This week we talk with Jessica Smith Wilcott, sister of Officer Jillian Smith of the Arlington Police Department about how one fateful domestic violence disturbance call changed two families forever. In this episode, Jessica shares the story of what happened to Jillian that December night in 2010, who Jillian was beyond the badge, and how remembrance turned into action can transform law enforcement responses to domestic violence.

Our conversation moves from stark national statistics to the on-the-ground reality of officer safety and victim safety. Jessica details the shifts since Jillian’s death: two-officer responses to domestic calls, pairing women and men on scene, and departments across Dallas–Fort Worth weaving Jillian’s story into training and recruitment. We examine what still needs work—more officers on high-risk calls, trauma-informed de-escalation, reliable advocacy referrals, and dedicated pathways at police departments where victims can seek help without fear. Along the way, we talk about representation in law enforcement, why diverse recruiting builds trust, and how belief and patience can open the door to lifesaving disclosures.

Jessica also offers a deeply personal look at living with loss: the hard holidays, the role of faith and church community, and the small daily practices—photos, stories, saying her name—that keep Jillian present for the family. She reflects on the offender’s actions and the complex relief of being spared a grueling trial, and she describes an enduring connection with the girl Jillian saved that proves legacy can be a living promise. If you care about domestic violence prevention, officer safety, advocacy partnerships, and the human heart behind policy change, this conversation will stay with you.

In this episode we visit with Texas-born singer-songwriter and single mother of four Erin Duvall to unpack how she turned a season of survival into soulful songs, purposeful routines, and a foundation that champions single parents year-round.

In this lively conversation Erin traces her path from a childhood spent chasing any stage to a grown-up return to the studio with new clarity. She breaks down the collaborations that sharpened her sound—Dallas legends the Baker Brothers, Grammy-winning producer Keith Thomas, and Nashville writer-producer Brian White—and how those sessions shaped two creative eras: the relational healing of her album One by One and the hard-won selfhood in her new single Back to Me. Along the way, she shares how she protects her kids’ privacy while still letting them share the joy of performance when they choose.

The heart of our conversation lands at home. Erin explains why nothing is off limits at her kitchen table, how clear boundaries make kids feel safe, and why a strong village—grandparents, trusted neighbors, dependable carpools—turns chaos into momentum. She offers practical advice for single parents and busy creatives: start now, even small; guard your yes; trade FOMO for JOMO; and make time for rest nonnegotiable. We also spotlight the Twice the Love Foundation, Erin’s platform that raises awareness and resources for single parents through concerts, community events, and partnerships with on-the-ground organizations.

If you’ve wondered how to pursue a dream while raising a family as a single parent and still show up for others, this story delivers both inspiration and a blueprint. Listen for the mindset shifts, the daily systems, and a preview of the new release Back to Me that captures life after the storm.

What if the moment you finally said “enough” became the spark that built your legacy? We sit down with DeShandra (Monet) Cullins—a survivor, mother of five, entrepreneur, and author of You Good, Sis?—who turned lifelong trauma into a blueprint for healing, purpose, and generational change. From escaping intimate partner violence to walking into a shelter with her daughters, she shares the precise steps that moved her from survival mode to building a beauty brand that began in a women's shelter and grew into a platform for women's empowerment.

Dishandra opens up about complex PTSD and why it’s often misread as “just depression.” She breaks down how chronic trauma reshapes a nervous system, how EMDR helped her separate triggers from identity, and how simple daily structure—miracle mornings, hydration, journaling—became anchors that outlast motivation. We also spotlight the insidious tactics of financial abuse and the practical pivots that counter them: turning tax refunds into startup capital, learning credit repair and business credit, and using honest landlord letters to rebuild housing stability.

At the heart of the episode is ROOTS, her five-part framework—Reveal, Own, Open, Turn, Sustain—that integrates inner work with business strategy. You’ll hear how bold lipstick shades named for power and courage helped her reclaim her voice, why “Monet” was armor and “DeShandra” is integration, and how the You Good, Sis? book and journal teach check-ins that prevent burnout before it breaks us. If you care about survivor advocacy, faith-informed healing, entrepreneurship, or building legacy from hard beginnings, this story will change how you think about resilience.

Learn more about DeShandra and her work at www.deshandracullins.com or www.discoveringdeshandrasolutions.com and on Instagram at @discovering.deshandra