October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Brenda J. and Karen B. are honored to welcome Lauren Rose back to the Hanging On To Hope podcast. Lauren works with Called to Peace Ministries, led by Joy Forrest, and is now a life coach focusing specifically on helping women rebuild their lives after domestic abuse.

As a survivor of domestic violence and coercive control, Lauren shares part of her story and the experiences that led her to become a life coach. She also shares domestic violence statistics to raise awareness of the severity of this issue.

Lauren helps women navigate separation and divorce as Christians, heal from what they have experienced, and rediscover who they are. Through her coaching, she helps women understand who God created them to be and explore where they go from here.

In this episode, they discuss grief, forgiveness, finding your purpose, listening to your body, and the importance of rewiring the brain. This conversation offers encouragement and hope for women moving forward after abuse.

https://calledtopeace.org

https://livefound.org/meet-lauren/

https://hangingontohope.org

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Brenda J. and Karen B. are honored to welcome Lauren Rose back to the Hanging On To Hope podcast. Lauren works with Called to Peace Ministries, led by Joy Forrest, and is now a life coach focusing specifically on helping women rebuild their lives after domestic abuse.

As a survivor of domestic violence and coercive control, Lauren shares part of her story and the experiences that led her to become a life coach. She also shares domestic violence statistics to raise awareness of the severity of this issue.

Lauren helps women navigate separation and divorce as Christians, heal from what they have experienced, and rediscover who they are. Through her coaching, she helps women understand who God created them to be and explore where they go from here.

We also discuss the importance of finding your voice and sharing your story with safe, trusted, trauma-informed people who support your healing. This conversation offers encouragement and hope for women moving forward after abuse.

https://calledtopeace.org

https://livefound.org/meet-lauren/

https://hangingontohope.org

Brenda J. and Karen B. are honored to welcome Jo to the Hanging On To Hope podcast for another episode in our Real People, Real Voices series—a series dedicated to giving survivors a safe place to share their stories, find healing, and have their voices heard, some for the very first time.

In this powerful episode, Jo shares how a church community believed her when she disclosed the abuse and came alongside her with practical support. As one of Brenda's very first advocacy cases from beginning to end, this story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when survivors are believed, supported, and not left to walk alone.

Jo's journey is heartfelt, eye-opening, and filled with hope.

https://hangingontohope.org

On this episode, Brenda J. and Karen B. are joined by Nina Batista, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and educator who helps survivors of narcissistic abuse. She works with individuals, families, and groups navigating trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and relationship challenges.

In this episode, Nina goes over the many negative health effects that can occur from being in a relationship with a narcissist or abusive person. The episode concludes with listener engagement questions and practical takeaways that offer education, hope, and clarity for survivors.

https://ninabatistacounseling.com

https://hangingontohope.org

On this episode, Brenda J. and Karen B. are joined by Nina Batista, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and educator who helps survivors of narcissistic abuse. She works with individuals, families, and groups navigating trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and relationship challenges.

Nina shares a little of her own story and how she became passionate about helping survivors of narcissistic abuse. She explains what narcissism is and defines terms like DARVO, trauma bonding, and gaslighting. They also discuss whether narcissists know what they're doing, the physical impact of narcissistic abuse, and how survivors can begin making sense of experiences that once felt confusing and overwhelming. The episode concludes with listener engagement questions and practical takeaways that offer hope, healing, and clarity for survivors.

https://ninabatistacounseling.com

https://hangingontohope.org

Brenda J and Karen W interview Celestia Tracy and Nancy Galassini-Gunn on their book Explore, A Guided Journey to Being Loved. Celestia is Co-Founder of Mending the Soul, author of twelve books and workbooks, and a professional trauma counselor. Drawing from twenty-five years of teaching and training experience in areas of abuse and healing, secondary trauma, intimacy and bonding, biblical sexuality, and soul care, Celestia ensures that all Mending the Soul curricula and trainings are psychologically-informed and using best practice models. Nancy is the artist in Explore, a Mending The Soul facilitator, and abuse survivor. The four women take a deep dive into the book and it is extremely educational and healing.

https://mendingthesoul.org

https://hangingontohope.org

Brenda J and Karen W interview Celestia Tracy and Nancy Galassini-Gunn on their book Explore, A Guided Journey to Being Loved. Celestia is Co-Founder of Mending the Soul, author of twelve books and workbooks, and a professional trauma counselor. Drawing from twenty-five years of teaching and training experience in areas of abuse and healing, secondary trauma, intimacy and bonding, biblical sexuality, and soul care, Celestia ensures that all Mending the Soul curricula and trainings are psychologically-informed and using best practice models. Nancy is the artist in Explore, a Mending The Soul facilitator, and abuse survivor. The four women take a deep dive into the book and it is extremely educational and healing.

https://mendingthesoul.org

https://hangingontohope.org

Brenda J and Karen W interview Celestia Tracy and Nancy Galassini-Gunn on their book Explore, A Guided Journey to Being Loved. Celestia is Co-Founder of Mending the Soul, author of twelve books and workbooks, and a professional trauma counselor. Drawing from twenty-five years of teaching and training experience in areas of abuse and healing, secondary trauma, intimacy and bonding, biblical sexuality, and soul care, Celestia ensures that all Mending the Soul curricula and trainings are psychologically-informed and using best practice models. Nancy is the artist in Explore, a Mending The Soul facilitator, and abuse survivor. The four women take a deep dive into the book and it is extremely educational and healing.

https://mendingthesoul.org

https://hangingontohope.org