Podcast: The Trigger and The Truth

Host: Tina White

Series: Mental Health Matters

In this episode, Tina White shares the anonymous story of a young woman whose first love turned into her deepest trauma. What began as romance ended in violation, silence, and shame and the painful stigma that followed when she tried to go on as if nothing had happened.

This is not just her story. It’s a story that echoes for countless survivors of sexual violence in relationships: the weight of silence, the fear of not being believed, the stigma of victim blaming, and the long road toward reclaiming a voice.

• How sexual violence in relationships is often hidden behind masks of “love” and “normalcy.”
• The stigma survivors face when they try to break the silence.
• The impact of victim-blaming and disbelief on mental health and healing.
• The power of listening, believing, and supporting survivors without judgment.
• Why silence may feel safer, but breaking it—when survivors are ready—becomes an act of reclamation.

Your voice matters here. If this episode resonated with you, please:

• Share it with someone who needs to hear it.
• Rate and review The Trigger and The Truth wherever you listen—it helps this community grow.
• Call the show hotline at (715) 702-8845 to share your thoughts, reflections, or stories.

Nationwide Resource List – Mental Health, Legal & Crisis Support

A curated list of trusted, confidential resources across the U.S.:

Crisis Hotlines & Immediate Support

National

Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)

Call 1‑800‑656‑HOPE (4673) or start a 24/7 chat at RAINN’s site.

Confidential, free support and referrals provided.(RAINN)

National

Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH)

Call 1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233) or use their chat service. Available in 200+

languages—it also includes resources for dating violence (via Loveisrespect).(Wikipedia)

Specialized Support Lines

StrongHearts Native Helpline

For Native American and Alaska Native survivors: 1‑844‑7NATIVE (1‑844‑762‑8483)

or chat.(NIWRC)

National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline

For Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard-of-Hearing survivors: 855‑812‑1001

or visit thedeafhotline.org.(NIWRC)

Legal & Advocacy Support

Take Back the Night - National Sexual Assault Legal Hotline

Free legal aid for survivors seeking justice and understanding their rights.

Call 567‑SHATTER (567‑742‑8837).(takebackthenight.org)

Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC)

Based in Boston; offers free legal services to sexual assault...

Podcast: The Trigger and The Truth

Host: Tina White

Series: Mental Health Matters

Episode 41: Cut Throat Committee – An Inappropriate Response to Reality

Some enemies come dressed like friends, coworkers, or family. But let’s be real, sometimes the most dangerous member of the cut throat committee is you.

In this episode, I get into the uncomfortable truth: self-deception. The lies we tell ourselves to make bad decisions feel safe. The way we pretend not to know the consequences of our actions. And how we sabotage our own peace by letting people cross boundaries we should’ve enforced.

I share a personal story about a close friend who has convinced herself to normalize betrayal, and how that example mirrors the way so many of us live in inappropriate responses to reality. From accepting lies to ignoring red flags, we cut our own throats when we choose comfort over truth.

What you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why self-deception is the most destructive form of betrayal.
• The difference between their truth and THE truth.
• How to recognize when you’re responding to feelings instead of facts.
• What appropriate responses to reality look like in everyday life.
• Why holding yourself and your friends accountable is an act of love.

This episode isn’t about judgment, it’s about alignment. Because until you stop pretending, the lies will always have meaning.

👉 Tune in now to The Trigger and The Truth Podcast.

#TheTriggerAndTheTruth #CutThroatCommittee #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #RealConversations #SelfDeception #FaceTheTruth

Podcast: The Trigger and The Truth

Host: Tina White

Series: Mental Health Matters

Part Two: Sir, You’re Not On My Payroll – Entitled Energy is Expensive picks up where Episode 39 left off. This time, Tina dives deep into one personal story, when casual dating collided with financial entitlement, insecurity, and the audacity to try and cash in on someone else’s hustle.

It’s not just about a man asking for a cut of a commission check he didn’t earn, it’s about what that moment revealed: unspoken resentments, shifting dynamics, and how entitlement can quietly drain your energy if you don’t check it early.

This episode is a wake-up call about protecting your peace, your pockets, and your mental bandwidth from people who think being in your proximity gives them ownership over your effort.

"Welcome back to The Trigger and The Truth. This is Part Two of a conversation we started in Part Two: Sir, You’re Not On My Payroll – Entitled Energy is Expensive picks up where Episode 39 left off. This time, Tina dives deep into one personal story — when casual dating collided with financial entitlement, insecurity, and the audacity to try and cash in on someone else’s hustle.

It’s not just about a man asking for a cut of a commission check he didn’t earn — it’s about what that moment revealed: unspoken resentments, shifting dynamics, and how entitlement can quietly drain your energy if you don’t check it early.

This episode is a wake-up call about protecting your peace, your pockets, and your mental bandwidth from people who think being in your proximity gives them ownership over your effort.

"Welcome back to The Trigger and The Truth. This is Part Two of a conversation we started in Episode 39: The Lies We Tell Ourselves in Relationships That Should Have Been a One-Night Stand.

In this episode, we’re talking about one specific situation from my own life — a moment when casual dating got tangled up with financial entitlement. Let me paint the picture: You’re focused, you’re working, you’re building. Someone you’re dating sees your success and instead of celebrating, they start calculating. And suddenly, you’re not just managing the relationship — you’re managing their insecurity and sense of ownership over your hustle.

So today, I want to walk you through what happened, why entitlement energy is so expensive, and how to spot it before it costs you more than money. And I’ve got five key questions for you to ask yourself if you suspect someone is trying to live off your efforts without ever clocking in."

1. Does this person celebrate my wins or do they compete with them?
2. Have they ever implied they deserve a piece of my success without contributing to it?
3. Do I feel I have to downplay my accomplishments to keep them comfortable?
4. Are they adding value to my life or just attaching themselves to the benefits?
5. If this relationship ended today, would I feel relieved, or would I feel like I lost a true partner?

in Relationships That Should Have Been a One-Night Stand.

In this episode, we’re talking about one specific situation from my own life, a moment when casual dating got tangled up with financial entitlement. Let me paint the picture: You’re focused, you’re working, you’re building. Someone you’re dating sees your success and instead of celebrating, they start calculating. And suddenly, you’re not just managing the relationship, you’re managing their insecurity and sense of ownership over your hustle.

So today, I want to walk you through what happened, why entitlement energy is so expensive, and how to spot it before it costs you more...