LoveLustLaw

Brittani Ard, host of You Probably Think This Story's About You, joins Jake and Michele for a raw and thoughtful conversation about trauma, relationships, and the emotional weight of storytelling. She opens up about her transition from a career in architecture to podcasting, and the lessons she's learned along the way. The discussion dives into the complexities of dating in midlife—particularly for strong, independent women—touching on breakups, emotional boundaries, and the process of unintentionally emasculating men. Jake Deptula and family law attorney Michele Locke are joined by with Shaun and John from "Sins and Survivors: Las Vegas True Crime," to explore the heartbreaking case of Ashley and Dennis Prince, who were tragically killed by Ashley's ex-father-in-law, Joe Houston, during a deposition.

What happens when the people and institutions meant to protect us become part of the problem? In this powerful and unsettling episode of lovelustlaw, Attorney Michele Locke sits down with scholar-activist Dr. Caroline Heldman to investigate the disturbing realities behind sexual violence, institutional betrayal, and a culture that too often protects powerful men at the expense of survivors. From the college campus “Red Zone,” where SAs spike during the first weeks of the academic year, to the calculated manipulation of vulnerable young women through alcohol, coercion, and power imbalances, Heldman exposes the patterns that make sexual violence so difficult to prevent, and even harder to report. Why do so many survivors remain silent? What happens when universities turn sexual assault protections into political battlegrounds? And who benefits when accountability disappears?

Michele Locke sits down with Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s mother, to discuss the devastating impact of losing her daughter – and how her family is turning unimaginable grief into meaningful action. Nichole opens up about the emotional toll of repeatedly sharing Gabby’s story, the importance of setting boundaries while navigating trauma, and the coping tools that help her keep going, including meditation, breathwork, and taking time to step away. She also reflects on co-parenting Gabby with her father and how they have come together through the Gabby Petito Foundation to honor their daughter’s legacy.

Behind the glamour of the Playboy Mansion, Crystal Harris describes a life shaped by rigid rules, curfews, financial restrictions, and a struggle to reclaim her independence. In this powerful episode of LoveLustLaw, attorney and host Michele Locke sits down with Crystal for an unflinching conversation about coercive control, the lasting effects of trauma, and the complicated journey toward healing. Crystal reflects on how her childhood experiences and the early loss of her father shaped her vulnerability, why it took years to recognize and name the dynamics she experienced, and how public scrutiny and bullying made it even harder to tell her story. Together, Michele and Crystal examine the contrast between the mansion’s glamorous public image and what Crystal describes as a world where personal freedom could feel painfully out of reach.

Michele Locke sits down for another conversation with advocate Bill Mitchell, whose devastating loss transformed into a lifelong mission to educate others about dating violence and domestic abuse. Bill shares how his family’s tragedy inspired his work with survivors and his podcast, When Dating Hurts, where survivors tell their stories of abuse, control, survival, and healing. Together, Michele and Bill explore why sharing these stories matters - and how hearing someone else’s experience can help a person recognize that they are not alone.