FIERCE FREEDOM PODCAST
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173: How Sarah’s Oasis for Women Is Helping Restore Safety & Dignity
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…
172: Survivor Healing Through Spiritual Direction
is the ancient Japanese art of making shattered dishes whole. It was also the theme for this past year’s trafficking survivor retreat held by the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. Program and Retreat Coordinator for the center,…
172: Sound of Freedom Film Review: 5 Important Takeaways
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…
171: Grooming of Autistic Girls and Other Alarming Trends in The Sex Trade
Featuring Michelle Kelly, Bestselling Author and Survivor of Sexual Violence and Exploitation
170: Challenging the Sex Work is Work Narrative
Featuring Michelle Kelly, Bestselling Author and Survivor of Sexual Violence and Exploitation
169: Living a life of Hope and Transformation
Featuring Toni Mattson, Founder of Trinity Equestrian Center, Speaker, Writer, and Podcaster
168: The Healing Power of Equine Encounters for Survivors
Featuring Toni Mattson, Founder of Trinity Equestrian Center, Speaker, Writer, and Podcaster
167: Eau Freedom Highlight: Blue Ox Running!
Featuring Adam and Alicia Condit, Champion Sponsors for Eau Freedom & Owners of Blue Ox Running
166: Restoring Hope Though Free Tattoo Removal
Featuring: Stephanie Andresen-Stevens, Founder of Restorative Ink & International Award Winning Aesthetician
165: Combatting Vulnerabilities within the LGBTQ+ Population
Featuring Melinda Sampson, Community Outreach Coordinator for NC Stop Human Trafficking
164: Creating a Community of Art & Belonging
Featuring: Michael Rambo, Director for CollECtive Arts, Music and Program Director for CollECtive Choir
162: Becoming Your Own Advocate
Featuring: Kayleen Soden, Founder at Phoenix Holistic Wellness LLC
162: Protecting Children Through Wisconsin Legislation
Featuring WI State Senator Jesse James
161: Developing A Porn Resilient Mindset, Part II
Featuring: Taylor Chambers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Author, MS, LMFT
Developing A Porn Resilient Mindset, Part I
Featuring: Taylor Chambers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Author, MS, LMFT
158: A Village of Support for All!
School-age children and youth spend of their waking hours outside of school, and yet third spaces can be inaccessible to families due to cost or lack of knowledge. Enter , a local tech company empowering families to easily find and connect with the…
157: The Dirty Dozen List 2023: Exposing Mainstream Exploitation
Featuring Lina Nealon, Vice President & Director of Corporate Advocacy of National Center on Sexual Assault (NCOSE)
156: What’s the Deal with Deepfake Porn & What Can You Do?
Deepfake pornography is on the rise. In fact, a showed that deepfake creation would double yearly and that 96% of existing deepfakes were nonconsensual pornography. (Fight the New Drug) To dive deeper into this newer form of online exploitation, host…
155: Building A Healing Community for Trafficked Women
Featuring: Marlene Sorenson, Co-Founder/Executive Director of Zeteo Community
154: United Against the Epidemic of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (Part II)
Featuring: Shayla Beaumont, Elevate|Uplift Coordinator for the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition
153: United Against the Epidemic of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (Part I)
Featuring: Shayla Beaumont, Elevate|Uplift Coordinator for the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition
152: What We Can Learn from the Film: “Women Talking”
Featuring Hope Anne Dueck, Executive Director for A Better Way
151: Light Despite the Darkness: Counteracting Adverse Childhood Experiences
Studies show that about 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported that they had experienced at least one type of adverse childhood experience (ACE). All of us carry invisible traumas from childhood that greatly affect our life trajectory and…
150: Why Adolescents Are Targeted for Sextortion
Featuring: Dr. Justin Patchin, Co-Founder of the Cyberbullying Research Institute
149: Audrey’s Story Part II
On part II of today’s episode, you’ll hear a real story of sex trafficking. This courageous woman Audrey* will share her story about moving beyond a life of sex trafficking and exploitation. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode deals with topics…
148: Audrey’s Story Part I
On part I of today’s episode, you’ll hear a real story of sex trafficking. This courageous woman Audrey* shares about how her upbringing and vulnerabilities created a perfect storm that led to the subsequent abuse and exploitation she experienced….
148: Exposing the Porn Industry (Part II)
Featuring Laila Mickelwait, Founder & CEO of The Justice Defense Fund, Founder of #Traffickinghub Movement
147: Exposing the Porn Industry (Part I)
Featuring Laila Mickelwait, Founder & CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of #Traffickinghub Movement
146: Not Settling for Less When it Comes to Sex
Featuring Author & Podcast Host Evening Snow
145: Outgrowing Porn
Featuring Author & Sexual Therapist: Andrew J. Bauman
144: Faithful in the Fight
Featuring Terry Hildebrandt of The Salvation Army
143: Binging Netflix Responsibly
Featuring Naomi Wright, Executive Director of beEmboldened Ministries
142: Perspectives on Healing & Finding Your Place in the Fight (Part II)
Featuring: Anti-Human Trafficking Consultant Rosie Cataldo
141: Perspectives on Healing & Finding Your Place in the Fight (Part I)
Featuring: Anti Trafficking Consultant Rosie Cataldo
140: Prayers of Lament
Feat. Diane Bryant, Spiritual Director for Fierce Freedom
139: Fierce Freedom Year-End Giving Update
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…
138: Living Beyond the Blue Curtains of Abuse in the Amish Community
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 which details the sexual abuse she experienced as well as her pursuit of justice that came many…
137: Why You Should Support this Bill that Protects Children from Sexual 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…
126: Peeling Back Layers of Trauma to Find Healing
Feat. Jessie Podolak, PT, DPT
135: Sexual Abuse in Plain Communities – Featuring Hope Anne Dueck
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…
134: Treating Kids in Foster Care Like Royalty, Feat. Theresa Johnston
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…
The Eau Claire Academy is Closing – Now What?
Featuring Academy Director Chuck Anger
132: Can Superheroes Help Create Healthier Communities?
Who do we love superheroes so much? Could it be because we admire the way they strive to make better communities for others? Fierce Freedom Program Content Specialist Chris Page chatted with Matt and Cat about our new program for elementary students…
131: Identifying Sexually Abused Children Through Their Art
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…
130: Tapping Into Transformation, Feat. LeBrent Speed
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 is all based on. LeBrent will share his story with listeners and why believes that true and lasting transformation is…
129: Incorporating Soul Care in the Fight Against Trafficking, Feat. Diane Bryant
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…
128: Showing Incarcerated Youth That They Matter
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…
127: The FBI’s Nationwide Campaign: Operation Cross Country XII
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…
126: We’re Chatting about Fierce Freedom’s Fall Programming!
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…
125: Eau Claire Treehouse is Working to End Hopelessness in Teens
What does hopelessness in teens look like? It can present as bullying, self-harm/cutting, depression, or isolation. Eau Claire wants to combat this cycle of hopelessness by providing a safe space of loving acceptance for teens to thrive and dream for…