The Cocoon: A Safe Place for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Trauma

In “Dignity After Death: Trauma-Informed Funeral Care for Survivors with Michelle Dwyer,” Ruby sits down with funeral director and celebrant Michelle Dwyer from Dwyer Family Funerals to unpack what dignity after death really looks like – especially for survivors of sexual trauma.Together, they explore how language, boundaries and respectful body care can transform funeral practice from something clinical and cold into something deeply humane, safe and family-centred.Michelle shares how her family-run funeral home focuses on empathy rather than profit, why the words “we’re bringing them into our care” matter so much, and how trauma-informed funeral directors can support anxious families who fear their loved one being mishandled. She also explains what actually happens in the mortuary, common myths about embalming, and practical ways we can advocate for ourselves and our loved ones in end-of-life planning.If you’ve ever worried about how your body – or your loved one’s body – will be treated after death, this gentle, grounded conversation offers validation, clear information and real-world tools to ask for the care you deserve.We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts!LinkDwyer Family Funerals: Website and InfoTBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!)(Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au

In this teaser for Part One of “Dignity After Death: Trauma-Informed Funeral Care for Survivors with Michelle Dwyer,” Ruby shares a powerful clip from her conversation with funeral director and celebrant Michelle Dwyer from Dwyer Family Funerals. They explore what dignity after death really means for survivors of sexual abuse and complex trauma, and why the words “we’re bringing them into our care” can make all the difference when you’re grieving.If you’ve ever worried about how your body or your loved one’s body will be treated after death, this preview offers a gentle, trauma-informed introduction to funeral care, mortuary practices and advocating for respectful body care.🔔 Full Part One episode drops on 29 March.

In Part 2 of her powerful conversation, Denise opens up about the somatic aftermath of sexual trauma and how it’s shaped her experiences of pregnancy, birth, and parenting. From panic attacks during breastfeeding to triggering OB/GYN procedures and setting boundaries with her child, Denise shares the raw truth of what it means to raise a family while living with a dysregulated nervous system.We also talk about survivor guilt, formula vs breastfeeding stigma, and the judgement women face when their maternal experiences don’t match the “perfect mother” narrative. Denise explains how trauma can hijack our sense of safety, how neuroperception misfires in the body, and why traditional talk therapy alone sometimes isn’t enough.This episode is an honest look at parenting after sexual violence — the triggers, the shame, the resilience — and how healing is possible through somatic therapy, spiritual tools, and radical self-compassion.🔹 Topics: parenting after trauma, sexual violence, breastfeeding triggers, birth trauma, somatic healing, neuroception, survivor guilt, motherhood, energy work🔹 Content warning: mentions of sexual assault, birth trauma, body-based triggersWe made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! LinkDenise's Linktree: www.deniseelysa.com/link-treeTBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!)(Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au

"It’s not my baby’s fault. But when her hand touched my neck, I panicked — like I wasn’t even in my body anymore.”In this month's upcoming episode, Denise speaks the truth so many survivors hold in silence — what happens when sexual trauma doesn’t stay in the past, but shows up in the most intimate, everyday moments of parenting.Breastfeeding. Birth. Even a hug from your child.When your nervous system still holds the memory, motherhood hits differently. In Part 2, we dive into:— Birth trauma & why it’s often worse for survivors— The shame of not being the “perfect mother”— Breastfeeding, body boundaries & the guilt no one talks about— How healing your neuroception can shift your whole life— Why talk therapy alone wasn’t enough for her— And the one thing she wishes every OB/midwife knewThis episode is raw, real, and deeply validating.You are not alone. And you are not broken. Available soon on all streaming services

What does healing really feel like after trauma? For Denise, it wasn’t soft or peaceful. It felt like necrosis, like something inside her was dying slowly while the outside world thought she was fine.In Part One of this honest, vulnerable chat, Denise and I talk about what happens after the trauma. The messy, quiet part no one really prepares you for. We talk about the nervous system, the shame, and how hard it is to trust your own body again when it’s been through hell.Some of the things we get into:🦋 Why trauma doesn’t end when the moment is over🧠 How your body can still feel unsafe even when you’re safe now💔 What healing actually looks like — especially when it’s not pretty🗣️ And what happens when you finally say the things you’ve never said out loudIf you’ve ever felt like you’re falling apart while “getting better,” this one’s for you.Denise's Linktree: www.deniseelysa.com/link-treeTBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos(watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!)Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au

"It felt like necrosis. Like parts of me had to die off to even begin healing". In this raw teaser. Denise shares how the aftermath of trauma lived in her body- how survival meant peeling away the dead layers left behind by the abuse. Part One soon to drop on 25th Jan.

In this episode, I speak with Mao, founder of Mistakes Are Overrated, about how journalling became a powerful tool in her trauma healing journey. We talk about Mao’s long-standing love for reflective writing, how consistent journalling helped her process trauma, regulate her nervous system, and rebuild self trust, and how that deeply personal practice inspired her to create her own self impact journalling book.This conversation explores journalling for mental health, healing through writing, self reflection, and how putting your inner world on the page can support trauma recovery and personal growth.🌱 Learn more about Mao’s workhttps://mistakesareoverrated.com/📓 Explore Mao’s self impact journalling bookhttps://mistakesareoverrated.com/TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videosIntro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au

In this episode, I sit down with licensed massage therapist and journalist Dr. Dominique Carson to explore how intentional touch can become a powerful tool in healing sexual trauma.We go beyond the table by diving into the emotional, psychological, and somatic layers of massage therapy. Dr. Carson shares how trauma can live in the body long after words run out, and how a safe, informed practitioner can help clients reconnect with their bodies, reclaim pleasure, and begin to truly heal.This is a conversation about consent, nervous system regulation, and what it really means to feel safe in your skin again.Whether you’re healing, holding space for others, or simply curious — this episode might change how you think about touch forever.Dominique's Linktree: TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auIntro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au

What happens when the place you go for help… has another agenda?In this gripping episode, I sit down with U.S. clinic escort and reproductive rights advocate Cait Morrigan to expose the lesser-known side of abortion access — where “support” is used to coerce, and choice becomes a carefully guided illusion.From crisis pregnancy centres in Australia that push people toward parenthood, to the emotional manipulation tactics used under the guise of care, this episode unpacks the quiet war being waged against bodily autonomy — in both the States and here at home.We talk activism, emotional abuse in reproductive healthcare, and what real support should actually look like in 2025.🎙️ If you’ve ever wondered why reproductive rights still need defending — or how even “safe” clinics can pressure vulnerable people — this one’s for you.Listen now. Share widely. This conversation could change someone’s path.Cait's Linktree:TBBI Links/Enquiries:Facebook: The Blue Butterfly InstituteEmail: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auWebsite: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.auIntro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya StarkIf in need of help during an immediate crisis:100RESPECT: 1800 737 732Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested:Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au