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Behind Closed Doors: Patricia Gordon Stevens on Madness in Memphis and the Silent Epidemic of Domestic Abuse

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One in four women in the wealthiest nations will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. It is a staggering statistic, yet the reality of what happens behind closed doors often remains hidden in shame and silence. In her new book, Madness in Memphis, licensed counselor and author Patricia Gordon Stevens confronts this darkness head-on through the story of Morgan Sage—a successful, loving mother who unwittingly invites a monster into her home.

Drawing from her own lived experience and professional background in trauma counseling, Stevens explores the chilling complexity of coercion, control, and survival. We sat down with Patricia to discuss why abuse doesn’t discriminate, the importance of a support system, and the message of hope she wants to send to survivors everywhere.

Q: You have just released Madness in Memphis, a novel that exposes the emotional realities of domestic violence. As a licensed counselor who also draws from “lived experience,” was there a specific moment or realization that made you feel it was finally time to share this harrowing yet hopeful story with the world?

Patricia Gordon Stevens:

For years now, for decades, I have listened to the stories of other women and then pursued an undergraduate degree in psychological science and sociology. I was so enamoured with the studies I wanted to go further, so at a mature age in my life, I decided to continue studying psychology and directed my intentions towards a master’s in counselling. This is a work of fiction loosely based on my life. I was married to a man (now deceased) who was diagnosed with bipolar and a severe personality disorder. I wanted to better understand how mental health and mental disorders impact a person’s behaviour. My own son, the only male born in four generations of my tiny family, made a decision to take his life a few months prior to his twenty-fifth birthday, so I was especially keen to find answers surrounding mental health.

As a counsellor, I know the devastating statistics on domestic violence here in Australia and am well aware that the statistics are aligned in the United States and the United Kingdom – one in four women are living in a domestic violence relationship or situation. These numbers are simply not acceptable. I knew, too, if I had written a non-fiction book loaded with further statistics and the types of violence or abuse women experience, I think people would have read it, acknowledged it, and moved on. With ‘Madness In Memphis’, the reader will remain with the context of the book for a while and come away with a comprehensive understanding of what many women go through and how difficult it is to flee, especially while considering the well-being of two small children, constantly under pressure, knowing she must protect them from harm. It was a combination of realities: my former fractured and destructive relationship plus listening to women describe the abuse they lived through daily as if the violence were to be expected the exact same way as the expectation of meals delivered to a table. I remain astonished at the bravery of the women I have had the privilege of listening to throughout my life. This book is not about me. This book is about all women who have and are experiencing domestic violence

Q: Your protagonist, Morgan Sage, is a successful stockbroker—a detail that challenges the stereotype of what a victim looks like. Why was it important for you to show that domestic violence “doesn’t discriminate” and can happen to women of any income level or background?

Patricia Gordon Stevens:

My first question to you would be: Why does this profession challenge the stereotype? Has tv or the movies made us believe or think that victims are undereducated, noneducated, poor, or working only in entry-level jobs? Nothing could be further from the truth. Domestic violence does not discriminate. If a man (or anyone) has their sights set on control and they have determined their ‘prey’, the individual can be from all walks of life. Profession does not matter, religion or culture, race or colour of skin, financially fluid or poor as a church mouse; if a male is determined to control the female in his life, he will go to great lengths to do so. If a woman is in a higher position, earning more money, and powerful in her profession, this can make the deal sweeter – the package more attractive. He may have to work harder to earn her trust, but that would only make his ultimate goal loftier. I am talking in broad strokes here. A man who must control will find ways to do it, and if his demands are not met or he feels threatened by the thought of losing the person in whom he has invested time and energy, he will begin to feel out of control and lash out, beginning with threats and moving on to violence.

Q: The book describes Morgan’s journey from believing she found the “missing piece” to realizing she is trapped in a cycle of fear. Can you talk about the subtle shift from charm to cruelty that so many women experience, and why that “emotional manipulation” often makes it so hard to leave initially?

Patricia Gordon Stevens:

Your words were carefully chosen and this is an excellent observation: ‘subtle shift’ is a perfect description. A look, an attitude, a change in demeanour can be subtle in the beginning. You have heard of stories where women exclaim, ‘He changed right after the vows – almost immediately after saying ‘I do.’ This happens. It is hard work to keep a facade – a disingenuous personality chugging along for a long duration. It can happen; people have been known to suppress their true personalities for at least a year, sometimes longer. It is such a sly act and most times, planned. The emotional manipulation has been in play since Day One. The woman is made to feel inferior, inept, at fault, to blame, not good enough, irresponsible, and – if she would just change – her behaviour, her attitude, her way of managing her life, he would not behave the way he does. She begins to doubt herself, her looks, her capabilities, her capacity, and if she is a mother and has brought her children into the marriage, she has much more to consider than just herself. So, she tries harder. She makes changes. She thinks she is making strides, but the complaints continue to roll in and the violence escalates. Nothing she does is going to ease his pain or his mind. If she is exceptionally successful and cares a great deal about her professional reputation, she might be the last person who wants to admit she has a failed relationship or, even more importantly, that she is afraid. She, again, might be the last person to reach out for help – before it is too late. For many women, the final straw is when the violence carries over to the children. It is hard for anyone to admit failure, especially if the marriage is fairly new, but it is unacceptable for anyone to live in fear and danger, too.

Q: A critical theme in the book is that while the world is dark, it is “not hopeless.” Morgan eventually finds strength through a small circle of allies—her mother, best friend, colleague, and attorney. How vital is that “support system” for a woman trying to flee with her children versus trying to do it alone?

Patricia Gordon Stevens:

A support system, a tribe, a circle of support, whatever description you like, is crucial for a woman when trying to escape domestic violence. They need a safe space to land for themselves and for their children. He will find her. If she ‘goes it alone’, the abuse will carry on wherever she chooses to live. If she is surrounded by people, he is going to want to save his reputation and most abusers would not dare behave the way they do behind closed doors if they knew people were observing. The smallest offer – the tiniest opportunity for a woman to take herself and her children to safety is all she needs. If you have a room; if you have a second property; if you have relatives who live in the country with enough space to provide a safe haven, even if it is temporary, weeks or a few short months, enough time for the woman to breathe, to think, to plan a path to safety – you might be saving someone’s life. If a woman has no family or no close friends to speak of, the best place to reach out will be local churches or community centers. These places normally have lists on hand of services provided locally or nearby. A woman’s general practitioner or personal doctor is an appropriate place to ask for help; however, deep shame and disbelief at how she managed to get herself into this position will, more than likely, prevent her from describing her state of affairs to her own doctor. Shame and guilt become anchors for most women experiencing domestic violence. The more people who are surrounding the person fleeing and who are aware of her situation…the more hope for a brighter future, I say.

Q: You now run Maxwell House Counseling in South Australia, specializing in trauma and grief. For the reader who might see herself in Morgan’s story—or knows a “coworker, neighbor, sister, or friend” who is suffering—what is the most important message you hope they take away from Madness in Memphis?

Patricia Gordon Stevens:

This is the question I treasure. Thank you. Don’t be shy; remain curious. If a female in your life, family or not, has changed her dress, her demeanour, or if you notice things simply seem a ‘bit off’, if you see her with her partner and he answers for her or touches her arm when she attempts to answer, or if you are not seeing her or hearing from her the way you used to prior to the relationship or marriage – these observations should all be red flags. I understand, of course, in new, loving relationships when people hear the birds singing and have butterflies in their stomach at the mere thought of seeing one another – you will not see them as much as you are accustomed to being around them. But this is different. You might see the subtle changes if you are a genuinely perceptive person. Be persistent. Go to their home. Knock on the door. If he answers and states, ‘Oh, she has a headache, or she’s not feeling well, or she cannot come to the door at the moment’; if you feel safe enough respond, ‘Well, it’s been too long and we are too close, I must see her.’ We never know what’s going on behind closed doors. Morgan Sage, the protagonist in ‘Madness In Memphis’ could be your daughter, your sister, niece, cousin, mother, or even grandmother. We must remain vigilant and forever curious in order to protect the ones we love. We have lost far too many females to violence. It must stop. Discussing violence and coming to terms with the fact behaviour starts at the earliest of ages from the way we are treated by our parents, might make a difference. Not having discourse will allow abuse to escalate. It all starts from the beginning. Young people mirror the behaviour they observe and they receive at home. Education and observing the experiences of others in non-violent homes can open eyes and allow young people to see not all families ‘hit’ when they are angry, distressed, or feel ‘less’ than other people. Most societies are looking for short-term fixes; we all want the abuse to stop, however, until we start educating our youngest members of society on the proper, appropriate ways to treat one another, the cycle will continue. Education begins at home. Education begins with decent leaders.

For more information, visit www.patriciagordonstevens.com or find the author on Facebook and Instagram at Patricia Gordon Stevens Author.

Madness in Memphis

  • Publisher: Hembury Books
  • Release date: November 27, 2025
  • ISBN-13: 978-1923517332 (Paperback)

Available from: https://www.amazon.com/Madness-Memphis-Patricia-Gordon-Stevens/dp/1923517333

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Who Are You Without the Game? Pro Athletes Share What They’ve Learned About Faith, Pressure and Identity

SCOTTSDALE, ArizIdentity Sports Executive Director Zach Vogel launches “True Identity,” a new 31-day devotional exploring what defines athletes beyond performance.

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August 17, 2026

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Identity Sports Executive Director Zach Vogel launches “True Identity,” a new 31-day devotional exploring what defines athletes beyond performance.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz

For athletes, identity can become tangled up in numbers: wins, stats, playing time, rankings and roster spots. Zach Vogel knows what happens when all of that disappears.

 

True Identity 3Cover Who Are You Without the Game? Pro Athletes Share What They’ve Learned About Faith, Pressure and Identity

 

Vogel, executive director of Scottsdale-based nonprofit Identity Sports, is the author of “True Identity: An Athlete’s Guide to Finding Peace in All Circumstances,” a new 31-day Christian devotional that challenges athletes to separate who they are from how they perform.

The book brings together stories from professional and collegiate athletes across baseball, football, golf and more. Among those featured are PGA TOUR golfer and multiple major champion Scottie Scheffler, World Series champions Clayton Kershaw and Dansby Swanson, Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little, seven-time LPGA Tour winner Angela Stanford, Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and former NFL linebacker and two-time Pro Bowler Lorenzo Alexander.

They are just a few of the athletes and sports figures whose experiences appear throughout the 31-day devotional, which also includes stories from rising players, former professionals and competitors navigating the pressures and transitions that come with life in sports. Their experiences explore a question that reaches far beyond the scoreboard: What happens when the thing you do becomes the way you define yourself?

For Vogel, that question became personal when he was young. At 8 years old, he experienced a frightening medical event on the baseball field but was initially misdiagnosed and continued playing. Two years later, at age 10, he received the diagnosis that changed everything: He was told he could no longer play sports. Baseball was more than a game. It was the future he imagined for himself. In an instant, the identity he had built around being an athlete was shaken. The years that followed brought anxiety, depression and isolation, experiences that would eventually shape both his work with Identity Sports and the message behind “True Identity.”

“When baseball was taken away, it felt like my identity was taken away with it,” Vogel said. “I had built everything around what I did and who I thought I was going to become. When that disappeared, I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

A turning point came through Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Vogel began to see the verse differently. Rather than a promise that every goal would turn out as planned, it became a reminder that faith could provide strength when circumstances did not.

That idea sits at the heart of “True Identity”: A person’s worth cannot rest on something as temporary as a scoreboard, starting position, career or championship.

The devotional is organized around four themes:

  • Foundation: Separating identity from performance before pressure and expectations take over.
  • Pressure: Navigating perfectionism, comparison, competition and the need to prove yourself.
  • Adversity: Finding perspective through slumps, injuries, being benched, closed doors and unexpected endings.
  • Purpose: Looking beyond achievement to understand how faith, leadership and calling shape life during and after sports.

Each day pairs an athlete story with a biblical principle, reflection questions and prayer. The stories move through nearly every stage of an athletic career, from chasing success and dealing with expectations to navigating injuries, career changes and the moment competition ends altogether.

“Understanding our identity in Christ is freedom,” Vogel said. “It allows us to play like a kid again, enjoy the process and give everything we have without letting the scoreboard define us.”

The message is not limited to athletes. Vogel says the same struggle can surface anywhere people begin measuring themselves by achievement, career, status or outside approval.

“I pictured myself sitting down with that 10-year-old kid in the darkness and pain and being able to tell him that he wasn’t alone,” Vogel said. “Every athlete and every person goes through hard things. There is power in talking about it and understanding that it is OK to not be OK.”

For Identity Sports, “True Identity” is an extension of a broader mission to create conversations about faith, competition, adversity and purpose. The nonprofit reaches athletes and sports fans through live events, podcasts, digital content, devotionals and other faith-based resources.

Identity Sports also plans to launch Bible studies for different age groups and communities across the country, giving readers a way to continue exploring the themes of the book together.

For Vogel, the end goal is bigger than helping athletes handle their next win or loss. It is giving them a foundation that remains when the uniform eventually comes off.

“The game was never your identity. And it was never your final assignment,” Vogel said. “God’s plans for your life don’t expire when your circumstances change.”

“True Identity: An Athlete’s Guide to Finding Peace in All Circumstances” is available on Amazon. For more information about “True Identity,” upcoming Bible studies and Identity Sports, visit identitysports.com and identitysports.com/devotionals.

About Identity Sports

Identity Sports is a nonprofit Christian outreach ministry dedicated to helping athletes and sports fans find their true identity in Christ. Through live events, the Identity Sports Podcast, digital content, devotionals and faith-based resources, the organization provides athletes with a platform to share stories about competition, adversity, purpose and faith. Learn more at identitysports.com.

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Winchester, VA Personal Injury Attorney Recognized as Elite Lawyer for 2026

Winchester, VAParthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC is pleased to announce that Attorney C. Michelle Buelow has been named an Elite Lawyer for 2026 in the area of personal injury. This recognition highlights the firm’s commitment to providing exemplary service to injury victims who are navigating some of the most difficult periods of their lives. Attorney […]

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August 17, 2026

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Winchester, VA

Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC is pleased to announce that Attorney C. Michelle Buelow has been named an Elite Lawyer for 2026 in the area of personal injury. This recognition highlights the firm’s commitment to providing exemplary service to injury victims who are navigating some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Attorney Buelow is a graduate of the George Mason University School of Law and brings nearly 20 years of legal experience to her practice. Throughout her career, she has remained active in several legal associations, including the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Inn of Court, and local bar associations. This continued involvement allows her to stay informed on developments in personal injury and workers’ compensation law while building relationships with fellow attorneys who share her dedication to client advocacy.

Attorney Buelow represents clients in a wide range of personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, including car accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, workplace injuries, and on-the-job vehicle accidents. Her experience spans both sides of these overlapping practice areas, giving her a comprehensive understanding of how a single incident can affect a client’s health, income, and long-term stability.

The Elite Lawyer directory works to connect trustworthy attorneys with individuals in need of legal representation. Attorneys featured in the directory are selected based on their demonstrated competence within their practice area, as well as acknowledgment from their peers in the legal community.

About Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC

At Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC, we bring over 120 years of combined attorney experience to personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. From our offices in Winchester and Manassas, we serve clients throughout Virginia who are seeking guidance after an injury or workplace accident. To schedule a free consultation, visit https://www.pcbplaw.com/ or call 540-662-4222.

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DC Wine & Spirits Expands Corporate Gifting Program for 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C, USACurated wine-and-food pairings, keepsake glassware, and bulk ordering support Q4 client and employee appreciation.

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August 17, 2026

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Curated wine-and-food pairings, keepsake glassware, and bulk ordering support Q4 client and employee appreciation.

WASHINGTON, D.C, USA

DC Wine & Spirits, a family-owned online wine and champagne gift retailer, has expanded its corporate gifting program ahead of the fourth-quarter client and employee appreciation season. The expanded program centers on four curated collections — wine and cheese, wine and chocolate, wine and glassware, and champagne flute sets — supported by bulk ordering, custom engraving, and multi-address shipping, custom engraving, and multi-address shipping to recipients across most U.S. states.

Corporate gifting budgets are typically committed between September and November, while delivery windows narrow sharply in December. By opening the program in August, the company is giving procurement, marketing, and human resources teams a longer runway to select assortments, approve personalization proofs, and confirm recipient lists before carrier volumes peak.

The wine and cheese gift baskets collection pairs varietals with artisanal cheeses and gourmet accompaniments, with assortments ranging from approximately $99 to $559. The wine and chocolate gift basket range pairs red, white, and sparkling wines with Godiva, Lindt, and Ghirardelli selections and ships in temperature-controlled insulated packaging to protect chocolate in transit.

Two glassware-led collections address the keepsake side of business gifting. Wine and glass sets combine bottles such as Caymus, Silver Oak, Cakebread Cellars, and Opus One with Tiffany and Riedel stemware, while champagne flute gift sets pair labels including La Marca Prosecco, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon with lead-free crystal flutes. Because the glassware remains in use after the bottle is opened, the format is often positioned as a keepsake element of corporate gifting.

Personalization runs across all four collections. DC Wine & Spirits offers engraved bottles and glassware, hand-painted bottle artwork produced in-house, and company logos applied to custom bottles and branded flute sets. A single assortment can therefore be adapted for clients, board members, employees, and referral partners without changing the underlying pairing.

Orders for five or more recipients are handled through the company’s corporate gift basket service, which uses a downloadable bulk order form. One completed form can route individually addressed shipments to hundreds of recipients, each with its own gift message. Orders for fewer than five recipients can be placed directly through the online store.

Demand is not limited to the December holidays or to a single market. The company reports that pairing sets and glassware are also ordered for deal closings, client onboarding, vendor and referral thank-yous, work anniversaries, promotions, and retirement occasions that fall throughout the year and require smaller, faster shipments than a seasonal campaign. New York, California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. are among the most frequent recipient destinations.

“Corporate gifting fails most often on logistics, not on taste,” said Tom Gera, Head of Marketing at DC Wine & Spirits. “A company can choose an excellent bottle and still lose the moment because the package arrived a week late, or because nobody over 21 was at the desk to sign for it. This program is built around those failure points: earlier ordering windows, one form for hundreds of addresses, and a fulfillment process that treats alcohol delivery as the regulated shipment it actually is.”

Fulfillment reflects that regulatory reality. All alcohol shipments require an adult signature with valid identification at delivery. The company does not ship to PO Box or APO addresses, and availability is determined by the destination state. Standard orders process within two to five business days. Same-day shipping is available on orders placed before 2 p.m. EST on business days, and same-day courier delivery is offered in select cities.

The company advises corporate buyers to submit personalized and logo-engraved orders at least seven to ten business days ahead of the intended delivery date during peak season, as artwork approval and engraving add production time.
Assortments across the four collections range from approximately $99 to more than $1,200, covering employee recognition gifts, mid-tier client thank-you sets, and executive-level presentations. All collections are available now at dcwineandspirits.com.

About DC Wine & Spirits

DC Wine & Spirits is a family-owned, U.S.-based online retailer of wine, champagne, and gourmet gift baskets, operating from Washington, D.C., and Vienna, Virginia. The company hand-assembles gift baskets, gift boxes, and glassware sets, and offers engraving, hand-painted bottle artwork, and logo personalization for individual and corporate orders. Gifts are shipped to recipients across most U.S. states, with availability determined by destination. The company’s guiding principle is to bring people together and create memories that last a lifetime.

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