The Fierce Freedom Podcast

Today’s podcast is part II of a series of episodes of a real story of a couple who shares authentically about their journey of sexual brokenness, addiction, betrayal, and ultimately healing. To do justice work well, we have to wrestle together through the hard things. And if we want to fight s*x trafficking, we have to talk about the demand for it. Our stance is that porn is a huge precursor towards perpetuating trafficking and an addiction that is often brushed under the rug, leading to deep shame for those in addiction, or in other cases defensive minimization. We also believe in the worth, value, and dignity of each individual and so we offer this story to give you as the listener a new perspective and perhaps a reminder that even for the most seemingly broken of circumstances, there is above all hope that healing is possible and that quite possibly, the light can shine beautifully through our cracks. If you or a spouse are struggling with betrayal trauma, p*rn or s*xual addiction, there’s help for you. Check out one of our highlighted podcast guests like Justin with Beyond the Line Ministries, or Ashley with Pure Desire Ministries - both are compassionate individuals who are here to help you. You are not alone.

Today’s podcast is part I of a series of episodes of a real story of a couple who shares authentically about their journey of sexual brokenness, addiction, betrayal, and ultimately healing. To do justice work well, we have to wrestle together through the hard things. And if we want to fight s*x trafficking, we have to talk about the demand for it. Our stance is that porn is a huge precursor towards perpetuating trafficking and an addiction that is often brushed under the rug, leading to deep shame for those in addiction, or in other cases defensive minimization. We also believe in the worth, value, and dignity of each individual and so we offer this story to give you as the listener a new perspective and perhaps a reminder that even for the most seemingly broken of circumstances, there is above all hope that healing is possible and that quite possibly, the light can shine beautifully through our cracks. If you or a spouse are struggling with betrayal trauma, p*rn or s*xual addiction, there’s help for you. Check out one of our highlighted podcast guests like Justin with Beyond the Line Ministries, or Ashley with Pure Desire Ministries - both are compassionate individuals who are here to help you. You are not alone.

Today's guest Ashley Jameson works as a Certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional and is passionate about partnering with churches to help individuals break free from addiction and shame, build healthy intimacy, and embrace the life God has for them through her work with Pure Desire Ministries. She shares with listeners about how her personal experiences with teen pregnancy, s*x and love addiction, and betrayal trauma have inspired her work now. Above all, she wants listeners to know that there is hope and healing with this kind of addiction is possible whoever you are and wherever you've been. If you'd like to learn more, Ashley is also a contributing author to Unraveled, Betrayal & Beyond, and Authentically You and co-hosts the podcast UnFiltered: Real Talk About Sex & Love where she and co-host Heather have candid, no-judgment conversations about sex, relationships, and healing. You can also email groups@puredesire.com to get started on your own journey towards healing today.

Today's guest Allison Mogenson is a Wisconsin native who now serves as the Executive Director for Priceless Alaska, a faith-based nonprofit organization that walks with survivors of sex trafficking through mentorship and survivor directed case management (for which they recently received an award from the FBI) as well as through their "Engage" training, designed to equip, engage and mobilize faith communities. Allison shares with us about the unique challenges and trafficking trends she has witnessed specific to the region and ultimately what she hopes to see happen through this work. If you're interested in supporting the important work of Priceless Alaska, or are interested in their training for faith communities, you can visit: https://www.pricelessalaska.org/

We're kicking 2025 off with podcast guest Chris McKenna, who left the accounting world to help families be safer online through his organization Protect Young Eyes. Chris shares his heart to transform the current digital landscape and shares practical strategies for families to be more confident and resilient to the many risks and dangers youth face. He also touches on some macro level changes he'd like to see, but stresses the importance of a family centered cultural shift of community learning and collective responsibility towards harm reduction. If you'd like to support Chris's work or check out some of Protect Young Eyes' fantastic resources including parenting course "The 5 Habits of a Tech Ready Home," visit: protectyoungeyes.com If you'd like to see our unedited podcast conversation with Chris, head over to: https://youtu.be/RVv3POE4JBE

How can we move from sexual destruction to sexual wholeness? Today's guest Justin Smith, Founder of Beyond the Line Ministries, is walking alongside men who have been caught up in sexual addiction, which is also feeding the exploitative and massively pervasive porn industry, and incidentally generates MORE than the NFL, NBA, and MLB combined Justin, who understands the pain and challenges of this journey, explains how he goes to the heart of these addictions by focusing on three areas in a mans healing. Repentance, The Brain, and The Wounds. Beyond The Line Ministries offers intimate small group settings and 1-1 mentoring for men to cross a new line to freedom that they have so desperately wanted. If you'd like to get started towards sexual wholeness - visit https://beyondthelineministries.com/ If you'd like to check out Justin's full testimony, check that out here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ovDili2m_d4

How can our shopping support survivors of sex trafficking and strengthen at risk communities? On today's episode, we are joined by our friend Grace Schmoldt, Way Maker and Co-Founder of Grace Blooming Boutiques. Grace invites listeners to make a global impact through your consumer choices this holiday season, and shares about some of the beautiful and unique products she has available for purchase, crafted by global artisans in India, Bolivia and China. To start shopping purposefully this holiday season, you can check out Blooming Grace Boutiques by visiting: bloominggraceboutiques.com/

How do we dismantle an enterprise that generates $5.7 billion every year? Our guest Tomas Perez shares how his organization Epik Project is addressing sex trafficking by going to the root of it, by engaging with buyers who are driving demand. Tomas shares why he believes these men are purchasing sex and how Epik Project's approach uses a non-traditional accountability model to reach these individuals. If you want to learn more about Epik Project or support the work Tomas is doing, you can head to their website: epikproject.org

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with a case of s*x trafficking, r*pe, and s*xual assault, listener discretion is advised. On today's podcast episode, we're talking about the recent arrests of the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Mike Jeffries, and other associates including a local Wisconsin man James Jacobsen- who have been charged with operating an international sex trafficking and prostitution business from 2008 to 2015. We'll discuss the details of the case including some key takeaways. We are also joined by Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald, who will share about the local connection to this case and how he hopes it will bring further awareness of sex trafficking for Wisconsin residents. What were your thoughts on this case? Let us know what you think by emailing podcast@fiercefreedom.org. Our references for this podcast episode included NBC and BBC News Networks.

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with the topic of sextortion and includes an account of suicide, listener discretion is advised. Jordan Demay was a handsome, popular and athletic 17 year old, months shy of his 18th birthday. One night, he became a victim of sextortion and because of this, decided to end his own life. Sadly, Jordan is not the only one. The FBI has said that over 20 minors have committed suicide because of sextortion scams in the last few years. To speak more about this horrific and incredibly prevalent side of digital exploitation, we invited Jordan's father John, who shares what he wants other parents to know and the ways he is tirelessly engaged in protecting youth from sextortion, sex trafficking and other harms online. John believes social media is no place for teenagers - and for parents to take a hard line for their kids because of all the risks and dangers young people face. To view the unedited video version of this podcast visit: https://youtu.be/UxRq0gqm0lg

How can those seeking to support survivors of trauma do so in a way that honors that individual, helps reduce stigma around addiction, and avoids burnout? We are joined by Julie Bates-Maves, PhD, LPC Professor, Clinical Mental Health Counseling The University of Wisconsin-Stout who shares lessons from the field and recommendations for professionals in clinical and direct support settings as well as important reminders for non-professionals who want to offer care. If you'd like to check out Julie's book Grief and Addiction you can purchase that here. Julie will also be joining us at the Empower Freedom Conference as a keynote speaker, to purchase your tickets visit fiercefreedom.org!

How prevalent are cults? And how is cult abuse similar to the coercion found in human trafficking cases? To learn more, we invited Dr. Lalich, the Founder and CEO of The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion, which provides a collaborative approach and safe spaces for survivors through courses, workshops, and discussion groups. She shares about her own experience breaking free of a cult, and how she began her journey towards recovery to help create safe spaces and resources for others who had gone through a similar experience. To learn more about the work Janja is doing, you can visit: https://janjalalich.com/ To view the unedited video podcast, go here: youtu.be/9XZ3BhMmw90

Did you know that one in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault during their time on college campuses? On today's episode your hosts Cat and Mark discuss why assault is so incredibly prevalent on college campuses and why many often go unreported. They'll also chat about some practical ways to incorporate talking about consent and body autonomy with your kids from a young age, how you can find support in reporting, and also some wellness reminders for you and your family. If you'd like to sign up for your free subscription for Fierce Parenting visit: bit.ly/fierceparentingfree Check out this "Tea and Consent" video that unpacks this concept more in a simple and humorous way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZwvrxVavnQ&t=2s Sources: mginjuryfirm.com

Today's guest Audrey Walters Moore is CEO of Lift Up the Vulnerable (LUV) whose mission is empowering the most vulnerable to become change agents in their own communities towards the prevention of trafficking and other forms of oppression. Audrey gives a little history of the communities in South Sudan and Sudan where LUV works to address the root causes of exploitation in regions which have often been ravaged by war and a history of colonization. Audrey also shares about how LUV finds sustainability in their work by partnerships with locals with lived experience to meet these community needs by investing in education, food security, mentorship, and employment. If you'd like to join this movement to help lift up the vulnerable, or learn more about their work, you can visit their website at https://liftupthevulnerable.org/ To watch the unedited video recording of this podcast visit: https://youtu.be/ArJek3m-ID8

Today's guest Dana Brown is dedicated to building a safer communities by discouraging crime, restoring victim well-being, and emphasizing direct offender accountability through his work as Director of Eau Claire Treehouse and as the former Director of Restorative Justice. He shares about how this work takes place through ongoing relationships with youth and cites the importance of support for professionals within schools and the criminal justice system to be trained with restorative justice concepts that focus on helping youth to identify and develop strengths, set personal goals, and improve critical thinking skills. To learn how you can get involved as a mentor or financially support the work being done by Dana and his team, visit www.ectreehouse.org Email: Hello@tandemmentorship.org or call 715.718.6887

Today, typical teens spend hours on social media and gaming apps, looking for fun and connection but sometimes stumbling upon s**ual groomers and predators, looking to entice and entrap youth through their devices. Today's podcast guest David Everitt is working to create a world where kids are safer online and adults have tools in place to foster healthy and relevant conversations with youth about navigating the pitfalls of an ever growing ai and digital landscape through his brand new software, Game Safe. This new tool, which he calls "ai done right" came from an experience David had when one of his children was playing on an online game and was targeted by a child predator. He shares with us how this technology works to quickly identify threats and how his org is collaborating with other entities to pool their data and overall create a web of safety around young and vulnerable youth. To start your FREE 30-day trial of GameSafe, visit gamesafe.ai To view the unedited podcast interview on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsCqUVinnM

Today's guest Angel Slawinski is working to connect survivors of sex trafficking with wholistic healing for their mind, body, and spirit, through the Angel Wings Healing Foundation, a ministry that supports survivors in their post-treatment healing journey by offering them to participate in a 3 month transition program which includes a 4-day exclusive healing retreat. Angel shares about some of the highlights of these programs and about her God-given vision for a retreat center in central WI where survivors can walk out their journey of restoration and transformation surrounded by beauty and peace. To financially support trafficking survivors going through this program and the work Angel is doing, head over to angelwingshealingcenter.org and click DONATE. To view the UNEDITED version of this recording visit: youtube.com/watch?v=Z0zPOauoIUc

Today, there are 400,000 children in foster care in the U.S., these youth are at significant risk to be trafficked or exploited because of factors related to their involvement with this system. Today's guests Jamey and Sarah McIntosh are advocates with The Forgotten Initiative, which is helping support the foster care community through awareness, encouragement, and advocacy. They share about their journey to grow their family through fostering and adopting, how they navigate both the "very hard" and incredibly rewarding moments that come with this decision, and what they want other prospective foster parents to know if they feel called to pursue it To learn more about The Forgotten Initiative visit their website here: https://theforgotteninitiative.org/ Click here to check out their book recommendation "Reframing Foster Care" by Jason Johnson

For over a decade, the team at NCOSE (National Center on Sexual Exploitation) has been holding 12 mainstream entities like Apple, Spotify, Discord, and Roblox accountable for facilitating, enabling, and even profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation through their annual campaign, The Dirty Dozen List. To share about this year's list, we had the privilege of speaking with Tim Nester, Senior Director of Communications at NCOSE, to share more on why this year's companies made the list and more importantly how we can all join together to take action. To join the movement and to hold these companies accountable visit: Dirtydozenlist.com To check out our unedited video recording with Tim: visit https://youtu.be/4MxpiZBG-dw

We haven't seen significant legislation to protect kids online for the last quarter of a century, this bill could change that. On today's podcast we're talking about Senate Bill 1409, "Kids Online Safety Act" (KOSA) which, if passed, would be among the most significant kids’ online safety statutes since the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 2000. Upon its passage, this bill would allow parents to sue social media companies and other online platforms if they do not sufficiently shield children under the age of 13 from harmful content on their platforms. We'll discuss what else this bill entails, what the opposition says, and what you can do to support its passage. Project Liberty Action: See their template for contacting your representative Our Sources: The Cap Times, Congress.gov, NBC, NCOSE, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wikipedia, The Verge, TechCrunch.com #onlinesafety #KOSA #podcast #generationalpha #parents #caregivers #legislation