What happens when the very laws meant to protect children instead give predators a license to abuse? In this episode of Your Radical Truth Podcast, host Margaret Mary O’Connor speaks with survivor, advocate, and bestselling author Donna Simmons, whose life story exposes the devastating reality of child marriage in the United States.

Donna reveals how systemic failures, generational trauma, and outdated laws continue to silence survivors and perpetuate abuse. At just 16, she was forced into marriage—a betrayal legitimized by the system itself. Rather than remain silent, Donna transformed her pain into purpose. Today she leads the fight to end child marriage, hold institutions accountable, and empower survivors to reclaim their voices.

Her memoir, From Ashes to Flame, is more than a personal story. It is a call to action, urging lawmakers and communities alike to confront the truth and demand change.

This conversation is raw, urgent, and necessary. Tune in to hear how Donna Simmons is breaking cycles of trauma, challenging systemic betrayal, and sparking a movement for justice.

Listen now: www.YourRadicalTruth.com/044-Donna-Simmons

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, revealing a system that treats childbirth as an illness rather than a natural process. Reverend Brighid Danielle Curby Hegdale, ordained in the Reformed Anamkara Celtic Church and a longtime doula, joins host Margaret Mary O’Connor on Your Radical Truth Podcast to uncover the truth about midwifery, doulas, and the need for genuine consent in maternal care.

Reverend Hegdale shares her personal story of birth trauma, her decades of experience supporting women and families, and her journey into priesthood. This conversation explores how midwifery has supported families for centuries, why doulas are vital, and how faith and advocacy intersect to restore dignity in birth.

Full post here: www.YourRadicalTruth.com/043-Danielle-Hegdale

What happens when life ends suddenly, without warning or time to say goodbye?

Few people have confronted that mystery as closely as Father Nathan G. Castle, O.P., a Dominican priest with an extraordinary ministry. For more than three decades, Father Nathan has been called in dreams to help souls who died traumatically or abruptly. Over 600 individuals who passed through accidents, violence, or sudden events have appeared to him seeking peace, healing, and a way forward.

With prayer partners beside him, Father Nathan guides these souls through what he calls Interrupted Death Experiences™. His role is not about chasing the supernatural but about offering pastoral care and helping the departed release trauma so they can move into the light.

In this powerful conversation with host Margaret Mary O’Connor, you’ll hear how:

• Souls can become “stuck” after sudden death and what helps them move on

• Truth and compassion bring healing, even in the afterlife

• Families sometimes witness near-death visitations that ease the transition

• A young baseball player nicknamed “Iron Mike” found freedom after decades of guilt and confusion

• Speaking openly about mystical encounters helps others share their stories without shame

Father Nathan also draws a clear line between his ministry and necromancy, explaining how his Dominican leadership recognizes this unique calling as part of his vocation. His stories reveal the profound variety of afterlife experiences and the hope that peace is always possible.

Resources Mentioned:

• Father Nathan’s website: nathan-castle.com

• Afterlife Interrupted series

A conversation filled with faith, mystery, and compassion, offering a rare glimpse into what may await on the other side of life’s most sudden endings.