Redefining the Holiday Season with Lara Kinslow

Building Safe Spaces & Centering Survivor Voices

Welcome to Share Your Truth LIVE, where survivor voices take center stage in powerful conversations about healing, education, and advocacy. In this special 20th episode—kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month—host Hannah Hollander, founder and Executive Director of Speak Your Truth Today (SYTT), is joined by three inspiring guests: Eddy Fuentes, Community Services Supervisor at Radiant Futures; Janell Lammatao, SYTT’s Marketing and Events Associate; and Nancy Tran, burn survivor and passionate advocate. Together, they explore the challenges survivors face in recognizing abuse, the power of storytelling on the healing journey, and the importance of building safe spaces that empower survivors and dismantle stigma. The episode sheds light on the complexities of abuse, the language we use to talk about it, and how community members—from friends to service providers—can truly support survivors. Listen in for heartfelt stories, practical insights on validation and education, and actionable ways to join the movement for change during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond. Whether you’re looking to learn, help, or heal, this episode is a moving tribute to resilience and the profound strength found in sharing your truth. * Learn more about SYTT's Get Active 4 DVAM campaign by heading to www.getactive4dvam.org [https://www.getactive4dvam.org/]! * Learn more about Radiant Futures programs & services by heading to www.radiantfutures.org [https://radiantfutures.org/], or by calling their 24hr helpline: (877) 531-5522 * If you need support - please consider joining our Facebook Support Group: www.facebook.com/groups/speak.your.truth.today [www.facebook.com/groups/speak.your.truth.today] ___ More about our guests! * Eddy Fuentes: Eddy is a dedicated advocate for community empowerment and social change, with experience in PR and program development. As Community Services Supervisor at Radiant Futures he provides strategic leadership to support survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking through prevention education and community outreach. His work is driven by a commitment to foster resilient communities and ensure services are both impactful and sustainable. * Janell Lammatao: Janell is SYTT's Marketing & Events Associate, and she focuses on increasing public awareness of our organization's mission as well as coordinating events to engage communities that amplify survivor voices. Inspired by the monarch butterfly, she sprinkles bits of magic wherever she lands. She believes in transformation, resilience, and the power of collective action to create lasting change. * Nancy Tran: Nancy is a burn survivor who has turned her scars into symbols of strength and resilience. Through her advocacy, she shares her journey to inspire others to embrace self-love, live with confidence, and rise above fear. Her powerful voice is dedicated to centering the survivor experience and empowering others to find their own paths to healing.

Exploring Community, Privilege, and Intervention with Kelly Lang

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.

Creating Digital Safe Havens: A Look into our SYTT Facebook Support Group

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.

Redefining the Holiday Season with Lara Kinslow

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.

The Power of Technology: Stories, Data, and Advocacy with Kyle Linton, CEO of Our Wave

Our next guest, Kyle Linton, is truly incredible. He is ready to share his journey on how he created Ourwave.org [https://www.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 [https://www.ourwave.org/]!