Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking

What does it mean to honor the journey—and keep going?    In this closing episode of Season 5, Mik and Yvonne come together to reflect on the voices, stories, and wisdom shared throughout the season. They revisit the heart of Restoration & Long-Term Healing, naming the courage it takes to live beyond survival and the beauty found in community, legacy, and ongoing growth.    This conversation c...

What does hope look like when healing is still unfolding?   In this deeply moving episode, Crystal and Tiffany share an honest conversation about pain, perseverance, and the quiet courage it takes to keep choosing life. They reflect on reclaiming identity, navigating grief and motherhood, overcoming harmful labels, and learning to hope again—not as denial, but as an act of strength.   This episode...

What does restoration look like when survivors are trusted as experts—not just invited to share their stories? In this rich and empowering conversation, Jasmine and Marianne explore identity, healing, and leadership beyond labels. They speak candidly about reclaiming autonomy, defining success on their own terms, and navigating spaces like academia, advocacy, and systems-level change without being...

What does healing look like when it happens inside family—and in full view of imperfection? In this deeply honest father-daughter conversation, Pema and Russell reflect on restoration, accountability, and the long, messy work of rebuilding trust after trauma, addiction, and silence. Together, they speak candidly about generational wounds, mental health, missed understanding, and what it takes to k...

What happens when healing is no longer done alone? In this heartfelt episode, Jamie and Lisa reflect on the powerful role community plays in long-term restoration. They share how reclaiming identity, joy, and curiosity often happens in relationship—with people who see the whole person, not just the past. Through honest conversation, laughter, and lived wisdom, they explore why community is not opt...

What if healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken—but finding what was missing?   In this honest and deeply human conversation, Heather and June explore what restoration looks like when healing changes from day to day. They speak candidly about safe spaces, outgrowing environments that once sustained them, and learning to listen to what their bodies, faith, and hearts need in different seasons.   T...

What does restoration look like when you’ve walked the journey for decades—and choose to make room for those coming behind you?   In this deeply moving episode, Connie and Telisia reflect on long-term healing, reclaimed identity, and the sacred responsibility of stewarding survivor leadership into new seasons. Through lived wisdom and honesty, they speak about breaking silence, reclaiming voice, n...

What happens when boys are finally included in the conversation?    In this deeply moving episode, Bob and John-Michael speak with courage and clarity about the often-overlooked reality that boys and men experience sexual abuse and exploitation too. Through lived experience, they challenge harmful myths, confront stigma and silence, and name the devastating impact of being unseen, unheard, or dism...

What does hope look like after incarceration—and who gets to define it?   In this powerful episode, Brandi and Jarrett share an honest conversation about reclaiming identity, faith, and purpose after incarceration. Together, they reflect on the labels they’ve had to overcome, the strength required to rewrite harmful narratives, and the role hope plays in building a life beyond shame, stigma, and t...

What does healing look like when you don’t have to explain yourself? In this episode, Kathy and Angie share an honest and powerful conversation about the unique kinship formed between survivors. They explore how survivor connection creates belonging, why healing is a lifelong and deeply personal journey, and how restoration happens when safety, dignity, and community come first. Their story-center...

What if rescue isn’t the end of the story—but the beginning? In this special bonus episode, Mikayla, Director of Training at Shared Hope International, sits down to discuss STILL HOPE, a powerful new film that shines a light on  long-term restoration and healing for survivors of sex trafficking.  This conversation highlights the heart behind STILL HOPE; honoring survivor experiences with dignity,...

New Season, New Episode! Season 5 of Invading the Darkness begins with a deeply meaningful conversation about restoration, long-term healing, and legacy. In this opening episode, Marian and Yvonne come together to answer a critical question: Why does restoration deserve an entire season?    This episode shifts the focus from what survivors have endured to who they are today—the lives they are buil...

Part 2 of Stephanie's story is here!  In Part 1, Stephanie shared the deep and lasting impact of trauma on the brain and body. Now in Part 2, she opens up about the next chapter—her journey toward healing. Through faith, community, and trauma-responsive care, Stephanie is learning what it means to not just survive, but to live fully again.  This episode also explores how critical trauma-respo...

The body keeps the score—and the brain remembers. In this powerful two-part episode of Invading the Darkness, Stephanie courageously shares how trauma shaped her mind, body, and spirit. From the impact of early exploitation to the long journey of reclaiming her voice, she opens up about what true healing looks like when the past won’t easily let go. Part 1 explores the neurological and emotional t...

In this powerful episode of Invading the Darkness , Anne opens up about her advocacy within Indigenous communities—where the wounds of trafficking are compounded by generations of systemic injustice. She highlights the urgent need for culturally competent, community-led resources that honor identity, tradition, and the path to healing. This conversation is both a challenge and an invitation: to li...

In this episode, you’ll meet Sequoia—a young girl placed in a DJJ facility, despite never being charged with a crime. She didn’t need punishment; she needed help. But instead of being seen as a child in need, the system labeled her as a problem. Luckily, her story did not end there. Sequoia’s story reveals what happens when survivors are seen, heard, and treated with dignity. With the support of J...

In Part 2 of Courtney’s story, Yvonne and Kim continue the conversation with a deeper look at what happens after the system fails survivors. Courtney’s mother still lives with the weight of a criminal record—one that never should’ve existed. This episode dives into the importance of vacatur laws, trauma-informed legal reform, and community-based support for survivors working to rebuild their lives...

Courtney and her mother were both trafficked by the same predator—but the system didn’t treat them the same. While Courtney was seen as a victim, her mother was criminalized.   In Part 1 of this gripping two-part series, Courtney opens up about the trauma they endured, and Yvonne and Kim break down how a justice system without trauma-informed understanding can retraumatize survivors and punish tho...

What if happiness felt terrifying instead of safe? In this powerful episode of Invading the Darkness, Ashley bravely unpacks how early trauma impacts the brain—and how for many trafficking survivors, even joy can feel like a threat.   From childhood pain to adult healing, Ashley shares what it’s like to resist the very things that are meant to bring peace. We explore how trauma rewires the brain,...

In this raw and courageous episode of Invading the Darkness, Barb shares how the system failed to see her as a victim—and instead labeled her a criminal. But her story didn’t end there. With boldness and grace, Barb is now leading the charge to break generational cycles of exploitation and create a path to true justice for others. In the episode, she describes the need for a multi-disciplinary, co...

Lindsay’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and the power of a second chance. In this inspiring episode of Invading the Darkness , she opens up about her experience with trafficking, the obstacles she faced in breaking free, and how God transformed her pain into purpose. Now an advocate and powerful voice for others, Lindsay is using her second chance to speak truth, ignite change, and fight...

In this episode of Invading the Darkness, Liz invites us into her journey of healing, where creativity became a lifeline and restoration meant more than survival—it meant reclaiming her identity. Through art, advocacy, and authenticity, Liz is helping others see survivors not just by their past, but by their purpose. Her story challenges us to move beyond labels and lean into what true, human-cent...

Welcome back to Shared Hope International’s Invading the Darkness podcast where we are elevating and amplify survivor voices and stories. In this powerful episode, Bethany shares how real change begins at the community level. As a subject matter expert and advocate, she speaks truth into the gaps she has witnessed firsthand—and calls on each of us to respond with compassion, accountability, and ac...

Season 4 Continues! We’re honored to have you join us for another powerful episode of Invading the Darkness where we will hear from Alia. From being exploited at a young age to now standing in boldness and purpose, Alia’s journey is one of pain, power, and transformation. Her voice is a light in the dark—and her story is a call to all of us to rise up, speak out, and believe that freedom is possib...

New Season, New Episode! Join us for Season 4 of Invading the Darkness —where survivor voices lead the way to justice, healing, and change. In the Season 4 premiere, host and lived experience expert Yvonne is joined by Shared Hope’s Director of Training Advancement and special guest Rita—an advocate and overcomer who shares her powerful journey as a survivor of human trafficking. When Rita realize...