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Get tickets to the event Steph mentioned at the end of the episode HERE:storiesfoundation.kindful.com/e/create-for-changeYou'll get to pour a candle, pot a plant, eat good food and listen to Steph Page give a talk on how worth and value play a role in the fight against human trafficking in our communities.$50/person* SPACE IS LIMITED *

In this episode of the Connecting Our Stories podcast, we have a chat with one of our favorite authors Francine Rivers. Francine is the best selling author of Redeeming Love, The Scarlet Thread, The Atonement Child - just to name a few! You can check out her work at francinerivers.com. In our conversation today we hear the story behind the story of Redeeming Love and talk about the importance and value of storytelling. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode and share it with a friend.Follow @storiesfoundation on Instagram & Facebook for details on a few giveaways happening soon.YOU ARE INVITED! Join us November 18 for a comedy hour fundraiser for Storyteller Cafe.Tickets are available now, and space is limited. Claim your spot HERE or at storiesfoundation.org/events.

Today we sit down with our dear friend Danielle Freitag. She is a fierce woman fighting for the freedom of those trapped in a life of exploitation, which she has a personal connection to. Danielle helps us see the hope that comes out of the work being done to restore those coming out of a life of exploitation and how we can engage.Learn more about Action169, Rose House and Danielle's book The Garden Keys HERE.Want to support the work Stories Foundation is doing to fight trafficking in Minnesota?Join us HERE.

Steph chats with Mark Steenbarger and Emily Taylor-Ginger about their inventive way of utilizing media to tell stories of those who have survived abuse and exploitation. The mission at Point of View Story is to empower survivors by creating moments through the power of film. Their work is radical and will change the way we relate to stories of trafficking  and develop compassion for both those who have similar experiences and for ourselves. Learn more about Point of View Story HERE.IMPACT PRODUCER: Emily Taylor-Ginger, MSW, LCSWEmily is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist whobegan working in the anti-trafficking field in 2013. She has workedalongside survivors of CSE ages 12-50 providing therapy, groups, casemanagement, and advocacy. She has participated in anti-traffickingresearch, policy directives, and education and training in addition to herclinical practice. Emily offers her expertise in the field of mental health,trauma-informed/ healing-centered care, and working alongside survivors. FILMMAKER: Mark Steenbarger, MFA Film Candidate 2021Mark became involved in anti-trafficking work in 2018 after his wife, Jill,began working as a case manager serving trafficked youth. Mark has apassion to create moments through story and film that evoke healing andgrowth. As a filmmaker, director, producer, and creative, Mark uses histalent and skill to artfully craft, produce, and execute story through film.

Steph Page and Ana Lena Copeland sit down to share about the upcoming episodes in the Survivors Speak series. Join us over the next few weeks for stories of restoration, healing and redemption.

Awareness truly is action. Thank you for choosing to become more aware of human trafficking and its relating issues. And thank you for listening to this series on how we can influence culture and use that change as a strategic way to fight human trafficking. Share this series with a friend to keep expanding the reach of this awareness! Would you help others find our podcast by rating and writing a review? Some ways you can continue in your awareness:- Go through our online curriculum on the root causes of human trafficking and exploitation.- Join the Influence Culture group we created as a space to have these conversations and share our stories.- Take the Myth Vs. Truth quiz.Interested hosting an awareness event with a group of your people?Let us know by emailing us at storiesfoundation@gmail.com.

Everything you bring to the table is valuable and is unique to you. All of it can be used, repurposed and redeemed to change a culture that exploits people. You have so much to offer with your influence and voice! Your...- life experience- abilities- work background- education- connections- networking- financial resources- and so much moreYou matter. The lie is that issues of injustice are too big for community members to do anything about. But the truth is that each of us has influence, impact and a voice in that space. DO NOT minimize or underestimate your influence!What do you bring to the table? Connect with us about it at storiesfoundation@gmail.com.Donate to help us break ground on Storyteller Cafe HERE!

"It really is real that people still don't know that human trafficking and exploitation is happening right here in our backyards, our suburbs, our cities. We need to change that. There are people out there who are looking to take advantage of the vulnerabilities they see around them. We have to equip ourselves to see better, choose better and do better in the future." - Steph PageWe are here to be better together. We know you have valuable skills, insights, resources and passion! Will you come along this journey with us? We would love to have you at the table.Listen to the Storyteller Cafe event Steph mentions here:Storyteller Cafe Awareness EventJoin us in raising the rest of the downpayment and start building Storyteller Cafe here:Donate to Storyteller Cafe

We want a ripple effect of people seeing each other, honoring the value every human has and coming together in kindness. The simple message is - see people.Listen to the fundraising events Steph spoke about here:Storyteller Cafe GalaTo join us in building Storyteller Cafe donate here:Storyteller Cafe MN

Housing and jobs. This is SUCH a great need as we look at how to cover vulnerabilities of those coming out of human trafficking. We believe in long-term change and being able to offer dignified work and a safe place to live is a huge part of what we are working towards at Stories Foundation and Storyteller Cafe. There is a need NOW for these pieces of the solution.  Steph shares with us how everything from compassionate landlords to becoming a foster parent directly impacts the fight against trafficking. Reach out to us if you have connections or questions for us.storiesfoundation@gmail.comDonate at storiesfoundation.kindful.com.

Vulnerabilities. We all have them.Think of a time in your life where you had a vulnerability. Did someone come alongside you and cover it to protect and take care of you? Or did someone take advantage of you or exploit you and your situation? Vulnerabilities in people is what those who exploit, abuse and traffic are looking for. It's our job to become aware, create relationships of trust and cover the vulnerabilities around us. Do you know someone you can come alongside?Every person has a story. Every story has value. We believe that culture change is a direct and strategic way to fight human trafficking. Action step:Take our online awareness curriculum HERE.

Did you know how you use your dollars count? It really does matter.Did you know that you have a voice in how companies produce their products? You do!We all have impact in our world by what we buy. This episode paints a picture of what's behind the curtain of the things we buy, how which products we purchase and companies we support makes a difference in the world and how you can know who to purchase from.When consumers speak up, producers have to listen!Check out our Purposeful Purchasing Guide HERE.Action step:Subscribe to The Hive HERE!

What is your mindset? Is there enough to go around? Will what we give away be replenished? What do you get back when you give? Steph Page speaks to these questions and more in this episode addressing an upside down economy. At Stories Foundation we really truly believe that we are better together and we cannot live with a scarcity mindset. We GAIN when we GIVE. CLICK HERE to read the blog post Steph mentioned.Connect with us at storiesfoundation@gmail.com if you want to engage your skill sets and resources with what we are doing at Stories Foundation and Storyteller Cafe.Join the Facebook group here: Influence Culture - Fight Human Trafficking#whystorytellercafe

Back in February 2021 we created a Facebook group called Influence Culture - Fight Human Trafficking to invite our community into the work of culture change that we are doing at Stories Foundation. Over the years of doing anti-trafficking work and experiencing the incredible impact culture change has, we firmly believe that the game changing work in this fight happens when individuals use their influence to change the culture in their families, friend circles and greater communities. The change happens when we choose to see vulnerabilities around us and step in to cover them.The episodes in this series feature audio from short videos Steph Page recorded for the Influence Culture group. Awareness IS action! By listening to these episodes we hope you become more aware and choose to take further action with us. As always, thank you for being here to listen and learn. Your story matters to us.And there's more where this all came from! Join the Influencing Culture group on Facebook  HERE to see the original posts and share what we are doing with your sphere of influence. Each and every one of us has INFLUENCE! Will you use your voice with us? Your voice matters.DONATE to help us build Storyteller Cafe HERE.#whystorytellercafe

And... we're back with Abby! Here's part 2 of our conversation.Today we sit down with our dear friend Abby Thalacker.  You will laugh and cry through this episode and be inspired by Abby's story. Her vision to cover vulnerabilities and foster restoration is strong. Abby is working towards building Corrie's House. Corrie’s House will be a safe home that offers aftercare rehabilitation to girls who have been sexually exploited. Opportunities Each girl will have access to mentorship, education, therapy, spiritual guidance, and life skills training.Collaboration is such a big deal for us at Stories Foundation. And this season in The Hive it's no different. We are partnering with Corrie's House to bring you the second box of 2021! Box #2 is now available for pre-order. The Hive is a subscription box that equips and encourages you to facilitate conversations around justice and the value of every human.If you missed out on Box #1, don't worry!FOR A LIMITED TIME... order the Box Bundle and get Box #1 AND Box #2 for $75!(normally $100) ORDER the BOX BUNDLE here!Check out www.corrieshouse.org to become part of the Founders Club and get involved with what Abby is doing over at Corrie's House.

Today we sit down with our dear friend Abby Thalacker.  You will laugh and cry through this episode and be inspired by Abby's story. Her vision to cover vulnerabilities and foster restoration is strong. Abby is working towards building Corrie's House. Corrie’s House will be a safe home that offers aftercare rehabilitation to girls who have been sexually exploited. Opportunities Each girl will have access to mentorship, education, therapy, spiritual guidance, and life skills training. Collaboration is such a big deal for us at Stories Foundation. And this season in The Hive it's no different. We are partnering with Corrie's House to bring you the second box of 2021! Box #2 is now available for pre-order. The Hive is a subscription box that equips and encourages you to facilitate conversations around justice and the value of every human. If you missed out on Box #1, don't worry!FOR A LIMITED TIME... order the Box Bundle and get Box #1 AND Box #2 for $75! (normally $100) ORDER the BOX BUNDLE here!Check out www.corrieshouse.org to become part of the Founders Club and get involved with what Abby is doing over at Corrie's House.

Back in February 2021 we created a Facebook group called Influence Culture - Fight Human Trafficking to invite our community into the work of culture change that we are doing at Stories Foundation. Over the years of doing anti-trafficking work and experiencing the incredible impact culture change has, we firmly believe that the game changing work in this fight happens when individuals use their influence to change the culture in their families, friend circles and greater communities. The change happens when we choose to see vulnerabilities around us and step in to cover them. The episodes in this series feature audio from short videos Steph Page recorded for the Influence Culture group. Awareness IS action! By listening to these episodes we hope you become more aware and choose to take further action with us. As always, thank you for being here to listen and learn. Your story matters to us. And there's more where this all came from! Join the Influencing Culture group on Facebook  HERE to see the original posts and share what we are doing with your sphere of influence. Each and every one of us has INFLUENCE! Will you use your voice with us? Your voice matters.DONATE to help us build Storyteller Cafe HERE.#whystorytellercafe