Trigger Warning: This episode discusses parental alcoholism, child neglect, suicide attempts, and graphic descriptions of traumatic death.

In this episode, Starr sits down with me to pull back the curtain on a childhood where "home" was never a synonym for "safe." For Starr, life was a constant exercise in "second nature" awareness—learning to read the room before the day even unfolded to see which version of her mother she was going to get.

From witnessing a traumatic police intervention before the age of three to watching her mother jump from a second-story balcony, Starr’s story is a raw look at the "Jekyll and Hyde" reality of loving an addict. We discuss the heavy burden of being an emotional caretaker for a parent, the complicated "relief" that comes with a traumatic loss, and the "gut punch" of finding her mother’s secret journals a year after her death—words that finally answered the "why" Starr had been carrying her entire life. Today, Starr is focused on breaking the cycle, prioritizing peace, and navigating the terrifying path of becoming the mother she never had.

Interview, narration, and editing by Becky Hayter, with post-production, scripting, and sound design by Emily Nadal.

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If you or someone you know needs support, please visit:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org | Call or text 988

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA): adultchildren.org

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Most of us treat our credit cards like a safety net, but as Alex points out, the average household is actually trapped under $17 trillion in national debt. Becky gets vulnerable this week, admitting to a peak of $30,000 in credit card debt and the "vicious cycle" of consolidating balances just to rack them up again. If you’ve ever looked at your banking app through your fingers, this one is for you.

The Solution: Alex (The Expert) breaks down the "High Interest Killer"—debts at 7-8% or higher that cost you more than the stock market could ever make you. We break down the two heavy-hitters of payoff strategy:

• The Snowball: Paying the smallest balances first for that emotional "win".
• The Avalanche: Tackling high-interest rates first to save the most money mathematically.

CTA: We’re challenging you to find just $5 extra this week to put toward your smallest debt—prove to the bank that you are the boss of that dollar!

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• Share your story: Email us at info@forthehaters.com to have your financial scenario featured on the show!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses fatal car accidents, drunk driving, and graphic descriptions of loss.

In August 2023, Brooke’s life was shattered. Her husband, Shawn, was killed in a head-on collision by a drunk driver with a BAC of 0.28 while on his way to work.

What followed was a harrowing journey through a legal system that Brooke feels hands victims a "life sentence" while the responsible party receives only a fraction of that time. From identifying Shawn by surgical screws in his ankle to facing the driver who was once a face on her own Facebook feed, Brooke’s story is a raw look at the cost of a "choice". Today, she is fighting to change DUI laws and keeping Shawn’s memory alive through "Shine for Shawn".

Interview, narration, and editing by Becky Hayter, with post-production, scripting, and sound design by Emily Nadal.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share to help us continue bringing these stories to light.

🔹 New episodes drop every Monday!

🔹 Join our community! patreon.com/beckyhayter

🔹 Follow us on Instagram: @forthehayters

🔹 Submit your story: info@forthehayters.com

🔹 Grab some merch! beckyhayter.com

🔹 A KILLR Network podcast! killrentertainment.com

If you or someone you know needs support, please visit:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org | Call or text 988

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): madd.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.