Living in the Aftermath with Lyndsey

What if the first warning sign of abuse doesn’t feel like a warning sign at all? In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , I sit down with Courtney, a domestic violence survivor from Canada, to talk about the early warning signs of an abusive relationship—and how easy they can be to explain away when you’re living inside of them. Looking back, there were moments that felt off. Anger that seemed...

The Lindsay Clancy case has started a much bigger conversation about postpartum mental health, intrusive thoughts, motherhood, emotional neglect—and what happens when a woman says she isn’t okay, but doesn’t feel heard. In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Kaitlyn returns for a raw and deeply personal conversation about what can happen before the breaking point . We talk about the parts of...

I Kept Hoping She Would Change: When the Person Who Should Protect You Doesn’t She told her mother she was being sexually abused. She thought that meant someone would finally protect her. Instead, she spent years hoping the person who was supposed to protect her would change. In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lee shares her experience of surviving childhood sexual abuse—and what happene...

What if some of the things we were taught about love and relationships were never actually healthy? “Marriage is hard.” “If they’re jealous, it means they care.” “Love should be unconditional.” “Never go to bed angry.” “People don’t change.” We hear these phrases so often that we rarely stop to question what they actually teach us about love. In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey is...

What happens when a child becomes the parent? At just 22 years old, Rhiannon has survived more than most people experience in a lifetime. Growing up with parents battling addiction, she learned to protect the very people who were supposed to protect her. After entering foster care as a teenager, losing her father to suicide, and navigating the grief of an estranged relationship with her mother, sh...

What if the person everyone trusted was the one who hurt you? In this powerful episode of Living in the Aftermath, Lyndsey Hackford sits down with survivor and advocate Shannon Porter , founder of What They Don't Say , to explore the devastating reality that sexual predators often don't fit the stereotypes we've been taught to fear. After losing her father and brother in a tragic plane crash at ju...

What happens when warning signs of domestic violence are ignored and family court fails to protect children? In this powerful episode of Living in the Aftermath, I sit down with child safety advocate Hope Hooton to discuss the heartbreaking loss of her children, Alec and Lydia, and how unimaginable tragedy led her to fight for change. Hope shares her experiences with coercive control, emotional ab...

What happens when the system meant to protect children becomes the source of their trauma? In this episode of Living in the Aftermath, Lyndsey sits down with Kitty Mayo, founder of Georgia Protective Parents, to discuss her family's experience navigating family court, reunification programs, child advocacy, and the fight to bring children home. After years of advocating for her stepchildren follow...

In this powerful episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with survivor, advocate, and paralegal Lynn Stroud for a raw conversation about the warning signs of abuse that so many people miss until it's too late. From childhood experiences that shaped her understanding of relationships to sexual assault, stalking, reproductive coercion, emotional abuse, family betrayal, and the failure...

In this devastatingly honest episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with survivor, advocate, author, and mother Mae Scott for one of the most raw conversations the podcast has had to date. Mae shares the unimaginable reality behind surviving years of coercive control, emotional abuse, marital sexual assault, violence, manipulation, family court trauma, and the psychological conditi...

What happens when everything changes in a single moment? In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with Chell Bane , host of Beyond the Monsters , to share a story rooted in childhood trauma, abuse, grief, addiction, and survival . From experiencing abuse at a young age … to navigating years of emotional trauma and survival mode … to losing her husband in a sudden, devastating...

Trauma bonding doesn’t feel like abuse—it feels like love. In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with Laura Richards to unpack the psychological grip of narcissistic abuse , the confusion of trauma bonds , and the painful belief that if you could just be better… they would finally love you the right way. Together, they dive into: Why narcissistic relationships often start...

What if the reason you stayed… wasn’t weakness—but hope? In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with survivor and advocate Grace Stuart, host of the Why She Stayed podcast, for a raw and deeply honest conversation about one of the most misunderstood parts of abusive relationships: falling in love with someone’s potential . Grace’s podcast is dedicated to unpacking what actu...

Some stories don’t start with strength… They start with survival. In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with Shelby to talk about a side of motherhood that almost no one talks about— postpartum rage . What began as confusion, isolation, and overwhelming emotion turned into a journey through divorce, heartbreak, and ultimately… healing and power . Shelby shares how she went...

In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with fellow survivor Jennie for a deeply honest conversation about what life inside an abusive relationship really looks like — and why leaving isn’t as simple as people think. Together, they unpack the uncomfortable questions survivors hear all the time: “Why didn’t you leave?” “Why did you stay?” The truth is far more complicated. Fr...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Shannon shares her journey of surviving childhood abuse by retreating into her imagination and finding ways to cope when the world around her felt unsafe. She opens up about the ways she made sense of her pain, how storytelling and imagination became tools of survival, and the long road toward healing and reclaiming her voice. This conversation explore...

In this episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with Ray Epstein, a survivor and youth consent educator, to unpack what happens when “no” isn’t heard — and when the systems meant to protect children fail them . Ray shares her story of experiencing sexual coercion at a young age, the subtle ways consent is violated long before people recognize it as abuse, and how institutional silen...

In this deeply honest episode of Living in the Aftermath , Lyndsey sits down with Gabby, a performer, oldest daughter, and survivor of childhood cancer, to talk about what trauma looks like after survival. Diagnosed with cancer at just 15 years old, Gabby shares what it was like to go from being the caretaker in her family to suddenly needing care herself. She opens up about losing her hair during...

This conversation delves into the complexities of trauma, communication, and healing. The host and guest explore their personal experiences with trauma, the importance of open conversations, and the role of communication in building healthy relationships. They discuss the challenges of parenting and teaching consent, the impact of grief, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery and empowerment. T...

In this conversation, Adam shares his journey through a tumultuous marriage that ultimately led to divorce. He discusses the emotional struggles faced by both him and his ex-wife, the impact of parenthood on their relationship, and the challenges of co-parenting after separation. The conversation delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the emotional toll of divorce, and the difficulties o...

In this conversation, Kelle shares her journey through trauma, health struggles, and addiction, emphasizing the importance of family support and the impact of medical professionals in her life. She discusses her childhood health issues, the role of sports as an outlet, and the profound loss of her father, which led her down a path of addiction. Through detox and therapy, she uncovers past traumas...

This conversation delves into the complexities of trauma, relationships, and the impact of childhood conditioning on self-worth and emotional health. The speakers share personal experiences of navigating abusive relationships, the role of faith and cultural expectations, and the importance of self-validation and listening to one's gut feelings. Through their stories, they highlight the long-term e...

n this conversation, Lyndsey, Marissa, and Kitty discuss the complexities of domestic violence, the challenges within the family court system, and the controversial practice of reunification camps. They share personal stories of trauma and healing, highlight the flaws in the justice system, and emphasize the importance of advocacy and education in protecting children. The discussion calls for syst...

In this conversation, Lyndsey and Laurie discuss the complexities of safety planning for individuals in abusive relationships. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing personal safety over feelings of guilt or loyalty to an abusive partner. Laurie reassures listeners that they have a right to be safe and that the person they once loved may not be the same as the one who is currently causing h...

In this powerful conversation, Jess Patz shares her journey as a survivor of domestic violence, discussing the complexities of her experiences with abuse, the impact of religion, and the challenges of co-parenting. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, the need for honest conversations about abuse, and the difficulties faced within the legal system. Jess's story is one of hope, healing, and...