The Cocoon: A Safe Place for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Trauma

Former police officer and child-protection specialist Kristi‚ one of the most-listened-to guests on The Cocoon‚ returns to discuss one of the most misunderstood and under-discussed aspects of child-safety in the contemporary landscape: child-on-child sexual harm․ In this episode we look at the difference between normal exploration and harmful sexualized behaviour‚ why "kids being kids" is the most...

Former police officer and child protection specialist Kristi returns to The Cocoon with a statistic that stopped us mid-conversation: child-on-child harm has now overtaken adult-on-child abuse in Australia. How did we get here, and why is nobody talking about it? Full episode drops Sunday 28th of June. If you’re a parent, educator, or survivor, you can’t afford to miss this one. Hosted on Acast. S...

Warning: This episode contains themes surrounding childhood sexual assault, listener discretion is advised. Nicole shares her 20-year journey from childhood sexual abuse to conviction and what it actually takes to survive a courtroom. If you're a survivor afraid of testifying, carrying shame, or wondering if justice is possible: this is for you. Nicole's story shows what happens when you finally s...

At six years old, Bambi Lynn was given a ragdoll named Josephine. What her mother didn’t know was that Josephine would become the only witness to years of childhood sexual abuse, alcoholism, and trauma that Bambi couldn’t speak aloud. In this episode, Bambi shares how a simple doll carried her secrets, her tears, and her survival, and why it took her 24 years to finally tell her story. From “poor...

In “Dignity After Death: Trauma-Informed Funeral Care for Survivors with Michelle Dwyer,” Ruby sits down with funeral director and celebrant Michelle Dwyer from Dwyer Family Funerals to unpack what dignity after death really looks like – especially for survivors of sexual trauma. Together, they explore how language, boundaries and respectful body care can transform funeral practice from something...

In this teaser for Part One of “Dignity After Death: Trauma-Informed Funeral Care for Survivors with Michelle Dwyer,” Ruby shares a powerful clip from her conversation with funeral director and celebrant Michelle Dwyer from Dwyer Family Funerals. They explore what dignity after death really means for survivors of sexual abuse and complex trauma, and why the words “we’re bringing them into our care...

In Part 2 of her powerful conversation, Denise opens up about the somatic aftermath of sexual trauma and how it’s shaped her experiences of pregnancy, birth, and parenting. From panic attacks during breastfeeding to triggering OB/GYN procedures and setting boundaries with her child, Denise shares the raw truth of what it means to raise a family while living with a dysregulated nervous system. We a...

"It’s not my baby’s fault. But when her hand touched my neck, I panicked — like I wasn’t even in my body anymore.” In this month's upcoming episode, Denise speaks the truth so many survivors hold in silence — what happens when sexual trauma doesn’t stay in the past, but shows up in the most intimate, everyday moments of parenting. Breastfeeding. Birth. Even a hug from your child. When your nervous...

What does healing really feel like after trauma? For Denise, it wasn’t soft or peaceful. It felt like necrosis, like something inside her was dying slowly while the outside world thought she was fine. In Part One of this honest, vulnerable chat, Denise and I talk about what happens after the trauma. The messy, quiet part no one really prepares you for. We talk about the nervous system, the shame,...

"It felt like necrosis. Like parts of me had to die off to even begin healing". In this raw teaser. Denise shares how the aftermath of trauma lived in her body- how survival meant peeling away the dead layers left behind by the abuse. Part One soon to drop on 25th Jan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I speak with Mao , founder of Mistakes Are Overrated , about how journalling became a powerful tool in her trauma healing journey. We talk about Mao’s long-standing love for reflective writing, how consistent journalling helped her process trauma, regulate her nervous system, and rebuild self trust, and how that deeply personal practice inspired her to create her own self impact j...

In this episode, I sit down with licensed massage therapist and journalist Dr. Dominique Carson to explore how intentional touch can become a powerful tool in healing sexual trauma. We go beyond the table by diving into the emotional, psychological, and somatic layers of massage therapy. Dr. Carson shares how trauma can live in the body long after words run out, and how a safe, informed practition...

What happens when the place you go for help… has another agenda? In this gripping episode, I sit down with U.S. clinic escort and reproductive rights advocate Cait Morrigan to expose the lesser-known side of abortion access — where “support” is used to coerce , and choice becomes a carefully guided illusion. From crisis pregnancy centres in Australia that push people toward parenthood, to the emot...

In this grounded and informative episode, trauma-informed therapists Amanda and Carol who are co-founders of the Stress & Trauma Clinic in Mittagong explore the core principles of EMDR, attachment repair, and somatic healing. With decades of experience supporting survivors of complex PTSD, early childhood trauma, and nervous system dysregulation, they offer deep insights into how therapy can t...

Coming this September — Amanda & Carol from The Stress & Trauma Clinic open up about the shocking reality behind Australia’s suicide crisis and how EMDR therapy is giving survivors a lifeline. They share confronting truths, break down the science of trauma recovery, and reveal what it really takes to heal after life’s hardest moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Counsellor Kendra King (LPC, NCC) joins us to unpack the impact of porn and sex addiction on couples from broken trust to rebuilding intimacy. With years of experience guiding partners through infidelity recovery, Kendra shares practical steps for healing, communicating, and reconnecting after betrayal. A must-listen for anyone navigating relationship wounds in the digital age. TBBI Links/Enquirie...

Did you know porn addiction can start as young as age 10? In this gripping conversation, counsellor Kendra King breaks down the hidden impact of early exposure, how it rewires the brain, and why parents often don’t see it coming. This clip from our upcoming full episode will make you rethink what you thought you knew about porn, sex, and addiction. Full episode drop on August 31st. TBBI Links/Enqu...

Criminologist Dr Kathryn Whiteley returns to continue her powerful exploration of prison reform, rehabilitation, and the lived experiences of incarcerated women. In Part Two of this special episode, Dr Whiteley dives deeper into the long-term impacts of incarceration — both on the women she’s worked with and on herself. From navigating grief and vicarious trauma to witnessing moments of profound c...

Australian Criminologist Dr Kathryn Whiteley shares powerful insights into prison reform, the realities of women’s prisons, and the emotional work of humanising incarcerated women in the U.S. In our first-ever two-part episode, Dr Whiteley takes us inside the walls of prison to reveal how her work with some of society’s most condemned — and most forgotten — women began. From her first encounters b...

In this episode of The Cocoon , Ruby is joined by Hamish Whelan from ACON — a passionate advocate working within emergency response to create safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ communities. Together, they explore what it means to feel safe to serve and safe to be , even in systems that weren’t built with queer people in mind. This conversation is about quiet resistance, systemic chang...

Disclaimer: This episode contains content that could be distressing to our listeners. Listener discretion is advised. For her birthday month, podcast host herself Ruby shares the truth behind her healing — surviving childhood grooming, redefining love, and learning to speak the words out loud. TBBI Links/Enquiries: Facebook: The Blue Butterfly Institute Email: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.a...

Disclaimer: This episode contains content that could be distressing to our listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Accessing help for abuse shouldn't depend on your postcode but for many in rural areas, it does. In this episode, social worker and family violence advocate Evie Clayton joins me to discuss the challenges of supporting survivors in isolated communities, the urgent need for better c...

Warning: This episode does contain themes and discussion of institutional harassment and violence, listener discretion is advised. In this episode of The Cocoon Podcast , host Ruby Mikolaitis from the Blue Butterfly Institute sits down with Nicole Bedera, a sociologist and leading researcher on sexual violence. As the podcast’s first American guest speaker, Nicole shares groundbreaking insights fr...

In this episode of The Cocoon , we sit down with Stacey Copas, a resilience expert who turned a devastating accident into a powerful mission to help others overcome adversity. Stacey shares her incredible journey of becoming quadriplegic at 12, the mindset shifts that shaped her success, and how we can all build resilience to face life’s challenges. This is an episode about triumph, strength, and...

In this episode of The Cocoon , we welcome Jackie Durnin, a seasoned EFT practitioner and counselor with over 15 years of experience transforming lives. After overcoming her own trauma and challenges, Jackie created a groundbreaking healing retreat that combines traditional therapies with cutting-edge neuro-technology to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Join us as Jackie shares h...