kellys_k9s_tailsofcourage/Kelly on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/real_talk_with_kelly/For a list of additional resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesThank you again to Mint Mobile for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget to get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to mintmobile.com/wcn.

Content warning: sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse material, image-based sexual abuse, drug-facilitated sexual abuse, drug-facilitated rape, and rape.Jenn Wilenta is a mother, survivor, educator, dancer, and advocate. After pursuing a degree in contemporary dance, Jenn reinvented her career several times to evolve with her burgeoning family. However, her trajectory would forever change in 2015 when she found a folder of videos on her partner-at-the-time’s computer. The videos showed her an alternate reality to the one she was living in, and life as she knew it changed forever. As a result, she would eventually seek justice within the criminal legal system, and cultivate her own sense of justice outside of it. This led her to begin vulnerably sharing her experiences in her social media-based series, Tiny Kitchen Dances, which then led to the making of her documentary, Tiny Movements. The Broken Cycle Media team is so grateful Jenn was willing to share her story so powerfully and eloquently for the sake of our audience’s awareness.Support Jenn:- Jenn's Website: https://www.jenniferwilenta.com/- Jenn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinykitchendances/- Tiny Movements Film: https://www.tinymovementsfilm.com/- Tiny Movements on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinymovementsfilm/For a list of related resources and non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesThank you again to Lola Blankets & Honeylove for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget you can get 40% off select Lola Blankets products at Lolablankets.com by using code WCN at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets <3And you can save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/WCN! #honeylovepod

Content warning: domestic violence, intimate partner violence, rape, strangulation, asphyxia, and murder. Shelley Hamilton is a co-victim of murder and co-author of the nonfiction book, The Forsaken. She has spent years uncovering the truth behind a deeply personal and complex case that forever changed her family and community, the 1978 murders of Shelley's 24-year-old sister, Rhonda Hamilton Wicht, and Rhonda's four-year-old son, Donnie. Shelley's journey in the criminal justice system over the last 48 years has been truly shocking. From mistrial to conviction to a prisoner's pardon, she has never given up her fight for truth. Alongside journalist Alicia Doyle, Shelley's mission in co-authoring The Forsaken is to document the facts and share the emotional truth that drives this story. The Broken Cycle media team is incredibly grateful for both women's time, energy, and advocacy. The following episodes are dedicated in loving memory of Rhonda and Donnie Wicht.Sources:- Brown, Jerry. Pardon of [Redacted]. Office of the Governor of California, 22 Nov. 2017, California State Archives.- Davis, Mark. "$21 Million: The Price of One Man's Freedom." True Crime Detective Monthly, Mar. 2022.- Shelley's blog: https://rdjustice.home.blog/Resources:If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, help is available. If you believe you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or contact your local authorities for emergency assistance. Local domestic violence programs, shelters, and crisis hotlines can also provide confidential support.For a list of resources and non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesDownload Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/394eb6t5 #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.And don't forget to sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/wcn with code wcn. Exclusions apply.

Content Warning: criminal threats, professional abuse, image-based sexual abuse, legal abuse, cultic abuse, substance use disorder, driving under the influence, institutional betrayal, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child-to-parent violence, childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking, murder, and racism. Welcome to a special update episode of What Came Next. Since the launch of What Came Next over three years ago, we have had the honor of hosting conversations with nearly 200 incredible survivors and co-victims. Each guest we’ve hosted has brought powerful insight and incredible advocacy to the survivor community, and their work often extends far beyond the scope of their episode or episodes. In an effort to highlight our incredible past guests’ continued advocacy, we’re bringing you news and updates about their journeys. Today we’re highlighting some of the guests from Episodes 1 through 30, which originally aired from March 3rd, 2023 to August 18th, 2023. A lot can happen in three years, as you’ll hear in their updates. Please note, some of the survivors were able to send their updates in their own voice, and others sent updates in the form of narration. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply appreciative of all of the past guests who provided updates, as well as the ones who were unable to do so this time around.Sources: NBCUniversal News Group. (2026, March 24). Woman who sued Bill Cosby for Sexual Battery awarded almost $60 million. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-sued-bill-cosby-sexual-battery-awarded-192-million-rcna264800S.146 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Take it down act | congress.gov | library of Congress. (n.d.). https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/146Resources: E1. [Amy B. Chesler] This Sh*t Doesn't End: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amy-b-chesler-evil-lives-here-this-sh-t-doesnt-end/id1674051643?i=1000602598564E13. [Amy B. Chesler] The Darkest Times Are All Behind Me: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amy-b-chesler-evil-lives-here-the-darkest-times-are/id1674051643?i=1000612743331Follow Amy B. Chesler: http://www.instagram.com/amybcheslerE3. [PJ Masten] A Constant Battle: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pj-masten-a-es-the-secrets-of-playboy-a-constant-battle/id1674051643?i=1000602601089PJ's email: [email protected]. [Ron Schnackenberg] View From the Top: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ron-schnackenberg-netflixs-dirty-money-view-from-the-top/id1674051643?i=1000603561820Follow Ron on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/schnack23E7. [Dr. Charlotte Laws] I Had My Armor On: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-charlotte-laws-netflixs-the-most-hated-man-on/id1674051643?i=1000606709695Follow Dr. Laws on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drcharlottelawsE8. [Moshe Blechman] God Gave Me Credit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moshe-blechman-god-gave-me-credit/id1674051643?i=1000607821282E9. [Sarah Edmonson] I Got Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sarah-edmondson-maxs-the-vow-i-got-out/id1674051643?i=1000608916504A Little Bit Culty: https://alittlebitculty.com/Sarah & Nippy's Book: https://amzn.to/4xnExorE17. [Dr. Danielle Moore] No Longer a Number: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-danielle-moore-no-longer-a-number/id1674051643?i=1000615414939Follow Dr. Dani on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dr.dani2016Support The Athlete Survivors' Assist: https://theathletesurvivorsassist.org/E19. [Carol Oschin] It's Hard to Heal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/carol-oschin-its-hard-to-heal/id1674051643?i=1000617238437E21. [Tina Swithin] One Mom's Battle: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tina-swithin-one-moms-battle/id1674051643?i=1000618845906Follow Tina on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/onemomsbattleE22. [John-Michael Lander] An Athlete's Silence: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-michael-lander-an-athletes-silence/id1674051643?i=1000619765637Follow John-Michael on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/johnmichaelanderE28. [Jan Broberg] Based on Science Fiction // Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jan-broberg-abducted-in-plain-sight-based-on-science/id1674051643?i=1000624129646E29. [Jan Broberg] Coming out of the Fog // Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jan-broberg-abducted-in-plain-sight-coming-out-of/id1674051643?i=1000624130706Trauma Interrupted: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trauma-interrupted-with-jan-broberg/id1643071063The Jan Broberg Foundation: http://www.janbrobergfoundation.org E30. [Cassandra Lane] We Are Bridges: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cassandra-lane-we-are-bridges/id1674051643?i=1000624849907Follow Cassandra on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cassandra.lane71Cassandra’s book We Are Bridges: https://amzn.to/4vKE3Y1Thank you again to Mint Mobile and Cash App for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget, to get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to MINTMOBILE.com/WCN. And Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/394eb6t5 #CashAppPodCash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

Content warning: childhood abuse, childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, abduction, missing persons, gun violence, murder, and mental illness.Amber Rodgers is a survivor, business professional, and creative from Texas. As early as she can remember, her life was filled with chaos. By the time she was fourteen, she was a multi-crime survivor, and by 19 she would serve as a witness in her best friend’s murder trial. Amber moved forward by cultivating a successful career and loving family, until her past trauma instigated a cascading effect in her mental health and relationships. Although Amber has shared portions of her story at-large, it took her decades and a life-altering mental health journey to realize the deep impact her teen years had had on her. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply appreciative of Amber’s transparency, rawness, and advocacy in the following two episodes. These episodes are dedicated in loving memory of Kytrina Marie Locascio.Sources: Curt Hodges. “Woman Murdered; Killer Sentenced.” The Jonesboro Sun, 22 Nov. 1997. For additional resources and a list of non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content Warning: legal abuse, divorce, child-to-parent violence, narcissistic abuse, and coercive control.Vanessa Reiser is a mother, author, survivor, and licensed psychotherapist specializing in narcissistic and cult abuse. She is also the founder of Tell a Therapist, LLC and is best known for her 11-day, 285 mile run across the state of New York - in a wedding dress - to raise awareness for narcissistic abuse. We had the previous honor of hosting Vanessa as a guest on What Came Next in episode 77, entitled “The Treachery of No Empathy,” which first aired on July 5th, 2024. In the episode, her insights were both personal and professional, giving her a unique lens into narcissistic abuse. Since then, Vanessa has navigated some major life updates, and even added the role of podcaster to her resume. The Broken Cycle Media team continues to be so very grateful for Vanessa’s advocacy and willingness to share her expertise, time, and exciting updates with our audience.WCN Episode 77 [Vanessa Reiser] The Treachery of No Empathy: https://podcasts.apple.com/lt/podcast/vanessa-reiser-the-treachery-of-no-empathy/id1674051643?i=1000661213926Vanessa's Website: http://www.tellatherapist.netVanessa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessareiserlcsw/Vanessa's Book: https://amzn.to/4383o1EIf you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please consider visiting https://www.thehotline.org/. For a list of resources and related non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources