Domestic Violence Exit Strategy | Safety First, Judgment Later

Domestic Violence Exit Strategy | Safety First, Judgment Later

Author: Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Advocate, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, Special Needs Social Groups April 20, 2026 Duration: 43:20
Send us Fan Mail Surviving abuse feels impossible, but leaving without a plan can be even more dangerous. In this episode, our hosts dig into the real barriers that keep people trapped: isolation, financial control, custody fears, trauma bonds, and the escalating danger of exit attempts. If you've ever wondered, "Why don't they just leave?" we're here to tell the truth. “Why don’t you just leave?” gets thrown at survivors like it’s a simple fix, so we slow it down and tell the truth. We’re St...

Hosted by Victora Cuore, a domestic violence survivor, advocate, and motivational coach, A Contagious Smile Podcast moves beyond simple survival stories. It’s a space dedicated to the complex, ongoing work of rebuilding a life after trauma, whether that stems from abuse or the unique pressures of advocating for a loved one with special needs. The conversations here are intentionally raw and authentic, featuring fellow survivors and experts, because healing often sounds less like a textbook and more like a real, sometimes messy, dialogue. You’ll hear people share not just their past pain, but the practical life skills and hard-won perspectives that helped them reclaim their power. This podcast understands that the path from trauma to thriving isn't a straight line, especially for families navigating disability systems or the lingering effects of narcissistic or childhood abuse. By focusing on tangible recovery and resilience, the show acts as an audio companion for those ready to transform their deepest challenges into a foundation for strength. Tune in for honest discussions that blend advocacy, personal growth, and the collective wisdom of a community that refuses to be defined by its struggles.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

A Contagious Smile Podcast
Podcast Episodes
A Medium Names The Missing Hand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:44
Send us Fan Mail She said one word that changed the whole room: hands. Danielle Worthing Columber had never met Victoria before, didn’t know her history, and was doing a true cold read when that detail landed and the cam…
What A Roast Reveals About How We See Ourselves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
Send us Fan Mail You’re getting a front-row seat to a special kind of family chaos: we hand the mic to the crew, announce a roast of Michael, and let the night spiral in the funniest way possible. What starts as trip tal…
Schizophrenia And The Long Road Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:37
Send us Fan Mail A schizophrenia diagnosis can feel like your future just collapsed into one terrifying question: what happens now? We talk with Matthew Dixon, founder of MindAid and the first person living with schizoph…
Five Hard Truths About Caregiving Rights And Advocacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:16
Send us Fan Mail “HIPAA” gets blamed for everything, families get shut out, and a loved one in crisis gets reduced to a label and a sedative. We’re not doing that. Michael Makniak and Victoria Cure unpack the real-world…
Breaking The Silence On Abuse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
Send us Fan Mail A lot of people say they want survivors to “speak up” until the story gets messy, angry, and specific. We go there. We talk about domestic violence and coercive control the way it actually shows up: not…
Trauma Recovery Through Laughter and Honest Marriage Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
Send us Fan Mail Caregiver resilience stories come alive when you laugh through the hard moments. Your body can outpace your mind, and when sciatic nerve pain hits while life demands everything, standing tall means hones…
Surviving Financial Crisis | The Resilience Story You Need to Hear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:31
Send us Fan Mail When Anil Gupta's wife heard "we're homeless," she smiled. That single reaction becomes the foundation for trauma recovery, not from abuse, but from the identity collapse of financial ruin. In the 2008 c…
A Private Message From Grandparents And A Skeptic’s Reaction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
Send us Fan Mail One conversation can shake your certainty, even if you’re the type of person who normally needs proof. We sit down and tell the story of meeting Danielle, a therapist who is also a medium, and why what s…