Welcome to another empowering episode of "Share Your Truth Live." Today, we're joined by the incredible Kelly Lang (she/her), a passionate advocate for violence prevention and expert in bystander intervention strategies. In today's conversation, we'll dive deep into the complexities of bystander intervention in various settings—from personal relationships to public interactions—and discuss the barriers that often prevent people from stepping forward.

Kelly will share invaluable advice on how to identify warning signs of domestic violence and problematic behavior, how to create a supportive environment for survivors, and the importance of using resources beyond calling 911. We'll also explore how intersecting social justice issues influence bystander intervention and why continuous learning and community support are crucial for prevention.

Our discussion will not only enlighten but also empower you to act thoughtfully and effectively in challenging situations. So, join us as we learn from Kelly how to responsibly and safely intervene, supporting others while honoring our own boundaries.

More about Kelly:

Kelly Lang graduated with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University. She has experience working in violence prevention at higher education institutions including UCLA, Cal State Fullerton, and Pace University. She focuses on trauma-informed and intersectional framework providing education to prevent violence and advocate for survivors.

Speak Your Truth Today volunteers Jennifer and Tiffany join us for a conversation around the importance of digital safety as a survivor. We take a deeper look into our Facebook Support group and what measures are in place to prioritize safety and empower group members to share in a way that feels right for them.

Jennifer Swenson is a thriver/survivor of abuse and a Mom of four! She is a professional photographer who specialized in the music industry for over twenty years. She is our Volunteer Team's "HR Admin," and was the first volunteer to join Hannah in 2019.

Tiffany Elise left an emotionally and verbally abusive marriage in 2019 when she had two young children. She has a Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and currently works from her home in Minnesota where she lives with her two kids, her dog Penny, and two guinea pigs. She has been a volunteer for Speak Your Truth since 2023 and loves to support and advocate for those leaving abusive relationships.

Statistics shared from episodes:

• According to a 2020 study by the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the United States, around 67% of survivors reported that their abusers used technology to stalk, track, or monitor them without their knowledge.
• According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), abusers commonly use smartphones to maintain control, with 94% of survivors in the U.S. reporting that their abusers used smartphones to track them.

Lara Kinslow, the founder of the Wayward Women Podcast, opens up about her personal experiences with domestic abuse and her mission to provide resources for survivors. She discusses her new initiative, Flyfree Today, which aims to address financial barriers in accessing trauma therapy and coaching. In the episode, Lara and Taylor delve into the challenges survivors face during the holiday season, the impact of financial strain, and the importance of creating new, empowering traditions. They also emphasize the need for accessible mental health support and the power of building a support system beyond immediate family.

Our next guest, Kyle Linton, is truly incredible. He is ready to share his journey on how he created Ourwave.org a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on providing survivors of sexual and domestic violence with an online space to share their stories, connect with others, and seek healing. Through Our Wave, Kyle leads a team of designers, engineers, researchers, and other specialists from across the globe. He contributes to Our Wave on a volunteer basis but also leads and manages a software design and development agency called Lithios Apps. When he isn't working he loves to fly bush planes, play soccer, and spend time in the mountains or swimming in any accessible body of water.

You can learn more about Our Wave's work at Ourwave.org!

Rebuilding after trauma is possible. In this episode of Share Your Truth Live, our Founder and Executive Director, Hannah Hollander, speaks with our wonderful guest Hannah as she recounts her story and the road to recovery. Hannah is a business owner, advocate, local volunteer, mother, and spouse. She is a survivor of domestic violence for the last 21 years, over which time she has been using her experience to speak out and share her story in hopes of helping others. She is currently working towards becoming a psychotherapist, specializing in trauma during adolescence.

From sabotaging relationships to rediscovering self-worth, her courage and resilience serve as a beacon of hope for survivors everywhere.

As always you can visit our website, speakyourtruth.today, for additional information and resources as well!

Our incredible guest, 2AM Ricky, is ready to share their knowledge and experiences with us.

2AM Ricky is a Recording Artist, Songwriter, Actor and Model breaking barriers and making strides in the industry. Ricky is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and an openly transgender rapper. In 2021, Ricky became the First Black Transgender Male Artist to land #1 on any music chart. He was listed in New York Today's "Hottest Young Artists of 2022." When he is not rapping or modeling, behind the scenes, Ricky is a notable songwriter and keynote speaker with expertise in brand partnerships, social media marketing and diversity & inclusion.

2AM Ricky is also a survivor of IPV (intimate partner violence) and he sheds light around his advocacy journey and use of music to create spaces to have conversations around mental health and trans awareness in this episode with our awesome Social Media & Outreach Manager, Taylor Miller.

You can learn more about 2AM Ricky and his work @2AMRicky on Instagram and Spotify.

As always you can visit our website, speakyourtruth.today, for additional information and resources as well!

Sharon Kiel is a licensed Marriage and family therapist, who has been in private practice in Fullerton, CA for the past 24 years. She is a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist, with an additional certification from EMDRIA. She specializes in trauma therapy, helping her clients heal from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Sharon has also been an expert witness in the Orange County courts for domestic violence cases and was a part time professor at California State Fullerton. She has a passion for helping people heal from prior trauma and create peace and safety in their lives. Sharon joins us to talk about the ins and outs of EMDR, the healing journey, finding a professional that fits your needs, and overall celebrates the bravery that comes with moving towards healing.

You can find out more on Sharon's website http://www.sharonkiel.com/ or through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) at www.emdria.org.

We are here with another episode of Share Your Truth Live. Our guest is Jess Moloney, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Nationally Certified Counselor with an expertise in anxiety and relationships. She is also a Breakthrough Self Love Coach, Author & Motivational Speaker sharing stages with Les Brown, Jillian Michaels, and Vivica A. Fox!

In this episode we address self-love and self-care, the differences and importance of both. We often think of one or two things automatically when we hear self-love/self-care, but sometimes the deeper ones, while harder to tackle, are going to be powerful in terms of healing and finding your true identity.

Visit her website.