Self-Defense as a Path to Empowerment

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

In this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with a panel of young adults about their experiences and perspectives on sexual exploitation, social media's role, and dating culture. Participants include survivors of human trafficking and sexual assault, former porn consumers, and anti-trafficking advocates. They highlight generational differences in addressing sexual exploitation and the impact of internet culture. Additionally, they discuss the challenges in modern dating, emphasizing the shift toward online interactions and the need for safety measures.Episode ResourcesVideo: Daniel's StoryVideo: Emma's StoryVideo: Jose's StoryVideo: Bri Ray's StoryArticle: How Porn Can Fuel and Normalize Teen Dating ViolenceArticle: How Sex Traffickers Use Social Media to Contact, Recruit, and Sell Children

Victoria Sinis is the founder of Creating Gems, an organization created to help young women break free from harmful narratives about themselves. She is also a former OnlyFans recruiter and marketer. In this episode, she helps us understand what an OnlyFans agency is and the coercive and destructive realities faced by OnlyFans performers.Episode ResourcesArticle: Why So Many Teen Girls Are Planning on Becoming OnlyFans StarsArticle: What Porn, Loneliness, and OnlyFans Have To Do with Men Buying SexPodcast: Consider Before Consuming, Ep. 109: You Asked, We AnsweredVictoria's Website: https://creatinggems.com/

Join us in this Consider Before Consuming episode as Rachel Denton shares her experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Rachel talks about the complex layers of pornography addiction and the strong influence of shame. She'll also explain how self-compassion is essential in navigating the labyrinth of shame and breaking free from its grasp. Rachel provides valuable insights into the process of seeking therapy, explaining different therapy modalities, and how each can be helpful in the journey to healing. She also shares some transformative practices outside of therapy, empowering individuals to reclaim their agency and cultivate resilience.Episode ResourcesArticle: These 4 Studies Show How Recovering From a Porn Habit is Absolutely PossiblePodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 110: Matthias J. BarkerKristin Neff: Self-compassion.org

Ralphie Jacobs is the founder of Simply on Purpose, a platform focused on positive parenting. She brings her expertise to this conversation, emphasizing the importance of connecting with children in today’s fast-paced digital age, offering tips for parents to ensure strong bonds with their kids, and encouraging parents to strike a balance between freedom and boundaries.Episode ResourcesVisit: Simply on PurposeArticle: Teens Who Have Good Relationships with Their Parents Tend to Avoid Porn and Sext LessPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 99: Kristy McVee