In Part 2 of Courtney’s story, Yvonne and Kim continue the conversation with a deeper look at what happens after the system fails survivors. Courtney’s mother still lives with the weight of a criminal record—one that never should’ve existed. This episode dives into the importance of vacatur laws, trauma-informed legal reform, and community-based support for survivors working to rebuild their lives. This is the fight for justice that truly restores. And it’s a fight we can’t afford to ignore. Cou...
Aug 12, 2025•18 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Courtney and her mother were both trafficked by the same predator—but the system didn’t treat them the same. While Courtney was seen as a victim, her mother was criminalized. In Part 1 of this gripping two-part series, Courtney opens up about the trauma they endured, and Yvonne and Kim break down how a justice system without trauma-informed understanding can retraumatize survivors and punish those who need protection the most. This story is heartbreaking—but it's real. And it’s happening far too...
Aug 05, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 9
What if happiness felt terrifying instead of safe? In this powerful episode of Invading the Darkness, Ashley bravely unpacks how early trauma impacts the brain—and how for many trafficking survivors, even joy can feel like a threat. From childhood pain to adult healing, Ashley shares what it’s like to resist the very things that are meant to bring peace. We explore how trauma rewires the brain, why healing isn’t always linear, and how joy can become a radical act of recovery. This episode is a m...
Jul 29, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this raw and courageous episode of Invading the Darkness, Barb shares how the system failed to see her as a victim—and instead labeled her a criminal. But her story didn’t end there. With boldness and grace, Barb is now leading the charge to break generational cycles of exploitation and create a path to true justice for others. In the episode, she describes the need for a multi-disciplinary, community-based response. Shared Hope offers several resources to help communities take action. The Ro...
Jul 22, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Lindsay’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and the power of a second chance. In this inspiring episode of Invading the Darkness , she opens up about her experience with trafficking, the obstacles she faced in breaking free, and how God transformed her pain into purpose. Now an advocate and powerful voice for others, Lindsay is using her second chance to speak truth, ignite change, and fight for justice for those still trapped in the cycle. Lindsay’s story also highlights the urgent need f...
Jul 15, 2025•15 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode of Invading the Darkness, Liz invites us into her journey of healing, where creativity became a lifeline and restoration meant more than survival—it meant reclaiming her identity. Through art, advocacy, and authenticity, Liz is helping others see survivors not just by their past, but by their purpose. Her story challenges us to move beyond labels and lean into what true, human-centered restoration looks like—full of grace, dignity, and hope. It’s also a powerful reminder that eve...
Jul 08, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this deeply moving episode of Invading the Darkness, Lacey shares her experience navigating the legal system as a trafficking survivor—and the lasting impact it had on her healing. From being retraumatized by the very systems meant to protect her, to becoming an advocate for change, Lacey sheds light on the urgent need for trauma-informed, survivor-centered support in every step of the justice process. Her story is a powerful reminder that justice must do more than prosecute—it must protect, ...
Jul 01, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Welcome back to Shared Hope International’s Invading the Darkness podcast where we are elevating and amplify survivor voices and stories. In this powerful episode, Bethany shares how real change begins at the community level. As a subject matter expert and advocate, she speaks truth into the gaps she has witnessed firsthand—and calls on each of us to respond with compassion, accountability, and action. From law enforcement and local nonprofits to everyday neighbors, Bethany explores what it take...
Jun 24, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Season 4 Continues! We’re honored to have you join us for another powerful episode of Invading the Darkness where we will hear from Alia. From being exploited at a young age to now standing in boldness and purpose, Alia’s journey is one of pain, power, and transformation. Her voice is a light in the dark—and her story is a call to all of us to rise up, speak out, and believe that freedom is possible. Alia’s exploitation began online, where a trafficker preyed on her vulnerability and her need fo...
Jun 24, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 2
New Season, New Episode! Join us for Season 4 of Invading the Darkness —where survivor voices lead the way to justice, healing, and change. In the Season 4 premiere, host and lived experience expert Yvonne is joined by Shared Hope’s Director of Training Advancement and special guest Rita—an advocate and overcomer who shares her powerful journey as a survivor of human trafficking. When Rita realized trafficking was happening right in her own neighborhood, she couldn’t stay silent. From her own su...
Jun 10, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Join us for a special season 4 pre-release episode of Invading the Darkness . Mikayla and Yvonne take a look back at how Shared Hope has been a leader in the field of anti-trafficking when addressing the issue of demand. Talking about ending demand is the start of prevention and we want to remind listeners of the amazing work that Shared Hope has been able to accomplish for over two decades. We will always fight for the justice of survivors, but we must start by demanding justice and holing buye...
May 13, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking. In this episode, Kim and Yvonne reflect on Season 3 and the importance of hearing and learning from survivor voices. At the end of the episode, we hear from Shared Hope International's Director of Training Adva...
Apr 01, 2025•18 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking. Today, we will hear the second part of a powerful keynote from Shared Hope’s 2023 JuST Conference . In it, Tiffany and two members of her team share her story which exposes the justice system's failure to recog...
Mar 25, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Welcome to "I nvading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking. " Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking. Today, we will hear part of a powerful keynote from Shared Hope’s 2023 JuST Conference . In it, Tiffany and two members of her team share her story which exposes the justice system's failure to recognize Tiff...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Welcome to " Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking. " Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking. Today, we hear from Amber, a survivor or trafficking whose life was saved thanks to the compassionate response of first responders and the support of a community rallying around her. The conversation emphasiz...
Mar 11, 2025•19 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Get your free copy of "Chosen," https://go.sharedhope.org/GiftChosen , a film by Shared Hope International that focuses on youth sex trafficking prevention. This valuable resource offers real-life stories and practical tools to raise awareness and encourage action against the trafficking of younger victims, like John-Michael. In today's episode, join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as th...
Mar 04, 2025•15 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Get your free copy of "Chosen," https://go.sharedhope.org/GiftChosen , a Shared Hope International film focusing on youth sex trafficking prevention. This valuable resource offers real-life stories and practical tools to raise awareness and encourage action against the trafficking of younger victims, like John-Michael. Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of o...
Feb 25, 2025•23 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking," https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY. Join our host, lived-experience expert Yvonne, as she interviews Survivor and Subject Matter Expect Odessa about her harrowing experiences with familial trafficking, the criminalization of minors, and the systemic failures of the legal system. In this episode, Odessa shares her journey from victim to advocate, emphasizing the importance of awareness campaigns and the need...
Feb 18, 2025•22 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking,". Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking. In this episode of Invading the Darkness, we hear Michell’s incredible story. A trafficking survivor herself, she now uses her lived experience to advocate for other young trafficking victims, just like her, a...
Feb 11, 2025•18 min•Season 3Ep. 6
When Sex Trafficking Victims Face Unjust Prosecution - Kim S3E5 Text Shared Hope to 52886 https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY In this gripping episode, co-host Kim shares her harrowing experience as a sex trafficking survivor. Trafficked as a minor, she faced further trauma when the system that was supposed to protect her criminalized her. Now, Kim uses her painful journey to advocate for young trafficking victims, highlighting the urgent need for legal reform and offering hope to others still wo...
Feb 05, 2025•15 min
Invading the Darkness Podcast Season 3 Episode 4 Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights that will equip you to join in the fight against sex trafficking. In this powerful episode, our host, Yvonne and Kim, continue with our survi...
Jan 28, 2025•16 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Invading the Darkness Video Podcast Season 3 Episode 2 Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights that will equip you to join in the fight against sex trafficking. In this powerful episode, meet your host, Yvonne, and Kim, as they li...
Jan 14, 2025•16 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Invading the Darkness Video Podcast Season 3 Episode 1 Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights that will equip you to join in that fight against sex trafficking. In this powerful episode, meet your host, Yvonne and Kim, as Yvonne ...
Jan 10, 2025•19 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Shared Hope International is producing a new video podcast in conjunction with the "Just Like Me" https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/. Watch it on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@SharedHopeInternational/podcasts And listen to it on all the top podcast spots. Support the show
Dec 21, 2024•2 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Coming in January 2025! Yvonne and Kim, spokespersons for the "Just Like Me" campaign, will host survivors as they share their experiences as survivors of sex trafficking. Visit the Just Like Me campaign page at https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/ Support the show
Dec 20, 2024•30 sec•Season 1Ep. 1
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International . Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking. In this Christmas episode, hear Linda reflect on the impact of Shared Hope in light of the Christmas season! Help us continue giving life changing gifts today! Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help y...
Dec 21, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International . Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking. In this episode, Linda shares more about Shared Hope’s approach to rescue and long-term restoration , one life at a time. You hear more of the story of Lacy’s, from Chosen . Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkne...
Dec 16, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International . Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking. In this episode, Linda shares more about Shared Hope’s approach to rescue and long-term restoration , one life at a time. You hear the story of Shoba and her journey to healing and being reunited with her daughter Pooja . Our de...
Dec 07, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International . Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking. In this episode we learn about the need for justice and the correct application of the laws that are in place. Download Shared Hope's report cards to learn more about bringing justice to women, children and youth. Our desire is ...
Nov 30, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International . Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking. In this episode, Linda and Shared Hope’s Vice President, Samantha Vardaman go into more detail about the issue of demand. You can learn more about the groundbreaking Demanding Justice Report on Shared Hope’s website. Our desire ...
Nov 23, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 8
