The Fierce Freedom Podcast

As many of us reflect on the past year, we likely have mixed emotions recounting both the ups and downs we have experienced. Diane Bryant, spiritual director for Fierce Freedom guides listeners towards healthy practices for those of us seeking to engage prayerfully- in a sustainable way - with our own heartaches and the ones found in the world. Our prayer event for the faith community will be held...

Today's episode features guest Rachel Thomas, an author, speaker, educator, survivor of trafficking and member of the National Advisory Council of Human Trafficking. Rachel shares some highlights from the The President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) as well as her how her unique story of trafficking and exploitation ultimately led her to creation of En...

Worldwide , an estimated 12 million girls are married every year before the age of 18 - this is nearly one girl every three seconds. To speak more of her personal experience, we invited guest Samra Zafar, international and award-winning speaker, bestselling author and recognized among the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. Samra's book, A Good Wife: Escaping The Life I Never Chose , details he...

This holiday season, check out some of our absolute favorite gift ideas from organizations that strive to value people and planet over profit. 1. Shema Apparel - Their collection of soft and livable clothing is all made with love in sewing centers in SE Asia that empower and employ the most vulnerable and survivors of human trafficking. Designed and created with our environment in mind. Use promo...

In honor of Giving Tuesday, Board President of Fierce Freedom Aaron Libner, and Donor Engagement Specialist Joyce Orth update supporters about our year-end giving campaign and how you can contribute uniquely this year to help support us and our mission to disrupt the cycle of trafficking and exploitation! To support our year-end giving campaign: 1. Visit fiercefreedom.org/support 2. Designate your...

Today's podcast guest Lizzie Hershberger explains what it was like growing up in an uber-conservative Amish community and shares about her new memoir Behind Blue Curtains, which details the sexual abuse she experienced as well as her pursuit of justice that came many years later. In addition to being an author and speaker on Amish culture, Lizzie is a strong advocate for victims of any kind of abu...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cases of child sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences. In the state of Wisconsin, there are harsher penalties for drunk driving than there are to sexually abuse a child. That is why today's podcast guest, legal assistant and survivor of child sexual abuse Heather Martell is attempting to pass a state bill that uses similar language from OWI s...

How can someone begin to identify their trauma and create a care plan to begin the healing process? We invited Jessie Podolak, who currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fierce Freedom and also has a doctorate in physical therapy to share more about empowering anyone on the spectrum of trauma "peel and heal" back the layers of pain to find true and lasting healing. She also shares about im...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode deals with issues of child sexual abuse, rape, and incest. Today's podcast guest works to highlight countless stories of abuse in Plain dressing groups such as Amish, Mennonite, and other Anabaptist communities. Hope Anne Dueck is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of A Better Way , a Christian organization that equips caring people to prevent, recognize, and respo...

There are 450,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system today. Many don't hear about the worth and value they have, which is why Royal Family Kids Camp exists and has been offering free week-long summer camps for children of abuse or neglect who have been placed in foster care. This episode we chatted with the Former Camp Director Theresa Johnston  about the camp and how it allows kids to "unpack"...

For 55 years, The Eau Claire Academy has provided mental health care and housing for adolescents in the state who have needed it - and now, they are closing for good. Chuck Anger, the academy's interim director shares with us about some of the systemic reasons behind this decision as well as what he feels will be the far-reaching ripple effects within our state due to the rising demand for youth m...

In most cases, the public is shielded from the horrors which police, corrections, EMS and Fire safety experience on a daily basis. First responder at Sandy Hook Elementary and Executive Director of Honor Wellness Center Phyllis DiGioia explains her desire to provide first responders with supportive programming that gives them and their families the tools to manage their experiences and seek healin...

How can superheroes lead the way towards creating better communities in the lives of youth? Fierce Freedom Program Content Specialist Chris Page chatted with Matt and Cat about our new program for elementary students which uses superheroes and other creative ways to teach kids about creating a culture of worth in value within their own spheres. To learn how to bring Worth It to your school distric...

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when that picture is drawn by a sexually abused child who doesn't have the words to tell you. Trigger Warning: For those who have experienced sexual abuse or have a loved one who has been a victim, this episode deals with this topic and may be triggering for survivors. Please contact the RAINN Hotline for supportive services. We wanted to share findi...

Today's podcast guest LeBrent Speed is a prime example of the power of transformation. In fact, this is what his work with his org Transformation Men International is all based on. LeBrent will share his story with listeners and why believes that true and lasting transformation is possible for everyone, even those who feel trapped in a cycle of addictive compulsions. He'll also spell out some of t...

Today's episode is a good one to kick back with a warm cup of coffee or tea as we explore why going deep sustains you in the daily battle against injustice. We hear from Exec. Director of Fierce Freedom, Jenny Almquist and Spiritual Director for Fierce Freedom Diane Bryant , about the role spiritual direction has played within Fierce Freedom and why they recommend it for any individual or organiza...

This past Spring, Fierce Freedom staff and volunteers had the opportunity to return to the local juvenile detention hall to continue our outreach program for at-risk youth using materials from our friends at POV Story (shoutout!) Long-time volunteers Debbie Hong and Bill Anderson share about their time with the youth, lessons they learned and memorable stories that all shaped this experience. If y...

Today we're talking about the recent nationwide sex trafficking campaign: Operation Cross Country XII , a collaborative enforcement campaign of 200 state, local and federal partners which led to the identification and location of both minor and adult victims of sex trafficking. While it is important to celebrate these collaborative efforts by FBI Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, and Victim S...

Grab your pumpkin spice lattes and cozy up for this podcast episode which is talking about Fierce Freedom's exciting lineup of events this Fall! Matt and Cat provide details about Fierce Freedom's upcoming West Central WI Anti-Trafficking Conference coming up October 13th, 9am-3pm at Wild Ridge Event Center in Eau Claire, WI. Early bird prices end September 22nd so reserve your spot today at tinyu...

What does hopelessness in teens look like? It can present as bullying, self-harm/cutting, depression, or isolation. Eau Claire Treehouse wants to combat this cycle of hopelessness by providing a safe space of loving acceptance for teens to thrive and dream for the future. Our guests TJ (Area Director) and Ashley (Program Director) share the many ways you can get involved with their mission through...

Most of the time, those who perpetrate sexual acts against children are someone the child knows. This was also the case for our guest Amber Gregory -  an author, speaker, and survivor of sexual abuse perpetrated at the ages of 12 and 13 by her dance teacher. She opens up about the subtle ways her abuser began to groom her and the adults around her in her memoir " Little Sweetheart " and how she ca...

Dr. Stephany Powell is an anomaly. Not only does she have 30 years of experience as a Vice Sergeant of the LAPD, but she has also served as an Executive Director on a nonprofit Journey Out , which provides direct services to help victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Using her varied background in both education and as a Vice Officer, Stephany shares her best advice for no...

Saed D. Hill is the Assistant Director of Prevention and Masculine Engagement at the Center for Awareness, Response, and Education (CARE) where he collaborates with Northwestern University to develop and implement strategies to improve masculine engagement in the prevention of violence. Saed shares with us about how "traditional" masculinity puts boys and men in restrictive boxes, causing them to...

We invited survivor leader, author, and liberator Harmony Grillo, to share with us about her experience in the commercial sex industry, and the life changing friendship that helped to liberate her. Harmony also explains how her faith became a framework for truth and a foundation for her recovery. She shares how while she believes faith is a huge component in the healing journey, the approach her o...

Today's podcast guest is proof that you're never to young to care about justice. For the last four years, 9-year-old Kol Flanders has collected hundreds of dollars for Fierce Freedom's Justice Race, and this year he wants to raise even more! He and his mom Jen join us in the studio to share more about why thinks raising funds and awareness is important, and what he loves most about the Justice Rac...