Aware And Prepared

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, Glenna, the dispatch supervisor at a local police department joins us again in part 2. She explains the dispatcher's training in active listening and asking questions in a specific order. Glenna emphasizes that dispatchers may appear to be cutting off callers to keep them focused and efficient in providing essential details. The discussion delves into the adva...

In this podcast episode, the host, Mandi, is joined by Glenna, Dispatch Supervisor at Mandi’s local police department. The episode covers: - When to call 911 versus the non-emergency line - Handling suspicious situations - Providing tips for effective communication with law enforcement Glenna emphasizes the importance of using 911 for situations involving imminent threats to life or significant pr...

SUMMARY Mandi announces an upcoming episode featuring a role play with a local police dispatcher named Glenna. To prep for that, Mandi covers topics such as when to call 9-1-1 versus the non-emergency number, emphasizing the importance of saving the local police department's number in your phone.  Additionally, the host provides six tips for calling the police and two resources for anonymous...

SUMMARY Mandi continues a crucial conversation about online safety for children with Clay from the Cyber Safety Cop. Their discussion centers on the alarming issue of online grooming and how children, regardless of their family background, are susceptible to manipulation and exploitation.  The conversation dives into the tactics predators use to exploit children's need for love and acceptance...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, the guest is Clayton Cranford, a retired law enforcement sergeant from the Orange County Sheriff's Department, who has expertise in internet safety for families.  He emphasizes the importance of addressing online safety for children. Clay also discusses the challenges parents face in managing their children's digital world, especially during breaks when k...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, the host takes a break from the regular content to offer listeners a chance to get to know her better. She shares personal details about her life, such as living in California, being married for 16 years, having a 22-year-old son, and being a passionate pet lover with a business related to photographing and creating custom fine art of pets.  The host also discusses...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, the host addresses a question she frequently receives about her healing journey after escaping a domestic abuse situation. Her friend, Andrea, interviews her, posing questions that many people ask her.  The host shares details about her leaving process and the lack of resources available at the time, about 20 years ago. She emphasizes the role of faith, both helpfu...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, Mandi engages in a conversation with her guest, Joe, who shares a real-life story about helping a woman named Tracy deal with a serious stalking threat.  Joe, who has a background in teaching shooting and personal defense, explains how Tracy sought his assistance after her life was endangered by a persistent stalker. The story unfolds as he delves into the intense...

SUMMARY My guest, Andrea, recounts a chilling stalking experience from over a decade ago when she was a young graduate living in Pasadena. As the story unfolds, she shares the gradual realization of being watched, the eerie encounters, and the unsettling intuition that preceded the revelation of an imminent threat.  The narrative intensifies when her apartment manager reveals a disturbing encounte...

SUMMARY The podcast episode delves into the contrasting traits of narcissists and empaths, shedding light on their dynamics in relationships. It emphasizes how narcissists, lacking empathy and introspection, manipulate and control empathetic individuals, making them feel unworthy and drained. Real-life examples depict how narcissists deflect blame, lack accountability, and bulldoze boundaries. The...

SUMMARY In this week's episode, Mandi, the host and Andrea, the show producer, have a discussion about the best way to start learning self defense and also how to spot a narcissist and what types of personalities they are most drawn to. Listen in as Mandi shares from personal experience. RESOURCES The book CoDependent No More by Melody Beattie Article by the Mayo Clinic describing narcissist...

SUMMARY Mandi, the podcast host, shares a heartbreaking story of Caitlin and her dog losing their lives, due to domestic violence, emphasizing the urgent need for help. There is a lack of pet-friendly shelters for domestic violence victims, but there are organizations working to make more domestic violence shelters pet-friendly. There are a few resources for victims seeking safety with their pets...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, the host delivers a message emphasizing the importance of personal safety and preparedness. They stress that individuals should not rely solely on military or police in times of crisis and should take responsibility for their own safety. Mandi outlines a five-step approach to prioritize safety. LESSONS LEARNED Make your safety a top priority Discuss possible danger...

SUMMARY In this podcast episode, Mandi recounts her experience of being followed by an Apple AirTag and offers valuable advice, emphasizing the importance of awareness regarding new technologies, privacy concerns, and the potential for misuse.  She guides listeners on what to do if they suspect they're being tracked by an AirTag, including documenting the situation, trusting their intuition,...

This episode with special guest, Adam Dodge, continues the conversation from last episode on the complexities of gender-based violence in the digital age, the importance of developing empathy and awareness in online interactions and what we can do to help prevent tech-abuse. LESSONS LEARNED 1. Prevention is key. Providing young adults with tools to navigate online spaces from a young age. can help...

This episode with special guest, Adam Dodge, highlights the complexities of gender-based violence in the digital age and the importance of developing empathy and awareness in online interactions. LESSONS LEARNED 1. Tech-facilitated gender-based violence is not limited to a specific region but is a global issue affecting victims worldwide. 2. Image-based sexual abuse is on the rise, where individua...

SUMMARY In this episode, Reverend Geneece Goertzen, a survivor of two decades of abuse, discusses her experiences in two abusive marriages, the challenges she faced, and the importance of recognizing and responding to domestic violence within faith communities, shedding light on the need for validation, safety and informed support for survivors in religious settings. LESSONS LEARNED 1. Research sh...

Mandi, the host of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast, along with Britt Frank, a licensed neuropsychotherapist emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing anxiety and mental health issues with specificity, compassion, and a holistic approach that considers both the mind and the body. LESSONS LEARNED 1. Anxiety serves as a signal, like a check engine light that helps point out issues...

SUMMARY This podcast episode discusses the importance of asking for help, how to find the right therapist and how best to provide advice to abuse or trauma victims. Annette Oltmans from The Mend Project emphasizes the need to seek qualified and compassionate individuals when reaching out for help to avoid exacerbating trauma. She suggests starting with a small portion of one's story and testi...

SUMMARY In this episode of the podcast, Mandi dives into a crucial topic: the safety of college freshmen. She highlights the prevalent issue of assaults on college campuses, both from strangers and from people the victim knows. 1 in 6 American women could become victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. College students are 3 TIMES more likely to fall victim, and a staggering 73% of victims kno...

SUMMARY Mandi shares a personal story of her son at high school dealing with feeling unsafe due to all the recent school shootings. Hear what she did to find out just how safe their school was. Listen as she shares the questions she asked the school vice principal and what response she got. These questions may be asked at any school, college or even office. They may spark some other questions you...

Mandi shares a recap of ALL 14 calming things she does to get her body out of fight or flight so she can truly determine what is safe and what is not. I'm sure you have your own ideas for calming your nervous system, but perhaps you can add a few of these to your own list. Enjoy! LESSONS TOTAL List of 14 Ideas To Calm The Nervous System: Pet your dog or cat slowly and savor the moment Listen...

SUMMARY Mandi adds 6 more things she does to help calm her nervous system in this episode. This episode ends the Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn series. LESSONS List of 6 MORE Things To Calm The Nervous System: Heat wrap Reading Bible verses / affirmations Humming music N.O.W. Tone Therapy System by Solu Once a month massage Daily list of 3 things grateful for RESOURCES NEW! If you'd like to he...

SUMMARY Mandi continues in the Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn series and lists out 8 things she does to calm her nervous system.   LESSONS List of 8 Things To Calm The Nervous System: Pet your dog or cat slowly and savor the moment Listen to gentle music, maybe nature sounds like birds singing Wrap yourself in a soft blanket Take mindful sips of your tea or mindful bites as you begin eating Calm yo...

Do you have a tendency to avoid conflict and just comply? Listen to Mandi discuss what Fawn looks like in the Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn scenario.   LESSONS Lesson 1 = Fight flight freeze and fawn are normal brain reactions for survival  Lesson 2 = It’s important to be aware of what the fawn response may look like. See below for a list of key signs in that response  Lesson 3 = If box breathing...