Christine's Story Part One

Christine's Story Part One

In this first part, Christine Dillard joins the Love is Greater Than Hate podcast to break down the complex mechanics of coercive control and domestic abuse. For 17 years, Christine lived an entirely double life: she was a confident, strong team lead in corporate America who managed boardrooms with ease, only to return home to an environment filled with walking on eggshells, explosive outbursts, and escalating threats. Christine candidly discusses the psychological barriers that keep many individuals trapped in abusive dynamics, including the heavy layers of shame, embarrassment, and self-doubt that cause victims to internalize the blame. She reflects on the early red flags, behaviors as seemingly minor as a partner being hours late for a first date, and explains how micro-behaviors snowball over time until a survivor no longer recognizes their own reality. The turning point came at year 14, leading to a meticulous, empowering three-year exit strategy. Christine shares invaluable insights on how she quietly took control of the household finances, advocated for raises at work to replace a dual income, and waited until her daughter was legally old enough to have a voice in custody courts. Finally, Christine introduces a unique, immediate nervous system hack, the "Altoid trick", recommended by her trauma therapist to shock the body out of a full-blown panic attack. Tune in to hear a masterclass in strategic survival, self-advocacy, and immediate trauma grounding. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: * The Anatomy of Coercive Control: How abusers use micro-behaviors to alter your narrative and rewrite your reality. * The Illusion of the Double Life: Navigating the stark contrast between professional success and private survival. * Building a Strategic Exit Plan: Financial empowerment, child custody timelines, and finding the courage to set terrifying boundaries. * Nervous System Grounding: A practical, immediate physical trick to disrupt nightmares and panic attacks. Www.Tiktok.Com/@thetruthsheshowedme [http://www.tiktok.com/@thetruthsheshowedme]  https://www.instagram.com/thetruthsheshowedme?igsh=NHNkM3FvdHFudHl5&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/thetruthsheshowedme?igsh=NHNkM3FvdHFudHl5&utm_source=qr] https://www.facebook.com/share/14iCRuWPw52/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/14iCRuWPw52/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Https://amzn.to/4te56ti [https://amzn.to/4te56ti]  CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO LOVE>HATE NOW [https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wjlPDN1Ni0870uiUMeZpgA] National Domestic Violence Hotline: [http://www.thehotline.org/] 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) National Sexual Assault Hotline: [http://www.rainn.com/] 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) Loveisrespect Teen Dating Violence Hotline: [http://www.loveisrespect.org/] 1-866-331-9474 National Human Trafficking Hotline: [http://humantraffickinghotline.org/] 1-888-373-7888

Maria's Story Part Two

How do you find peace and joy on the days when life simply feels too heavy? In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation on the Love is Greater Than Hate podcast, host Melissa Etzler continues her discussion with author and podcaster Maria to explore the practical daily habits, tools, and mindsets required for long-term emotional healing and self-discovery. Following her survival of multiple health crises and major life transitions, Maria shares how she finally realized her lifelong dream of becoming a self-published author in her 40s. She introduces her book, Against All Odds: A Less Than 1% Chance, sharing how real-life stories can act as a guide for others seeking a shift in perspective. Melissa and Maria discuss the reality of the healing journey—acknowledging that even after doing the deep work, crappy days still happen. Maria reveals her go-to practices for heavy days, starting with a simple, transformative deep breath to flood the brain with oxygen and anchor yourself in the present moment. She explains the power of asking yourself the right questions to shift your focus away from future anxiety or past depression. Listeners will learn about the "law of giving and receiving," why Maria is known as the "purple energy girl" at work, and how consciously projecting the joy you wish to receive can cultivate inner peace. Finally, Maria leaves the audience with an uplifting message about looking for the "lighthouses" around us and building a personalized mental health toolbox. Don't forget to check the show notes for links to Maria's podcast and her newly released book! CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO LOVE>HATE NOW [https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wjlPDN1Ni0870uiUMeZpgA] National Domestic Violence Hotline: [http://www.thehotline.org/] 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) National Sexual Assault Hotline: [http://www.rainn.com/] 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) Loveisrespect Teen Dating Violence Hotline: [http://www.loveisrespect.org/] 1-866-331-9474 National Human Trafficking Hotline: [http://humantraffickinghotline.org/] 1-888-373-7888

Maria's Story Part One

Why do some people survive impossible circumstances, and how do we shift from feeling like life is happening to us to realizing it is happening for us? In the first part of this deeply moving episode of the Love is Greater Than Hate podcast, host Melissa Etzler sits down with Maria, a remarkable survivor who has spent her life defying the statistics. From the very beginning, surviving a less-than-one-percent chance of survival in utero, Maria’s journey has been defined by resilience. In this episode, Maria bravely opens up about overcoming severe personal trauma, navigating the heavy emotional weight of silence, and facing an unexpected cervical cancer diagnosis at just 19 years old. She shares the pivotal moment an unexpected mentor, a true angel in her life, helped her break her silence, guide her toward therapy, and begin a somatic and emotional healing journey. We dive deep into the profound connection between emotional distress and physical wellness, exploring how suppressed trauma can manifest as disease in the body until we find the courage to speak our truth. Maria also details the emotional complexities of family dynamics, navigating early motherhood with three children, and surviving a life-threatening medical emergency. This episode is a powerful beacon for anyone dealing with the aftermath of trauma, chronic illness, or feelings of isolation. Tune in to discover how breaking the cycle of silence can pave the way for true emotional restoration, and learn how to recognize the "lighthouses" in your own life when things feel dark. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO LOVE>HATE NOW [https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wjlPDN1Ni0870uiUMeZpgA] National Domestic Violence Hotline: [http://www.thehotline.org/] 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) National Sexual Assault Hotline: [http://www.rainn.com/] 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) Loveisrespect Teen Dating Violence Hotline: [http://www.loveisrespect.org/] 1-866-331-9474 National Human Trafficking Hotline: [http://humantraffickinghotline.org/] 1-888-373-7888

AGP's Story

In this deeply moving episode of The LOVE>hate Podcast, host Melissa Etzler sits down with the incredibly resilient Amanda Goldman-Petrie (affectionately known as AGP) for a powerful conversation on trauma, survival, and why growth is always greater than pain. AGP shares her "utterly insane" life journey, walking listeners through three distinct evolutions of herself. She opens up about surviving severe childhood abuse and neglect, only to face a near-death experience at age 18 when she was struck by a minivan, forcing her to relearn how to walk while navigating an unexpected pregnancy. If that wasn't enough, AGP later faced a rare brain tumor diagnosis during law school, resulting in a life-altering surgery that wiped away chunks of her memory. Remarkably, AGP views the loss of her memories as a unexpected blessing that helped wash away the residual trauma of her past. She shares how the turning point in her healing journey arrived through the unwavering, unconditional love of her husband, who spent a decade acting as her chauffeur when she was too terrified to drive, eventually giving her the confidence to reclaim her independence. Listeners will gain insight into practical, everyday tools AGP uses to protect her peace and stay grounded, from mindfulness walks in the sun to bonding with family through the Paired app and Wordle. Now a proud wife, mother, and law student, AGP delivers a beautiful roadmap for anyone feeling stuck in their own suffering. This episode is an inspiring reminder that you don't have to carry your burdens alone, support systems are all around you, and pain is never the ultimate point of your story—the growth is. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO LOVE>HATE NOW [https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wjlPDN1Ni0870uiUMeZpgA] National Domestic Violence Hotline: [http://www.thehotline.org/] 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) National Sexual Assault Hotline: [http://www.rainn.com/] 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) Loveisrespect Teen Dating Violence Hotline: [http://www.loveisrespect.org/] 1-866-331-9474 National Human Trafficking Hotline: [http://humantraffickinghotline.org/] 1-888-373-7888

Denise's Story

In this powerful episode of The LOVE>hate Podcast, host Melissa Etzler sits down with author, minister, and overcomer Denise M. Walker for an intimate conversation on healing, faith, and reclaiming your voice after trauma. Denise opens up about her deeply personal journey overcoming the painful wounds of childhood abuse and the physical and emotional toll of a severe endometriosis diagnosis. After facing a devastating miscarriage and a medical prognosis that she would likely never have children, Denise shares how a pivotal mindset shift transformed her from a victim into a victorious woman of faith. She reveals the exact moment she learned to release her heavy emotional burdens to God, resulting in a miraculous recovery and the birth of her now 22-year-old son. Listeners will discover practical, budget-friendly creative outlets for healing, including Denise’s passion for junk journaling, digital Bible journaling, and meditating on scripture to find inner peace. As an accomplished author, Denise also discusses her inspiring women’s Christian fiction series—Barren Wound, Sufficient Grace, and So That You May Live—explaining how she poured her real-life trauma and medical struggles into her main character, Hannah, to provide a roadmap of empathy and hope for others. Whether you are navigating your own healing journey, struggling to build boundaries and trust after trauma, or seeking inspiration to step into your God-given purpose, this episode serves as a beautiful reminder that you do not have to stay stuck in your past. Tune in to find encouragement, discover the power of vulnerability, and learn how your deepest pain can connect to your greatest purpose. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO LOVE>HATE NOW [https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wjlPDN1Ni0870uiUMeZpgA] National Domestic Violence Hotline: [http://www.thehotline.org/] 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) National Sexual Assault Hotline: [http://www.rainn.com/] 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) Loveisrespect Teen Dating Violence Hotline: [http://www.loveisrespect.org/] 1-866-331-9474 National Human Trafficking Hotline: [http://humantraffickinghotline.org/] 1-888-373-7888