Not Just a Hashtag

In this powerful episode, we hear a perspective that’s often left out of the conversation—what it’s like to be married to a survivor. Jeanne shares honestly about the impact of trauma on marriage, intimacy, trust, and communication, and what it looks like to walk alongside someone’s healing while tending to your own heart. Together, Rob and Jeanne offer a raw and hope-filled picture of what healin...

In this continuation of Episode 76, Rob returns to share more of his healing journey after childhood sexual abuse. He explores the tension between forgiveness and justice, what it means to confront the past, and how reclaiming his voice became a vital part of healing. This honest conversation offers hope and clarity for survivors learning that forgiveness does not require silence—and healing can h...

In this episode, Rob shares how childhood sexual abuse shaped his identity through shame, silence, and confusion — and how God has been restoring what was stolen. We talk about trauma bonds, why survivors often mislabel their experiences, and how healing begins when we separate what happened to us from who God created us to be. If this conversation resonates with your story, Trees of Hope is here...

In this powerful episode, Laura shares how she overcame the trauma of childhood sexual abuse—not once, but twice—by those she trusted most. With raw honesty and unwavering faith, she opens up about the turning point in her healing journey: choosing forgiveness, not to excuse the abuse, but to reclaim her life. This conversation is a testimony to the courage it takes to confront the past, find your...

In this raw and redemptive episode, Nicole Dabrowski shares her journey from addiction, homelessness, and despair to healing, purpose, and faith. After hitting rock bottom, Nicole encountered Trees of Hope and the Shelter from the Storm study—a turning point that helped her confront the root causes of her pain and begin the path to restoration. Nicole’s story is one of radical surrender, deep tran...

Ever catch yourself saying things you’d NEVER say to a friend? We’re diving deep into the battlefield of our minds. On this episode, Nicole and Deb get real about negative self-talk and how it impacts EVERYTHING. Deb shares a powerful truth: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yeah, that’s a LIE! Words, especially the ones we whisper to ourselves, have incredible...

In this powerful episode of the Not Just a Hashtag podcast, we are thrilled to introduce Shannon Nelson, the Director of Calvary House for Women at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Shannon's journey of redemption is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! Growing up, Shannon faced immense challenges, including a painful history of sexual abuse. As a teenager, she sough...

In this episode, Deb and her husband, Mike, share their inspiring story of transformation after Deb participated in the Trees of Hope Shelter program. Together, they courageously confronted the challenges of sexual abuse, exploring its effects on individuals and relationships. Through open conversations, they learned to address difficult emotions, strengthening their bond and understanding of thei...

After a three-month hiatus, the "Not Just a Hashtag" team has returned! Are you struggling with negative thoughts or feeling unworthy? You're not alone! Join us for this episode, where we dive into how to swap those harmful beliefs for uplifting biblical truths. For many survivors, feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy can be really tough to handle. But here's the good news—your value is beyond me...

Embark on a courageous journey with Deb as she fearlessly shares her path from pain to healing, aiming to inspire others to confront their experiences of sexual abuse. By embracing vulnerability and resilience, she is determined to shatter the stigma surrounding abuse. Deb urges you to put your story into words and consider sharing it with a trusted friend or counselor or even reciting it to yours...

In this powerful episode of the "Not Just a Hashtag" podcast, the team delves into the profound effects of trauma and sexual abuse on individuals, emphasizing the importance of healing through self-reflection, perseverance, and faith. They discuss the lasting impact of past traumas on behavior, the transformative power of reflection and evaluation, and the resilience needed to overcome s...

In this moving episode, Nicole and Deb have a candid discussion highlighting the stark contrast between superficial reliance on personal performance or external sources and a profound, biblical hope anchored in God’s unchanging nature. This impactful episode underscores God’s remarkable ability to bring about genuine transformation and rescue. Are you in need of a podcast that bravely tackles the...

Get ready for an exciting episode! The team is finally back after a brief hiatus in April 2024. Don't miss out on their latest episode! In this episode, Nicole and Deb discuss the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle after experiencing sexual abuse. The good news is that you don't have to face these difficulties alone. The episode provides practical advice and tips on how to take...

Join Nicole and Deb on the latest episode of "Not Just a Hashtag" as they delve into the complexities of dealing with sexual abuse, self-respect, and the importance of setting clear boundaries based on biblical principles of self-love and behavioral change. In this thought-provoking conversation, they share their personal experiences with anger and frustration, and emphasize the signific...

Join us for an important episode where our team addresses the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. We explore the need for survivors to prioritize biblical self-care over the self-care that the world promotes. Our experts offer practical tips on maintaining discipline in your daily routine, grounding your identity in Christ, practicing gratitude, and trusting God during difficult times. We believe bib...

The podcast “Not Just a Hashtag” by Trees of Hope explores the multifaceted issue of sexual abuse, intertwining personal narratives with education on the subject. It features discussions on the prevalence of sexual abuse, recognizing its signs, and methods for prevention. The host shares the story behind the creation of Trees of Hope and details their “Shelter from the Storm” curriculum designed t...

On this episode of the Not Just a Hashtag podcast, host Nicole Escobar and guest Deb Marsalisi have a candid conversation about sexual abuse and its effects. They both share their personal experiences as survivors, emphasizing the importance of being vulnerable and the need for Christians to be seen as real people. The discussion covers a history of abuse within a dysfunctional family, which led t...

As the team, Nicole Escobar and Kristen Torres, continue their candid conversation about the impact of sexual abuse on a person's life, they share how minimization plays a significant role in the healing process. Nicole shares her personal story of minimization and encourages listeners to take an honest and courageous look at their story and allow the truth of their abuse to guide them to a de...

In this episode, the Trees of Hope team revisits its mission and the purpose of the podcast. They engage in a candid conversation about the impact of sexual abuse on a person's life. For both new listeners and long-time followers, this episode serves as a refresher on the organization's identity and offers a safe and welcoming space for survivors seeking the courage to share their stories....

In this episode, the team examines why many survivors struggle with self-talk and limiting beliefs about what they can or can't do, how they will heal, and if they will heal. So this episode gives some tips on prioritizing yourself and encouraging yourself when no one else will. If you struggle with insecurities, doubts, or disbelief that healing is possible, this episode is for you!

In this second episode of a two-part series, the team discusses the state of our children and youth. Like never before in our lifetime, the topics of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and the sexualization of our children have been headlining the news and social media posts over the past year. Much of the discussion concerns children being exposed to content in the public school system with an ove...

In this first episode of a two-part series, the team discusses the state of our children and youth. Like never before in our lifetime, the topics of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and the sexualization of our children have been headlining the news and social media posts over the past year. Much of the discussion concerns children being exposed to content in the public school system with an over...

In this episode, the team talks about how we can choose joy in every circumstance, even when life isn't going the way we want or we are suffering. Of course, happiness is not the same as joy. We may not be able to choose happiness all the time. But we can always choose joy. We can overcome our fear, doubts, worry, and anxiety when we lean into God's joyful nature. We can grow through dark times in...

In this episode, the team talks about the lie of shame which says, “I am what I am. I can’t change. I’m hopeless.” When we believe this lie, it makes us feel like we have no worth or value. When we feel hopeless, we might make choices that reinforce those feelings. We might turn to substance abuse or other reckless decisions to numb the pain. Or, we may self-sabotage because we have no hope for an...

In this third episode of our four-part series, the team covers lie number three from the book Search For Significance. This lie tells us that because I have failed, I am unworthy and deserve to be punished. This lie results in self-loathing or blaming others for our failures. Consider a time when you have failed. Did you look inward, or did you blame somebody else for it, and you became the victim...