Some of us are conditioned from a young age to excuse, overlook and bypass abuse - but we're not even aware that we are doing it.

This episode covers five ways we are taught to excuse abuse and how you can kick the habit. It explores how societal, religious and cultural norms, films, media, social media and families shape our ideas about relationships and love, and may normalise unhealthy and destructive behaviours.

Medusa's Mic is produced by author and advocate for healthy love, Lucretia Ackfield.

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If you've ever said, "But I love him" to excuse disrespect or worse, this episode of Medusa's Mic may provide some insights about how you reached that point.

Toxic rom-com storylines, destructive celebrity role models, outdated societal norms and dysfunctional family patterns can shape our ideas about love and our thinking about what relationships should look like. Unhealthy love behaviours become normalised and unconsciously mold our expectations.

This doesn't help us achieve the beautiful love relationships we all deserve and desire.

We are conditioned to view his behaviours through our lens of love (how we feel). But if we want healthy love connections, we need to stop saying, "But I love him" and instead ask, "Is he showing love towards me?"

Medusa's Mic is produced by author and advocate for healthy love, Lucretia Ackfield.

Follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Subscribe to the Medusa's Mic Newsletter on Linkedin for interview highlights.

Subscribe to Lucretia's Letters on Substack for more insights about women, love and power.

Five guests, 11 episodes and a world of knowledge. Over the past two months we have heard from experts in sexual and domestic violence prevention and response, and victim-survivors. We also explored the impacts of unconscious bias throughout the Depp vs Heard trial, and learned more about our host Lucretia Ackfield and her goals for this podcast.

Episode 12 marks the season one finale of Medusa’s Mic. The aim of this podcast is to empower people with the tools and information they need to be a part of the solution in putting a stop to domestic and sexual violence in our communities. Over this past season, each guest has provided knowledge that is both practical and insightful in the fight against these issues. Join Lucretia as she summarises each episode and shares the tips and advice she has learned along the way from her guests.

Would you like to become a patron and support this podcast? Visit Patreon to find out how. I would love your support!

Medusa's Mic is produced by the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration.

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Podcast music by: Dima Tyshko, Spring Stroll, Tune Tank.

In this week’s episode, host and founder Lucretia Ackfield reflects on the conversations and situations that motivated her to create the Medusa’s Mic podcast. Like many of us, Lucretia was fed up with the high levels of sexual violence in our communities. This frustration inspired her to take action at a grassroots level by seeking to change the attitudes and behaviours that enable and perpetuate sexual violence. Lucretia is a feminist and passionate advocate for women and encourages them to feel empowered to take back their voices and create positive change. The goal of Medusa’s Mic is to provide valuable tools and information to people affected by domestic, sexual and family violence across the globe.

Would you like to become a patron and support this podcast? Visit Patreon to find out how. I would love your support!

Medusa's Mic is produced by the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to the Medusa's Mic Newsletter on LinkedIn for interview highlights.

Podcast music by: Dima Tyshko, Spring Stroll, Tune Tank.

Join Lucretia, founder of the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration and host of the Medusa’s Mic podcast, as she reflects on the troubling societal issues brought to light during the recent Depp v Heard case in the United States.

Lucretia dives beneath the surface to discuss the unconscious biases within our society and how misogyny is being perpetuated by the masses when it comes to domestic and sexual violence. These biases and the patriarchal framework in our society fails to hold men as a gender accountable for their actions towards women, children and other men. Lucretia encourages us to self-reflect and sit with the uncomfortable realisation that until we acknowledge our bypassing of these issues, society cannot move forward towards equality.

Would you like to become a patron and support this podcast? Visit Patreon to find out how. I would love your support!

Medusa's Mic is produced by the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to the Medusa's Mic Newsletter on LinkedIn for interview highlights.

Podcast music by: Dima Tyshko, Spring Stroll, Tune Tank.

[2/2] In part two of Lucretia's conversation with Morgana Prior, she explains why it is important for corporations to establish policies which specify how to respond to victims of domestic violence. Morgana also discusses how businesses can support employees experiencing family and sexual violence and facilitate their safe return to the workplace.

Drawing on her real-life experience of working in Papua New Guinea, she provides examples of how support and counselling for victims can help them achieve their full professional potential and improve their quality of life. These policies show what real integration of business and community looks like and illustrate how corporate compassion and action can deliver positive outcomes for victim-survivors.

Connect with Morgana on Linked In.

Would you like to become a patron and support this podcast? Visit Patreon to find out how. I would love your support! Medusa's Mic is produced by the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to the Medusa's Mic Newsletter on LinkedIn for interview highlights.

Podcast music by: Dima Tyshko, Spring Stroll, Tune Tank.

[1/2] Join Lucretia as she chats to Morgana Prior, a senior leader in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) largest superannuation company, Nambawan Super. Morgana shares the unique and tailored approach her organisation and the PNG corporate sector use to respond to domestic and sexual violence.

She discusses the challenges of the cross-cultural environment, the impacts of local traditions and the potential for positive change. This episode provides an in-depth exploration into how corporations can take an active, sector-wide approach to support employees experiencing domestic and sexual violence.

Connect with Morgana on Linked In.

Would you like to become a patron and support this podcast? Visit Patreon to find out how. I would love your support! Medusa's Mic is produced by the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to the Medusa's Mic Newsletter on LinkedIn for interview highlights.

Podcast music by: Dima Tyshko, Spring Stroll, Tune Tank.

[2/2] In part two of Simone O’Brien’s story, she explains how she uses her experience and knowledge to help protect others from domestic violence and abuse. Simone also shares her insights about why she believes we should trust our gut instincts to identify red flags within a relationship and obey the warning signs.

Simone touches on how the Australian justice system fails to fully protect domestic violence victims and the steps that need to be taken to protect our citizens when it comes to justice in the courts.

This episode discusses the importance of society working together to fix these issues and how sharing our stories openly can help shift mindsets and behaviours.

For more information about Simone's work, visit https://www.simoneobrien.com.au/ or follow her on Instagram @simoneobrien

Would you like to become a patron and support this podcast? Visit Patreon to find out how. I would love your support! Medusa's Mic is produced by the Stop Sexual Violence Collaboration.

• Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to the Medusa's Mic Newsletter on LinkedIn for interview highlights.

Podcast music by: Dima Tyshko, Spring Stroll, Tune Tank.