Keepin' It Teal

Getting to work every day is something many of us take for granted. But for survivors of trauma and those navigating life after a crisis, just showing up to work or class can feel like an overwhelming feat. The financial weight of a daily commute, the isolation of sitting alone in traffic, and the mental load of managing it all can quietly chip away at a person's ability to heal, grow, and thr...

Tracy Matheson is the president and founder of Project Beloved. Her daughter, Molly, was raped and murdered in 2017 - truly a parent's worst nightmare. Molly's story can be found at this link . But, what we focus on in this conversation is the amazing things her mother has done to make healing for sexual assault survivors more attainable in the aftermath of trauma. Through Project Beloved,...

Demi R. has had to go through more challenges in life than many of us could possibly imagine. Her survivor story starts at 16 when she was raped at gunpoint by someone she had met only three times, and from there the hurdles got higher and continue to this day. Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but being true to herself, she has put herself through school achieving her law degree...

In this episode, we sit down with La Tavia Roberts, Events & Philanthropy Assistant Manager at the Baton Rouge location of Kendra Scott, to explore the remarkable story behind one of today's most beloved jewelry brands. While Kendra Scott's pieces are undeniably beautiful—featuring vibrant gemstones and elegant designs that have captured hearts worldwide—there's a profound purpose...

Under the shadow of the Madison Brooks tragedy, Girls Rides at LSU was started by a few students who saw a way they could share rides with each other so they would feel safe, reduce the possibility of being harmed and in effect they could help each other out economically and grow relationships. The model that they have set up has grown exponentially. Listen to this great story of ingenuity and com...

Do you lack confidence and constantly compare yourself to the things you are not? As humans, many of us don't feel like we are in a place where we want to be physically and emotionally, and trauma only compounds these feelings of inadequacy. If you're in that phase, we are here to bring you out. Inspired by a real-life body shaming experience, this podcast focuses on not shaming ourselves and bein...

Since we began recording podcasts, LaFASA has had quite a bit of change in personnel. You'll hear some familiar voices, but also new voices and learn about new positions. Listen as we talk serious, and cut loose, get to know the people at LaFASA in 2024.

Are you living your optimal life? Maybe you're experiencing pain or other maladies that affect you and prevent you from living the way you want to live. Did you know that your mind plays a huge role in your physical health and that the body can show physical symptoms manifested from past trauma or from living with secondary trauma as a care-taker? Lynn Duhe with the Miracle Wellness Center joi...

LaFASA talks with Ashley Baustert, mother of Madison Brooks, the LSU sophomore who was sexually assaulted and left on a dark highway without a cell phone. Ashley talks about who Madison was and how she continues to make a difference in the lives of others through the Madison Brooks Foundation . LaFASA is always impressing the point that prevention lies in stopping the power imbalances that result...

Zoe Fay-Stindt's poetry has appeared in museum galleries, on the radio, on the streets of small towns, in community farm newsletters, and other strange and wonderful places. Their work has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and has been featured in RHINO, Muzzle, VIDA, Southeast Review, The Florida Review, Ninth Letter, Poet Lore, and others as well as gathered into a chapbook, Bird B...

Dogs are the best. It's been shown that the friendship of a dog can decrease stress, increase endorphins, and increase our life expectancy. For those who have suffered trauma in some capacity, dogs are especially beneficial and Service Dogs can enhance their independence and healing process in ways other methods, such as counseling and therapy, can't. However, service dogs can be incredibly expens...

Did you know that most government programs cannot help prevent homelessness? They are structured to help someone who has already received an eviction notice. While government programs can be a safety net, the primary goal is prevention. Hope Ministries is an organization with amazing and dedicated people who want to help people from becoming homeless. This is important in the sexual assault moveme...

LaFASA has added text-based contact for crisis and general assistance to it's Helpline. This is amazing and adds another dimension to the ways that survivors can get help. In this podcast we talk with Katie Boleware, the program's coordinator, and her intern Courtney, about how the program got started, was formed, the volunteers, who we encourage to call, and how things are going. Below is informa...

Being grateful has some pretty awesome side effects. Let's talk about those things.

LaFASA recently spoke in a podcast with Mark Medina from Metro Centers for Community Advocacy, one of LaFASA’s dual member centers. We talk about how important it is to consider all family members, including pets, who are affected by domestic violence. Local DV agencies and advocates can also help those in need to create an action or safety plan when someone is considering escaping a dangerous sit...

Virginia Tucker is the writer and director of the 9 minute short film "Touched," a film that addresses sexual assault and the after effects it has on survivors. It is one of 20 finalist films competing September 30 thru October 1 at PrizeFest in Shreveport, La. LaFASA sits down with Virginia to discuss her film, what inspired it, and how it can impact sexual assault awareness. Find out all about t...

SAFE - SOUTHEAST ADVOCATES FOR FAMILY EMPOWERMENT We talk with Nnenna Minimah, Executive Director of SAFE and get a proper introduction. If you're in the Tangipahoa, St. Helena, or Livingston Parish area and you are in need of help, please find help or contact them at https://www.safelouisiana.org.

LaFASA is working with Natalie Herndon, Senior Marketing Specialist at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady North American Region, to promote compassion and kindness in Baton Rouge and throughout the state. Finding a creative and beautiful rock painted with a positive message can brighten anyone's day.  To watch this interview on youtube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUTOkSAHKJA&...

Nadia Khansa is a survivor who found her path to wholeness through writing poetry and drawing. After experiencing war, sexual violence, and intense hardship with mental health, "Breathing in Spring" is the story of healing. The book is divided into 4 chapters, Dying, Haunting, Resurrecting, and Breathing, and take the reader on a journey through the intensity of pain and trauma, and the tranquilit...

Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. Art, either creating it or viewing others’ art, is used to help people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills. Karis Bouillion is a counselor with STAR in the greater baton rouge area. Karis has her masters in clinical me...

Can you have legal representation if you don't report to the police? Can you get a restraining order without reporting to the police? Also, did you know that it's incredibly important to have a knowledgeable attorney assist when petitioning for a restraining order or to represent your needs during a trial? These are all topics that we discussed when talking with LaFASA's staff attorney, Sean Cassi...

In light of February being Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, our talk will center around campus sexual assault and safety. Safety means different things to different people. What are the perceptions of campus safety to students? What is true campus safety? This conversation highlights what students should actually do to promote a safe campus. Supplemental information for student...

Every survivor has a different idea of what accountability looks like after a sexual assault. While some may want to pursue the traditional criminal legal response, others may be more wary of these systems. What does accountability look like for a sexual assault survivor who does not support the current iteration of the criminal justice system? Can survivors and criminal justice reformer work toge...

There is no single approach that has been proven to be the most effective when treating survivors of incest, CSA, and sexual assault. In our experience, by using empathy as the main motivator, poetry and narrative therapy approaches can be integrated by survivors to not only allow them to process and reauthor their story of abuse, but also to provide a support system among others who have also fac...

Working through aspects of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) using self-defense can be helpful to many survivors of violence find new joy in life. Feeling in control and empowered is the goal when you train in martial arts, especially according to David Vincent. Anybody, regardless of your physical ability or your emotional status, can train in this discipline. Listen to this incredibly interesting take...