Beyond the Monsters

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  96: Being SAed at 7 and Again While Addicted to Meth at 14 19.08.2026 1Std. 13Min.

  Fausto Castellanos shares his story of surviving childhood SA, grooming, addiction, and years of shame that left him questioning himself and searching for acceptance in relationships, substances, and the people around him. After being abused at 7 years old and again by an adult man while struggling with meth addiction at 14, Fausto spent years trying to outrun what happened to him, eventually reaching a point where his substance use, seizures, and suicidal thoughts left him believing he might not survive.Fausto opens up about finally asking for help, finding sobriety, and experiencing unconditional acceptance from a sponsor who helped him begin confronting the trauma he had carried since childhood. He also shares how becoming a counselor and helping others gave his pain a sense of purpose, but eventually forced him to confront another pattern: tying his worth to how much he could do for everyone else. Today, nearly a decade into his healing journey, Fausto has built a life around trauma recovery, addiction advocacy, mental health, and helping others find hope without abandoning himself in the process.Fausto’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/hopedealerfaustohttps://www.youtube.com/@HopeDealerFaustohttps://www.tiktok.com/@hopedealerfaustohttps://www.facebook.com/faustocastellanossResources:Crisis Text Line741741RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPESAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)1-800-662-HELP (4357)Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: CSA Survivor, Childhood Trauma, Grooming, Addiction Recovery, Trauma Recovery, Sobriety, Men’s Mental HealthIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  95: Growing Up With Parents Struggling With Addiction and Dissociative Identity Disorder 12.08.2026 1Std. 9Min.

  Suzzette grew up in a family where addiction, mental illness, violence, and instability existed alongside a lot of love. Her father struggled with heroin addiction, her mother battled cancer and dissociative identity disorder, and much of what was happening inside their home became normal to her simply because it was all she knew. As a teenager, things reached a breaking point when her father and older brother were arrested, her mother disappeared, and Suzzette and her younger brother were left behind in a home that had been taken over by strangers.Years later, after losing her father, mother, and eventually her older brother, Suzzette began therapy and started looking back at her childhood with a completely different understanding. She had to untangle the complicated reality of loving her family deeply while also recognizing the ways their choices shaped her anxiety, relationships, coping mechanisms, and sense of what was normal. She opens up about the guilt she still carries over believing her father instead of her mother, the grief of losing so much of her family, and what it has taken to unlearn the patterns she grew up believing were normal.Suzzette’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/suzzettewriteshttps://msha.ke/suzzettewriteshttps://substack.com/@suzzettewritesResources:Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Childhood Trauma, Parental Addiction, Generational TraumaIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  94: Her Mom was Murdered by Her Ex-Boyfriend 05.08.2026 37Min.

  Shavon was just 11 years old when she woke up to find her mother and her mother’s ex-boyfriend dead after a murder-suicide that unfolded while she slept in the next room. She shares the trauma of discovering the scene, the warning signs she now recognizes as an adult, and how losing her mother shaped every stage of her life. Shavon and Chell discuss domestic violence, intimate partner homicide, childhood trauma, grief, PTSD, healing, family support, and the lifelong impact of losing a parent to violence. Shavon reflects on carrying her mother’s memory through adulthood, navigating profound loss after later losing her grandparents, and why sharing stories like hers can help others feel less alone. She also shares the powerful spoken-word poem she wrote about the night her life changed forever, honoring her mother’s memory while encouraging others to speak openly about trauma and survival. Resources:Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: DV, losing a parent, true crime, childhood trauma, grief and lossIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  93: Being Stranded at Sea During COVID and Escaping Coercive Control 29.07.2026 1Std. 33Min.

  Angela Harger Thompson moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dreams, but soon after arriving, she was drugged, SAed, and strangled by a Hollywood producer who had offered her a job. Although she immediately reported the assault, underwent a forensic exam, and fully cooperated with law enforcement, prosecutors declined to file charges, leaving her to navigate the aftermath of SA, trauma, and a criminal justice system that offered no accountability.Hoping for a fresh start, Angela joined a sailing expedition across the Pacific Ocean just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Stranded at sea for nearly 50 days before returning to a world in lockdown, she found herself trapped in an increasingly unhealthy relationship marked by emotional abuse, gaslighting, coercive control, and isolation. What began as an adventure quickly became another fight for her safety as years of harassment, legal battles, and a deeply personal documentary forced her to keep fighting long after reaching shore.Angela’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/messengeroftruthhttps://linktr.ee/angelahargerhttps://angelahargerproductions.comAngela’s Book - Worst Tits Ever:https://a.co/d/0ie9HuRBAngela’s Documentary - Quarantine at Sea: Trapped Halfway to Nowherehttps://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0D33BPJMN?ref_=atv_dp_share_cu_rResources:Crisis Text Line741741RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEBeyond the Monsters’ Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: SA, Coercive Control, Emotional Abuse, GaslightingIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  92: Her Son's Biological Father Murdered Him Before Taking His Own Life 22.07.2026 1Std. 4Min.

  Brandi Morey-Pols shares the story of her six-year-old son, Rowan, who was murdered by his biological father just days before a custody hearing that she hoped would finally bring him to safety. She recounts years of coercive control, stalking, emotional abuse, repeated warnings that went unheard, and the devastating failures of multiple systems that left Rowan unprotected despite mounting evidence and escalating concerns.Brandi and Chell explore what happens when coercive control is dismissed, warning signs are overlooked, and systems fail to recognize the danger children can face during custody disputes. Brandi also shares how honoring Rowan's life has become her purpose through the Rowan Project and Rowan's Promise, advocating for greater awareness of filicide, stronger protections for children, and legislative change aimed at preventing other families from experiencing the same unimaginable loss.Brandi’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/dollbb55https://therowanproject.org/https://www.facebook.com/brandi.brennan.3Resources:The Rowan Project - List of Resourceshttps://therowanproject.org/?page_id=1989Crisis Text Line741741National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-7233National Child Abuse Hotline1-800-422-4453 – push 1 to talk to a hotline counselorBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV), custody system failure, true crimeIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  91: Surviving CSA, Trafficking, Addiction and Prison 15.07.2026 1Std. 33Min.

  Marta Barreto shares her story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking, addiction, incarceration, and years of being blamed, disbelieved, and left without the protection she needed. She opens up about being harmed by family members beginning at nine years old, turning to methamphetamine to cope, serving in the United States Navy, losing her military career after becoming addicted to cocaine, and later being trafficked again while trapped in an abusive relationship. Marta also recounts losing her parental rights, facing a potential sentence of 40 years to life, and the moment her family finally learned that she had been telling the truth all along.Marta and Chell discuss childhood trauma, human trafficking, addiction, incarceration, family betrayal, religious shame, forgiveness, motherhood, second chances, and breaking generational cycles. After receiving a reduced sentence under Proposition 57, Marta returned home, earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors, and became a propulsion technician for Virgin Orbit, where she helped build rocket engines that went into space. Today, she speaks inside prisons to people convicted of sexual offenses and trafficking, advocates for formerly incarcerated people, and uses her story to show that accountability, healing, mercy, and redemption can exist together.Resources:Crisis Text Line741741SAMHSA’s National Helpline1-800-662-HELP (4357)RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEBeyond the Monsters’ Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: CSA, Human Trafficking, Family Abuse, Childhood Trauma, Trauma Recovery, Addiction Recovery, Prison ReformIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  90: High School Football Star Wrongfully Convicted in Child SA Case with Greg Kelley 08.07.2026 2Std. 10Min.

  Greg Kelley was a standout high school football player with a full scholarship, dreams of playing in the NFL, and what appeared to be a bright future ahead of him. At just 18 years old, everything changed when he was falsely accused and wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting a child, despite the absence of physical evidence. Greg shares the devastating reality of losing his freedom, spending years in a Texas maximum-security prison, and the emotional toll of being labeled one of society's most hated offenders while knowing he was innocent.Greg and Chell discuss wrongful convictions, false allegations, failures within the criminal justice system, prison survival, trauma, faith, forgiveness, resilience, and rebuilding a life after exoneration. Greg reflects on the lasting psychological impact of incarceration, the importance of choosing integrity even when the cost is unimaginable, and how his faith helped him survive the darkest years of his life. He also shares what life looks like today as a husband, father, entrepreneur, and man of faith, using his story to raise awareness about wrongful convictions while encouraging others to persevere through life's darkest moments. Greg’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/grkelley2https://www.youtube.com/@gregkelleyfreedomWatch Outcry:https://tv.apple.com/us/show/outcry/umc.cmc.4vx1rnu8swy3q1z2wn4nqei8lGreg’s Company - Tomahawk Targets:https://www.tomahawktargetsatx.comResources:RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topics: Wrongful Conviction, Criminal Justice Reform, Prison Survival, Exoneration, Trauma Recovery, Texas Court SystemIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  89: Her Husband Murdered Her 15 Year Old Son 01.07.2026 1Std. 5Min.

  Dasan "DJ" Jones was just 15 years old when he was murdered inside his own home by the man he had called dad for nearly a decade. His mother, Latrice, shares the devastating story of trying to escape an emotionally abusive marriage marked by stalking, surveillance, coercive control, and repeated failures by the courts to provide protection. In the aftermath of DJ's death, Latrice was left to navigate overwhelming grief while raising her two younger sons and seeking justice for the child she lost. Latrice and Chell explore how coercive control, stalking, and emotional abuse can escalate behind closed doors, the devastating gaps that can exist within the justice system, and the lifelong impact of losing a child to domestic violence. They also talk about grief, healing, and how Latrice is honoring DJ's legacy through the Dasan Jones Foundation while advocating for stronger protections for families facing abuse.The Dasan Jones Foundationhttps://www.instagram.com/dasanjonesfoundation0201?igsh=bTQwdXluYXpob2Znhttps://www.bonfire.com/store/djf-merch/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=djf-merch&utm_content=default&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3Resources:Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV) true crimeIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  88: Cast Out of Christian Music for Being Gay & Reclaiming the Song That Started It All with Michael Passons, Ty Herndon & Melissa Greene 24.06.2026 1Std.

  Former Avalon members Michael Passons and Melissa Greene alongside country music artist Ty Herndon share the story behind their powerful re-recording of Testify to Love and the deeply personal journey that led them back to a song that now carries an entirely new meaning. Michael opens up about being removed from Avalon because he was gay, the years of silence and healing that followed, and what it meant to finally reclaim his voice nearly two decades later alongside longtime friends Melissa and Ty.Together, they discuss the lasting impact rejection from faith communities can have on LGBTQ+ people, the trauma of feeling forced to hide who you are, and the complicated relationship many carry with faith after experiencing exclusion and shame. They also reflect on forgiveness, authenticity, personal growth, and why they believe love, faith, and belonging should never be reserved for only a select few. What began as a beloved Christian music classic has become a message of healing, inclusion, hope, and the freedom to finally live as your authentic self.Listen to Testify To Lovehttps://c44.lnk.to/TestifyToLoveTestify To Love Music Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l7IPvr6b8sMichael’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/michaelpassonshttps://www.tiktok.com/@michaelpassonsmusichttps://www.youtube.com/@michaelpassonsmusicTy’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/tyherndonofficialhttps://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTyHerndonhttps://www.tyherndon.comTy’s book: What Mattered Mosthttps://www.harpercollins.com/pages/tyherndonMelissa’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/melissagreenehttps://linktr.ee/melissagreenehttps://www.melissagreene.nethttps://substack.com/@melissagreeneResources:The LGBT National Hotline888-843-4564The Trevor Projecthttps://www.thetrevorproject.orgBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topics: Religious Trauma, LGBTQ, Faith Journey, Christian Music Industry, Self AcceptanceIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  87: Losing Three Children in a Drunk Driving Crash with The Simmons 3 17.06.2026 1Std. 15Min.

  Dawn Simmons and her daughter Katie DeRouen share the unimaginable story of losing Dawn's three children, Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn, in a head-on crash caused by a drunk driver going the wrong way on the interstate just days before Christmas. Dawn survived the collision with life-threatening injuries, while Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn were killed, forever changing the lives of everyone who loved them. Together, they recount the devastating hours that followed, the trauma of identifying their loved ones, and the reality of navigating grief after losing multiple children in a single night.Dawn and Katie talk about traumatic loss, surviving the unthinkable, grief after child loss, survivor's guilt, faith, healing, and finding purpose through tragedy. They share how their family's heartbreak led to the creation of The Simmons Three, a nonprofit dedicated to educating students about impaired driving, decision-making, and the lasting consequences of a single choice. Their story is one of profound loss, resilience, hope, and honoring the legacy of Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn by helping save lives.Katie and Dawn’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/katiederouenhttps://www.tiktok.com/@katiederouen1https://bio.site/Katiederouen1The Simmons 3:https://www.simmons3.comhttps://www.instagram.com/simmons3incSupport their mission:https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ieeapA?vid=1qzgvvBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Child Loss, Drunk Driving, Survivor's Guilt, Grief Journey, Impaired Driving, Traumatic LossIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  86: Fighting for Custody of Her Daughter While Healing From SA 10.06.2026 1Std. 10Min.

  Chloe spent years carrying the trauma of a SA she never spoke about, burying the experience for nearly five years before PTSD, flashbacks, and overwhelming anxiety forced her to confront what happened. As she worked through therapy, marriage struggles, and the lasting impact of trauma, she found herself raising her husband’s young niece, Olivia, after the child was removed from her biological parents' care. What began as a temporary arrangement turned into a life-changing bond that would ultimately redefine Chloe’s future.While Chloe was dealing with the breakdown of her marriage, she learned her husband had become involved with another woman who was expecting his child, setting off a series of events that would lead to a high-conflict custody fight over the daughter she had spent years raising. She shares the emotional reality of navigating family court, parental abandonment, PTSD, divorce, childhood trauma, and the fight to protect a child caught in the middle. Chloe opens up about healing after SA, learning to advocate for herself, rebuilding her life, and the journey that eventually led to formally adopting the daughter she refused to leave behind.Resources:Crisis Text Line741741SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)1-800-662-HELP (4357)RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEBeyond the Monsters’ Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Sexual Assault, PTSD Recovery, Child Custody, Family Court, Infidelity, Adoption Journey, Custody BattleIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  85: Being Married to a Narcissistic Cheater & Learning Self-Worth 03.06.2026 1Std. 11Min.

  JaHana Holloway spent much of her life searching for love while carrying deep wounds from childhood trauma, abandonment, SA, and years of believing her worth depended on what she could give to other people. Those experiences shaped the relationships she chose and eventually led her into a marriage marked by infidelity, manipulation, emotional abuse, gaslighting, and the devastating reality of narcissistic abuse. She shares how growing up without consistent support left her vulnerable to predators, unhealthy relationships, and a lifelong struggle with self-worth.JaHana opens up about discovering her husband's affairs, surviving the chaos that followed, navigating divorce, and confronting the painful patterns that kept repeating throughout her life. She and Chell talk about narcissistic relationships, cheating, trauma bonding, emotional manipulation, childhood wounds, healing the inner child, setting boundaries, and learning that self-worth cannot be found through someone else's validation. After years of silence, JaHana shares her story for the first time and explains how speaking openly became part of reclaiming her voice and rebuilding her life.JaHana’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/vibewithjahanahttps://linktr.ee/jahanahollowayJaHana’s book - Metamorphosis: The Alchemy of Turning Wounds Into Wingshttps://a.co/d/0hUQWSOHResources:Crisis Text Line 741741RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotlineBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Narcissistic Abuse, Narcissistic Relationship, Childhood Trauma, SA, Cheating Spouse, Emotional Abuse, Self Worth HealingIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  84: What Really Happens in Family Court and CSA Cases 27.05.2026 1Std. 4Min.

  Attorney JoDee Neil spent years prosecuting crimes against children while carrying the truth about what she had survived herself. After hearing thousands of outcries from survivors throughout her career, she finally shared her own story and began writing Outcry Witness, a book focused on trauma, sexual violence, and the process of becoming “unfrozen” after years of silence. She opens up about working child abuse cases, what she has witnessed inside the criminal and family court systems, and how trauma reshapes the brain, nervous system, and sense of self over time.JoDee and Chell talk about childhood trauma, SA, addiction, EMDR therapy, recovery, dissociation, and the survival patterns many trauma survivors repeat for years without realizing it. They also discuss mandatory reporting, child abuse investigations, grooming, victim blaming, family court failures, workplace sexual violence, and why so many survivors become caretakers and protectors while quietly carrying unresolved trauma themselves. JoDee’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/jodeeneilattorneyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jodeeneil.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@jodeeneilhttps://www.jodeeneil.comJoDee’s book - Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violencehttps://a.co/d/0eE21UNMResources:RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/Crisis Text Line 741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: family court system, CSA survivors, childhood trauma, trauma recovery, SA trauma, criminal justice systemIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  83: Growing Up in a Hoarder House with Animal Hoarding 20.05.2026 1Std. 48Min.

  Summer grew up in a severe hoarder home (level 5) where rooms became inaccessible, utilities stopped working, and over 30 animals lived in extreme neglect inside the house. Behind the scenes, she was dealing with chronic bullying, isolation, domestic violence, emotional abuse, and the impossible pressure of protecting her family while trying to survive her own childhood. She opens up about what it was really like going to school embarrassed by the conditions she was living in, being removed by CPS, couch surfing as a teenager, and realizing in college that the life she grew up in was never normal.Summer shares the long-term impact of growing up with parents who have hoarding disorder, narcissistic family dynamics, parentification, and severe animal hoarding, along with the complicated grief that comes from loving parents who were unable to provide safety or stability. She talks about the shame children of hoarders carry, the survival behaviors that follow them into adulthood, and the difficult process of learning basic self-care, relationships, and normalcy after years of living in chaos.Summer’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/summerjoy.cptsd_survivorhttps://www.tiktok.com/@summerjoy4https://youtube.com/@summerjoy4https://linktr.ee/summerjoy4Collaborations/Media: summerjoy.officialmgmt@gmail.comResources:International OCD Foundation (Hoarding)https://iocdf.org/hoardingChildren of Hoardershttps://childrenofhoarders.comInstitute for Challenging Disorganizationhttps://challengingdisorganization.orgNAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)https://nami.orgHoarding Cleanup Directoryhttps://hoardingcleanup.comCrisis Text Line 741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Hoarding Disorder, Animal Hoarding, Childhood Trauma, Family Dysfunction, Childhood Neglect, Complex PTSD (CPTSD)If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  82: Going to the Execution of Her Mother’s Killer (Ep. 18 Follow-Up) 13.05.2026 1Std. 6Min.

  In this follow-up to episode 18, Sarah is joined by her stepdaughter Avery more than 20 years after Avery’s mother was murdered when she was just five months old. After spending most of their lives carrying the weight of the case, they received the call that the execution date had finally been set for the man responsible. Sarah and Avery share what it was like preparing for the execution, traveling to Texas together, and walking into a situation neither of them truly knew how to process until they were living it in real time.Avery opens up about growing up without her mother and later losing her father to suicide in 2023, while Sarah reflects on the years of grief and emotional survival that followed both tragedies. What they expected would bring closure instead forced them to confront layers of trauma, family pain, suicide loss, and the emotional reality of watching a case that shaped their lives finally come to an end. Together, they talk about the complicated emotions surrounding the execution, the unexpected moments that stayed with them afterward, and the difficult process of figuring out who they were once this chapter of their lives was finally over.Sarah’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/skyvisions333Sarah’s Podcast - All The Things Shoals:https://www.instagram.com/allthethings.shoalshttps://www.youtube.com/@allthethingsshoalshttps://open.spotify.com/show/65FFAsKIBmYj3sEocu9eXQ?si=c8973a65da1a49bfResources:Project Unbrokenhttps://projectunbroken.orgCrisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: true crime, grief, murder case, family trauma, healing after loss, capital punishment If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  81: Her Brothers SAed Her, One Tried to Silence Her with a Lawsuit 06.05.2026 47Min.

  Darlene Lekowski was sexually abused by two of her older brothers beginning at just 7 years old, carrying the trauma in silence for more than five decades while building a life that looked perfect from the outside. She shares the long-term reality of sibling sexual abuse, PTSD, perfectionism, fear of abandonment, and what happens when trauma is buried instead of healed. After finally confronting one of her brothers, he responded by suing her for defamation, forcing her into a two year legal battle where she was made to relive the abuse publicly in court.Darlene breaks down the family dynamics that kept her silent, the threats and manipulation used against her as a child, and the emotional toll of protecting everyone else while destroying herself in the process. She talks about raising children while carrying hidden trauma, how PTSD showed up throughout her life, and the moment she realized surviving wasn’t the same thing as healing. After winning the lawsuit and being validated by a jury, she began rebuilding her life, writing her book Shattering Silence, and speaking publicly to help other survivors break the shame and secrecy surrounding sibling sexual abuse, trauma, and family betrayal.Darlene’s Links:darlene-lekowski.com https://www.instagram.com/darlenelekowskihttps://www.facebook.com/darlenelekowski“Shattering Silence” book https://a.co/d/003yCIaBResources:RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: sibling sexual trauma and abuse (SSTA), childhood trauma, family abuse, PTSD recovery, sexual abuse awareness, court traumaIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  80: Her Estranged Husband Murdered Their Two Children 29.04.2026 1Std. 24Min.

  Hope’s estranged husband murdered their two young children in an act of filicide after being granted unsupervised custody, despite clear warning signs of instability, prior abuse, and escalating mental health concerns. Just before their deaths, he made suicidal and homicidal statements, was hospitalized, and still walked out of court with 50/50 custody. Hope’s story exposes the reality of how quickly systems can fail, how mental health is misunderstood in legal settings, and how lethal risk is often missed until it’s too late.Hope shares what led up to that moment, including years of coercive control, psychological abuse, gaslighting, and physical violence that she kept hidden while trying to survive and protect her children. She breaks down the timeline of events, the court decisions, and the warning signs that were overlooked, while also speaking to the unimaginable reality of losing both of her children and what it means to live after that level of loss.Hope’s Links:Fill out the link to pass The Alec and Lydia Act!https://rallystarter.com/rally/2948/please-pass-the-alec-and-lydia-act-in-the-arizona-senatehttps://www.instagram.com/hope_in_the_painhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hope.in.the.painhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Hope-In-The-Painhttps://linktr.ee/hopeinthepain Voices Against Filicide - Hope’s Podcasthttps://tr.ee/4zExkNUIYi Resources:Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV), custody system failure, true crimeIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  79: Years of Domestic Violence Led to a 10 Year Custody Battle for Her Children 22.04.2026 2Std. 7Min.

  Jess Patz was 18 when she entered an abusive relationship that quickly escalated from love bombing into domestic violence, coercive control, and manipulation. The first physical assault happened during her first pregnancy, followed by years of emotional abuse, gaslighting, sexual assault, and financial control that caused her to question her own reality. She breaks down what intimate partner violence actually looks like behind closed doors, including how someone can be conditioned to stay, how abuse escalates over time, and how early warning signs are often missed or dismissed. After leaving, she was pulled into a 10 year custody battle where family court systems failed to recognize patterns of abuse, allowing continued exposure for her children. During that time and years after, her body began to break down with severe health complications, including recurrent pulmonary embolisms, chronic pain, autoimmune disease, and eventually a stroke that forced her to relearn how to walk. Jess shares the reality of post separation abuse, child custody in abusive relationships, and how trauma doesn’t just stay mental, it shows up physically in ways that can change your life. She is now a speaker, advocate, and TEDx presenter using her story to raise awareness about domestic violence and its long term impact.Jess’ Links:https://www.instagram.com/_jesspatzhttps://www.tiktok.com/@_jesspatzhttps://www.jesspatz.comResources:Crisis Text Line741741National Domestic Violence Hotline800-799-7233Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Centerhttps://dvsacenter.orgBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonstershttps://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: DV, coercive control, family court system, SA, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, autoimmune disease, lupus, stroke recovery, chronic illnessIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  78: The Reality of the War in Afghanistan 15.04.2026 1Std. 36Min.

  Sean Tobias Ambriz joined the Army at 18 and was deployed to Afghanistan early in his military career, where he was unexpectedly assigned as a combat medic in an active war zone. With accelerated training, he was responsible for treating wounded soldiers during intense firefights, navigating Taliban ambushes, sniper fire, and life-or-death decisions in the mountains.He describes being surrounded during combat, running toward gunfire to reach injured soldiers, and working through mass casualties with limited medical supplies. He also speaks on how experiences like his are often overlooked, as attention is typically focused on special operations forces, despite conventional Army units facing the same level of danger and loss. The trauma of war, loss of fellow soldiers, and repeated exposure to combat carried into multiple deployments, PTSD, and the long-term reality veterans face after surviving combat. Sean’s links:https://www.instagram.com/chief_pinkmisthttps://www.seantobiasambriz.comResources:Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSDhttps://www.ptsd.va.govBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonstershttps://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: combat medic, Afghanistan war, military PTSD, war trauma, Army veteranIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  77: She Lost Her Fiancé to an Overdose Just 8 Months After Their Son Was Born 08.04.2026 1Std. 15Min.

  Jori lost her fiancé to an overdose after trying to save him from a hidden addiction to pills that began before they met. Kyle came into her life on New Year’s Eve and quickly became someone she saw a future with, outgoing, magnetic, and deeply loved by everyone around him. As their relationship grew, so did the life they were building together, but behind it, he was quietly battling a pill addiction. It quickly turned into the reality of loving someone struggling with substance abuse, relapse, and the cycle of recovery attempts that didn’t last. Jori found herself questioning the signs of addiction in real time, trying to make sense of behavior changes, secrecy, and the emotional weight of being in a relationship affected by addiction.After losing her fiancé to an overdose just eight months after having their son, Jori was left navigating grief, trauma, and the lasting impact of sudden loss. She was now facing life without her partner and the father of her child, a loss that reshaped everything moving forward. She shares what it’s really like to love someone through addiction, the moments that don’t make sense at the time, and the ones that stay with you long after they’re gone. She also opens up about the loss of her best friend in a car accident she witnessed at 10 years old, a moment that stayed with her and shaped how she processes grief, trauma, and emotional attachment.Jori’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/jorikinneyJori’s Podcast - Shattered Silence:https://www.youtube.com/@ShatteredSilencePodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/shatteredsilencepodhttps://linktr.ee/shatteredsilencepodResources:Crisis Text Line741741SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)1-800-662-HELP (4357)Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonstershttps://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topics: addiction, overdose, grief, relationships, mental health, loss, trauma healing, substance abuseIf you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.