Down the Rabbit Hole

Hosted by TCFV

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108

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May 2026

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About the show

Down the Rabbit Hole aims to deepen the conversation around violence prevention with a series of discussions on the root causes and consequences of violence. Join us each week as we go down a different rabbit hole to critically examine a topic and how it relates to gender - based violence.

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May 20, 2026Episode 81 hr 3 min

The Reality of DV and Family Systems

This episode contains discussions of domestic violence and its impact on children and families. Listeners are encouraged to pause and care for themselves as needed.In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, the Prevention team is joined once again by a favorite returning guest, Barbara, for an honest conversation about the realities domestic violence survivors and families face. Together, they explore the lasting impact of abuse on family dynamics, parenting, children, and support systems, while challenging the oversimplified question of why survivors do not “just leave.”The discussion also highlights protective parenting, barriers survivors navigate within community and institutional systems, and the emotional toll these experiences can have on families. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we also start with a candid conversation about personal wellness practices and the importance of making space for rest and care in difficult times.Resources:The National Domestic Violence HotlineTexas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)Lundy BancroftSafe & Together InstituteChild Welfare Information Gateway

April 15, 2026Episode 754 min

Everything is Prevention

Content Warning - This episode discusses themes of domestic violence. Please listen with care. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William is joined by Tracie and Samantha from the prevention team at TCFV to unpack their guiding belief: “prevention is everything, and everything is prevention.” They explore why any point of contact, from parks to public libraries, can be an opportunity for prevention or intervention, and how stronger community partnerships expand those opportunities. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing risk and protective factors, including basic needs like food and access to health care. Throughout, they share examples of everyday interventions, from a teacher stocking easy meals for students to helping survivors access employment and stability. Listen in for a thoughtful look at how prevention shows up in everyday moments, and the role each of us can play in building safer communities.

March 19, 2026Episode 649 min

Dear Young Survivor

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence, survivor experiences, and navigating the reporting and legal system. Please listen with care. What keeps you going when you’re young, feeling overwhelmed, and trying to be heard in a system that seems bigger than you? In this episode, we begin with an open letter from young survivor Vivian Sanchez and then delve into her experiences navigating reporting and legal processes as a minor and later as a young adult. Vivian discusses self-advocacy during moments of powerlessness, how her voice and choices were perceived differently at various ages, and what kind of support actually helps instead of taking control away. She also offers guidance for educators and advocates on fostering safer spaces, respecting boundaries, and empowering young people to speak for themselves. Tune in for an honest survivor-led perspective on support, agency, and healing. Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: TCFVlove is respect

February 18, 2026Episode 551 min

Youth Accountability

What does it look like to hold youth accountable for violent behavior? Today on Down the Rabbit Hole, Samantha, Tracie, Diane, and Amanda join us to discuss youth accountability. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Amanda’s career and what led her to TCFV, what BIPP is, why we need teen-specific interventions, and so much more! We delve into how the Family Peace Initiative intervenes in youth accountability and its unique programs before discussing the topics the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence touches on during their youth programs. From the importance of parent involvement in youth accountability to co-facilitation to our hopes for the future of youth accountability, this episode covers it all, so be sure to tune in now! Please note, this episode carries a content warning for domestic violence, BIPPS, and youth violence, so please listen with care and take breaks when needed. Resources from the episode:Family Peace Initiative – Youth Initiative Programming: https://familypeaceinitiative.com/community-programs/youth-initiative Center Against Sexual and Family Violence- Teen Intervention and Prevention Program: https://casfv.org/prevention-education/teen-intervention-prevention-program LoveisRespect:https://www.loveisrespect.org/ Texas Department of Criminal Justice- Community Justice Assistance Division: Battering Intervention andPrevention Program Accreditation Guidelines: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/documents/BIPP_Accreditation_Guidelines.pdf

January 21, 2026Episode 458 min

Honoring Texas Victims

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, trauma, and homicide. Please listen with care and step away if you need a break.Behind every statistic is a life. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William sits down with Tracie and Samantha, and guest Wendy Arias, Coordinated Community Response Coordinator for the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV), to discuss the Honoring Texas Victims (HTV) 2024 Intimate Partner Fatality Report. Wendy walks us through how the report is created, from reviewing homicide cases to working with partners across Texas to ensure accuracy and accountability. The conversation covers key findings from the 2024 data, including trends related to firearms, age ranges, and the broader impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on families and communities. We also discuss why victim narratives are central to the report, keeping the focus on people rather than statistics. Wendy reflects on the emotional toll of working with fatality data and the importance of community care for advocates and prevention workers. Listen in for a grounded, compassionate conversation about violence, prevention, and the human cost behind the data.

December 17, 2025Episode 356 min

2025 Reflections

All the political and social changes that have happened this year have created challenges that have impacted prevention work. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, most of the prevention team, William, Tracie, Samantha, and Vivian, reflect on 2025 and discuss what we’re looking forward to for next year. Tuning in, you’ll hear what foods are nostalgic and meaningful for us over the holidays, how this unpredictable year has impacted the way we do prevention work, and the importance of community and community care. We touch on our goals to talk about self-care and wellness in conjunction with community partnership next year. You’ll be inspired to operate from a mindset of abundance and broaden your community engagement with creativity. We are so excited to see what 2026 has in store for us! To hear all this and even learn a breathing exercise to ground you in the new year, be sure to press play now.

November 19, 2025Episode 253 min

Healing Through Nature

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, trauma, and healing from abuse. Please listen with care and step away if you need a break. What does healing look like beyond the therapy room? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William and Samantha sit down with their colleague and public policy coordinator, Krista Varney, to explore how nature, community, and non-traditional practices can support survivors of domestic violence. Krista shares her journey into the movement, her current work in policy, and how becoming a Texas Master Naturalist and her interest in native plants, trees, and wildlife reshaped her own healing and her approach to advocacy. They unpack why nature can be such a powerful complement to traditional counseling, how simple experiences can calm the nervous system, and why access to green space is deeply tied to equity, history, and environmental justice. They also discuss integrating food access and mutual aid into programming, honoring Indigenous knowledge of land and ecosystems, and creating communities that function like healthy forests. Join us to learn new ways to weave nature into advocacy, prevention, and healing journeys for survivors and their families. Tune in now!

October 15, 2025Episode 154 min

DVAM Reflections with DV Coalition Leaders

It is the Season SIX premiere of Down the Rabbit Hole! For this special premiere we explore the question "What does coalition leadership look like during political, cultural, and financial changes, and how do we lead without leaving anyone behind?" To open DVAM (Domestic Violence Awareness Month), William and Samantha convene a roundtable of state coalition leaders to explore why coalitions matter now more than ever. Gloria Aguilera Terry (Texas Council on Family Violence) is joined by Judy Chen (Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence), Dr. Maria Corona (Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence), Hema Sarang-Sieminski (Jane Doe Inc.), and Susan Higginbotham (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Together, they unpack the collective power of speaking with one voice, the realities of funding gaps, and the drivers of the politicized pushback. They also discuss the toll of the work on advocates, and why prevention, radical empathy, and world-building belong at the center of coalitions. Join the conversation to learn how shared leadership, collective care, and prevention-first thinking can help us build safer communities together. Tune in now! This episode explores topics of domestic violence. Please listen with care.

August 27, 2025Episode 1444 min

TCFV's Town Hall 2025

We're getting ready for our annual Town Hall! Join William and Roy, along with special guests Gloria Aguilera Terry, our CEO, and Tommi Vincent, a thought leader and passionate advocate, to hear more about this year's Town Hall. We will talk about some of the journeys we've been on with this work, what kitchen gadgets are a must-have, we'll hear about the incredible initiatives Tommi has undertaken, and what it's like serving as a board chair for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Together, we delve into deeper discussion on the inception of Town Hall, how the Honoring Texas Victims Report plays a significant role, the powerful impact the event carries, and what we’d love people to experience and walk away with after this year’s event. These conversations are a call to action. Listeners are encouraged to take what they learn and use it to drive the necessary change in their own lives and communities, helping them to ultimately thrive!

August 20, 2025Episode 1254 min

A Peek into TCFV's Legislative Policy Process

There are 140 days in every Texas Legislative Session, and it goes fast! Jennifer Mudge is the Public Policy Manager, and Molly Voyles is our Director of Public Policy at Texas Council on Family Violence. During this conversation, they join us to share what our policy team focuses on during the session, the systems that support their work, and how they measure the success of each legislative session, always keeping survivors at the heart. We unpack the experience of preparing survivors to testify and explore the particular successes of the most recent session, before discussing how a new task force will help to reduce the rate of family violence homicides in our state, and exploring how recent work on a Crime Victim Bill of Rights protects victims of family violence. We also discuss the upcoming 30-day special session and what our team will do to carry important bills forward to truly make an impact.