Aware And Prepared

My son’s social security number was stolen in 2018, the theft led to legal challenges, including filing a police report and dealing with credit bureaus to secure the account. The host emphasizes the anxiety of such situations and the importance of taking preventative measures to protect personal information. Hear practical advice for safeguarding against identity theft, particularly for children....

Financial sextortion occurs when someone is blackmailed after sharing intimate photos or videos online, often with someone they believe to be a trusted friend or partner. The episode shares info from EndTab.org highlighting chilling statistics, with most victims being young men and boys. This has tragic results. We also explore how these scams typically unfold. The episode covers the responses fro...

Dangers of online deception, particularly catfishing scams from romance scammers, are shared as the host reads insights from guest Adam Dodge, who specializes in combating tech-enabled abuse through his organization, EndTAB. Hear the evolution of catfishing tactics, now incorporating advanced AI technologies like deepfakes and voice cloning to create convincing but fake live videos. Listeners are...

What are the risks and implications of sharing digital access with partners? Introduction to Digital Entanglement: The blend of personal and digital lives in relationships. Potential risks of sharing digital access with partners. Study by Malwarebytes : Examining digital sharing behaviors in relationships. Key findings: High Rates of Sharing: 85% of people in relationships share personal account a...

Afraid you’ll freeze when in danger or in an awkward social situation?  Returning guest, Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP and Mandi discuss the often-overlooked freeze response, exploring its biological basis and the associated feelings of shame. They highlight that freezing is a natural, uncontrollable reaction and stress the importance of self-compassion and preparation.  Britt introduces concepts from h...

Does the statement “I Love You” match with loving behavior of respect, patience, etc? In this podcast episode, Dr. Jill Murray emphasizes that love should be seen as a consistent behavior rather than merely a feeling or words.  She highlights the importance of evaluating actions over verbal expressions in relationships and underscores that true friendship and love cannot coexist with abusive behav...

DRAMA DETOX! Dr. Jill Murray realized her life was filled with chaotic and drama-filled relationships. Determined to change, she made the drastic decision to cut out all toxic relationships, including some family members and friends.  She apologized for her past dishonesty about her seemingly perfect life and embraced a period of loneliness, which eventually led to healthier, more supportive relat...

What is THE main issue affecting teens today? In Dr. Jill Murray’s answer: social media. She says platforms like Instagram can create unrealistic expectations and contribute to depression and anxiety. Dr. Jill suggests limiting social media use and encouraging teens to be present in their own lives.  Excessive social media use isolates and negatively impacts mental health. Learn questions you can...

SUMMARY Slow DOWN to live safer! Today Mandi talks about the mind body connection - the importance of addressing both mental and physical health in the body to break the cycle of stress and calm our nervous system so we can live safer with more peace! LESSONS LEARNED Importance of Slowing Down : Slowing down is crucial for safety and overall well-being Impact of Chronic Stress : Living in a prolon...

Hear some of the unresolved aspects of Mica Miller’s death and the behavior of her abuser, Pastor JP Miller. The first part updates listeners on the inconsistencies in Micah’s death, as shared by her family.  The second part delves deeper into JP Miller’s abusive patterns and broader behaviors seen in similar individuals. This part also explores the psychological profile of a narcissistic abuser,...

SUMMARY #JusticeForMica - This episode delves into the tragic case of Mica Miller, the wife of Pastor John Paul Miller. She was found deceased with a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound shortly after having divorce papers and a no-contact order served to her husband.  Despite the medical examiner ruling it as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, suspicions of foul play continue due to Mica's prior warn...

SUMMARY Learn a few self defense tips and tools I have not heard of before with Dr. Manny Tau, such as avoiding phone distractions, using flashlights at night, and considering self-defense tools like tasers, etc.  Communities can come together to learn and be able to support individuals facing threats. Let’s get back to family dinners in instilling values, and the need for a cultural shift towards...

SUMMARY What are the behaviors indicative of potential danger? Is it smack talk or a credible threat? Listen in with today’s guest, Dr. Manny Tau, as he shares insights on identifying and addressing threats of targeted violence.  Learn the lessons and resources shared so we can identify a credible threat and have actionable skills on what to do next in order to prevent violence. LESSONS LEARNED Cl...

SUMMARY In this episode, the host and guest - Dr. Manny Tau, a seasoned threat assessment expert, discuss the case of Elliot Rodger, an active shooter responsible for a tragic rampage in Isla Vista (USCB area of Santa Barbara).  Dr. Tau highlights Rodger's entitlement, narcissism, and lack of empathy as contributing factors to his violent actions.  By examining Rodger's progression throu...

SUMMARY This podcast episode concludes the series in practical ways to stay safer while out and about shopping and running errands. In this episode, Mandi addresses parking lot safety (getting in and out of your car, loading up groceries, etc.) Listen to the practical tips shared and enjoy a safer life! LESSONS LEARNED 1 = Be mindful when returning to your car and only open your door if you'r...

SUMMARY Self-defense on the road! LIsten and start to feel empowered to lessen your chances of becoming a victim. Covering a range of practical strategies, the discussion emphasizes many simple things one may choose to do to wisely prevent and respond to various scenarios. Improve your safety out and about and feel more safe! Enjoy! LESSONS LEARNED Maintain Safe Distance : Leave a two to three-foo...

SUMMARY This episode discusses a tragic incident of road rage in Southern California in which a six-year-old boy named Aiden was fatally shot while his mother was driving on the freeway. YES, the killer was caught and is serving a long sentence in prison! Mandi expresses sympathy for the victims and aims to raise awareness about the dangers of road rage.  She shared strategies for how we might res...

SUMMARY Current Crime Trend = theft of purses and wallets at a specific grocery store in California.  Hear actionable advice to safeguard personal belongings, drawing attention to tactics used by these thieves. How to minimize risks and stay safer while out and about. Enjoy! LESSONS LEARNED Lesson 1 = Instead of putting the purse / backpack on a chair next to you, put it in your lap or around your...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, Mandi announces the rebranding of her podcast to "Aware and Prepared" and shares why. She states the podcast is now one year old and shares statistics on the podcast's listenership. The top 10 episodes from the past year are listed.  Mandi then introduces three games to improve situational awareness that one can challenge themselves with or do with a...

SUMMARY In celebration of International Women's Day, your host shares with you what she would tell her 15 year old self. Listen in and see if some of these things you also would tell younger you! And what else can we impart to our younger generation to help prevent harm and encourage a brighter life filled with peace? RESOURCES Book Mandi for your school, conference or workshop to share her r...

SUMMARY What happens when an unwanted admirer escalates to a stalker? Mandi and guest, Joe, urge listeners to take these situations seriously. They explore the nuances of establishing a red line or boundary and what to do when this person crosses it.  Insights into legal measures, self-defense tactics, and community support networks are shared to they empower individuals to proactively address and...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, Mandi welcomes back Joe, her mentor and self-defense teacher, to address a scenario where a family friend faces an unwanted admirer who waits for her outside the gym and persistently intimidates her despite her rejections.  Joe begins by emphasizing the importance of breaking predictable patterns and using group exits or tactical pauses to assess surroundings befor...

SUMMARY Mandi delves into the tragic story of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie, highlighting the red flags that were present in their relationship before it turned deadly. She discusses warning signs (red flags) of abusive relationships, such as control, jealousy, and isolation, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these issues.  Additionally,a list of green flags—positive qu...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode of "Woman Aware and Prepared," the host discusses the critical issue of teen dating violence during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This episode covers seven common myths about teen dating violence, debunking misconceptions and emphasizing that violence and unhealthy behavior are prevalent in teenage relationships.  Real-life examples highlight the c...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, Mandi introduces a small membership for listeners, sharing insights from their recent quarterly call.  A member’s question prompts a discussion on how exactly to call the non-emergency police line and will you get dispatch on the line when you do? Listen to her Mandi answer the question. LESSONS LEARNED The non-emergency line is the police business line for less ur...