Can We Talk About That?

In this episode, a stay-at-home mom shares that she has no access to household finances, doesn't know how money is being spent, and must ask permission before making purchases. Is this simply how some families manage their finances, or could it be a form of financial abuse? In this Reddit Reactions episode, staff from DASO and Ingamo Homes unpack the warning signs of financial abuse, the diffe...

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Gibson from MHEART to unpack what this often-misunderstood team actually does and why it matters. MHEART (Mental Health and Emergency Response Team) is a specialized team that pairs mental health professionals with police officers to respond to crisis situations in our community. Together, they aim to provide more compassionate, appropriate support to indi...

Happy Pride Month 🌈 In this episode, we’re joined by Tami Murray, psychotherapist, owner of Diversity Counselling, and former founder and president of Oxford Pride, for an important and often under-discussed conversation on gender-based violence in 2SLGBTQ+ relationships. Drawing on decades of experience supporting queer individuals and building community in Oxford County, Tami helps unpack what...

What starts as a “perfect” new relationship takes a sudden and terrifying turn—when a woman shares that her partner began strangling her during sex… without consent, without warning, and without stopping when she asked him to. She’s left shaken, confused, and scared, trying to make sense of how someone she liked could cross such a serious line. In this episode, we unpack: • What this kind of exper...

In this episode, we’re joined by Annyse Alcock, a nurse with the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, to unpack the realities of strangulation—an often misunderstood and highly dangerous form of violence. Together, we explore:- The serious and sometimes delayed health risks of strangulation- Why strangulation is a key indicator of escalating violence- Co...

What actually happens during a “rape kit”? And how do you access one if you live in Oxford County? In this episode, we sit down with registered nurse Annyse Alcock from the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London to answer the questions most people are afraid to ask. While many people know them as “rape kits,” the professional term is sexual assaul...

In this episode, I sit down with Alex, to share her powerful story of healing, self-trust, and rediscovery. Alex opens up about what it felt like to be disconnected from her intuition and how a turning point came when a blood test confirmed that something wasn’t right. That moment became the catalyst for a deeper journey: learning to reconnect with her body, trust her gut, and develop new tools fo...

In this episode, we sit down with registered nurses Jacqueline Forget and Emily Robertson from the iHEAL program, which supports individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence across Oxford County, Elgin County, and St. Thomas. Through a trauma- and violence-informed approach, iHEAL helps survivors move beyond crisis and toward long-term healing, safety, and stability. Jacqueline and E...

In this episode, I sit down with Patricia Marshal‑DeSutter, founder of Building the Fire (formerly the Indigenous Solidarity and Awareness Network).Patricia shares about the work Building the Fire is doing to support Indigenous communities, raise awareness, and foster meaningful solidarity in the movement to end violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two‑Spirit People (...

What happens when the legal system meant to protect survivors ends up criminalizing them? In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Jenniffer Olenewa, who shares insights from her PhD research on the criminalization of women and survivors of gender-based violence. Together, we unpack the history of how survivors have been treated by the justice system, explore growing conv...

In this special episode, we’re celebrating a major milestone: the closing of our 2025 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Seed Grant for our Can We Talk About? project. We were honoured to welcome our local MPP, Ernie Hardeman, to join us for our Final Recognition Event — a moment to reflect on the impact of this work and to say a heartfelt thank you to OTF for their support. Together, we highlight...

In this episode, we sit down with Tracey Marshall from Threat Management Matters (TMI) to unpack the realities of criminal harassment. What does it actually look like? Why is it so often misunderstood, minimized, or dismissed? And what are the real risks when it isn’t taken seriously? Together, we explore how criminal harassment impacts survivors, how it escalates, and why recognizing early warnin...

Consent is something many of us were never properly taught — yet its absence has lifelong impacts. In this episode, we’re joined by Brooke McCoy, Ingamo’s Child and Youth Worker, to explore how conversations about consent often fail young people, and what that silence can lead to as they grow into adulthood. Drawing from her frontline experience supporting children and youth impacted by gender-bas...

We’re wrapping up our 2025 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant and feeling incredibly grateful 💛 Good news — we’re not saying goodbye. New podcast episodes will now drop every other Wednesday so we can keep these conversations going sustainably. Thank you for being here. We can’t wait to share what’s next! Feel free to put in the comments any topics or guests you have in mind for future episodes 👀

Many of us want to support survivors of gender-based violence—but we’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, or we don’t realize that our well-intentioned advice can actually cause harm. In this episode, Krystal Snider joins us to talk about what real support and advocacy look like beyond the phrase “just leave.” We discuss the complexities survivors navigate, the importance of listening and believin...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tracey Marshall, founder of Threat Management Matters, to explore how risk is assessed in situations of gender-based violence. Drawing on her extensive experience in threat assessment and law enforcement, Tracey explains how professionals determine when a situation is becoming dangerous and what signs to watch for. We discuss practical strategies for survivors, all...

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Ferguson from Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS) to talk about one of the most difficult but important realities: sexual abuse that happens at the hands of friends, family members, and people we trust. Sarah helps us unpack why this type of harm is so often minimized or misunderstood, how grooming and trust-building play a role, and what survivors need in...

In today’s Reddit Reactions episode, we dive into a heartbreaking relationship story shared by a woman who becomes seriously ill and ends up in the hospital for a week. Instead of getting the support she needs, she’s met with distance, defensiveness, and signs of emotional abuse she can no longer ignore. We also explore the bigger picture: her partner recently lost his job, may be struggling with...

This episode features Jerry Acchione, the City of Woodstock's Mayor, who opens up about his childhood living with an abusive father and the strength it took for his mother to seek safety for their family. At just 11 years old, Jerry entered a women’s shelter with his mom and siblings—an experience that would change the course of his life. Jerry talks about resilience, generational trauma, and the...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Kelly, past Manager of the Family Violence and Counselling Program with the Children’s Aid Society, and a long-time leader in supporting families impacted by abuse. Tim helps unpack a crucial reality: abuse in relationships is never just a partner problem—it directly affects parenting, children’s wellbeing, and the overall safety of the home. We discuss how abu...

In this episode, we sit down with consultant and advocate Marianne Park-Ruffin for an honest and eye-opening conversation about the intersection of disability and gender-based violence. Marianne offers both lived and professional insight into how people with disabilities experience GBV, the unique vulnerabilities they face, and the barriers that often prevent them from accessing support. Together,...

In this moving episode, we sit down with Tajay, a survivor of gender-based violence, who shares her story with honesty, courage, and grace. Tajay takes us through her journey — from surviving abuse to rebuilding her life, reclaiming her voice, and rediscovering who she is beyond what she’s endured. Together, we talk about what life after leaving really looks like — the quiet strength it takes to h...

In this episode, I sit down with Amy Maddess, who previously served as the Domestic Assault Resource Team (DART) Coordinator for Oxford County, to talk about the ongoing work to prevent femicide and the critical importance of recognizing and responding to strangulation as a serious risk factor for lethality in intimate partner violence. Together, we unpack what femicide means, why strangulation is...

What happens when care crosses the line into control? In this episode, we’re joined by Margaret McPherson, a research associate for the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University. Together, we explore how patterns of power and control can appear in caregiving relationships, the warning signs of financial, emotional, and physical abuse, and what i...

How do we actually say what we mean—and hear what others are really saying—in our relationships? In this episode, Joanna Parker joins us to unpack what healthy communication looks like, how to navigate conflict without losing connection, and why clear, compassionate conversations are essential for building safer and more respectful relationships. Whether you’re trying to set boundaries, repair tru...