Ramblings of a Restless Mind

In this episode of Ramblings of a Restless Mind, co-hosts Jen and Dejah welcome Melanie Shekita, an assistant district attorney in Wake County with nearly 28 years at the DA’s office and team leader of the Special Victims Unit, longtime SafeChild partner, and former volunteer firefighter. Melanie shares how she became involved with SafeChild, the growth of the organization and its Child Advocacy Center, and why a nonprofit-based, child-friendly forensic interview model matters for reducing retraumatization and improving accountability. The conversation covers the far-reaching impact of sexual abuse on families, the need for CAC services across counties, and the realities of secondary trauma for prosecutors and investigators, along with Melanie’s coping outlets like cycling and her rescue dogs. They end with lighter listener questions and opinions on everyday debates.

00:00 Bravery and Healing

00:36 Show Intro and Jingle

01:37 Meet Melanie Shekita

03:35 Bio and Firefighter Life

04:41 Belichick Side Rant

06:19 SafeChild Gala Story

08:08 One in Four Kids

11:46 DA Path to SVU

13:57 Building the Advocacy Center

17:02 New SafeChild Facility

18:41 Fundraising and Foster Care

24:12 Volunteer Firefighting Origin

26:14 Coping With Trauma

34:10 Remote Testimony for Kids

35:28 Safe Child Forensic Interviews

36:44 Expanding CAC Services

39:38 Hot Dog Sandwich Debate

41:03 Song Stuck on Repeat

42:05 AI Fears and Regulation

46:48 Voicemail Petty Hills

52:36 Cancel Culture and Comments

57:00 Wrap Up and Dog Talk