Episode 6: Kevin's and Tashanna's Stories: Our Helpers Need Helpers Too

Welcome to The Lionhearted, a podcast featuring stories by the brave and badass people who spend their lives fighting the one thing absolutely no one wants to talk about - child sexual abuse. 

In this episode, we feature two people, a lionhearted couple named Kevin and Tashanna McNeil, who share the very hard truth that you cannot outrun trauma. 

As they write so perfectly in their new book, “We meet on dates. Our trauma meets in relationships.” We dive into that big topic and how we need each other to heal.

We also discuss the often ignored crisis, which is that first responders, such as Kevin, who was a special victims detective, and Tashanna, who is an Pediatric Urgent Care nurse, carry so much vicarious trauma and are woefully under supported. The helpers need help too. The good news is that there is hope yet and it can be found in their new book called Sound the Alarm: The Challenges First Responders Face and the S.A.F.E.R. Method to Overcome Them.

Trigger Warning:

Please note that this episode contains depictions of sexual violence that some people may find disturbing. If any of the content in this podcast has brought anything up for you, please reach out or speak to someone you trust.

Darkness to Light, a leading nonprofit focused on child sexual abuse prevention, also provides links to resources for support. Full disclosure: Andrea Harner is currently Board Chairperson of Darkness to Light.

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Host: Andrea Harner

Guest: Kevin McNeil, Tashanna McNeil

Producer: Andrea Harner and Amanda Kelso

Editing: Kevin Tosi

Resources mentioned on the show: 

• Sound the Alarm: The Challenges First Responders Face and the S.A.F.E.R. Method to Overcome Them by Kevin McNeil and Tashanna McNeil - Available on Amazon
• The Twelve Project
• Being First: A Course for First Responders on The Twelve Project
• Follow Kevin McNeil on Instagram: @kevin_mcneil_
• The Twelve Project on LinkedIn
• The Twelve Project on Facebook

Additional resources: 

• Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dermoot Lipsky
• Trauma Proofing Your Kids by Peter Levine, Maggie Kline
• Trauma and Childhood Development resources by Darkness to Light
• Darkness to Light National and State Resources

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Creators & Guests

Host

Andrea Harner

Child Forensic Interviewer

Producer

Amanda Kelso

Helping important stories get out there.

Guest

Kevin McNeil

Author of Sound the Alarm: The Challenges First Responders Face and the S.A.F.E.R. Method to Overcome Them and Founder The Twelve Project

Guest

Tashanna McNeil

Co-author of Sound the Alarm: The Challenges First Responders Face and the S.A.F.E.R. Method to Overcome Them

What is The Lionhearted Podcast?

The Lionhearted is a true crime podcast spotlighting the brave badasses who spend their lives fighting the one thing no one wants to talk about - child sexual abuse. Join your host, forensic interviewer Andrea Harner, as she gets up close and personal with these unforgettable stories.