Aware And Prepared

How do I stay safer while out and about this holiday season or any season? In part one of the Holiday Safety Series, Mandi breaks down two key topics: jugging and parking lot safety, so you can move through the holidays with more confidence.  You’ll learn how jugging works, what red flags to watch for, smart habits that keep you from looking like a target, and practical parking-lot strategies that...

Many kids and teens won’t say “I’m being trafficked” BUT they will show signs.  In Part 2 of this conversation, Mandi and Erin with Love146 answer real concerns from parents, teachers, and teens about how to recognize trafficking and what supportive adult response actually looks like.  They dig into why asking gentle, curious questions can open the door to disclosure and why resources like the Tak...

Human trafficking isn’t just “out there.” It’s happening closer to home than most people realize and many children and teens don’t even know it’s happening to them. In this episode, Mandi and Erin from Love146 break down the hidden warning signs adults often miss, the emotional tactics traffickers use, and why so many cases go unnoticed in everyday communities. They also open up about the challeng...

How do we really keep kids safe online? What are the signs a child might be silently struggling with digital stress? And how can parents or educators build a realistic, compassionate digital safety plan that actually works? In this conversation, Mandi talks with Deyanira Murga, PPS, CPOI, a professional security consultant and founder of Security Next Gen, about the emotional and mental side of on...

How many pet parents do we have here? Don’t our pets provide so much unconditional love and help us heal through heartbreaks and difficult times? Mandi shares an important update about RedRover and their Purple Leash Project, a partnership with Purina that helps domestic violence survivors escape abuse without leaving their pets behind.  From grants for pet-friendly shelters to resources for board...

Have you ever wondered why someone doesn’t just leave an abusive relationship? We pull back the curtain on what domestic violence really looks like and the complicated reasons survivors often stay. From fear and finances to faith and trauma bonds, you’ll gain insight that replaces judgment with compassion. If you care about someone who might be in an unsafe relationship (or you simply want to unde...

Ever find it hard to relax like your body doesn’t know how to come down from survival mode? You’re not alone!  In this solo episode, I’m wrapping up our Complex PTSD Series by sharing some additional final thoughts on what trauma has looked like in my own life, including: -  How trauma may contribute to early menopause -  Difficulty processing emotions -  The inability to relax -  Reflections on h...

What if you’ve tried talk therapy for years but still feel stuck? Listen in as therapist, Catherine Lucey, LMFT, and host Mandi Pratt unpack the healing practices that go beyond talk therapy bringing the body (not just the midn) into the process. You’ll learn: The three lenses of healing: nervous system regulation, self-compassion (through Internal Family Systems), and community. A simple interrup...

Mandi sits down with neuro-psychotherapist and author Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP for a powerful and down-to-earth conversation about navigating healing after trauma. Together, they explore how our inner critic can feel overwhelming, why safety is the foundation of healing, and what it means to practice “trauma turtle rolls”— the small, grounding actions that carry us through tough moments until condi...

September is Complex PTSD Awareness Month, and in this solo episode I share an authentic part of my journey as a survivor of narcissistic and sociopathic abuse — including the long years of post-separation abuse that followed.  What trauma looks like in real life: hypervigilance, brain fog, and decision fatigue, to self-doubt, health struggles, and relationship challenges, I open up about the many...

Careless or clueless? Tech often rolls out new features without thinking about safety—and Instagram’s new Location Map is no exception. In this episode, Mandi shares how to: Turn off Instagram Location Map on iPhone & Android Adjust location sharing across your apps and devices Protect your digital footprint when posting photos online Simple steps, real-life examples, and practical tips to hel...

“Why didn’t she leave?” It may sound harmless, but this one question shifts blame onto survivors and lets perpetrators off the hook. The truth is, language shapes how we view abuse — and the words we use can either hurt survivors or help them heal. Hear how to spot victim-blaming language, reframe it to encourage accountability, and use your words to create safer, more supportive spaces. Through r...

Learn (& share!) ideas for how men can be allies in public spaces—because the truth is, sometimes it’s the small choices that make the biggest difference. 💡 By the end of this episode, you’ll know: How to recognize moments where your actions could make a woman feel safer Practical, respectful ways to step in or give space — without overstepping Conversation starters to use with friends, kids,...

“Be aware of your surroundings.” “Don’t walk alone.” “Hold your keys like a weapon.” We’ve heard it all. The real problem isn’t how women move through the world—but the systems that make that world unsafe in the first place. In this bold conversation, I continue my conversation with Amy Watson, founder of Hassl, in the UK, to talk about why telling women to “stay safe” isn’t enough—and never has b...

What if we stopped telling women how to stay safe and instead fixed the systems that make them unsafe? In this powerful episode, Mandi Pratt sits down with Amy Watson, founder of Hassl —a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to tackling public harassment at its root. Amy and her team are on a mission to shift the burden off of women to stay safe and onto society, where it belongs. Hassl is pioneer...

Whether your abuse happened last year or decades ago—your voice matters. You have every right to heal, to be heard, and to explore justice. Start where you are. Gather your support. Know your rights. And most of all, remember this: you are not alone, and you were never meant to carry this by yourself. In this episode, attorney and survivor, Alreen Haeggquist also shares her surprising and empoweri...

“I’m sending my daughter off to college… how do I keep her safe?” It’s a question so many parents—especially moms—are asking. In this powerful solo episode, trauma-informed speaker and safety advocate Mandi Pratt shares how her upcoming holistic safety workshops are answering that very question. But there's more: these workshops are now explicitly inclusive of all genders , inviting boys and...

Welcome to learning a powerful connection between physical movement, the fascial system, and the nervous system—and how tuning into your body’s subtle signals can help you release trauma, regulate your stress response, and reclaim your sense of safety.  You’ll hear personal stories, learn from Kris Haley what the MELT Method actually is, and walk away with real tools—like conscious breathing and b...

How did I accidentally begin to heal my nervous system? What did I stumble upon? In this powerful episode, Dr. Keean and I explore how trauma reshapes our nervous system and how we can use prediction error , gentle sensory experiences, and intentional movement to rewire fear-based patterns. Learn how the brain constantly predicts based on the past—and how introducing new, safe, and empowering expe...

What if the power to reduce teen violence isn’t just in the hands of adults — but in the hands of teens themselves?  In this powerful continuation of Episode 1, Donna Bartos shares how BLOOM365 equips young people to become changemakers through peer-to-peer advocacy and culture-shifting leadership. You’ll hear how just 10% of a population can influence an entire school, team, or community — and ho...

What if we could end teen dating violence in a generation? It’s bold—but that’s exactly what Donna Bartos and BLOOM365 are setting out to do. In this powerful episode, Mandi sits down with Donna Bartos , founder of BLOOM365 , a groundbreaking nonprofit working to prevent teen dating violence and promote healthy teen relationships through youth-led education and advocacy . You’ll learn how BLOOM365...

How did Dr. Hill address a man disrespecting women in public—and what can we learn from it?  In this compelling continuation, Dr. Saed Hill shares a real-life example of bystander intervention that stopped harmful behavior in its tracks. We explore how men can take action in everyday situations, challenge toxic norms, and help dismantle the root causes of violence against women. If you're won...

What if we could help end violence against women by getting to its root? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Saed Hill to talk about toxic masculinity, accountability, and how men can be part of the solution. This is a conversation every man needs to hear—so please listen, reflect, and share it with every man you know. Dr. Saed Hill, Ph. D. can be reached on LinkedIn or at saed.d.hill@gmai...

What do you do when your instincts are screaming “no,” but you feel obligated to say “yes” to be polite? In this empowering podcast episode, Mandi shares a powerful Q&A moment from her recent presentation in Hawaii, where a woman asked how to break free from the ingrained pressure to always be nice—especially when it could compromise personal safety.  Through a real-life scenario involving jum...

Mandi encourages you to take one intuitive action, no matter how big or small, to build confidence in your intuition. In day five, the final day, of the Intuition Activation Challenge , she emphasizes that intuition strengthens when we use it, and trusting ourselves over time increases our ability to make empowered decisions.  Mandi reflects on the importance of intuition as a survival mechanism a...