A podcast where people share real stories of trauma, survival, mental health, and the darkest moments of their lives. Trauma, abuse, true crime, resilience, and the long road toward healing are at the center of every episode. These conversations go deeper than the surface to uncover the truth of what they lived through, what it cost them, and how they found the strength to rise again. It is real, emotional, and driven by the belief that when survivors speak, others find the courage to heal.
Hosted by Chell Bane, a medical professional with 20+ years in psychiatry and addiction medicine, and a survivor of trauma herself.
If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:
https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A podcast where people share real stories of trauma, survival, mental health, and the darkest moments of their lives. Trauma, abuse, true crime, resilience, and the long road toward healing are at the center of every episode. These conversations go deeper than the surface to uncover the truth of what they lived through, what it cost them, and how they found the strength to rise again. It is real, emotional, and driven by the belief that when survivors speak, others find the courage to heal.
Hosted by Chell Bane, a medical professional with 20+ years in psychiatry and addiction medicine, and a survivor of trauma herself.
If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:
https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John Mabry was 21 years old when a catastrophic car crash during his senior year of college killed a close friend and ultimately led to the amputation of his leg. What followed were years of surgeries, chronic pain, phantom limb pain, and the psychological impact of limb loss that no one prepared him for. On the outside, his life appeared extraordinary, including Hollywood film and television appearances, major network shows, and access to elite spaces like the Playboy Mansion. Beneath that surface, unresolved trauma, grief, and physical pain quietly fueled a growing struggle with addiction and substance use disorder.
His unraveling came through relapse, loss, and the moment his own child recognized what he could no longer deny. Recovery required accountability, trauma therapy, and long term sobriety rather than image or success. Today, John speaks openly about addiction recovery, amputation, grief, and rebuilding life after trauma.
John’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/johnmabryconnects
https://www.youtube.com/@johnmabry_speaker
https://www.johnmabryconnects.com
Resources:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
Celebrate Recovery
Amputee Coalition
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.
Topics: medical trauma, leg amputation survivor, addiction, car crash, chronic pain
If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:
https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153
Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Scarlet McKenzie shares the moment her attempt to leave a controlling relationship escalated into something far more devastating. After enduring coercive control, surveillance, isolation, and retaliation, her child was taken without a warrant or court order following false allegations. What followed was a fight against a system that ignored due process, dismissed evidence, and repeatedly failed to protect families while prioritizing procedure over truth. Her story exposes how power, control, and retaliation can extend beyond relationships and into institutions meant to protect children.
Rather than staying silent, Scarlet turned survival into advocacy. As a mother and child welfare reform advocate, she speaks openly about family court trauma, CPS overreach, generational harm, and the long psychological impact of forced separation. Her experience sheds light on how survivors are often punished for leaving, how children are caught in the middle, and why accountability and reform are urgently needed.
Scarlet McKenzie’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/scarletmckenzie
https://www.tiktok.com/@scarlet_mckenzie
https://linktr.ee/professionalbrat
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/scarletmckenzie/run-this-back
https://music.apple.com/us/album/run-this-back/1835128990?i=1835128991
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
Text BEGIN to 88788
National Coalition for Child Protection Reform (NCCPR)
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.
Topics: Child custody removal, False CPS reports, Domestic violence retaliation, Family court trauma, Coercive control
If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:
https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153
Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jes lost her fifteen-year-old son, Rayce, to a baseball-sized brain tumor that no one knew was there, a loss that unfolded in a matter of hours and changed the course of her life forever. She grew up in a small town in Utah and lost her mother to cancer at thirteen, an early grief that quietly shaped how she learned to survive, adapt, and care for others long before she became a parent. As an adult, Jes built her life around her three children, immersing herself in the demanding world of competitive youth sports, where teams became extended families and weekends revolved around tournaments, travel, and shared routines. That sense of closeness would later become both a lifeline and a source of unimaginable heartbreak.
In the hours leading up to Rayce’s death, normal life unraveled: emergency rooms, unanswered questions, organ donation decisions, and the impossible task of telling his younger siblings their brother wasn’t coming home. Jes speaks openly about the shock, anger, and disorientation that followed, and the long road of learning how to survive grief without letting it define her entire identity. Her story is not about finding neat explanations, but about continuing to show up for her children, honoring Rayce’s life, and choosing to keep moving forward even when nothing makes sense.
Jes’ Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jes.marie18
Resources:
Bereaved Parents of the USA (BPUSA)
https://bereavedparentsusa.org
MISS Foundation
https://www.missfoundation.org
GriefShare
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.
Topics: child loss, grief, bereaved parent, healing, parenting after loss
If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:
https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153
Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kristi and Katrina are two mothers bound by the unthinkable loss of their sons during the height of the fentanyl crisis. Their stories trace long, complex journeys through addiction, grief, survival, and the systems that repeatedly failed their children. From early trauma, mental health struggles, and substance use to the devastating reality of fentanyl exposure, their paths reveal how addiction does not begin in isolation and does not end with a single decision. Their experiences challenge the myths around weed, recovery timelines, and personal responsibility while exposing the gaps in treatment, prevention, and support for families.
What emerged from their shared loss was purpose. Kristi and Katrina speak openly about parenting through addiction, loving without enabling, surviving unimaginable grief, and choosing to recover out loud. Their voices confront stigma, normalize grief, and demand accountability from systems that prioritize punishment over care.
DK805Podcast’s Links
https://www.youtube.com/@DK805Podcast
https://www.instagram.com/dk805podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dk805-podcast/id1833586069
https://open.spotify.com/show/5yAuLfqgs3CTu4YMHXhdm6?si=4a66d9946b47450a
Resources:
Crisis Text Line
741741
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out a form here:
https://form.jotform.com/243366933402153
Please contact beyondthemonsters@gmail.com for any business inquiries!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two decades of silence shaped how KJ learned to hide her pain, but speaking her truth became the only way forward. She grew up inside a volatile home where emotional harm, physical fear, and childhood sexual trauma were ignored, minimized, or treated like her fault. As she tried to survive the chaos around her, she carried flashbacks, chronic pain, shame, teen pregnancy stigma, and years of being told she was too sensitive or dramatic, even when she was begging for help.
Her story moves from a childhood where no one protected her to the moment she finally found safety, stability, and love outside the home that broke her. Through motherhood, therapy battles, chronic illness, and rebuilding her identity from the ground up, KJ created Mend in Lines as a place for anyone who has been silenced to feel seen. Her episode brings forward family trauma, childhood abuse, teen motherhood, medical invalidation, chronic pain, and the long road from being completely alone to realizing she was worth saving.
Kj’s Socials
https://www.youtube.com/@Kj_Mendinlines
https://www.instagram.com/kj_mendinlines
https://www.tiktok.com/@kj_mendinlines
Resources:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
741741
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Terry survived a targeted shooting by his girlfriend’s ex who believed killing him would bring her back. Nineteen bullets hit his car and four struck his chest, leaving him dying in the front seat while trying to call 911 to say goodbye to his daughter. When his heart stopped, he found himself in the same dark mental space he had been living in for years, followed by a sudden pull into a bright tunnel that showed him a clear review of his life and the intentions behind it.
Coming back changed everything. He woke in the hospital with holes in his lungs, a ventilator in his throat, and a certainty that his mindset, his reactions, and his purpose had to shift. Terry let go of resentment, forgave the man who shot him, repaired fractured relationships, and built daily habits around accountability, gratitude, and calm. His experience now guides how he moves through the world and how he helps others who feel stuck in the same darkness he once lived in.
Terry’s Socials
https://www.instagram.com/mrtmadondo
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrtmadondo
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chell opens up about the early years that shaped her entire life: her biological father shooting her mother, growing up in a violently abusive home, and being placed into group homes and foster care after her mother chose an abusive partner over her safety. Those years were marked by racism inside the household, constant fear, sexual violence, and the reality of being a child no one protected.
As she moves into her teens and early adulthood, Chell describes patterns of abuse repeating through toxic relationships, the exhaustion of raising a baby alone while going through nursing school, and the heartbreak of losing the one person who truly showed her love. Grief, anxiety, addiction, and betrayal from people in positions of trust continued to shape her twenties, leaving her to navigate motherhood and trauma with no roadmap.
Resources:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
741741
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
RAINN
24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sana shares what it was like growing up in a culture where arranged marriage was expected and how it led her into years of emotional shutdown, loneliness, and survival-mode living. She opens up about the pressure to please her family, the guilt she carried for wanting more, and the moment she realized the life she was living was slowly erasing her identity. Her story brings forward the quiet battles women face when cultural expectations, marriage, motherhood, and personal truth collide. Sana explains how numbing her pain, hiding behind perfection, and trying to hold a family together on her own pushed her into a breaking point that changed everything.
Her transformation began when she turned toward therapy, self-help, and spirituality, rebuilding her confidence piece by piece and repairing her relationship with her family through honesty and accountability. Sana shares how choosing herself reshaped her future, opened the door to a healthier life for her children, and inspired her to become a coach for women who feel trapped by expectation or fear. Her story proves that empowerment is possible at any stage of life and that reclaiming your voice can change everything.
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Natasha J. Layton grew up inside the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), a closed polygamist cult where Warren Jeffs dictated every part of family life and enforced a strict hierarchy. As 1 of 20 siblings in a household built around a father with multiple wives at the same time, Natasha shares the pressure, physical abuse, fear, and isolation that shaped childhood in a high control religious community. She describes the emotional and psychological toll of growing up in a system rooted in control, obedience, and spiritual manipulation. Girls were raised to submit and serve, while boys were raised under strict obedience to priesthood leaders.
Natasha also opens up about losing 5 brothers to suicide and the grief that followed her long after leaving the FLDS, while navigating her own suicide attempts and the darkness she carried for years. She speaks about the deep generational trauma, the silence surrounding mental health, and the lack of support families received inside a group that punished vulnerability. Her story brings needed attention to cult recovery, suicide prevention, and the hidden pain carried by survivors who grew up in high demand religious environments. Natasha’s voice is a reminder of how important it is to break cycles that were designed to keep people trapped and to tell the truth even when it hurts.
Natasha’s Socials
www.instagram.com/natashajlayton
www.tiktok.com/@natashajlayton
www.facebook.com/share/178BB9xFnM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The Survivors Podcast
www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast
www.tiktok.com/@thesurvivorspodcast
www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel
Resources:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Crisis Text Line
741741
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Reunification therapy became the most frightening part of Moriah’s fight for her children, but her story begins much earlier inside Bill Gothard’s teachings and the strict religious environment she was raised in. Growing up under the same ideology highlighted in “Shiny Happy People,” she was taught to obey without question, suppress her instincts, and surrender her identity. Those beliefs shaped her entire childhood and set the stage for the covert narcissistic abuse she later endured in her marriage.
After escaping, Moriah found herself up against a family court system that protected her abuser and punished her children for telling the truth. At one point, her kids were even forced into a reunification camp, cut off from their safe parent and pressured to silence their fears. Moriah sheds light on how parental alienation claims, court-appointed evaluators, and high-control therapeutic programs are being used to benefit abusers and financially exploit families. Her story highlights the corruption surrounding reunification practices, the deep wounds caused by religious trauma, and the lasting impact of growing up in a system that teaches children to erase themselves to survive.
Moriah’s Links:
https://www.healingispossible.org/about
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
24/7 Crisis Line
988
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
https://nrcdv.org/contact-us?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Beyond the Monsters Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jonathan Key opens up about the hidden weight men carry and the silence that has cost too many lives. He shares the losses that shaped him, the friends he loved who died by suicide, and the moment he found himself staring at a gun on the table after betrayal trauma shattered everything he thought was real. His story exposes what loneliness truly feels like when pain gets loud, cold, and blinding, and why men so often hide their suffering behind humor, hard work, or quiet perseverance. Through statistics, personal history, and raw honesty, he brings needed attention to the fact that 75-80% of suicides are men and that 14% of men report having no one to talk to.
This conversation becomes a lifeline for anyone who has ever felt like a burden or believed they had to carry everything alone. Jonathan talks about the moments that kept him alive, the people who showed up, and the purpose he eventually found in helping others stay in the fight. He shares how grief can travel with you without defining you, how presence can save a life, and why asking a man if he is okay might be the most important question you ever ask. His message is simple and powerful. You are not weak for hurting. You are not alone for struggling. You matter, and someone will sit with you in the dark until the light comes back.
Jonathan’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cloudsoverjax/
Resources:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
741741
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Acasha shares her harrowing journey through a decades-long abusive relationship that began when she was just 17. What started as teenage infatuation with a charming partner turned into years of manipulation, control, and isolation. She opens up about emotional and financial abuse, his double life, and the terrifying reality of living under constant threats. After their divorce, the violence intensified as stalking, assault, and coercion became part of her daily existence while she fought to protect her children and survive.
Her story exposes the psychological toll of domestic violence, trauma bonding, and the complex process of breaking free from an abuser. It reveals how years of fear and control can reshape a person’s sense of safety, and how healing begins when survival turns into self-empowerment. Acasha’s journey is a raw and powerful reminder of the strength it takes to rebuild your life after being broken down by someone who once promised to love you.
Domestic Violence Resources:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
1-717-461-3939
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Denny Giamazzo opens up about a childhood shaped by neglect, abuse, and survival. From being left alone for days while his mother battled addiction and worked as a sex worker to rebuilding his life after foster care, loss, and service as a combat veteran, his story shows what it means to turn pain into purpose. After years of physical abuse and being taken from his home, Denny entered foster care and finally experienced what safety and love could feel like. He shares the devastating loss of his mother to AIDS and his foster mom to a sudden heart attack, along with the lasting impact of trauma that defined how he saw himself and the world around him.
As a young adult, Denny joined the military and served in Afghanistan, facing the violence of war and the emotional battles that followed. He speaks candidly about PTSD, compartmentalizing pain, and how his unresolved childhood trauma carried into adulthood, marriage, and relationships. Through therapy, reflection, and brutal honesty, Denny is learning to heal, trust again, and redefine what strength really means. This episode explores childhood abuse, foster care, military trauma, and the lifelong journey of recovery and self-acceptance.
Denny’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/dennygiamazzo
‘Wired For Action: TRAUMA. WAR. RESILIENCE.’ By Denny Giamazzo
Available NOW!
Be The Standard Podcast
https://www.bethestandardpodcast.com
https://www.instagram.com/bethestandardpodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@be.the.standard
Resources:
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Angelina opens up about the moment CPS removed her children due to domestic violence, meth addiction, and a life spiraling out of control. Determined to break the cycle she was born into, she reflects on how a strict Catholic upbringing, childhood abandonment, and never being allowed to express feelings shaped the path that led to alcohol misuse, military trauma, and a dangerous relationship that fueled her addiction. From becoming a teen mom to serving in the Army and deploying to Afghanistan, she spent years trying to hold everything together while losing herself in the process.
This emotional episode explores PTSD, homelessness, relapse, and the heartbreaking decision to relinquish parental rights. Through therapy, domestic violence shelters, and recovery programs, Angelina fought her way back and rebuilt her life with support, purpose, and newfound strength. Now over three years sober, she is reunited with her daughter, a proud grandmother, and pursuing a career in social work to help others heal from addiction, trauma, and abuse. Her story shows that even after losing everything, recovery and redemption are possible.
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (SAMHSA)
1-800-662-4357
24/7 Crisis Line
988
Women Veterans Call Center
855-829-6636
RAINN
1-800-656-4673
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Walking Tall shares their story of surviving years of extreme physical and sexual abuse inflicted by their stepfather, who targeted them from early childhood. In their small Texas town, religious extremism, white supremacy, and corruption created an environment where children were not protected. Their home became a place of drugs, violence, and child sexual exploitation, while teachers, relatives, and pastors ignored clear signs of danger. When their mother finally tried to expose the truth and escape, she was found dead with injuries that contradict the official claim of suicide. The truth was buried and the people who could have protected them turned away.
After a near death motorcycle accident that resulted in a profound spiritual encounter with their mother, Walking Tall chose to transform their suffering into purpose. They are now an Indigenous healer and sound practitioner using ancestral wisdom and embodied healing to help others reclaim their lives after trauma. Their story shows the courage it takes to break generational cycles, honor truth in the face of denial, and create a life defined by healing and love instead of violence and silence.
Walking Tall's Socials and Websites
https://www.instagram.com/walkingtall888
www.chiefwalkingtall.com
https://taplink.cc/chiefwalkingtall
https://openmypro.com/doctor/7TgPeYOTtWghkk6kx2w0uO22yD73
Resources:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Crisis Text Line
741741
The National Child Abuse Hotline
800-422-4453
Childhelp
Prevention education and child abuse intervention services
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Danny survived what most people never do. A random knife attack outside a bar left him with life-threatening internal injuries, months in the hospital, and the devastating news that his firefighting career and active life were over. He fought his way back through recovery and found purpose again.
Then a car crash left him paralyzed from the waist down. In an instant he was facing a spinal cord injury, a wheelchair, new trauma, and the emotional battle of rebuilding his future all over again. Danny talks about surviving violent crime, living with disability, navigating depression and chronic pain, and finding strength through fatherhood and adaptive sports. Today he plays wheelchair softball, wheelchair basketball, handcycling, and sit skiing. His story proves resilience is not a single comeback. It is choosing to keep going every time life hits harder.
Danny's Socials
https://www.tiktok.com/@danimal1518
https://www.facebook.com/daniel.mila.9
https://www.instagram.com/milaman15
https://www.instagram.com/milamonster15
Resources:
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
https://www.christopherreeve.org
Education, peer support groups, and SCI resources
Paralysis Resource Center: 1-800-539-7309
Kelly Brush Foundation
https://kellybrushfoundation.org
Grants for adaptive sports equipment including sit-skis
High Fives Foundation
https://highfivesfoundation.org
Supports people with life-changing injuries through adventure sports
United Spinal Association
Advocacy, grants for accessibility, wheelchair sports opportunities
Move United
https://www.moveunitedsport.org
Find adaptive sports programs nationwide
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grace Stuart opens up about her harrowing journey through domestic violence and the psychological manipulation that kept her trapped for years. From the early “glimpses” of control and gaslighting to the trauma bond that blurred love and survival, Grace shares how her abuser used charm, addiction, and coercive control to isolate and dominate her. She speaks candidly about sexual coercion, emotional abuse, and the illusion of “potential” that keeps so many survivors from recognizing danger until it’s too late.
Now an advocate for survivors and educator on abuse awareness, Grace exposes the tactics of narcissistic partners, the impact of addiction and trauma bonding, and the courage it takes to leave. Her story is a powerful reminder that abuse thrives in silence and that sharing our stories can help others recognize the signs, break the cycle, and reclaim their voice.
Grace’s Socials
https://www.instagram.com/gracee__elizabethh
https://linktr.ee/gracestuart01
Grace’s Podcast - Why She Stayed
https://www.instagram.com/whyshestayedpodcast
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.)
1-800-799-7233
Text “START” to 88788
Find local resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center
U.S Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims Program
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/legal-assistance-victims-program
Resources for assistance - financial, housing, necessities, food, etc.
https://www.domesticshelters.org
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sarah shares the heartbreaking story of her son, Logan, whose lifelong battle with mental illness and psychosis ended in tragedy. From her experience as a teen mom navigating life alone and the challenges she faced during pregnancy, to Logan’s early struggles with voices and night terrors, Sarah opens up about grief, mental health, and the stigma surrounding suicide loss. Her story is a raw reflection on healing, motherhood, and the enduring bond between a parent and child.
Through her honesty, she sheds light on the silent pain so many families face and the importance of compassion, awareness, and acknowledging grief without judgment. This conversation reminds us that even in the depths of loss, love still finds a way to speak.
It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine
Mental Health Resources:
Crisis Text Line
741741
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After surviving a brutal sexual assault in 2011, Angelique refused to let her story end in silence. In this raw and powerful episode, she opens up about the day she was attacked by a serial rapist in Gainesville, Florida — the fight for her life, the trauma that followed, and the system that failed to deliver justice.
Angelique speaks openly about the trauma of sexual violence, the realities of victim-blaming, and the deep cracks within a legal system that too often protects offenders over survivors. She exposes how rape kits sit untested, how alcohol and advocacy collide in spaces meant to be “safe,” and how many survivors are left without justice or support.
But this isn’t just a story of what was taken; it’s about what she built after. Angelique found sobriety, purpose, and a mission to create trauma-informed, survivor-centered spaces where healing is possible. Her voice has become a force in sexual assault awareness and survivor advocacy, challenging the culture of silence and calling out the systems that need to change.
Colorado’s Rape Kit Backlog Gofundme
Resources:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Crisis Text Line
741741
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After being medically discharged from the Air Force due to Crohn’s disease, Destynie’s life was turned upside down. Crohn’s disease (a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disorder) took away her career and nearly took her life. What followed was a decade-long battle not only with her own body but with the military healthcare system and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that were supposed to protect her.
Destynie opens up about losing over 60 pounds in nine months, facing multiple hospitalizations and surgeries, and enduring years of pain while fighting for proper medical recognition. She shares how the system dismissed her suffering, how she learned to advocate for herself, and what it took to finally be heard.
This episode shines a light on the realities of living with severe Crohn’s disease, the failures of veteran healthcare, and the strength it takes to keep fighting when your illness—and the system—try to silence you.
Crohn’s Disease & Autoimmune Support:
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCF)
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org
Global Healthy Living Foundation – IBD Support
Veteran Advocacy & Legal Aid Resources:
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
Wounded Warrior Project – Benefits & Advocacy
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Veterans Legal Institute
Beyond the Monsters Socials
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/
https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters
*Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The discussions and experiences shared are based on our personal stories and opinions. This is not medical advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns or questions regarding your health.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.