#238 Red Rover SOS: The Universal Call To End Human Trafficking With Sherrie Cavalari
Release Date: 02/20/2026
Hanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen B. welcome Steve Tracy back to the show to discuss his powerful new book, To Heal or Harm: Scripture's Use as Poison or Medicine for Abuse Survivors. Steve is an author, theologian, and former pastor, as well as president and international director of Mending the Soul Ministries. He and his wife, Celestia, co-founded and co-lead this global nonprofit, which equips churches and communities to respond compassionately to abuse through Christ-centered, psychologically informed care. Steve is also a retired professor of theology and ethics at Phoenix Seminary. Together, their...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen B. welcome Steve Tracy back to the show to discuss his powerful new book, To Heal or Harm: Scripture's Use as Poison or Medicine for Abuse Survivors. Steve is an author, theologian, and former pastor, as well as president and international director of Mending the Soul Ministries. He and his wife, Celestia, co-founded and co-lead this global nonprofit, which equips churches and communities to respond compassionately to abuse through Christ-centered, psychologically informed care. Steve is also a retired professor of theology and ethics at Phoenix Seminary. Together, their...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen B. welcome special guest Sarah Trop—award-winning designer, author, founder of Funcycled, and winner of Flea Market Flip—for a powerful and inspiring conversation. Sarah shares her journey into design, including how she won Flea Market Flip. She specializes in trauma-informed design and has partnered with nonprofits serving survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and homelessness—transforming their spaces into safe, welcoming environments. Together, they explore how elements like color, patterns, lighting, and layout can either trigger the nervous...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J is joined by special guest co-host Mandy—one of our board members and a familiar voice from past episodes—for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the largest child bed charity in the United States. In part one, Luke shares his powerful story of discovering purpose and what led him to begin building beds for children who were sleeping on the floor. What started as a simple act of service has grown into a nationwide movement with a mission that no child sleeps on the floor in their town. Luke brings awareness to...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J is joined by special guest co-host Mandy—one of our board members and a familiar voice from past episodes—for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the largest child bed charity in the United States. In this episode, Luke shares his powerful story of discovering purpose and what led him to begin building beds for children who were sleeping on the floor. What started as a simple act of service has grown into a nationwide movement with a mission that no child sleeps on the floor in their town. Luke brings awareness to the...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen W. welcome Dr. Terence Lester to the show. Dr. Lester is an author, storyteller, public speaker, and community activist, as well as the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. In this episode, we discuss his powerful book From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. This conversation becomes raw, honest, and deeply personal as Dr. Lester shares his journey and challenges us to think differently about educational injustice. In a surprising twist, he also turns the conversation around and asks Brenda and Karen a few thoughtful...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J. and Karen W. welcome Dr. Terence Lester to the show. Dr. Lester is an author, storyteller, public speaker, and community activist, as well as the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. In this episode, we discuss his powerful book From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. This conversation becomes raw, honest, and deeply personal as Dr. Lester shares his journey and challenges us to think differently about educational injustice. In a surprising twist, he also turns the conversation around and asks Brenda and Karen a few thoughtful...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
As one of our featured podcasts for Night of Hope 8, one of the largest anti–human trafficking awareness events in Arizona, Brenda J and Karen B are honored to interview Sherrie Cavalari, founder of Red Rover SOS. One of the most powerful moments in this episode is a simple phrase that could save a life: “Red Rover SOS.” If someone is being trafficked or feels unsafe, saying those words can discreetly alert someone nearby to call for help. It’s strategic. It’s simple. And it could make all the difference. Sherrie brings over 40 years of experience in broadcast media and marketing....
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J and Karen W interview Sheri Lopez, Founder of Pearl At The Mailbox, which works to end child grooming and exploitation in America through prevention, education, and awareness. Sheri is also an Author, Speaker, Prevention Educator, Law Changer, and Family Advocate for the trafficked. Sheri tells her story of how she was groomed and trafficked at age 15 while she was living at home with her parents. She announces her Grooming Prevention Hotline (number below) to call if you think your child is being groomed to help prevent trafficking. Sheri talks about the dark web and some horrific...
info_outlineHanging Onto Hope Podcast
Brenda J and Karen W interview Sheri Lopez, Founder of Pearl At The Mailbox, which works to end child grooming and exploitation in America through prevention, education, and awareness. Sheri is also an Author, Speaker, Prevention Educator, Law Changer, and Family Advocate for the trafficked. Sheri tells her story of how she was groomed and trafficked at age 15 while she was living at home with her parents. She announces her Grooming Prevention Hotline (number below) to call if you think your child is being groomed to help prevent trafficking. Sheri explains how churches need to be more...
info_outlineAs one of our featured podcasts for Night of Hope 8, one of the largest anti–human trafficking awareness events in Arizona, Brenda J and Karen B are honored to interview Sherrie Cavalari, founder of Red Rover SOS.
One of the most powerful moments in this episode is a simple phrase that could save a life: “Red Rover SOS.” If someone is being trafficked or feels unsafe, saying those words can discreetly alert someone nearby to call for help. It’s strategic. It’s simple. And it could make all the difference.
Sherrie brings over 40 years of experience in broadcast media and marketing. Through Red Rover SOS, she and her team use their combined experience to amplify and promote anti-trafficking nonprofits so frontline organizations can focus on rescue and restoration.
We also talk about what trafficking and grooming really look like, why awareness matters, and how education and partnerships — including work with children’s homes and community organizations — are critical in prevention.
This is a powerful, must-listen conversation that could equip you to recognize the signs — and possibly save a life.
📞 National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
(Text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733)
📞 National Grooming Prevention Hotline: 623-688-3204
Please listen, share, and help us spread awareness. Awareness saves lives.