Ep 53: How to Help Friends and Family Survive State Sanctioned Violence
Ep 53: How to Help Friends and Family Survive State Sanctioned Violence  
Podcast: Interrupting Business As Usual
Published On: Sun Nov 30 2025
Description: State sanctioned violence is not theoretical. It's not just a headline. It's not just happening somewhere else.  State sanctioned violence is happening to our people — to your people — and too many of us don't know what to do about it. In this episode, we interrupt the silence. We talk about what real support looks like when someone in your life is targeted by police, ICE, the courts, surveillance, or carceral systems. Because thoughts and prayers are not enough and if that's all you've got, it's time to do better. Nikki walks you through how to show up in meaningful, tangible, and justice-minded ways that your people can actually feel. This isn't a theoretical exercise. It's a survival guide. In this episode you'll learn: What state sanctioned violence really looks like (it's not always a cop with a gun) How to offer help without centering yourself or turning people's trauma into your learning opportunity What to say, what not to say, and how to listen when someone's in crisis The difference between empathy and solidarity and why your silence is not neutral Whether you're scared, unsure, or overwhelmed — that's normal. But that can't be your excuse anymore. It's go time. Special thanks to Def Sound for providing the theme for Interrupting Everything.⁣⁣⁣⁣ Where do we go from here? To learn more about what you heard on the podcast today, visit nikkiblak.com. TAP HERE to work privately with Nikki TAP HERE to subscribe to the free weekly email series Resourcing a Revolution for more exclusive content Follow Nikki on IG: @nikkiblak