The Empowerment Podcast By Naga

Stephanie Cyr has started an Empowerment Self Defense Program at SFSU that is rolling out in the Fall of 2024! In this episode, she’ll tell us all about it, share a wonderful self-defense success story and so much more. Our wide-ranging conversation covers how great it will be when we can make ESD a standardized course offering in all public schools and how ESD can impact health, along with positivity and lots of hope for the future of this movement. Stephanie’s Website: www.powerupmoves.com or you can check me out on Connect with Stephanie: On LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-cyr-j-d-433274171/ or through Instagram @powerupmoves Also Mentioned: PAVE Prevention ESD Global The National Women’s Martial Arts Federation Connect with Silvia Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity

Did you know that complying and playing along are essential tools you already have in your toolkit? It can help us buy time to get help or get to safety. Join host Silvia Smart as she shares how one person “played along” to stop an attempted rape and get to safety. Our stories are important. YOUR stories are important! Consider sharing your story with me and with my listeners. Connect with Silvia Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #complying #playingalong #successstory

Host Silvia Smart and author Lauren Taylor discuss this newly released book which is an excellent resource for everyone – those interested in empowerment, in self-defense and instructors of ESD as well. Join Silvia and Lauren as they do some of the exercises in the book and chat about the ins and outs of this fascinating publication worthy of a read! Connect with Silvia Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Buy “Get Empowered” by Nadia Telsey and Lauren Taylor Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #getempowered

Smart shares one of her favorite success stories in which a person running solo through the woods gets free after an attack from behind. Connect with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #selfdefensesuccessstory, #successstory

Join host Silvia Smart on the Camino de Santiago. Thank you, listeners, for 10,000 downloads! 😘

There’s a clear uptick in mass shootings across the country leading to lots of fear, confusion, and anguish. Who better to talk to than the FBI? Join me and my guest, Special Agent in Charge of the Portland FBI, Kieran Ramsey. We discuss how regular people like you and me can help prevent mass shootings and play a role in stopping this disturbing cycle of violence. (Hint: it will not make the news.) We discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs of knowing what to look for, fact versus myth, reporting, planning, preparation, and yes, believe it or not, empowerment! Many thanks to SAC Ramsey for sharing his experience and wisdom as we negotiate the complex landscape we all live in right now. Please share this episode far and wide. Together, we can create a kinder and safer world, one relationship at a time. We’ve got this! Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Directory by CityReport to the FBIContact Your Local FBI Field Office Connect with Silvia Trauma-Informed Active Shooter Trainings with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Henry Smart-Denson Other Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #activeshooter, #fbiportland, #activeshootertraining, #massshooterprevention,

Folks, Florida is on the front lines right now. There are huge safety concerns brought on by the cruel laws, restrictions, rhetoric, and policies of Ron DeSantis and his friends that are affecting many people. Because of this, Equality Florida, along with the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens, have all issued travel advisories for the State of Florida. I wanted to find out more and am thrilled to introduce you to Brandon Wolf, the Press Secretary of Equality Florida. In April 2023, Brandon’s organization, Equality Florida warned against traveling to the state of Florida for folks in the LGBTQ+ community saying it could be risky and potentially unsafe. The warning says: “Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state.” The League of United Latin American Citizens issued its own warning, saying bluntly: “Traveling to Florida is dangerous.” The advisory goes on to say travel in Florida “can be unsafe for people of color, individuals who speak with an accent, and international travelers,” and people in those groups could face “a heightened risk of harassment, possible detainment, and potential family separation based on racial profiling.” From the New York Times: The NAACP became the latest to issue a travel advisory to the Sunshine State, warning that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s “aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools” have turned the state into an openly hostile place for people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” Donation link: Equality Florida Website Equality Florida is on social media everywhere: @equalityFL Brandon’s Book is available NOW! Connect with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Henry Smart-Denson Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #equalityflorida

If we’re gonna talk about Empowerment Self Defense, we have to talk about denial. When talking with survivors of sexual assault and survivors of other types of relational violence it is common to hear that the survivor had a funny feeling something was wrong but then doubted themselves or rationalized or minimized their intuition and flat out ignored it. This is called denial. Denial can put us at risk and because of that, breaking through denial in all the ways it manifests in our lives keeps us safer. Period. Looking at and talking about denial is directly connected to empowerment self-defense AND to our safety as we walk through the world. Mentioned in this episode: Brené Brown, Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution. Gavin De Becker’s Book, “Protecting the Gift” On Assignment with Audie Cornish Katherine White’s Blog on Denial Links to Empowerment Self Defense Classes near you: The National Women’s Martial Arts Federation – Please note, you might need to check back because the list of current certified instructors is being updated. ESD Global Connect with Silvia Zoom Self Defense Classes with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #denial

Hey listeners! If you haven’t had a chance to take an empowerment self-defense class and you want to, or if you know someone who’d like to, I’m teaching a beginning class in June on Zoom! I'd love to see you there! Also, if you’re at all interested in my training around active shooter survival strategies, I’m doing an hour-long class a little later that same day. Listen to find out more and if you'd like to register, here are the links I promised you so you can register: Empowerment Self Defense Class Surviving a Mass Shooting Incident Class

Meet Jill Shames, Empowerment Self Defense Instructor. Listen in as she and host, Silvia Smart, share a few self-defense success stories and talk about all the things the survivors did RIGHT! Find out why they recommend a perspective shift as you think through your own experiences! You are strong and powerful and Jill and Silvia believe in you! Watch video of the self-defense success story Jill and Silvia talk about here. Connect with Jill: jillsensei.com senseijs@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/jedispiritmama Connect with Silvia Zoom Self Defense Classes with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #selfdefensesuccessstories, #successstories

Meet Lauren Taylor who has been working to end gender-based violence since 1978, when she co-founded Washington, D.C.’s first shelter for abused women. As an empowerment self-defense teacher and founder-director of Defend Yourself, she’s trained more than 35,000 people in the D.C. area and elsewhere in the U.S. She's also trained dozens of trainers around the country and around the world. Join us as we find out more about Lauren and what makes her tick. Learn about the book she co-authored with Nadia Telsey, which will be published in the fall! Importantly, follow the links here to learn how to pre-order the book and support this important work! Connect with Lauren Taylor: Defend Yourself Safe Bars Get Empowered (the book) More about me (and the book) "Get Empowered: A Practical Guide to Thrive, Heal, and Embrace Your Confidence in a Sexist World" will be at bookstores October 3! You can support the book by pre-ordering here! Lauren R. Taylor: she/they Defend Yourself 301.608.3708 FB: thedefendyourself IG: @thedefendyourself Twitter: @1defendyourself LinkedIn Connect with Silvia Zoom Self Defense Classes with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity

Join host Silvia Smart as she shares pieces of her journey to empowerment and survival from a cult-like martial arts system. Listen to the red flags that crop up around these dysfunctional and sometimes dangerous systems and people. Cults and charismatic leaders with ill intent are everywhere – Qanon, NXIVM, Scientology, and The Children of God, are just a few examples. Cults and narcissistic, manipulative, and sociopathic leaders exist within conspiratorial cultures, churches, and spiritual groups. People get stuck in these systems - especially when they are vulnerable. Learn the signs so you can protect yourself and stay safe. Mentioned in this Episode: The Cult Education Institute Two episodes of: We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle about the cult, NXIVM: Episode 1 Episode 2 Connect with Silvia Zoom Self Defense Classes with Silvia Special thanks to my editors! Henry Smart-Denson & Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #cult, #isurvivedacult

Smart shares a surprising self-defense success story that is near and dear to her heart. Find out how her 90-year-old dad responded when he was choked from behind while walking down the street! Connect with Silvia Zoom Self Defense Classes with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #chokebehind

Join host, Silvia Smart and her guest, Tasha Ina Church, an empowerment self-defense teacher with a life story you want to hear about! On her website, she writes: “Empowerment goes beyond physical safety. It is understanding that YOU have a VOICE and that voice has POWER — It’s about knowing that in any fight; physical, psychological, or emotional, YOU are Worth Fighting For!” Get inspired, and then check out all of Tasha’s links: Tasha’s Website On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On Spotify Connect with Silvia Zoom Self Defense Classes with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #elleliveaction, @elleliveaction

Happy New Year! It’s 2023 and I’m glad you are here! Welcome to my new listeners. I hope you find something here that helps you out or inspires you to become your most empowered self. Listen to this quick recording to get your sea legs and hear my quick recommendations about how to listen. My hope for all of us is that we keep defining who we are, what our values are, and what our boundaries are, and then practice using all our muscles – the ones that allow us to speak up, speak out and protect ourselves. Connect with Silvia Silvia’s Bio Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity,

Empowerment is a lifelong journey. Celebrate your wins and contemplate your next steps. Join host, Silvia Smart, as she shares a piece of her journey into and beyond a lifelong challenge that impacted every area of her life. Find out how she vanquished her dragon and lived to tell about it. Think through what's on the horizon for YOU! Empowerment means doing stuff that is hard and scary, looking at the way we limit ourselves, the way society limits us…and facing it, moving through it, living to tell about it, seeing, feeling, and knowing how strong and powerful we are because of these choices and this journey! Importantly, going on to share our experiences, challenges, and successes can become a way of helping others who face similar trials and tribulations. You are already amazing! Connect with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse LINKS: Video about Joseph Campbell, “Finding Joe” (beware, it’s heavy on references to men.) “Because I said I would”. My blog on Food Addiction has links to the program that is working for me. Tia, my amazing personal trainer Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #becauseisaidiwould, #brightlineeating, #ble, #findingjoe,

Join host, Silvia Smart, and her guest, Jim Wetzel as they discuss the martial art they train and so much more. Poekoelan Tjimindie was brought to the US from Indonesia in 1956 by Willy Wetzel. Jim is his youngest son, has been training in this art since he was 4 years old, and is a font of wisdom. He’s kind, and generous and is a wonderful human being and teacher. In this episode, Silvia and Jim discuss all things self-defense. Also, if you are looking to begin some of your own martial...

Are you ready to set a Zero Tolerance Policy? Is another person’s behavior toward you hurtful, demeaning, disrespectful, or downright threatening? In this episode, we contemplate our tolerance levels for others’ behaviors. We think through becoming ready to make a boundary and draw a line: to have “Zero Tolerance”. We look at the planning and preparation needed to ensure we set ourselves up for the greatest success possible. Hear two stories: one that illustrates a “mushy” policy and one that illustrates “Zero Tolerance”. Explore an example with host, Silvia Smart. Hear about the “Zero Tolerance Policy” of the NBA and yes, her favorite team, The Portland Trailblazers as they’ve codified it into expectations of fans at games. Connect with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #zerotolerance, #blazers, #trailblazers, #portlandtrailblazers

Blowback is another person’s reaction when you reclaim your power, take up your space, set boundaries and make changes in your life. Blowback comes in a large variety of sizes and shapes and can look and feel many different ways. Ultimately, it’s about the other person trying to maintain the status quo. It’s their way of trying to keep the power dynamic between you from changing. Like all of our self-defense, the level of blowback will vary up and down the continuum of assault and violence. When you know it’s coming and can plan and prepare for it, you get to practice handling it. This practice helps you respond to blowback when the stakes are higher or if it comes as a surprise. You have every right to claim your space, set boundaries, and step into your power. Here are some thoughts about blowback and some tools for your self-defense toolkit to deal with it when it happens to you. Chances are good that as you set boundaries and step into empowerment, you WILL get blowback. So be prepared! You’ve got this! Connect with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #blowback

Listeners ask questions. Let’s discuss: What should I do if I see someone being followed or pursued? Do I help? If so, HOW do I help? Here’s a quick episode to talk you through some options. Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group. #theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, Connect with Silvia Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse