Jewelry That Invests in a Brighter Future for Trafficking Survivors
Release Date: 11/11/2025
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...
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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...
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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.
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A Real Story of Restorative Justice – Part 2
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In the conclusion of this two-part story, we talk with "Brian" who will share about his work with Dana Brown, Executive Director of Tandem’s Mentorship about the challenging but important work of restorative justice. Brian's story highlights how cultural norms can influence the perpetration of sexual crimes but finally how accountability, empathy, and community support can bring validation and restoration to survivors while helping prevent future harm. We hope this story sparks conversations that support survivors, challenge harmful norms, and encourage prevention. Learn more at...
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A Real Story of Restorative Justice – Part 1
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
In this two-part episode, we talk with "Brian" who will share about his work with Dana Brown, Executive Director of Tandem about the challenging but important work of restorative justice. Brian's story highlights how cultural norms can influence the perpetration of sexual crimes but finally how accountability, empathy, and community support can bring validation and restoration to survivors while helping prevent future harm. We hope this story sparks conversations that support survivors, challenge harmful norms, and encourage prevention. Learn more at fiercefreedom.org
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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:...
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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...
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How Can We Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Faith Communities?
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
On this episode we sat down with Dr. Andrew J. Bauman, Co-Founder and Director of the Christian Counseling Center for Sexual Health & Trauma, to discuss his latest book, Safe Church: How to Guard against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities. Andrew shares about his passion to elevate the voices of women in faith spaces and his heart for men to have a healthy confrontation of their own internalized misogyny that has been justified through a harmful misreading of God's word. Lastly, Andrew shares practical insight for church leaders who are ready to confront the culture of silence and...
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Fostering Lifelong Resiliency in Young Girls
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
Girls On The Run (GOTR) in the Chippewa Valley is cultivating a culture of joy and community, while encouraging self esteem and confidence in young girls. We invited Rose Dolan Neil, Executive Director and Katie Albin, Coach and Board Member to share more about their passion for empowering this population and how this plants seeds for future resiliency. Rose and Katie also provide insights as to what GOTR programming entails, including their annual celebratory 5K run and ongoing participation in an eight-week after-school program that teaches lessons on goal-setting, friendship, and...
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Is Artificial Intelligence an Asset or Liability in Anti Trafficking Work?
The Fierce Freedom Podcast
With the rise of all things AI, what effect is this having on trafficking and exploitation? To share more about this we invited Nancy Irizarry, Social Services Director for the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services and Co-Chair for the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Consortium. Nancy provides an insightful analysis on what she believes are positives to AI utilization when it comes to identification and prevention of trafficking but also shares some of the chief ways it aids recruitment using deception and coercion for traffickers and abusers. She also shares about how crucial it is to bring survivors...
info_outlineOn 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 starfishproject.com and use promo code fiercefreedom for 15% off your purchase and help women reclaim their freedom, one beautiful piece at a time.