Trauma sucks. Recovery shouldn’t.
Domestic violence recovery. Applied women’s research. Community transformation.
Explore my full body of research, along with reading recommendations for additional learning.
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Don’t tell my friends I’m speaking at Medium Day 2026: Community and the stories we almost didn’t tell
Don’t tell my friends I’m speaking at Medium Day 2026: Community and the stories we almost didn’t tell
Aug 29, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 8:42 PM
The wrongs that make me write: Subtitle included for search optimization, I guess
The wrongs that make me write: Subtitle included for search optimization, I guess
Jun 21, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 8:36 PM
Trauma bangs: A little off the end
Trauma bangs: A little off the end
May 10, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 9:52 PM
The time after the worst of times: Recovering hope and meaning after trauma
The time after the worst of times: Recovering hope and meaning after trauma
May 3, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 9:50 PM
Pouring over: What keeps you warm?
Pouring over: What keeps you warm?
Apr 16, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 9:51 PM
Community care and the wind in our sails: Gift of the Black Pearl
Community care and the wind in our sails: Gift of the Black Pearl
Mar 20, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 9:51 PM
The slow practice of recovery: I hope, you hope
The slow practice of recovery: I hope, you hope
Mar 19, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 9:52 PM
Tainted love: Domestic abuse, imperial violence, and patterns of control
Tainted love: Domestic abuse, imperial violence, and patterns of control
Feb 2, 2026
Sep 12, 2026 9:53 PM
Grimace, you’re on candid camera: Fight unconstitutional surveillance in your town [free template!] ![Grimace, you’re on candid camera: Fight unconstitutional surveillance in your town [free template!]](https://images.spr.so/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/j42No7y-dcokJuNgXeA0ig/0855d8ed-34fd-42ea-a338-b9c1a7866da5/6ff2194d-e304-469b-a118-5597b87c5596_1593x1187/w=1920,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
Grimace, you’re on candid camera: Fight unconstitutional surveillance in your town [free template!]
Jan 20, 2026
Sep 13, 2026 10:23 PM
Political burnout and creative motivation: It’s not you, it’s everything
Political burnout and creative motivation: It’s not you, it’s everything
Jan 7, 2026
Sep 13, 2026 10:38 PM
Reporting party: Evidence in the hand
Reporting party: Evidence in the hand
Nov 22, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:54 PM
The Mediocre Black Woman podcast: For the ones who grew up too soon
The Mediocre Black Woman podcast: For the ones who grew up too soon
Oct 22, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:54 PM
Happens to the best of us: All it takes
Happens to the best of us: All it takes
Oct 19, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:54 PM
Reads for the exhausted activist: Oct. 2025 book club
Reads for the exhausted activist: Oct. 2025 book club
Oct 10, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:55 PM
Read it & weed book club: Get literature
Read it & weed book club: Get literature
Sep 8, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 10:41 PM
In five years time: The luxury of looking ahead
In five years time: The luxury of looking ahead
Aug 30, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:56 PM
Introducing: The Hide & Speak podcast
Introducing: The Hide & Speak podcast
Aug 21, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:59 PM
Recovery that doesn’t suck: Reading guide
Recovery that doesn’t suck: Reading guide
Aug 5, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:56 PM
St. Louis tornadoes show need for grassroots disaster response: Show me mutual aid
St. Louis tornadoes show need for grassroots disaster response: Show me mutual aid
Jul 22, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 10:45 PM
Google AI may be orangewashing Trump’s legacy: How algorithmic bias shapes collective memory and understanding
Google AI may be orangewashing Trump’s legacy: How algorithmic bias shapes collective memory and understanding
Jul 11, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:56 PM
Falling apart (but make it art): Trauma recovery by design
Falling apart (but make it art): Trauma recovery by design
Jul 1, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:57 PM
Nobody wants to talk about your abuse: Surviving without the heroic ending
Nobody wants to talk about your abuse: Surviving without the heroic ending
Jun 28, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:57 PM
Take a break (or else): Hyperproductivity won’t get us to the finish line
Take a break (or else): Hyperproductivity won’t get us to the finish line
Jun 23, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:57 PM
Abusive systems built by abusive men aren’t made to hold them: Bozo in the Ozarks
Abusive systems built by abusive men aren’t made to hold them: Bozo in the Ozarks
Jun 8, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 9:59 PM
Surviving with pride: 80% off lifetime subscription!
Surviving with pride: 80% off lifetime subscription!
Jun 1, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:55 PM
Misinformation loves company: A favorite trauma response turned act of resistance
Misinformation loves company: A favorite trauma response turned act of resistance
May 28, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 10:33 PM
Don’t keep trauma bottled up: Stickers as unexpected tools of the resistance
Don’t keep trauma bottled up: Stickers as unexpected tools of the resistance
May 5, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 10:17 PM
The Orange Rock method?: Laughing at dictators is bad for his health
The Orange Rock method?: Laughing at dictators is bad for his health
Apr 18, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:59 PM
Societal response to sexually ‘naive’ victims: #WhyIDidntReport
Societal response to sexually ‘naive’ victims: #WhyIDidntReport
Apr 10, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:01 PM
Project management for laundry?: Lighten your load with this simple subtask method
Project management for laundry?: Lighten your load with this simple subtask method
Apr 3, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 9:59 PM
Survivorship discount: Because if anyone deserves a discount, it’s you
Survivorship discount: Because if anyone deserves a discount, it’s you
Mar 28, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:01 PM
Jay and silencing Bob: Freedom of expression and political Dogma
Jay and silencing Bob: Freedom of expression and political Dogma
Mar 27, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:01 PM
But… How are you, really?: Dropping the act so we can scream together a little bit
But… How are you, really?: Dropping the act so we can scream together a little bit
Mar 16, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 10:04 PM
Moral noncompliance: Let history remember us as a problem for the bigots
Moral noncompliance: Let history remember us as a problem for the bigots
Mar 5, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:04 PM
Procrastinating productively: Hyperfocus as a distraction from coping
Procrastinating productively: Hyperfocus as a distraction from coping
Feb 22, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:04 PM
Accessible activism: Low bandwidth edition
Accessible activism: Low bandwidth edition
Feb 14, 2025
Sep 13, 2026 10:00 PM
Brux laid plans: Healthy living is a grind
Brux laid plans: Healthy living is a grind
Jan 23, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:04 PM
It’s always something: Respite for the chronically unlucky
It’s always something: Respite for the chronically unlucky
Jan 20, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:05 PM
The hazy intersection of vulnerability and visibility in writing: The uncomfortable necessity of promoting my trauma
The hazy intersection of vulnerability and visibility in writing: The uncomfortable necessity of promoting my trauma
Jan 12, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:05 PM
Don’t look at me: Traumatized, over-productive, and exhausted
Don’t look at me: Traumatized, over-productive, and exhausted
Jan 1, 2025
Sep 12, 2026 10:05 PM
National park lost and found: More like Gawn Wall
National park lost and found: More like Gawn Wall
Dec 23, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:05 PM
The most wonderful time to steer clear: Can stop, should stop 
The most wonderful time to steer clear: Can stop, should stop
Dec 22, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:06 PM
A hard and a rock face: Trauma responses, survival instincts, and healing through grit
A hard and a rock face: Trauma responses, survival instincts, and healing through grit
Dec 21, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:58 PM
Gaming the tooth fairy: Drama on the 2nd grade soccer field
Gaming the tooth fairy: Drama on the 2nd grade soccer field
Dec 15, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:06 PM
If survivors were honest on social media: What ever happened to her?
If survivors were honest on social media: What ever happened to her?
Dec 14, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:07 PM
The last day with my best friend: Nothing but a puppy
The last day with my best friend: Nothing but a puppy
Dec 8, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:07 PM
Dearly departed: Baggage at the terminal
Dearly departed: Baggage at the terminal
Nov 25, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:07 PM
Sorry for browning out at your baby shower, my dog is dying: Planning my good girl’s good death
Sorry for browning out at your baby shower, my dog is dying: Planning my good girl’s good death
Nov 18, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:07 PM
Writer’s block and preparation as a coping mechanism: “Getting ready” feels safer than “getting started”
Writer’s block and preparation as a coping mechanism: “Getting ready” feels safer than “getting started”
Nov 11, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:08 PM
Staying soft in a harsh world (out of spite): Community Police Officer Smiley
Staying soft in a harsh world (out of spite): Community Police Officer Smiley
Sep 18, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:46 PM
It took years to understand that being a victim wasn’t my fault: No one deserves to have their will taken from them
It took years to understand that being a victim wasn’t my fault: No one deserves to have their will taken from them
Aug 25, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:28 PM
The luxury of preventive healthcare: Insurance came through for once, and naturally I’m suspicious
The luxury of preventive healthcare: Insurance came through for once, and naturally I’m suspicious
Aug 17, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:09 PM
Caregiver burnout and mistaking maturity for life experience: Early babysitting mishaps make child-free life sound like a welcome break
Caregiver burnout and mistaking maturity for life experience: Early babysitting mishaps make child-free life sound like a welcome break
Aug 17, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:08 PM
When you were young: Where can your inner child roam free?
When you were young: Where can your inner child roam free?
Jul 28, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:09 PM
Closet space: Trauma, denning, and managing the urge to hide
Closet space: Trauma, denning, and managing the urge to hide
Jul 22, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:10 PM
Dearest extroverts and mentally well buds: You can keep your peak hours
Dearest extroverts and mentally well buds: You can keep your peak hours
Jul 15, 2024
Sep 14, 2026 4:47 AM
The final straws: Excerpts on hope, helpers, and finding freedom
The final straws: Excerpts on hope, helpers, and finding freedom
Jul 7, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:10 PM
What 100 articles on Medium taught me about writing: Getting it wrong so you can get it right(er)
What 100 articles on Medium taught me about writing: Getting it wrong so you can get it right(er)
Jul 7, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:54 PM
You just got a “raise” and you’re furious: How to lose a dedicated employee
You just got a “raise” and you’re furious: How to lose a dedicated employee
Jul 6, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:58 PM
Good victim: (She seems fine to me)
Good victim: (She seems fine to me)
Jul 6, 2024
Sep 16, 2026 4:45 AM
Medium Boost? More like XXL confidence boost: Writing, climbing, and reaching new heights
Medium Boost? More like XXL confidence boost: Writing, climbing, and reaching new heights
Jun 24, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:32 PM
The most sincere promise he ever made: Confiding my (first) assault in the wrong man kept me silent for years
The most sincere promise he ever made: Confiding my (first) assault in the wrong man kept me silent for years
Jun 24, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:51 PM
Chalk therapy: Overcoming trauma symptoms through climbing
Chalk therapy: Overcoming trauma symptoms through climbing
Jun 18, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:09 PM
Taste buds: Love languages and kitchen floors
Taste buds: Love languages and kitchen floors
Jun 16, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:48 PM
Loveable lump: Indescribable care, unmentionable loss
Loveable lump: Indescribable care, unmentionable loss
Jun 13, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:12 PM
Somnambulance Chasers: Leaving all the rest
Somnambulance Chasers: Leaving all the rest
Jun 12, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:45 PM
Takeaways from 2 years of Duolingo Spanish: Trauma survivors can stick with healthy habits!
Takeaways from 2 years of Duolingo Spanish: Trauma survivors can stick with healthy habits!
Jun 10, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:47 PM
4 helpful firearms safety reminders for my abusive ex: (To no one’s surprise, he was a cop)
4 helpful firearms safety reminders for my abusive ex: (To no one’s surprise, he was a cop)
Jun 7, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:50 PM
7 reasons my narcissist accused me of cheating: An exhausting, but non-exhaustive, list
7 reasons my narcissist accused me of cheating: An exhausting, but non-exhaustive, list
Jun 2, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:56 PM
Potential energy: Objects at restless
Potential energy: Objects at restless
May 28, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:13 PM
Ain’t no lie: I am bi, bi, bi (even when I’m with a guy)
Ain’t no lie: I am bi, bi, bi (even when I’m with a guy)
May 17, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:00 PM
Wander, lust: Imagine trailing off…
Wander, lust: Imagine trailing off…
May 6, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 1:42 AM
Stuck on the puzzle: In search of the full picture
Stuck on the puzzle: In search of the full picture
May 5, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:46 PM
"Life savings” has never been more literal: The arduous journey from financial abuse to financial feminism
"Life savings” has never been more literal: The arduous journey from financial abuse to financial feminism
May 1, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:50 PM
Why did she stay?: A brief and brutal history
Why did she stay?: A brief and brutal history
Apr 30, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:55 PM
A survivor’s year of talking smacks on the internet: 🎂 A little treat to celebrate 🎂
A survivor’s year of talking smacks on the internet: 🎂 A little treat to celebrate 🎂
Apr 27, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:15 PM
Overturned convictions, broken systems, and an abuser’s response to #MeToo: Ain’t no arrest for the wicked
Overturned convictions, broken systems, and an abuser’s response to #MeToo: Ain’t no arrest for the wicked
Apr 26, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:38 PM
Honeymoon phase: Facades of bliss and the cycle of violence
Honeymoon phase: Facades of bliss and the cycle of violence
Apr 21, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:15 PM
Would he recognize his own violence: Domestic abuse and the frighteningly real dangers of speaking up
Would he recognize his own violence: Domestic abuse and the frighteningly real dangers of speaking up
Apr 15, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:56 PM
Know thy shelf, heal thy shelf: Violence, hyper-independence, and delusions of home improvement grandeur
Know thy shelf, heal thy shelf: Violence, hyper-independence, and delusions of home improvement grandeur
Apr 12, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:30 PM
Rare glimpse into a survivor’s diary shortly after escape: Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020
Rare glimpse into a survivor’s diary shortly after escape: Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020
Apr 5, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:40 PM
Are you afraid of the podcast: Overcoming social anxiety to build community
Are you afraid of the podcast: Overcoming social anxiety to build community
Apr 1, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:02 PM
Cocked guns & cocktails: The Easter egg hunt no one wanted
Cocked guns & cocktails: The Easter egg hunt no one wanted
Mar 31, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:11 PM
3 more inspiring reads for the CPTSD mind: Trauma recovery book club (part II)
3 more inspiring reads for the CPTSD mind: Trauma recovery book club (part II)
Mar 19, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:49 PM
The beast in me: Embracing animal instincts to combat stress
The beast in me: Embracing animal instincts to combat stress
Mar 15, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:49 PM
4 thoughtful reads for the CPTSD mind: Trauma recovery book club
4 thoughtful reads for the CPTSD mind: Trauma recovery book club
Mar 15, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:53 PM
Breaking free of the booby trap: Bras are obsolete and they can stay gone
Breaking free of the booby trap: Bras are obsolete and they can stay gone
Mar 12, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:03 PM
More tales of gender discrimination from a former cop: Profiled by the fashion police
More tales of gender discrimination from a former cop: Profiled by the fashion police
Mar 10, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:34 PM
Medium Boost and Vocal Top Story in the same day?: What on Earth is Happening?
Medium Boost and Vocal Top Story in the same day?: What on Earth is Happening?
Mar 6, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:32 PM
4 ways my CPTSD brain is annoying as hell today: Trauma can manifest in distressing somatic symptoms such as heart palpitations, chronic soreness, and headaches
4 ways my CPTSD brain is annoying as hell today: Trauma can manifest in distressing somatic symptoms such as heart palpitations, chronic soreness, and headaches
Mar 5, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:54 PM
Denial of the fittest: Intimate partner violence, survival mechanisms, and quiet reinforcements
Denial of the fittest: Intimate partner violence, survival mechanisms, and quiet reinforcements
Mar 2, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:14 PM
Sorry “sorry”: Careless apologies by careless lovers
Sorry “sorry”: Careless apologies by careless lovers
Feb 27, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:45 PM
My worst financial mistake? Being an abuse victim: Rebuilding after escaping money manipulation
My worst financial mistake? Being an abuse victim: Rebuilding after escaping money manipulation
Feb 18, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:36 PM
Just a traumatized “Black Cat” flinching from my partner’s “golden retriever” energy
Just a traumatized “Black Cat” flinching from my partner’s “golden retriever” energy
Feb 14, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:29 PM
Don’t sweat the small fluff: Celebrating little dogs and big wins
Don’t sweat the small fluff: Celebrating little dogs and big wins
Feb 7, 2024
Sep 12, 2026 10:22 PM
Dissecting a CPTSD nightmare: Why is my subconscious yelling at me this time?
Dissecting a CPTSD nightmare: Why is my subconscious yelling at me this time?
Feb 6, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 10:15 PM
8 fear conditioning tactics that taught me not to trust love: “Follow your heart” is dangerous advice for survivors
8 fear conditioning tactics that taught me not to trust love: “Follow your heart” is dangerous advice for survivors
Jan 18, 2024
Sep 13, 2026 9:57 PM