In this raw and redemptive episode, Nicole Dabrowski shares her journey from addiction, homelessness, and despair to healing, purpose, and faith. After hitting rock bottom, Nicole encountered Trees of Hope and the Shelter from the Storm study—a turning point that helped her confront the root causes of her pain and begin the path to restoration. Nicole’s story is one of radical surrender, deep transformation, and unshakable hope. If you’ve ever questioned whether true healing is possible, this co...
Jun 06, 2025•51 min
Ever catch yourself saying things you’d NEVER say to a friend? We’re diving deep into the battlefield of our minds. On this episode, Nicole and Deb get real about negative self-talk and how it impacts EVERYTHING. Deb shares a powerful truth: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yeah, that’s a LIE! Words, especially the ones we whisper to ourselves, have incredible power. From wrestling with conviction after a night out to battling the “accuser” in moments of wea...
Apr 26, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this powerful episode of the Not Just a Hashtag podcast, we are thrilled to introduce Shannon Nelson, the Director of Calvary House for Women at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Shannon's journey of redemption is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! Growing up, Shannon faced immense challenges, including a painful history of sexual abuse. As a teenager, she sought comfort in unhealthy choices, leading to struggles with drug addiction and further sexual abuse. But t...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, Deb and her husband, Mike, share their inspiring story of transformation after Deb participated in the Trees of Hope Shelter program. Together, they courageously confronted the challenges of sexual abuse, exploring its effects on individuals and relationships. Through open conversations, they learned to address difficult emotions, strengthening their bond and understanding of their faith. This journey of vulnerability transformed their relationship, leading to resilience and a s...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 13 min
After a three-month hiatus, the "Not Just a Hashtag" team has returned! Are you struggling with negative thoughts or feeling unworthy? You're not alone! Join us for this episode, where we dive into how to swap those harmful beliefs for uplifting biblical truths. For many survivors, feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy can be really tough to handle. But here's the good news—your value is beyond measure! The Bible is filled with beautiful verses that can help you get to know God better and unders...
Dec 06, 2024•42 min
Embark on a courageous journey with Deb as she fearlessly shares her path from pain to healing, aiming to inspire others to confront their experiences of sexual abuse. By embracing vulnerability and resilience, she is determined to shatter the stigma surrounding abuse. Deb urges you to put your story into words and consider sharing it with a trusted friend or counselor or even reciting it to yourself in front of a mirror. In this episode, Nicole and Deb discuss: The transformative impact of jour...
Aug 30, 2024•53 min
In this powerful episode of the "Not Just a Hashtag" podcast, the team delves into the profound effects of trauma and sexual abuse on individuals, emphasizing the importance of healing through self-reflection, perseverance, and faith. They discuss the lasting impact of past traumas on behavior, the transformative power of reflection and evaluation, and the resilience needed to overcome setbacks and challenges. Discover how prioritizing God's plans, seeking spiritual growth, and finding freedom t...
Jul 30, 2024•51 min
In this moving episode, Nicole and Deb have a candid discussion highlighting the stark contrast between superficial reliance on personal performance or external sources and a profound, biblical hope anchored in God’s unchanging nature. This impactful episode underscores God’s remarkable ability to bring about genuine transformation and rescue. Are you in need of a podcast that bravely tackles the difficult topic of sexual abuse, shares empowering stories of healing, and offers valuable insights ...
Jun 07, 2024•47 min
Get ready for an exciting episode! The team is finally back after a brief hiatus in April 2024. Don't miss out on their latest episode! In this episode, Nicole and Deb discuss the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle after experiencing sexual abuse. The good news is that you don't have to face these difficulties alone. The episode provides practical advice and tips on how to take control of your physical and mental well-being. By making simple changes such as starting a gratitude journa...
May 10, 2024•59 min
Join Nicole and Deb on the latest episode of "Not Just a Hashtag" as they delve into the complexities of dealing with sexual abuse, self-respect, and the importance of setting clear boundaries based on biblical principles of self-love and behavioral change. In this thought-provoking conversation, they share their personal experiences with anger and frustration, and emphasize the significance of accountability for one's actions. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining boundaries within fa...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Join us for an important episode where our team addresses the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. We explore the need for survivors to prioritize biblical self-care over the self-care that the world promotes. Our experts offer practical tips on maintaining discipline in your daily routine, grounding your identity in Christ, practicing gratitude, and trusting God during difficult times. We believe biblical self-care is an effective tool to help you grow in integrity and personal growth when done rig...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min
The podcast “Not Just a Hashtag” by Trees of Hope explores the multifaceted issue of sexual abuse, intertwining personal narratives with education on the subject. It features discussions on the prevalence of sexual abuse, recognizing its signs, and methods for prevention. The host shares the story behind the creation of Trees of Hope and details their “Shelter from the Storm” curriculum designed to facilitate healing while safeguarding personal information. The ministry was founded as a response...
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of the Not Just a Hashtag podcast, host Nicole Escobar and guest Deb Marsalisi have a candid conversation about sexual abuse and its effects. They both share their personal experiences as survivors, emphasizing the importance of being vulnerable and the need for Christians to be seen as real people. The discussion covers a history of abuse within a dysfunctional family, which led to issues with body image, self-worth, and unhealthy relationships. The episode highlights the signif...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 11 min
As the team, Nicole Escobar and Kristen Torres, continue their candid conversation about the impact of sexual abuse on a person's life, they share how minimization plays a significant role in the healing process. Nicole shares her personal story of minimization and encourages listeners to take an honest and courageous look at their story and allow the truth of their abuse to guide them to a deeper level of healing! This episode serves as a refresher of what sexual abuse is and what effect it can...
Aug 25, 2023•46 min
In this episode, the Trees of Hope team revisits its mission and the purpose of the podcast. They engage in a candid conversation about the impact of sexual abuse on a person's life. For both new listeners and long-time followers, this episode serves as a refresher on the organization's identity and offers a safe and welcoming space for survivors seeking the courage to share their stories. If you're looking for support, the "Not Just a Hashtag" podcast is the perfect place for you!...
Jul 21, 2023•48 min
In this episode, the team examines why many survivors struggle with self-talk and limiting beliefs about what they can or can't do, how they will heal, and if they will heal. So this episode gives some tips on prioritizing yourself and encouraging yourself when no one else will. If you struggle with insecurities, doubts, or disbelief that healing is possible, this episode is for you!
Jun 30, 2023•51 min
In this second episode of a two-part series, the team discusses the state of our children and youth. Like never before in our lifetime, the topics of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and the sexualization of our children have been headlining the news and social media posts over the past year. Much of the discussion concerns children being exposed to content in the public school system with an overt sexual agenda that doesn’t protect their innocent hearts and minds. So in this episode, the team ...
May 10, 2023•49 min
In this first episode of a two-part series, the team discusses the state of our children and youth. Like never before in our lifetime, the topics of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and the sexualization of our children have been headlining the news and social media posts over the past year. Much of the discussion concerns children being exposed to content in the public school system with an overt sexual agenda that doesn’t protect their innocent hearts and minds. So in this episode, the team f...
Apr 07, 2023•45 min
In this episode, the team talks about how we can choose joy in every circumstance, even when life isn't going the way we want or we are suffering. Of course, happiness is not the same as joy. We may not be able to choose happiness all the time. But we can always choose joy. We can overcome our fear, doubts, worry, and anxiety when we lean into God's joyful nature. We can grow through dark times instead of letting them paralyze us. When we suffer or have pain in our life, we can tap into the joy ...
Feb 10, 2023•48 min
In this episode, the team talks about the lie of shame which says, “I am what I am. I can’t change. I’m hopeless.” When we believe this lie, it makes us feel like we have no worth or value. When we feel hopeless, we might make choices that reinforce those feelings. We might turn to substance abuse or other reckless decisions to numb the pain. Or, we may self-sabotage because we have no hope for anything better. If you have ever struggled with feeling hopeless because of a wrong decision or the t...
Dec 02, 2022•50 min•Ep. 55
In this third episode of our four-part series, the team covers lie number three from the book Search For Significance. This lie tells us that because I have failed, I am unworthy and deserve to be punished. This lie results in self-loathing or blaming others for our failures. Consider a time when you have failed. Did you look inward, or did you blame somebody else for it, and you became the victim? If you took it upon yourself, did you look at the failure as an isolated incident, or did you turn...
Nov 04, 2022•40 min•Ep. 54
In this second episode of our three-part series, the team covers lie number two from the book Search For Significance . This lie tells us that I must have the approval of certain people to feel good about myself. This is the lie of the approval addict, which results in fear of rejection. Many survivors find themselves in the trap of - I must be approved by others to be loved, have worth, and find identity. No matter how young or old we are, we are all just like the little child with the craving ...
Oct 06, 2022•42 min
In this first episode of our three-part series, the team covers lie number one from the book Search For Significance . This lie tells us that I must meet specific standards to feel good about myself. This is the lie of perfectionism or the lie that I must perform to be considered worthy. Many survivors find themselves in the trap of - I must perform a certain way to be loved, have worth, and find your identity. In addition, this way of thinking makes you believe that if I'm successful, I'm good ...
Sep 01, 2022•48 min
This month we are starting a four-part series based on the book Search for Significance , which Robert McGhee wrote. Self-worth is vital, but it's where we find our worth that is the most important. The world will try to tell us where our identity comes from. Most people find self-worth in the outward thing or what they have achieved. But what happens when we fail? Do we still have self-worth, and do we still think we have value? We have to be careful about where we find our identity. We must fi...
Aug 04, 2022•32 min
In this episode, mental health counselor, Kristan Torres, explains the importance of understanding your story - where you've come from, what you've been through, and what you're going through now. We need to understand and wrestle through our stories to find true freedom. We can know our story factually, such as seeing that we've been through sexual abuse. But understanding it and working through the details of it and the effects that it's had on our lives is a whole different story. It's a much...
Jul 07, 2022•37 min•Ep. 50
In episodes 41 - 43, we talked about the lies that survivors believe about themselves and the abuse they experienced that prevents them from healing. In this episode, we get the perspective of our male facilitator, Justin Young, as he shares from the second recording from our men's study called Renew on how these lies have affected his life and journey from healing. Justin's story is highly relatable and inspiring! We hope this episode will encourage you to make yourself a priority and to get th...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 49
This month we are wrapping up our three-part series on intimacy. In this last episode, the team looks at three critical barriers to intimacy - compulsive behaviors, need suppression, and unforgiveness. We often use these barriers to readjust or suppress our intimacy needs. Some people run out of ways to fulfill their needs, so they try to make themselves believe that they can live without intimacy. But, that's a lie! We were created to be connected to God and to other people. This episode is for...
May 05, 2022•39 min•Ep. 48
This month we are continuing with our three-part series on intimacy. In this second episode, the team looks at how a critical spirit or judgmental attitude can affect physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. We also talk about three different reasons people avoid intimacy and how those become barriers to genuine closeness with others. Intimacy involves being open and talking through your thoughts and emotions, being vulnerable, and showing someone else how you feel and your hopes and dreams....
Apr 07, 2022•48 min
This month we are starting a three-part series on intimacy and how sexual abuse can affect physical, emotional, and spiritual closeness. This episode will build the framework for the rest of the episodes by looking at what intimacy is and not. We will examine some feelings and related behaviors resulting from a lack of intimacy. Survivors often isolate themselves because their need for intimacy is not met. Anytime a personal need is not met, we experience painful feelings. This episode is for an...
Mar 03, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 46
In this episode, the team looks at what sexual abuse is, the importance of terminology, and helping survivors understand its effect on their lives. When it comes to sexual abuse, terminology is fundamental for in healing process. However, if you have never been taught correct terminology, you can wrongly classify your abuse. The hard truth is that you cannot identify what you do not understand. If you are a survivor, we hope this episode encourages you to share your story with others one day. So...
Feb 04, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 36
