Tackling a difficult but necessary subject to talk about on this podcast: Cat Kennedy is a domestic violence survivor and her story is so compelling. In her words:

"My hope by speaking my story is that first it gives other women the courage to speak their stories. Women have been silenced for so long and on so many levels. From my experience, speaking our truths in a safe container can be extremely healing. Many women don’t know they are in domestic violence because it’s not physical. Most of domestic violence is not physical. It’s emotional, verbal, mental, sexual, financial. The foundation of domestic violence is coercive control. So, if someone is controlling how you show up and what you do in your everyday life- this is abuse. I hope by speaking my story, women who are in it and people who suspect a family member, friend, or colleague may be in abuse, recognize the signs.

Second, violence against women is real. One third of women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, 98 percent don’t report. 50,000 women and girls are murdered every year by a partner or family member. I speak my story to bring light to what is happening in many homes.

Third, as Iyanla Vanzant says, “America is an abused woman.” The personal is the political. Many of the same tactics that domestic violence abusers use are the same tactics of certain people who hold positions of power.

Lastly, there is life after domestic violence. Take in the small moments, find moments of joy and happiness. Community is important. Find people who share your core values. Since I escaped, these last two and half years has been a hard journey and yet rewarding. For me, reclaiming my power has been to show up, speak out, and follow my own heart."

Catherine Kennedy (who also goes by Cat) is an Integrative Healing Practitioner. Her work is body and somatic oriented, which includes yoga therapy, internal family systems, and energy work. She has also written an oped for Nola.com and other online publications. She has a weekly blog on sub stack called, "I Get To," which talks about her experience in domestic violence in what was taken and what she gets do now. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Catherine has embraced the opportunities to live in diverse cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, and New Orleans. In addition to holding multiple certifications in her areas of expertise, she has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In her leisure time, Cat enjoys reading, writing, yoga, singing, dancing to music, self-defense training, plant-based baking, exploring nature, and going on international travel adventures.

Cat can be reached at:

https://www.instagram.com/catk1987/

https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kennedy.568

www.catkennedy.com

https://catkennedy.substack.com?r=23ke77&utm_medium=ios

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Chris Joseph is a dad, environmental consultant, cancer patient advocate, best selling author, thought leader, public speaker, and founder of two music record companies and a complementary 501(c)(3) non-profit helping New Orleans artists and musicians. He's also a television producer, hobbyist songwriter, podcaster, and a lover of all things outdoors. Over the decades, Chris has served as a board of director for numerous non-profit organizations, and is currently a national board member of NatureBridge.

Chris’s first book was the best seller “Life is a Ride: My Unconventional Journey of Cancer Recovery” (2020). He then co-authored "The Epiphanies Project" and is currently finalizing his third book, “The Kitchen Sink Approach to Cancer (And Why You SHOULDN'T Always Listen to Your Doctor)”.

For more information about Chris Joseph, please see the following websites:

https://my.terrain.network/profile/member/841?tab=overview-tab

lifeisaridebook.com

terrainnavigators.com

and at chrisjoseph AT mac DOT com