Jillian Schmitz
Jillian Schmitz
ASL Interpreter & mother Genna Middlebrook recounts her experience with intimate partner violence.
ASL Interpreter & mother Genna Middlebrook recounts her experience with intimate partner violence.
ASL Interpreter & mother Genna Middlebrook recounts her experience with intimate partner violence.
Sunday 20th July 2025
Join ASL interpreter Genna Middlebrook as she recounts her journey from intimate partner violence to recovery in this powerful podcast episode.
Explicit
66 minutes
hopeful
challenging
informative
empowering
About this podcast
Author:
Jillian Schmitz
Overview:
Categories:
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Recovery Reimagined
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Creative Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
76 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Surviving Abuse: Genna Middlebrook's Story
Episode Overview
- Genna Middlebrook shares her experience with intimate partner violence.
- The importance of finding support and community in recovery.
- How emotional abuse can impact mental health.
- Genna's journey from isolation to empowerment.
- Insights into the role of ASL in Genna's life and recovery.
Abandonment is the worst, and then it's emotional abuse because the narrator in our head takes on our earliest voices.
In this poignant episode of the Grey Maybe podcast, host Jillian Schmitz engages in a heartfelt conversation with Genna Middlebrook, an ASL interpreter who bravely recounts her harrowing experience with intimate partner violence. Genna shares her journey, starting from the early stages of her relationship, where subtle signs of control began to emerge. These signs, which included isolation from friends and relentless demands on her time, gradually escalated into more severe forms of emotional and physical abuse.
As Genna navigated the complexities of her relationship, she found herself increasingly isolated, a common tactic used by abusers to exert control. It was during her pregnancy that Genna realized the severity of her situation, as her partner's behavior deteriorated further, leading to job loss and deception. Genna's story sheds light on the insidious nature of abuse, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs early on.
Throughout the episode, Genna discusses her path to recovery, highlighting the critical role of support networks and the courage it takes to leave an abusive relationship. Her narrative is both empowering and informative, offering listeners valuable insights into the challenges faced by survivors of intimate partner violence. Genna also explores how her career as an ASL interpreter has provided her with a unique outlet for expression and healing.
The language of movement and dance inherent in ASL resonates with her passion for dance, offering both therapeutic benefits and a sense of community. Listeners are reminded of the importance of seeking help and finding a supportive community. Genna's story serves as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of reclaiming one's life. For those facing similar struggles, Genna's experience provides hope and a reminder that recovery is possible.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing the signs of abuse and taking steps towards healing. It is a call to action for listeners to support survivors and raise awareness about intimate partner violence.