Getting It Through Her Thick Skull - Interview with Mary Jo Buttafuoco
May 6, 2010
Hosted by Susan Bartelstone
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Episode Description
Mary Jo Buttafuoco’s anonymous life as a suburban housewife and mother of two in sleepy Massapequa, NY ended on May 19, 1992, when she was shot in the head on her front porch by 17-year-old Amy Fisher, who'd been having an affair with Mary Jo's then-husband Joey. The sensational trial that followed sparked a media frenzy that hasn't fully died out to this day. Mary Jo steadfastly stood by her man while the name Buttafuoco became a national punchline and Joey and Amy continued to make bizarre headlines. Why did she stay, you ask? Mary Jo answers this question in her new book, Getting It Through My Thick Skull, and Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone talks with her about what happened, what she's learned and the happy ending she's finally found. Our True Crime Report this week features blogger Caitlin Rother, from InColdBlog.com, talking about the Wayne Adam Ford case; and we’ll try to "Catch a Criminal" for Larry Weida, former president of Crime Stoppers International.
Crime Prevention 101
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
Welcome to Crime Prevention 101, the Personal Safety radio show with an optimistic perspective on a sober subject. Get set for personal safety stories that demand to be heard whether heartbreaking, infuriating or just plain weird; learn about hot crime topics and people who are making the headlines; and find out about the trends and legal developments that are going to impact your life, either positively or negatively, in the future. Most importantly, be empowered and inspired by success stories about people who've fought off an attacker or deterred a crime. You’ll also get a chance to address your own personal safety concerns, either by phone or e-mail. So, tune in to “Crime Prevention 101.” It'd be a crime not to listen!
Susan Bartelstone
Talking the talk because she's walked the walk! Years ago, Susan Bartelstone had a bad break-up with a guy, complete with physical and emotional bruises, and determined to learn how to protect herself. Today, she's a certified Crime Prevention Specialist and personal safety expert, with 17 years combined training in WWII Combatives, self defense and martial arts. Along the way, she deterred five extremely dangerous criminal encounters, fought her way out of a surprise attack and, for more than 18 years, from such organizations as American Express, the U.S. Post Office and the Livery Cab Owners Coalition of New York.. Author of Think Fast and Prevent a Violent Crime: How to Respond to Danger in 20 Seconds (or Less!), which is based on her own experiences, she’s been featured in a long and varied list of media, including the ��Today Show,” “America’s Most Wanted” and Self Magazine.
Over the years, she’s helped thousands of people solve their personal safety dilemmas with her personal safety programs and her practical advice—which stresses the many opportunities you have to avoid or defuse a criminal encounter and how to use your brains instead of your muscles in a fight.
