Brave Hearts Speak

In this episode of  Bravehearts Speak , h ost Lucia Severtson speaks wit h Alys, a survivor of domestic violence, addiction, and incarceration. Alys shares her journey from a turbulent childhood marked by poverty and instability, through an abusive relationship filled with manipulation and violence, to substance use and imprisonment. Now in recovery, she works as a recovery advocate and dance inst...

In this episode of Braveheart Speak, host  Lucia Severtson  interviews Katie Moore,  a survivor, mother, writer, advocate, and former member of the Mormon church whose life experiences have deeply shaped her passion for speaking out about abuse, coercive control, institutional betrayal, and healing. Raised within a high-demand religious environment, Katie's story explores the long-term impact of g...

In this mini episode of  Bravehearts Speak , host  Lucia Severtson  reflects on everyday bravery through personal insights about judgment, visibility, and social media pressure. She shares her journey away from quick judgments of others, recognizing how little we truly know about people from limited interactions. Lucia explores the challenge of staying grounded in your true self when others misund...

In this Part 2 episode of Bravehearts Speak , host Lucia Severtson continues her conversation with Melissa, picking up where her powerful story left off. Building on Part 1, Melissa goes deeper into the emotional and physical toll of her abusive marriage, the legal battles following her husband's arrest, and the systemic failures she faced while seeking protection. She also shares how the 2020 pan...

In this episode of "Bravehearts Speak, " host Lucia Severtson welco mes Melissa, who courageously shares her journey through domestic violence, psychological abuse, and coercive control. Melissa recounts how vulnerability after divorce and caregiving for her mother led her into an abusive relationship marked by love bombing, escalating threats, and isolation. She discusses the lasting impact of tr...

In this mini episode of "Braveheart Speak," Lucia, founder of the Brave Women's Community Center, offers a candid reflection on the emotional and relational challenges of building spaces for women survivors of abuse. She explores the quiet bravery needed to persist despite self-doubt and external skepticism, addresses harmful patterns like relational aggression among women, and critiques superfici...

In this powerful episode of "Bravehearts Speak," host  Lucia Severtson  continues her conversation with Kris Barney, who bravely recounts the loss of her daughter Miranda to domestic violence. Kris shares her journey through grief, systemic failures, and her ongoing fight for justice and awareness. She discusses the hidden dynamics of abuse, the challenges survivors face, and the importance of com...

In this powerful episode of "Brave Hearts Speak," host  Lucia Severtson  interviews Kris Barney, a domestic violence survivor and advocate. Kris shares her harrowing journey through emotional abuse, stalking, and the tragic loss of her three-year-old daughter, Miranda, to domestic homicide. She discusses the systemic failures she faced, her work with the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, and foundin...

In this episode of "Braveheart Speak,"  host Lucia Severtson  welcomes Kaylin, a survivor and advocate, who shares her powerful journey through childhood abuse, human trafficking, and addiction. Kaylin details her struggles, the failures of support systems, and her path to healing through faith, therapy, and advocacy. She reflects on reclaiming her voice, the importance of empathy, and her work su...

In this Part 2 episode of  Bravehearts Speak , host Lucia Severtson continues her conversation with Monica Hall, picking up where last week's powerful story left off. Building on Part 1, where Monica detailed her fight against unethical practices within a for-profit nursing college, this episode moves deeper into the emotional impact of that battle. Monica opens up about the years of exhaustion, d...

In this mini episode of  "Brave Hearts Speak" , host Lucia Severtson shares a personal story of emotional abuse and boundary violations by people she once considered family. She reflects on the subtle forms of harm, the importance of everyday bravery, and the healing power of speaking one's truth. The episode also highlights resources for support, including a guided meditation and the Headway plat...

In this episode of  "Brave Hearts Speak,"  host  Lucia Severtson  interviews  Monica Hall , a nurse advocate, survivor, and soon-to-be published memoirist. Monica shares her powerful journey—from pursuing her nursing degree in 2009 to becoming an unexpected voice for legislative reform in Kentucky after uncovering unethical practices within a for-profit nursing college. Her story extends far beyon...

In this mini episode of  "Brave Hearts Speak" , host Lucia Severtson shares a personal story about her challenging partnership with the nonprofit Mountain Sisterhood. She explores subtle forms of abuse and hierarchy disguised as community, describing emotional labor, dismissal, and the importance of reciprocity. Lucia reframes the question from "Do they want me?" to "Do I want them?" and encourage...

In this episode of  "Brave Hearts Speak" , host Lucia Severtson welcomes June Hill, who shares her powerful journey of surviving childhood abuse, complex PTSD, and reclaiming her life. June discusses her role as protector of her siblings, the impact of trauma, and her path to healing through therapy, advocacy, and storytelling. Now a life coach and author, June inspires listeners with messages of...

In this episode of "Brave Hearts Speak" , host Lucia Severtson shares a vulnerable story about leading a therapeutic improv session at her nonprofit, the Brave Women's Community Center. When few women attended, Lucia confronted feelings of invisibility and self-doubt rooted in past betrayal. Despite this, she chose to show up for herself and the small group, turning the session into a powerful exp...

In this episode of  "Brave Hearts Speak" , host Lucia Severtson interviews Laura Richards, a survivor of decades-long narcissistic abuse and host of  That's Where I'm At . Laura shares her journey from confusion and pain in an abusive marriage to finding healing, self-love, and peace. She discusses the challenges of recognizing psychological abuse, setting boundaries, and rebuilding her life. The...

In this episode of  "Brave Hearts Speak" , host Lucia Severtson welcomes Meghann Saige Volz, who shares her journey from surviving years of abuse to reclaiming her life. Meghann recounts her difficult upbringing, the gradual escalation of abuse, and the isolation she endured. She discusses her turning point, the support that helped her escape, and her healing through therapy, movement, and communi...

In this debut mini episode of " Brave Hearts Speak ", host Lucia Severtson shares a personal story of facing subtle online abuse and public shaming after using AI-generated graphics for her grassroots nonprofit, the Brave Women's Community Centre. Lucia reflects on the importance of recognizing covert forms of abuse, setting boundaries, and practicing everyday bravery. She offers listeners practic...

In this episode of " Brave Hearts Speak ", host Lucia Severtson interviews Rayven Veritas, a survivor and author of  Psychopaths or Sexy? . Rayven shares her journey from childhood insecurities and family challenges to surviving emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse in a relationship. She discusses the complexities of recognizing abuse, the impact of military spouse culture, and he...

In this episode of "Brave Hearts Speak", host Lucia shares her personal journey of healing from abuse and introduces the podcast's mission: to create a safe space for women to reclaim their power through storytelling and community. Lucia is interviewed by Gabi Garland, discussing her work as a psychotherapist, her experience with OCD, and her commitment to amplifying survivors' voices. The episode...

In this introductory episode of "Brave Hearts Speak", hosted by Lucia Severtson, listeners are welcomed into a supportive space for women to reclaim their lives and embrace bravery. Lucia shares the podcast's mission to highlight real stories of resilience and growth, including her own experiences with everyday bravery and setting boundaries. The episode encourages women to speak their truth, find...