Uproot Abuse

In this episode of Uproot Abuse , Donna sits down with Laura Capello , former CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AZ and current Regional Director at Cohere Life , to examine the silent drivers of youth harm: loneliness and insecurity. With hundreds of children waiting for mentors and the "noise" of AI and social media reaching a fever pitch, Laura discusses why the "Trusted Adult" model is...

In this episode of Uproot Abuse we dig into the systemic roots of bias and rejection with Nate Rhoton , CEO of one·n·ten . We explore the empathy gap and the urgent need for sensitivity in a climate where 38% of LGBTQ+ youth aren't safe enough to come out to their own families. From the funding crises sparked by political rhetoric to the "terrorist" labeling of trans individuals by extremist group...

What if the key to ending domestic violence isn't just funding more shelters, but fundamentally redefining power? In this episode of UPA, host Donna Bartos sits down with the legendary Gloria Feldt —former President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and current CEO of Take The Lead . With a career spanning from Head Start classrooms in West Texas to the national political stage,...

What happens to the reporters who cover our darkest days? Veteran news director and industry leader, Bob Sullivan joins Donna to discuss the emotional toll of reporting on domestic violence and mass shootings. He reveals his philosophy on protecting staff from burnout, the industry’s past failures in sensitive reporting, and managing trauma and bias in the newsroom. 

What happens to a community when empathy is systematically erased? Investigative legend Mike Watkiss joins Donna to deconstruct the chilling "pillars of control" used by the FLDS to maintain absolute power. Moving beyond theology, Mike reveals how leaders like Warren Jeffs built a patriarchal machine designed to treat women as resources and children as property. In this deep dive, we explore the c...

It has been over three decades since the world was shaken by the domestic violence murder of Nicole Brown Simpson. In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Uproot Abuse , host Donna Bartos sits down with Denise Brown , a woman who transformed her family’s unimaginable tragedy into a lifelong mission of advocacy. Denise opens up about who she was on June 11, 1994, versus the outspoken activi...

In this episode of Uproot Abuse , Donna Bartos sits down with Jane Gordon—founder of Rock Recovery Charities , podcaster, and longtime board member for Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers . Together, they explore the powerful intersection of creative arts, addiction recovery, and violence prevention. Jane shares the inspiring history of Solid Rock, a "no-judgment" sanctuary where teens ages 12–...

In this powerful episode of Uproot Abuse, host Donna Bartos welcomes a very special guest who played a pivotal role in the foundation of BLOOM365: the honorable Judge Lynn Toler. Beyond her iconic presence on Divorce Court, Judge Toler is a mentor and dear friend who helped Donna find the courage and strategic vision to pick up the mantle and start an organization dedicated to preventing and respo...

Donna takes a break from the heavy work of trauma and abuse awareness to celebrate a milestone: 23 years of marriage to her husband, Peter Bartos! Get ready for some serious laughs as this candid, long-term couple faces off in a hilarious, competitive round of The Newlywed Game. Will Peter remember what Donna wore on their first date? Does Donna know his celebrity crush is Dianne Sawyer (who once...

Dr. Hirsch Handmaker, founder and CEO of The CACTIS Foundation, joins us to reveal a crisis hiding in plain sight: the shocking prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)—or concussion—in survivors of domestic violence. Dr. Handmaker shares groundbreaking research identifying the high correlation between strangulation and objective neurological damage. Learn why common symptoms like dizziness, mem...

Rita Smith , an international expert on violence against women and a social justice advocate since 1981 joins Donna to talk about a really big "elephant in the room:” the normalization of violence —from our homes to the highest government offices. We talk about how current political behaviors mirror forms of abuse , including financial, mental, and coercion. Rita emphasizes the urgent need for civ...

On this episode we welcome Phoenix broadcast legend Mary Jo West, the city's first primetime anchorwoman starting in 1976. West discusses her history-making career, which began when government mandates opened doors for women in media. Crucially, West reveals the personal tragedy that fueled her journalism: her own mother was a victim of domestic abuse in the 1950s. This experience drove West to pr...

In this insightful conversation, we sit down with Suma Hodge, a Regional Clinical Director at MIKID (Mentally Ill Kids in Distress), to address the "elephant in the room" when it comes to raising kids: your own unresolved trauma. Suma explains how our past can directly affect our parenting, and why addressing it is the key to creating a healthier, more supportive home environment. We dive into how...

What happens when the very system meant to protect domestic violence survivors instead adds to their trauma? Shante Saulsberry, a fierce advocate and survivor herself, opens up about the hidden realities of abuse within the shelter system and the systemic barriers that keep women from moving forward. We explore how she turned her own pain into a powerful purpose, creating Janice's Woman's Center t...

For many, dating is a rite of passage. But what about young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? In this vital episode, we confront the "elephant in the room" with Katherine Gyolai, founder of findlovesafely.com. We explore the alarming gap in education for this community regarding healthy relationships, consent, and abuse prevention. Learn how her unique matchmaking serv...

What is the "persistent elephant in the room" when it comes to domestic violence? We explore this with Mark Wynn, a retired detective sergeant, survivor of childhood abuse, and subject matter expert who offers a rare dual perspective on the issue. We unpack the complex reasons why 80% of victims fear reporting, the historical evolution of the justice system since the Violence Against Women Act, an...

Join economist Danny Court as he breaks down the numbers behind some of society’s biggest challenges. We often hear about the costs of a problem, but what's the true economic value of preventing it in the first place? In this podcast, we explore the tangible cost of domestic violence, school shootings, and other societal harms, and reveal how shifting resources from treating the symptoms to addres...

In a raw and unfiltered debate, Donna and former raper and security professional Clarence confront the uncomfortable truths behind violence. They clash over who is truly at fault in situations of harm, from road rage to domestic violence. Clarence shares his personal journey of unlearning toxic masculinity—shaped by a career of NDAs and emotional suppression—and reveals how rigid gender roles can...

In this episode, former rapper Clarence Ferguson joins us to discuss the social acceptance and normalization of violence in the music industry. We talk about the evolution of rap lyrics from the 80's to today's hyper-graphic content that blurs the lines between a performer's persona and their reality. We dissect Diddy's abuse of power and control, and the stark reality that victims are often disbe...

What happens when a woman is expected to be modest in public but available for anything behind closed doors? In this eye-opening conversation, Donna sits down with an exotic dancer and model to challenge the double standards placed on women in society and discuss the often-misunderstood world of the adult entertainment industry. Our anonymous guest shares a day in the life of a dancer, what it's l...

Join us for a deeply personal and urgent conversation with Bruce Bieber, an anti-OIDV advocate who lost his daughter, Abigail, to domestic violence. Abby = was murdered by a fellow Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Deputy. This episode goes beyond the tragic headlines to expose the "dirty little secret" of Officer-Involved Domestic Violence (OIDV). We'll unpack the unique dangers po...

Get ready to be inspired! In this powerful episode, Donna sits down with new teen peer advocates who just completed the intensive BLOOM365 Peer Advocate Academy, part of the NOVA (National Organization for Victim Advocacy) Conference Teen Track. These remarkable young people are on a mission to uproot abuse in their schools and communities. They’re bringing a vital, peer-to-peer perspective to vio...

Join us for a profound conversation with Dr. Jon Caldwell, Chief Medical Officer at The Meadows, as we explore the deep roots of childhood trauma. Drawing on his extensive work with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), Dr. Caldwell reveals how early adversity – from divorce and poverty to abuse – can profoundly impact neurobiology, behavior, and future well-being. We dive into the nature vs. nurt...

Join us as Veronica, a hair stylist with a deeply personal connection to her clients, shares how the salon chair has become an unexpected frontline in the fight against abuse. Discover the vital "Cut-It-Out" program, how stylists recognize warning signs, and the powerful impact of "natural helpers" in our communities. Learn about different types of prevention and why silence is an abuser's greates...

Meghan Krein, Director of Communications & PR for ChildHelp, joins the podcast to shed light on the critical issue of child abuse. The staggering statistic that six children are lost daily to abuse in the U.S. emphasizes the importance of education for both adults and children. Meghan details ChildHelp's vital work, including their 24/7 hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD). The episode explores the subtl...