Beyond Awareness - A Podcast by United Against Human Trafficking

In this episode of Beyond Awareness, we dive into the intersection of systemic barriers, LGBTQIA+ youth, housing instability, and human trafficking. Joining host Rhonda Holmes are Taylor Woodruff with United Against Human Trafficking and Carrie Rai, Executive Director of Tony’s Place. Together, they discuss how minority stress, homelessness, family rejection, and a lack of affirming safe spaces ca...

In this episode of Beyond Awareness , we explore the complex role churches and faith-based organizations play in the anti-trafficking movement. We’re joined by Mindy Murphy of Refuge for Women and Lara Coursey of Freedom Collaborative to examine both the impact and the tensions of faith within the movement—and explore how churches and faith-based communities can engage more deeply and responsibly...

In this episode of Beyond Awareness , we don’t shy away from the complex and often controversial topic of foreign nationals, trafficking, and the effects of the current political and social landscape. We’re grateful to be joined by Monica Holtcamp , Foreign National Advocate , Davina Ugochukwu , with Lone Star Legal Aid , and Samantha Ledezma , with YMCA International as we collectively dive into...

In this episode of Beyond Awareness , Taylor Woodruff and Taylor Johnson join us to talk about engaging men in the anti-trafficking movement. We discuss how harmful norms around masculinity can contribute to exploitation, why inviting men into the conversation matters, and how programs like SSE and Real Talk are helping young men and adult men think differently about respect, relationships, and ac...

Welcome to Season 1 of Beyond Awareness (formerly I Dare You ) from United Against Human Trafficking. In this premiere episode, hosts Titus and Rhonda introduce the concept of intersectionality and explore why traditional “one-size-fits-all” approaches often fall short in anti-trafficking work. Through personal stories and reflections, they set the stage for a season that will dive deeper into the...

Join us as we re-launch, Beyond Awareness (I Dare You), a podcast by United Against Human Trafficking.  In this special intro episode, Chief of Staff, Titus Benton and CEO, Timeka Walker reflect on 20 years in the anti-trafficking movement and the lessons that have shaped the work. 

The foster care system is broken. We all know it.  But how does this fractured system funnel our most vulnerable youth into human trafficking?   Adam Chaney, the Development Director of Foster Care Advocacy Center, and the host Elaine Andino dive deep into the issues in foster care: from the lack of resources to sexual exploitation within the system to the foster-to-trafficking pipeline. 

The foster care system is broken. We all know it.  But how does this fractured system funnel our most vulnerable youth into human trafficking?   Adam Chaney, the Development Director of Foster Care Advocacy Center, and the host Elaine Andino dive deep into the issues in foster care: from the lack of resources, to sexual exploitation within the system, to the foster-to-trafficking pipeline. 

Human trafficking is a dark, heinous crime that spans the globe, harming millions of people. Is it really possible to tackle such a massive criminal enterprise? We think yes! The only effective way to do it is through the collective power of community members, government, and service providers to intentionally and strategically collaborate. Coalition Manager at UAHT, Ken Henry, and host, Elaine An...

You've probably heard it said that "Houston is #1 for human trafficking," but is it really? Where did that statistic come from? Is it trustworthy? What is the City of Houston doing about human trafficking? Director of the Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, Minal Patel Davis, and UAHT Chief Executive Officer, Timeka Walker, discuss how Houston got its rep...

You've probably heard it said that "Houston is #1 for human trafficking," but is it really? Where did that statistic come from? Is it trustworthy? What is the City of Houston doing about human trafficking? Director of the Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, Minal Patel Davis, and UAHT Chief Executive Officer, Timeka Walker, discuss how Houston got its rep...

"How did I get here?" is a common question men who buy sex ask themselves when they are arrested. Joe Madison, founder of Demand Disruption, digs into why men watch porn and purchase sex and how they can break free.

"How did I get here?" is a common question men who buy sex ask themselves when they are arrested. Joe Madison, founder of Demand Disruption, digs into why men watch porn and purchase sex and how they can break free.

Viral posts about human trafficking stormed the internet in 2020 - but how do we distinguish the truth from fake posts or partial truths? How human trafficking is portrayed on social media and in news stories impacts survivors and anti-trafficking work. In this episode, we sit down with Christa Mayfield, Education Director at Unbound Houston. We discuss harmful conspiracies, how survivors want to...

Traffickers are master manipulators. They twist past trauma to gain trust, build bonds, and even evoke love in their victims. This kind of emotional entanglement makes tricking a victim into human trafficking easy. We don't have control over what happens to us, especially as children. So is trafficking avoidable? Or are we stuck with the cards we're dealt? In this episode, we sit down wi...

Mobilization Director of Elijah Rising, Sam Hernandez, and the host, Elaine Andino, discuss the roadblocks survivors face in life after sex trafficking and how the social enterprise of candle making paves the way to freedom.    Wondering what to do next?   Shop Elijah Rising Goods!

Executive Director of United Against Human Trafficking, Timeka Walker, kicks off the inaugural episode of “I Dare You.” She and the host, Elaine Andino, discuss the growth of the anti-trafficking movement and its next pivotal questions. Wondering what to do next? Check out our training opportunities!