Genesis The Podcast

Immerse yourself in a critical discussion with Attorney Jennifer Becker of the Battered Women's Justice Project as we confront the dire consequences of gun violence within intimate partner relationships. Imagine the threat looming over many; the presence of a gun amplifying the risk of domestic homicide by fivefold. Together, we dissect the United States vs. Rahimi case, examining its potenti...

When Courtney Gilmartin walks into a room, her strength and resilience are palpable. Yet her journey to becoming the founder of New Jersey Protective Moms is one woven with the dark threads of domestic violence and the battle scars of a high-conflict divorce. Courtney's story, shared in this episode, is full of raw emotion and legal complexities, yet shines a light on the unsettling truth of...

Courtney Messina, Director of Clinical Services for Greenhouse Inpatient & Outpatient Treatment Centers in Grand Prairie and Arlington, Texas, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, joins us to explore the invisible threads that bind the scourge of addiction to the turmoil of domestic violence. In this episode, we peel back the layers of th...

Discover the insidious nature of gender bias with Dr. Erin Kelley, as we navigate the intricacies of its impact on society and the legal system. Dr. Kelley, a Professor at Dallas College with a keen eye on the intersection of literature and law, joins us to unravel the threads of cultural stereotypes and prejudices that contribute to systemic gender inequality and violence. From the wage gap to un...

When life throws you curveballs, how do you catch them—or better yet, throw them right back? Today's guest, Twyla M. Marks, gives us a masterclass in resilience and forgiveness that's as powerful as it is poignant. Her journey from a childhood steeped in abandonment to overcoming the shackles of an abusive marriage is nothing short of heroic. Twyla's candid sharing of her early life...

When the unimaginable strikes, leaving scars that are both seen and unseen, how does one navigate the path to healing and advocacy? Stephanie Bond, a survivor of extreme domestic violence, steps forward to share an intimate glimpse into her life-altering experience and her commitment to empowering others. Through her eyes, you'll be offered a raw and unfiltered look into the complexities of m...

The blockbuster film "Barbie" is a journey through fantasy to our flawed reality revealing profound truths about gender discrimination and societal norms. In this episode, our guests Jan Langbein, Bianca Davis, and Amy Jones uncover the layers of patriarchy skilfully woven into the narrative of the 2023 film. We traverse from Barbie's idyllic origins to her encounter with the harsh...

Mark Wynn, former lieutenant and survivor of domestic violence, recounts his transformative journey from enduring the grip of abuse to becoming a beacon for others.  Our conversation offers an unfiltered glimpse into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, the critical role of law enforcement training in handling domestic violence, and the pivotal support systems that uplift survivors. Mark'...

Author, professor, and New York Times op-ed contributing writer, Rachel Louise Snyder, joins us for a raw and honest discussion about child abuse, domestic violence, and grief as laid bare in her gripping memoir, "Women We Buried, Women We Burned." To quote the author, "Cancer took my mother. But religion would take my life." The odyssey begins as an 8-year-old Rachel learns he...

This episode offers a riveting journey into the thorny issue of self-defense claims made by victims of domestic violence. Listeners will leave with a fresh perspective and deeper understanding of the complexities involved in these cases. Kelsey McKay, a seasoned attorney and the founder of Respond Against Violence, brings her expertise to our discussion. As a former prosecutor, she shares invaluab...

Genesis Women's Shelter & Support is often called upon to provide expert witness testimony in domestic violence cases. To better understand the role of the expert witness and how they can help facilitate an understanding of domestic violence for legal teams, judges, and jurors, Ruth Guerreiro, LCSW and Genesis' Chief Clinical Officer, and Jordyn Lawson, LPC and Genesis' Chief Re...

What does it mean to raise boys in a world that faces an ongoing battle with toxic masculinity? How do societal pressures, gendered expectations, and the culture of sports affect our sons and shape their perception of manhood? This week I had the privilege of sitting down with my colleague and fellow boy mom, Jordyn Lawson, to share experiences and insights into raising boys in the 21st century. ...

What if the very institution meant to protect you, weaponizes and silences you instead? This disturbing question lies at the heart of our conversation with renowned Professor Emeritus, social worker, and author Evan Stark. Evan's staggering and transformative research exposes the damaging impact of coercive control on children, and how this abuse often stems from a terroristic pattern within...

Genesis CEO Jan Langbein and Chief Clinical Officer Ruth Guerreiro recently visited Honduras to collaborate on a new domestic violence shelter in the city of Siguatepeque. They join the conversation to reveal the alarming prevalence of femicide and domestic violence in Latin America, the urgent need for communication systems that not only affirm domestic violence as illegal, but also ensure secure...

Have you ever felt silenced? This is how many survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault feel as they traverse the criminal justice system. With Kelsey McKay, founder of Respond Against Violence and former prosecutor, we delve into the power of allocutions and how they can transform the narrative of survivors of violent crime, giving them a powerful platform to share their truth. We navigat...

Ever wonder how domestic violence affects the emotional bonds crucial to our relationships? Join us as we broach this vital topic with Ruth Guerreiro, Chief Clinical Officer of Genesis Women's Shelter and Support. Together, we'll uncover the influence of domestic violence on the four types of attachment styles - secure, avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganized. Hear as Ruth unravels the de...

What happens when we confront the complex aftermath of violence from domestic abuse, incest or sexual assault? We address this question with Dr. Judith Herman, a notable figure in the field of trauma studies. She opens the conversation revealing her early encounters with survivors from the 1970s and how her team developed a unique approach of gathering stories and writing books to help survivors r...

According to Linda Thai, "the role of therapy is to help you to get to know yourself and to experience a sense of dignity." Our conversation dives into therapeutic solutions that are trauma sensitive, trauma informed, and trauma driven as we explore the root causes of trauma, empowerment through somatic strategies and "me-search". Linda also guides us through a brief yet ground...

Kristin Daley, a communications/development strategist specializing in sexual violence, survivor-centric crisis response, and justice system reform, and Kenny Smith, law enforcement training director and retired law enforcement professional, join the conversation to explore the language we use to discuss sexual violence and how that discourse can help or hurt individuals who experience sexual viol...

The Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) conducts qualitative and quantitative research on domestic violence-related fatalities to prevent, intervene, and respond to family violence. In this episode, we explore the GCFV's data behind domestic violence-related murder-suicides as well as new interventions aimed to reduce and eliminate family violence such as the "FLAG" program...

Intimate partner violence often begets abuse of animals. Very often survivors who plan to leave their abusive partners will not do so without their pets yet are unclear of the options for bringing them into shelter. Dr. Bryna Donnelly, Vice President of Pet Programs for Greater Good Charities, and Rebecca Stewart Executive Director of the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter in Southeast Mississippi help...

Heena Khan of Uplift Counseling Services shares the benefits and how-to's of child-centered play therapy for trauma survivors. We explore the play room experience, sand tray therapy, expressive arts and movement activities for young children, teens and young adults, and how these approaches heal trauma. Heena Khan is a LPC-S whose approach to therapy is holistic. In her own words: "I pro...

Sexual grief has many dimensions and is defined by therapist and grief expert Edy Nathan as "a natural response to an unnatural sexually traumatic event or experience that makes you feel as if you are being held hostage."  It is through this lens that this episode explores a wide range of aspects about sexual grief including survivor experiences of rape, sexual violence, sexual abuse, di...

An arranged marriage with an awkward start explodes into abuse just weeks after its beginning. It would take two decades for Kanchan Bhaskar to untangle from the man who was a stranger that became her husband and ultimately her abuser. Ms. Bhaskar has authored the new memoir "Leaving: How I Set Myself Free from an Abusive Marriage" and joins the show to share her story. Listen to the end...

You have likely heard the question or perhaps even asked it yourself - why doesn’t she just leave? But when a woman is in an abusive relationship her options of leaving can be challenging and often put her at higher risk for violence and possible lethality. And besides, where would she go? Many believe that a shelter is the go-to option for getting to safety and support. But that is not always the...