Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories

In this powerful episode, host Dave sits down with Jennifer McMahon, Director of Human Resources for the City of St. Charles, Illinois. Jennifer opens up about the childhood trauma that forever shaped her awareness of safety—witnessing a violent attack on her mother at age four—and how that personal story fuels her professional mission to protect others. The conversation takes a critical turn to t...

In a recent episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave sits down with Andres Sepulveda, a senior HR leader with decades of experience across manufacturing, retail, and corporate sectors. Their conversation cuts to the heart of a growing crisis in our workplaces and communities: the rise of violence and exploitation, and the profound role that empathy, preparation, and proactive tr...

Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories — Digital Predators and the Fight for Child Safety In this episode, Dave sits down with Vic Dominguez, a retired LAPD officer and Executive Director of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Coalition. They explore the hidden epidemic of online child exploitation, moving beyond myths to reveal the sobering realities of grooming, sextortion, and digi...

Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories — The Hidden Cost of Heat, Fatigue, and Depletion In this episode, Dave sits down with Jennifer Martinez to explore a rarely discussed but critical issue impacting worker safety and performance: heat stress, dehydration, and chronic physical depletion. Jennifer shares how outdated “water and shade” approaches fall short, why electrolytes and proper fueling mat...

Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories – Connection Over Convenience In this episode, Dave speaks with Alicia Brown about why connection, proximity, and cultural belonging must come before system convenience in child welfare. Alisha shares powerful insight into how crisis-driven decisions affect families, why kids still want to return home, and how support—not judgment—creates real change. This con...

Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories – Leading Safe Learning. In this episode, Superintendent Matthew Quick of Munster Independent School District joins host Dave Miller to discuss what it means to lead safe learning environments in today’s world. From implementing the Guardian Program and partnering with local law enforcement to navigating new state laws like Texas House Bill 1481, Matthew share...

Shield the Vulnerable – Breaking the Silence: The Journey of Mary Jo Ross. In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Mary Jo Ross—a survivor, advocate, and speaker—shares her powerful story of trauma, survival, and transformation. From a childhood marked by exploitation to a life built on resilience and purpose, Mary Jo opens up about what it means to reclaim your voice after years...

Shield the Vulnerable – Beyond the Badge: Ego, Emotion & Empathy. In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, R.C. Hughes III—law enforcement trainer, leadership consultant, and creator of The Hughes Initiative—dives deep into the emotional realities of policing, public trust, and personal transformation. With years of experience training officers across the country, R.C. brings...

In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, FBI Section Chief and leadership coach Brent Yonk shares how emotional intelligence and self-awareness form the foundation of authentic leadership — especially in a world defined by chaos, distraction, and constant change. From his experience leading teams within the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division to mentoring future leaders through his Ge...

In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, human capital management consultant Sally Klein shares how organizations can move past “check-the-box” compliance to create workplaces that truly value employee safety and wellness. From the reality of active shooter threats and human trafficking risks in everyday spaces, to the ways training can build trust and engagement, Sally brings an...

In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, safety strategist Mendee McKeehan, Technology Advisor at Katy Business Technologies, shares how innovation and preparation can save lives, and how organizations can turn hard lessons into resilience. From the sobering reality that most active-shooter incidents are over in under three minutes, to the role of mapping, geofencing, and...

In this deeply moving episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, survivor and empowerment leader Clara Vanine shares her journey through nearly a decade of intimate partner violence—and how she transformed her pain into purpose. From the hidden struggles behind a public smile to the healing power of yoga and Reiki, Clara reveals how resilience, courage, and community helped her rebuild her...

In this compelling episode of Shield the Vulnerable, child protection leader Christian Wilson, Executive Director at Huron Perth Children’s Aid, shares over 20 years of frontline insight into child exploitation, human trafficking, and the urgent need for prevention. From the shocking reality that the average age of entry into trafficking is just 13, to the unseen risks in both urban and rural comm...

Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories – Turning Trauma Into Strength in the Workplace In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, psychotherapist and corporate wellness strategist Victoria Rivera shares how trauma impacts both our personal lives and the workplace—and how resilience can transform the way we live and work. From building mental strength through “doing hard thin...

Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories – From Silence to Strength In this gripping episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, the host sits down with Cait Alexander—actress, musician, and founder of EVE (End Violence Everywhere)—to uncover the painful yet powerful story behind her transformation from victim to advocate. After surviving a horrific case of intimate partner violence in 2021, Ca...

In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, safety expert Dave Miller shares how years of witnessing violence in workplaces, schools, hospitals, and public spaces led him to a sobering realization: most organizations are dangerously unprepared for active threats—and relying on outdated models that don’t work. For decades, organizations have taught “Run, Hide, Fight” as the g...

In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, filmmaker AJ Edmonds shares how a seemingly routine documentary project turned into a life-altering mission to uncover one of Canada’s darkest secrets: human trafficking along Ontario’s Highway 401. Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, AJ had traveled that highway her whole life, unaware that it was a trafficking superhighway. But...

Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories – Prepare, Don't React In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, the host speaks with Wendy Parnell, Fractional CEO at Parnell Consulting and an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Tech. Together, they expose the critical need for proactive preparedness in the workplace, moving beyond reactive responses to potential threats. As Wendy highlig...

In this eye-opening episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, David Everitt—cybersecurity expert and co-founder of GameSafe—shares the terrifying moment his 7-year-old daughter was targeted by a predator in an online game. What began as a routine day of Minecraft turned into a life-changing event that exposed the dark reality of online exploitation. David used his professional skills to co...

In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Wendy Glass exposes the silent epidemic of workplace bullying in healthcare, focusing on the concept of "lateral violence." As a dedicated advocate for safer work environments, Wendy discusses how lateral violence—peer-to-peer bullying among healthcare professionals—undermines team morale, endangers patient safety, and disrupts org...

Guest: Cheryl Greenfield – Empowerment Mindset Coach, Former Sexual Trauma Nurse, Author of Becoming Me, and Creator of the Empowered by Trauma Program Connect: Visit EmpoweredByTraumaNow.com or schedule a call at calendly.com/cherylgreenfield1961 Episode Overview: In this powerful episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Cheryl Greenfield shares her harrowing yet inspiring story—from chi...

Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories – Belief Over Buy-In: Rethinking Employee Engagement in a Distracted Workplace In today’s evolving work environment, employee engagement goes beyond simply showing up. In a recent conversation featured on Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Dave sat down with Adam Hickman—VP of Organizational and Employee Development at Partners Financial Credit Union (a pa...

In this episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave sits down with Jennifer—director of operations and finance for Friends of the Children of New York City, and co-founder/CEO of Reframed Mental Health—to explore how exploitation, in its many forms, permeates our daily lives. From the workplace to our digital interactions, Jennifer’s insights reveal that the impact of trauma is bot...

Shield The Vulnerable – The Unseen Battle Against Human Trafficking Guest: Natalie Salinas, U.S. Reach Coordinator for A21 Reach her at: info@a21.org In this episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Natalie Salinas discusses the harsh realities of human trafficking, exploitation, and workplace violence. Learn about the emotional and financial toll of these issues and how awareness can hel...

Exploitation is everywhere—at work, in homes, online. Yet, less than 10% of cases are ever reported. In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable – Untold Stories, host Dave Miller sits down with Valerie Cobb to uncover the harsh realities of human trafficking, workplace violence, and financial exploitation.