I'll Go First® with Jessica Minhas

On the morning of September 27, 2006, at Platte Canyon High School in the small town of Bailey, Colorado, everything was going as usual. Taylor Fraser, then 15-years-old and a sophomore, went to school, passed her mother at the front desk, and walked to class just like every other morning before that day. No one could ever have guessed that later that afternoon, 53-year-old Duane Roger Morrison would take seven female students hostage, kill one of them and then himself, and forever change the small town of Bailey, Colorado. As we reflect on the tragic experiences in our lives, we often find that there is the version of us before something extraordinary happens and then the version of us after. Taylor Fraser joins us on this episode to talk about how she’s healing, her thoughts on gun laws, why it’s essential we share our stories, and what inspired her to write and direct ‘Foreward,’ - an audio drama podcast that chronicles one family’s journey after surviving the tragedy of a school shooting. Goodies from this Episode: Listen to Taylor's podcast, "Foreward”, an audio drama podcast that chronicles one family’s story after the tragedy of a school shooting at https://www.forewardpodcast.com [https://www.forewardpodcast.com/] Support “Foreward” at https://www.forewardpodcast.com/support [https://www.forewardpodcast.com/support] Connect with Taylor at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-leigh-fraser-44a83251 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-leigh-fraser-44a83251] Looking for mental health resources and support? Check out our Help page at https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help [https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help] Listen to more episodes at https://www.illgofirst.com/stories [https://www.illgofirst.com/stories] In crisis? Text "GO FIRST" to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free. Have a suggestion? Don't be shy! We'd love to hear from you! Say "Hi" at hello@illgofirst.com [hello@illgofirst.com] ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/illgofirst]

Abuse within faith communities is something we hear from our community about a lot. In particular, how abuse and sexual assault in faith communities complicate recovery because our spiritual life becomes tied to the most intimate and terrifying experience of our lives. Where can we find sanctuary following compounded abuse? This episode is a panel discussion on Abuse of Power: How the Church Can Respond. Joining us is: * Annette Cutino, Director, LEAD.NYC * Boz Tchividjian, Attorney & Founder of GRACE * Diane Langberg, Ph.D., Psychologist and Author * Drew Hyun, Founder, Hope Church NYC * Jay Stringer, Psychotherapist, and Author * Faith Huckel Motter, Co-Founder, Restore NYC We covered: * Abuse of power in faith communities * How abuse often hides in plain sight * How to equip faith leaders to address their power and sexual story * Practical steps faith communities can take to protect those they serve We hope you are encouraged by this conversation, and remember, you are not alone. Goodies from this Episode: Listen and share survivor stories - Believing victims of abuse is just the beginning. Here are more ways you can support and empower them: * Register for Restore NYC's Trafficking 101 webinar [https://restorenyc.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ab98ba41ef52e8a3ed2e0745&id=0902ed9e30&e=4b005d664b] to learn what is trafficking and what isn't Be accountable - We can't do this alone. Here are some community and legal resources: * Boz Tchividjian: * Learn about GRACE's services and resources [https://restorenyc.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ab98ba41ef52e8a3ed2e0745&id=c4b6a0b743&e=4b005d664b] for your church community * Drew Hyun: * Join NYC Pastors Meetup by contacting Drew at drew@hopechurchnyc.org [drew@hopechurchnyc.org?subject=NYC%20Pastors%20Meetup] * Annette Cutino: * Connect with Annette for Executive and Team Coaching at www.annettecutino.com [https://restorenyc.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ab98ba41ef52e8a3ed2e0745&id=7e5a580865&e=4b005d664b] * Jay Stringer: * Learn about addressing sexual brokenness and find support resources at www.jaystringer.com [http://www.jaystringer.com] In crisis? Text "GO FIRST" to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free. Have a suggestion? Don't be shy! We'd love to hear from you! Say "Hi" at hello@illgofirst.com [hello@illgofirst.com] ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/illgofirst]

In this episode, we are joined by one of our good friends and fellow entrepreneur, Nikki Innocent. Nikki is a 2-time TEDx speaker, certified women's leadership coach, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) strategist, and the host of "Checkbox Other".  Nikki shares with us how she's learned to trust herself enough to take the leap from her corporate career to becoming an entrepreneur.  We also talk about the challenges of growing up as a second-generation biracial kid in a home with alcoholism, embracing our other-ness, and learning how to forgive our loved ones, especially when we have to complicated relationships with them. She is so full of joy it is absolutely contagious, and we think you're really going to fall in love with her and her story. Goodies from this Episode: Unlock your full potential and build a life you love through Nikki’s program “Unlock Your Passion” and online community. Learn more at www.nikkiinnocent.com [http://www.nikkiinnocent.com/] Listen to Nikki's podcast, "Checkbox Other" at https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/ [https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/] Follow Nikki's journey at https://www.instagram.com/nikkiinnocent/ [https://www.instagram.com/nikkiinnocent/] Connect with Nikki at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleinnocent/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleinnocent/] Looking for mental health resources and support? Check out our Help page at https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help [https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help] Listen to more episodes at https://www.illgofirst.com/stories [https://www.illgofirst.com/stories] In crisis? Text "GO FIRST" to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free. Have a suggestion? Don't be shy! We'd love to hear from you! Say "Hi" at hello@illgofirst.com [hello@illgofirst.com] ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/illgofirst]

The first obstacle we have to overcome as a survivor is understanding what we're surviving. Jessica Dailey's earliest memories are with her father, but it wasn't until she was in middle school that she realized those memories were sexual abuse. In this episode, Jessica shares how she's healing from her abuse, how to break cycles of intergenerational trauma, and why sharing her story so that other survivors can heal is her life's purpose. What's remarkable about Jessica's story is how much she fought for justice to be served against her perpetrators, going to trial as a minor, not once but twice. This interview is powerful, candid and Jessica's bravery is contagious. Trigger warning: Please note we do cover the topic of sexual abuse. Be mindful of yourself and any little ears around you. For healing support and resources, check out our website. Goodies from this Episode: Listen to Jessica's Podcast, "Diamond Mind Radio" at https://www.diamondmindradio.com/ [https://www.diamondmindradio.com/%20] Follow Jessica's journey at https://www.instagram.com/diamondmindradio/ [https://www.instagram.com/diamondmindradio/%20] Support Jessica's work at https://tradesofhope.com/order/P2764/?u=jessicadaily&event=P2764 [https://tradesofhope.com/order/P2764/?u=jessicadaily&event=P2764] Find support and healing resources at https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help [https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help] Listen to more episodes at https://www.illgofirst.com/stories [https://www.illgofirst.com/stories] In crisis? Text "GO FIRST" to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free. Have a suggestion? Don't be shy! We'd love to hear from you! Say "Hi" at hello@illgofirst.com [hello@illgofirst.com] ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/illgofirst]

By the time Chanel Dokun was in her mid-20s, she had reached nearly the top of her field, but, like most things, it wasn't without risk and grief. Chanel's parents were older when she was born and suffered from poor health in her teens. This made the priority of Chanel's childhood caring for her parents, so by the time college rolled around, she faced a tough decision. Stay and be the primary caregiver to her mom or move to California and pursue her dreams? With the insight that pursuing her calling would give her more capacity to care for others, she entrusted her mother's care to family members and relocated to Pepperdine University and eventually making her way to New York City, literally at the Top of the Rock. At the pinnacle of her young publishing career, another realization. The thing Chanel was pursuing was not the true expression of her true self. Again, she faced another tough decision. Leave her dream job, or what she thought it was, and take another leap of faith to give herself the gift of cultivating her unique calling? Chanel is now a certified Life Planner and Relationship Expert trained in Marriage and Family Therapy. This work is an expression of her journey and the invitation her mother impressed on her – you must find out what you love and do that thing to its fullest. Now she is devoted to supporting other women to clarify their life purpose through her speaking and coaching. In this episode, Chanel Dokun, a certified Life Planner and Relationship Expert trained in Marriage and Family Therapy, joins us. This work is an expression of her journey and the invitation her mother impressed on her – you must find out what you love and do that thing to its fullest. Now she is devoted to supporting other women to clarify their life purpose through her speaking and coaching. We talk about the difficulty of balancing family responsibilities and pursuing our dreams, how she realized what her authentic calling is and how we can too. Goodies from this Episode: Unlock your full potential and build a life you love through Chanel's Women of Consequence coaching program and online community. Learn more at www.chaneldokun.com [http://www.chaneldokun.com/] Listen to Chanel's podcast, "Clarifying Your Calling" at https://chaneldokun.com/podcast [https://chaneldokun.com/podcast] Download Chanel's Free Resource, "How to Reclaim Your Morning" here: https://chaneldokun.com/reclaimthemorning [https://chaneldokun.com/reclaimthemorning] Follow Chanel's journey at https://www.instagram.com/chanel.dokun/ [https://www.instagram.com/chanel.dokun/] Looking for mental health resources and support? Check out our Help page at https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help [https://www.illgofirst.com/find-help] Listen to more episodes at https://www.illgofirst.com/stories [https://www.illgofirst.com/stories] In crisis? Text "GO FIRST" to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free. Have a suggestion? Don't be shy! We'd love to hear from you! Say "Hi" at hello@illgofirst.com [hello@illgofirst.com] ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/illgofirst]