The Fierce Freedom Podcast

In honor of Giving Tuesday, Board President of Fierce Freedom Aaron Libner, and Donor Engagement Specialist Joyce Orth update supporters about our year-end giving campaign and how you can contribute uniquely this year to help support us and our mission to disrupt the cycle of trafficking and exploitation!

To support our year-end giving campaign:

1. Visit fiercefreedom.org/support

2. Designate your gift to "End of Year Campaign 2022"

Thank you so much for your generosity, it allows us to continue this work, and we greatly appreciate it!

Today's podcast guest Lizzie Hershberger explains what it was like growing up in an uber-conservative Amish community and shares about her new memoir Behind Blue Curtains, which details the sexual abuse she experienced as well as her pursuit of justice that came many years later.

In addition to being an author and speaker on Amish culture, Lizzie is a strong advocate for victims of any kind of abuse and Co-Founded The Voices of Hope Givers - a support group for survivors. Her hope is to create generational change towards abuse prevention and pave the way for other silenced members of the plains communities to share their story and find healing.

You can purchase Lizzie's book on Amazon, 10% of all proceeds go to helping survivors of abuse. 

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cases of child sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences.

In the state of Wisconsin, there are harsher penalties for drunk driving than there are to sexually abuse a child.

That is why today's podcast guest, legal assistant and survivor of child sexual abuse Heather Martell is attempting to pass a state bill that uses similar language from OWI state statutes to provide more severe penalties for abusers of children.

You'll learn what loopholes exist for perpetrators, what the long term effects on victims and this community are, and how her bill would help disrupt cycles of this kind of abuse.

If you would like to read and support this bill you can download it here. You can also email Heather at: HeatherOLMartell@outlook.com 

How can someone begin to identify their trauma and create a care plan to begin the healing process?

We invited Jessie Podolak, who currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fierce Freedom and also has a doctorate in physical therapy to share more about empowering anyone on the spectrum of trauma "peel and heal" back the layers of pain to find true and lasting healing.

She also shares about implementing this into your work as a health care provider as well as some of her favorite resources for continuing education. 

To learn more about trauma informed care check out these books/websites:

Therapy in a Nutshell

Becoming Safely Embodied: Deidre Fay

The Body Keeps the Score: Bessel Van De Kolk

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode deals with issues of child sexual abuse, rape, and incest.

Today's podcast guest works to highlight countless stories of abuse in Plain dressing groups such as Amish, Mennonite, and other Anabaptist communities.

Hope Anne Dueck is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of A Better Way, a Christian organization that equips caring people to prevent, recognize, and respond correctly to abuse.

She shares about how her own experience of observing multiple cases of child abuse led to her passion to educate both professionals and the public about these crimes as well as creating tools for victims to receive support, as they seek justice and healing.

To support the work Hope Anne and her team is doing at A Better Way, please visit their website: abetterway.org

There are 450,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system today. Many don't hear about the worth and value they have, which is why Royal Family Kids Camp exists and has been offering free week-long summer camps for children of abuse or neglect who have been placed in foster care.

This episode we chatted with the Former Camp Director Theresa Johnston about the camp and how it allows kids to "unpack" their experiences coming in and leave with a sense of their own value, that helps sustain them throughout their lives.

If you'd like to get connected to volunteer as a camp counselor  

rfk@htcfamily.org

If you'd like to donate to support this work, visit:

htcfamily.org/give-online/

For 55 years, The Eau Claire Academy has provided mental health care and housing for adolescents in the state who have needed it - and now, they are closing for good.

Chuck Anger, the academy's interim director shares with us about some of the systemic reasons behind this decision as well as what he feels will be the far-reaching ripple effects within our state due to the rising demand for youth mental health services.

He also shares one youth's perspective on what the public can do to help advocate within our communities to create better resources for the youth who so desperately need them within our area.

In most cases, the public is shielded from the horrors which police, corrections, EMS and Fire safety experience on a daily basis.

First responder at Sandy Hook Elementary and Executive Director of Honor Wellness Center Phyllis DiGioia explains her desire to provide first responders with supportive programming that gives them and their families the tools to manage their experiences and seek healing from cumulative trauma.

Her husband Chris McKee, who is also a former Police Chief and Vice President for Honor Wellness Center, shares the stigma first responders face when it comes to seeking mental health services and how his career necessitated a need for wholistic wellness in his life.

To contact Phyllis, email her at phyllis@honorwellness.org, to learn more about how you can support the work of Honor Wellness visit them at: honorwellness.org

How can superheroes lead the way towards creating better communities in the lives of youth?

Fierce Freedom Program Content Specialist Chris Page chatted with Matt and Cat about our new program for elementary students which uses superheroes and other creative ways to teach kids about creating a culture of worth in value within their own spheres.

To learn how to bring Worth It to your school district by emailing chris@fiercefreedom.org.

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when that picture is drawn by a sexually abused child who doesn't have the words to tell you.

Trigger Warning: For those who have experienced sexual abuse or have a loved one who has been a victim, this episode deals with this topic and may be triggering for survivors. Please contact the RAINN Hotline for supportive services.

We wanted to share findings of a study that comes from researcher Scott R. Neubauer and the Child Abuse Education Foundation which details red flags for childhood sexual abuse found in drawings. We'll share how the results of this study can result in parents, educators, and childcare workers becoming significantly better at detecting signs of sexual abuse.

To see the gallery or watch the video for the Broken Crayons Exhibit by Amigos for Kids visit: brokencrayons.us

To download this booklet from the Child Abuse Education Foundation visit this link.

This episode is dedicated to Scott R. Neubauer, who passed away suddenly in 2018, and whose passion in life was for getting help for children being abused. May his legacy live on through his family and important life's work.

Today's podcast guest LeBrent Speed is a prime example of the power of transformation. In fact, this is what his work with his org Transformation Men International is all based on.

LeBrent will share his story with listeners and why believes that true and lasting transformation is possible for everyone, even those who feel trapped in a cycle of addictive compulsions.

He'll also spell out some of the pre-cursors for lasting change to take place as well as why he believes so many of us continue to be thwarted by our own narratives and excuses.

If you'd like to reach out to LeBrent directly you can email him directly at: lebrentspeed@bni.com

To get involved with his org Transform Men International visit: transformmen.now.site/home

Today's episode is a good one to kick back with a warm cup of coffee or tea as we explore why going deep sustains you in the daily battle against injustice.

We hear from Exec. Director of Fierce Freedom, Jenny Almquist and Spiritual Director for Fierce Freedom Diane Bryant, about the role spiritual direction has played within Fierce Freedom and why they recommend it for any individual or organization, particularly those who are engaged in issues of societal justice.

If you'd like to set up a session with Diane you can email her at: bryantdiane75@gmail.com

Some other resources per Diane to check out if you are interested in incorporating this practice into your life or work are:

• Find your own spiritual director/soul companion: sdicompanions.org
• For specifically Christian communities: graftedlife.org
• To learn how to become a Spiritual Director: soulformation.org
• Depleted leaders looking for rest: findrest.org

Reading Materials:

• Spiritual Direction - Gary Moon & David Benner
• Soul Care in African-American Practice - Barbara L. Peacock
• Let Your Life Speak - Parker Palmer
• Sacred Companions - David Benner

This past Spring, Fierce Freedom staff and volunteers had the opportunity to return to the local juvenile detention hall to continue our outreach program for at-risk youth using materials from our friends at POV Story (shoutout!)

Long-time volunteers Debbie Hong and Bill Anderson share about their time with the youth, lessons they learned and memorable stories that all shaped this experience.

If you'd like more information about the materials we used from POV Story, please visit them at: pointofviewstory.com/

Today we're talking about the recent nationwide sex trafficking campaign: Operation Cross Country XII, a collaborative enforcement campaign of 200 state, local and federal partners which led to the identification and location of both minor and adult victims of sex trafficking.

While it is important to celebrate these collaborative efforts by FBI Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, and Victim Specialists for the victims identified, Matt and Cat will delve into some of the questions that remain from this report and what details they hope will come to light to better inform direct service provision and policy enactment for victims of trafficking.

To read the FBI press release on this operation visit this link: justice.gov/opa/pr/fbi-announces-results-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation

Grab your pumpkin spice lattes and cozy up for this podcast episode which is talking about Fierce Freedom's exciting lineup of events this Fall!

Matt and Cat provide details about Fierce Freedom's upcoming West Central WI Anti-Trafficking Conference coming up October 13th, 9am-3pm at Wild Ridge Event Center in Eau Claire, WI. Early bird prices end September 22nd so reserve your spot today at tinyurl.com/ffconf2022 

Fierce Freedom is also hosting monthly Fierce Parenting ($250 value) classes for FREE . No sign up is required, classes will take place every third Thursday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at our office address - 2519 N. Hillcrest Pkwy #200, Altoona WI 54720.

What does hopelessness in teens look like? It can present as bullying, self-harm/cutting, depression, or isolation. Eau Claire Treehouse wants to combat this cycle of hopelessness by providing a safe space of loving acceptance for teens to thrive and dream for the future.

Our guests TJ (Area Director) and Ashley (Program Director) share the many ways you can get involved with their mission through mentorship of teens or helping them impact more teens through financial support.

Also, be sure you check out their official launch party in Eau Claire on Sept 18th from 1-4pm with food trucks, raffles and live music!

Most of the time, those who perpetrate sexual acts against children are someone the child knows. This was also the case for our guest Amber Gregory -  an author, speaker, and survivor of sexual abuse perpetrated at the ages of 12 and 13 by her dance teacher.

She opens up about the subtle ways her abuser began to groom her and the adults around her in her memoir "Little Sweetheart" and how she came to terms with her own abuse.

Amber shares also how her faith in God was weaponized against her by her abuser, but how this ultimately brought her out of the shame and "dirtiness" she experienced from this abuse.

If you'd like to check out more of Amber's work, or bring her in to speak to your group, visit her at ambergregoryauthor.com

Dr. Stephany Powell is an anomaly. Not only does she have 30 years of experience as a Vice Sergeant of the LAPD, but she has also served as an Executive Director on a nonprofit Journey Out, which provides direct services to help victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

Using her varied background in both education and as a Vice Officer, Stephany shares her best advice for nonprofits and advocacy groups for strengthening ties with law enforcement in their own communities to better assist victims of trafficking.

If you'd like for Stephany to train your agency or community, you can reach out to her at: spowell@ncoselaw.org

Saed D. Hill is the Assistant Director of Prevention and Masculine Engagement at the Center for Awareness, Response, and Education (CARE) where he collaborates with Northwestern University to develop and implement strategies to improve masculine engagement in the prevention of violence.

Saed shares with us about how "traditional" masculinity puts boys and men in restrictive boxes, causing them to see relationships as transactional - which in turn can also lead to gendered violent acts.

He also explains how each of us can help address harmful and restrictive masculinity in our own spheres, while promoting real connection and granting permission towards healthy masculinity.

If you'd like to learn more about the incredible work Saed is doing or have him speak to your community, you can email him at: saed.hill@northwestern.edu

If you are a male victim of sexual violence, visit 1in6.org  for more resources.

We invited survivor leader, author, and liberator Harmony Grillo, to share with us about her experience in the commercial sex industry, and the life changing friendship that helped to liberate her.

Harmony also explains how her faith became a framework for truth and a foundation for her recovery. She shares how while she believes faith is a huge component in the healing journey, the approach her organization Treasures takes with survivors allows them the freedom of choice rather than policing their decisions. 

Finally, Harmony gives us her perspective on how sexual exploitation has evolved since she has left this life, and about her banned Ted Ex talk about the harms of legalized prostitution.

You can download Harmony's FREE e-training for mentors who are walking alongside a survivor and purchase her memoir: Scars & Stilettos here.