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Root For Each Other: A Branches Podcast
Root For Each Other: A Branches Podcast is a collaborative project of Branches Domestic Violence Shelter that is designed to shed light on issues of domestic violence that continue to oppress victims daily--these conversations will educate and empower listeners to recognize the insidious footprint of domestic violence in our communities as well as best practices for effective advocacy. With 1 in 4 women facing domestic violence in their life time, and communities of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community facing higher rates and more risk for reporting DV, there has never been a more urgent call to create not only trauma-informed services, but space for all of us to be members of a trauma-responsive community. This podcast can be your first step.
Episodes
61 episodes
Read for Each Other: Discussing Nobody's Girl with Our Friends from CONTACT
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we were so excited to participate in Contact Crisis Center's SAAM Book Club reading Nobody's Girl, the posthumous memoir of Epstein survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre. In our newest episode of Root fo...
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The Business of Compassion: Trauma-Response in Business Communities
What does it look like when a business community leads with compassion?In our newest podcast episode, Megan Archer, President of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce and Anna Adkins, with the Huntington Area Convention & Visit...
From Research to Action: Exploring Trauma Responsiveness in Our Community
In this episode, we’re joined by students from Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications who spent the fall semester researching the state of trauma responsiveness in Huntington as part of our BTR (Building...
The Threat of Hunger and Domestic Violence
Food insecurity is a major barrier to safety in that a survivor has to be assured they can feed their children if they leave. In this episode, our advocates discuss how it is more expensive than ever to provide groceries and how that both affec...
Privacy & Power: The Role of Tech in Relationships
Recorded Live at Marshall University In Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness MonthIn this special episode, recorded live at Marshall University, Branches Domestic Violence Shelter joins forces with Marshall’s Titl...
Building Trauma Responsive (BTR) Communities
Episode Summary: In this episode, we’re sharing something close to our hearts — the upcoming BTR Communities Advocacy Summit, hosted by Branches Domestic Violence Shelter. This gathering is all about bringing peopl...
Choosing Between Marketing Power and Human Impact: on Elf Cosmetics and Domestic Violence Jokes
In this episode, Branches advocates Shannon and Sara unpack the growing TikTok conversation surrounding ELF Cosmetics’ latest ad campaign featuring a male comedian known for his history of domestic violence jokes. Together, they reflect on the ...
"Keeping the Faith" in DV Advocacy
In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Bender from the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence alongside long-time podcast presence, Sara O'Toole, advocate with Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, to ...
Why Does She Stay? : Advocates Discuss the Diddy Trial
Podcast Description/Show Notes: In this episode, advocates Sara and Shannon dive deep into the headlines surrounding the Diddy trial, unpacking what the public response reveals about our cultural understanding of domestic violence. A...
Humans Talking to Humans: What to Expect When You Call the Emergency Hotline
In this episode, we’re joined by Sara Blevins O'Toole, advocate, and Amber Ross Chapman, Director of Client Services at Branches, to demystify what happens when someone calls our 24/7 emergency hotline. We walk through the types of questions th...
Cultivating a Kinder Conversation: The Volunteer Experience at Branches
On the latest episode of Root for Each Other, Director of Development Sara Blevins O'Toole speaks with three of our volunteers about their reasons for giving to the cause and what their experience supporting survivors has given them. Join our B...
Traumatic Brain Injury & DV with Laurel Thornton
This month, we're welcoming Laurel Thornton, (MA, LPC, ALPS, EMDR CERTIFIED), back to the pod to discuss the implications of Traumatic Brain Injury in Domestic Violence Situations. Laurel joined us last year to talk about Neurodiversity and Tra...
Engaging Young Athletes
In our newest podcast episode, Amber and Sara recount their recent launch of a curriculum dedicated to engaging young athletes. We'll talk about dating violence prevention, why athletes, and digital abuse in modern relationships. If you are int...
Staying the Course with a Loved One Experiencing Domestic Violence
It can be incredibly difficult to love and support a family member or friend who is actively experiencing or fleeing domestic violence, and the abusive party's control often involves isolating a support network. On this episode, advocates Sara ...
LIVE from Pick Your Potion: Avoiding Toxicity & the Alchemy of Healthy Relationships
This episode of Root for Each Other was recorded LIVE from our Pick Your Potion: Avoiding Toxicity and the Alchemy of Healthy Relationships event from earlier this Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Listen to experts Dr. Wendy Perkins of MU's C...
Demon Copperhead: Exploring Domestic Violence & Substance Use Disorder in Appalachia
Our special guests, Ashley & Mandee, owners of Booktenders, a local bookstore in downtown Barboursville, join Branches advocates to discuss the incredible story that unfolds in Barbara Kingsolver's Pultizer Prize winning novel, Demon Co...
The Trauma of Domestic Violence & Neurodivergence
Join us as we interview our friend, Laurel Thornton (MA, LPC, NCC, EMDR-C, ALPS), owner of Whole Brain Solutions & The Whole Brain Institute to explore the intersection of domestic violence trauma and neurodivergence. Laurel brings powerful...
Celebrating Voices in Advocacy
Join us for this unique episode of Root for Each Other that amplifies the voices of some of the incredible women that have inspired, educated, and led us as we navigate the difficult work of advocacy.
WV: A State of Advocacy (LIVE from Advocate Retreat 2024)
Join us for this incredible benchmark in Root For Each Other history, our first ever live recording, from the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence Shelter's 2024 Advocate Retreat This special episode takes the opportunity to check...
NVR in WV: The Future of Domestic Violence Prevention in the Mountain State
Domestic Violence prevention can sometimes seem like a far-fetched concept, no matter how much we dream of a world without violence. How do we eradicate a crime that is often unacknowledged, generational, and perpetrated behind closed doors? Th...
Can Zumba Change a Life? with Brandy Haid
This month's episode of Root for Each Other checks in with our friend Brandy, from @dancefitnesswithsandb, who...
A Survivor's Impact with Celena Roby Henry
Legislative session is in full swing here in the Mountain State, and we are honored this month to bring you the story of Celena Roby Henry in celebration of her story of survival and the positive change she made for survivors in West Virginia. ...
Human Trafficking Advocacy Services with Katie Spriggs
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and, while we've talked about the evolution of this kind of victimization before, we had yet to delve into the specifics of how advocacy programs serve survivors of trafficking. Join us as...
"In Conjunction, Together:" The Continuum of Care with Brittany Ochoa
Domestic Violence services are not often thought of in the realm of "homeless service providers," but it's actually one of the most important things we do, given fleeing abuse is federally-recognized as a leading cause for people to experience ...