In this episode, we consider recent events and how to deal with the emotional impact. Bottom line.....we ALL have a mission.....to stand for the vulnerable.....so we STAY.ON.MISSION. As we consider this we look to the example of Miep and Jan Gies....the Dutch couple who protected Ann Frank and her family.…

Wow....it's been a minute! In this episode we share what Mezzo Allies, Inc. has been passionately pursuing. We also talk about the importance of being willing to be uncomfortable...to speak up when injustice and ignorance are staring us in the face. We are either part of the solution or part of the problem.....there isn't much in the middle.…

In this episode we have a conversation with Abbi Nye and April Sochia about CFCtoo. CFCtoo is an organization committed to creating a safe space for survivors of Christian Fellowship Church in northern New York State. CFCtoo is also advocating for the passage of legislation requiring faith leaders to be mandated child abuse reporters in NY State.…

In this episode we have a conversation about the current state of NY State laws regarding child abuse and the need for reform

In this episode we speak with Joyce Short who is the author of Your Consent – The Key to Conquering Sexual Assault and a TEDx Talk Presenter and Nina Lucas who lead Consent Awareness Network (CAN). Joyce and Nina are on a mission to educate the public and legislators about the critical importance of having consent defined in our laws. Click the lin…

In this episode, we talk about the reality of the web of the network of offenders in organized sexual abuse and how difficult it can be for victims to break free. Listen to our raw and real feelings following the creation of the cork board.

In this episode, we unpack in detail the ethics of the decision to move from social worker-client to podcast partner then to non-profit partner.

In this episode we share an unscripted…sometimes raw…perspective on the Liberty University Clery Act settlement of $14 million dollars (plus $2 million in new campus safety improvements)

In this episode we address a question that is asked frequently....sometimes with concern...sometimes with curiosity...and sometimes with a hefty dose of skepticism.The question is Why Don't You Just Move?

In this episode we have a conversation with Nicholle Overkamp of PowHERhouse Money Coaching and Wilcox Financial Group about her upcoming "Becoming PowHERhouse" Summit on March 8th....International Women's Day.

In this episode we have a conversation with Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW, MPH who co-founded MLMC in 2002 after a teen was murdered by her exploiter. Join us as we talk through the factors that make a difference in the lives of the victims and survivors as well as the lives of the helpers.

In this episode we share how Mezzo Allies is growing in spite of the continued efforts made by the offenders, their flying monkeys and the naysayers.

Truth moment….we’re tired….and we’re determined….we’re bold and we’re stressed. In this episode we talk about the momentum and the ways organized sexual abuse networks work to make that momentum hard to maintain.

In our last episode, we encouraged us all to be willing to be uncomfortable….to be uncommon. In this episode, we talk a bit about what it takes to be a person who makes a difference to the status quo or to an individual person. Spoiler alert….it does not include being MORE afraid of being called out on the podcast than failing to stand for the vuln…

In this episode we encourage….and challenge….ourselves to be willing to be uncomfortable in the pursuit of showing up for those around us

In this episode we talk about the dichotomy between where we were this very week 2 years ago- hurt, scared and without help…. 1 year ago- begging Cornerstone Church on Grand Island to keep NAMED SEX OFFENDERS away from children …. And today…training up an ARMY of helpers in the world. The difference is wild. Don’t miss this episode!…

WE'RE IN BOSTON, MA!!! In this episode we share about our experience in Boston, MA sharing information with child protection staff and leaders about the reality of Family Controlled Exploitation and Organized Sexual Abuse. Thank you for everyone who has made this possible!

Trigger warning: In this episode we have a conversation about Gretchen who was abused within the same network as Kait and was was lost to suicide on New Year's Day 2023. We are joined by Margaret, Gretchen's sister, and Emily, one of Gretchen's closest, long time friends.

**Trigger Warning** In this episode we talk about September’s Suicide Prevention month, the statistics and Kait’s journey

In this episode we talk about the idea of survivor re-exploitation….the ways survivors can feel compelled to share details of their experience that are unnecessary and for the curiosity of people not in harms way.

In this episode, we talk about all that we’ve been doing to build the army of supporters while standing strong in the face of challenges.

In this episode we explore the reality that every action we….and others….take triggers a reaction. While this is obvious it can also be complicated because the nature of this situation makes it difficult for others to fully appreciate the reaction that might be caused by their action….or lack of action.…

In this episode, we explore the frustrating experience of working to gather background information to corroborate allegations.

In this episode we share our experience connecting with the anti-trafficking community in Boston, MA. We also talk about the needs of survivors of family controlled commercial exploitation of children (FC-CSEC) and the impact how different communities address those needs.

We are so excited to announce the beginning of our new endeavor….Mezzo, Inc.….the space between victim and survivor

In this episode we share a high level look at Kait’s experience. If you’re new to the podcast we hope this will give you a place to start. If you’re a long time listener feel free to share this with others….and thank you for hanging with us!

In this episode we explore several paths to justice for survivors and consider the impacts.

In this episode we explore the short and long term impact of abuse that happens at the hands of the primary caregivers in a child's life.

In this episode we will explore this frequently asked question.....where is Law Enforcement?

In this episode we explore the question of the long term impact of unresolved childhood trauma. Specifically we consider how difficult it can be for people with unaddressed trauma to really show up for a child who is vulnerable.

That whiplash feeling…

In this episode we explore the question of repressed memory and address the topic based on current day brain science.

In this episode we talk with Miranda Pacchiana who is the author of many of the posts we have shared from The Second Wound platform. Join us as we talk through the impact of the failure of people to hear the disclosure of victims and survivors and support them well.

In this episode we share Kait's personal experience with ACBC "counseling"

In this episode we respond to the claims by Cornerstone that there has never been corroboration offered to support Kait’s allegations…..complete ridiculousness.

In this episode we address the issue of the extremely damaging and inappropriate counsel offered by ACBC to victims, offenders and churches about how to respond to allegations of abuse.

Today we are sharing about our new youtube channel- The Ugly Truth About the Girl Next Door. We will use this platform for longer videos to share information about family controlled trafficking. Check it out!

In this episode we explore the question of how to be the person that can help a child get help and how to show up for a survivor. We specifically look at the gap in awareness of family controlled sex trafficking.

In this episode we answer the question of "where were the women?". We also unpack the impact on a child when a mother is involved in the abuse.

How can this be? One year ago on February 11, 2022 we launched our first episode. In this episode we unpack the journey from then to now…..and the bright world/dark world reality of “anniversaries”

In this episode we have a conversation with Emily who was Kait’s childhood friend. Emily shares her own memories of abuse and experiences with Cornerstone Church and some of the people there.

In this episode we continue our conversation with Alicia Cohen, familial sex trafficking survivor and advocate.

In this first episode in a two part series, we have a conversation with Alicia Cohen who is a survivor of family controlled sex trafficking and the founder of SAFE (Survivors Against Familial Exploitation). Join us as Alicia shares her experience of sexual abuse and exploitation at the hands of her father who who used the church to hide his crimes.…

In this episode we unpack the phenomenon of 'staring at a pebble while the parade passes by'....otherwise known as 'majoring on the minors' or being distracted from what really matters by details that are irrelevant to the central message. Updated since we have to triple and quadruple think every single word and sentence…

In this episode we will talk through the churches involved and some of the offenders there.

In this episode Laurie has a conversation with Darrin Folger, former Executive Pastor of The Well in Amherst, NY about what God has to say about a shepherds response to a predator among the flock

In this episode we share how the investigation has been going….or not going.

In this episode we talk through some of the potential paths to safety and justice and how these paths can intersect and happen in parallel.

In this episode we address the questions about naming names….Why now? What are the factors that affect the decision for us to name an offender and what is next?

In this episode we hear from Pastor Dale Ingraham who challenges the church to be who God calls us to be….a people who boldly stand for the vulnerable and bring hope to the hopeless.