someone like me.

In this special bonus episode of the Someone Like Me podcast, join AncoraTN CEO Kelli Cary for conversation addressing the realities of child trafficking in Tennessee. Alongside anti-trafficking leaders Cyntoia Brown-Long, former AncoraTN CEO and current Commissioner of DCS Margie Quin, and Jeremy Lofquest of the TBI, you will learn more about what trafficking looks like in this state, including w...

Unlike sensationalized stories you may see in the news, at Ancora TN we are intentional in our language and storytelling. Hear from Tia Bowden, previously Ancora TN 's Intervention Specialist, to learn more about the intricate ways we protect our survivors and any information they may disclose to us. It is our responsibility as storytellers to ensure the safety, comfort, and confidentiality of the...

This unique episode of Someone Like Me features real stories written by survivors in our program. Through written letters to their younger selves, or letters from youth survivors, you can hear the hope many of these individuals have for their futures despite the obstacles they've faced in the past. We also hear from Marissa Brownell, a former Survivor Care Coordinator who worked closely with many...

Ancora TN 's Direct Service team is a cohesive group comprised of the people working in the field day to day with survivors in our aftercare program. Hear from several individuals on the Direct Service team about their unique roles, diverse backgrounds, and memories that have stuck with them in their time working for Ancora TN .  

Executive Producer, Stacy Elliott, serves as guest host as she sits down with Strings for Hope founder and CEO, Emily Winters, along with General Manager, Devon Rideout to discuss the ways their business both empowers and employs those who have experienced complex trauma.

Viable founder, Ben Turner, joins Someone Like Me to talk about the unique partnership his organization has both overseas and in our own backyard here in Tennessee. Finding a safe, sustainable job can be a great obstacle for many survivors on their healing journey. We discuss the barriers Viable breaks down for vulnerable individuals who need a second chance.  

Ancora TN 's Marissa Skinner has developed a research-based program to support the process of healing more effectively. It's one of the first professional therapeutic programs in the U.S. specifically designed to meet the unique needs for the layered and complex trauma survivors experience. We discuss in length what it looks like for our survivors as well as the ins and outs of financial literacy...

Part two of our conversation with Vanessa dives deeper into the need for sustainable employment and just how important it can be when finding stable housing. Once again, we hear from Vanessa as she speaks candidly about the barriers, challenges, as well as the considerable successes she's experienced in securing work to support herself and her family.

Kelsey Mize, Director of Survivor Care, talks about our aftercare program expansion that will extend program services from nine months to two years. We explore the inspiration behind our programming and what exactly it will look like. We are joined by Marissa Skinner, Community Response Specialist, who works directly with group therapy for survivors.

In part one of a two-part series, we hear from Vanessa, a graduate of our aftercare program and recipient of healing resources. This half of the conversation focuses on how safe and stable housing is a crucial component of the healing journey. We are joined by Kelsey Mize, our Director of Survivor Care, who has been a lifelong friend and supporter of Vanessa's.  

Nestled in the hills of Nashville, lies an expansive property that is home to survivors in our residential program. Someone Like Me sat down with former Ancora TN CEO, Margie Quin, to discuss the inner workings of where exactly this beautiful property came from and the vision to provide healing, housing, and hope to those exploited by human trafficking.

With a new name comes an opportunity for reflection and rediscovery. Our mission, vision, and values each consist of words carefully selected to align with our new brand. Executive Producer, Stacy Elliott, is joined by Chief Operating Officer, Leah Moyer, to touch on the language being introduced with the AncoraTN brand rollout.

End Slavery Tennessee began as an advocacy and awareness organization to combat the crime of human trafficking in our state. In the past decade, we've grown from raising awareness to providing survivors a place for community and resources for healing and restoration, all while advocating for systemic change. We'll kick off season 3 of Someone Like Me with a huge announcement - one that will help s...

Someone Like Me , is the official podcast of AncoraTN (formerly End Slavery Tennessee). Someone Like Me was created to amplify the voices of human trafficking survivors, shed light on this complex crime, and highlight how this organization continues to grow one of the most innovative and effective human trafficking restoration programs in the United States. We'll explore the complexity of trauma,...

For our last episode of season 2, we share never before heard clips from conversations this season. Each guest was asked the question, "Do you remember a moment of light that changed the way you see the issue of human trafficking?" The answers are as diverse as the guests we had a part of this season.  

We began this season talking about trauma-informed care, and how End Slavery Tennessee infuses this approach in all they do–including this podcast. We have a unique ability to share sex trafficking survivor stories directly from the survivors themselves, but not every survivor is ready or able to share their story in a way that's empowering or healthy. Sometimes, the sharing of their stories can c...

Nicole's story has been referenced several times this season, so it's important we replay this survivor story, especially in Episode 23 with CEO Margie Quin and TBI Agent Jason Wilkerson. This podcast is named after a phrase Nicole said on a call with Tennessee law enforcement learning about the anatomy of a domestic human trafficking transaction. It is our hope that these stories are empowering t...

The second of two episodes about shifts in law enforcement leading to major changes in trafficking so officers are better prepared to respond to victims with referrals for assistance. Today's episode is with Adrian Breedlove, a detective in an affluent suburb of Nashville. You might be challenged in your understanding of sex trafficking, where it's happening, who's doing it, and who's participatin...

Law enforcement is key in trafficking prevention. Officers have direct contact with women and men who are being exploited as it's happening. Today we begin a 2-part series talking with officers and agents working to fight human trafficking in Tennessee. These folks work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of survivors. End Slavery Tennessee CEO, Margie Quin, is a retired TBI agent who ori...

Many court systems in the US have treatment courts to identify those who may need help with underlying issues like mental health, veterans needs, addiction, and trafficking. Nashville's is a two year program involving hands-on communication with the presiding judge, assistant district attorney, and a host of local community service providers that assist with managing the various needs of a survivo...

This survivor story episode covers manipulation, grooming, societal pressures, and broken expectations. Cyntoia Brown is a name you may have heard in 2019 when social media hashtag #freecyntoiabrown was shared by Kerry Washington and Kim Kardashian while Cyntoia served a life sentence for killing a man who had purchased her for sex when she was 16. Cyntoia has been on 20/20, The Daily Show with Tr...

Most of our survivors tell stories of being vulnerable as children, which led to a trafficker taking advantage. This is in stark contrast to the myth that children are being kidnapped and sold into sex slavery, and it's just simply not the truth. Today, we break this down even more, we talk with Stasia Freeman, founder of Epic Girl, who works with the court system to screen runaways and youth for...

Introducing End Slavery Tennessee's brand new socially-distanced-friendly awareness event! Dine at one of the on-site food trucks, check out our special partner booths, and settle in for a screening of I Am Jane Doe . Tickets available now: endslaverytn.org/drivein

Our first survivor interview of the season is a profound and powerful story of hope. Trish's story is a great example of how direct service organizations work together in Middle Tennessee, as she spent time in the Thistle Farms program in tandem with End Slavery Tennessee on her healing journey. You'll hear about familial drug use, late-in-life trafficking, the loss of guardianship of children (an...

The National Foster Youth Institute reported 60% of child trafficking victims recovered through FBI raids in 2013 were from foster care or group homes. When we look at vulnerability and its role in trafficking, talking about prevention is to consider foster care and the kids who are in it. So today's episode features a conversation with Bethany Christian Services in Middle Tennessee, a private fos...