Root For Each Other: A Branches Podcast

It's officially spooky season! Here at Branches, we're united in our love for Halloween but somewhat divided on how spooky culture makes us feel. For some, it's a wondrous, magical time of our favorite decorations and nostalgic movies, while, for others, it can be just one more way the world seems scary. What do you think? Join us for a conversation about how to prioritize self-care...

On a new episode of Root for Each Other, our advocates Sara and Emily are discussing the recent sentencing of convicted rapist, Danny Masterson, and the implications of both character reference letters of support submitted by famous friends of the actor and the powerful Victim Impact Statement read by his former partner at sentencing. As always, this is a difficult topic, so please take care of yo...

Join us for a look back at our Summertime Advocate Roundtable about BOUNDARIES: What are they? Are they always healthy? Are they a mass conspiracy created by the Wellness Industrial Complex...? Seriously, though, promoting healthy relationships is what we do best, besides, perhaps, having opinions. Check out our opinions on this topic and more on this episode of Root for Each Other: A Branches Pod...

There's nothing our advocates love more than getting to sit behind this mic and share powerful stories from advocates doing incredible work across the state.  Don't miss our latest Root for Each Other episode, out later this week, featuring the incredible Ashley Williams from the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center.  Ashley is both poignant and inspiring as she shares her experi...

In this episode, advocates, Shannon and Sara sit down with advocate, Christina Meade from Contact Rape Crisis Center to discuss the parallel between domestic violence services and sexual assault services.   In this episode, we found out that services can look very different---but still,  it is clear that the experience of trauma informs all of the work that we do.  

Advocates, Shannon & Sara, have an in depth conversation with the Cabell County Quick Response Team (QRT) about the intersections of domestic violence and substance use disorder. The QRT has been a revolutionary evidence-based strategy for combatting substance use disorder in the Cabell County community--we take a few moments to talk about what really makes a difference in affecting healing an...

This very special episode talks about the real life experiences that led to the creation of Branches' newest training campaign, "Style It in Violet" which provides training for stylists and salon owners on how to recognize the signs of domestic violence as well as the services that are available if they do encounter someone experiencing it.   Advocates Emily & Sara talk about ho...

It's Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and we're tackling a difficult but important subject, Familial Trafficking, and its relevance to life in Appalachia. Join us for a conversation with Angie Seay, Coordinator of the Hoops Family Children's Hospital Child Advocacy Center as she enlightens us on the diligent work her organization is doing to make a safer community for children. 

Just as our survivors have unique and transformative stories to share--so too, do our advocates. This special series highlights a personal moment with an advocate as we chat with them about why they do this sometimes difficult work.  To kick off this series, we're taking a moment to catch up with our Director of Client Services, Amber!  Amber has served in many roles at Branches and has a str...

It's November, and we want to pause in a moment of gratitude for the people we serve. In this episode, you'll hear stories from advocates across our programming and service area about the privilege of advocacy and how survivors have impacted their lives and work. We're honored to witness their strength and resilience, and we hope these stories are enlightening about the realities of...

This domestic violence awareness month, we're challenging our beloved state motto, "Montani Semper Liberi," as many mountaineers are not free even in their own home or relationships. For this episode, we're honored to be joined by Joyce Yedlosky, one of two Team Coordinators at the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to talk about bystander intervention, both wha...

Join our advocates, Sara, Darian, & Suzie as we discuss how domestic violence affects our favorite furry companions and also how pets can make a difference in the road to freedom from abuse for survivors.  

As advocates, the question we get the most is, "What can we do to help our friends or family members that are experiencing domestic violence?"  If you've ever asked yourself this question, we invite you to join advocates Shannon and Amber as they discuss strategies for support.  You won't want to miss this episode! 

Have you seen Maid? What about the new season of Euphoria? What do you think about Kimye? Is it significant that Johnny Depp was friendly with Marilyn Manson? We're delving back into why portrayals of domestic violence matter to the public consciousness and how we think some of the recent discourse helps or hurts survivors. Dig in with us to learn what our advocates are thinking about some of...

Branches advocates Shannon, Amber, Emily, and Sara sit down to talk about the domestic violence elements of the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation case that is rising to the top of all our social media feeds the last few weeks. What does the case mean in the long term?  What does it mean for survivors?  

Join advocates Sarah and Amber as they discuss the connection between self-care and emotional awareness through the empowering practice of yoga! This podcast explores the potential for survivors to connect with emotional healing and growth as they practice low-impact yoga or cultivate a meditative practice into their routine. .  Bonus!  Amber walks us through a practical meditative sitting yoga pr...

Join Branches advocates Amber, Director of Client Services and Hannah, Rapid Rehousing Case Manager as they talk with Dr. Amanda Coleman on what safe housing for survivors looks like in our local community.  The intersection of the homeless experience and the domestic violence experience is a powerful factor in appropriate advocacy---this episode delves into the reason low barrier, victim centered...

Branches teams up on this episode with Dana Fleitman from the national organization, Stalking Prevention Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC) to discuss the importance of acknowledging the crime of stalking as its own victimization with its own red flags and potentially dangerous indicators.  Sometimes overlooked or misrepresented, stalking is a serious issue that affects victims every day of the...

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and Branches advocates, Courtney Newsome, Youth Services Coordinator and Sara sat down with The Center--Youth Opportunity and Development Hub to discuss the intersections between teen dating violence and youth homelessness as well as green flags to look for to help make sure your relationships stay safe and healthy!  

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month,  Branches advocates talk with survivor and She Who Dares founder, Angie Conn about the common misconceptions and types of victimization involved in human trafficking.   Angie is an educator, leader, advocate, yogi and thriver. She works as an independent consultant for SheWhoDares Consulting, LLC., which she founded in 2018, to empower other survivors...

In this brand new Root for Each Other series, join advocate and social worker, Sarah Cunningham for episodes dedicated to self-compassion and healthy healing.  In this episode, Sarah discusses how we can turn common New Year's resolutions into meaningful goals that best serve our individual needs.   

In this episode, domestic violence advocates talk about volunteers and donors that have made a huge difference in the lives of domestic violence victims. If you've ever wondered what you could do to help, this episode talks about our favorite volunteerism ideas, as well as things we often need in the shelter that you might not think of! 

In another "Read for Each Other" installment of the podcast, Sara and Shannon talk with our editor, Josh, about Branches' most recent staff book club selection, What Happened to You?   by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. It's a book about the effects of trauma on the human brain and how a collective mindfulness of trauma could solve chronic social issues, so obviously we&apos...

Join us for this episode when we take a look at what we mean when we say trauma-informed advocacy and how that relates to running and participating in a support group;.  If you've ever considered what it would be like to join a a support group but hesitated--this is a great episode for you!  Sarah talks us through what they look like, why they're effective, and most importantly, how they...

We're here for the fourth and final installment in the Lorena series. Join us for the conclusion of our podcast series following 'Lorena' as we try to make sense of what this case meant to individual survivors and the movement to end domestic violence.  WARNING: This documentary and the podcast conversation address scenes of assault and sensitive topics that may not be appropriate f...