blackbird: an advocacy podcast

Episode 21 - Amanda - A Survivor Story

Amanda joined the US Navy believing the had found her purpose in life, and a family in which she could truly feel supported. However, Amanda's excitement soon turned to her feeling as though she was a pariah and that the military did not see her as an important part of their fleet. Hear Amanda's story through her own words and feel her strength and empowerment. Thank you so much to Amanda for sharing her story and being so brave to bring this to light. We are forever grateful!

 

Find Amanda at https://www.instagram.com/french_press_photographie/

Survivor Story - A Conversation with Terra Newell

We all know Terra Newell as being the brave woman who survived an attack from her mother's husband, but what truly defines Terra is her strength to move forward and her desire to help other survivors. In this Survivor Story we speak with Terra about self-care, coping with PTSD, and helping loved ones in toxic relationships. Get to know Terra a little more and maybe learn a few lessons along the way.

Instagram: @terranewell

Twitter: @terra_newell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terraanewell/

Please see her social media pages for information about her survival anniversary celebration to benefit the When Georgia Smiled Foundation on Thursday, August 20, in Orange County, CA, or go to the event page here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/terra-newell-and-when-georgia-smiled-foundation-30874659273?fbclid=IwAR0c5bNSlbrG2Cg_4IseaxYFSZ4sUrcKLzAwbugz-81gKWqJP3sgN7cFYW0

Episode 20 - The Death of LaVena Johnson - Part II

In the final part of this two-parter we discuss more evidence surrounding the death of PFC LaVena Johnson, who died under mysterious circumstances in a tent in Iraq. The autopsy evidence shows much more damage done to her than initially proposed and the evidence found at the scene comes under scrutiny. What do you think happened to LaVena?

REFERENCES:

https://web.archive.org/web/20081015063957/http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/40956/1/Who-killed-Private-First-Class-LaVena-L-Johnson/Page1.html

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_0619c32f-0e7a-5e55-8b9b-2a11cb66ed9e.html

https://www.donaldwatkins.com/post/the-murder-of-pfc-lavena-johnson-part-1

https://www.cid.army.mil/assets/docs/foia/ReadingRoom/Lavena%20Johnson%202005.pdf

Episode 19 - The Death of LaVena Johnson, Part I

On July 19, 2005, PFC LaVena Johnson was found dead in a tent during the Iraq War. But this is not a case of enemy combatants or friendly fire, this is a case of a possible cover-up by the United States Department of Defense. Initially ruled a suicide via a self-inflicted gunshot wound, LaVena's death seems more consistent with foul play than a psychologically distraught soldier. In the first part of this two-parter, we discuss the ballistics and crime scene photos from LaVena's death investigation. Do you believe she committed suicide or do was it something much more devious?

REFERENCES:

https://web.archive.org/web/20081015063957/http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/40956/1/Who-killed-Private-First-Class-LaVena-L-Johnson/Page1.html

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_0619c32f-0e7a-5e55-8b9b-2a11cb66ed9e.html

https://www.donaldwatkins.com/post/the-murder-of-pfc-lavena-johnson-part-1

https://www.cid.army.mil/assets/docs/foia/ReadingRoom/Lavena%20Johnson%202005.pdf

Women in Podcasting Panel Discussion - LIVE from Pod vCon

Join Sarah, host of Blackbird: An Advocacy Podcast, as she interviews panelists Tina (The Psyche-Delic Podcast), Shen (Science Rehashed, Laura (Ivy League Murders), and Cammy (Mythstorie) about the trials and tribulations of being a woman in podcasting! We discuss statistics, genres, support in the community, and more! 

 

To check out these amazing women and their podcasts please see the links below:

The Psyche-Delic Podcast: linktr.ee/thepsychedelicpodcast

Science Rehashed: https://www.sciencerehashed.com/

Ivy League Murders: instagram.com/ivyleaguemurders

Mythstorie: mythstorie.pinecast.co

Where is Ashley Morin?

$20,000 Dollar Reward to help bring her home

 

Hear the story from the family that is actively looking for her, the struggle to get help from their local police, and what you can do to help bring Ashley Morin home.

 

https://www.facebook.com/bringashleymorinhome/

Tipline Email: shorturl.at/pHKMX

Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477

https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=206#

 

Tiki Laverdiere :

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/timeline-a-look-at-the-tiki-laverdiere-homicide-investigation-1.4543609

 

Episode 18 - Military Sexual Violence - Live from Pod vCon

In this episode we discuss statistics regarding military sexual violence - to begin our deep dive into this month's full review of cases and information about this subject. 

 

References:

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/04/30/a-culture-that-fosters-sexual-assaults-and-sexual-harassment-persists-despite-prevention-efforts-a-new-pentagon-study-shows/

 

https://www.protectourdefenders.com/factsheet/

 

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Apr/30/2002291696/-1/-1/1/15-ANNEX-1-2019-MILITARY-SERVICE-GENDER-RELATIONS-FOCUS-GROUPS-OVERVIEW-REPORT.PDF

Episode 17 - Darryl Lee Matanane

On August 30, 2019, former chef Darryl Lee Matanane was arrested in Midland, Texas. He had been charged with six felony counts including one count of rape by use of drugs, one count of rape of an unconscious person, one count of sodomy of an unconscious person, on count of sodomy by anesthesia or a controlled substance, one count of sexual penetration of an unconscious victim, and one count of sexual penetration by intoxicating or controlled substance.

 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to speak with trained staff who can provide information and resources local to you. 

 

DEA PDF: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/DFSA_0.PDF

 

REFERENCES

https://truecrimedaily.com/2019/10/20/southern-california-chef-charged-with-drugging-raping-military-member-at-restaurant/

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/seal-beach-chef-accused-of-raping-customer-released-from-jail-after-da-declines-to-file-charges/

https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/resources/publications/en/guidelines_chap2.pdf

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2751247?guestAccessKey=c65bdb04-8dfd-495f-b868-43e129b345ea&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=091619

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/seal-beach-chef-charged-with-drugging-raping-member-of-the-military-who-dined-at-restaurant/

https://www.sexualassault.army.mil/faqs.aspx#question15

 

 

Pod vCon - Virtual Podcast Convention

Join us on July 31 and August 1 for our first ever virtual podcast convention, Pod vCon. To watch live streaming podcast episodes from some of the best podcasts, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/294741095208842 (We will be streaming live through this group!) Don't miss out!! This convention is FREE!

Episode 16 - Raymond Rodio III

In 2019, Raymond Rodio III was arrested for sex trafficking as many as 22 women out of his parents' windowless basement that the media had dubbed his "sex dungeon" on Long Island, New York. 

References:

https://humantraffickinghotline.org/sites/default/files/NY-2018-State-Report.pdf

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/raymond-rodio-iii-kept-sex-dungeon-parents-long-island-home-sex-trafficking

https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/06/father-admits-running-sex-trafficking-ring-parents-basement-12193739/

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/raymond-rodio-allegedly-turned-parents-basement-into-sex-dungeon

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/sound-beach-human-trafficking-1.41437171

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/li-sex-trafficking-1.32142370