Finding Strength After The Storm: Erin Duvall on Music, Single Parenting, and Building Twice the Love

In this episode we visit with Texas-born singer-songwriter and single mother of four Erin Duvall to unpack how she turned a season of survival into soulful songs, purposeful routines, and a foundation that champions single parents year-round.In this lively conversation Erin traces her path from a childhood spent chasing any stage to a grown-up return to the studio with new clarity. She breaks down the collaborations that sharpened her sound—Dallas legends the Baker Brothers, Grammy-winning producer Keith Thomas, and Nashville writer-producer Brian White—and how those sessions shaped two creative eras: the relational healing of her album One by One and the hard-won selfhood in her new single Back to Me. Along the way, she shares how she protects her kids’ privacy while still letting them share the joy of performance when they choose.The heart of our conversation lands at home. Erin explains why nothing is off limits at her kitchen table, how clear boundaries make kids feel safe, and why a strong village—grandparents, trusted neighbors, dependable carpools—turns chaos into momentum. She offers practical advice for single parents and busy creatives: start now, even small; guard your yes; trade FOMO for JOMO; and make time for rest nonnegotiable. We also spotlight the Twice the Love Foundation, Erin’s platform that raises awareness and resources for single parents through concerts, community events, and partnerships with on-the-ground organizations.If you’ve wondered how to pursue a dream while raising a family as a single parent and still show up for others, this story delivers both inspiration and a blueprint. Listen for the mindset shifts, the daily systems, and a preview of the new release Back to Me that captures life after the storm. 

What if the moment you finally said “enough” became the spark that built your legacy? We sit down with DeShandra (Monet) Cullins—a survivor, mother of five, entrepreneur, and author of You Good, Sis?—who turned lifelong trauma into a blueprint for healing, purpose, and generational change. From escaping intimate partner violence to walking into a shelter with her daughters, she shares the precise steps that moved her from survival mode to building a beauty brand that began in a women's shelter and grew into a platform for women's empowerment.Dishandra opens up about complex PTSD and why it’s often misread as “just depression.” She breaks down how chronic trauma reshapes a nervous system, how EMDR helped her separate triggers from identity, and how simple daily structure—miracle mornings, hydration, journaling—became anchors that outlast motivation. We also spotlight the insidious tactics of financial abuse and the practical pivots that counter them: turning tax refunds into startup capital, learning credit repair and business credit, and using honest landlord letters to rebuild housing stability.At the heart of the episode is ROOTS, her five-part framework—Reveal, Own, Open, Turn, Sustain—that integrates inner work with business strategy. You’ll hear how bold lipstick shades named for power and courage helped her reclaim her voice, why “Monet” was armor and “DeShandra” is integration, and how the You Good, Sis? book and journal teach check-ins that prevent burnout before it breaks us. If you care about survivor advocacy, faith-informed healing, entrepreneurship, or building legacy from hard beginnings, this story will change how you think about resilience.Learn more about DeShandra and her work at www.deshandracullins.com or www.discoveringdeshandrasolutions.com and on Instagram at @discovering.deshandra

Genesis experts Ruth Guerreiro and Jordyn Lawson join the conversation to unpack models that explain domestic violence and provide real, practical solutions for survivors and those who support them. Together we walk through the Cycle of Violence framework as well as the Power and Control Wheel derived from the Duluth Model to understand their origins, purpose, and applications. Our discussion also grounds these theories in real-world practice: how survivors can identify escalation cues, why a “violent episode” isn’t limited to physical harm, and the safety planning steps that can reduce risk at each stage—at home, during separation, and long after. We explore the emotional work of healing—naming love bombing, processing betrayal, and rebuilding trust in one’s instincts.Throughout the conversation, we push past outdated terms to language that validates lived realities and sharpens judgment: manipulative kindness over “honeymoon phase,” impact over intent, control over conflict. Whether you’re a survivor, ally, or professional, you’ll leave with clearer frameworks, practical examples, and a more intentional way to talk about and respond to abuse. 

What if the most powerful weapon in an abusive relationship isn’t a fist, but a login? We sit down with Jordyn Lawson, Chief Residential Officer at Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, to unpack how financial abuse and coerced debt quietly trap survivors—even long after they leave. From paychecks diverted into hidden accounts to loans opened under threat or deception, money becomes a leash: it governs housing, food, credit, and the ability to move toward safety.Jordyn shares what frontline work reveals: the overwhelming prevalence of financial control, the shock of discovering debts for cars or even boats survivors never saw, and why credit scores can become gatekeepers to a new home or job. We connect the dots between personal harm and public cost—billions lost to intimate partner violence, millions of workdays missed, and the chilling number of workplace homicides tied to abusers. Most importantly, we map the way forward: how to spot red flags, how loved ones can support without minimizing, and how workplaces should prepare to protect employees targeted by abusers.There’s real hope in policy and practice. We highlight legal reforms that recognize coerced debt as identity theft in Texas, how survivors can challenge fraudulent accounts, and why advocacy partnerships streamline credit repair with minimal cost. We also dig into financial literacy strategies that restore control—pulling credit reports on safe devices, securing independent accounts, documenting coercion, and planning for deposits and child care. Along the way, we confront enduring myths about who works, who controls the money, and why “everyone fights about finances” is not a free pass for abuse.If you care about safety, equity, or simply want to help someone you love, this conversation gives you clear tools and next steps. Listen, share with a friend, and help us push for policies and workplace practices that put safety first. If this episode resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what change would most improve financial safety for survivors?

We open the new year by exposing myths that keep victims unheard and abusers protected: the “nice guy” persona, the anger excuse, the belief that leaving solves everything. With Ruth Guerreiro, Chief Clinical Officer at Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, we walk through the mindsets that drive coercive control and the covert tactics that slip past friends, families, courts, and even clinicians.In this episode, Ruth breaks down recognizable patterns and behaviors of abusive men. From the demand man and Mr. Right to the drill sergeant, the player, and the terrorist, she shows how entitlement fuels different strategies with the same outcome: fear, isolation, and control. We explore social engineering and how a polished public image becomes a weapon in custody disputes and community spaces. You’ll also hear why anger management misses the point, how “high conflict” labels mask abuse, and what post‑separation abuse looks like when contact is enforced through parenting apps, daily calls, and court orders.We also get practical. Learn how financial control can hide behind “I’ll handle the bills,” why the silent treatment harms more than shouting, how reckless driving is used to terrify, and how location sharing becomes surveillance. 

How well do you know the driver of your rideshare? You don't. And you need to listen to this episode to understand what he is capable of and how to protect yourself.In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the risks women face in rideshares and the systemic gaps that let predators operate with impunity. Together with Susan Knape, founder of A Case for Women, we trace the data behind thousands of harassment and assault reports, the realities of underreporting, and why a nice-looking car can lull riders into a false sense of security.You’ll leave this conversation with a clear safety playbook: always sit in the back, stay alert, avoid revealing personal details, confirm your pickup without saying your name, don’t route to “Home,” and share your trip with someone who’s watching the route and timing. We also push for real fixes—mandatory in‑car cameras, access barriers, and stronger oversight—that deter abuse and create evidence when harm occurs. If you’ve ever stepped into a rideshare and felt that uneasy twinge, this conversation gives you the context, tools, and resolve to protect yourself while we keep pressing for a safer system. We also challenge victim-blaming narratives, especially when rideshare companies market themselves as the “safe” alternative after drinking, and explore the heightened risks for teens, disabled riders, and passengers leaving medical procedures.Before you step into a rideshare this holiday season, you deserve to know what you are getting yourself into.

A voice possesses the power to either conceal - or reveal - the truth. After decades of silence and shame about what was truly unspeakable childhood abuse, Shana Halligan chose speak out. And what followed was a complete  transformation of her life that led to a music career of authentic self-expression and powerful presence.As the daughter of Dick Halligan, founder of the band Blood, Sweat & Tears, Shana experienced music on a level most only dream about. From concerts to all-night jam sessions with some of the most renowned talent of the time to being the singing voice for Barbie commercials in the 1970’s, Shana was immersed in music her entire life. And it was music that finally allowed her to reveal the dark secret she had harbored since early childhood – that she is a survivor of sexual abuse. Shana’s earliest memories are of being molested by a stranger in her own bed – an experience that occurred for at least three years. Today, as the founder of the band Bitter:Sweet with a burgeoning music career of her own making, Shana has not only released the shame of what was done to her but also taken center stage in designing the life of her dreams. In this episode, Shana shares what happened to her all those years ago and how she emerged from the shadow of abuse to become both her own savior and a beacon of hope for others. Listen to the end of the episode for a sneak peek at Shana’s latest release, “Other Side.”Shana’s story was revealed to the world in a Daily Mail article in 2025. You can read it at https://archive.is/20250523100119/https:/www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14740137/Mum-cold-told-Id-raped-aged-six-thought-Id-never-forgive-cruel-words-reveals-SHANA-HALLIGAN-deathbed-extraordinary-happened.htmlThe full music to the single “Other Side” can be found at https://app.box.com/s/bhfzhlq6c5lolmw71bsj7s5xugnwscnh More about Shana at https://www.shanahalligan.com/

In this episode of Genesis The Podcast, host Maria MacMullin delves into the topic of coercive control with expert Kate Amber. Ms. Amber, a survivor, who holds an MS in Psychology of Coercive Control from the University of Salford and is the founder of End Coercive Control USA (ECCUSA), shares her personal experiences with domestic abuse and explains her Quicksand Model of understanding coercive control. Kate Amber discusses how coercive control extends beyond physical violence in relationships to include patterns of manipulation and domination. The conversation covers the evolution of the term, systemic failures in recognizing coercive control, the impact on children, and how societal structures like patriarchy enable such behaviors. Amber also highlights how legislative and cultural shifts can aid in better addressing coercive control. The episode concludes with a discussion on the role of media in perpetuating or challenging coercive control and offers resources for further learning and support. Listeners can receive a discount on education modules related to coercive control offered through ECCUSA. Listen to the full episode for a discount code and where to find links to the trainings.

When Hispanic survivors of intimate partner violence seek help, they face a gauntlet of unique cultural barriers that can make safety seem impossible. From family members who prioritize appearances over protection to faith leaders who frame abuse as a spiritual test, the path to safety is fraught with roadblocks that extend far beyond language differences alone.Teresa Gallegos, Director of Outreach and Accessibility at the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, brings profound insights to these challenges. Drawing from her experience as a nationally credentialed advocate, immigrant, and sibling survivor, Teresa walks us through powerful scenarios that illustrate how these cultural dynamics play out in real life. She explains why simply translating existing materials into Spanish misses the mark and how her groundbreaking "Juntos le ayudamos" (Together We Will Help Them) campaign took a fundamentally different approach.Instead of targeting survivors directly, this innovative campaign focused on "comadres" and "compadres" – the trusted allies who serve as crucial lifelines when survivors finally decide to share their stories. Teresa reveals how her team crafted culturally-specific radio spots, billboards, WhatsApp messages, and even old-school tear-off flyers that resonated with Hispanic communities across Kansas. Most powerfully, she shares how seeing these Spanish-language resources gives survivors a profound sense of validation: "You matter enough for someone to do this."Whether you're a service provider looking to better reach Hispanic communities or someone who might one day be that trusted "comadre" for a survivor, this conversation offers concrete strategies and commitment statements that can make all the difference. Join us to learn how small actions – from exploring your local grocery store's community board to implementing language access policies – can create pathways to safety for Hispanic survivors in your community.

Black women are six times more likely to be murdered by intimate partners than white women. Let that sink in.Dr. Miltonette Craig pulls back the curtain on this hidden crisis in our powerful conversation about intimate partner violence and media representation. As an assistant professor at Sam Houston State University and research coordinator for the Crime Victims Institute, Dr. Craig brings both academic rigor and genuine compassion to this critical discussion.The statistics are staggering – approximately 43% of Black women report experiencing intimate partner violence compared to 30% of white women. But statistics only tell part of the story. Dr. Craig expertly unpacks the complex sociocultural factors creating this disparity: economic barriers that trap women in abusive relationships, the "loyalty trap" where Black women hesitate to report abuse for fear of contributing to mass incarceration, and deep-seated mistrust of law enforcement that discourages seeking help.Perhaps most troubling is how media coverage perpetuates these problems. Through her groundbreaking research, Dr. Craig reveals how news stories about Black female victims often lack context, resources, and the critical analysis needed to understand this epidemic. We discuss a particularly disturbing case where two Black women were murdered by their husbands during conjugal visits at the same prison facility within months of each other – yet media coverage remained superficial and disconnected from the larger pattern of violence.This episode isn't just about identifying problems – Dr. Craig offers concrete solutions for journalists, newsrooms, and media consumers. From including crisis resources in every domestic violence story to diversifying newsroom staff, these actionable steps could literally save lives.Whether you work in media, advocacy, or simply care about creating a more just society, this conversation will transform how you understand intimate partner violence and the power of representation. Listen now, and join us in demanding better for Black women and all survivors of domestic violence.