Conversations with Kristi

Summary In this special episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi McVee and Cheyenne Carter discuss the critical issues surrounding child safety in early childhood education. They explore Chey's journey in the field, the impact of COVID on childcare quality, and the importance of transparency and communication between parents and childcare providers. The conversation delves into the dynamics of...

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt conversation, Kristi McVee and Jeanie Dean discuss Jeanie's journey from being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to becoming an advocate for child safeguarding. They explore the challenges of coping with trauma, the impact of addiction, and the importance of supportive relationships. Jeanie shares her experiences working with sex offenders and in child protect...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kerri Sloper shares her journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and her mission to empower children and parents through her children's books. Kerri discusses the healing power of music and writing, the importance of speaking out, and the role of parents in preventing abuse. She emphasises the need for open communication about g...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi we catch up with Susan Dunlop, Susan discusses her journey through self-development, the challenges of family dynamics, and her understanding of avoidance in personal growth. She reflects on her childhood experiences and the conscious choices she has made to improve her relationships and emotional well-being. Key Takeaways: Self-develop...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, I speak with Diane Tarantini, a body safety educator and author, about the critical importance of conversations surrounding child safety and trauma. We discuss Diane's personal journey as a survivor of childhood abuse, the significance of body safety education, and the alarming statistics regarding child sexual abuse. The con...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, we catch up with Nikki Butler to discuss the importance of teaching protective behaviours to children and instilling a sense of hope for parents who may feel they have missed opportunities in their children's upbringing. She discusses the significance of recognising non-verbal cues and behaviours that indicate harm, and encourages pare...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, we catch up with Colleen Murphy to discuss the importance of teaching children to trust their bodies and recognise their own signals, especially in environments where they may feel uncertain. Colleen discusses the role of adults in fostering this trust and provides practical strategies for empowering children to navigate thei...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Andy and Kristi delve into the emotional dynamics of parenting, particularly focusing on how parents react to situations involving their children, emphasising the importance of remaining calm and understanding the underlying fears that often drive parental anger. They discuss strategies for effective communication and the need for supp...

Episode Summary: This episode of Conversations with Kristi delves into the sensitive topic of child-on-child sexual abuse, highlighting the experiences of individuals involved in the ABAR project. It emphasises the misconceptions surrounding children's behaviour in such situations and the importance of recognising the seriousness of these incidents rather than dismissing them as mere experime...

Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Danielle Cheeseman shares her profound fears and anxieties about motherhood, particularly her concerns about raising daughters. She reflects on her own experiences and the challenges she anticipates in preventing her children from facing similar struggles. Key Takeaways: Danielle felt terrified about becoming a mother. She worried about her ch...

Summary: In this episode of "Conversations with Kristi", Anna Sonoda discusses the grooming process that can occur with children and emphasises the critical role that adults play in recognising and interrupting this harmful behaviour. She highlights the importance of legal consequences and the need for adults to be vigilant in protecting children from potential harm. Key Takeaways: Every adult can...

CONTENT WARNING - discussion about offender behaviours and methodology  In this episode, Kristi interviews phD candidate, criminologist and psychologist Kelly Jackson.  Kelly and Kristi discuss the research around offender behaviours and methodologies used in the commission of child sexual abuse and the many ways offenders groom children.  This interesting conversation explains in d...

CONTENT WARNING - language warning, discussions around child sexual abuse, domestic violence of First Nations peoples In this episode, Kristi talks with proud Palawa woman Rachel Dunn, about the impacts of domestic violence and child sexual abuse on First Nations families and the difficulties in calling-out these tragedies in culture and family.  Rachel shares her story and her experience in...

CONTENT WARNING - language warning, discussions about domestic violence and trauma In this episode, Kristi speaks with Kate Fylan who has over 20 years experience with a Diploma in Social Worker, a qualified Counsellor and Play Therapist, primarily working within in the domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse and harmful sexualised behaviours spaces and portfolios. Kate offers an interesting vie...

CONTENT WARNING - Talk of child sexual abuse, intra-familial abuse, control and manipulation In this episode, Kristi speaks with Deb Aldrick, Author, Survivor Advocate and Lived Experience Speaker about intra-familial abuse or child sexual abuse within the family group.  Deb wrote the book, 'Circling the Wagons' about the different ways in which families hide and protect abusers with control...

Content Warning - talk around child sexual abuse  In this episode, Kristi talks about child sexual abuse and child safety with survivor, child safety advocate and parent, John Cardamone.  John shares his own survivor story of child sexual abuse at 6 years old where his perpetrator threatened him and his family to keep it a secret. John's story highlights the importance of body safety edu...

Content Warning - discussions about domestic and family violence, suicide and self-harm In this episode, Kristi talks with Shannon Miller, a disability and family violence practice leader from the Centre Against Violence, gender-based violence advocate and father about the lack of visibility for children and young people in the conversations around domestic and family violence and gendered based v...

In this episode, Kristi speaks with veteran Protective Behaviours educator Holly-ann Martin about teaching body safety education to children living with a disability or where english isn't their first language.  Holly-ann shares a wealth of knowledge on how to simplify the body safety messages to ensure our most vulnerable children understand their body safety rights and education.  This...

CONTENT WARNING - Talk about sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and the death of a perpetrator. In this episode, Kristi talks with author, youth activist, sexual abuse survivor, sexual assault group facilitator and coach, Renee Simpson.  Renee is the author of the book 'I want to go home' - a book which explores and shares about her trip across the world on a sailing boat, where...

In this episode, Kristi talks about sleepovers and school camps from her experience as a detective and police officer, as well as a parent.  There is a lot of pressure on parents from many sources about sleepovers, so it is important that we take the time to consider all risk factors of where your child may be sleeping overnight.  Kristi breaks down her latest blogs and goes through some...

In this episode, Kristi speaks with We are Womxn co-founder, post-graduate Sexology student and 2024 Young Australian of the Year nominee, Kate Raston.  Kate talks about her experiences as a consent and healthy relationships educator, working with young people in schools where she helps facilitates safe and open conversations around sex and consent. This conversation is a ripper for pare...

Content Warning -  Child Sexual Abuse, Substance Abuse, Suicide and Self-Harm - If any part of this episode causes distress, please see the resources below for support services and help.  In this episode, Kristi talks with child sexual abuse survivor and advocate Glen Fisher, author of the book Predators Paradise.  Glen shares his story of resilience through a childhood of...

Episode 7 - Is it safe to share photos of your kids online? In this episode, Kristi answers a parents question and does a deep dive into her knowledge, thoughts and experience around the topic of sharing photos of our kids on our social media and online.  Kristi goes through 3 considerations for deciding whether to post that photo of your kids or not and 7 tips on posting photos of your kids...

CONTENT WARNING - This episode talks about sextortion, cyberbullying and suicide.  In this episode, Kristi speaks with Carol Todd, founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy not-for-profit organisation based in British Columbia, Canada.  Amanda was 15 years old when she took her own life by suicide due to being sexually exploited and cyber-bullied online which led to physical abuse and alienation...

CONTENT WARNING - This episode talks about child sexual abuse, mental health and suicide. Please listen with caution. In this episode, Kristi talks with former prison guard, domestic violence and child sexual abuse survivor Mel Watson.  Mel talks about surviving childhood domestic violence, incidents of child sexual abuse by multiple perpetrators, conquering depression and suicidal ideation a...