Building Safer Communities through Restorative Justice
Release Date: 06/25/2024
Supporting Survivors Through Art, Awareness & Advocacy
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In this episode we’re joined by two guests from The Bridge to Hope in Menomonie, WI. Angie McIlquham, Director of Sexual Assault Victim Services and Kat Brogan, Sexual Assault Advocate & UW-Stout Campus Advocate. Together, they'll talk about their work supporting survivors in the Chippewa Valley. Both Angie and Kat also share how they got involved in advocacy, the realities of underreporting, and how trauma-informed care helps survivors navigate complex systems while maintaining dignity and self-efficacy. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, The Bridge to Hope is hosting...
info_outline
Breaking the Silence and Reclaiming Power
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In this powerful episode, we talked with JoDee Neil - former crimes-against-children prosecutor, civil litigator, and fierce advocate for survivors - to explore the realities of sexual abuse, disclosure, and healing. JoDee brings a rare and critical perspective shaped by both her legal career and her own lived experience as a sexual assault survivor. Now the author of Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violence - she sheds light on what it truly means to speak up - and why disclosure is not a single moment, but a complex and...
info_outline
Camille’s Story: Part 2
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In Part 2, Camille shares her journey of rebuilding after a life threatening experience of attempted trafficking and grooming, and how she began to untangle her faith and reclaim her voice. She also reflects on what healthy, boundaried “neighboring” looks like and how she now instigates a grace-paced movement rooted in dignity, agency, and justice — equipping communities to recognize red flags and walk alongside survivors with wisdom and care.
info_outline
Camille’s Story: Part 1
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In Part 1 of this episode, Camille LaLond — trauma-informed mentor — shares how her vulnerabilities were exploited and culminated into a situation of grooming and attempted trafficking cloaked in spiritual authority. Camille provides valuable insight on how abusers in faith settings operate in plain sight and utilize tools of manipulation, coercion, and spiritual abuse.
info_outline
Intercepting Trafficking Before it Happens
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In today's episode, Hannah Munn shares about her work with Love Justice International, which trains and places monitors at strategic transit points—like borders and bus stations—to identify and intercept potential victims before they are exploited. To date, they have intercepted over 100,000 individuals, in 17 countries, and facilitated the arrests of over 2,000 traffickers - stopping trafficking before it starts. Hannah shares powerful stories of impact from the field, offering a glimpse into the lives that have been changed through courageous intervention and plugs how future...
info_outline
Kelsey's Story
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
To honor Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we are highlighting a real story of one survivor who found herself in a situation that ultimately led to sex trafficking. Kelsey shares how early vulnerabilities contributed to an unhealthy relationship with an older man that both jeopardized her physical safety and deeply impacted her mental health. Kelsey also talks about navigating her healing journey, and reclaiming her voice as a survivor. Today, one of her greatest passions is to use her story to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help prevent future harm, reduce stigma, and to encourage...
info_outline
How a Cup of Coffee Can Create Lasting Freedom
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In this episode, find out how your coffee buying choices can create a culture of freedom versus exploitation- and how to score a free bag of delicious coffee through the link below! We sat down with Jenny Barber, Founder and Brand & Impact Manager for Talitha Coffee Roasters, a mission-driven company creating pathways towards freedom for survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Jenny shares the heart behind Talitha’s work and how providing dignified, trauma-informed jobs allows survivors to rebuild confidence, stability, and independence one step at a time. Jenny also explains how...
info_outline
Jewelry That Invests in a Brighter Future for Trafficking Survivors
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
On this episode, we chatted with Jenny McGee, Founder and Executive Director of Starfish Project, a social enterprise helping women escape human trafficking and build independent, empowered lives. Jenny shares how the organization provides jobs, skills, and opportunities through handcrafted jewelry and goods made by survivors. Support their mission while you shop for the holidays! Visit and use promo code fiercefreedom for 15% off your purchase and help women reclaim their freedom, one beautiful piece at a time.
info_outline
Creating Safe Communities through Curiosity & Connection
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
We sat down with Lacie Weatherholt, certified recovery coach, facilitator, and advocate, for a preview of her upcoming session at the Empower Freedom Conference on Oct 10th. Lacie shares some highlights of her talk including the impact of trauma, ego burnout and compassion fatigue, and resources to make safe and compassionate communities. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation that highlights the importance of authentic connection, supportive listening, and embracing the full spectrum of human experience. If you'd like to come check out Lacie's conference session, visit:...
info_outline
How Can Leaders Respond to Abuse Within and Around Faith Spaces?
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
This episode is part of our series highlighting ways to respond to abuse within or around the faith community. To provide greater insight, Amanda Pulley, MSW - Certified Life Coach, Brainspotting Practitioner, and Human Trafficking & Complex Trauma Specialist - shares her courageous story of being trafficked by her church youth leader. Also joining the conversation is Laura Mulliken, Executive Director of Trafficking Justice in Minnesota. Amanda and Laura offer important reminders for faith leaders on a loving and trauma informed response to survivors, and ways of creating a...
info_outlineToday's guest Dana Brown is dedicated to building a safer communities by discouraging crime, restoring victim well-being, and emphasizing direct offender accountability through his work as Director of Eau Claire Treehouse and as the former Director of Restorative Justice.
He shares about how this work takes place through ongoing relationships with youth and cites the importance of support for professionals within schools and the criminal justice system to be trained with restorative justice concepts that focus on helping youth to identify and develop strengths, set personal goals, and improve critical thinking skills.
To learn how you can get involved as a mentor or financially support the work being done by Dana and his team, visit www.ectreehouse.org
Email: Hello@tandemmentorship.org or call 715.718.6887