I’m Jody Stewart - a born-and-raised Calgarian, a mom to an amazing son, a lover of all animals (including the random dogs I stop to talk to on walks, and the many cows I talk to while camping), and someone who finds peace in nature, thunderstorms, and a house full of plants.

After spending many years working in the oil and gas industry, I learned that life can change in an instant, and sometimes it’s the darkest seasons that reveal the strongest parts of us. My home is a mix of resilience, laughter, and way too many plants with names. But it is also a place of safety, acceptance, and support - a space where no one ever has to feel judged.

I am a survivor of intimate partner abuse, coercive control and psychological warfare. Writing Through the Cracks was not just a book project - it was a lifeline, a reclamation, and a truth that needed to exist in the world. It was both traumatic and healing to write.

With domestic violence at an all-time high, I believe more than ever that speaking out matters. Silence keeps people trapped. Stories open doors. I’m sharing mine so that others can feel seen, validated, and less alone.

Today, I am advocating for awareness, healing, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life from the inside out. My hope is that my journey reminds others that escaping danger is not failure - it’s survival. And that healing, no matter how messy, is always possible,

I also want to remind people: if you suspect that someone you know is in a dangerous situation, be a safe place for them, check in on them, and don’t be afraid to get involved.