Beyond the headlines of the Idaho College murders are four victims, four families, and lives that were forever changed. In this episode of I Want You To Know, we sit down with Kristi Goncalves, mother of Kaylee Goncalves, to talk about Kaylee beyond the headlines and what it has been like navigating unimaginable loss in the public eye. Kristi shares her experience with media attention, misinformation, the investigation and trial, and why her family chose to speak out.

She also shares the work of the Kaylee Goncalves Foundation, what she wishes she had known along the way, and the victim impact statement she delivered in court. At the heart of this conversation is a mother remembering her daughter, advocating for other families, and trying to make something meaningful out of an unimaginable loss.

Resources:

Murder Has a Name Foundation: https://www.murderhasaname.com/

Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org

If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org

—

This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

What happens when the trauma you experienced as a child follows you into your relationships, your parenting, and every part of your adult life? In this episode, we are joined by June Berlinger, a nurse, survivor, and author, for an incredibly honest conversation about surviving abuse and finding a way forward.

June shares what it was like to grow up surrounded by abuse, how those experiences shaped her self-worth and relationships, and why she found herself drawn to chaos and unhealthy relationships rather than the safety and kindness she deserved. We talk about the guilt and shame survivors often carry, how trauma can affect the way we trust and connect with others, and what it means to finally understand that the abuse was never our fault.

We also talk about something that is so important: breaking generational cycles. June shares how becoming a mother changed her perspective, how she worked to protect her own children from the patterns she had experienced, and how years of counseling, support groups, education, and advocacy became part of her healing journey.

If you or someone you love has experienced abuse, I hope you'll listen to this episode knowing that you are not alone, your story matters, and there is hope beyond what you've survived. June has also created free resources for survivors and those who want to help them at RisingAboveTrauma.net, where you can find information from her book and additional support resources.

Resources:

Buy June's Book: https://www.risingabovetrauma.net/

June’s Website: https://www.risingabovetrauma.net/

Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org

If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org

—

This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

What happens when the person entrusted with guiding your faith becomes the person who betrays your trust? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Diana Hernandez, who shares her story of being sexually abused as a teenager by a Catholic priest who also served as a vice principal and disciplinarian at her high school. Diana opens up about the grooming that began when she was 16, how her vulnerability following her parents' divorce was exploited, and the complicated ways abuse can affect a survivor's sense of safety, identity, relationships, and faith. We also discuss how authority, secrecy, and institutional silence can allow abuse to continue for years.

Diana shares what healing has looked like for her, how finding a community of fellow survivors changed her life, and what she would want other survivors to know if they are still carrying their stories in silence. Her message is clear: what happened to you does not define you, and healing happens on your own timeline.

If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse, we hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone. Listen to Diana's story, share this episode with someone who may need to hear it, and continue creating space for survivors to be heard, believed, and supported.

Resources:

Free confidential help is always available at victimconnect.org

If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to share your story, please contact us at media@victimsofcrime.org

—

This podcast discusses real crimes and may include sensitive topics that could be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

The information shared in this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.