WHEN DATING HURTS

This episode comes with a long list of warning signs. The graphic descriptions of domestic violence in this survivor story can be triggering to some. There are instances of "adult language", as well. But the scenes depicted needed to be included so listeners can hear what often happens in unhealthy relationships. Please decide carefully whether you should listen to this episode or not. We decided to re-release this episode to underscore that domestic violence can touch anyone. It is all too common for any of us to think, "This only happens to someone else, it could never happen to me or my child." I beg you to get over that thought. Without paying attention to what can happen only makes it more possible of happening to someone you know. Bruce Bieber's daughter, Abigail Rose Bieber (Abby), was tragically murdered in an officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV) incident on January 29, 2022. She was a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy and was killed by her intimate partner, Daniel Leyden, who was also a detective in the same office. Leyden then committed suicide.  Bruce Bieber has become an advocate against OIDV, working to raise awareness and push for mandatory policies and accountability nationwide to prevent similar tragedies. He shares his family's story and the systemic failures that allowed his daughter's murder to occur. Leyden had a prior history of domestic violence known to the sheriff's office but not acted upon meaningfully.  There is much to be learned about OIDV but also the warning signs ignored by many involved. One of Leyden's ex-girlfriends, Chynna Ratner, is also included in this WHEN DATING HURTS episode. It is haunting to ⁠listen to Chynna tell what she experienced⁠. She is fortunate to be alive. Chynna's story (nd more) can be found on the ⁠This Sh*t's Hard Podcast⁠. It features candid, raw, co-hosted conversations with people who "do the hard sh*t". ⁠This Sh*t's Hard Podcast⁠⁠ gets right down to the biggest challenges of life, business, and everything in between. They have episodes on dating, building and scaling a brand, changing sexual preferences, the business of fashion, travel wellness, exercise, and entertainment television... and so much more. Always encompassing their favorite mantra: "We are happy, we are healthy, we are wealthy, and we are smoke shows." Give ⁠This Sh*t's Hard Podcast⁠⁠ a listen! Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE • ⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell ⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have appeared on Michele Locke's "LoveLustLaw" podcast several times. She asked me to join her in October 2026 for Domestic Violence month. LoveLustLaw is a true-crime and courtroom podcast that explores high-conflict divorces, custody battles, coercive control, and domestic violence. Michele is a survivor, lawyer, and previously a judge. She is a wealth of knowledge about dating abuse and domestic violence. This episode is a conversation recorded on October 5, 2026. We cover a wide range of topics you should consider sharing with those who need to hear it. I look forward to more chats with Michele, and I will share them with you. Here is Michele Locke's website. Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a short overview about warning signs. It is for the person who is still deciding whether the behavior of a partner is just bothersome or some kind of abuse. It is also information for friends who are worried that someone they know might be in a dangerous relationship. The psychological traps that keep people stuck need to be talked about so we know when to make plans to leave trouble behind. This is a short episode so you can listen to it all in very little time. It is also one of the most important episodes we have placed on this podcast. Please share this with anyone you know who can benefit from it. Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE • ⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell ⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Callie O'Reilly recently published a memoir about her experiences with domestic violence. It occurred during her time as a university student in Canada. But could have happened anywhere. Her book, entitled, "Let Me Down: Reflections on Love and Abuse," was a way to explore the "less often talked about" nuanced aspects of abuse with a focus on consent and shame. In fact, Callie has created the book she wish she had read back when she was 18. We thank Callie for offering her story to us. We hope a book like hers is read by those who need to see it and learn from her. Too many of us get the truth about what can happen too late. Sometimes our infatuation with someone fogs our vision. Our innocence is taking advantage of by a predator's manipulation, coercive control, and even violence. Callie's new book covers the realities of modern relationships: gaslighting, our state of mental health, self acceptance, healing, and reclaiming one's life from the effects of trauma. We thank Callie O'Reilly for joining us. Here is a link to her book. Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast exists because of my daughter Kristin. She was 21 years old when her ex-boyfriend stabbed her to death. She had already ended the relationship. She thought she would be free. She was not. LEAVING: Today's episode is for the person who is still deciding whether to leave. It is also for the person who already left and is still haunted by the question: did I do the right thing. We are talking about why leaving is so hard, the psychological traps that keep people stuck, and what it actually looks like to walk out and stay gone. This is a fairly short episode so you can listen to it all in very little time. It is also one of the most important episodes we have placed on this podcast. Bill Mitchell NOTE: If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ The ⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon. HELPFUL RESOURCES: • National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE • ⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474 • RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673 • SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988 Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast, Bill Mitchell ⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices