In this powerful episode of Taboo Talks with Krystal, we’re joined by Monique Cunningham, a survivor of sexual violence and the founder of WOW Toronto—a supportive space dedicated to empowering women-identified survivors. Monique’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and creating a path to healing for others. She shares her story of overcoming trauma and describes her mission to provide continuous support for survivors who often find themselves without resources once initial counseling ends.

This episode touches on sensitive subjects, including sexual violence, trauma, and recovery. Trigger Warning: If these topics are difficult for you, please feel free to pause or skip this episode and take care of yourself. Listen when you’re ready.

Monique opens up about the challenges she faced as a young survivor, how these experiences impacted her relationships, and what ultimately led her to create WOW Toronto. She shares the process of building a community-centered support organization, offers insights into her healing journey, and explains the services and ongoing workshops WOW Toronto provides.

If you or someone you know has experienced trauma, or if you want to learn more about supporting survivors, this conversation will resonate deeply. Monique’s story reminds us all that we are more than our past experiences and that healing is a continuous journey that’s always worth pursuing.

Key Discussion Points:

• Monique’s Journey: Her experience as a young survivor and the impact it had on her self-esteem and relationships.

• Creating WOW Toronto: How Monique’s personal healing journey and market research led her to create a safe, ongoing support network for survivors in Toronto and beyond.

• Myth-Busting: Why being a survivor is only a part of one’s identity, and how women can embrace their full selves beyond their traumatic experiences.

• Empowerment Workshops: Details on WOW Toronto’s 12-week workshop focused on trust and self-esteem, as well as other upcoming events.

• Advice for Survivors: The importance of community, continuous support, and finding joy and empowerment beyond survival.

Connect with Monique and WOW Toronto:

• Website: wowtoronto.org
• Instagram: @wow_toronto
• Email: monique.cunningham@wowtoronto.org

Free Resources and Upcoming Events:
Monique offers virtual workshops and programs to provide survivors with tools for healing and empowerment, with an upcoming 12-week workshop on trust and self-esteem. Reach out through WOW Toronto’s website or Instagram for more details and to join the next cohort.

Listener Note:
If you found Monique’s story meaningful, please share this episode with someone who might benefit from it. Conversations like these can be lifelines and help create change, breaking cycles of trauma and fostering support for those who need it most.

In this special interview, Krystal Casey sits down with Corrina, the real-life inspiration behind the character Charlotte in Netflix’s Ozark. Corrina shares her raw and inspiring journey of growing up in a criminal family in the Ozarks, navigating the trauma of her upbringing, and ultimately reclaiming her life. Today, Corrina is a certified trauma and stress coach, helping others break free from cycles of intergenerational trauma and unlock their full potential.

Corrina’s personal transformation is a testament to resilience and the power of healing. She overcame her own struggles with addiction, depression, and ADHD, delving into the science behind trauma to find a path forward. Through her work, Corrina empowers survivors to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), prioritize calm and safety, and strategically enter healing journeys without re-traumatization. As a coach and host of My True Crime Life podcast, Corrina myth-busts traditional therapy approaches and introduces innovative methods rooted in the neuroscience of flow.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• From Survivor to Coach: Corrina’s transformation over the past three years, shifting from addiction and depression to a life of purpose and healing.

• The Roots of Trauma: How Corrina discovered the impact of her childhood experiences in the Ozarks on her adult life and how she navigated her healing journey.

• Generational Healing: The powerful conversations Corrina has had with her adult children and the role her granddaughter plays in breaking her family’s trauma cycle.

• Myth-Busting Therapy: Corrina’s insights on why traditional therapy can sometimes re-traumatize and the importance of safe, strategic approaches to healing.

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Why ACEs matter for parents and survivors, and what they reveal about healing for both adults and children.

About Corrina:

Corrina is a true survivor who has turned her pain into purpose. Beyond her coaching work, she is certified in traumatic stress and has studied under leading experts such as Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, and Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, an expert in creativity and intelligence. As a mother, grandmother, and advocate, Corrina’s story is one of resilience, breaking cycles, and reclaiming life.

Connect with Corrina:

• Listen to My True Crime Life Podcast: My True Crime Life
• Follow Corrina on Instagram: @corrina_that_ozarks_girl

--

⁠Visit ⁠⁠https://mamasonfire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to my free story, When Happily Ever After Ends: How I Survived Childhood Trauma, My Husband's Betrayal and Becoming a Widowed Mom of 5. You'll also find healing resources and support, tools to help break generational cycles, and ways to connect with me.

⁠Visit https://mamasonfire.com⁠⁠ to listen to my free story, When Happily Ever After Ends: How I Survived Childhood Trauma, My Husband's Betrayal and Becoming a Widowed Mom of 5. You'll also find healing resources and support, tools to help break generational cycles, and ways to connect with me.

⁠Visit ⁠https://mamasonfire.com⁠⁠⁠ to listen to my free story, When Happily Ever After Ends: How I Survived Childhood Trauma, My Husband's Betrayal and Becoming a Widowed Mom of 5. You'll also find healing resources and support, tools to help break generational cycles, and ways to connect with me.

Download my free story, When Happily Ever After Ends, at krystalcasey.com/links to hear how I survived childhood abuse, my husband’s betrayal, and becoming a widowed mom of 5.

You'll also find healing resources, tools to break generational cycles, and ways to connect with me for speaking engagements and support.

⁠Visit ⁠https://mamasonfire.com⁠⁠⁠ to listen to my free story, When Happily Ever After Ends: How I Survived Childhood Trauma, My Husband's Betrayal and Becoming a Widowed Mom of 5. You'll also find healing resources and support, tools to help break generational cycles, and ways to connect with me.

⁠Visit ⁠https://mamasonfire.com⁠⁠⁠ to listen to my free story, When Happily Ever After Ends: How I Survived Childhood Trauma, My Husband's Betrayal and Becoming a Widowed Mom of 5. You'll also find healing resources and support, tools to help break generational cycles, and ways to connect with me.