Investigative journalist Jason Berry—the reporter whose 1980s Lafayette exposés sparked America’s modern clergy-abuse reckoning—joins Alex and Leticia Peyton (with guest co-host Quinn Hebert) for a frank look at four decades of accountability battles inside the Catholic Church. Author of Lead Us Not Into Temptation, Vows of Silence, and Render unto Rome, Berry unpacks the cover-ups he uncovered, the survivor movements they fueled, and why his upcoming book Conversations with Jason Berry revisits it all.

Jason’s fearless reporting proves that even entrenched institutions can be forced toward transparency—and that relentless truth-telling is the first step to healing.

Preorder Jason’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Jason-Berry-Literary/dp/1496861175

Explore his past work: NCRonline.org and TheGuardian.com

TentMakers Website: www.TentMakers.la

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-in-the-shadows/id1727772192

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vvl7WTTHZzmIzI84YOlvr?si=1575dc7ea9334f0e

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ResilienceintheShadows

In this episode, survivor-advocate Pamela Elaine Lockridge joins us to share her remarkable passage from abused child to ICU nurse, social-work researcher, and co-founder of Jesus Lifted Ministries. Drawing on her book Abused from 4 to 18 and the therapy framework she created—Grief Stages Plus (GSP)—Pamela exposes the long-term toll of hidden trauma and models a roadmap to lasting wholeness.

Pamela traces:

• Fourteen years of silence under an abusive step-father—and the moment she chose to break it.
• The leap from strip-club wages to a 20-year career in critical-care nursing, proving trauma need not define destiny.
• How earning a master’s in social work led her to expand Kübler-Ross’s grief model into an 8-stage healing path (denial to closure).
• Why multidisciplinary support—clinicians, law enforcement, legal counsel, faith community—is essential for survivor empowerment.
• Her mission to equip women entrepreneurs through Women Survivors in Business and to serve evangelists nationwide via Jesus Lifted Ministries.

Pamela’s fearless testimony invites every listener to confront the hidden wounds of abuse and walk toward light, purpose, and mental freedom.

Pamela's Email: lock14@bellsouth.net.

More Information about Pamela: https://womensurvivorsinbusiness.org/

Pamela's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Abused-Four-Eighteen-Survivors-Wholeness-ebook/dp/B0CSF8Y75C?ref_=ast_author_mpb

RitS Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-in-the-shadows/id1727772192

RitS Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vvl7WTTHZzmIzI84YOlvr?si=1575dc7ea9334f0e

RitS Youtube: https://youtu.be/Y0uHTT6NXPs

Tentmakers Website: www.Tentmakers.la

Dennis Peterson is a former aerospace engineer whose résumé spans orbit‑analysis work at Lockheed Martin and senior security‑systems engineering on classified drone programs at Raytheon. Financially independent by 48, he pivoted from high‑pressure defense projects to a life of scuba instruction, ultra‑endurance athletics, and hands‑on philanthropy. Through his nonprofit umbrella “JWICS—Just What I Can Support, Just What I Can Share,” Dennis funds scholarships, outfits orphanages, and is launching a free‑breakfast community kitchen for schoolchildren in Cozumel, Mexico.

Alex and Leticia Payton trace Dennis’s arc from a 14‑year‑old clerical‑abuse survivor to accomplished engineer and, ultimately, philanthropic changemaker. Dennis recounts how trauma shaped his life plan—marry young, stay active with his kids, retire early—and how a Catholic‑Charities training video finally propelled him to report his abuser decades later. The trio dig into the career ceilings imposed by secrecy and shame, Dennis’s unsuccessful bid to be formally excommunicated from the Church, and his decision to pour settlement money and personal savings into Jay Wicks instead of “a new Corvette.” They also explore survivor stigma, the power of straightforward apologies, and practical ways allies can break the silence. Throughout, Dennis emphasizes that transforming pain into purposeful giving—whether scholarships, soup kitchens, or mentoring—has proven more fulfilling than any corporate accolade.

Follow Dennis! https://www.facebook.com/myJWICS

Tentmakers Website: www.Tentmakers.la

Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-in-the-shadows/id1727772192

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vvl7WTTHZzmIzI84YOlvr?si=1575dc7ea9334f0e

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@ResilienceintheShadows

Ramon Vargas is an award-winning investigative journalist (currently with The Guardian) whose reporting spotlights institutional failures and systemic abuse—especially clergy sexual-abuse scandals and other cases where vulnerable people are harmed by organizations that should protect them. Known around Louisiana and New Orleans for breaking high-impact stories, he combines meticulous document digging with survivor-centered interviews to bring accountability and public awareness to subjects that might otherwise remain hidden.

Alex and Leticia invite Ramon onto Resilience in the Shadows to explore how investigative journalism can empower survivors and push institutions toward transparency and reform. Ramon recounts the tip that first drew him into covering clergy abuse, outlines how he corroborates survivor accounts, and explains the ongoing obstacles—such as secrecy, incomplete policy enforcement, and public fatigue—that hinder real change. The trio discuss the ripple effects of major exposés, the moral duty of journalists to give survivors a voice, and practical ways ordinary community members can confront silence or complacency. Throughout, Ramon emphasizes that sustained public scrutiny—not just isolated headlines—is essential to ending cycles of abuse and ensuring justice.

Tentmakers Website: www.Tentmakers.la

Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-in-the-shadows/id1727772192

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vvl7WTTHZzmIzI84YOlvr?si=1575dc7ea9334f0e

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@ResilienceintheShadows

In this episode, we speak to Kristi Schubert, who is a dedicated trial attorney and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, including rape, child molestation, sex trafficking, and institutional abuse, ensuring survivors feel heard and supported through the legal process. Beyond her legal practice, Kristi frequently educates communities on survivor representation and victims’ rights.

Kristi explains key concepts survivors and supporters should understand—such as child sexual abuse, grooming, and how institutional settings can enable abuse. Kristi clarifies the importance of using precise language (instead of softening terms like “boundary violation”) to acknowledge the reality of abuse. She explains the differences between civil and criminal cases, stressing how civil suits can offer survivors greater autonomy in seeking justice. We discuss the notion of consent (particularly for minors and vulnerable adults) and highlight how institutional policies must be actively enforced to protect children and other at-risk groups.

Kristi's Law Firm: https://lamothefirm.com/

Tentmakers Website: www.Tentmakers.la

Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-in-the-shadows/id1727772192

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vvl7WTTHZzmIzI84YOlvr?si=1575dc7ea9334f0e

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@ResilienceintheShadows

In this episode, whistleblower, president of Tentmakers, and founding member of the Society of Saint Peter Damian, Quinn Hebert, takes us through his transformative journey—from his formative years in seminary to his pivotal role exposing abuse and cover-ups in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Quinn recounts his journey from initially trying to reform the church from within to eventually supporting and advocating for survivors. He details instances of safe environment violations, inconsistencies in church leadership, and the challenges faced by those who speak out. His experiences shed light on long-standing issues of abuse and neglect, demonstrating that these problems continue to affect the church today. Ultimately, his story encourages us to reflect on these issues and work toward genuine accountability and change.

Further context and documentation:

SSPD homepage: https://sspdlafayette.wordpress.com/

Dutel Article: https://sspdlafayette.wordpress.com/2019/04/17/the-dutel-question/

Polson Article: https://sspdlafayette.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/unredacted-eyewitness-accounts-of-an-unsafe-environment/

Polson Witness Interview: https://youtu.be/YW3nVQY2fjQ?si=eA-9TYHvFoobb-hr

Bishop’s Warning to Seminarians: https://youtu.be/TRn7w_BRd98?si=f85SBRFCYT556LAW

Tentmakers Website: www.Tentmakers.la

Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-in-the-shadows/id1727772192

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vvl7WTTHZzmIzI84YOlvr?si=1575dc7ea9334f0e

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/Y0uHTT6NXPs

In this episode, we are joined by Nina Hanssen, a Norwegian survivor who endured unimaginable trauma—from childhood sexual abuse to life-threatening gunfire in Somalia—to become a guiding light for others on their healing journeys. A peak performance and flow expert, award-winning journalist, and best-selling author, Nina channels her own experiences of overcoming adversity, including open-heart surgery, into empowering and uplifting survivors across continents.

Through workshops, speaking engagements, and published works, Nina brings hope, resilience, and practical strategies to those still finding their way out of the shadows. Her extraordinary story reminds us that even in the wake of devastating trials, the human spirit can rise, grow, and become a beacon of renewal for others.

Nina’s Website:

https://www.ninahanssen.com/

TentMakers Website:

https://www.tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Stano, whose childhood was marked by relentless, orchestrated abuse within trusted religious institutions. From the tender age of six, Michael endured unimaginable trauma at the hands of clergy who wielded spiritual authority as a weapon. After decades of repressed memories, he now courageously pulls back the curtain on a carefully concealed network of corruption and cover-ups, revealing the chilling tactics used to exploit and silence victims.

Through raw truth-telling, Michael shares the long and painful path to reclaiming his worth, channeling his pain into advocacy, and calling for urgent reform. Join us as we bear witness to his story—one that demands accountability, illuminates the resilience of the human spirit, and inspires a collective reckoning to protect future generations from suffering in the shadows.

Michael's Website:

www.energyoftribe.com

Tentmaker's Website:

https://www.tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we are joined by Officer Johnny Banda, a survivor, author, and hero, who shares his powerful journey from enduring abuse in an orphanage to becoming a law enforcement officer who saved lives during the Santa Fe High School shooting.

Johnny opens up about his early years, where he faced sexual abuse by peers, caretakers, and potential adopters, and how these experiences shaped his life. He recounts the pivotal moment when he confronted one of his abusers in a professional setting, preventing further harm to others, and how this confrontation was a turning point in his healing process.

Johnny also discusses how his past influenced his relationships, his role as a husband and father, and his dedication to helping others heal from trauma. Through sharing his story and his book “Behind Closed Doors of an Orphanage,” Johnny aims to inspire others to confront their own traumas and find healing.

Johnny's Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Closed-Doors-Orphanage-Banda/dp/1441558500

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/behind-closed-doors-of-an-orphanage-j-m-banda/1018218500

Tentmakers Website:

https://www.tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we are joined by Tim Burns, a musician and survivor, who shares his deeply personal journey of healing from childhood trauma through the transformative power of music. Tim opens up about the impact of abuse on his life, his battles with isolation and hypervigilance, and the strength he found to overcome. Through raw storytelling and a live performance of his original song “Darkness,” Tim invites listeners into his experience of resilience, highlighting the importance of support systems and the ongoing journey toward recovery. His story reminds us of the enduring strength of survivors and the role of creativity in the healing process.

Website:

https://timeburnsmusic.com/

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@timeburns7533

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TimEBurnsMusic/

Booking Information:

Contact Tim E Burns

(408) 218-3074

timeburnsmusic@yahoo.com

https://www.tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we are joined by Craig Waleed, an educator, advocate, and author, who shares his transformative story from a childhood marked by trauma to an 8-year incarceration and, ultimately, redemption. Craig recounts how early life struggles, including sexual abuse, shaped his path to prison, but it was within those prison walls that his journey of healing began. Through self-reflection, education, and mentorship, Craig found his way out of the cycle of violence and discovered his true identity. His powerful narrative reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of addressing trauma, and the role of education in changing lives.

To learn more about Craig Waleed and his work, visit:

https://disabilityrightsnc.org/who-we-are/team/craig-waleed/

Craig Waleed’s Podcast: Prison to Promise:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ypSMM92xCXuZWkfBD14Ha?si=0b305adeafd34285

Craig Waleed’s Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Craig-Waleed/author/B08F6WCWZN?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1728938492&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Tentmakers Website:

https://www.tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we are joined by Paul and Kris Ciaccia, the passionate voices behind The Angry Catholic Show. Their advocacy began with a painful personal discovery: twice, their sons were placed in direct contact with priests known to have abused children. Outraged by the Church’s failures and the explosive revelations of the McCarrick scandal and the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, Paul and Kris transformed their anger into action. Through their podcast, they confront the darkest aspects of the Catholic Church, challenging the status quo and amplifying the voices of the silenced.

Join us as we explore Paul and Kris's journey, the challenges they’ve faced as lay Catholics, and their unwavering commitment to healing, justice, and a reformed Church that stands for the innocent.

To learn more about The Angry Catholic, visit theangrycatholic.com

TentMakers of Louisiana is always seeking volunteers and supporters to join our mission of preventing child abuse and supporting survivors. Reach out to our Executive Director, Letitia Peyton, for more information on how you can get involved: tentmakers.la

In this episode, we introduce Sara Larson, Executive Director of Awake, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse by Catholic leaders. With a background in theology and parish ministry, Sara's compassionate leadership has guided Awake's mission since its inception in 2019. Her personal blog, Spirit and Truth, uplifts the voices of abuse survivors, reflecting her deep commitment to justice and healing.

Website: https://www.awakecommunity.org/

Blog: https://inspiritandtruth.substack.com/

Contact: saralarson@awakecommunity.org

https://tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we are honored to have Moira Greyland, who bravely shares her harrowing story of growing up with gay parents who sexually terrorized her as a child. Moira's courageous recounting of her childhood trauma sheds light on the darkest corners of abuse, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the power of survival. Through her story, Moira highlights the urgent need for awareness and advocacy for victims of familial abuse, providing hope and inspiration to others who have faced similar horrors.

To learn more about Moira Greyland and her story, visit her detailed bio:

Moira Greyland's Bio

If you are interested in Moira's book, you can find it linked here:

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Closet-Moira-Greyland/dp/9527065208

Tentmakers Website:

https://tentmakers.la/

In this episode, we are joined by Leceta Guibault - a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a champion for children's rights and welfare. Through her adoptive son Alex's story, she shows her inspiring commitment to advocacy and fighting for justice for victims of sex abuse.

If you wish to contact Leceta, reach out to Tentmakers at info@tentmakers.la

Page for Leceta's organization:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Our-Guatemala-Travel-with-Purpose-100054482769057/

Tentmakers Website:

https://tentmakers.la/

Welcome to Resilience in the Shadows, the podcast by TentMakers, where we illuminate the powerful journey of individuals overcoming the darkness.

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Windmann, whose journey through the shadows of trauma and adversity led him to be an advocate for those pushing through the darkness. We talk about his experiences of abuse in his early childhood and how that led him to become an advocate for other victims.

Website for Richard's organization:

https://scsaorg.org/

Tentmakers Website:

https://tentmakers.la/

In this episode, trial attorney Kristi Schubert gives a glimpse into the inner-workings of the justice system as it pertains to sexual abuse cases. She also emphasizes the importance of empathy and patience towards survivors throughout the entire legal process.

As a recognized leader in her field, Kristi brings profound insights to the conversation of prevention of all types of sexual abuse.

Website for Kristi's firm:

https://lamothefirm.com/

Tentmakers Website:

https://tentmakers.la/

In this episode, clerical abuse survivor Faith Hakesly reveals her treatment at the hands of the catholic hierarchy. We discuss Faith's unique story and explore why female survivors are treated so differently in cases of abuse.

https://tentmakers.la/

Join us as James Adams bravely shares his journey of survival, betrayal, and enduring intimidation at the hands of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Through his heartbreaking account, James sheds light on the realities of abuse and bullying, offering hope and support to others who may be suffering in silence.

As a father of four, his mission to speak out resonates with a deep commitment to protect and empower those who have been harmed.

https://tentmakers.la/

In our first episode, host Alex Peyton and co-host Letitia Peyton sit down with Jody Plauche, a survivor, advocate, author, and force for change in the realm of child sexual abuse prevention. Join us as we explore the shadows of grooming, unraveling Jody's story of survival and his impactful contributions to awareness.

In this brief yet profound conversation, we navigate the complex terrain of resilience, shedding light on the importance of understanding, healing, and creating a safer world for our children.

https://tentmakers.la/

In this trailer, we get a sneak-peek at our conversation with Jody Plauché, where we talk about his experience being a survivor of and a force against child sexual abuse.

https://tentmakers.la/