Alice Alexandrescu is an options facilitator who helps people identify and protect their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical boundaries. Currently, she is mentoring under Tony Blauer in his SPEAR System Elite Masterclass. She is an Army veteran, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Behavioral Aesthetics and is a qualified mental health associate skills trainer. In 2020, Alice was awarded third place in the National Veterans’ Art Festival for her piece entitled, “888 Paper Cranes”, which she gra...
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 76
Melissa Soalt is a women’s self-defense pioneer, a black belt hall of fame recipient, former trauma psychotherapist, and the creator of Fierce & Female Self Defense. She is a forerunner in full-force padded assailant scenario training, her approach is both practical and transformational. She has taught thousands of women how to safeguard their boundaries, protect themselves from danger and resist attack while reconnecting women with deep-seated, primal and emotional powers to live safer, bol...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Raven Scott is a survivor of an abusing relationship with a narcissist, she’s gone from being a people pleaser to a kick-ass author, podcaster, and mentor and she’s a certified meditation teacher and a Destiny Coach. She teaches women how to shed negative patterns one step at a time, to find their power and potential through healing so that they can kick ass in their own life. Raven has a terrific podcast called “Unlock Your Destiny” and she recently published a book that’s a memoir combined wit...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 74
M.E. Heald graduated 2006 with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and in 2010 with a masters in Criminal Justice specific to gangs and youth offenders. She has worked all over the place, including food service, sales, a few years as a promotional and advertising model, a year as a Miller Light Gal, she has also been an advocate at a sexual assault center and has spent the last 7 years as a corrections officer, the last 9 as a case manager. She trains new staff in self-defense, co...
Oct 11, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Wendy Keir has spent her whole life recovering from the traumatic aftereffects of being institutionalized in the United Kingdom’s care system. She believes that healing from emotional and traumatic scars is an inside out job. The path to successful ongoing recovery and to breaking the cycle starts with your relationship with yourself and others, how you perceive the world around you and changing your inner world. In this episode, Wendy and I discuss: What is trauma and denial? Recognizing how tr...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 12 min
About Meredith Gold: She is a scenario-based, full force, self defense instructor. She’s been teaching Adrenal Stress Scenario Training, also known as ASST to adults and teens since 1992 and started her empowerment-based assertive communication and self-defense program RAW Power: Real World Self-Defense in 2000. Meredith’s primary focus has always been teaching self-defense and verbal empowerment skills to previously untrained women and teens but her focus has expanded to other high risk targete...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 57 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Melissa Soalt is a women’s self-defense pioneer, a black belt hall of fame recipient, former trauma psychotherapist, and the creator of Fierce & Female Self Defense. She is a forerunner in full-force padded assailant scenario training, her approach is both practical and transformational. She has taught thousands of women how to safeguard their boundaries, protect themselves from danger and resist attack while reconnecting women with deep-seated, primal and emotional powers to live safer, bol...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Season 2Ep. 70
Alice Alexandrescu is an options facilitator who helps people identify and protect their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical boundaries. Currently, she is mentoring under Tony Blauer in his SPEAR System Elite Masterclass. She is an army veteran, holds a master of fine arts in behavioral aesthetics and is a qualified mental health associate skills trainer. In 2020, Alice was awarded third place in the National Veterans’ Art Festival for her piece entitled, “888 Paper Cranes”, which she gra...
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Randy is an education-based self-defense coach with over 15 years of experience who has taught thousands of people all over the world to better understand conflict management and violence prevention. In his quest to help people better understand conflict and violence, he has had the privilege to work with a truly diverse group of people including communities such as the first nations in Canada, Women’s Shelters as well as professional organizations like law enforcement and private corporations. ...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Aisya Carroll is a certified life-coach, author, mentor, advocate for childhood trauma, a consultant and the CEO of Survivor Not By Chance LLC., whose mission is to help people cope with traumatic experiences by teaching them healthy coping mechanisms. Aisya has clients from across the globe with various backgrounds and experiences. She has mentored teenagers and young adults for over 15 years and is an advocate for children and adults affected by childhood trauma and domestic violence. Aisya vo...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Kinko Hamilton has a mission to heal the world. While she was taking a break from her holistic healing practice due to pregnancy or the delivery of her second son, she started learning martial arts thinking that she’s learning self-defense. After several serious injuries, she started redefining what self-defense is and now she teaches Tony Blauer’s SPEAR System as an official affiliate trainer. Kinko has also studied DTS which is Dacascos Tactical System, kyusho jitsu which is pressure-point sel...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 46 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Parmila Armitage is the Chief Impact Officer and Co-Founder of Studyviolence.com, an online resource with free online courses on violence prevention and defense. She is a violence prevention and defense teacher, certified trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, and a trauma-sensitive educator. She has created a Train The Trainer Program which educates self-defense and martial arts teachers how to conduct their classes in a trauma-informed and sensitive ways to better reach and empower her students. She h...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Melissa Soalt is a truly badass pioneer in the world of women’s self defense, the creator of Fierce and Female Self Defense, and my partner in this special series of Fierce and Female Fridays. In this episode, Melissa and I discuss: Reconciling Buddha Nature and Killer Instinct. Acknowledging the violent potential as part of your personal identity. Women Warriors and Deadly Dames - looking into the history of women and violence Violence as a last resort when diplomacy fails Key Takeaways: In a p...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 64
In this episode, I discuss: The many different meanings of “self-defense” and what it actually is False beliefs on attracting violence, and the feeling of being too weak to protect yourself. Learning how to navigate through fear and other limiting beliefs - the cycle of behavior The truth about violence and how not all of it is bad Relying on tools and weapons to protect yourself and other self-defense myths Key Takeaways: Self-defense is the act of choosing safety when danger is imminent. You d...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Charlotte is a Communications Consultant for Technology and Cybersecurity Companies that make today’s enterprises and governments safer. In her off hours, she is passionate about personal privacy and cybersecurity. She has degrees in Communications and Criminal Justice with a focus on cybercrime and cybersecurity. She was born and raised in Silicon Valley, earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 10, and was a competitive amateur ballroom dancer for several years. In this episode, Charlotte Jol...
Aug 02, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Mary Stevens is a third degree black belt and martial arts instructor with 18 years experience with Karate, weapons and Jujitsu. She holds a master’s degree from Oxford University and a post-graduate certificate in education. She runs her own Martial Arts School called the Athena School of Karate, has written a series of children’s books and works with an international charity called Fair Fight which empowers young girls in developing countries, using Karate as a tool to develop confidence and s...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 61
In this episode, we discuss: The most important technique for being safe, our first line of defense What happens in the absence of boundaries Setting firm boundaries Defending yourself when somebody crosses your boundaries and knowing when your boundaries are violated Key Takeaways: Set and defend firm boundaries, it will prevent attacks. Setting boundaries is our right. Our ability to set them is what makes us far less vulnerable to intrusion, manipulation, or attacks. Predators and abusers see...
Jul 23, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 60
In this episode, I discuss: Common examples of and statistics on street harassment How street harassment can affect targets What you can do about street harassment if you're a target A larger perspective on street harassment, more solutions for protecting yourself from predators and reasons behind predatory behavior Key Takeaways: It's not productive to engage harassers. Your number one goal is being safe, not teaching an asshole a lesson. Most harassers are generally harmless, but some are actu...
Jul 19, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Mytrae Meliana is a Women’s Empowerment and Spiritual Teacher, a Holistic Psychotherapist, Trauma Expert, speaker and author. She leads workshops and programs for women that empower them to heal from trauma, liberate themselves from patriarchy, and connect with the divine feminine so that they can live true, bold, inspired lives. Mytrae is also the founder of Temple of Sound Healing, which teaches Sound Healing to Health and Wellness Practitioners and Social Justice Community Leaders. An immigra...
Jul 12, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Cindy Villanueva is a memoirist and an inspirational writer with a passion for helping women achieve lives of strength and joy. She’s the author of a terrific book called “Don’t Fight Mad: A Black Belt’s Quest To Recapture Joy” and she is the co-author of “Finding Our Wings: Seven Entrepreneurs on Reclaiming Hope and Power”. Cindy is a seventh degree black-belt master instructor and the owner of Ernie Reyes’ World Martial Arts. Her love of teaching led her to be an adjunct professor at Concordia...
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Melissa Soalt is a women’s self-defense pioneer, a Black Belt Hall of Fame recipient, former trauma psychotherapist, and the creator of Fierce & Female Self Defense. She is a forerunner in full-force padded assailant scenario training, her approach is both practical and transformational. She has taught thousands of women how to safeguard their boundaries, protect themselves from danger and resist attack while reconnecting women with deep-seated, primal and emotional powers to live safer, bol...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Alba is an extraordinary woman. She has survived childhood sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence, and now supports other women who have experienced trauma or abuse. She is courageous and open and willing to talk about subjects and experiences that are often kept hidden. Hearing her share about her journey from trauma to healing is incredibly inspiring. In this episode, Alba and I discuss: Surviving molestation and rape. Facing traumatic triggers, memories, shame, guilt, and flashbacks. The o...
Sep 21, 2020•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Sheena has been teaching 20 years, ten of which have been dedicated to self defense. With loads of hands on experience with violence and defending herself and others from violence her expertise is undeniable. Certified as an Instructor in Krav Maga, Striking and MMA, Firearms, Grappling and more, Sheena owner and Lead Instructor of Krav Maga Salem in Oregon where they also teach Muay Thai, Catch Wrestling, Knife Fighting, Kali and more. In this episode, Sheena Williams and I discuss: Utilizing m...
Sep 14, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Babita Spinelli is a psychotherapist and certified coach who works with people who are experiencing significant life transitions and couples looking to improve or rebuild their relationships and survivors of trauma and abuse. One of her key areas of focus is on narcissism and how to deal with people who are narcissists. She received the 29 Teen New York psychotherapist award. She's also a lawyer, and she used to work on Wall Street. In this episode, Babita and I discuss: Setting boundaries so th...
Sep 07, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Beverly Baker is an amazing badass woman who is a martial artist and self-defense coach. She is the founder of the Metropolitan Finishing School, which is not the place to go if you are looking to learn how to serve tea correctly, it is where you want to go if you want to learn how to keep yourself safe in urban environments. In this episode, Beverly Baker and I discuss: Distance management: where distance is your best friend.Avoidance, situational proximity, what’s normal for the context of you...
Aug 31, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Danny Burde is the founder of Iron Crew Athletics. He has bachelor's degrees in both psychology and kinesiology. He's a CrossFit level two coach, and was a head coach at NorCal CrossFit (akaNCfit) before he started Iron Crew Athletics. He's been immersed in fitness since he was 12 years old and has an immense passion for helping other people. Danny specializes in helping people find sustainable exercise and nutrition plans and his vision is a world where everyone stays in shape and eats healthy ...
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Mila Johansson is a professional director, playwright, and writer. She's the author of 22 plays and musicals that circle the globe, along with two teaching manuals, 101 Theater games, and 50 scenes to go. Mila also teaches social media screenwriting, creative writing, herbology, and Public Speaking at a local Adult Education School. She has just published a book about her famous suffragette grandmother, Jesse Haver Butler, just in time for the hundredth anniversary of women getting the right to ...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Karen Heise is an emergency preparedness coach and firearms instructor. She leads two shooting chapters of The Well-Armed Woman and has multiple instructor certifications. She and her husband have a business where they help individuals and families become better prepared for emergency situations, covering all aspects of emergency preparedness including firearms training and maintenance. In this episode, Caren and I discuss: Getting exposure to firearms, firearm education, and situational awarene...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 49
#500 Rising is a movement that stands on the strong shoulders of the women who have come before us. Our first mission is to train female instructors in essential self-defense, and to support them as they reach out to their communities and networks to make a difference in the stubborn statistics of violence against women. It was founded by Tammy Yard McCracken. The first instructor training was recently held in Minneapolis, MN, and today’s roundtable discussion features many of those who particip...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Caterina Rando is a best selling author, sought after speaker, and an extraordinary women’s business mentor who passionately serves women leaders on a mission. Her over 25 years of educating and empowering audiences and groups makes her truly masterful at providing a ton of value. She shows women how to be loud and proud about the value they bring in order to serve more people and make their businesses thrive. She’s a published author with books including Learn to Think Differently which was rel...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 47
