Belle Blake: From Abusive Marriage To Recovery

06/13/24 • 43 min

What makes for an abusive marriage? In this episode of the Modern Divorce podcast, host Billie Tarascio welcomes Belle Blake Phillips, a divorced mom, domestic violence survivor, and recent internet sensation who shares her shocking stories and the red flags of an abusive relationship. While she was taken by surprise by sudden online fame, she found her stories connecting with legions of domestic violence survivors.

Her internet fame began with a simple video about her engagement ring, highlighting the emotional manipulation she faced from her ex-husband. Belle emphasizes that abuse isn't always physical; it often starts with emotional, psychological, and financial control. She recounts the progression from verbal abuse to physical violence, culminating in a shocking incident where her ex-husband tasered her while she was pregnant. Her resilience shines through as she describes how she eventually escaped the abusive environment, secured an order of protection, and rebuilt her life.

A significant part of the discussion focuses on Belle's advocacy for the Address Confidentiality Program, also known as Safe at Home, which helps protect domestic abuse survivors by providing them with a decoy address to keep their real location confidential. The program has been instrumental in her own safety and she strongly encourages other survivors to consider it.
For more information, find Belle Blake on TikTok and on Instagram.

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Top Prosecutor Candidate talks about Maricopa County's Criminal Justice System

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In this episode of the Modern Divorce podcast, host Billie Tarascio sits down with Gina Godbehere, candidate for Maricopa County Prosecutor, to discuss local crime and the justice system. The conversation begins with a focus on the Gilbert Goons, a group recently classified as a gang, and the complications of prosecuting their crimes without sufficient evidence to prove gang-related motivations.

Gina elaborates on the difficulties in tying crimes to gang activities, noting that traditional gang identifiers, such as markings and territorial threats, are missing in this case. Despite the group’s gang-like intimidation tactics, there was insufficient evidence to charge them under gang-related statutes. This nuanced explanation sheds light on the frustrations felt by the community regarding the prosecution of these crimes.

The discussion then shifts to recent plea deals offered to members of the Gilbert Goons, including notable cases involving Christopher Fantastik, DeLeon Haynes, Jacob Pennington, and Garrett Bagshaw. Gina explains the implications of these deals, particularly how some offenders might only end up with misdemeanors, raising concerns about the potential for future criminal activity without a lasting felony record.

A significant portion of the podcast is devoted to Gina’s critique of Rachel Mitchell, the current county attorney', and her more lenient approach to diversion programs and plea deals. Gina emphasizes the need for a balanced justice system that ensures accountability and protects victims' rights. Gina also touches on supervised probation and the challenges in effectively monitoring offenders to prevent recidivism.

The episode wraps up with Gina’s reflections on her campaign and her commitment to restoring balance in the justice system, advocating for both victim support and fair prosecution. For more information about Gina, go to Gina for Justice, to learn more.

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Parental Alienation Fallout When Children Are Grown

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Is parental alienation real? Definitely, says Madison Wellborne, who discusses how her mother manipulated her into rejecting her father through false accusations and lies, leading to long-lasting emotional and psychological effects. In this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio and Madison explore the effects of parental alienation on children, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and self-destructive behaviors.

Madison describes the emotional turmoil and the impact on her relationship with her father, whom she once considered her best friend. She explains how she mourned her father's absence as if he had died and the significant challenges she faced as the only child among her siblings who was alienated. Madison also delves into the psychological effects of parental alienation, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, and shares her journey toward healing and reclaiming her life after discovering the truth.

Rebuilding Relationships: Madison emphasizes the importance of rebuilding relationships with alienated parents and speaks about the formation of the Anti Alienation Project. She highlights the need for adult children of parental alienation to speak out and support each other. The episode also provides practical advice for parents to avoid alienating behaviors and foster healthy relationships with both parents.

Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Madison by email at [email protected], and the Anti Alienation Project for support and resources.