Why Women Don't "Just Leave" | Siobhan O'Donnell on Domestic Violence, Coercive Control & Rebuilding After Abuse

Why Women Don't "Just Leave" | Siobhan O'Donnell on Domestic Violence, Coercive Control & Rebuilding After Abuse

Domestic violence rarely begins with violence. It often starts with love, charm, fast-moving commitment, and small moments that slowly chip away at your confidence, independence and sense of self. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Chloe sits down with law student, entrepreneur, podcaster and mum Siobhan O'Donnell, who shares her personal journey through an abusive relationship, coercive control, financial abuse, physical violence and the incredibly difficult path to leaving. Siobhan speaks openly about the subtle red flags she missed, how pregnancy changed everything, why leaving wasn't as simple as "just walking away", and the practical support that ultimately helped save both her and her young son. This episode is honest, confronting and incredibly important. Whether you're questioning your own relationship, supporting someone you love, or simply wanting to better understand domestic and family violence, this conversation could change the way you see it. Resources If this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available. Australia 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732 (24/7) Lifeline Australia — 13 11 14 Women's Legal Services Australia National Legal Aid In an emergency, always call 000. Guess bio: Siobhan Freda O'Donnell is a law graduate, entrepreneur, podcaster, and survivor of domestic and family violence. After surviving years of coercive control, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and physical violence, Siobhan made the courageous decision to leave and begin rebuilding her life alongside her young son. Her lived experience has inspired her to pursue a career in law, with a passion for supporting women navigating domestic violence and helping others better understand the legal protections available to them. Alongside her legal career, Siobhan hosts the podcast Power Without Permission, where she shares honest conversations about resilience, personal growth, business, and navigating life's hardest seasons. Through her advocacy, she hopes more women will recognise the warning signs of coercive control, trust their instincts, and know that they are never alone. You can find Siobhan on Instagram at @siobhanfredaodonnell [https://www.instagram.com/siobhanfredaodonnell/], listen to her podcast Power Without Permission [https://open.spotify.com/show/6zEBd39ZLkv2Br01n4gZGZ] on Spotify. Support the brands that keep these brave conversations going: MONASH IVF [https://monashivf.com] Call 1800 628 533 CENTRE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE & SURGERY - (Dr Kee Ong) – Call 07 5519 1602 @drkeeong [https://www.instagram.com/drkeeong/] IN HER OWN WORDS: IVF, LOSS & MIRACLES BOOK: @Inherownwords_official [https://www.instagram.com/inherownwords_official/?hl=en] https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J [https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J] KOSI kosi.au [https://kosi.au/] @kosi_au [https://www.instagram.com/kosi_au/?hl=en] Use discount code HERKINDOFBRAVE15 for 15% off (exclusions apply) MR CONSISTENT https://www.mrconsistent.com.au/ [http://mrconsistent.com.au] @mrconsistent_ [https://www.instagram.com/mr.consistent_/?hl=en] BESPOKE LONGEVITY – bespokelongevity.com.au @bespokelongevity_ [https://www.instagram.com/bespokelongevity_/] 👉 Mention “Her Kind of Brave” for $50 off any treatment Where to find us: Be sure to join the chat in our Community Group www.facebook.com/groups/herkindofbrave/ Follow us on Instagram @herkindofbravepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/herkindofbrave_podcast/?hl=en] and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave [https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave] Do you have a brave story, or are you looking to sponsor an upcoming episode? Reach out to us at herkindofbrave@gmail.com [herkindofbrave@gmail.com]

From a Garage Full of Baby Clothes to Supporting 60,000 Children | Carly Fradgley on Baby Give Back, The Village & Asking for Help

In this episode of Her Kind of Brave, Chloe and Kellie sit down with lawyer turned charity founder Carly Fradgley, the CEO of Baby Give Back, an organisation that has now supported more than 60,000 children across Queensland with essential baby goods and practical support for families facing crisis. Carly shares how a garage full of outgrown baby clothes grew into one of Queensland's leading charities, supporting families impacted by domestic violence, homelessness, financial hardship, refugee resettlement and unexpected life challenges. She also opens up about becoming a mother, navigating postnatal depression and anxiety, receiving an ADHD and autism diagnosis later in life, and how understanding her neurodivergence helped make sense of a lifetime of feeling different. It's a conversation about purpose, community, leadership, motherhood and the extraordinary ripple effect of ordinary people choosing to care. Guest Bio: Carly Fradgley is the founder and CEO of Baby Give Back, a Queensland charity supporting families experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, financial hardship, refugee resettlement and other crises with essential baby goods and practical support. A former commercial lawyer, mother of two, and late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD woman, Carly is passionate about strengthening communities, supporting families through crisis, and helping ensure every child has the opportunity for an equal start in life. You can find Carly on Instagram at @carly_babygiveback [https://www.instagram.com/carly_babygiveback/], follow Baby Give Back on Instagram at @babygiveback [https://www.instagram.com/babygiveback/] and on Facebook at Baby Give Back [https://www.facebook.com/babygiveback], learn more about their work at www.babygiveback.org [http://www.babygiveback.org], or support their mission through their Giving Day campaign and community fundraising initiatives.

"What's Wrong With Your Face?" | Brittany Elliott on Facial Difference, Ableism & Learning to Be Seen

In this episode of Her Kind of Brave, what begins as a conversation about Bell's Palsy quickly becomes something much bigger. Brittany shares the moments that changed the way she saw the world...and the way the world saw her. As the conversation unfolds, she reflects on living with facial difference, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), POTS and chronic illness, the unexpected lessons they've taught her, and how they ultimately shaped her into the woman, mother, advocate and naturopath she is today. Along the way, Brittany challenges many of the unconscious beliefs we hold about disability, appearance and difference, encouraging us to replace assumptions with curiosity and empathy. Guest Bio: When Brittany Elliott began sharing her experience of living with Bell's Palsy online, she never imagined it would grow into a platform for disability advocacy. Now a naturopath, mother and passionate voice for the disability community, Brittany uses both her professional expertise and lived experience to support people navigating Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), POTS, mast cell activation syndrome and complex chronic illness, while continuing to advocate for greater representation, understanding and inclusion. You can find Brittany at: Instagram (Naturopathy): @brittanyleigh.naturopathy [https://www.instagram.com/brittanyleigh.naturopathy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram (Bell's Palsy Advocacy): @bellspalsybritt [https://www.instagram.com/bellspalsybritt/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] X (formerly Twitter): @bybrittanyleigh [https://x.com/bybrittanyleigh?utm_source=chatgpt.com] YouTube: Brittany Leigh YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtMLaoTV4dOvF25SN1ycEUA?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Website & Resources: Brittany Leigh Naturopathy Links [https://linkin.bio/brittanyleigh-naturopathy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Linktree: Brittany Leigh Linktree [https://linktr.ee/bybrittanyleigh?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Support the brands that keep these brave conversations going: MONASH IVF [https://monashivf.com] Call 1800 628 533 CENTRE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE & SURGERY - (Dr Kee Ong) – Call 07 5519 1602 @drkeeong [https://www.instagram.com/drkeeong/] IN HER OWN WORDS: IVF, LOSS & MIRACLES BOOK: @Inherownwords_official [https://www.instagram.com/inherownwords_official/?hl=en] https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J [https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J] KOSI kosi.au [https://kosi.au/] @kosi_au [https://www.instagram.com/kosi_au/?hl=en] Use discount code HERKINDOFBRAVE15 for 15% off (exclusions apply) MR CONSISTENT https://www.mrconsistent.com.au/ [http://mrconsistent.com.au] @mrconsistent_ [https://www.instagram.com/mr.consistent_/?hl=en] BESPOKE LONGEVITY – bespokelongevity.com.au @bespokelongevity_ [https://www.instagram.com/bespokelongevity_/] 👉 Mention “Her Kind of Brave” for $50 off any treatment Where to find us: Be sure to join the chat in our Community Group www.facebook.com/groups/herkindofbrave/ Follow us on Instagram @herkindofbravepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/herkindofbrave_podcast/?hl=en] and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave [https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave] Do you have a brave story, or are you looking to sponsor an upcoming episode? Reach out to us at herkindofbrave@gmail.com [herkindofbrave@gmail.com]

I Lost My Home, My Job... Then Nearly Lost My Life | Gai O'Dwyer on Resilience, Motherhood & Mindset

What happens when everything falls apart at once? This week on Her Kind of Brave, Chloe and Kellie sit down with mindset coach, speaker and celebrant Gai O'Dwyer to explore the year that tested everything she teaches. After losing her job, her home, living away from her daughter during a housing crisis, surviving a near-fatal car accident and saying goodbye to her mother, Gai shares the practical mindset tools that helped her keep putting one foot in front of the other. Together they talk about resilience, motherhood, grief, high performance, perfectionism, emotional regulation, raising confident children, finding peace after trauma and why the smallest moments in life often become the most important. Whether you're navigating loss, burnout, uncertainty or simply trying to hold everything together, this conversation offers grounded wisdom you can actually use. About Gai Gai O'Dwyer is a peak performance and mindset coach, NLP practitioner, speaker, celebrant and communication specialist. She works with elite athletes, executives, legal professionals and leaders to improve mental performance, confidence and communication under pressure. Drawing on decades of coaching experience—and a lifetime of personal adversity—Gai combines psychology, neuroscience and practical mindset tools to help people navigate life's biggest challenges with resilience, clarity and purpose. You can find Gai on TikTok @gaiodwyer [https://www.tiktok.com/@gaiodwyer] Support the brands that keep these brave conversations going: MONASH IVF [https://monashivf.com] Call 1800 628 533 CENTRE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE & SURGERY - (Dr Kee Ong) – Call 07 5519 1602 @drkeeong [https://www.instagram.com/drkeeong/] IN HER OWN WORDS: IVF, LOSS & MIRACLES BOOK: @Inherownwords_official [https://www.instagram.com/inherownwords_official/?hl=en] https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J [https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J] KOSI kosi.au [https://kosi.au/] @kosi_au [https://www.instagram.com/kosi_au/?hl=en] Use discount code HERKINDOFBRAVE15 for 15% off (exclusions apply) MR CONSISTENT https://www.mrconsistent.com.au/ [http://mrconsistent.com.au] @mrconsistent_ [https://www.instagram.com/mr.consistent_/?hl=en] BESPOKE LONGEVITY – bespokelongevity.com.au @bespokelongevity_ [https://www.instagram.com/bespokelongevity_/] 👉 Mention “Her Kind of Brave” for $50 off any treatment Where to find us: Be sure to join the chat in our Community Group www.facebook.com/groups/herkindofbrave/ Follow us on Instagram @herkindofbravepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/herkindofbrave_podcast/?hl=en] and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave [https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave] Do you have a brave story, or are you looking to sponsor an upcoming episode? Reach out to us at herkindofbrave@gmail.com [herkindofbrave@gmail.com]

I Couldn't Pick My Son Up From School Because I'd Been Drinking | Hanna Beasley on Addiction, ADHD & Her Path to Sobriety

In this powerful episode of Her Kind of Brave, Hanna Beasley shares her deeply personal journey with alcohol addiction, sobriety, ADHD, and motherhood. As the founder of La Mac Beauty and a mum of two, Hanna opens up about the hidden reality of drinking to cope, the moment she realised alcohol had taken control, and the decision that changed her life forever. Hanna discusses the link between ADHD and substance abuse, the role anxiety played in her drinking, the challenges of getting sober in a culture where alcohol is everywhere, and the tools that helped her rebuild her life. From meditation and movement to hypnotherapy and self-awareness, this conversation is a raw and honest look at recovery, resilience, and breaking generational cycles for the next generation. Guest Bio: Hanna Beasley is the founder of Le Mac Eye Artistry on the Gold Coast, a devoted mother of two boys, and an advocate for living alcohol-free. After recognising that alcohol had become a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, and undiagnosed ADHD, Hanna made the life-changing decision to get sober in March 2024. Now approaching two years of sobriety, she openly shares her experiences to help others navigate addiction, recovery, mental health, and self-discovery. Through honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to breaking generational cycles, Hanna is helping others realise that life on the other side of alcohol can be fuller, healthier, and more connected than they ever imagined. You can find Hanna on Instagram at @hannabeasley [https://www.instagram.com/hannabeasley/], follow Le Mac Eye Artistry at @lemac.eyeartistry [https://www.instagram.com/lemac.eyeartistry/], learn more at www.lemaceyeartistry.com [https://lemaceyeartistry.com/about/], or access her links and resources via https://linktr.ee/lemaceyeartistry [https://linktr.ee/lemaceyeartistry] Support the brands that keep these brave conversations going: MONASH IVF [https://monashivf.com] Call 1800 628 533 CENTRE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE & SURGERY - (Dr Kee Ong) – Call 07 5519 1602 @drkeeong [https://www.instagram.com/drkeeong/] IN HER OWN WORDS: IVF, LOSS & MIRACLES BOOK: @Inherownwords_official [https://www.instagram.com/inherownwords_official/?hl=en] https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J [https://amzn.in/d/c2wsW2J] KOSI kosi.au [https://kosi.au/] @kosi_au [https://www.instagram.com/kosi_au/?hl=en] Use discount code HERKINDOFBRAVE15 for 15% off (exclusions apply) MR CONSISTENT https://www.mrconsistent.com.au/ [http://mrconsistent.com.au] @mrconsistent_ [https://www.instagram.com/mr.consistent_/?hl=en] BESPOKE LONGEVITY – bespokelongevity.com.au @bespokelongevity_ [https://www.instagram.com/bespokelongevity_/] 👉 Mention “Her Kind of Brave” for $50 off any treatment Where to find us: Be sure to join the chat in our Community Group www.facebook.com/groups/herkindofbrave/ Follow us on Instagram @herkindofbravepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/herkindofbrave_podcast/?hl=en] and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave [https://www.facebook.com/herkindofbrave] Do you have a brave story, or are you looking to sponsor an upcoming episode? Reach out to us at herkindofbrave@gmail.com [herkindofbrave@gmail.com]