Yarns for the Soul
"Yarns" is a common way for New Zealanders to describe having a chat, a conversation. We might say 'I had a great yarn with Nicole the other day!'. For me, a yarn can go in many different directions, often including multiple tangents and side stories. It also involves having deeper discussions and diving into some vulnerability, before coming back up to a lighter level with some sarcasm or dark humour.
Yarns for the Soul was born out of a desire to champion more honest and vulnerable conversation (but also feel like you're sitting on a friend's couch with a cup of tea having a yarn with them- and that friend is me!).
I believe in the magic and power of story-telling, and everyone has stories that deserve to be shared with the world. We are all experts of our own lived experiences, and I hope by sharing these we can foster more curiosity and compassion for others and the world around us.
I yarn with my guests on a range of topics, often delving into subjects that are still considered socially taboo or not spoken about enough. In my mini-yarns, I also share parts of my own stories, and reflect on things that I'm learning while I continue to muddle my way forward and follow my nose!
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If you'd like to get in touch, or follow my journey, you can find me over in Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole. See you there!
Yarns for the Soul
Episode 42- Yarns on victims' rights and trauma in the law with Allison
On this episode I am joined by the incredible Allison Mahoney, a social justice, victim rights and civil rights litigator in America. In 2022, Allison started her own firm ALM Law, which specialises in representing children harmed in the child welfare system, survivors of domestic violence, and survivors of sexual assault and image-based sexual abuse at both state and federal levels.
Allison talks about what drew her to working in law, and her path to becoming a victims' rights advocate in particular. We also yarn about vicarious/ secondary trauma, having both worked in legal fields dealing with traumatic subject matter on a daily basis. Allison shares tools that help her to look after her mental wellbeing, as well as what motivates her to continue to show up to work every day.
We talk about how intergenerational trauma plays a part in the work Allison does, particularly the ongoing effects of abuse in the child welfare system. I also share some thoughts in the wake of the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry in New Zealand, and my experiences working with survivors of historic abuse in state care. We yarn about what trauma-informed justice might look like, and what is needed in this space moving forward.
To check out the amazing work that Allison does, you can find her website here. Head over to Instagram and follow her @almlawllc, or check her out on LinkedIn.
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If you want to get in touch, or just follow along as I muddle my way through life, you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there!
