BONUS: Realities of Child Trafficking in Tennessee
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 who the traffickers are, why certain populations more vulnerable, and what survivor healing can look like. To stay up to date on the news, events, and ways to engage with AncoraTN,...
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039 - Ethical Storytelling
someone like me.
Unlike sensationalized stories you may see in the news, at AncoraTN we are intentional in our language and storytelling. Hear from Tia Bowden, previously AncoraTN’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 individuals behind the stories we share.
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038 - Youth Stories
someone like me.
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 youths in our program.
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037 - Direct Service
someone like me.
AncoraTN’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 AncoraTN.
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036 - Strings for Hope
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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.
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035 - Workforce Development
someone like me.
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.
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034 - Intensive Outpatient Therapy
someone like me.
AncoraTN’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 with Savanah Cleveland, a financial literacy coach and AncoraTN volunteer.
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033 - "Vanessa” Part 2: Job Issues
someone like me.
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.
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032 - Survivor Care in 6 Stages
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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.
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031 - "Vanessa” Part 1: Housing Issues
someone like me.
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.
info_outlineThis 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 Trevor Noah, The Today Show, her story has been featured in a Netflix documentary, and she even wrote an autobiography. You can learn all of the details about her case and trial with a Google search.
Cyntoia will share about
• Her transition out of prison
• How trafficking became a part of her story
• How she didn't identify as a trafficking victim at first
• How she came to realize she was trafficked while in prison.
There are so many parts of her teenage experience that are incredibly important when we seek to understand how youth vulnerability plays a huge role in trafficking and how to work to prevent it.
As always, we want to hear from survivors about hope and what's next for them. Since 2019, Cyntoia has gotten married, has started the JFAM Foundation, which has spurred The G.L.I.T.T.E.R. Project and The Y.E.S. Council, both of which you'll hear more about in this episode. We were blown away by Cyntoia's strong faith in God, despite all the difficult parts of her personal history, and the ways in which her completely unique experience has so many parallels to those of the youth Marissa works with daily.