Connecting Our Stories

What is your mindset? Is there enough to go around? Will what we give away be replenished? What do you get back when you give? Steph Page speaks to these questions and more in this episode addressing an upside down economy. At Stories Foundation we really truly believe that we are better together and we cannot live with a scarcity mindset. We GAIN when we GIVE. CLICK HERE to read the blog post Ste...

Back in February 2021 we created a Facebook group called Influence Culture - Fight Human Trafficking to invite our community into the work of culture change that we are doing at Stories Foundation. Over the years of doing anti-trafficking work and experiencing the incredible impact culture change has, we firmly believe that the game changing work in this fight happens when individuals use their in...

And... we're back with Abby! Here's part 2 of our conversation. Today we sit down with our dear friend Abby Thalacker.  You will laugh and cry through this episode and be inspired by Abby's story. Her vision to cover vulnerabilities and foster restoration is strong. Abby is working towards building Corrie's House. Corrie’s House will be a safe home that offers aftercare rehabil...

Today we sit down with our dear friend Abby Thalacker.  You will laugh and cry through this episode and be inspired by Abby's story. Her vision to cover vulnerabilities and foster restoration is strong. Abby is working towards building Corrie's House. Corrie’s House will be a safe home that offers aftercare rehabilitation to girls who have been sexually exploited. Opportunities Each girl...

Back in February 2021 we created a Facebook group called Influence Culture - Fight Human Trafficking to invite our community into the work of culture change that we are doing at Stories Foundation. Over the years of doing anti-trafficking work and experiencing the incredible impact culture change has, we firmly believe that the game changing work in this fight happens when individuals use their in...

Today we sit down with Steph as she speaks with John Pulley (see The More You Know Series Ep 3 for more from John's story) and Chris Page about how our culture shapes men and women. How does the culture we grow up in mold who we become? What does the influence of culture look like in our lives? Why should we care about influencing a culture where exploitation and objectification is allowed to...

In this episode of the Connecting Our Stories podcast we chat with our good friend Mitch Reaume. He is the founder of Fight For Something, a social impact enterprise with the mission to see social business go from being a niche to a norm. Mitch is living out the belief that business should never be about just profits.  Each of his business endeavors fights for something that matters. Check out the...

Jeremiah Rice joins us for this episode of the Where Do I Fit In? Series. He shares his unique perspective on justice work as a former pastor who now works in community based mental health. We love how Jeremiah boldly shows up in the world to those around him with challenging perspectives and gracefully has hard conversations that have been a long time coming. You'll see the world around you...

Here is the recording of our Storyteller Cafe Awareness & Fundraising Event from April 24. Thank you for joining us by listening and giving. We are moving along with building Storyteller Cafe and your partnership in this venture is crucial. We want a RIVER EFFECT to happen - that each and every one of our voices coming together will be a mighty force as we fight injustices in our communities....

Throughout this new series we will be listening to the voices of men who have chosen to step into anti-trafficking and anti-exploitation work. These conversations will inspire you, whether you're a man or woman, to seek out where you fit into the fight against these (and other) justice issues. Our first guest is Milan Homola, co-founder and executive director of Compassion Connect . Milan sha...

Today we hear from Jessica Bartholomew, Founder and Executive Director of ACT United in Carver County, Minnesota. With 25 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in youth outreach, domestic and foreign missions, and as a Police Officer, Jessica brings firsthand information and experience to the issues of child and teen sexual exploitation, abuse, and sex trafficking.   Jessi...

Today we hear from Diane Stores, the founder of The Dwelling Place and director of Door of Hope in Minnesota. She is a sweet soul with a great capacity for love, compassion and grace towards everyone. We talk about how hope is real and the ways she is forging the way for new paths towards healing. The mission at Door of Hope is to equip people all over the world to live free from abuse and trauma...

This conversation with John Pulley is necessary for our culture at this time.  John works with our friends Fierce Freedom and  is also a male voice in the anti trafficking space. John and Steph talk how vulnerabilities in everyone set the stage for human trafficking and exploitation. This  conversation is a must listen for a needed perspective.  January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Thanks...

This conversation with Cece Terlouw is powerful! Cece is the Executive Director at Terebinth Refuge in St. Cloud, MN, a Christ-centered shelter and safe home that brings hope, healing services, and freedom to sexually exploited and trafficked women. Cece talks to us about the Safe Harbor laws, what working alongside women to restoration has looked like over the years and much, much more. January i...

Today we talk with a new friend of Stories Foundation - Rosie Cataldo. Her passion to see change happen in our communities through the action each of us can take is fierce. She has so many tips and tools for us from the research on child abuse and exploitation. If there's one thing Rosie wants all of us to remember it's to trust your gut instinct! See something, say something. Talk to yo...

Join us for an end of year update on Storyteller Cafe, the things in 2020 we are thankful for and where we are headed in 2021. This is our last episode for 2020, but never fear - we will be back next year! You can always go back and listen to previous episodes, they aren't going anywhere. Go visit www.storytellercafemn.org to check out the giving levels and details on Storyteller Cafe that we...

Today we hear from our good friend Tiffany Jacobsen. If you watched our virtual event back in April (if not, you still can watch it HERE ) you will recognize Tiffany's voice and some of what she shares in this episode. But today she goes much deeper into her story and shares some hard truth we all need to hear. Each person we encounter has value and we should treat them like they do. We need...

We are honored to hear from Eleana Lukes. Eleana is a Survivor Leader, Author, Public Speaker, Crisis Advocate and Alcohol & Drug Counselor in the St. Cloud, MN area. Eleana was trafficked by one of the biggest prostitution rings in US History, the Notorious Evans Family out of Minneapolis. She has documented her story in a book trilogy that highlights her journey from victim to survivor. Elea...

This Survivors Speak series is taking us into a variety of hard conversations, and this episode is no different. Yet, these hard conversations are exactly the ones we need to have and learn from so that we can be safe people for others who have experienced the same kind of trauma and abuse. Amy shares with us her powerful story of childhood trauma and abuse and her road to healing. Her heart'...

This is the second half of our conversation with Gina. She continues in sharing her story of surviving trafficking and exploitation with us. In part 2 we will hear how she overcame her circumstances, sought help and left her life of being trafficked and exploited behind for good. Her experiences, though horrific and painful, have shaped her into the strong, vibrant and hopeful person she is today....

This is a conversation with Gina Summers. She bravely shares her story of surviving trafficking and exploitation with us. In part 1 we will hear how she was lured into an abusive relationship that led to being trapped in a life of exploitation. Her experiences, though horrific and painful, have shaped her into the strong, vibrant and hopeful person she is today. Join us in the privilege of listeni...

In today's episode we chat with Sara Werner. She is a licensed psychologist with 26 years of experience with an emphasis on facilitating recovery from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as from other traumatic events. Her heart is to provide support and encouragement as therapy is a deeply personal and transformative journey. Steph and Sara talk about the reality that many childre...

Rachel is back to share more of her story. She take us along her journey in fighting trafficking from Chicago to Vegas to Minnesota. We hope her experiences and stories will open your eyes and expand your horizons when it comes to thinking about what's normal in the world of trafficking and exploitation. We each have a part to play. We each have a role to fill. May you find yours, as Rachel h...

This is the last episode of the Candid Conversations series (for now...) and today Steph and Lena talk on how important it is for us to become aware. Aware of the issue that is human trafficking. Aware of the issues trafficking produces. Aware of the root causes. Aware of what's going on around us and how to see more clearly our place in the solution. Awareness IS action. Write to us with you...

Today's conversation is all about action. From purchasing habits to community awareness to speaking up about justice. There is not just one right step of action. Acting on justice matters will look different for each of us. Where can we change? What's your action step? If you have stories of how you've been taking steps towards change, we'd love to hear from you. Send us an ema...