A Mother’s Legacy: Transforming Tragedy into Hope for Future Generations (Part 1)
Release Date: 01/16/2026
When the System Fails: Kris Barney’s Call for Accountability and Change (Part 2)
Brave Hearts Speak
In this powerful episode of "Bravehearts Speak," host Lucia Severtson continues her conversation with Kris Barney, who bravely recounts the loss of her daughter Miranda to domestic violence. Kris shares her journey through grief, systemic failures, and her ongoing fight for justice and awareness. She discusses the hidden dynamics of abuse, the challenges survivors face, and the importance of community and support. The episode offers hope, practical resources, and reflections on resilience, emphasizing that healing and a fulfilling life are possible after trauma. Timestamps The...
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A Mother’s Legacy: Transforming Tragedy into Hope for Future Generations (Part 1)
Brave Hearts Speak
In this powerful episode of "Brave Hearts Speak," host Lucia Severtson interviews Kris Barney, a domestic violence survivor and advocate. Kris shares her harrowing journey through emotional abuse, stalking, and the tragic loss of her three-year-old daughter, Miranda, to domestic homicide. She discusses the systemic failures she faced, her work with the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, and founding the Miranda Faith Memorial Foundation. Lucia guides listeners with compassion, emphasizing self-care and the importance of bearing witness to survivors’ stories. The episode highlights...
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Title: Navigating the Shadows: Kaylin's Journey Through Abuse, Trafficking, and Healing
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Navigating the Emotional Toll of Fighting Back: Monica Hall's Journey of Resilience and Healing (Part 2)
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From Grief to Advocacy: The Unbreakable Spirit of Nurse Survivor Monica Hall (Part 1)
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In this episode of “Brave Hearts Speak,” host Lucia Severtson interviews Monica Hall, a nurse advocate, survivor, and soon-to-be published memoirist. Monica shares her powerful journey—from pursuing her nursing degree in 2009 to becoming an unexpected voice for legislative reform in Kentucky after uncovering unethical practices within a for-profit nursing college. Her story extends far beyond academic injustice. Monica has navigated profound grief, battled alcoholism, faced political intimidation, and confronted systemic corruption—all while standing up for...
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From Silence to Strength: June Hill’s Story of Survival and Hope
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Finding Peace After Narcissistic Abuse: Laura Richards’ Journey to Healing and Self-Love
Brave Hearts Speak
In this episode of “Brave Hearts Speak”, host Lucia Severtson interviews Laura Richards, a survivor of decades-long narcissistic abuse and host of That's Where I'm At. Laura shares her journey from confusion and pain in an abusive marriage to finding healing, self-love, and peace. She discusses the challenges of recognizing psychological abuse, setting boundaries, and rebuilding her life. The conversation highlights the importance of community, storytelling, and bravery in breaking free from cycles of abuse, offering hope and guidance to listeners navigating similar experiences....
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of "Brave Hearts Speak," host Lucia Severtson interviews Kris Barney, a domestic violence survivor and advocate. Kris shares her harrowing journey through emotional abuse, stalking, and the tragic loss of her three-year-old daughter, Miranda, to domestic homicide. She discusses the systemic failures she faced, her work with the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, and founding the Miranda Faith Memorial Foundation. Lucia guides listeners with compassion, emphasizing self-care and the importance of bearing witness to survivors’ stories. The episode highlights resilience, the need for systemic change, and hope for those affected by domestic violence.
Timestamps
Kris’s Background & Foundation (00:06:15) Kris introduces herself, her work with DART, and the Miranda Faith Memorial Foundation.
Importance of Education for Survivors (00:08:00) Kris discusses empowering survivors through education and the challenges women face after leaving abuse.
Awareness and Early Signs of Abuse (00:10:08) Kris and the interviewer discuss the importance of awareness and recognizing early signs of abuse.
Wedding, Honeymoon, and First Abuse (00:14:28) Kris describes her dream wedding, honeymoon, and the first incident of verbal abuse.
Pregnancy, Motherhood, and Escalating Abuse (00:17:56) Kris shares her pregnancy, hopes for family, and how abuse escalated during and after childbirth.
Decision to Leave & Realization of Self-Worth (00:25:00) Kris describes the turning point at a firefighter event and her decision to end the marriage.
Separation, Stalking, and Escalation (00:28:45) Kris recounts the escalation of stalking and harassment after refusing to reconcile.
Stalking, Legal System Failures, and Threats (00:29:41) Kris details relentless stalking, legal obstacles, and threats to her and Miranda’s safety.
Police Dismissal and Female Officer Betrayal (00:41:23) Kris describes a traumatic experience seeking help from a female police detective.
Temporary Relief and New Relationships (00:44:41) Kris finds brief peace when her ex focuses on a new partner and begins a new relationship herself.
Ex-Husband’s New Victim and Pattern of Abuse (00:47:12) Kris describes her ex’s abuse of his new partner, Michelle, and the repeated cycle.
Joint Custody and Ignored Warnings (00:51:35) Kris explains the court’s decision to grant joint custody despite evidence of abuse and ignored warnings.
Career Milestone and Final Days with Miranda (00:52:40) Kris describes a career achievement, leaving Miranda with her ex, and her unease.
The Double Homicide (00:54:59) Kris details the events leading to and including the murder of Michelle and Miranda by her ex-husband.
Learning of Miranda’s Death (01:03:26) Kris describes the moment she learned of her daughter’s death and her overwhelming grief.
Episode Closing and Community Invitation (01:06:08) Lucia closes the episode, previews part two, and invites listeners to join the community and share their stories.
Powerful Quotes from the Episode
Kris,"I could not get them to understand that he was so dangerous because then he started threatening my life, my family, my dogs, and Miranda."
Kris, "He had chipped away every piece of my heart and I had nothing left. I had just become so numb."
Kris, "He told me, 'One day you could be walking to work or walking back to your car, and I could blow your head off and you would never even know it.'"
Kris, "I literally felt like my soul had left my body. I couldn't even—I didn't know what to do."
Kris, "I hated, hated, hated walking away from her that day."
RESOURCES:
Connect with Kris: Speaker • Survivor • Advocate • Community Educator
Miranda Faith Memorial Fund Facebook Page
INSTAGRAM: @hkbarney
Email: kris.barney@dartla.org
Kris Barney is the Community Advocate with the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team in Ruston, Louisiana. A survivor of domestic violence and stalking, Kris lost her 3-year-old daughter, Miranda, to domestic homicide. She now speaks nationally on resilience, survivor support, and improving community responses to abuse. Kris has trained at major conferences, including the Conference on Crimes Against Women and the National Center on Victims of Crime.
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