Katie Ray-Jones: The One Who Changed the Hotline Forever
From surviving an abusive relationship in high school to leading the National Domestic Violence Hotline through a $30 million expansion, Katie Ray-Jones is proof that healing is possible and powerful. In this deeply personal episode, Saraya sits down with the CEO, survivor, and fellow board member to talk about the long road from trauma to purpose, and how Katie has turned her pain into protection for millions.
They unpack the emotional layers of abuse that often go unseen - financial, emotional, psychological - and the heartbreaking realities of what it means to survive in silence. Katie shares how her early dreams of becoming a lawyer shifted after witnessing the terror victims face in courtrooms, how being hands-on with hotline operators keeps her grounded in the work, and why she didn’t even realize her first relationship was abusive until years into her career. Saraya opens up about her own past with intimate partner violence, and the two women share a raw, candid conversation about resilience, recovery, and reclaiming your sense of self.
They talk PTSD, therapy, the power of community, and why the phrase “Why didn’t they just leave?” needs to die forever. Plus, what happens when the person causing harm calls the hotline? And can abusive behavior really be unlearned? This episode answers those questions and then some.
Oh, and yes… Katie crushes the mouthguard challenge and turns out to be a dark horse Rulebreaker game-night champ. Absolutely iconic.
This one’s vulnerable, vital, and packed with truth. Listen with your heart open.
Follow Katie’s work @ndvh and visit thehotline.org for help or resources.
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