Walk With Me! Podcast

Episode 15: In Our Homes — The Culture We Protect vs The Culture We HealA lot of harm doesn’t start loud. It starts normal. The silence. The “respect” that really means obedience. The control that gets labeled tradition. The emotional suppression that turns into aggression. The loyalty that protects the family image instead of protecting people.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres checks in, talks briefly about a disturbing current trend he calls the “online Rape Academy” (spaces where men normalize tactics of manipulation and coercion), and then brings the focus back to where these mindsets are born: our homes, our culture, our everyday norms. Because abuse doesn’t survive in a vacuum. It grows in environments where certain behaviors get excused, minimized, and passed down like “that’s just how it is.”This episode centers on the Latino community (Puerto Rico) through David’s lived experience, but the message is bigger than one culture: when something is normal to you, you don’t question it you adapt to it, learn it, and sometimes carry it forward without realizing it. There’s beauty in culture: family, pride, resilience, music, food, connection. But loving something doesn’t mean accepting it at face value. If love doesn’t want growth, it becomes enabling. And enabling is the opposite of love.We unpack what these patterns often look like in real life: “what happens in this house stays in this house,” silence culture, respect confused with control, emotional suppression, normalized aggression, and loyalty placed above safety. Then we shift into what change actually looks like: naming things honestly, private honesty before public truth, setting small boundaries, learning to pause and ask “what am I actually feeling,” lowering your tone instead of matching energy, and redefining loyalty as honesty + accountability + boundaries, not tolerating harm. And yes, it’s hard. Questioning your upbringing can bring guilt and feel like betrayal. But acknowledging harm isn’t betrayal. It’s growth. And when you break cycles, you don’t just change yourself, you change what gets passed down.Weekly Challenge: think of one belief you were taught growing up and ask: does this create connection or control? Just observe it honestly. Half-truths and rug-sweeping don’t change anything. Integrity is what you do when no one is watching.Fashion tie-in: Latino culture expresses pride through style heritage, identity, presence. And identity can evolve. David highlights how artists like Bad Bunny and J Balvin challenge rigid masculinity norms through self-expression and openness, showing that evolving culture isn’t rejecting it, it’s refining it.Follow MeYouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodWebsite: https://www.walkwithmepod.comSupportNational DV Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE — https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN: 800-656-HOPE — https://www.rainn.org988 Lifeline: call/text 988 — https://988lifeline.orgUntil then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres breaks down how healing actually begins, not as a light switch moment, but as a process of retraining the mind and body through repetition. Healing isn’t forgetting what happened. It isn’t erasing pain. It’s changing your relationship to the past so it stops controlling how you think, feel, react, and live today.This episode introduces a grounded framework "The Real Framework of Healing" built from patterns trauma-informed professionals, survivors, and recovery work. Not a five-step checklist. Not a clean timeline. Think of these as anchors to come back to when healing gets messy:Awareness: “This happened to me. This affected me.” (no minimizing)Understanding: “This is how it shows up in me.” (triggers, patterns, beliefs)Separation: “This is what happened, not who I am.” (trauma is part of your story, not your identity)Repatterning: “I can respond differently now.” (pause instead of react, question thoughts, choose new behavior)Integration: “This no longer controls me.” (you can remember without getting pulled back into it)Then we get into manifestation and the part people get wrong. This isn’t “think positive and wait.” Using Dr. Jim Doty’s work as a reference point, we reframe manifestation as training the brain and nervous system: what you repeatedly focus on becomes the filter for your reality. When you shift your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors intentionally and repeatedly, your brain builds new pathways (neuroplasticity). That’s not fluff, that’s rewiring.The episode gives three core steps to make this real:Clear Intention: define who you’re becoming (because your brain defaults to where it’s been if you don’t decide where you’re going).Emotional Alignment: practice the feeling of safety, calm, and self-trust in small moments before it feels “fully real.”Repetition Through Action: the part most people skip — changing your life by acting differently consistently, even in tiny ways.If you want to dive deeper into the neuroscience behind manifestation, compassion, and rewiring the brain, search “Dr. James Doty” on YouTube and start with these:Talks at Google — “Into the Magic Shop” (James Doty)Stanford CCARE YouTube Channel (Center for Compassion & Altruism Research and Education)CCARE playlist featuring James Doty, MD (talks + lectures)Follow MeYouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website: https://www.walkwithmepod.comSupport: DV Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE — https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN 800-656-HOPE — https://www.rainn.org988 Lifeline — call/text 988 — https://988lifeline.orgUntil then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Most men think they’re in control… but if your emotions control your reactions, you’re not in control of anything. Not your words, not your decisions, not your relationships, and certainly not your future. Emotional discipline isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres returns with the second installation of The Code — the space for men who are tired of the noise, the ego, and the performative “alpha” advice, and who want something that actually works in real life. This episode is about the skill that makes accountability possible: emotional discipline.We define it clearly: emotional discipline is your ability to feel everything and still choose your response. Not suppressing. Not ignoring. Not pretending you’re fine. Feeling the emotion — and staying in control. We talk about why most men struggle with this: many of us were taught to “man up,” push it down, and move on. But repression doesn’t remove emotion. It builds it. And what gets suppressed often resurfaces as anger, irritability, impulsive reactions, and blown-up conflicts. That’s why so many men don’t “seem emotional”… until they explode.This episode also breaks down why emotional regulation is one of the strongest predictors of performance across life: decision-making, relationships, leadership, and long-term success. When you react without regulation, your brain shifts into survival mode and your choices get sloppy, short-term, and emotional. But when you regulate, your thinking stays clear. Your tone stays intentional. Your outcomes change. That’s why elite performers train emotional regulation, not because it sounds nice, but because it works.Then we make it practical with a simple framework you can use immediately:Awareness → Pause → Choose → Execute.Awareness means catching the moment your body shifts (tight chest, tone change, urge to respond right now). The pause can be one breath, 3–5 seconds, but it creates space, and space is where control begins. Choosing means asking a better question: “What response actually moves my life forward?” And execute means following through because discipline isn’t built in what you know, it’s built in what you do, especially when it feels uncomfortable.Weekly Challenge: for the next 7 days, track your reactions again but this time focus on control. Every time you feel anger, frustration, defensiveness, annoyance, or the urge to react, pause and ask: “Am I about to react or respond?” Write down what triggered you, what you felt, and what you did. And at least once per day, choose a different response than your default. One time a day. That’s how you build it.Follow Me Today:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Support: National DV Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE — https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN 800-656-HOPE — https://www.rainn.org988 Lifeline — call/text 988 — https://988lifeline.orgUntil then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 12: The Code — Accountability: The Foundation of Real StrengthMost men were never actually taught masculinity we were policed into it. Don’t cry. Don’t be weak. Don’t apologize. Don’t get checked. Stay in control. And then the internet shows up and sells “alpha” dominance like it’s strength… when in reality it’s often insecurity with good marketing.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres launches something new: Walk With Me — The Code.This series is built for men who are tired of the noise, ego, and excuses being sold as manhood, and who want a better way. This is not a boys club. It’s not a woman-blaming space. It’s not a “get rich / get women” scheme. It’s a framework for men who are done blaming and ready to build with discipline, emotional control, respect, purpose, and real confidence that actually works in real life (not just online).The foundation of The Code is accountability. Not performative “I’m a good guy” talk...real ownership.Accountability isn’t weakness. Weak men avoid it because it exposes them. Strong men seek it because it gives them the chance to improve. A man who can’t say “I was wrong” isn’t powerful, he’s fragile. And fragility creates instability: defensiveness, reactivity, and leadership that collapses the moment it’s challenged.This episode breaks down how accountability impacts every area of life: your career (learning from feedback instead of blaming), your relationships (ownership builds trust; deflection builds distance), your health (discipline starts when excuses stop), and your daily habits (patterns don’t change until you face them). The message is simple: stop trying to control people and start controlling yourself. That’s where real power begins.Weekly Challenge: Audit yourself for 7 days. Track every trigger (anger, frustration, defensiveness, blame). Then ask: “What part of this is mine?” (your tone, reaction, assumptions, lack of control). Write it down in three sentences: What happened? How did I react? What part was mine? No “yeah, but they…” this week, just observe. Sit in the discomfort, because embarrassment and frustration are often the start of awareness. At the end of the week, review: Where do I lose control most? What’s my default blame? What pattern keeps repeating? That pattern is your work and once you see it, you won’t unsee it.Fashion tie-in: modern masculinity is evolving. Style isn’t vanity, it’s identity and self-respect. Showing up intentionally in how you speak, act, and dress is a quiet form of control over yourself not loud, not performative, just real.Follow Me on Social MediaYouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website: https://www.walkwithmepod.comSupport: National DV Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE — https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN 800-656-HOPE — https://www.rainn.orgUntil then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 11: SANE/FNE Exams — Why They’re Long, Invasive, and Still So ImportantRight after trauma, everything can feel blurry. You’re trying to breathe, trying to understand what just happened, trying to feel your body again, then someone asks a question that can feel overwhelming: “Do you want a forensic exam?” For many survivors, that question lands like pressure. Like a deadline. Like you’re being asked to make a life-altering decision while you’re still in shock.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres breaks down what a SANE/FNE exam actually is (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner / Forensic Nurse Examiner), why it often takes hours, why it can feel invasive even when the staff is compassionate, and what the process is designed to do: medical care, documentation, and evidence collection all while centering your consent as much as possible.We talk about the piece many people don’t realize until they’re in the room: you are in control the entire time. You can ask what’s happening before it happens. You can say no to any part. You can pause, take breaks, or stop completely. You can request an advocate or support person. You can receive medical care without agreeing to evidence collection. And in many places, evidence can sometimes be collected and stored even if you’re not ready to report immediately (policies vary by location). The point is this: choosing an exam does not make you stronger, and declining one does not make you weaker. Your worth isn’t measured by what you choose in a moment of crisis.We also talk about why these exams still matter especially in a world where rape kit backlogs and delayed testing have been a real issue. Testing matters for survivors who want options later, and it can also matter for public safety when cases are linked and serial offenders are identified. None of this is meant to pressure you. It’s meant to empower you with clarity because fear grows in silence, and knowledge reduces panic.Follow Me on Social MediaYouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) — https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN: 800-656-HOPE (4673) — https://www.rainn.org988 Lifeline: call/text 988 — https://988lifeline.orgIAFN (Forensic Nursing / SANE info): https://www.forensicnurses.orgWebsite: https://www.walkwithmepod.comWeekly Challenge: Take 15 minutes to look up SANE/FNE services near you and save it in your phone because you deserve information before you ever need it. And this week, thank a nurse. Forensic nurses and advocates do some of the hardest work in medicine, and it deserves recognition.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 10: The Norms That Quietly Feed AbuseLet’s be honest, abuse doesn’t survive because it’s rare. It survives because it’s normal. Not violent-normal. Not headline-normal. Quiet normal. The jokes. The eye rolls. The “boys will be boys.” The “don’t make a big deal out of this.” The “we’ll handle it at home.”In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres breaks down how abuse often doesn’t start with violence it starts with permission. The kind that gets built through cultural messages and everyday micro-moments that excuse control, minimize harm, and make domination feel acceptable. We unpack the phrases that keep people stuck (“keep family matters private,” “jealousy means they care,” “don’t be so sensitive,” “real men are dominant”) and how fragile masculinity becomes dangerous when it’s built on control.Then we shift into what prevention actually looks like: raising emotionally literate boys, teaching girls worth not just warnings, interrupting harmful micro-moments in real time, rewarding accountability, and modeling healthier behavior in our own homes and relationships.This conversation is about awareness without shame, accountability without cruelty, and refusing to be neutral in moments where neutrality protects harm. Culture doesn’t change in courtrooms first, it changes in living rooms, friend groups, locker rooms, comment sections, and everyday conversations. Progress is the point.Follow Me on Social MediaYouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesSeeking help is not weakness, it is the first real step toward change.If You Need Support Right NowNational Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7)1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN: National Sexual Assault Hotline (24/7)800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text/chat)988https://988lifeline.orgEpisode 10 Weekly Challenge - This week: be the interruption.Don’t laugh at the misogynistic joke. Don’t scroll past “alpha” content like it’s harmless. Don’t excuse “that’s just how he is.” Don’t dismiss “she’s overreacting.” Interrupt it calmly, directly, with zero apology because neutrality protects harm.If you’re a man listening: examine one belief you inherited about masculinity. Ask: Does this create safety or control? If it creates control, let it go.Visit: https://www.walkwithmepod.comUntil then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 9: Reclaiming Your Power After TraumaWhen we talk about power, most people think dominance. Control. Being louder than the person next to you. But that’s not the kind of power I’m talking about.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres breaks down the kind of power trauma tries to steal your agency, your voice, your sense of choice, your ability to trust yourself. Because sometimes the deepest wound isn’t only what happened… it’s the moment you stopped feeling like you belonged to you.We talk about why trauma disrupts your sense of control, why survival responses (freezing, people-pleasing, hesitation, overreacting, shutting down) are not character flaws, and how real power returns through quiet, consistent decisions not dramatic transformations. You’ll hear practical ways to rebuild agency, how to stop rehearsing helplessness, how to separate what happened from who you are, and why waiting for someone else’s apology or understanding can keep your healing stuck in their hands.This conversation is about growth without self-hatred, accountability without cruelty, and learning that healing isn’t a destination, it’s direction. Progress is the point.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesSeeking help is not weakness, it is the first real step toward change.If You Need Support Right NowNational Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7) 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN: National Sexual Assault Hotline (24/7) 800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text/chat) 988https://988lifeline.orgStrongHearts Native Helpline (Native survivors; 24/7 call/text/chat) 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)https://strongheartshelpline.orgFashion Tie-In Power and fashion have always been connected from suffragettes wearing white to survivor-led brands pushing back against “what were you wearing?” narratives. Clothing can be oppression… or reclamation. When you choose what you wear intentionally not to appease, not to hide, not to perform but because it reflects who you’re becoming, that’s power.Visit the website for full episodes, additional context, and our ever-growing list of domestic violence and sexual assault resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 8: What Healing Actually Looks Like (And What It Doesn’t)When a lot of people talk about healing, they picture a motivational quote over a sunrise. They picture journaling once, having a good cry, posting a “growth” caption, and suddenly being emotionally fluent.But healing doesn’t work like that.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres breaks down what healing actually looks like in real life and not the social media version, not the “soft lighting and closure” version, but the real, no-bullshit version. The one that includes setbacks, grief, self-blame, identity shifts, and uncomfortable growth that doesn’t always feel like growth in the moment.This conversation is about recognizing progress without perfection, learning how trauma impacts the nervous system, and noticing the signs that you’re already healing, even if you don’t feel “better” yet. Healing isn’t about becoming untouched by what happened. It’s about becoming less controlled by it… one day at a time.Join the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesTrauma Recovery & Healing (Referenced in Episode 8)Judith Herman — Trauma and Recoveryhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/542700.Trauma_and_RecoveryBessel van der Kolk — The Body Keeps the Scorehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18693771-the-body-keeps-the-scoreNeuroplasticity (Repeated safe experiences reshape neural pathways)If you want a simple starting place, search: “neuroplasticity basics” + “trauma recovery”Fashion Tie-InIf you’re interested in exploring clothing as reclamation, expression, and safety, search:“trauma-informed designers” / “survivor-led clothing brands”Need Support Right Now?National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall/Text 988https://988lifeline.orgVisit the website for additional context, and to see and/or help grow our list of DV and SA resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comIf this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 7: Consent Isn’t Complicated — Culture Made It That Way!When most people talk about consent, they treat it like it’s confusing… like it’s some blurry gray area that only gets “messy” in real life. But consent isn’t complicated. Culture made it complicated because clarity threatens entitlement.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres breaks down what consent actually is (clear, ongoing, freely given, reversible, and enthusiastic), and how culture has trained people, especially men, to treat silence, pressure, persistence, and relationship status like permission. We talk directly about entitlement as the root system of sexual violence, how “small” violations get normalized into bigger harm, and why real strength isn’t dominance, it’s the ability to pause, ask, adjust, and protect someone’s autonomy without ego getting involved.This conversation is about accountability without collapse, truth without shame, and building a world where “no” is safe to say and “yes” actually means yes. Whether you’re a survivor rebuilding self-trust, a man willing to do the work, or someone trying to understand how rape culture survives through everyday comments and behavior, this episode is your invitation to get honest and get safer.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesSeeking help is not weakness, it is the first real step toward change.Consent EducationRAINN — Consent 101 (Respect, Boundaries, and Building Trust) https://www.rainn.orgNSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) — Your Consent Guide https://www.nsvrc.org/resource/your-consent-guide/Planned Parenthood — Sexual Consent + FRIES model (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, Specific) https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/relationships/sexual-consentDenim Day (Fashion Tie-In Mentioned)Denim Day (Peace Over Violence) — Why Denim / Campaign Origin https://denimday.org/https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/denim-dayVisit the website for full episodes and our ever-growing list of DV and SA resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 6: Masculinity, Power, and AccountabilityWhen a lot of people hear the word “masculinity,” they think of toughness, control, dominance, or being the provider. But masculinity wasn’t something many men were taught. It was something we were policed into. Don’t cry. Don’t be weak. Don’t back down. Be in control. Be the authority.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres explores how masculinity gets shaped, how it can go wrong, and what it actually looks like to evolve it without shame, and without defensiveness. We break down how fear becomes anger, insecurity becomes control, and how society often rewards men for dominance while calling it “strength.” Then we move into what real strength looks like: accountability without collapse, power as responsibility, emotional literacy, boundaries over intimidation, and rejecting sexual entitlement completely.This conversation is about growth without self-hatred, accountability without cruelty, and becoming the kind of man who doesn’t cause damage, but creates safety. Whether you’re a man doing the work, a survivor listening carefully, or someone trying to understand why this matters so much, this episode is an invitation into a healthier definition of masculinity that evolves alongside women, not against them.Follow Me on Social MediaYouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesSeeking help is not weakness, it is the first real step toward change.If You’re in Danger or Need Support Right NowNational Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.orgAccountability & Behavior Change:The Hotline — Intervention Programs for Abusive Behavior (BIPs/BIPPs)https://www.thehotline.org/resources/intervention-programs-for-abusive-behavior/A Call to Men (healthy, respectful manhood training & education)https://www.acalltomen.orgResearchCDC — Preventing Intimate Partner Violence https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/prevention/index.htmlVisit the website for full episodes, additional context, and our ever-growing list of domestic violence and sexual assault resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 5: Rising Up After Trauma: How Healing Actually Happens!Healing isn’t “getting over it.” Healing is teaching your body it’s safe again—one small, consistent step at a time.In this episode, we talk about what trauma actually does to the mind and body, why willpower isn’t the fix, and why repetition—not perfection—is how you rebuild trust in yourself. We break down what real healing looks like in daily life: safety, regulation, choice, connection, and compassion.This conversation is for survivors, for allies, and for anyone trying to stop the cycle and build a life that finally feels like their own.Resources Mentioned in Episode 5This episode focuses on trauma-informed healing and support. If you’re looking for help finding a trauma-informed therapist or immediate support, use the standard links below to start.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesVisit the website for full episodes, additional context, and our ever-growing list of domestic violence and sexual assault resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comSexual Assault SupportRAINNRAINN800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.orgNational Sexual Violence Resource Centerhttps://www.nsvrc.orgDomestic Violence SupportNational Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgSafeHouse DenverEmergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and support for survivors & children303-318-9989 (24-Hour Crisis Line)https://safehouse-denver.orgCOVA - Colorado Organization for Victim AssistanceTraining, resources, and support for victims of crime and the professionals who serve them.303-861-1160 https://www.coloradocrimevictims.orgYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 4: Why Leaving Is So Hard: Trauma Bonding!If you’ve ever said, “I know they’re hurting me… so why can’t I just leave?” you’re not crazy—and you’re not weak. Trauma bonding is what happens when the nervous system learns to confuse relief with love, and survival with connection.In this episode, we break down why abuse can create attachment, why the “good moments” can feel addictive, and why leaving can feel like withdrawal. This isn’t about judging survivors—it’s about naming the cycle so it can lose its power.This conversation is about compassion without excuses, accountability without cruelty, and understanding that healing often starts with safety, regulation, and one honest step at a time.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesVisit the website for full episodes, additional context, and our ever-growing list of domestic violence and sexual assault resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comSexual Assault SupportRAINNRAINN800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.orgNational Sexual Violence Resource Centerhttps://www.nsvrc.orgDomestic Violence SupportNational Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgSafeHouse DenverEmergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and support for survivors & children303-318-9989 (24-Hour Crisis Line)https://safehouse-denver.orgCOVA - Colorado Organization for Victim AssistanceTraining, resources, and support for victims of crime and the professionals who serve them.303-861-1160 https://www.coloradocrimevictims.orgYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 3: Sexual Assault Within a Relationship!When most people hear “sexual assault,” they picture a stranger. But a lot of sexual harm happens with someone the survivor already knows—and one of the most ignored realities is this: sexual assault can happen inside a relationship.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres explores what consent actually means when you’re dating, married, living together, or emotionally tied to someone. This episode speaks directly to survivors, supporters, and anyone trying to understand the difference between intimacy and entitlement—without shame, without minimizing, and without pretending it’s “complicated” when someone won’t respect a no.This conversation is about clarity, safety, and naming what happened so healing can begin. If boundaries feel dangerous, if “no” triggers retaliation, or if you’ve been left questioning your own reality—this episode is for you.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesVisit the website for full episodes, additional context, and our ever-growing list of domestic violence and sexual assault resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comSexual Assault SupportRAINNRAINN800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.orgNational Sexual Violence Resource Centerhttps://www.nsvrc.orgDomestic Violence SupportNational Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgFashion Industry Workplace Protection (Referenced Framework)Model Alliance — RESPECT Programhttps://www.modelalliance.org/respectYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 2: More Than One Kind of Abuse!When most people hear the word “abuse,” they think of bruises, broken bones, or raised voices. But abuse doesn’t always leave visible marks, and that’s exactly why so much of it goes unrecognized.In this episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres explores the many forms of abuse that exist beyond physical violence, including emotional, psychological, verbal, financial, sexual, and coercive control. Through personal reflection, research-backed insight, and real-world examples, this episode names the kinds of harm that often hide in plain sight and the lasting impact they leave behind.This conversation is about awareness without shame, accountability without cruelty, and recognizing that harm doesn’t need to be visible to be real. Whether you’re reflecting on your own experiences, supporting someone you love, or examining your own behavior, this episode invites you to see abuse more clearly so that healing can begin.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:YouTube: @WalkWithMe-PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesSeeking help is not weakness, it is the first real step toward change.Batterer / Behavior Change ProgramsNational Domestic Violence Hotline - They can help locate accountability-based programs in your area1-800-799-SAFE (7233)https://www.thehotline.orgNational Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)https://nnedv.orgMen-Specific Accountability & Change1in6 (also supports accountability conversations around sexual harm)https://1in6.orgMen Stopping Violence (education & accountability model)https://menstoppingviolence.orgVisitVisit the website for full episodes, additional context, and our ever-growing list of domestic violence and sexual assault resources:https://www.walkwithmepod.comYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes.If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to share your reflections anonymously or openly for future follow-up episodes where listener voices will help guide the conversation forward.Until then — take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.

Episode 1: The Choice to ChangeChange doesn’t start with answers. It begins with awareness.In this first episode of Walk With Me!, David Torres shares a deeply personal part of his story: growing up surrounded by abuse, carrying those learned patterns into adulthood, and reaching a moment where a decision had to be made. Repeat what was modeled… or choose something different.This episode explores how early exposure to violence and control can quietly shape reactions, relationships, and identity and how recognizing that blueprint is often the first real step toward change. Through honest reflection and lived experience, this conversation centers accountability without shame and the power of choosing a different path, even when that choice is uncomfortable.This episode isn’t about perfection or having everything figured out. It’s about naming what was learned, questioning what no longer fits, and understanding that healing often begins with one conscious decision.Follow Me on Social MediaJoin the conversation, share your reflections, and walk with the community:• YouTube: @WalkWithMe-Podcast• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithme.podcast/• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@walkwithmepod• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walk-with-me-podcast-341201356/Website & ResourcesSeeking help is not weakness, it is the first real step toward change.Visit the website for full episodes, additional context, and an ever-growing list of local (Colorado) and national domestic violence and sexual assault resources:• https://www.walkwithmepod.comYou can also submit resources, reflections, or topics you’d like explored in future episodes. This space grows with the community.Support & Crisis ResourcesNational Domestic Violence Hotline• 24/7 confidential support for domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and relationship abuse• 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)• https://www.thehotline.orgRAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)• National Sexual Assault Hotline, survivor support, online chat, and education• 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)• https://www.rainn.orgVictimConnect Resource Center• Confidential referrals for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, trafficking, and more• 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846)• Chat available• https://victimconnect.orgIf this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. You’re invited to rate and review the podcast, share it with someone who might need it, or reach out to share your thoughts for a future follow-up episode where listener voices help guide the conversation forward.Until then, take care of yourself.And I’ll see you on the path.