Learning to Breathe in a Pinball Machine
Orginally Published: Oct 15, 2025 As someone fighting to survive child sexual violence, from time-to-time, I move through a minefield of emotions just to make it through the moment. Because of my C-PTSD, some days feel like I’m trapped inside a broken pinball machine—lights flashing, alarms blaring, everything stuck on fast and furious with no […]
Healing Happens in Relationship
Originally Published: Oct 16, 2025 Healing happens in relationship. Child sexual violence also happens within a relationship. And children grow up fighting to survive that relationship. Because relationships shape who we are, healing must also happen within relationship. That’s what led me to The Gatehouse in Toronto — a brave and safe space where facilitators […]
30% or You’re Not Serving the Community
How many visibly targeted, underserved people sit on your board? In your leadership team? On your committees? Is it at least 30%? There’s your number.Now go make it happen. Everyone says they want their organization to grow. Many struggle to convince people to “do the right thing.” So here’s the truth: if morality isn’t motivating […]
Never Eat with People You Don’t Like
Originally Published: Oct 19, 2025 Imagine what it’s like for a child who is being sexually assaulted in their own home — sitting at the breakfast table with their abuser. This short clip with Deepak Chopra MD (official), offers a glimpse into that reality, and why it matters: never force yourself to eat with people […]
I’m a Fucking Warrior: Fighting to End Child Sexual Violence
Originally Published: Oct 18, 2025 I’m a Fucking Warrior fighting to end Child Sexual Violence. Let’s break that down: “Warrior” has a few layers of meaning, depending on the context:Literal / Historical – A person who fights in battles or wars. Traditionally, warriors were trained soldiers or fighters, often tied to a tribe, nation, or […]
Buddhist Approach to Addiction Recovery with Valerie Mason-John
Originally Published: October 17, 2025 My life shifted the moment I picked up Eight Step Recovery by Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara), a Buddhist teacher with 30+ years of practice. By age eight, Valerie had survived sexual abuse in foster care—and yet turned trauma into teachings that help thousands heal. Reading their words, I felt something shift […]
Man Enough to Heal
Originally Published: Nov 10, 2025 In 1993, the police began the investigation that ultimately led to my father’s arrest and conviction for sexually assaulting me when I was a child. I was an adult when I finally reported the crime. My brothers and sister had their own experiences with our father too. I was fortunate. […]
Join the Fight
Originally Published: Nov 3, 2025 Are you fighting to end child sexual violence? Yes, it’s a fight — and this article joins that fight. Dr. Cindy Blackstock First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Dr. Pam Palmater co-authored an open-access academic article in the Genealogy journal MDPI called CLASH ACTIONS: INIDGENOUS PEOPLES […]
Brave Space
Originally Published: Nov 12, 2025 I took a cyber holiday for a few days — I had to. I’m exhausted. This morning I woke up, opened LinkedIn, not sure what I’d write. And there you were, Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC — my professor, my reminder, my mirror. You are a gift. You are powerful. […]
Book Launch
Originally published: Nov. 16, 2025 I am so excited. I was going to wait until tomorrow to share this, but honestly? I’m like a kid on the morning of their birthday — buzzing, pacing, and absolutely incapable of sitting quietly. I’m having my very first book launch. And so is The Gatehouse, who has graciously […]