Official feed for the sermons from Cities Church in St. Paul, MN. We are a church focused on three core values: Worshiping Jesus; Loving one another; Seeking the good of the Twin Cities. Sermons come from Pastors Jonathan Parnell, David Mathis, Mike Schumann, and the entire elder team at Cities Church. Learn more at citieschurch.com.
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Mary Mathis Podcasts
A podcast on the truth about the creation of U.S. National Parks, retold by Indigenous voices. Parks is about the Indigenous people who lived, hunted, and created communities on U.S. public lands, living reciprocally with nature for centuries before settler-colonists arrived. It’s about the racism, violence, and lies perpetrated by colonizers and the federal government as they dispossessed land from Native people not long ago. On this podcast, you'll hear Indigenous perspectives on what’s ha ...
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According to the CDC and WHO, 1 in 3 American men will experience physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence—most often at the hands of an intimate partner. Domestic violence isn’t always visible. Beyond physical and sexual abuse, it often includes emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, financial abuse, coercive control, and legal abuse—tactics designed to isolate, intimida ...
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100-Surviving A Covert Narcissist with Mia Hanks
54:41
54:41
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54:41The most dangerous abusers aren’t always loud. Sometimes they appear kind, generous, and adored—until the door closes. In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Mia Hanks, author and survivor of covert narcissistic abuse, to unpack life with a narcissist: from the dizzying highs of love bombing to the slow drain of gaslighting, blame-shifting, and ide…
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In this sermon on John 12:35-50, Pastor Jonathan Parnell concludes part one of the Gospel of John by expounding upon the three themes John gives us so far, and the difference they each make in our lives today.By Jonathan Parnell
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99 – Justice Is Finding Peace: Childhood Sexual Abuse, Healing & Truth with Kath Essing
50:04
50:04
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50:04What if justice isn’t a courtroom verdict, but the peace that comes from telling the truth? On this episode of the 1 in 3 Podcast, Ingrid sits down with Kath Essing, author of The Courage to Speak Your Truth: Shifting the Narrative on Childhood Sexual Abuse, for a powerful conversation about healing when the legal system cannot deliver a conviction…
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In this sermon, Pastor Marshall Segal expounds upon John 12:20-36. Jesus says that the hour has come for the Son to be glorified. John has been telling us that this moment was coming and now Jesus says it’s here. But what hour is this? Jesus unpacks this for us in four ways.By Marshall Segal
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98 – Shear Haven’s Domestic Violence Training with Susanne Shepherd Post
57:11
57:11
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57:11What if the person most likely to spot early signs of domestic violence isn’t a police officer, clinician, or counselor—but your hairstylist? In this episode of the 1in3 Podcast, Ingrid sits down with salon owner and advocate Susanne Shepherd Post to reveal how Shear Haven is transforming everyday salon appointments into potentially life-saving int…
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In this sermon, Pastor David Mathis expounds upon John 12:12-19 in which we see three mentions of Jesus’s coming (Advent). The way that Jesus comes surprises the people. It’s as if Jesus found the perfect way to say, “I am the long-expected King, but not the King you expect.”By David Mathis
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97-How Shame Fuels Narcissistic Abuse—and How to Break Free with Emma Lyons
41:00
41:00
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41:00Shame often masquerades as a moral compass—but for many survivors of narcissistic abuse, it becomes the cage that keeps them stuck. In this 1 in 3 episode, Emma breaks down how shame fuels narcissistic abuse, why it fuses with identity, and how it traps survivors in the same relationship patterns even after they leave. She explains the key differen…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 12:1-8 in which we learn to be more like Mary in our devotion to Jesus the King. What is Jesus calling you to do that would simply reflect his worth?By Jonathan Parnell
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96-How An A.I. Companion Helps Survivors Navigate Abuse, Document Evidence, And Prepare For Court with Anne Wintemute
57:07
57:07
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57:07What if the smartest “person” in the room during your most stressful moments isn’t a person at all—yet it remembers your story, protects your privacy, and helps you plan your next safe move? In this episode of the 1in3 Podcast, Ingrid sits down with Anne, creator of Aimee, a survivor-first A.I. tool designed specifically for domestic abuse and coer…
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In this sermon, Pastor David Mathis expounds upon John 11:45-57. In this passage, Jesus continues to rise and it is turning the city and its leaders upside down. Emerging here are two different visions for the coming death of Jesus – one meant for evil and one meant for good – that teach us how not to be and show us marvels of our God and his Son.…
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95-EMDR Explained: A Trauma Therapist’s Guide to Safe, Effective Healing with Laurel Roberts-Meese
44:32
44:32
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44:32Your brain can remember the past without reliving it—that’s the power of EMDR therapy. In this episode of the 1 in 3 Podcast, Ingrid sits down with licensed therapist Laurel to break down what EMDR is, how it works, and why it’s become one of the most effective trauma therapies for survivors of domestic violence, PTSD, and complex trauma. We explor…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 11:25-44 in which the emotional life of our Lord is on full display as John uncovers the heart of Jesus for us. Jesus displays anger against our enemy, sadness in our grief, and zeal for our salvation. Now what difference does this make in our lives?…
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94-Trauma-Informed Reporting Tech: REES on Safety, Choice & Data-Driven Prevention with Mary Lobson
1:06:43
1:06:43
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1:06:43How Trauma-Informed Tech Is Transforming Abuse & Harassment Reporting | Mary Lobson, REES Founder What if reporting sexual violence, domestic abuse, harassment, or discrimination felt safe, clear, confidential, and survivor-centered? In this episode of 1 in 3, Ingrid sits down with Mary Lobson, founder of REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors),…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 11:5-27. Lazarus has died and Jesus visits the family. In response to Martha’s pain, Jesus shares some of the most amazing words he ever spoke – but there’s a gap between the reality of Jesus’s words here and our experience of life. So how can we close that gap?…
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93-From Silence to Strength: Grooming, Justice, and Prevention with Morgan Scafe
1:06:59
1:06:59
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1:06:59Some stories don’t just deserve to be heard—they demand change. In this powerful episode of 1 in 3 Podcast, Morgan Scafe joins host Ingrid Dutton to share her harrowing story of child sexual abuse that began at age eight and continued until fifteen. She reveals how a courtroom turned her truth into a test—forcing her to relive trauma while sitting …
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In this sermon, Pastor Mike Schumann expounds upon John 11:1-7 where Jesus hears about the illness of Lazarus. Jesus’ response to this news gives us three truths about the heart and character of Jesus.By Mike Schumann
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92-A Father’s Story of Domestic Violence and Hope with Dean Taylor
1:03:36
1:03:36
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1:03:36In this episode of 1 in 3 Dean shares the true story of helping his daughter escape domestic violence during a winter storm. A father’s gut feeling, a knock that wouldn’t stop, and a rescue that changed two lives. Dean walks us through the night he drove to a remote cabin and helped his daughter leave an abusive relationship—and the lessons every p…
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In this sermon, Pastor Marshall Segal expounds upon John 10:22-42. Why would anybody hate and reject Jesus? Why would anybody love Jesus?By Marshall Segal
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91-Protecting Kids After Domestic Violence: Dr. Royster on Post-Separation Abuse
46:19
46:19
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46:19In this episode of 1 in 3, child psychologist Dr. Royster joins Ingrid to unpack how to protect children’s mental health in high-conflict co-parenting and post-separation abuse situations. A calm home, a steady voice, and the right words at the right time can change a child’s life—even when a co-parent thrives on chaos. Dr. Royster breaks down the …
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In this sermon, our global partner from Cameroon, Dieudonné Tamfu, expounds upon Mark 3:7-35. The mission of the Son of God is to create a new family defined by a people who do God’s will. We are not united by what we look like, but rather our relationship with Jesus.By Dieudonné Tamfu
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90-Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca, Named and Remembered
45:46
45:46
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45:46A woman is “found dead.” The headline ends there, but the story doesn’t—and neither does our responsibility. Ingrid sits with Vanessa and Yaneth to honor Lizzbeth by name, define femicide without euphemism, and follow the thread from a family’s search to a community’s demand for change. What emerges is both deeply personal and relentlessly systemic…
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In this sermon, Pastor David Mathis expounds upon John 10:1-21. Jesus offers us the “abundant life” and it’s for his greatness. But how can we know and experience this abundant life? In this passage, Jesus offers at least five aspects of this abundant life.By David Mathis
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89-Teresa’s Light, Devyn’s Voice with Devyn O'Neill
1:03:54
1:03:54
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1:03:54In this episode of 1 in 3, Devyn joins Ingrid to share her powerful domestic violence survivor story—one that began with a late-night knock, a 911 call, and the moment her stepfather returned and pulled a trigger. The small town that knew Teresa, a beloved nurse with a bright laugh and steady hands, now mourned the loss of someone who made others f…
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By Jonathan Parnell
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88-When Systems Align with Captain Eric Threlkeld
37:24
37:24
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37:24In this episode of 1 in 3, host Ingrid sits down with Captain Eric Threlkeld—law enforcement leader, former UN police trainer, and domestic violence specialist—to unpack what truly saves lives: better first responses, stronger multidisciplinary teams, and real training on non-fatal strangulation that too often goes unnoticed in the ER and on the st…
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Dates, Themes, and How to Show Up
6:02
6:02
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6:02In this episode of 1 in 3, host Ingrid kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with a clear, practical roadmap for how each of us can show up—visibly, safely, and meaningfully. When the calendar flips to October, the air changes: it’s time to bring domestic violence awareness out of the shadows and into our shared care. We unpack the mes…
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In this sermon on John 9:1-41, Pastor Mike Schumann expounds upon the miracle of Jesus giving sight to the blind man and the responses from the people in the story. This story gives us three claims about Jesus and his polarizing effect. When Jesus comes around, do you turn and come to the light or do you flee?…
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87-Red Flags and Reality: Escaping Domestic Violence with Tiffiny Newton
1:03:07
1:03:07
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1:03:07What does domestic violence really look like behind closed doors? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, host Ingrid sits down with fellow survivor Tiffiny Newton for a candid exploration of abuse dynamics that goes far beyond what most people understand. Together, they unpack the subtle warning signs that precede full-blown abuse – the love bombing…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 8:48-59 which is the fourth and final dialogue in the chapter. As Jesus goes back-and-forth with the Jewish leaders: he possesses radical security, exposes false allegiance, and issues a wonderful invitation to life everlasting. We should learn from Jesus.…
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86-Unmasking Sexual Violence: Survivors, Systems, and Solutions with Tracy DeTomasi
57:09
57:09
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57:09In this episode of 1 in 3, host Ingrid speaks with Tracy DiTomasi, CEO of Callisto and a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience in gender-based violence. Together, they confront the ways society talks—or avoids talking—about sexual assault. Too often, we use euphemisms, passive language, and subtle victim-blaming that shif…
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In this sermon, Pastor David Mathis expounds upon John 8:31-47. With the sheer senseless evil in recent days across our country and in our own Twin Cities, the main point of this passage reminds us that those who are “of God” stay with Jesus. How do we know if our belief is real and will endure?By David Mathis
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85-Your Authentic Self Is Waiting on the Other Side of Therapy with Linda Feig Knipe
1:07:58
1:07:58
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1:07:58In this powerful episode of 1 in 3, Linda shares her deeply personal story of trauma, PTSD recovery, and the transformative power of therapy after sexual assault. A casual comment from a professor unexpectedly triggered buried memories decades after her assault—forcing her to confront emotions she’d long mistaken for strength. Rather than continue …
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 8:12-30 and shows three ways that Jesus is unlike any other person you’ve met before. These three ways relate to his judgement, origin, and mission and will guide us in our worship and devotion to him.By Jonathan Parnell
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84-Healing Together: Parent and Child After Abuse with Jacintha Field
48:25
48:25
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48:25When you finally escape an abusive relationship, there's that moment of relief—then reality hits. How do you heal yourself while also helping your children process their trauma? This question sits at the heart of today's deeply moving conversation with Jacintha, a family counselor, art therapist, and domestic violence survivor who transformed her p…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 8:12-20 in which the Pharisees give a masterclass in how to misunderstand Jesus. They are a cautionary tale. If you don’t want to be like the Pharisees, there’s three responses to Jesus here that we should take.By Jonathan Parnell
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83-Navigating Legal Abuse: Strategies for High-Conflict Divorce with Lisa Johnson
1:07:13
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1:07:13What happens when your abusive ex uses the courtroom as their new weapon? For many domestic violence survivors, escaping the relationship is only the beginning. Family court can become the next battleground—a place where abusers weaponize the legal system to continue control, drain finances, and punish their victims. In this powerful episode of 1 i…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon John 7:25-52. The city of Jerusalem is packed with people and the whole city is abuzz with talk about a man named Jesus. There’s three life-changing ways we should respond to the buzz about Jesus in this chapter.By Jonathan Parnell
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82-Breaking the Narcissistic Cycle: A Therapist's Perspective with Darren Elliott
1:05:20
1:05:20
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1:05:20What happens when the person who says they love you suddenly turns cold, making you question your own reality? Therapist Darren Elliott pulls back the curtain on narcissism, revealing it's not just a label we throw at difficult people, but a profound emotional disconnection that affects everyone to some degree. After experiencing the bewildering pa…
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This week we return to our series through the gospel of John. In this sermon, Pastor Mike Schumann expounds upon John 7:1-24 in which Jesus exposes our darkness. There’s four marks of darkness here and each one offers an opportunity for us to recognize it in ourselves and turn from it.By Mike Schumann
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81-Finding Strength After Emotional Abuse and Financial Control with Julie Barth
47:03
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47:03Resilience takes many forms, but few journeys demonstrate its power quite like Julie Barth's story of survival and transformation. After losing her first husband to pancreatic cancer while raising four children including a special needs daughter, Julie found herself vulnerable and seeking escape from grief. This led her directly into the arms of an…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon Psalm 96. You were made to worship God, but what is the meaning of true worship? Worship might be the most important calling in our lives that we know the least about. This psalm gives us at least two truths about true worship.By Jonathan Parnell
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80-When Survivors Lead: The Messy, Beautiful Work of Rescue with Ali Allred
38:47
38:47
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38:47What happens when a survivor decides that no one else should face the same isolation and roadblocks she encountered? Ali Allred joins 1 in 3 for a second powerful conversation to reveal how she's building a lifeline for those trapped in domestic violence and human trafficking situations. After escaping her own abusive relationship, Ali began sharin…
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In this sermon, Pastor Mike Schumann expounds upon Psalm 95. This psalm directs us to the place where life is found and gives us a warning for once we have found it. When we have found the spectacular one who can save and satisfy, let’s be careful to not turn back on him who should receive our humble worship.…
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79-Nobody Grows Up Thinking This Will Happen to Them with Ali Allred
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49:49Nobody grows up thinking they'll become a human trafficking survivor. For Ali Allred, life began with childhood instability that created the first cracks in her foundation. Sexual assault at age three and eventual substance abuse as a teenager that formed a perfect storm of vulnerability that traffickers would later exploit. Ali's raw, unflinching …
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In this sermon, Pastor Marshall Segal expounds upon Psalm 94 which is a ‘how long’ song. This psalm is about wrestling with wickedness and waiting for God’s justice, and much of it applies to any pain or uncertainty that you’re carrying right now. In an honest and faith-filled way of expressing their anguish to God, the people asked “How long, O Lo…
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78-Red Flag or Trauma? Navigating New Relationships with Kimberly Mathis
57:14
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57:14What happens when the chaos of abuse finally ends, and you're faced with the possibility of new love? For many survivors, this terrain feels more frightening than familiar. Dating after domestic violence isn't just about meeting someone new—it's about rewiring your entire understanding of what relationships should feel like. When you've spent years…
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In this sermon, Pastor Mike Schumann expounds upon Psalm 93. This psalm aims to anchor us to the truth that God is King, we are his people, and there’s nothing better. We see here that God is the King over the future, the floods, and the faithful. How might this truth help us through all of life’s disorienting storms?…
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77-Unmasking the Narcissist with Nova Gibson
59:08
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59:08The words "narcissist" and "gaslighting" get thrown around a lot these days, but do we truly understand what they mean? In this powerful conversation with Nova Gibson, author of the bestselling book "Fake Love" and host of "Fake Love and Flying Monkeys" podcast, we dive deep into the insidious world of narcissistic abuse and why recognizing it coul…
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In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon Psalm 92 which is a song sung by Jesus for the final Sabbath – our future, heavenly rest! This psalm gifts us the clarity of hindsight so that we can live today in light of heaven. What if we built our lives in this world as if we’re looking back on our lives from heaven?…
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76-Beyond the Diddy Verdict: Why Silence Is Never an Option
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6:10Sometimes the shortest messages carry the most profound weight. After the controversial Diddy verdict sent ripples through survivor communities, many wondered if speaking truth to power still matters in a system that often protects the wealthy and influential. This episode stands as both shield and sword—defending those feeling discouraged while cu…
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