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

A special edition episode for the month of October with a heartfelt but inspiring journey of resilience and survival. In this episode, Rach Mack, founder of the Broken Crayons Still Colour Foundation, opens up about her journey as a survivor of domestic violence and the ongoing struggles she faces. From the traumatic effects of strangulation to her recent diagnosis of stage four metastatic cancer,...

In this episode, Caroline Brunne opens up about her journey of healing as a survivor of child sexual abuse and incest. With raw honesty, she reveals how peer support and community played a pivotal role in her recovery, especially while navigating the complexities of her migrant background. Caroline shares powerful insights on setting boundaries, advocating for oneself, and respecting personal auto...

In this eye-opening episode, host Ruby Mikolaitis sits down with Jackie McMillan, Senior Project Officer of 'It Left No Marks', to explore the growing trend of erotic strangulation. Why do people engage in this risky practice, and why are younger audiences increasingly drawn to it? Together, they dive into the dangers, the psychology behind it, and most importantly, how to ensure safe practices wi...

The Real Talk on Trauma: What No One Prepares You For" dives deep into the often-overlooked aspects of healing from sexual trauma. Join Ruby and founder of TBBI Tina Meyer as they pull back the curtain on the raw, unfiltered truths of recovery—the emotional hurdles, the unexpected struggles, and the silent battles that aren’t always part of the conversation. This episode is for anyone navigating t...

Join Ruby Mikolaitis from The Blue Butterfly Institute as she interviews Paris, the voice behind 'Shits Fucked' podcast. Discover Paris's incredible journey from meth addiction to advocacy, breaking the stigma around substance abuse. Listen in as they discuss systemic flaws, share life toolkits, and reveal how Paris is using her platform to inspire real change. This episode is a must-hear for anyo...

Join us in the latest episode of The Cocoon as we sit down with Sarah Williams, the visionary creator of the 'What Were You Wearing' organization. Sarah delves into her mission to transform policies and perspectives around victim-blaming. Discover the powerful stories and ground-breaking initiatives that are reshaping the conversation on victim advocacy and justice. Don’t miss this inspiring discu...

Joining us in this captivating episode, we're joined by Ally Hijazi, a dynamic lawyer, compelling speaker, and passionate advocate for family rights. Ally fearlessly shares her journey from childhood trauma to self-acceptance, sprinkling humour and candour along the way. Through highs and lows, she reveals the pivotal moments that shaped her resilience and authenticity. Get ready for an inspiring...

Step into the captivating world of "Memory Maze," where Dr. Hayley Cullen takes us on a riveting journey through the intricate labyrinth of child abduction issues in Australia. In this episode, we delve deep into the vital role memory plays in accurately witnessing and identifying these harrowing incidents to law enforcement. Join us as we unravel the complexities of memory recall and its pivotal...

In this compelling episode of The Cocoon, host Ruby Mikolaitis delves into the intricate world of image-based sexual abuse with renowned expert Nicola Henry. Together, they unravel the complexities of this pervasive issue, discussing its definition, far-reaching impact, and the crucial steps we can take to safeguard our online presence. Through insightful analysis and practical advice, this episod...

Disclaimer: This episode contains themes and content around sexual violence, listener discretion is advised. In this episode, we explore the Australian Law Reform Commission's inquiry into the criminal justice system's response to cases of sexual violence. Lawyer and professor Amanda-Jane George joins us to discuss the need for a more 'trauma-friendly' approach, particularly in court cases and res...

Disclaimer: This episode contains mature language and discussion of assault and harassment, listener discretion is advised. Dive into the digital dating realm with our latest episode as we unravel the secrets behind online forums where individuals share their experiences, from harassment to infidelity. Join our insightful interview with Treena Orchard, a scholar and specialist in defamation and so...

Disclaimer: Graphic imagery of abuse is described between 05:30 and 11:00 minutes, please skip ahead if you need too. Explicit language is used. In a raw and courageous narrative, join us as Kim, hailing from Davenport, Tasmania, shares her deeply personal and harrowing journey through unspeakable adversity. From enduring childhood sexual abuse to grappling with the horrors of adult assault, Kim f...

Disclaimer: This episode contains sexual trauma and assault related themes. Listener discretion is advised. This episode does discuss issues within Indigenous communities in Australia, the podcast does not reflect on every mob in Australia and should be taken listened to with care. Join us for an eye-opening journey with Charlie, a proud Aboriginal person and LGBTQIA+ advocate, as we dive into a r...

Content warning: This episode contains explicit language and content discussing the abuse of children, listener discretion is advised. In this emotionally charged episode of 'The Cocoon,' we have the privilege of sitting down with Julie Henderson, a remarkable woman whose life story is a testament to the enduring power of hope, healing, and the unwavering love of a mother. Julie begins by sharing...

Content Warning: This episode contains contains explicit language and triggering themes. Listener discretion is advised. This episode delves into the intricate topic of navigating relationships in the aftermath of trauma and explores the challenges individuals face when trying to connect with others while carrying the weight of past traumatic experiences. Our guest speaker for this episode is Alic...

This month's episode is focused on creating an honest and vulnerable conversation about the realities of healing our sexual abuse and trauma. Warning: This episode contains explicit language and content that may be triggering. We are back with our recurring guest speaker, Tina Meyer who is the CEO and President of The Blue Butterfly Institute which is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to edu...

This month's episode is a special one because Ruby, your usual podcast host, is not interviewing, but being interviewed! Our guest host is the one and only, Tina Meyer , the President and Founder of The Blue Butterfly Institute . In this special episode, one of our Butterfly Support Groups has graciously permitted us to interview them and ask questions about what their journey was, why they decide...

Disclaimer: This podcast contains topics such as suicide and assault. Please listen at your own discretion. On average, 4 men a day commit suicide in Australia. This adds up to over 1,500 men committing suicide per year. Why is it so high? And what can we do to lower it? Today's guest speaker is Adam Holstein who is a suicide awareness advocate and host of the very successful and well-known podcas...

Disclaimer: Topics mentioned in this episode might be triggering to listen too, viewer discretion is advised. Grooming is something we all know to be weary of, you might have been taught about grooming in school or have had to teach someone else about grooming. But what exactly is it? Retired police officer Kristi McVee joins us today, with over a decade of experience in investigating and reportin...

1 in 4 Australian women who identify as having a disability have experienced sexual violence after the age of 15 (Australia Institute of Health and Welfare). On this episode of 'The Cocoon' we are talking with Kelly, she is a volunteer of The Blue Butterfly Institute and an autism specialist, who has worked and supported people within the neurodivergent community who have experienced sexual trauma...

In the latest episode of The Cocoon podcast, we meet Lorna and Tasha. With Ruby, they discuss who they are, what life volunteering for the Institute is like, and then they get into vicarious trauma and how they genuinely self-care as a result of what they hear and learn volunteering. If you are someone others turn to for support, you will gain from listening to this. Self-care and support structur...

Warning: This episode contains content that could potentially be triggering. The Blue Butterfly Institute is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2020. 'We advocate for victims and survivors of sexual trauma, support them through the healing journey, and provide educational opportunities to the community on the impact of trauma on behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs. Our guest for this episo...