Self-Defense as a Path to Empowerment

In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we host a panel featuring four individuals deeply involved in the fight against pornography addiction. Chandler, Co-founder and CEO of Relay, shares his personal journey of overcoming pornography and how his experience led to creating a digital platform for recovery. Chris, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex addiction therapist, offers expert insights on the psychological effects of pornography and addiction recovery. Matthew and Dayne, both in recovery from long-term porn addiction, open up about their personal experiences, challenges, and victories in their healing journeys. Together, the panel discusses the power of connection in recovery, the importance of vulnerability, and how community plays a crucial role in breaking free from addiction.Episode ResourcesArticle: How Porn Can Change the BrainArticle: Why the Opposite of Porn Addiction Isn’t Only Sobriety—It’s Real Human ConnectionPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 93: ChandlerJoin RelayBook: The Body Keeps the Score

Melanie Thompson is a survivor of sex trafficking and prostitution, as well as a dedicated speaker and activist in the global fight against commercial sexual exploitation. Trafficked at just 12 years old, Melanie was later arrested and placed in foster care, where she began her advocacy journey at 14. She now serves as the Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator at the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women International.In this episode, we delve into Melanie's powerful story and explore the complexities of trafficking, the misconceptions surrounding platforms like OnlyFans, how pornography promotes violence and harmful stereotypes, and the urgent need for awareness and systemic change.Episode ResourcesArticle: How Mainstream Porn Normalizes Violence Against Black WomenArticle: How Porn Can Misrepresent and Fetishize LGBTQ+ Individuals and RelationshipsPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 90: Taina Bien-AiméMelanie's Podcast: Exit WoundThe Coalition Against Trafficking in WomenRebecca Bender Initiative

Breanna and Brandon Vales are Directors and Founders of Red Light Rebellion, which exists to educate young people about the dangers of child sex trafficking.In this episode, they cover how their experiences influence their work and how they aim to empower youth to recognize the red flags of grooming and exploitation. They also share about Brandon's recovery journey from porn addiction, the impact of pornography on relationships, and how unresolved childhood trauma often leads to addiction. Episode ResourcesArticle: How You Can Spot, Report, and Prevent Human TraffickingRed Light RebellionRed Flag Cards: Text REDFLAGS to 602-922-1040

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised.Episode DescriptionShelby’s early exposure to pornography impacted her understanding of sex, leading to misconceptions about consent and contributing to feelings of hypersexuality during her teenage years. In this episode, she shares about a past relationship where her partner's use of pornography had a detrimental effect on her emotionally and physically, and how sharing her experience over the past year has helped in healing and finding connection.Episode Resources Article: Does Porn Normalize Sexual Violence in Teen Relationships?Article: National Study Finds Porn Linked to Sexual Aggression and Coercion in RelationshipsArticle: 5 Ways Porn Has Lied to You About ConsentArticle: Is My Partner’s Porn Habit Harming Our Relationship, or Am I Just Insecure?Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 111: BaileyVictim ResourcesResource for Partners of Porn Users: Bloom

Justin Euteneier is the Program Director at Epik Project, an organization that works to disrupt the demand for commercial sexual exploitation.In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Justin shares the efforts the Epik project is using, including engaging with sex buyers to talk about the choices they're making, collaborating with law enforcement, educational initiatives for youth, and efforts to engage men in the fight against trafficking. Episode ResourcesFTND Resource: Porn and Sex TraffickingPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 96: Valiant RicheyEpik Project

Trigger Warning*The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes, discussions of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advisedLaila Mickelwait is an anti-trafficking activist, Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of the Traffickinghub movement, and author of "Take Down: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking,”In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Laila continues to share about her efforts to expose and combat illegal content on Pornhub, including the fight to hold credit card companies accountable.Fight the New Drug is a non-religious and non-legislative awareness and education organization. Some of the issues discussed in this episode may be legislatively-affiliated. Though our organization is non-legislative, we fully support the fights against already illegal forms of pornography and sexual exploitation and against sex trafficking.Episode Resources Laila's Book: TakedownTraffickinghub PetitionJustice Defense FundLaila's Article: Why Are Visa And Mastercard Still Doing Business with Pornhub?FTND Resource: Porn and Sex TraffickingPodcast: Consider Before Consuming, Ep. 35: Nikolas KristofArticle: What's Going on with Pornhub?Nikolas Kristof's Article: The Children of PornhubSheelah Kolhatkar's Article: The Fight to Hold Pornhub Accountable 

Trigger Warning*The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes, discussions of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.Laila Mickelwait is an anti-trafficking activist, Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of the Traffickinghub movement, and author of "Take Down: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking,”In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Laila shares her journey in the anti-sex trafficking movement and her efforts to expose and combat illegal content on Pornhub. Fight the New Drug is a non-religious and non-legislative awareness and education organization. Some of the issues discussed in this episode may be legislatively-affiliated. Though our organization is non-legislative, we fully support the fights against already illegal forms of pornography and sexual exploitation, and against sex trafficking.Episode ResourcesLaila's Book: TakedownTraffickinghub PetitionJustice Defense FundLaila's Article: Time to Shut Pornhub DownFTND Resource: Porn and Sex TraffickingPodcast: Consider Before Consuming, Ep. 35: Nikolas KristofArticle: What's Going on with Pornhub? 

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief discussions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised.Miyo Strong is the director of The Elizabeth Smart Foundation's self-defense program, Smart Defense. As a mom of two daughters, Miyo began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. She joins us for this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode to share about Smart Defense's unique, trauma-informed approach, combining physical techniques and breathwork with education on sexual violence, consent, and self-worth.Episode ResourcesArticle: How Porn Can Promote Sexual ViolencePodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep.89: Elizabeth SmartSmart DefenseUtah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA)Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel VanDerKolkBook: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.

Chris McKenna is the Founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes, which exists to help create safer digital environments. As a child, Chris was exposed to pornography, and as an adult, he realized how many problems there were with digital spaces and wanted to find a solution to that.In this episode, Chris helps us understand the importance of both having relational connections and technical controls when parenting in the digital age. He underlines the importance of having open conversations about pornography with children to reduce shame and secrecy, stressing the significance of addressing these issues from a young age.Episode ResourcesProtect Young EyesFight the New Drug's Parenting ResourcesConversation BlueprintArticle: Discover the 2024 “Dirty Dozen” Companies Profiting from Sexual ExploitationJonathan Haidt's Book: The Anxious Generation

Trigger warning: The following podcast episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and image-based sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.Dawn Hawkins is the CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, which exists to build a world without sexual exploitation and abuse. She joins us for this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode to shed light on the pervasive influence of pornography, the normalization of sexual harm, and the alarming risks posed by AI-generated content. The episode underscores the urgent need for reform to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.Episode ResourcesJoin us: The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global SummitVisit: The 2024 Dirty Dozen ListVisit: BarkVisit: Street GraceArticle: The Misuse of Artificial Intelligence in Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material