Illuminating Hope

Dr. Nicole Price is an engineer-turned-leadership strategist, empathy revolutionary, keynote speaker, author, and CEO of Lively Paradox. After discovering that empathy is not an innate trait but a skill that can be developed, she dedicated her career to helping leaders build stronger, more engaged, and high-performing teams. Through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs, Dr. Pri...

Saturday, April 18, 2026 , 8:00 pm CST at Knuckleheads Knuckleheads: 2715 Rochester Ave, Kansas City, MO We are excited to announce the Sonderluss Soul: A Benefit Concert for Hope House! Sonderluss Soul is comprised of Charlie Harris (basses and guitars), Bill Thompson (harmonicas), Marcus Rattler (percussion and steel pan). All members are veteran musicians who have played in a number of musical...

Missouri House Speaker Dr. Jon Patterson, represents District 30, which includes parts of Lee’s Summit. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018. Rep. Patterson is a 1998 graduate of Blue Springs High School. He then attended the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he earned both his bachelor's and medical degree. After medical school, Dr. Patterson completed his surgical resi...

Today, we need your voice. For decades, Missouri’s victim service organizations have worked alongside law enforcement, healthcare providers, court systems, and local communities to ensure that individuals impacted by crime have access to safe and supportive services. One of the primary funding sources for victim services is the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA provides grants to states, w...

In this powerful Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month conversation, Youth Prevention Specialist Sadi Geier joins us to explore how teen leadership is more than a confidence-builder, it’s a prevention strategy. Together, we dive into what leadership really looks like for young people and how developing skills like communication, boundary-setting, decision-making, and peer influence can help teens b...

In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, this special episode features Youth Prevention Specialist Sadi Geier in an important conversation centered on empowering young people to build healthy, respectful relationships. Together, we explore what teen dating violence really looks like beyond the stereotypes including warning signs, the role of boundaries, peer influence, and how early...

Predatory stalking is the most dangerous and deliberate form of stalking. In this episode, we discuss stalking rooted in entitlement, power, and control where the behavior is intentional from the beginning. Victims are often strangers, and stalking may involve surveillance, targeting, and information-gathering that can escalate into sexual violence. We explain why this type of stalking must always...

Episode 4: The Incompetent Suitor The incompetent suitor is a type of stalker whose behavior is often minimized as awkwardness, misunderstanding, or “not knowing better.” In this episode, we explore stalking driven by loneliness or desire, where the goal is access not connection. We discuss why repeated advances after rejection are harmful, how distress is often ignored or dismissed, and how socia...

Episode 3: The Intimacy-Seeking Stalker Intimacy-seeking stalking is often misunderstood and dangerously romanticized. In this episode, we examine stalking that arises from loneliness, fixation, and a false belief that a relationship exists or is destined to exist despite clear lack of consent. Victims are usually strangers or acquaintances, and in some cases the behavior is fueled by delusional b...

Episode 2: The Resentful Stalker Resentful stalking is driven by anger, perceived injustice, and a desire for revenge. In this episode, we explore how individuals who believe they have been mistreated or humiliated may use stalking as a way to “even the score.” Unlike rejected stalking, victims are often strangers or acquaintances rather than former partners. We discuss how resentful stalkers freq...

Episode 1: The Rejected Stalker Rejected stalking often occurs after the end of a close relationship and is one of the most common and misunderstood forms of stalking. In this episode, we explore how stalking can emerge when a former partner, family member, or close acquaintance refuses to accept separation or rejection. Listeners will learn how rejected stalking is driven by attempts to regain co...

Jessica Lynn McCallop-McClellan is an inspirational speaker, (Jessica Lynn Speaks Life), She’s been an impactful keynote speaker at many women’s events and inspirational movements. She is also the Founder and President of 501c3, nonprofit organization, Giving Hope & Help Inc, founded in 2013. One of her purposes is to speak for the voiceless and inspire others to find their voice and use it fo...

lesnorman.com Radio/Podcast Host, Inspirational Keynote Speaker, Cable TV MLB Analyst, Life/Executive Coach, Former MLB Player, Husband, and Father Les Norman has a passion for people. He finds human beings utterly fascinating, loves sharing their stories-the REAL ones-with the world on his radio show and podcast, "Breakin' the Norm". He is also driven to help create passionate servant leaders in...

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Volunteers are community volunteers, just like you, who stand up and speak out to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Jackson County CASA recruits, trains, and supports these CASA Volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who are in the Jackson County Family Court system until they have a safe and permanent home. Jackson Cou...

Sherrill L. Rosen is a retired Missouri Circuit Court Commissioner who served with distinction in the 16th Judicial Circuit, based in the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse. With a legal career spanning a decade, Commissioner Rosen was widely respected for her commitment to family law and her tireless advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. Born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in St. Louis, Mi...

This is Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Attorney and Professor Mary Kay O’Malley—a respected voice in family law and a dedicated educator shaping the future of justice. In Part 1, Mary Kay gave us a look into her journey through law and education, and how both worlds intersect impact families and communities. Today, we’re picking right where we left off—diving deeper into the challenges a...

Mary Kay O’Malley has been the director of the Child and Family Services Clinic and clinical professor since 2002. She obtained her bachelor of arts from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terre Haute, Indiana and her master of arts from UMKC. After working as a social worker for the Missouri Division of Family Services for 13 years, she returned to school and graduated cum laude from the Washburn...

Guest: Patricia “Tricia” M. Scaglia, Scaglia Law Firm, LLC Patricia “Tricia” M. Scaglia, is a solo practitioner in Independence, Missouri. She practices primarily in the area of Family Law and Juvenile Law, frequently serving as a Guardian Ad Litem and mediator. A life-long Kansas City resident, she received her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), where she serves as a...

Guest Tamara A. Veit received her J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 2004. In 2004, she began working for McElligott Ewan & Hall PC as an associate attorney. She practices primarily in the area of family law. She is currently a member of a number of legal organizations, including the American Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Assoc...

C.A.S.A. Training with Hope House CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Volunteers are community volunteers, just like you, who stand up and speak out to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Jackson County CASA recruits, trains, and supports these CASA Volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who are in the Jackson County Family Court system until they have a sa...

Crissy Del Percio has been working with survivors of domestic violence for more than a decade. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Law, and obtained her undergraduate degrees from the University of Kansas. Although she loves working with Hope House, she looks forward to the day when her services are no longer needed because Kansas City has overcome the issue of d...

Guardian Program Supervised Visits & Monitored Exchanges of Custody A secure, off-site facility where custodial parents safely exchange custody of their children and/or children participate in supervised visits with their non-custodial parent. Guests: Randa, Director of Outreach Services & Serena, Guardian Program Manager Advocating Justice: The Legal Battle Welcome to Illuminating Hope, a...

Advocating Justice: The Legal Battle Welcome to Illuminating Hope, a podcast of Hope House. In the series Advocating Justice: The Legal Battle, we dive into the legal battles that shape the fight for domestic violence survivors. In each episode, we bring you powerful conversations with the legal teams, court advocates, and changemakers working tirelessly to bring justice, protection, and hope to s...

Let's talk physical, sexual and reproductive abuse! Welcome to Understanding Domestic Violence: Knowledge Is Empowerment, the podcast series dedicated to uncovering the truth about domestic violence and empowering you with the tools and knowledge to create change. In this series, we’ll explore the many dimensions of domestic violence, physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and beyond. Each...

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to shed light on an issue affecting so many young people. That's why we're re-publishing this important episode—to continue the conversation and ensure teens, parents, and educators have the tools to recognize unhealthy relationships and promote safe, respectful love. Awareness leads to prevention, and prevention saves lives. Stay tuned as w...