Break That Cycle

What happens when addiction steals your identity, your relationships, and your future? In this episode of Break That Cycle, Jacob Jeffcoat shares his raw and honest journey through addiction, recovery, and the long road to rebuilding his life. From the darkest moments of substance abuse to finding hope, purpose, and community, this conversation is a reminder that recovery is possible—even when it...

What if the biggest thing holding you back financially… was never being taught how money actually works? In this episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with retired banker Larry to break down real-world financial knowledge in plain English — the kind of stuff most people were never taught growing up. We talk about budgeting, banking, debt, credit scores, scams, saving money, and how the financia...

What if everything you thought you knew about anxiety and depression wasn't the full story? In this episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with Dr. Andrea Gleim — psychologist, entrepreneur, and founder of Mindfully Mine, Mindful Ambition, and TheraBoss — to have a real conversation about mental health, culture, and the pressure to "have it all together." We dive into how anxiety and depression...

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with Kim Figueroa, a survivor of long-term sex trafficking who now uses her voice and lived experience to help others find a way out. Kim's story is not what most people expect. It didn't begin with a dramatic moment — it started quietly, shaped by childhood experiences, difficult circumstances, and survival decisions that led her into "the...

In this episode of Break That Cycle, we introduce a new series called Wednesday Recap — real conversations inspired by a Tuesday night women's group hosted by an MMH employee. Each week, a topic is brought to the table, and the group dives deep into honest discussion. On Wednesdays, we recap those conversations and unpack the themes together. This week's discussion centers around three powerful re...

In this episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with Pearl Chiarenza, founder of Women's Successful Living, to talk about finding empowerment, purpose, and inner strength after unimaginable loss. Pearl shares her personal story of losing her son and the long, difficult road of grief that followed. Instead of allowing tragedy to define her, she chose to transform her pain into purpose — helping wo...

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with Dotti Groover-Skipper, founder and CEO of the HeartDance Foundation, to expose the realities of human trafficking and the urgent need for awareness right here in our communities. Dotti's journey into advocacy didn't begin in policy rooms or headlines—it began with lived experience, calling, and decades of frontline work. Today, she is...

In this episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with Eleanor Saunders, Executive Director of ECHO of Brandon, to talk about what food insecurity really looks like in our community — and how families can find stability, dignity, and hope even in the hardest seasons of life. Eleanor didn't found ECHO, but she grew up in the organization — starting as a volunteer and rising into the CEO role. With n...

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle, Chief Dookie sits down with Freddy Barton, Executive Director of Safe & Sound Hillsborough, to talk about what it really takes to make our communities safer and stronger. Freddy's been on the front lines of youth violence prevention, reentry, and community engagement — turning hard truths into actionable change. Together, they dive into the realities o...

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Break That Cycle , we sit down with Ebenie Gordon , who walked out of jail less than a year ago after more than a decade of charges ranging from theft to assault. With a rap sheet that could have defined her forever, Ebenie chose instead to use her last stint behind bars as a turning point. While incarcerated, she earned her diploma, completed a welding progra...

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle, we sit down with Earlishia Oates, founder of the I-Supplies Foundation, to talk about what it truly means to survive—and then turn that survival into purpose. A mother of four and a fierce community advocate in Tampa, FL, Earlishia opens up about her journey, the moments that shaped her, and the fight she's been leading to create a better future for fa...

This month on Break That Cycle, we sit down with Emma Martin, founder of Full Range Foundation, to talk about what it really takes to build a healthy relationship—even after years of toxic patterns and broken trust. Emma opens up about her rough childhood, the mistakes she made as a toxic partner, and the affair that rocked her relationship before marriage. Together, we break down the lessons lear...

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle, Cheryl Hickman joins us to talk about the kind of abuse that often goes unseen: narcissistic manipulation behind closed doors. Raised in a home ruled by control and emotional chaos, Cheryl carried trauma into her adult relationships—marrying a man who continued the cycle of abuse, this time cloaked in charm and public perfection. Cheryl opens up about...

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle , Christy shares her deeply personal journey from trauma to triumph. A survivor of sexual assault and spousal rape, Christy opens up about the darkness she faced, her battle with alcohol, and the strength it took to fight her way forward. Today, she's a licensed mental health counselor and founder of V.O.I.C.E.S Against Sexual Assault , a nonprofit help...

In the debut episode of Break That Cycle , we sit down with Heath—a man whose story is as raw as it is redemptive. After surviving childhood sexual abuse, years of trauma in the military and law enforcement, and multiple suicide attempts—including a misfired gun that should've ended it all—Heath made a choice: to live, and to lead others away from the edge. This conversation dives into the silent...