Welcome to Understanding Domestic Violence: Knowledge Is Empowerment, the podcast series dedicated to uncovering the truth about domestic violence and empowering you with the tools and knowledge to create change.

In this series, we’ll explore the many dimensions of domestic violence, physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and beyond. Each episode is designed to educate, challenge misconceptions, and provide actionable insights for individuals, families, and communities.

Because the more we understand, the more equipped we are to recognize the signs, support survivors, and prevent domestic violence.

Today's guests are Hope House Therapists Jenny & Tracey.

Jenny is a compassionate Clinical Services Coordinator and Adult Therapist dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and personal growth. Jenny’s empathetic approach and commitment to a safe, supportive environment make her an invaluable ally in her clients' wellness journeys.

Tracey is a skilled Family Service Specialist and Therapist with a deep passion for strengthening family bonds and promoting resilience. Tracey’s approach, combined with her dedication to understanding and connection, ensures her clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive together.

Hosts: MaryAnne Metheny, and Tina Johnson

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

hopehouse.net

Qiana Thomason draws from over twenty years of leadership at the intersections of health and behavioral healthcare, corporate healthcare payment, health policy, health philanthropy and business. This aerial command of the political, private market, and social factors that shape health uniquely positions Qiana to impact the wellbeing and prosperity of communities. Qiana’s “self to systems” leadership practice, her commitment to organizational care and accountability, and her practice of centering people in driving change and managing transitions makes her a trusted executive in ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of the organizations and movements she supports. Further, Qiana’s prowess in strategy, enterprise risk management, regulatory and compliance agility, human capital optimization, organizational sustainability, ESG facility and DEI expertise makes her an effective partner on boards. As President & CEO of Health Forward Foundation, Qiana guides the $1B foundation in stewarding diverse capital investments, leadership in public policy, and institutional social capital that fosters health and economic equity throughout Missouri and Kansas. Qiana’s leadership has positioned Health Forward as a national model for health equity through trust-based public, private, and philanthropic partnerships, spanning resident and faith leaders, grassroots to large non-profits, Chambers of Commerce and business councils, municipal and state government. Qiana’s leadership in governance and civic spheres is multi-level. Nationally, Qiana is a board member of Grantmakers in Health, the National Association of State Health Policy, and the National Rural Health Resource Center. Regionally, Qiana is as a board member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and William Jewell College. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum, a global organization of preeminent leaders and Women of Influence. Qiana’s impact is recognized broadly. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce recognized Qiana with the international ATHENA Award (2024) and the national Business Journal recognized Qiana on its inaugural listing (2022) of BizWomen making an impact in their local business communities. The Urban League of Greater Kansas City recognized Qiana with its Difference Maker award (2024), Kansas City University bestowed upon Qiana an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters (2023), and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey conveyed its Race, Place, and Diversity award (2022).

https://healthforward.org/

Citations:

Glover Blackwell, A. (n.d.). The Curb-Cut Effect. PolicyLink. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.policylink.org/resources-tools/curb-cut-effect

Hosts: MaryAnne Metheny, and Tina Johnson

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

hopehouse.net

Hello, and welcome! Today, we’re thrilled to share a heartwarming story of generosity and holiday spirit. Hope House has a compassionate family from our community that organizes a Secret Santa to bring gifts, joy, and hope to survivors and families impacted by domestic violence.

This thoughtful gesture is a beautiful reminder of the kindness that exists around us and how acts of kindness and generosity can make a big difference.

To Mark, Mary and their family and everyone who’s joined in to support, thank you for making this season brighter for those who need it most. Now, let’s dive into today’s episode and celebrate the power of community and giving!

Hosts: MaryAnne Metheny, Tina Johnson and Ilene Shehan

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Welcome to Illuminating Hope a podcast of Hope House. Hope House wants to pause to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our supporters—our donors, community partners, and listeners.

Your dedication to ending domestic violence is truly inspiring. Through your generosity, we are able to extend resources, hope, and empowerment to those who need it most.

You are not just supporters; you are change-makers, and we’re so grateful for all that you do. Let’s continue this journey together, building a future free of domestic violence.

The journey ahead for survivors of domestic violence starts here, together!

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Welcome to this episode of Prevention: A Paradigm Shift - Empowerment Through Education. Today, we’re focusing on the transformative role of education in preventing domestic violence within our communities and beyond. We’ will explore how knowledge and awareness empower individuals to recognize red flags, challenge harmful norms, and find pathways to safety and support. Join us as we equip you—and those you serve—with the tools to shift mindsets, build resilience, and create lasting, positive change.

Together, we’re redefining prevention through the lens of education, empowerment and hope.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Dr. Sara Brammer began working as an overnight victim's advocate in the field of family violence in 1994. She continued working as a therapist for victims and offenders as she completed her Master and Doctoral Degrees in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri. While in her doctoral program, her research and dissertation focused on love relationships and batterer intervention treatment. She is currently the Vice President of Family Violence Services at Synergy Services where she has worked for 23 years. She supervises the Domestic Violence Center, the Children’s Center, the Domestic Violence Housing Program, the Batterer Intervention Program, and outpatient domestic violence clinical services in this capacity. She provides frequent training on Domestic Violence and the intersection between Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and trauma. She has also served on a variety of local, state, and national committees related to domestic violence and child abuse service provisions. Her research interests continue to focus on love relationships, batterer intervention and victim services.

Dr. Brammer has successfully led the agency through two flawless COA re-accreditations and is a lead peer reviewer for other agencies. Sara was commissioned by the Missouri Supreme Court for best practices committees on Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. She has received technical assistance from FUTURES and The Center for Justice Innovations for state-wide offender intervention implementation. Additional achievements include partnering with the Domestic Violence Court to offer exclusive offender intervention services, guest editing for the Journal of Child and Family Studies and collaborating with Yale University to implement the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention Program (CFTSI). Sara also represents Missouri on the National BIP Network and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Missouri’s Community Counseling and Assessment Services Center.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

For information about Synergy Services visit https://www.synergyservices.org

Domestic Violence 101: Empowerment Through Education is a podcast episode designed to shed light on the often-overlooked realities of domestic violence. Join Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny and Director of Community Engagement Tina Johnson as they dive deep into critical topics like identifying early warning signs, breaking free from the cycle of abuse, and providing resources for both victims and allies.

By educating listeners on the dynamics of domestic violence, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent, and take action against abuse.

Whether you're a survivor, a concerned friend, or someone who wants to better understand domestic violence, this podcast offers valuable insights, and expert advice.

Join us as we break the silence, educate, and empower, one episode at a time.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Nancy McCormick has been in private practice at Unity since October 2013. Before joining Unity, she accumulated 17 years of experience in domestic violence, working at Hope House and Rose Brooks. Additionally, she spent 5 years facilitating contract groups for individuals with substance use disorders and for family members of those affected by these disorders.

Nancy firmly believes in the power of collaboration to address life’s challenges. She understands that taking the first step—finding a counselor and making the initial call—can be the hardest part of the journey. She commends those who reach out for support and help.

With many years of experience, Nancy has dedicated herself to assisting people in coping with the profound effects of addiction, both for the individuals struggling with the disease and for their families and loved ones. She has also devoted much of her career to supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Nancy's goal is to build on her clients' strengths and empower them to overcome barriers, enabling them to achieve their life goals. She likens creating a successful life to assembling a jigsaw puzzle—together, they find the right pieces to fit together to create a complete and fulfilling life.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.