Fear can crush hope for victims and survivors who are trying to leave an abusive relationship. Deciding to leave and following through are sometimes two of scariest decisions that can convince them to remain in the relationship longer than they should. And in turn, abusers often weaponize that fear to maintain control.

On this episode, Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project joins the conversation to talk about her appearance before the Texas Legislature advocating for new laws that better protects survivors. Heather also talks about her work with TAP and their available programs and FREE civil and legal services that help survivors safely exit a potentially deadly relationship.

New episodes on Thursdays. Find more info here.

On season five, Fxck Fear podcast host Catenya McHenry steps outside of the studio and records each episode on her Sunday nature walks with her family dog Brody. She opens up about what scares her most, from fear of a world where Trump is in charge to fear of dying before she can realize her dreams, fear of running out of money and so much more.

This new season also includes short YouTube interviews with strangers on the street where they answer the pressing question, 'what is your greatest fear?'

Watch the videos anytime and tune into new episodes on Thursdays.

"This politics of fear is played out over and over again, I'm so tired–of scaring people into voting, to building more prisons, in putting more police on the street, increasing sentences, even though we know, over and over again, the studies show, this isn't working," says Justin Brooks, criminal defense attorney and author.

Justin Brooks, professor of practice, founding Director of the former California Innocence Project and recent author of the book, "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" joins the podcast to talk about the politics of fear and the various ways fear is weaponize in politics to pass unprecedented and suppressive laws, control mass audiences, manipulate voters into making decisions and so much more.

Brooks now directs the LLM (Masters of Law) Program in Comparative Law in Spanish at the University of San Diego School of Law and his work with the Innocence Project has freed 40 innocent people from prison.

*Episodes on Thursdays*

Purchase a copy of "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" here