When Leaving Is the Only Option: A Survival Guide TRIGGER WARNING

Explicit content warning

03/19/25 • 80 min

Financial abuse remains one of the most powerful yet least understood tactics used by abusers to maintain control. In this raw, emotional conversation, two survivors share their hard-earned strategies for financially preparing to escape dangerous relationships.
The hosts reveal detailed methods that helped them break free—from getting cash back at checkout and removing that portion of receipts, to building reserves through reward programs, gift cards, and couponing. Their advice extends beyond merely saving money to creating comprehensive safety plans, including teaching children emergency protocols and maintaining "grab-and-go" safes with essential documents.
What makes this episode particularly powerful is the authentic vulnerability shared through personal stories. One host reveals the horrifying moment her ex-partner deliberately endangered her infant daughter's life by obstructing her tracheostomy, while another describes preparing end-of-life instructions for her teenage son when she discovered her ex was planning to kill her. These aren't theoretical scenarios but lived experiences that underscore why financial preparation can be life-saving.
The conversation also addresses the judgment survivors often face from those who've never experienced abuse, with a poignant story about confronting a mother who blamed her daughter for staying in an abusive relationship. The comparison between seeking specialized medical care for cancer versus appropriate support for domestic violence survivors resonates deeply.
Whether you're currently planning your exit, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand the complex dynamics of abuse, this episode offers practical wisdom, emotional support, and above all, the reassurance that you are not alone on this journey.

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Captain Jack, Socks, and Service Dogs: Life's Unexpected Heroes

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When Malcolm Goodwin reached out to thank Victoria for saving his friend's life, it reinforced exactly why the Contagious Smile podcast exists. "I'm not looking for praise or notoriety," Victoria shares with raw honesty. "When I went through this and was laying on the floor bleeding, not wanting to get up, I wished someone could say 'I've got you. You're not alone.'" That connection – knowing someone understands your darkest moments – can transform a tiny remaining spark into a wildfire of healing.
This episode unveils exciting new developments, including Victoria joining Cameo as talent (at just $10 per video) and the creation of the Stucco Squad community, named after Victoria's beloved service dog. The Squad will offer special merchandise including hospital-friendly bracelets for children and families navigating medical challenges. Michael and Victoria's natural, sometimes hilarious banter reveals why their authenticity resonates with millions of listeners worldwide, propelling their podcast into the top 2% globally.
The heart of their mission shines through stories of impact – how Victoria's memoir "Who Kicked First" took a decade to write due to fear but ultimately saved lives, and how her domestic violence advocacy creates practical safety plans for those in danger. Their work extends beyond trauma to celebrate relationships that heal, like Michael's special father-daughter bond with Faith, showcased through weekly movie nights and playful pranks that balance the heavier topics with genuine joy.
Whether you're a survivor seeking connection, a parent navigating challenges, or someone wanting to understand trauma's impact, the Contagious Smile podcast offers a rare blend of unflinching honesty and hopeful perspective. Join the Stucco Squad community on Facebook to participate in upcoming events, contests, and receive updates on their initiatives that turn pain into purpose and isolation into belonging.

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A Contagious Smile: Ken Kunkin's Journey of Resilience After Spinal Cord Injury

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https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Things-Never-Kunken-Story/dp/1946074411/ref=sr_1_1?crid=I0A7ECUBICVQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vAMrAnYnj9uBVExYnQAqxQ.TbIaGSb-nuHCxGomqQSS7iGt-mmIv_mqDBOLqKob1oM&dib_tag=se&keywords=ken+kunken+story&qid=1742781695&sprefix=ken+ku%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1

The moment Ken Kunkin made that fateful tackle during a Cornell University football game in 1970, his life's trajectory was forever altered. Left a quadriplegic with minimal movement in just his left arm, Ken faced a medical establishment that offered little hope—suggesting his future might consist of selling magazine subscriptions by telephone. But this podcast conversation reveals how profoundly they underestimated his determination.
Ken's journey unfolds like a masterclass in resilience. With unwavering family support who promised to serve as his "arms and legs," he became the first quadriplegic to graduate from Cornell University—navigating a campus without a single ramp or curb cut. Against all odds, he earned three Ivy League degrees, only to face another crushing reality: despite sending over 200 resumes, no one would hire him. The employment discrimination he encountered eventually gave way to opportunity when Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. recognized his potential, launching Ken into a remarkable 40-year career as an Assistant District Attorney.
What makes this conversation particularly captivating is how Ken’s personal and professional journeys intertwine. His love story with Anna, who began as his personal care attendant and eventually proposed to him, reminds us of life’s unexpected beautiful turns. Together, they defied medical improbabilities by becoming parents to triplet sons through in vitro fertilization, creating the family that continues to inspire Ken’s advocacy work.
Throughout our discussion, Ken articulates the transformative impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act while highlighting how much work remains in creating genuinely inclusive spaces. His passionate defense of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts comes from lived experience—from being unable to fit through courtroom doors as a newly minted prosecutor to having the Nassau County DA's office create an annual award in his name.
Listen to this remarkable story of a man who, when told something was impossible, simply reframed it as "I'm possible." Ken's memoir, "I Dreamt of Things That Never Were," and his continued advocacy remind us that limitations are often more about perception than reality. His message will leave you questioning what seemingly impossible dreams you might pursue with just a bit more determination.

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