Genesis The Podcast

For decades, the path to healing from domestic violence trauma was long, arduous, and often incomplete. Laura Frombach's powerful journey demonstrates why that happens and how dramatically the path to healing has changed. Growing up with two alcoholic parents in a violent household, Laura witnessed her mother's startling transformation from a kind person to someone cruel and sadistic. On...

The battleground of family court has become a dangerous landscape for survivors of domestic violence and their children. When abusers wield the controversial theory of parental alienation syndrome as a weapon, protective parents often find themselves losing custody to the very people they're trying to escape. Ruth Guerreiro, Chief Clinical Officer of Genesis Women's Shelter & Support...

What happens when childhood trauma meets unwavering resilience? Katherine (Kat) Omo-Osagie's story answers this question with extraordinary power and grace. At just six years old, Kat witnessed unimaginable violence when her father shot her mother multiple times before taking his own life. Today, she stands tall as Miss Lewisville, a contestant in the 2025 Miss Texas pageant, a college schola...

Sara Sherbill's powerful memoir "There Was Night and There Was Morning" takes its title from the book of Genesis, establishing a profound metaphor for her life's journey from darkness to light. As the daughter of a respected rabbi who terrorized his family behind closed doors, Sarah lived a "split-screen reality" - presenting the perfect religious family image to the...

What warning signs did we all miss? In the wake of Gabby Petito's tragic murder by her fiancé Brian Laundrie, situational awareness expert Kelly Sayre joins host Maria MacMullin to fulfill Joe Petito's call to action—using his daughter's story as a learning tool to help others recognize the dangerous patterns of abuse before they turn deadly. Kelly breaks down abusive behaviors thro...

What happens when your abuser carries a badge and a gun? For victims of officer-involved domestic violence, the journey to safety becomes a dangerous maze with few exits. Bruce Bieber joins us with the heartbreaking story of his daughter Abby – a rising star deputy sheriff who was murdered by her intimate partner, himself a detective in the same sheriff's office. This wasn't a random tra...

When Lynn Stroud was 20 years old, her boyfriend deliberately violated their agreed-upon method of contraception following a birth control failure. His casual dismissal – claiming he "forgot" and was "drunk" – masked a calculated attempt to trap her through pregnancy. What followed was a harrowing journey through reproductive coercion, a form of intimate partner violence that r...

Navigating the aftermath of sexual assault often leaves survivors feeling adrift without a comprehensive roadmap. Cheyenne Wilson transformed her own traumatic experience into a powerful resource that builds bridges over these information gaps. Her book, "We Are the Evidence: A Handbook for Finding Your Way After Sexual Assault," provides the comprehensive guide she desperately sought bu...

Melissa Flynn, APR, MBA, brings nearly three decades of PR and marketing expertise to this powerful conversation about finding your voice during life's most challenging moments. What begins as a discussion about traditional crisis communication for organizations transforms into an empowering exploration of how these same principles can help women navigate personal crises with confidence and c...

In honor of Women's History Month this episode features the extraordinary journey of Lola Reid Allin from surviving domestic violence to becoming a groundbreaking female aviator with over 6,000 flight hours and numerous historical firsts in aviation. Lola shares how flying became both her passion and her path to freedom from an abusive marriage. ~ When Lola Reid Allin's husband suggested...

Ever wondered how those who help others manage their own well-being amidst the chaos? Licensed professional counselor Aubrey Richardson joins us to share her journey from researcher at Johns Hopkins University to providing care in clinical settings across Texas. She highlights her mission, focusing on helping therapists, caregivers, and healthcare professionals navigate the challenges of perfectio...

The episode explores the vital role of youth in achieving gender equity through empowerment and education, focusing on the GET Project led by Ariella Neckritz, Director of Youth Programs at The Representation Project. It discusses the importance of addressing systemic issues and stereotypes while fostering an inclusive dialogue that equips future leaders with necessary tools for change. Our conver...

Uncover the profound journey of transformation faced by domestic violence survivors as we sit down with Ruth Guerreiro and Jordyn Lawson from Genesis Women's Shelter & Support. In this episode, we discuss how the transtheoretical model of change, a tool often used for weight loss and smoking cessation, can be a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of abuse. Discover the emotiona...

Unlock the transformative power of advocacy as we sit down with Nora Mosby and Cara Jones from the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence. Guided by a commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, we uncover the vital role advocates play in connecting individuals to essential resources, from medical care to public transportation. The journey of advo...

We welcome back Edy Nathan, a renowned therapist and grief expert, who shares her poignant journey through grief as shaped by personal experiences of profound loss. Edy opens up about the transformative impact of losing her partner to cancer in her late twenties, a pivotal event that led her to a deeper understanding of grief and its manifestations beyond the death of a loved one, including domest...

Discover the powerful ways in which neurodiversity intersects with domestic violence and learn how tailored support can make a difference. In this episode Jordyn Lawson, chief residential officer at Genesis, explores the unique challenges of neurodiversity in abusive environments. We'll uncover strategies for recognizing neurodivergent traits like developmental delays and learning issues in c...

Discover the transformative journey of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as we sit down with Jan Langbein, CEO of Genesis, a leading voice in domestic violence advocacy. Jan’s firsthand experience as a senior policy advisor offers a unique perspective on the sweeping reforms introduced in the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022. She shares how these critical updates provide enhanced support throu...

Detective Brandon Wootan joins us to uncover the transformative impact of Domestic Violence High-Risk Teams in preventing intimate partner homicides. Drawing from his extensive law enforcement background, Detective Wootan shares the approach that has dramatically reduced fatalities in his jurisdiction, where a staggering 40% of homicides are linked to domestic violence. Learn how these multidiscip...

Join us for a compelling conversation with Professor Erin Kelley as we dissect the intricate ties between patriarchy and violence against women, inspired by her latest book, "Law, Literature, and Violence Against Women." You'll gain profound insights into how societal norms and gender biases are deeply embedded in various aspects of life, perpetuating gender-based violence. Professo...

Can the family court system be a perpetuator of misogyny? Join us as we uncover the profound influence of patriarchal social conditioning on this vital institution. We welcome Dr. Christine Cocchiola and Amy Polacko, authors of "Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld," who share their compelling expertise and personal experiences. They reveal how women are often unfairly painted as...

In our season four premiere of Genesis The Podcast, we welcome New York Times bestselling author Leslie Morgan Steiner, who takes us on a deeply personal journey of understanding domestic violence. Leslie shares insights from her transformative 2012 TED Talk, debunking the myths and stereotypes that often surround victims of abuse. She reveals that abuse can affect anyone, regardless of their demo...

In this final episode of season 3, Maria MacMullin and Genesis CEO Jan Langbein take you on a reflective journey through the most impactful moments from the past three seasons of Genesis the Podcast. Special highlights include transformative insights from renowned expert Lundy Bancroft, whose work has been pivotal in reshaping how we view abuser accountability and support for survivors. This episo...

In this episode, Sheerin Gryloo's journey unfolds as a testament to resilience and advocacy. A first-generation Iranian American, Sheerin shares her family's immigration experience and the challenges they overcame in the United States. Her narrative is deeply rooted in cultural pride, shaped by celebrations like the Persian New Year, while also acknowledging the sacrifices her parents ma...

What if the language we use could change the way we understand and address gender-based violence? Join us for a compelling conversation with Kelsey McKay, a former prosecutor and expert in gender-based violence, recorded onsite at the 2024 Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas. We explore the profound impact of terms like "victim" and "survivor," the importance of...

Can changing just a few words really alter our entire perception of gender-based violence? In this compelling conversation with social scientist Erica Olson, we uncover the profound impact of language on how we understand and address this pervasive issue. We explore the encoding and decoding process of communication, highlighting the importance of precise word choice in shaping public opinion, pol...