Encore Surviving Abusive Relationships w/ Beverly Gooden

October 8, 2024
Hosted by Chris Meek

[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]

Guest Information

Episode Description

Beverly Gooden, author of Surviving: Why We Stay and How We Leave Abusive Relationships and creator of the viral social media movement #WhyIStayed, joins program host Chris Meek in this edition of Next Steps Forward. Listed as one of the top social change hashtags of 2014 by Forbes and named one of the “top 10 hashtags that started a conversation” by Time magazine, Ms. Gooden will discuss what prompted her to start the hashtag, the immediate reaction to the movement and how the greater dialogue about domestic violence is different today as a result of the hashtag. As someone who understands that it’s not always simple or easy to leave and that there can be practical reasons why someone stays, she will walk through some of the reasons that women do choose to stay in abusive relationships and what someone should do to protect themselves from physical violence or even death once they are able to leave an abuser. Ms. Gooden speaks from personal experience and works to reframe the conversation and narrative surrounding abusive relationships, prompting listeners to ask “Why did he hit her in the first place” instead of “Why didn’t she leave?”

Next Steps Forward

Tuesday at 10 AM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel

Personal empowerment, commitment to our own well-being and the motivation to achieve more than we ever thought possible are the ingredients of a better life. And, they’re all within our reach. Next Steps Forward with Chris Meek delves into each aspect of the three keys that add energy, excitement, direction and purpose to everything that we do.

Each week, Chris hosts leaders from the worlds of business, sports, entertainment, medicine, politics and public policy as they engage in thought-provoking discussions to help us all take the next step forward on our own journeys to our better selves and greater service to others. Next Steps Forward with Chris Meek is an informative, uplifting hour every Tuesday at 1 PM Eastern Time and 10 AM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel that’s certain to inspire you to take that important next step forward, too. You can learn more at: https://nextstepsforward.com/

Chris Meek

Chris Meek believes in the American spirit of individual empowerment and service to others, especially those who have sacrificed for our freedoms. As someone who lived through the horrors of Ground Zero on 9/11, Chris had no way home but to join others as they put one foot in front of the other to make their way forward. Since that day, Chris has committed himself to empowering and motivating fellow Americans to keep taking steps forward, no matter what life throws their way.

Chris has spent the last decade serving as the co-founder and chairman of the national nonprofit SoldierStrong, which is dedicated to helping military veterans take their next steps forward. SoldierStrong carries out its mission by providing revolutionary medical technology to VA medical centers, including exoskeleton suits to help paralyzed veterans walk again and virtual reality equipment to help treat post-traumatic stress.

He also serves as an advisor on the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force. In this role, he shares a responsibility to raise awareness about mental health, facilitate research and define a plan to prevent suicide. In 2020, Chris launched ReachStrong, a nonprofit aimed at empowering all Americans to care for their overall well-being. Chris is also a financial services executive at S and P Global, Inc, in New York City. He and his wife, Christine, have three children.

Episode Directory

October 2024

  • 10/29/2024: Small Actions, Big Impact w/ Dr. Resa Lewiss & Dr. Adaira Landry Listen Now
  • 10/22/2024: Promoting Women's Economic Security w/ Rachel Pearson Listen Now
  • 10/15/2024: Let’s Change The World w/ Emiliana Vegas Listen Now
  • 10/8/2024: Encore Surviving Abusive Relationships w/ Beverly Gooden Listen Now
  • 10/1/2024: An Inside Look at Athlete Mental Health w/ Julie Kliegman Listen Now

September 2024

August 2024

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