Voices Against Violence

Kirstyn and Charity talk about domestic and sexual violence: what is it, what's at the root, and how power and control tactics show up in society.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month so Charity and Kirstyn sat down with Jenay, a Sexual Violence Prevention Specialist to "Look Back, and Move Forward". What is sexual violence? Why do some people not report what happened? Are there actions city leaders can take to make a community safer? We answer these questions and much more in this conversation.

March is Women's History Month! Kirstyn and Charity discuss highlights of women's history in the US from the founding of the United States through current day. They review key achievements through the years and the challenges that still exist as we strive for equality.

Join Charity and Kirstyn for a conversation that centers on the often-overlooked intersection of domestic violence and disability. Guest host Shelby from Empower Abilities explores how power and control can manifest in unique ways for individuals with disabilities, and how service providers can be better equipped to serve all survivors of domestic violence.Who we are - empower: abilities in Springfield MO

Charity and Kirstyn discuss the ways gender stereotypes contribute to dynamics of power and control, and can prevent survivors from getting help. This Women's History month, consider the gender stereotypes you believe, and work to honor everyone's equality.

Charity and Kirstyn explore consent, boundaries and respect as they challenge listeners to start small and practice the skill of asking for and respecting permission. https://secure.qgiv.com/event/thepurpleparty2026/

Sit down with Family Advocacy Program Coordinator Misty as Charity and Kirstyn learn about teen experiences in shelter and how to support young people in developing social connection and safety. Learn how programming provides safety in the moment and tools for the future.

The CDC has identified protective factors for preventing intimate partner violence, including teaching safe and healthy relationship skills and engaging influential adults and peers. Charity and Kirstyn offer ideas on how to connect young people with supportive peers and adults. Preventing Intimate Partner Violence | Intimate Partner Violence Prevention | CDC

Our Teen Dating Violence Awareness series continues as Charity and Kirstyn share some of their favorite, go-to sources for information and support on dating violence. Whether you're a teen or someone who works with teens, you'll find resources that are meaningful and relevant for you. loveisrespect.orgdayoneny.orgfutureswithoutviolence.orgjoinonelove.orgyipa.org

One in three teens experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse by someone they're dating before they become adults. Harmony House is proud to have Charity on staff to facilitate important conversations about teen dating violence with youth in the area. To schedule a prevention presentation please reach out to [email protected].

Kirstyn and Charity discuss Stalking Survivors Speak, a training provided by The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC). They discuss the commonalities between the survivors' stories, challenges survivors face, and key takeaways.To access SPARC's online training: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/elearning-courses/

Kirstyn and Charity talk through the basics of stalking for Stalking Awareness Month, what it looks like, and debunk a few myths surrounding it.Resources in this episode: SPARC stalkingawareness.org

Charity, Kirstyn, and producer Atticus share their favorite episodes and guests from season 1, who we are, how Voices Against Violence began, and what's coming in 2026.

Kirstyn and Charity continue the conversation about trauma. This episode focuses on trauma-informed care, how to apply it in homes and workplaces, and the positive affect trauma-informed care has on all of us as we move through the world.

Kirstyn and Charity take a deep dive into the topic of trauma. What exactly is trauma? How does it affect us? What can we do about it? They discuss all that and more on this episode.

The holiday season is a magical and festive time for many, but for those in abusive relationships the holidays can bring added barriers and escalated abuse. Kirstyn and Charity discuss factors that can intensify the harm survivors experience and share tips on how to offer support to survivors during this time of the year.

On this episode, Charity and Tesia discuss a chapter from Why Does He Do That: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft (Chapter 2, "The Mythology"). Tesia shares her lived experience to reveal the pattern abusers use to justify their actions while blaming their victims.

Is this bad behavior, or the start of a pattern? Where do you draw the line? On this episode, Kirstyn and Charity are joined by Advocate Office Second Shift Supervisor Kelsey for a powerful conversation on recognizing often overlooked red flags, their own lived experiences, and one question to ask yourself to help you determine when to get out.

Advocate Office Second Shift Supervisor Kelsey joins Charity and Kirstyn to discuss the connection between adverse childhood experiences and unhealthy relationships as adults, what adults can do to support young people in trauma and how to help them build healthy relationships later.

Alexis Smith went viral last year for calling out her abuser on the pageant stage. Since being crowned, she's using her platform to raise awareness about domestic violence and the importance of prevention education. She shares her inspiring story on this episode with Charity and Springfield Business Journal's Christine Temple. This episode was recorded with a live audience on September 25th at Harmony House's 2025 iCare Kickoff Breakfast.Want to watch the video version of this episode? Check it out at the Harmony House YouTube Channel today.

Nora Mosby with the Missouri Coalition and host of the Coalition's podcast, MOmentum for Change, joins Charity and Kirstyn on this episode. She discusses the early days of DV advocacy in Missouri, how the Coalition began, and the legislative advocacy work they do to support survivors across Missouri.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Harmony House's Director of Development, Carl, joins Charity and Kirstyn on this episode. He discusses the 11th year of our iCare awareness and fundraising campaign, how people can get involved, and his heart for and personal connection to the mission.

Each survivor’s experience, while similar, is unique. What is it like parenting while experiencing domestic violence and how are children impacted by violence? How do you heal while also helping your child recover and heal? On this episode, survivors Joy and Kate share their stories. They discuss the challenges of parenting in the midst of domestic violence, when they knew they needed to get out, and how they began to put their lives back together.

What does a healthy relationship really look like? What’s the difference between a toxic and an abusive relationship? Charity and Carlie explore the dynamics of healthy vs toxic vs abusive relationships.

Grants Administrator for Harmony House, Melissa Herr, joins Charity to discuss her role, how non profit funding works, and what has surprised her most about domestic violence in her time at Harmony House.

Former Voices Against Violence co-host Kristen Snell returns to celebrate the 50th episode. Kristen and Charity share their favorite current event topics, including influencer red flags and the viral attention domestic abuse is receiving on TikTok.

The conversation continues with survivor and domestic violence advocate, Janice. She shares the struggles of life and dating after domestic violence and what drives her passion for advocacy for other survivors.

Survivor and Domestic Violence Advocate, Janice, shares her story with Charity. In this conversation Janice sheds light on the threats and coercive control that put survivors and their children at risk. She also talks about life after domestic violence and her first steps towards independence after getting out.

In this bonus interview, Voices Against Violence producer, Atticus, talks with Misty, Family Advocacy Coordinator at Harmony House. Misty shares how creative, intentional programming in shelter is tailored to meet the needs of current residents, from activities for children to programs that help adults build coping skills. She also highlights the many ways Family Advocates support families, nurture connection, and create meaningful experiences at shelter.

Emily Shook, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Domestic Violence Unit of Greene County, joins Charity in this episode. Emily discusses the challenges of bringing abusers to justice, why preventing domestic violence is so important for the community, and what still gives her hope in humanity.

Parents often shy away from talking about tough topics with young children because it might be too much for them or are unsure of how to talk about it in an age appropriate way. In this episode, Carlie and Charity are joined again by Third Shift Advocate Supervisor, Jaylene, for an in-depth discussion on why you should have the conversation anyway. Jaylene discusses her compassionate approach to uncomfortable topics and how kids benefit from hard but honest conversations.

In this special bonus interview, Voices Against Violence producer, Atticus, sits down with Cosette, Advocate Office Operations Manager at Harmony House. Cosette shares how the Staff as Survivors program supports employees experiencing domestic violence and explains why workplace policies matter when it comes to creating safer, more supportive environments for survivors. Plus, Cosette offers a simple but powerful safety tip you won’t want to miss.

Charity and Carlie are joined by Jaylene, one of Harmony House's Advocate Supervisors. Jaylene shares her story and what survivors can expect when entering shelter.

Harmony House Executive Director, Jared Alexander, joins Carlie and Charity on this episode as he shares the humble beginnings of Harmony House, best and worst parts of the job, and his vision for the organization as it approaches its 50th anniversary next year.

On this episode, Harmony House’s Outreach Victim Advocate Coordinator, Taylor, joins the conversation. He shares his experience working with survivors at the Family Justice Center, critical elements of safety planning, and how orders of protection work, demystifying the process.

When it comes to domestic violence are there early warning signs? How common is domestic violence? What can I do to help? On this episode, Charity and Carlie answer all these and more as they respond to questions about domestic violence from members of the community.

Abuse is a choice that abusers make based on values they have chosen to uphold. Harmony House’s Agency Therapist, Carlie, again joins Charity on this episode as they discuss early signs of abuse that may get ignored. Carlie also explains why couples therapy doesn’t work when violence is present and why batterer intervention programs have such a low success rate for rehabilitating abusers.

On this episode, Charity is joined by Harmony House’s Agency Therapist, Carlie, to discuss the specific patterns abusers use, what emotional abuse really looks likes and the affect it has on victims. Carlie also shares her personal story of survival and how that impacts her work with domestic violence survivors today.

Charity and Tesia continue their conversation on obstacles survivors face that make it difficult to leave and hard to get back on their feet once they have left. The conversation focuses on the challenge of finding safe and affordable housing and what property managers can do within their role to support survivors.

How do abusers keep their victims scared? What are the tactics of financial abuse? In this episode, Charity is joined by Tesia, a Harmony House case manager. They discuss the challenges survivors experience with housing, financial abuse, and replacing documents in a powerful and emotion-filled conversation.

Misogynistic influencers are becoming more popular with youth. Reality TV normalizes violent red flag behavior. On this episode, Charity and Blaire discuss how our perceptions and behaviors when it comes to relationships are affected by the media we consume

We all live in the shadow of unwritten rules or constructs of society. Who makes the rules? What happens if you choose to live outside of the expectations society has for you? Charity and Blaire discuss some of the more common constructs and the damage they can do.

Charity and Blaire continue the conversation about the Netflix show, highlighting how to help youth handle rejection and what parents can do to support healthy online behaviors with young people.

Parents have been talking about it, and some afraid to watch it. On this episode, Charity and Blaire analyze the show and how it depicts online behaviors and teen dating violence. They also discuss the real life case of Aidan Fucci that seems to have inspired the show.