"This is such a cool, badass native lady" – The Hunter (Bonus Episode)
Podcast: The Hunter
Host: Anaya Echo Hawk
Producer/Writer: Emma Weatherill
Date: November 17, 2025
Main Theme:
A heartfelt and candid bonus episode bringing together Lydia Lerma (the show's central subject), host Anaya Echo Hawk, and producer Emma Weatherill. The discussion offers new insights into Lydia's journey, explores the show’s aftermath, examines the power of community and resilience, and addresses listener questions.
Episode Overview
This bonus episode serves as an intimate, reflective conversation between Lydia Lerma and Anaya Echo Hawk, guided by producer Emma Weatherill. They discuss their personal connection, the impact of the podcast, responses from their families, the support of native and local communities, and the ongoing advocacy work inspired by Lydia's experience. Listener questions prompt deeper dives into the practical, cultural, and emotional realities behind the series.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. First Impressions & Bonding Over Shared Experience
- Initial Meeting: Anaya recalls first seeing Lydia at a dinner event, noting her distinct style and powerful presence.
- Quote: “I just remember thinking like, this is such a cool, badass native lady. Like I just fell in love with her immediately.” – Anaya Echo Hawk [01:28]
- Shared History of Healing: Both women reflect on the deep, almost immediate bond formed over shared histories of trauma and healing.
- Quote: “We just knew that we shared so much of our history together as well with similar traumas and similar, I guess, healing...We've become different people and we're raising our children differently.” – Lydia Lerma [01:44]
- A Sweet Connection: The two bonded over dessert, leading to profound, honest conversations.
- Quote: “Our sweet tooth really bonded us together...We were things that I've never talked to anyone about before in my life.” – Anaya Echo Hawk [02:30]
2. Behind The Series: Impact on Family
- Lydia’s Family Reaction: Lydia listened to the podcast with her children, leading to emotional realizations and fostered healing.
- Quote: “There was a moment...my son...he crawled on my lap, and he just held me...it was just so nice to know that as big as he is...he still needs mama's hugs.” – Lydia Lerma [06:41]
- Processing the Truth: Her adult children learned details they’d been shielded from, and the process was difficult yet cathartic.
- Worldwide Response: Lydia has received messages of support from around the world, including law enforcement professionals.
- Quote: “I've had people from all over the world reach out to me. I had a British detective reach out to me, and...a woman from New Zealand.” – Lydia Lerma [09:45]
3. Balancing Advocacy and Everyday Life
- Professional Challenges: Lydia held a high-stress job as a supply chain data analyst while navigating trauma.
- Quote: “I'd sit there and just try not to get caught up in the thoughts...my coworkers...picked up the workload for me and carried me through.” – Lydia Lerma [11:08]
- Importance of Support and Seeking Help: Lydia advocates for seeking both community and medical support in times of crisis.
4. Community, Culture, and Healing
- Tribal Support: Lydia and Anaya discuss the wide and ongoing support from their tribal and intertribal communities.
- Quote: “We joke that we have indigenous people from the the northernmost parts of Canada to the tip of Argentina that are there to help us and support us.” – Lydia Lerma [13:21]
- Ceremonies and Cultural Rites: Both women talk about upcoming rites of passage for their sons and the importance of community ceremonies like blessings and honoring Native youth.
- Quote: “It's really building home here where we are.” – Anaya Echo Hawk [15:40]
5. Purpose and Scope of The Lydia Lerma Foundation
- Foundation Work: Lydia explains the mission to empower survivors and families, offering advocacy, support, and healing programs.
- Quote: “We are there to empower survivors and their families...because that's one of the things that I experienced...I felt so alone.” – Lydia Lerma [18:27]
- Healing Outdoors: The foundation employs equine therapy and nature-based experiences as part of recovery.
6. The Power of Advocacy and Community Responsibility
- Creating Safe Spaces: Anaya reflects on the responsibility communities and individuals have to act as advocates for vulnerable children.
- Quote: “Every child is entitled to a safe childhood. Every single child...What Lydia does...she is sending a signal that this is not acceptable...” – Anaya Echo Hawk [21:31]
- Stigma and Shame: Open dialogue can break cycles of shame for survivors.
- Quote: “That was really the first time I was taught that there is no shame in being a survivor of child sexual abuse, and that that's not something you need to hide...” – Anaya Echo Hawk [23:35]
7. On Forgiveness, Family, and Full Circle
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Lydia discusses forgiving and remarrying her children’s father before his passing, and the decision’s impact.
- Quote: “I forgave him so much so that I remarried him...But it was really about us coming full circle and forgiving each other.” – Lydia Lerma [25:14]
8. Affirming One's Instincts
- Following Gut Instincts: Both Lydia and Anaya discuss the lesson of trusting one's intuition and its importance in protecting children.
- Quote: “When your gut is telling you something, don't dismiss it...that's your intuition telling you something isn't right.” – Lydia Lerma [32:05]
- Death and Homicide Training: Lydia describes additional training she’s taken to better support families of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives and act as a liaison with law enforcement.
9. Lydia’s Broader Work: Law Enforcement and Cold Cases
- Supporting Families: Lydia continues to help families deal with missing persons and cold cases, drawing on her advocacy skills and training.
- Quote: “I have a fugitive files tab where we try to track fugitives...I see myself as a liaison between the families and law enforcement...” – Lydia Lerma [32:44]
- Becoming the 'Thorn': She emphasizes the importance of persistence—“being the thorn in law enforcement’s side”—to keep cases moving forward.
10. Community Closure and Uplifting Moments
- Support from Allies: Lydia recounts the crucial help of her victim advocate, Kim, and DA Bob, and the warmth of reconnecting outside the legal context.
- Quote: “If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have gotten the closure that we have. And I'm just forever grateful for the work that they did.” – Lydia Lerma [36:25]
- Lighthearted Reflection: The team shares lighter moments about Kim and Bob's relationship.
- Circle of Healing: Both Lydia and Anaya reflect on the community’s profound role in healing.
- Quote: “All of those people in that room celebrating, not just the podcast, but, you know, going through this journey and being supportive...that's just the most beautiful part of humanity to think about.” – Anaya Echo Hawk [37:34]
- Enduring Positivity: Lydia’s main takeaway—a message of hope for others facing trauma.
- Quote: “We're not just this story of trauma, but now we have to provide hope...There is healing that happens.” – Lydia Lerma [38:46]
Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights
| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------| | 01:28 | “This is such a cool, badass native lady. Like I just fell in love with her immediately.” | Anaya Echo Hawk | | 06:41 | “There was a moment...my son...he crawled on my lap, and he just held me... as big as he is... he still needs mama's hugs.” | Lydia Lerma | | 10:17 | “Every episode I'm just really relishing. And that's really the most inspiring part, is that these may seem like characters, but these are real people...” | Anaya Echo Hawk | | 11:08 | “My coworkers...picked up the workload for me and carried me through a lot of times...” | Lydia Lerma | | 21:31 | “Every child is entitled to a safe childhood. Every single child.” | Anaya Echo Hawk | | 25:14 | “You are a warrior. You are a true warrior.” | Lydia’s ex-husband (as told by Lydia) | | 32:05 | “When your gut is telling you something, don't dismiss it...You have to listen because that's your intuition telling you something isn't right.” | Lydia Lerma | | 36:25 | “If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have gotten the closure that we have. And I'm just forever grateful...” | Lydia Lerma | | 38:46 | “We're not just this story of trauma, but now we have to provide hope. We have to be role models...” | Lydia Lerma |
Key Timestamps
- 01:02 – Start of main content and first impressions
- 03:47 – Introductions and explanation of bonus episode format
- 04:01 – Recap and reflections on Lydia’s journey
- 06:41 – Lydia describes impact of the show on her son and family
- 11:08 – Balancing work life and trauma, importance of support
- 13:21 – Tribal and community support, importance of cultural ties
- 18:27 – Mission and methods of the Lydia Lerma Foundation
- 25:14 – Discussion of forgiveness, Lydia’s remarriage, and full-circle healing
- 28:07 – Audio clip: Lydia’s confrontation in Mexico
- 32:05 – Gut instincts and learning to trust them
- 36:25 – Updates on advocates Kim and Bob, and the importance of community helpers
- 38:46 – Reflections on hope, healing, and moving forward
Tone and Language
Warm, honest, and unflinching. The participants mix moments of deep vulnerability with shared humor and practical wisdom, creating a safe space for difficult truths and passionate advocacy.
Final Thoughts
This bonus episode provides a heartfelt look behind the series, foregrounding the personal relationships and community that made Lydia’s journey possible. Listeners are left with a message of hope: that healing is achievable, community matters, and we all share a collective responsibility to protect and uplift survivors.
For further feedback or to share stories:
Email: thehunter@bbc.com
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