The Cocoon: A Safe Place for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Trauma

The Blue Butterfly Institute
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The Cocoon is hosted by Ruby Mikolaitis from The Blue Butterfly Institute, an Australian not for profit founded to empower victims and survivors of sexual assault, educate the broader public about the impact of trauma on behaviour and functioning, and to advocate for changes to legislation to strengthen support for victims and survivors. Each month, an aspect of trauma will be discussed or a significant person in the field will be interviewed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3 days ago

    If You Have to Ask "Is It That Bad?" — It Is

    From the outside, it looked like Christine Dillard walked out of her seventeen-year marriage overnight. In reality, she'd spent three and a half years quietly planning her exit. She built a career, a safety net and a timeline that would protect her kids. Christine is a South Dakota mum and the author of The Truth She Showed Me. She joins Ruby to talk about the micro-behaviours that add up to coercive control and why leaving is the most dangerous moment. She also shares what peace actually feels like on the other side. Links: Christine's Social Media: @thetruthsheshowedme (on fb,ig,TT) Website: christinedillard.com We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    If You Have to Ask "Is It That Bad?" — It Is

  2. 26 Sept

    Why You Leak When You Sneeze, and Other Things Nobody Talks About

    Christina “Chrissy” Muchenagumbo is a Registered Nurse and Continence Clinical Nurse Consultant with over 27 years of nursing experience. She is the Founder and Director of Rhema HealthCare Solutions, specialising in continence care, complex clinical nursing and disability health. Chrissy is passionate about breaking the silence around continence, pelvic health and other health concerns that are often hidden by shame, stigma or cultural expectations. Drawing on her extensive clinical experience and Zimbabwean heritage, she brings a culturally informed and trauma-aware perspective to conversations about how stress, anxiety and lived experiences can influence bladder, bowel and pelvic health. Her approach centres on dignity, education and creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable talking about the things we often don't talk about. We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why You Leak When You Sneeze, and Other Things Nobody Talks About

  3. 29 Aug

    More Than The Trauma: Living And Healing With C-PTSD With Nikki Everett

    What does complex PTSD feel like when nobody else can see it? Ruby speaks with author, trauma educator and former justice-system professional Nikki Everett about living with complex PTSD, dissociation, flashbacks and a nervous system that remains on high alert. Nikki shares how workplace violence changed her life, how journalling became her book Uncomfortably Comfortable, and how she rebuilt her identity after trauma. Together, they explore nervous-system regulation, recognising triggers, supporting a loved one with PTSD and finding strength, purpose and even beauty after surviving the darkest parts of life. We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! Nikki Everett: Website And Instagram TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    More Than The Trauma: Living And Healing With C-PTSD With Nikki Everett

  4. 25 Jul

    The Woman Stuck With a 7-Year-Old's Voice: How Trauma Shapes How We Speak with Elisa James

    What if your voice is telling the world your whole story? Executive voice coach Elisa James joins The Cocoon to unpack how trauma literally lives in your voice‚ the vocal fry‚ the rambling‚ the freeze when you're put on the spot․ Elisa's journey teaches that after 20 years of undiagnosed PTSD‚ a narcissistic marriage‚ and submission to the act of being okay and performing on stage while falling apart inside‚ one can unlearn one's silence and find one's voice․ Whether you find that your voice sells you short at interviews‚ presentations or everyday conversations‚ this episode will change how you hear yourself․ We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! Elisa James: Website TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Woman Stuck With a 7-Year-Old's Voice: How Trauma Shapes How We Speak with Elisa James

  5. 27 Jun

    Its Not Just 'Kids Being Kids': The Rise Of Child On Child Harm w Kristi McVee

    Former police officer and child-protection specialist Kristi‚ one of the most-listened-to guests on The Cocoon‚ returns to discuss one of the most misunderstood and under-discussed aspects of child-safety in the contemporary landscape: child-on-child sexual harm․ In this episode we look at the difference between normal exploration and harmful sexualized behaviour‚ why "kids being kids" is the most dangerous phrase in child protection‚ and we break down the four main contributory drivers to child on child sexual violence. We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! Kristi McVee Website & Child Security Resources: Click HereTBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Trailer

    It's Not Just 'Kids Being Kids' (Teaser)

    Former police officer and child protection specialist Kristi returns to The Cocoon with a statistic that stopped us mid-conversation: child-on-child harm has now overtaken adult-on-child abuse in Australia. How did we get here, and why is nobody talking about it? Full episode drops Sunday 28th of June. If you’re a parent, educator, or survivor, you can’t afford to miss this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    It's Not Just 'Kids Being Kids' (Teaser)

  7. 30 May

    "I'm Finally Free" Breaking 20 Years Of Silence: Nicole's Story

    Warning: This episode contains themes surrounding childhood sexual assault, listener discretion is advised. Nicole shares her 20-year journey from childhood sexual abuse to conviction and what it actually takes to survive a courtroom. If you're a survivor afraid of testifying, carrying shame, or wondering if justice is possible: this is for you. Nicole's story shows what happens when you finally speak, how to stay grounded through a brutal legal process, and why healing on the other side feels like a fresh lease on life.We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    "I'm Finally Free" Breaking 20 Years Of Silence: Nicole's Story

  8. 25 Apr

    The Doll That Held Her Secrets: Bambi Lynn’s Story

    At six years old, Bambi Lynn was given a ragdoll named Josephine. What her mother didn’t know was that Josephine would become the only witness to years of childhood sexual abuse, alcoholism, and trauma that Bambi couldn’t speak aloud. In this episode, Bambi shares how a simple doll carried her secrets, her tears, and her survival, and why it took her 24 years to finally tell her story. From “poor Bambi” to thriving author and speaker, this is what it looks like to stop letting trauma define you. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Bambi Lynn, who spent her final years turning pain into purpose. Rest easy, Bambi. Josephine’s got you now We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! Bambi's Book "The Journey Of Josephine": link TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Doll That Held Her Secrets: Bambi Lynn’s Story
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About

The Cocoon is hosted by Ruby Mikolaitis from The Blue Butterfly Institute, an Australian not for profit founded to empower victims and survivors of sexual assault, educate the broader public about the impact of trauma on behaviour and functioning, and to advocate for changes to legislation to strengthen support for victims and survivors. Each month, an aspect of trauma will be discussed or a significant person in the field will be interviewed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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