True Crime Connections ~ Advocacy Podcast

Addiction recovery isn’t just about the person struggling — it’s about healing the entire family. In this episode, Andrew Levander , LMFT, M.A.C, shares 25 years of expertise and his personal journey from opiates and alcohol to recovery. As the founder of Encino Recovery and Detox Center (seen on Oprah and Dr. Phil ), Andrew breaks down the realities of addiction, withdrawal, and lasting healing....

Fear can quietly control your life — or it can fuel your transformation. In this episode, Brett Dellar , Aussie author of Soften the Fuck Up and Emerge , shares how he turned depression, childhood trauma, and addiction into a life of passion, courage, and purpose. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ How fear hides in daily life and keeps you stuck  ✅ Why confronting your past is the key to gro...

The life you want starts in your mind. In this episode, Yvonne Trost , former IT strategist turned Chief Happiness Officer , shares how she went from a difficult divorce to a fearless, purpose-driven life through yoga, meditation, and subconscious reprogramming. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ How to rewire limiting childhood beliefs  ✅ Practical strategies for setting and holding boundari...

Healing happens when science meets spirit. Iván Chocrón shares how he blends plant medicine, emotional intelligence, and spiritual practices to help over 10,000 people heal from trauma. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How unmet emotional needs fuel trauma ✅ The role of emotional intelligence in healing ✅ The truth about plant medicine like Ayahuasca ✅ How to choose safe and trustworthy fa...

One act of violence can change countless lives — but healing is possible. In this episode, Rhonda Parker Taylor shares her journey from surviving a violent attack at 15 to losing her adopted son in a shooting. She opens up about the ripple effects of crime, the power of emotional intelligence, and the tools that helped her reclaim her life. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why acknowledging t...

 Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the key to healing and connection. In this episode, Jayson Blair , former journalist and host of the Silver Linings Handbook podcast, shares his journey from childhood abuse to the emotional highs and lows of crime reporting. He reveals how opening up about pain can transform relationships and bring deeper meaning to life. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅...

What if the roots of violent crime start in childhood? In this episode, Bev Mitelman , M.A., relationship and attachment trauma practitioner and founder of Securely Loved , explains how chaotic, unpredictable childhoods can shape adult behaviors — sometimes with deadly consequences. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ How early caregiver interactions shape attachment styles  ✅ Why emotional re...

Join me this week as I uncover the chilling story of Ronald Clark O'Brien, infamously known as the Candyman, whose heinous act on Halloween night in 1974 cast a dark shadow over the holiday. Dive into the haunting details of how a seemingly ordinary family man and church deacon from Deer Park, Texas, turned into a murderer, using potassium cyanide-laced pixie sticks as his weapon of choice. D...

Every powerful change starts with a decision. In this episode, Denise G. Lee, a healing and leadership coach, shares her journey of surviving incest, overcoming addiction, and breaking free from toxic environments. She reveals how self-awareness, humility, and forgiveness became the foundation for her transformation. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How to recognize red flags and understand t...

In the special episode, I’m flipping the script and handing over the mic to YOU, my incredible listeners! I check in to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback. Let me know what you love and want more of and what you think could make the show even better. Your voice matters, and I can’t wait to hear from you! How to contact: https://truecrimeconnections.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@truecrim...

Leaving an abusive relationship can feel impossible — but it can save your life. In this episode, LaShaudra Barnes , resilient mother, podcast host, and survivor, shares her journey from a high school romance that turned into years of emotional, mental, and physical abuse, to finally breaking free and rebuilding her life. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ How to recognize the early signs of e...

What happens when the people who should protect you cause your deepest wounds? In this episode, Dana Diaz , author of Choking on Shame , returns to share her powerful story of surviving two narcissistic parents — enduring emotional manipulation, neglect, and physical abuse — and how she found the strength to heal. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ The red flags of narcissistic abuse in famili...

Can yoga help you rebuild your life after abuse? In this episode, Danielle Young , yoga instructor and domestic abuse survivor, shares how she transformed her healing journey through yoga — using it to reconnect with her body, quiet self-doubt, and find peace after trauma. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ How yoga supports trauma recovery on a physical and emotional level  ✅ Why reconnectin...

Cybercriminals are getting smarter — are you ready to fight back? In this episode, Art Bowker , 40-year law enforcement veteran and cybercrime expert, reveals the most dangerous online threats today — from AI-driven fraud to romance scams targeting the elderly — and how to defend yourself against them. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ The latest tactics scammers and hackers use to target vic...

Leaving a narcissistic partner is hard — rebuilding your life afterward can feel even harder. In this episode, Martina Gruppo , author and survivor, shares how she escaped an egocentric ex-husband who used love bombing, gaslighting, and financial abuse to control her — and how she reclaimed her freedom, confidence, and joy. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅ How to spot the red flags of narcis...

Toxic relationships can drain your energy, derail your goals, and leave you questioning your worth — but are they also distractions from your true path? In this episode, Bre Wolta, relationship clarity coach, breaks down the manipulation, control, and emotional abuse common in narcissistic relationships and how to escape the cycle. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How to spot the red flags of...

Have you always wondered if Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin boldly escaped from Alcatraz prison on June 11, 1962? Well, wonder no more! I am on location on Alcatraz Island with author Mike Lynch and Ken Widner, nephew of the Anglin brothers. Ken's family has been holding on to the proof that not only did they make it off the island alive, but they went on to have families o...

What happens when childhood trauma collides with a high-stakes career in public safety? This episode follows the journey from family violence and heartbreaking loss to resilience, growth, and advocacy. We explore: The impact of trauma and secrecy on your life’s path How to break cycles of dysfunction The power of time, perspective, and the right influences Whether you’re navigating your own challe...

Can decades of trauma really disappear in minutes? In this episode, Dean Graves — author, podcaster, and mental health counselor — shares his transformative approach to healing, one that focuses on releasing emotions rather than reliving painful stories. His methods have helped veterans resolve PTSD in minutes and can also address anxiety, phobias, and more. What you’ll learn in this episode:  ✅...

This week, I sit down with Gargi, founder of the Unsquashable Girl movement, as she shares her transformative journey of reclaiming her life from the grip of abuse. Gargi reveals how shifting her mindset, embracing self-love, and identifying subtle signs of control helped her break free and thrive. In this eye-opening conversation, we discuss: - The red flags and subtle tactics abusers use to gain...

From hostage negotiations to deviant crimes — these are Alaska’s strangest cases. In this episode, Doug Fifer, former police officer and author of 50 Shades of Crime: Sex, Drugs, and Killer Kink, shares the most bizarre and unforgettable stories from his law enforcement career. From unusual sexual fetishes to encounters with serial killers, this episode pulls back the curtain on Alaska’s criminal...

Addiction is never just about the substance — it’s about the pain beneath it. In this episode, Christopher Mack and Wanda Webster share how trauma, societal influences, and unhealed emotional wounds often drive addictive behaviors. Christopher celebrates 24 years of sobriety, crediting the 12-step program and the principle of “principles before personality” for his recovery. Wanda explains why add...

Behind closed doors, abuse isn’t always physical — sometimes it’s financial. In this episode, Sarah Doucette — author, advocate, and podcast host — shares her journey through financial abuse, coercive debt, and the devastating aftermath of her ex-husband’s suicide. She reveals how uncovering his financial crimes inspired her memoir, Stronger Than a Domestic Violence Survivor Uncovers the Truth Abo...

The cost of staying silent is high — but taking action can change everything. In this episode, Susan Glenney , incest survivor and author of Moments in Time with 16 Men and The Bow Tie , shares her raw and inspiring journey of breaking free from trauma and finding the tools to rebuild her life. She also explains how her work supports New Horizons , a 24-hour domestic violence service and shelter....

This week, join us as we delve into the transformative world of hypnotherapy with Dr. Karoline Fischer, an RTT hypnotherapist and emotional healer. Dr. Fischer shares her journey from overcoming her mental blocks to helping others heal from deep-seated traumas. Discover the powerful impact of hypnotherapy on childhood and generational trauma and learn how it can reframe limiting beliefs, fostering...