The Fierce Freedom Podcast

Bestselling author Lori Scott is passionate about youth, sports and spreading awareness of human trafficking.

This intersection of passions led to her newest literary work for young adults called "Offsides," which tackles the difficult topic of human trafficking and opens the door for important conversations all while using age-appropriate sensitivity and ending on hope from a faith perspective. 

The book also provides important resources for families and at-risk individuals who may be facing a difficult situation related to trafficking or substance abuse.

Check out Lori's website for more updates about her work at: https://lori-z-scott.com/ follow her on Instagram (stories.by.lori) and you can purchase Offsides by visiting Amazon.

Local nonprofit Rewired & Real Foundation has already reached 30,000 individuals and they're just getting started. Their message? To help rewire the way we look at mental health, and to embrace the collective power of kindness towards oneself and the world around us.

Married couple Stacy and Kjersten Franzwa were inspired by their own experiences to start a movement designed to promote mental health through human connection and to unlock the treasure of kindness within each individual through their "million acts of kindness challenge."

Learn how you can join their "Unlocking Kindness" challenge, learn about upcoming initiatives, or support Rewired and Real by visiting their website here.

www.rewiredandreal.com

If there's anything today's guest understands, it is the power of overcoming adversity, and using your own life lessons to help lift up others who are navigating similar challenges.

Dekelen "DJ" Griffin is the the Founder of MBM (Motivation Begins with Mindset Corps), a new nonprofit in the Chippewa Valley that is dedicated to help motivate others to go beyond their own life's challenges through the mentorship of others who also have lived experiences as well as by connecting individuals in need with essential physical items such as clothing, housing, and everyday necessities.

DJ shares his experiences as a child of parents struggling with substances, shedding light on the impact it had on his own path towards addiction as well as the pivotal moment that inspired him to break free from this dark lifestyle and embark on a journey of recovery and life transformation.

If you'd like to support the work DJ is doing with MBM, you can head over to their website or email DJ at dekelengriffin@gmail.com

In a culture that shows a majority of violent acts perpetrated by men, how can we help to empower men and boys towards healthy behavior that honors and restores relationships?

We invited Shawn Schutt, Community Engagement and Prevention Manager Underground Railroad Inc. & Co-Chair for the Mid-Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, to share about how he believes sports are a great way to help coach boys into maturity and to unlearn behaviors that set the stage for future possibly violent behaviors.

Shawn says that this work has to begin internally, and encourages each of us to check our own belief systems and how they may inadvertently promote relationship violence or abuse.

You can check out Shawn's podcast "Touchy Subjects" or support his org Underground Railroad Inc. here: undergroundrailroadinc.org

Did you know it is estimated that 27.6 million people are trapped today in forced labor? (Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index)

The level at which exploitation touches everyday products we all consume is astounding, which is why our guest Samuel Logan, CEO and founder of Evidencity, is working to give businesses full control over their information supply chain, by conducting investigative due diligence to combat modern slavery.

Samuel shares about how these ethical actions can be integrated through legislative, business, and personal practices, and how he believes we can transform these sectors through conscious and collective effort.

To learn more about Samuel's work, visit his website: https://www.evidencity.com/

Trigger Warning: This episode depicts a real story of trafficking which includes some details of child sex trafficking and abuse.

Today we hear from a brave survivor recounting her experience of trafficking as a young woman in California. Sarah shares about how some of her vulnerabilities enabled sexual abuse and ultimately sex trafficking during her teen years. 

She frames for listeners what her healing path has involved and how she is learning to love and re-parent herself towards further restoration of her self.

Check out Sarah's show Que Sera Sera (8 years old this year) on Driftless Community Radio out of Viroqua, WI on WDRT or by visiting: www.wdrt.org

Women who come to Sarah's Oasis in St. Paul, MN are often fleeing various traumas abroad, including war, trafficking, torture, violence, and discrimination.

To hear more about the org's history and impact, we invited the director Cheryl Behrent, whose goal is to "always to make a difference in the lives of women. It is my greatest joy to accompany women lacking resources and support on their life journeys."

Sarah's accompanies these women on their journeys through opportunities for education, job training, and family reunification, but also by creating an environment of peaceful community where these women can begin to regain their lives and sense of self at Sarah's and beyond.

If you would like to learn more about the work Cheryl and her team are doing you can visit their website: www.sarahsoasis.org/

Program and Retreat Coordinator for the center, Julie Connelly, shares more about the retreat, as well as a bit of her own journey to spiritual direction and how this practice can benefit survivors of human trafficking as well as anyone on their own journey of healing.

Lastly, Julie shares about some resources with listeners and encourages individuals to check out some of their programming found on their website: www.fscenter.org

Sound of Freedom has grossed $172.84 million domestically, shocking mainstream media with its popularity. The film, depicting the life of Operation Underground Railroad's Tim Ballard and has surpassed blockbuster hits like Indiana Jones and Disney's Elemental.

Podcast hosts Cat Morgan and Mark Halvorsen dive into a conversation about this recent box office success, delving into some of the controversy surrounding the film and sharing 5 key takeaways we can learn from it.

What were your thoughts on the film? We'd love to hear from you! You can connect with us by emailing podcast@fiercefreedom.org

Toni Mattson is the Founder of Trinity Equestrian Center as well as a speaker, writer, and podcaster. For part II of our conversation with her we hear more about how she was influenced by her upbringing towards helping others know the 4 P's of passion, power, peace, and purpose and to help weave this calling into everyday life.  

Toni also shares about upcoming projects including an upcoming book she has written about hope and transformation.

To stay in touch with Toni's work and to check out her podcast "Live The Life" you can visit her website tonimattson.com 

Today's guest has a passion to unite horses with people and watch incredible healing take place.

Toni Mattson is the Founder of Trinity Equestrian Center, whose mission is to help change lives through relationships, faith, and horses.

She talks about how Trinity Equestrian Center has offered survivors of complex trauma the opportunity to learn how to maintain healthy boundaries and the magic that occurs when you let horse and survivor interact in an organic way.

She also shares about other programs which include youth mentoring and development for kids that have been in high risk environments and for veterans of combat.

To learn more about the programming available or to support the work at Trinity Equestrian you can visit: trinity-ec.com

Today we're highlighting Adam and Alicia Condit of Blue Ox Running, who will share more about what you can expect from the Eau Freedom Fun Run & Fest and why they decided to partner with Fierce Freedom and our work locally.

The couple also shares about their collective passion to develop healthy internet/social media practices for families and some practical ways to model this by resetting our own digital rhythms.

Visit blueoxrunning.com to connect with Adam and Alicia and to check out their podcast which features real life stories centered around fitness.

Tattoos have become a popular way to represent personal interests and passions. But for a victim of sex trafficking, "branding" tattoos from their pimp tell the gut-wrenching story of their abuse and exploitation.

Stephanie Andresen-Stevens is the Founder of Restorative Ink, a 501-c3 non-profit providing FREE tattoo removal services to those who are rebuilding their lives due to human trafficking or domestic violence.

Stephanie shares about how this service was borne out of her own personal and professional experiences. She gives warning signs for service providers and encourages them to respond to victims in a trauma informed way that validates both their reactions and experiences.

If your facility would like to receive training and resources from Stephanie and her team at Restorative Ink, or if you'd like to support this org - you can visit: restorativeink.com

The LGBTQ+ population is three times more likely to engage in survival sex when compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, yet these cases go highly unreported. (Loyola University)

We invited Melinda Sampson, Community Outreach Coordinator for NC Stop Human Trafficking to shine light on some the root causes as to why this population is disproportionately affected, and to discuss the need for a big picture shift to help support all marginalized populations.

She also shares the importance of addressing demand and how showing "simple but not simple acts" of kindness and making human connections goes a long way in helping victims find the help that can change their life trajectory.

If you'd like to receive professional training or just learn more about the work Melinda is doing with NC Stop Human Trafficking check out their website here: ncstophumantrafficking.org

Encouraging artistic development is an important aspect of childhood and can foster both creative problem solving and healthy avenues for collaboration and positive self-expression in youth. 

The CollECtive Arts is a local non-profit organization made up of multiple ministries that seek to glorify God through music, dance, theater, and visual art with programming for children, youth, and adults.

We invited Director Michael Rambo to share more about his passion to create spaces of belonging and creativity which are fostered by the free and affordable programming made available through CollECtive Arts.

If you'd like to learn how to join creative forces with the work Mike and his team are involved with, come check out their booth at our upcoming Eau Freedom event, or by visiting them at collectiveartsec.org

How can each of us learn how to advocate for ourselves in a holistic and trauma-informed way?

Today's guest Kayleen Soden, Founder of Phoenix Holistic Wellness LLC will share about how she began moving beyond unhealthy patterns cemented in childhood and subsequently embracing her own journey towards self-awareness and efficacy. 

She encourages listeners to check out her org Phoenix Holistic Wellness as a possible first step - which offers services, classes, and workshops, designed to help clients understand how their entire experience in the world can be integrated into a single understanding about self, wellness, and community.

Kayleen also shares about an upcoming Artist Market that integrates artistic expression with trauma-resiliency - where she also is designating funds to local orgs with similar aims (including Fierce Freedom!). 

You can also check out Kayleen's blog where she explores various passions including: nutrition, nature, psychology, spirituality, and self-discovery.

What is being done to curb sexual predation towards children in Wisconsin and to decriminalize underage victims of trafficking?

We invited Wisconsin State Senator Jesse L. James to speak more about his passion for protecting families in our state through enacting policy and legislation.

He provides updates on new legislation he and his team are working to get passed. Bills include amendments to child protection laws which will now include AI rendered images of youth, and new legislation that would outlaw the use of child sex dolls. He also shares about why he believes we need a Safe Harbor law for underage victims of trafficking in our state and how is working to get this passed.

If you want to get in touch with Jesse and his team, you can email him at sen.james@legis.wisconsin.gov.

TRIGGER: This episode includes some subject matter related to child sexual abuse that may be unsuitable for children, we recommend for ages 14+

How can I bring porn-resiliency into my own personal spheres of influence?

In part II of today's podcast, our guest Taylor Chambers, MS, LMFT shares with us about his work as a sexuality coach and how he encourages couples seeking guidance after betrayal trauma to move beyond it and stresses the importance of becoming a trustworthy and honest person versus regaining trust.

He also points to several resources for listeners he has worked to develop including a course to help families bring porn-resilient thinking to the home.

 To check out Taylor's resource Porn-Resilient: The Pilgrimage From Unwanted Porn Use to Fearless Sexuality and his course about raising porn-resilient kids, visit his website: taylorchambers.com

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School-age children and youth spend 80 percent of their waking hours outside of school, and yet third spaces can be inaccessible to families due to cost or lack of knowledge.

Enter Village, a local tech company empowering families to easily find and connect with the many out-of-school programs in their community, connecting youth with new experiences and relationships.

We invited Trish Cummins, the Director of Mission, to speak more about how Village matches families with vetted providers of extracurricular programming. She also speaks about the opportunity for individual donors to support youth - creating equal access for all kids. 

To get involved as a family, provider or donor you can visit Village.com