Bar Fights

Distinguished psychologist and neuroscientist Dr. Kate Truitt takes her expert hat off and lets her hair down in today’s candid conversation with Sarah. The bestselling author of Healing in Your Hands and the new title Keep Beathing lays bare her personal odyssey through loss and trauma as well as the key to her renewal- the realization that she wasn’t the problem; her brain was. Wired from years of trauma to keep her ‘safe’, “Amy the Amygdala” was actually keeping her caught in a cycle of negative, intrusive thoughts. Listen to Sarah and Dr. Kate talk about the tenacity of that cycle and how to break it. Two phoenixes in their own right, Sarah and Dr Kate get raw and real, inviting all cycle breakers to join their odyssey (Thanks to Dr. Kate, we now know that a group of phoenixes is called an odyssey!). Learn more at www.DrKateTruitt.com

Today on Bar Fights, we’re reposting one of our favorite interviews with Lauren Sivan, a former New York TV news reporter who is among more than 100 women who have accused media mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment. Get ready for a thought-provoking episode of the Bar Fights podcast with guest speaker Lauren Sivan, as she joins host Sarah Klein to discuss her personal experience with Harvey Weinstein. Lauren shares how she initially felt like she was alone in her experience, but later realized that there were many others who had been subjected to similar mistreatment. Tune in as Lauren sheds light on the toxic culture of Hollywood and the long-standing abuses of power that have gone unchecked for too long.

“Relationship skills are not innate. We go where the young people are, give them the space to talk about their relationships, and help them build the skills to ensure those relationships are healthy,” DayOne Executive Director Anne Patterson tells Sarah. On today’s show, Anne and DayOne Board Chair Laura Dukess break down those relationship skills and the education, supportive services, legal advocacy, and leadership development that DayOne provides NYC youth age 24 and under who are struggling with gender-based violence. Learn more at https://dayoneny.org/ DayOne’s annual Voices Against Violence Gala will be held this June 13th at Guastavino’s in New York City. https://dayoneny.org/events/voices-against-violence/

“Love should always be safe” is the tagline for Day One, a New York City nonprofit working to end gender-based violence and the shame and trauma that lurk in its shadow by nipping it in the bud. Sarah sits down with Executive Director Anne Patterson and Chairman of the Board Laura Dukess to discuss their organization’s efforts to end abuse by teaching elementary, middle school, and high school students the skills needed to build healthy relationships, as well as the myriad supportive services they offer to anyone under the age of 24 who has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Day One is a non-profit offering services to NYC youth age 24 and under. Our mission is to partner with youth to end dating abuse and domestic violence through community education, supportive services, legal advocacy, and leadership development. Learn more at https://dayoneny.org/ Support our cause by attending or sponsoring our annual DayOne Voices Against Violence Gala this June 13th at Guastavino’s in New York City. https://dayoneny.org/events/voices-against-violence/

One woman’s story, and one woman’s moxie has protected countless children, and Erin Merryn is not done yet. Six year old Erin was too young to know what sexual abuse was, much less how to talk about it, so she remained silent as her abuse went on for seven years. In part 2 of her conversation with Sarah, Erin explains why she created Erin’s Law, and how she has muscled through resistance from parents, school officials, and legislators to protect children like her younger self by requiring all public schools in each state to implement a prevention-orients sexual abuse program. Listen in to hear just some of the many examples of Erin’s Law’s staggering effect- New York killed her bill for eight straight years. When she finally got it passed, nine young boys came forward separately on the day the program was first offered at their school in Albany, NY. Their stories were very similar. Why? Because their own principal had been molesting them for years. Erin’s Law has been passed in 38 states. The other 12 are in her sights. About Erin Merryn Erin Merryn is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and child abuse advocate and activist and the founder and President of Erin’s Law, a national non-profit dedicated to mandating prevention-oriented child sexual abuse education in public schools in all 50 states. Learn more at https://www.erinslaw.org.

Today’s Bar Fights guest, Erin Merryn, is a testament to the power of a story to move mountains. It took many tumultuous years for Erin to find her voice after having been repeatedly abused for six years of her childhood. Once she found it, though, there’s been no stopping her from using her voice as a compelling force for good. Since 2013, Erin has steadfastly shared her story to press every state to mandate prevention-oriented child sexual abuse education in schools, and she is making real headway. Erin’s Law is currently enacted in 38 states, and she is actively working on the other 12. Listen in to hear Erin’s story in part 1 of her interview with Sarah, and judge for yourself just how powerful a voice can be. Erin Merryn is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and child abuse advocate and activist and the founder and President of Erin’s Law, a national non-profit dedicated to mandating prevention-oriented child sexual abuse education in public schools in all 50 states. Learn more at https://www.erinslaw.org/.

Today, Sarah brings on Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, for a robust conversation about keeping our children safe in digital spaces. Tune in to learn about the 5 layers of digital protection (Spoiler alert- the second layer involves your router), which are the riskiest social media apps and why, and the urgent responsibility we have to hold the entities who profit from the digital space accountable for our children’s safety within that space. “We are responsible for our children’s future wellness, not their current happiness.” Chris McKenna Check out the resources page at https://protectyoungeyes.com/ to learn more about digital safety measures you can take.

Sarah and trauma psychotherapist and relationship expert Dr. Janie Lacy delve into the self-sabotaging patterns programmed into our subconscious by childhood trauma, how to recognize those patterns, unravel their roots, and do the work to reprogram them. Key take-aways from their inspiring conversation 1) Although our programming is not our fault, our healing is our responsibility. 2) Mutual support and unity are empowering; community is healing. Build one if you don’t have one already. Dr. Janie Lacy is an internationally recognized licensed psychotherapist and relationship expert, TLC TV Show co-star, accomplished speaker, and champion for women globally. Learn more at https://www.janielacy.com/

In part 2 of their interview, Sarah and Diane share words of wisdom for keeping our children safe and keeping the doors of communication with them open when it comes to uncomfortable topics. On the table today- the two most common mistakes parents make when it comes to their child’s safety, sextortion, and why our kids are watching pornography, what are they learning from it, and how they are they acting it out. Diane Tarantini is a child sex abuse survivor, author of the children’s book, The Brave Knight, and a Body Safety Educator. Learn more at https://dianetarantini.com/

Sarah sits down with Body Safety Educator and author Diane Tarantini to discuss the crucial education that Diane and her colleagues provide our school children to help keep them safe from predators’ insidious grooming. What are a groomer’s tactics? What should every parent be asking their child’s school? Listen in for the answers. Diane Tarantini is a child sex abuse survivor, author of the children’s book, The Brave Knight, and a Body Safety Educator. Learn more at https://dianetarantini.com/

Listen in as Sarah and Marvin discuss the hard-earned lessons in self-determination, gratitude, and the law of reciprocity that earned Marvin a “PhD in Progress” and the small steps he takes every day to maintain that progress in part 2 of their conversation on Bar Fights.

Epic “Battles, Breakthroughs, and New Beginnings” are on the agenda as Sarah talks with author, renowned speaker, and ex-FBI agent Marvin Peake in this week’s awe-inspiring episode. Turning victimhood on its head, Marvin describes the gift he has found in the brutal circumstances that cut and shaped him to be the man he is today. The tenacity, resilience, ingenuity, and self-determination he needed to survive a childhood on the streets, extreme poverty, and abuse have carried him “Out of the Tunnel” to the heights of success. Marvin Peake is the author of Out of the Tunnel: An Epic Tale of Battles, Breakthroughs, and New Beginnings. Visit him at https://marvinpeake.com/.

In part 2 of their discussion, Sarah and Nicole talk about the powerful impact that one small voice can have when you are willing to say hard things, the “gift of going second,” the responsibility of healing, and the sacred space that survivors have found in Nicole’s weekly e-course, UNLEASH. An advocate, activist, and survivor of child sexual abuse, Nicole Braddock Bromley is the founder of https://www.iamonevoice.org/ and the founder and Executive Director of https://www.onevoice4freedom.org/. Learn more about UNLEASH, her 8-week course and online cohort for survivors of sexual abuse, at https://www.iamonevoice.org/unleash.

On today’s episode of Bar Fights, Sarah talks with advocate and activist Nicole Braddock Bromley about how an unexpected confession in front of 300 teens at summer camp ultimately spurred her to start her nonprofit, OneVOICE, the power she has found in her endurance as a CSA survivor, and why EMDR and her dog are her favorite go-to therapies. An advocate, activist, and survivor of child sexual abuse, Nicole is the founder of https://www.iamonevoice.org/ and the founder and Executive Director of https://www.onevoice4freedom.org/ . Learn more about UNLEASH, her 8-week course and online cohort for survivors of sexual abuse, at https://www.iamonevoice.org/unleash.

In part 2 of this interview, Stephen details the catharsis that comes with taking legal action and pursuing justice in the hopes of leaving this world safer than how he found it.

Sarah Klein sits down for a crucial conversation about accountability, healing, and the urgent need to confront institutional failures with friend, and fellow survivor, Stephen Mills, author of the deeply moving memoir, Chosen: A Memoir of Stolen Boyhood.

On Episode 54 of Bar Fights, Sarah once again engages in a conversation about the concern of child exploitation, this time with filmmaker, impact investor, and philanthropist Nighat Shah. Nighat is dedicated to using film to raise awareness about child labor, citing her journey from Pakistan as the driving force in her social justice filmmaking, specifically her film "Gunjal" ("Entangled"). Delve into their eye-opening discussion about the link between child labor and sexual assault, the unsettling trend of relaxing child labor laws in certain US states, and the urgent call for awareness, education, and social responsibility to eradicate this issue. This episode will inspire every listener to become an informed consumer, support ethical companies, and champion the well-being of children globally.

On Episode 53 of Bar Fights, Sarah sits down with Allyson McCabe, author of "Why Sinead O'Connor Matters." In a profound conversation about the artist's impactful career, they explore Sinead O'Connor's courageous activism during the 1990s, including her iconic moments of protest and the backlash she endured for speaking out against systemic issues like child abuse and religious authority. This episode delves into the broader cultural context of O'Connor's actions, highlighting the challenges of addressing sensitive subjects and the healing potential of open dialogue, ultimately emphasizing the transformative power of addressing painful truths for positive change.

On episode 52 of Bar Fights, Sarah welcomes Michel Bryant, a journalist, attorney, and broadcaster with extensive experience in legal analysis and coverage. Michel discusses his transition from practicing law to TV, where he produces shows like "I Survived a Crime" and "Taking the Stand." He shares how "I Survived a Crime" explores diverse paths to survival and adds insight into high-profile cases such as Johnny Depp and Alex Murdaugh, highlighting the significance of defendants taking the witness stand by citing cases where likability played a role in jury outcomes.

In this week's not-to-miss episode, Sarah sits down for a conversation with Nat Glover, a remarkable man born in 1943 in the segregated city of Jacksonville, Florida. Despite the challenging circumstances, Nat rose to prominence and earned immense respect as the first Black man to have been elected sheriff in Florida’s Deep South in over 100 years and one of the nation's most esteemed law enforcement professionals. Nat discusses his life experiences, including a traumatic incident during a sit-in demonstration and an unjust arrest that almost derailed his path to becoming a police officer. Nat guides listeners through his leadership philosophy, the importance of credibility, and seeking guidance from trusted mentors. Be sure to check out Nat's upcoming book, "Striving for Justice: A Black Sheriff in the Deep South," available everywhere on August 22nd!