He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not!

Brenda McAfee is the Program Direct of North Central Texas Crisis Response Ministry's Crimes Victim Service unit. After 15 years, working with the Dallas county probation department as a juvenile and adult probation officer Brenda, began working on the other side of the law as an advocate for victims of violent crimes in 2006. Currently, Brenda provides case management services and facilitates grief support groups for survivors of traumatic loss. She also recruits and trains volunteers to become crisis responders. Brenda serves as chair for the Crime Victims Council of Dallas County for two years. As chair, she led annual events, such as National Crime Victims Rights Week, and the Tree of Angels. She has collaborated with advocates in the community and with law enforcement to strengthen and develop resources for victims of family violence, sexual assault, survivors of homicide victims, and other violent crimes. www.CrisisResponseMinistry.org

Gwendolyn Jones is an advocate, facilitator, and speaker. She is the founder and president of ARISE! International, Inc. ARISE! International, a Christ-centered program, supports survivors of childhood sexual abuse on their personal recovery journey to heal emotionally, socially and spiritually from the devastating effects of inappropriate sexual behavior. Fortunately, she has walked the path of recovery from victim, to survivor to an overcomer and knows that healing is possible. Out of her pain to heal ARISE! International, Inc (Adults in Recovery and Informed Against Sexual Exploitation) was established in 2007. Gwendolyn has been actively involved in professional organizations as the Lancaster Police Outreach to Community (LPOC) Lancaster, TX and served on the first Domestic Violence Advisory Committee (DVAC) for the city of DeSoto, TX. She has completed certification for the Sexual Assault Training Program (SATP) from the Texas State Attorney General Offices administered by the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, Turning Point Rape Crisis Agency and Parkland Victim Intervention Program (VIP). ARISE International, Inc. www.AriseIntl.org 800-513-2450, Ext. 1

Maggie Cathcart has been in the healthcare field for 29 years, 10 of which she has run her own business. She has dedicated her life to raising awareness of major healthcare issues. Working with companies, to partner with physicians and patient advocates who are mutually focused on a single goal, helping patients become empowered and live longer and live their lives . She's passionate about helping others as a survivor of domestic violence. She is committed to making a difference. She has personally seen women suffer due to lack of knowledge and finance. She is a co-founder of Reclaiming Health, a non-profit organization. After losing a younger sibling to breast cancer that's what brought this plan to life. Education is the key. We work to an energize and empower all in the fight for all types of health, mental, physical, and emotional abuse. She believes the work that they're doing will impact the world as we expand the organization. She says, we are dedicated to the many who have overcome many hurdles. She knows and admires many that have impacted her life in the past present and the future.

Lisa M. Fisher is the Founder & CEO of Helen’s House, Inc., a mother, entrepreneur, people investor and a rising TRAILBLAZER. She is committed to helping women become stronger, self-sufficient, spiritually lifted and financially sound. Helen’s House, Inc., is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization created for women from all socio-economic backgrounds to empower other women to live their best lives. Inspired and created in memory of her mother, Helen Lee Wagner. Helen’s House, Inc., was not just inspired by a mother’s need to pour confidence into her daughter but came to life in the midst of COVID-19 when one woman wanted to simply be the change she wanted to see and built this non-profit based on the foundation of Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Helen’s House, Inc., supports the “power of the pack” and we believe that women who support women are simply more successful. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of others through charitable giving and supporting the communities in which we live and work in. Our passion and the core of our organization is to inspire our young women to reach their academic aspirations for higher education by providing scholarship programs to those who are the first in their generation to attend college. https://www.myhelenshouse.com

Nicovia Bradley, LPC, is a sympathetic, observant, and considerate psychotherapist. She obtained a master's degree in counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She has also received a certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Catering to the neighborhoods of Texas, Nicovia is currently associated with the offices of Choosing Therapy. Primarily, she sees patients for sleep problems, addiction/substance abuse, anger management, and mood disorders. Apart from these, she also conducts sessions for couples therapy. As a mental health care practitioner, Nicovia takes her time to listen to her clients. She approaches medication from a comprehensive viewpoint and focuses on evidence-based healthcare regimes. She is dedicated to the well-being of her patients and goes above and beyond in their care. First Responders Counseling Service Licensed Professional Counselor (469) 564-3660

Bridget Vinson-O’Neal, MS, LBSW-IPR is a Licensed Social Worker, group facilitator, presenter and is currently the Founder/Executive Director of First Choice Social Services non-profit agency in Dallas, TX. Mrs. Vinson-O’Neal has over 27 years of experience working with diverse populations with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. Mrs. Vinson-O’Neal implemented the first grassroots domestic violence outreach program for women of color at The Family Place in Dallas, TX in 1997. BIPP — Battering Intervention and Prevention Program — courses are conducted through First Choice Social Services and can be reached at 972-268-2538 or online at www.firstchoicesocialservices.org.

Pastor Dr. Michael Sneed grew up in Dallas, the oldest of seven siblings. He is a graduate of Skyline High School and holds a Doctor of Theology degree from Slidell Baptist Seminary. He is overwhelmingly happy and joined at the rib to his friend, his huckleberry, his wife of 35+ years, 1st Lady Pastor Dorothy Sneed. He retired from the Dallas Police Department after 28+ years of dedicated service holding the rank of Sergeant. Pastor Sneed has been providing spiritual, directional and inspirational leadership by teaching and proclaiming the Word of God for 20+ years at the Senior Pastor at Loving Fellowship Baptist Church located at 610 W. Wintergreen Rd. in DeSoto, Texas where their motto is "LOVING! It's not our name, it's our ATTITUDE!" He is the creator, founder and co-instructor of the “Leading Leaders to Lead” Leadership Workshop and Seminar to train leaders in ministry.

Shondale Wilhite is a published author, speaker, coach and domestic and sexual abuse advocate. She is a member of We Are Survivors nonprofit foundation and the African American Domestic Violence Council. Shondale has worked for Fortune 500 companies, and is now the host of her own radio talk show, "SHINE with Shondale." Her advocacy for sexual and domestic abuse is very dear to her, because she is a survivor and is determined to make a difference in the lives of others. Her book: SHINE: Taking Back Control After Domestic Abuse www.amazon.com/SHINE-Taking-Control-After-Domestic/dp/057888271X

Join Barbara today as she interviews domestic violence survivor Hope Woodson of Recovering Peace—a nonprofit organization that will work with children and young adults who have witnessed domestic violence or were victims themselves.

Join Barbara today and hear the inspiring domestic violence survival story of Kimberly Johnson.

LaToya Davis, aka "Miss Toya D," is the creator and founder of social media brand Sincerely His with a mission to uplift, empower and inspire all to know that they are loved and cherished by God because we are sincerely His. Ms. Davis is a master level social worker for the University of Texas at Arlington with a deeply rooted passion for serving youth within her community. Ms. Davis has been serving with youth since her early teenage years and continues to do so professionally and personally.

From a battered teenage mom to a Ph.D. in Education, Dr. Aaliyah Miranda “promised my kids I would never be homeless again, and I started going to school. It's been a long journey.” Hear her story on today's podcast.

As a young girl Patricia Sterling felt unwanted, unloved and misunderstood. She felt alone and confused, and pondered the question: Why am I here on earth? She experienced verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. Poverty, degradation, chaos, substance abuse and self- destructive behaviors and repeated traumatic events were constant companions. The murder of her eldest son took her places mentally that she could not have ever imagined. No more secrets! Patricia has learned that secrets kept her sick and made her sicker. It was time to release, reveal and repair. Author of the book titled, Memoirs That Made Me “A Journey Towards Healing,” Patricia is also a speaker, educator, advocate against domestic violence, abuse and trauma. She is a woman with purpose. Hear here story today. Website: https://www.sterlingsessions.com

Darlene Greene’s life changed forever when her youngest sister Ina Mae was lost to domestic violence. This tragedy prompted her to develop an organization where women in crisis could go to receive help and resources to escape potentially deadly situations. The Ina Mae Greene Foundation-For My Sisters (IMGF), a 501c3 is an educational, resource and information foundation. The foundation's objective is to raise awareness about the atrocities of domestic abuse. Darlene is a very passionate speaker and lecturer on the topic of domestic violence and domestic abuse. Hear her story in this episode.

Barbara talks with Monica Johnson, author of Shift from Broken to Breathtaking - Don't Let What Happens to You Break You. Let it Break Open What is in You. Monica empowers others, especially women, to search within and discover how to reach their highest potential, both personally and professionally.

Domestic violence happens to men, too. Join Barbara as she talks with Susan E Foster, author of Charming Impossibles: How Ordinary Angels Help Free the Hopelessly Stuck in this episode titled "It Affects Men, too."

Join host Barbara Pettis as she interviews Registered Nurse Janna Fagan — a Trauma Coordinator /Injury Prevention and Forensic nurse and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) — about sexual abuse and the grooming process predators put their victims through. Fagan was nominated for Great 100 Nurses in 2017 of D-FW.

Join host Barbara Pettis as she interviews Cassandra Wesley, Program Manager for Genesis Women's Shelter and Support and a survivor of domestic violence.

Join host Barbara Pettis as she interviews Patty Bryant-Jones, Program Director Coordinator for The Family Place and a survivor of domestic violence.

What about the children? Domestic abuse, whether experienced or witnessed, can bring a lifetime of trauma to a child. Barbara's guest on this episode is Debra Mitchell-Ibe, LCSW, Sr. Director of Employee Development & E-Learning at The Family Place in Dallas, Texas.