Freedom Challenge Online Podcast

The conversation delves into the journey of Dawn Hesse as she steps out in faith to create her own My Challenge, addressing human trafficking. It explores her personal growth, physical and spiritual transformation, and the challenges and surprises she encountered along the way. The power of collaboration and the impact of seeking help are also highlighted. The conversation explores surprising real...

What if the thing you love could help change someone’s life? In this inspiring conversation, Tracy Daugherty sits down with Jenny Barber, co-founder of Talitha Coffee , to share how a simple passion—coffee—became a powerful tool for advocacy and restoration. What started as roasting beans at home has grown into a business creating meaningful employment for survivors of human trafficking. Jenny sha...

The conversation explores the theme of vulnerability and the role of men in advocacy for vulnerable individuals. It delves into the emotional impact of engaging with vulnerable boys and the complexities of human trafficking. The discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability, letting go of control, and learning and growing in advocacy. It also highlights the role of men in advocac...

What is beauty? Why is beauty important? How is beauty distorted? Listen to understand beauty through a new and impactful perspective. "A strange thing to me is that God has not just been highlighting His beauty or general beauty but my beauty.  I said to Him, 'I'll believe you, but I don't understand why it matters.' To which He responded, 'If you don't think you are beautiful what does that make...

What does it look like to step into hard places—and stay? In this powerful conversation, Tracy Daugherty sits down with Freedom Sister Wheeler Fisher, who has spent nearly a decade walking alongside women impacted by trafficking. From her early days in Kansas to frontline work with survivors in San Diego, Wheeler shares what advocacy really looks like behind the scenes—both the heartbreak and the...

In this powerful conversation, host Tracy Daugherty sits down with Jeannie Hudspeth , a first-time participant of the Arkansas One-Day Freedom Challenge , to unpack why this event was so much more than she expected . Jeannie shares how a simple Google search led her into a life-changing experience marked by genuine community, embodied prayer, and a deeper understanding of biblical justice. As an a...

In this prayer-centered episode, Ruth Paton Willett, Prayer Coordinator for The Freedom Challenge, invites us to pause, reflect, and intercede for those affected by human trafficking—especially in Arkansas . As participants take steps in the Arkansas Challenge, Ruth reminds us that our prayers carry real weight. Drawing on Scripture, recent data, and a posture of glancing at the issue while gazing...

What happens when advocacy turns into lived experience? In this powerful episode, Freedom Challenge Director Tracy Daugherty sits down with Teresa Vardilos and Jennifer Lemburg to reflect on their recent mission trip to Pattaya, Thailand, where they served alongside the Tamar Center , a long-standing ministry supporting women affected by sexual exploitation. Teresa and Jennifer share what it was l...

The first-ever Freedom Challenge in Texas is officially in the books and the fruit is already multiplying. In this recap episode, host Tracy Daugherty is joined by Texas leaders Tracy Eckard and Maria Jerke to reflect on what God did through a one‑day hike, a local church partnership, and a powerful intercessory prayer movement involving over 60 middle and high school girls. Together, they unpack...

In this powerful prayer-centered episode, Ruth Paton Willett, Prayer Coordinator for Freedom Challenge, invites us to respond to the issue of human trafficking God’s way — through worship, prayer, and obedient action. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 20 , Ruth reminds us that while the battle against injustice is real, the battle belongs to the Lord . As women across Texas prepare to walk, pray, and rais...

In this prayer-focused episode, we invite you into a sacred space of intercession for Thailand—specifically Pattaya, often known as the unofficial sex tourism capital of the world. Ruth and Alyse, Freedom Challenge team members leading our mission trip to Thailand, reflect on the realities facing women, men, and children in vulnerable situations, especially in the aftermath of COVID and the increa...

In this powerful episode of the Freedom Challenge Online Podcast, host Tracy Daugherty sits down with Jessica Whittle , Director of Freedom Challenge Africa, to confront the global case of human trafficking — a crisis impacting nearly 50 million worldwide. Together, they break down what trafficking truly looks like today: sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, child marriage, organ...

This Season 6 opener centers on Human Trafficking Prevention Month and a posture of prayer. Host Ruth Paton‑Willett guides listeners to look to the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth ( Psalm 121 ) and to the mission of Jesus in Isaiah 61 —bringing good news, release to captives, and freedom to the oppressed. We reflect on January’s significance (from historic emancipation to a modern call for awa...

Season 5 closes with host Tracy Daugherty and the Freedom Challenge team—Daria, Alyse, Ruth, and Brooklyn—celebrating and reminiscing on a year of sisterhood, prayer, and courageous action while previewing what’s ahead in 2026. The recurring theme throughout the conversation is the power of invitation and multiplication. Looking ahead to 2026, we announce five One-Day Challenges, two Virtual Praye...

In this year‑end celebration of impact, host Tracy Daugherty and co‑host Ruth Willett invite us into the heart of Freedom Challenge’s 2025 story—how women mobilized through going, prayer, and giving to disrupt exploitation and lift vulnerable neighbors into flourishing. With a clear framework (55% prevention, 29% development, 16% rescue & restoration), they share frontline highlights: the Phil...

In this inspiring episode, host Tracy Daugherty welcomes generosity specialist Kim Moeller for a deep and practical conversation about living generously as women of faith. Together, they explore what it means to steward resources—time, talents, and finances—for God’s purposes, and how generosity is both a spiritual discipline and a source of joy. Kim shares her journey from support-raising to lead...

In this inspiring episode, host Tracy Daugherty sits down with Freedom Sister Tracy Eckard to explore the power of saying “yes” to God’s call. From a Bible study that sparked a dream to hiking the Grand Canyon and leading a Texas challenge, Tracy shares how three simple yeses transformed her life and opened doors for others to experience freedom. Discover how faith, physical challenge, and communi...

When one woman says “yes,” the ripple can reach across oceans. In this inspiring episode, Tracy sits down with Anne from Edinburgh, Scotland, whose life was forever changed by a simple invitation to host an awareness night. What followed was a 28-mile walk, over £10,000 raised, and a community awakened to the reality of human trafficking. Hear how Anne’s obedience, courage, and community created a...

In this heartfelt recap of the Adirondack Challenge, host Tracy Daugherty is joined by trail guides Rachel Gill and Jane Mosakowski to reflect on a week of hiking, prayer, and transformation. From summiting Big Slide Mountain before sunrise to witnessing personal breakthroughs on the trail, this episode captures the essence of what it means to challenge yourself physically, emotionally, and spirit...

In this special prayer podcast for the Adirondack Challenge , Ruth Willett, Prayer Coordinator of the Freedom Challenge, leads us through a powerful reflection and prayer journey. With Psalm 85 as our guide, we explore the promise of peace in the face of chaos, the weight of our steps, and the impact of our prayers. From breath prayers to testimonies of real-world rescue, this episode reminds us t...

In this heartfelt episode, Tracy Daugherty and Lisa Da Silva reunite to share the story behind their collaborative Bible study, The Heart of Pilgrimage: A Four-Week Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent . They explore the importance of biblical literacy, the power of community, and the practical strategies that help women engage deeply with Scripture. From prayer and consistency to marking the text...

In this heartfelt episode, Tracy Daugherty sits down with Annie and Billy Phipps to unpack their transformative journey to Moldova. As pastors and longtime Freedom Challenge participants, they share powerful stories of connection, healing, and hope from their 16-day mission trip. From breaking through emotional barriers with vulnerable youth to witnessing the impact of long-term outreach, this epi...

In this deeply moving episode, Ruth Willett, Prayer Coordinator for Freedom Challenge USA, invites listeners into a sacred space of worship, intercession, and hope. With a heart broken for the 50 million enslaved around the world, Ruth shares how we can face the darkness of human trafficking not with despair, but with divine strategy—by glancing at the issue and gazing at God. Through Scripture, w...

In this powerful follow-up episode, Freedom Challenge Director, Tracy Daugherty, continues the conversation with Stacey Enmeier and Whisper James of the I-5 Freedom Network. Together, they dive deeper into the realities of human trafficking in the United States—how it often hides in plain sight, how technology and family dynamics play a role, and what we can do to protect and empower the vulnerabl...

In this powerful episode of the Freedom Challenge Online Podcast , our host Tracy Daugherty sits down with Stacey Enmeier, Director of the I-5 Freedom Network, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation. Together, they explore Stacey’s 20-year journey through nonprofit work, her divine calling into anti-trafficking advocacy, and the transformative mission of I-5 Freedom Network. From educating y...