
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 36
Listeners ask questions. Let’s discuss: What should I do if I see someone being followed or pursued? Do I help? If so, HOW do I help? Here’s a quick episode to talk you through some options.
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity,
Connect with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 35
Boys and Young Men are Assaulted Too – Interview with a survivor
Meet survivor, Jake Sinclair, as he and host, Silvia Smart, discuss what happened, what it was like, how he has dealt with it, how he’s found healing, and what his life is like today. According to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), one out of every ten rape victims are male and about 3% – or 1 in 33 – American men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.
Listeners, please be advised that this episode contains strong language and content and adjust your listening accordingly.
Connect with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project Community” on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity,
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 34
Decolonization and Empowerment Self Defense. An Interview with Magdalena Dircio Diaz
Colonization is all around us and even lives inside of us. We can find it right now as we look at our politics, power, spirituality, daily life, familiesand , relationships— it’s literally everywhere. How do we become aware of it? And once we see it, how do we start to pull it apart?
Join this interesting and wide-ranging discussion about decolonization and what it takes to deconstruct the predominant cultural and social paradigm. It’s personal, it’s lived and it’s ours to become aware of and to move through. As people who are interested in empowerment and self-defense, how does this important topic impact the way we show up for ourselves and for others?
ABOUT OUR GUEST: Magdalena Diaz works at the Office of Student Affairs at Cal State. She grew up undocumented which had a huge impact on her family life, her education and the choices available to her. Hear the story about a moment that changed the trajectory of her career and propelled her forward in her empowerment journey.
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 33
Build Your Resiliency to Sexual Coercion
What does coercion look, feel and sound like when it’s used in intimate settings when we are often at our most vulnerable? How do you build your awareness of and resilience to it? What self-defense tools will you want to have stashed in your self-defense toolkit to deal with sexual coercion? Join host Silvia Smart and her guest, Justine Halliwill from the University of Oregon where she teaches self-defense. In Part 2 of this two-part series, we take a look at coercion, your sexuality and strategies you can use to prevent sexual assault and keep yourself safe.
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 32
What is coercion as it relates to sexual assault? What does it look like, sound like, feel like? How do we build resilience to it? What are tools we can add to our toolkit to deal with coercion when we feel it is happening to us? Luckily for us, in this episode, we are joined by Justine Halliwill from the University of Oregon where she teaches self-defense. Join us for part one of this two part series as we take a look at this manipulative ploy which is so nuanced and important to understand!
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 30
Boundaries
Boundaries are fundamental to our emotional, mental, spiritual and physical health and safety. Join host Silvia Smart and THRIVE – with a little help from your boundaries!
Find out:
What is a boundary? How do boundaries make us safer? What other reasons make them important? What does a boundary have to do with empowerment self-defense? How do you know where yours begin and end? How do you set a boundary? How do you make your boundaries known and how do you enforce them?
This is the good stuff! Enjoy!
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #boundaries
Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact
Evoke Episode – Enmeshment (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rRlbljITSRxy6Q0hQAY48?si=av5mL_PnQMyezO6gbvfXTQ&dl_branch=1)
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 29
Empowerment Self Defense Works!
Empowerment Self Defense really works! Find out how Jocelyn Hollander’s research at the University of Oregon is proving this – and so much more! ESD training works not just to keep you safer, though it does that REALLY WELL! It also has positive impacts that reach far beyond your class. Participants report being empowered in a variety of different areas of their personal and professional lives.
Here’s proof that Empowerment Self Defense keeps participants safer and changes lives and the balance of power.
Join me and my guest, Jocelyn Hollander as we discuss her research methods and findings on the efficacy of ESD and so much more! Jocelyn is a professor at the University of Oregon. Researching the efficacy of ESD has become her life’s work. She’s got fantastic information and perspective! Enjoy!
Find out more:
Jocelyn at the U of O: https://sociology.uoregon.edu/profile/jocelynh/
Jocelyn’s Web Page:
https://jocelynhollander.com/
#theempowermentpodcastbynaga, #nagacommunity, @nagacommunity @nagamartialarts #esd, #empowermentselfdefense
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 28
Empowerment Self Defense challenges the status quo, the balance of power and unconscious biases. It challenges myths and attitudes, cultural norms and beliefs. It gives participants agency and tools to question power dynamics in society, but also in their intimate relationships. Because of this, and myriad other reasons as well, there is a great deal of resistance on the part of both individuals and institutions to taking and offering Empowerment Self Defense Programs.
Join me and my guest, Jocelyn Hollander as we dissect and pull apart the various hurdles and obstacles people and institutions raise as reasons to NOT take or offer ESD classes. Jocelyn is a professor at the University of Oregon. Researching the efficacy of ESD has become her life’s work. She’s got so much great insight! Enjoy!
https://jocelynhollander.com/
#empowermentselfdefense
#theempowermentpodcastbynaga
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 27
Ariel Estrada: Finding Empowerment Through Creativity, Artistry and Self Defense
Meet Ariel Estrada, an actor, singer, playwright, arts advocate, director, and producer living in New York City. Ariel’s trajectory, his journey through early childhood challenges, and experiences of racism and abuse as an adult have given him a unique perspective on healing and empowerment.
One of many cool things about Ariel? He uses his artistry and talent to create healing for himself and others. He is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Leviathan Lab and wrote his a one-man show, “Full Contact”:
“What does it mean to have a body? Ariel Estrada investigates his experiences as a 20-year survivor of a brutal martial arts cult, interweaving his Filipino father’s immigrant story with his own coming-of-age as a gay man at the height of the AIDS crisis. Through these histories, he brings to life the emotional battle between father and son, and his ongoing battle to take pride in himself as a gay Filipino American man against all odds.”
Ariel and I trained martial arts together and experienced the same weird and abusive cult-like dynamics simultaneously. We both left, got out, and cut ties independently of one another. But then, we found our way back to friendship as we were both processing what happened years later. It’s been really great to reconnect.
arielestrada.com
leviathanlab.com
arielestradadesign.com
#theempowermentpodcastbynaga
#empowermentselfdefense
#nagacommunity
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 26
My guest, Clara Porter, is a one-of-a-kind human being. Clara holds a Master of Social Work Degree and is the director of Prevention. Action. Change. In Maine. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Clara is a nationally certified instructor in Empowerment Self Defense. She is also certified through the Center for Anti-Violence Education.
Clara has worked as an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at the University of New England. She was the Coordinator of Interpersonal Violence Prevention at the University of Southern Maine, and was the Executive Director at the Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine before focusing full-time on Prevention. Action. Change.
Clara is certified in Advanced Trauma First Aide, and has extensive experience working with organizations and people of all ages including folks with physical, mental/emotional, and developmental challenges.
Clara’s Website:
https://pacmaine.com/
@nagacommunity, @silviasmart, #theempowermentpodcastbynaga, #empowermentselfdefense
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 25
Interview with Wim Wetzel, author of “Surviving Death By A Thousand Cuts”
Meet Wim Wetzel, author of “Surviving Death By A Thousand Cuts”. There are many ways to overcome tough times and trauma. In his book, Wim describes what it was like growing up as the oldest child in a fascinating yet challenging family dynamic. War, immigration to the US, a family Martial Arts school, discipline beyond the pale and more wartime service, provide a backdrop to Wim’s journey of healing and redemption. Host, Silvia Smart reads excerpts from the book and finds out from Wim how “don’t give up ever, no matter what life throws at you” has become his message of empowerment and hope.
#theempowermentpodcastbynaga, #empowermentselfdefense,
@NagaMartialArts, @NagaCommunity
Wim Wetzel’s Book “Surviving Death By A Thousand Cuts”: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Death-Thousand-Cuts-Wetzel/dp/0463558634
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 24
My guest this episode is Janessa Jaye Champagne, a Drag Queen living in North Dakota. Janessa is going to introduce us to “stealthing”, through their own experience of it. We’ll find out what it means and how it works. And, as always, you’ll find links in the episode description & on The Empowerment Project Community, our Facebook Group to resources and more information. Mature content.
Janessa’s Blog, “Well, Actually”: http://www.janessajaye.com/well-actually/
Janessa’s YouTubeChannel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiuVjApfqNe3HAF29FksnuA/videos
Janessa’s Podcasts on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-49527017
(JANESSA AFTER DARK is their pop culture/commentary show, MISS JAYE: THE RENOVATION is their limited series about self-help and personal growth)
Instagram: http://Instagram.com/JanessaJayeOfficial
Expect strong language.
@nagamartialarts, @nagacommunity #stealthing #bodyautonomy #theempowermentpodcastbynaga #empowermentselfdefense

Silvia Smart | Podcast Host
With over three decades of experience teaching self-defense, host Silvia Smart is a sixth-degree black belt and Head Instructor at her martial arts school in Oregon. Smart was recognized for her dedication when the Association of Women’s Martial Arts Instructors inducted her into their Hall of Fame class of 2020. Aside from teaching at her school, she brings her compassion and expertise to companies like Nike, The City of Portland, Doc Marten, the FBI, and various non-profits, organizations, private groups, schools, and universities around the country.
Available here on the website and also on most podcast platforms. Search: The Empowerment Podcast by Naga
Production and Editing Credit: Henry Smart-Denson & Collin Taber
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The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast
With over three decades of experience teaching self-defense to children, teens, and adults, host Silvia Smart is a sixth-degree black belt and Head Instructor at her martial arts school in Oregon. Smart was inducted into the Association of Women’s Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame in 2020, recognized for both her dedication and body of work. Smart shares her compassion, ferocity, and wisdom with companies like Nike, Splunk, The City of Portland, Doc Marten, the FBI, and various non-profits, organizations, private groups, schools, and universities around the country.
It is Silvia’s joy to share the gifts of owned power and safety through understanding, humor, and storytelling. A mom, Smart credits her two adult children with inspiring an ever-greater awareness of kids’ real, lived experience and their incredible ability to comprehend age-appropriate messaging. She strives for impact, honesty, true empowerment, and effectiveness in her work teaching children self-defense.
Listening to The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast, kids are engaged and empowered while the adults in their lives gain language and tools to best support them. This can be a challenging subject to walk through with our children! Smart’s hope is that by listening together, children, and the adults who care for them, keep their conversations going long after each episode’s final affirmations. Her passion for this work is evident from the very first episode.

The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 2
Our bodies are designed to warn us when something is wrong. Learn about your amazing alarm system and find out how to pay attention when your body is talking to you! Listen to Silvia’s story which illustrates this concept, find out what happened, and learn ways to practice. This is one of the most important tools in your self-defense toolkit!
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #firstlineofdefense
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 1
Welcome to Episode #1 of The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast! Meet your teacher and host, Silvia Smart. Find out what we’re going to learn and how this podcast is going to unfold. Get to know and understand some of the basic concepts so we can all be on the same page. This is exciting! So happy you are here!
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #powerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity,
Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact
