Demystifying Self-Defense Training

When Money Becomes Control: Financial Abuse with Dr. Merideth Thompson

Dr. Merideth Thompson joins the Diamond Defense Podcast to unpack financial abuse in intimate relationships: what it is, how it overlaps with coercive control, common red flags, safe exit planning, recovery, and how loved ones can help.  Self Defense Resources * Diamond Defense https://diamonddefense.com/resources [https://diamonddefense.com/resources] Other Resources * CAPSA (Citizens Against Physical & Sexual Abuse) https://www.capsa.org/ [https://www.capsa.org/]  * FinAbility https://www.finability.org/ [https://www.finability.org/]  * Domestic Violence Hotline (in the United States) 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) thehotline.org [http://thehotline.org] * Power and Control Wheels: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/ [https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/]  Copyright by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project Engage with Us! 💎Learn more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/] 💎Have a story you want to share on the podcast? Email us at DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com [DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com]  💎If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review it — help everyone shine stronger! 💎Diamond Defense YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddefense321 [https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddefense321]  Production Team Co-Host and Co-Producer: Lisa Co-Host and Co-Producer: Kellie Special Thanks Ann Cobb, Kelley Ogden, Dr. Merideth Thompson Music * Music courtesy of Melodie Music [https://melod.ie/]. * Melodie Music Subscription: Pro Plan, Lifetime Title: Fighter Artist: Christy Panchal Composers: Klotz Christina Elyse Panchal (ASCAP: 1020882000) 50%, Carrozza Gregory Joseph (BMI: 00528390441) 50% https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter [https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter]  Title: Pendulous Threads Artist: Doug Stronach Composer: Stronach Douglas (SOCAN: 471111593) 100% https://melod.ie/track-details/6191-pendulous-threads [https://melod.ie/track-details/6191-pendulous-threads]  Title: Pivotal Moment Artist: Daniel Greis Composer: Greis Daniel (APRA: 779836466) 100%  https://melod.ie/track-details/3091-pivotal-moment [https://melod.ie/track-details/3091-pivotal-moment] 💎Discover more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/]

Supporting Someone in an Abusive Relationship: A Conversation with Tiffiny Newton

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of emotional abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Please choose how you listen in a way that protects yourself. Think someone you love might be in an abusive relationship? Tiffiny Newton breaks down red flags, coercive control, trauma bonding, and what actually helps when someone is ready to leave. Show Notes Tiffiny Newton’s Website: https://tiffinynewton.com/ [https://tiffinynewton.com/]  Self Defense Resources * Diamond Defense: https://diamonddefense.com/resources [https://diamonddefense.com/resources] * Domestic Violence Hotline (in the United States): 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)    thehotline.org [http://thehotline.org] * Relationships Australia Victoria RAV — What is Coercive Control? Article: https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/ [https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/]  Sexual Assault Resources * National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/ [https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/] Other Resources * Power and Control Wheels: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/ [https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/] Copyright by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project * Sacramento Family Justice Center: https://www.sacramentofjc.org/ [https://www.sacramentofjc.org/]  Engage with Us! 💎Discover more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/] 💎Have a story you want to share on the podcast? Email us at DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com [DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com]  💎If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review it — help everyone shine stronger! 💎Diamond Defense YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddefense321 [https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddefense321]  Production Team Co-Host and Co-Producer: Lisa  Co-Host and Co-Producer: Kellie  Special Thanks Ann Cobb, Tiffiny Newton, Kelley Ogden, Karin Music * Music courtesy of Melodie Music [https://melod.ie/]. * Melodie Music Subscription: Pro Plan, Lifetime Title: Fighter; Artist: Christy Panchal Composers: Klotz Christina Elyse Panchal (ASCAP: 1020882000) 50%, Carrozza Gregory Joseph (BMI: 00528390441) 50% https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter [https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter]  💎Discover more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/]

Mid-Season Recap

Eight episodes in, we pause to listen back—to the moments when instinct spoke, boundaries mattered, and survival took shape in real time. This mid-season recap revisits discussions of sexual assault, coercive control, and personal safety; nothing is graphic, but some content may be activating. Self Defense Resources * Diamond Defense * https://diamonddefense.com/resources [https://diamonddefense.com/resources] * Domestic Violence Hotline (in the United States) * 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) * https://www.thehotline.org/ [https://www.thehotline.org/] * Relationships Australia Victoria RAV — What is Coercive Control? Article * https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/ [https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/] Sexual Assault Resources * National Sexual Assault Hotline – 800-656-4673 * https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/ 💎Learn more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/] 💎Have a story you want to share on the podcast? Email us at DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com [DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com]  💎If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review it — help everyone shine stronger! 💎Diamond Defense YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddefense321 [https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddefense321]  Show Notes Co-Host and Co-Producer: Lisa Co-Host and Co-Producer: Kellie Special Thanks Ann Cobb, Kelley Ogden, Aniko, Jessica, Martha, Karin Music * Music courtesy of Melodie Music [https://melod.ie/]. * Melodie Music Subscription: Pro Plan, Lifetime Title: Fighter; Artist: Christy Panchal Composers: Klotz Christina Elyse Panchal (ASCAP: 1020882000) 50%, Carrozza Gregory Joseph (BMI: 00528390441) 50% https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter [https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter]  Title: Introspection; Artist: Travis A. King Composers: King Travis Adam (APRA: 00400117039) 100% https://melod.ie/track-details/2459-introspection [https://melod.ie/track-details/2459-introspection]  💎Discover more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/]

Coercive Control Relationships

Content Warning: This episode includes personal accounts of coercive control, emotional abuse, intimidation, and fear within a relationship. Understand coercive control relationships and the quiet patterns of emotional abuse hiding in plain sight. This episode explores some of the hidden patterns of emotional and psychological abuse, why they’re so hard to recognize, and how awareness can become a path back to safety.  Self-defense instructor Lisa sits down with Karin, a survivor of a long-term coercive control relationship, for a deeply honest, illuminating conversation. Together, they unpack how control took root, how it escalated over time, and how Karin ultimately found her way out. This is not a sensational story. It’s a listening story — one meant to give language to experiences many people feel but struggle to name. Whether you’re questioning a relationship, supporting someone you love, or seeking to understand the quieter forms of abuse that often go unseen, this episode offers insight, validation, and a reminder: control is not love — and safety is possible. Self Defense Resources * Diamond Defense https://diamonddefense.com/resources [https://diamonddefense.com/resources] * Domestic Violence Hotline (in the United States) 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) thehotline.org [http://thehotline.org] * Relationships Australia Victoria RAV — What is Coercive Control? (Article) https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/ [https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/]  💎Learn more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/] 💎Have a story you want to share on the podcast? Email us at DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com [DiamondDefensePodcast@gmail.com]  💎If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review it — help everyone shine stronger! Show Notes Co-Host and Co-Producer: Lisa Co-Host and Co-Producer: Kellie Special Thanks Ann Cobb, Kelley Ogden, Karin Music Music courtesy of Melodie Music [https://melod.ie/]. Melodie Music Subscription: Pro Plan, Lifetime Title: Fighter; Artist: Christy Panchal Composers: Klotz Christina Elyse Panchal (ASCAP: 1020882000) 50%, Carrozza Gregory Joseph (BMI: 00528390441) 50% https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter [https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter] Title: A Change in the Weather Artist: Cookie Cartel Composers: Ancheta Mary Beth (SOCAN: 263187068) 50%, Kearley Dan William (SOCAN: 441100030) 50% https://melod.ie/track-details/2443-a-change-in-the-weather [https://melod.ie/track-details/2443-a-change-in-the-weather] 💎Discover more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/]

Demystifying Self-Defense Training

Think self-defense is only for the strong or the fearless? Think again. In this episode, Lisa breaks down reality-based training, martial arts options, and the truth about awareness, boundaries, and using your voice as your first weapon. Perfect for anyone ready to feel safer, more grounded, and more confident — no matter your size, age, or starting point. Self Defense Resources https://diamonddefense.com/resources [https://diamonddefense.com/resources] 💎Learn more at https://diamonddefense.com/ 💎If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review it — help everyone shine stronger! Show Notes Co-Host and Co-Producer: Lisa Co-Host and Co-Producer: Kellie Special Thanks Ann Cobb, Kelley Ogden Music Music courtesy of Melodie Music [https://melod.ie/]. Melodie Music Subscription: Pro Plan, Lifetime Title: Fighter; Composer: Christy Panchal https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter [https://melod.ie/track-details/3300-fighter]  💎Discover more at https://diamonddefense.com/ [https://diamonddefense.com/]