In this heartfelt and enlightening episode, our host Jon delves deep into the extraordinary life of Amanda, a brave survivor of abuse and trafficking and advocate against human trafficking. From confronting personal traumas to finding enduring love and friendship, Amanda’s compelling narrative embodies resilience, understanding, and the indomitable spirit of survival.

Key Takeaways:

Recognizing and Overcoming Trauma:

• Amanda revisits her harrowing experiences of “being trafficked via a dating site in Scotland” and the crucial steps she took toward self-healing and empowerment.

Building Trust in Relationships:

• Amanda shares the touching story of “meeting her now-husband on the very platform that was once a source of torment, laying the foundation of trust by being open about her past from the get-go.”

The Unwavering Bond of Friendship:

• The remarkable story of her friendship with Collette, who stands as a beacon of “unconditional support and understanding.”

Combatting Ignorance on Human Trafficking:

• Amanda stresses the importance of “dispelling common myths surrounding human trafficking and advocating for accurate understanding to foster real change.”

The Journey of Self-Restoration:

• Amanda articulates her ongoing journey of “rewiring and retraining” her brain to cope with complex PTSD, showcasing the continuous effort needed to heal from profound trauma.

The Essential Fight Against Human Trafficking:

• Amanda’s passionate advocacy in “raising awareness and directly combating human trafficking” shines a light on the necessity for informed action and community involvement.

Empowering Others Through Storytelling:

• Through her candidness, Amanda inspires others to “seek available resources and take hold of their future, emphasizing that strength is inherent and not derived from past adversities.”

A Candid Discussion on Misunderstandings:

• Addressing the “galling ignorance” encountered when discussing human trafficking, Amanda opens up a crucial conversation on compassion versus ignorance.

Resources Mentioned:

• Department of Homeland Security - For an accurate understanding of human trafficking.
• Amanda’s autobiography - A deeper dive into her life’s journey.

Connect with Amanda:

• Amanda’s Advocacy Website
• Twitter

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:01] Introduction to Amanda’s Journey
• [13:15] Discovering the Strength Within
• [25:40] Unveiling the Realities of Human Trafficking
• [38:25] The Power of Friendship and Love in Healing
• [52:10] Addressing Common Misconceptions
• [1:14:26] Amanda’s Love Story
• [1:18:33] The Fight Against Human Trafficking: Raising Awareness
• [1:23:55] Closing Thoughts: Taking Hold of Your Future

Podcast Show Notes: Understanding Schizophrenia and Parenting Challenges

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Christopher Slaton, a seasoned educator and mental health advocate, delves into the complexities of parenting, particularly when faced with the challenges of raising a child with schizophrenia. He shares invaluable insights and personal experiences that shed light on the intricacies of mental health support within families.

Key Themes:

Parenting Challenges: Dr. Slaton discusses the difficulties of being a parent, especially when one's own childhood experiences were far from ideal. He emphasizes the responsibility of nurturing and guiding young minds.

Schizophrenia: The episode delves into the world of schizophrenia, a condition that profoundly affected Dr. Slaton's son. He shares how he learned to communicate effectively with his son's brain rather than focusing solely on behavior.

Mental Health Support: Dr. Slaton provides crucial insights into the necessity of early recognition of warning signs in children experiencing mental illness. He stresses the importance of creating a safe environment for self-experience.

Communication and Contracts in Relationships: The discussion touches on the significance of open communication and agreements within relationships. Dr. Slaton highlights how he and his wife formed an unspoken contract to ensure a harmonious family life.

Loss and Grief: The episode explores the painful topic of losing a loved one to schizophrenia and its related complications. Dr. Slaton reflects on the challenges his family faced and the support they provided to his son.

Notable Quotes and Insights:

• "You know, we're talking about, how do you be a parent? You know? Yeah. How do you be a parent when you didn't have that type of childhood?"
• "That's schizophrenia, that's brain talk. He talks all the time. And inside the context is meat on the bone because he's talking to you."
• "Because see, you have a lot of people that are really ill that do things that everybody's in awe about. And some people say, well, you know, he is really, really different. He is really, really on the other side. But no, you don't lose that."
• "I'm the most difficult person to deal with because I'm constantly requiring that you do more because I do more. If you interact with me, it's not gonna stop. We gotta work. We gotta get this done."
• "So you look at the brain, not the body. You look at the brain, you look at the responses. Because you can realize the communication coming back at you."
• "A family is a business. It has to be developed as one."
• "Because I kept notes. For example, he drew, he did all the things that gave us a ton of stuff to look at to know that we were safe."
• "You have to be on 24-7. Because a break can happen, or a psychological event can happen while he's sleeping, and he's gone."

Resources and Where to Find Dr. Slaton:

• Dr. Slaton's books can be found on Amazon, offering valuable insights into his work and experiences.
• Visit his website at drchristopherkslaton.com for more information and resources.
• Explore brainsbody.net for additional content and insights.
• Tune in to the Brains Body Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iTunes to delve deeper into mental health and family dynamics.

Dr. Christopher Slaton's engaging and enlightening conversation provides a unique perspective on parenting, mental health, and the power of understanding the brain's inner workings. Don't miss this impactful episode filled with valuable insights and heartfelt experiences.

In this episode of "Between the Before and After," I have a conversation with Megan Conner, an advocate for abuse victims and survivors. Megan shares her personal story of being abused as a child. 

Megan also dives into her upbringing in the Mormon church and the pressures placed on its members. Eventually leaving the church, she now focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle after surviving trauma. During our discussion, we explore the concept of grooming and how victims often don't realize they are being manipulated until it's too late. 

She also shares the challenges she faced in forming relationships and dealing with the lingering trauma throughout her life. We touch upon the harmful teachings and victim-blaming prevalent in the Mormon church, shedding light on the damaging effects they have on survivors. 

Megan reveals her journey towards healing and the therapy she sought to address her trauma. She emphasizes the importance of support systems and self-care routines during therapy, as well as navigating the side effects that can arise. Megan also discusses disclosing her experiences to her parents and siblings, and her beautiful relationship with her children. 

Through writing her book, she aims to inspire and provide hope for other survivors of abuse. In our conversation, we emphasize the need to shift society's beliefs towards victims and prioritize empathy. While maintaining the principle of innocent until proven guilty, we discuss how starting with a belief in victims can lead to a more compassionate response. Understanding the reasons behind false allegations can also help us develop empathy for survivors. 

Child grooming becomes another focal point as we discuss the fears associated with it. We stress the importance of education and actively being present in our children's lives to prevent such incidents. Megan emphasizes her dedication to providing emotional stability and love to her own children, ensuring their safety and well-being. 

We also highlight the low percentage of false accusations and the importance of addressing the underlying reasons behind such behavior, all while believing victims and relying on skilled investigators to uncover the truth. 

CONNECT WITH MEGAN: https://third-verse.com/