A reminder that these conversations might bring up strong emotions. Please practice self-care. If you need help, contact Crisis Services Canada - text 45645 or call 1-833-456-4566 or your local distress centre.
Armand King never planned on serving his community, especially given his experience as a misguided youth in the streets. In this episode, I chat with Armand, to learn how his lived experience has led him to become an international gang and human sex trafficking prevention specialist and trainer. For the past 12 years, Armand has been working in his community to prevent drug addiction, gun violence and human trafficking. With this impressive knowledge and experience, he will soon be adding to his community work through the launch of Walk With Me Impact, a youth mentoring curriculum. We had a fantastic conversation, touching on topics like the lack of resources to prevent youth from becoming traffickers and tips to access real self-care. This is an episode that will make you laugh and reflect.
You can find out about Armand’s ‘Walk with Me’ project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/walkwithmeimpact/walk-with-me-impact
In this episode I'm joined by Julie Lalonde, an internationally recognized women’s rights advocate – public educator, author of the award-winning Resilience is Futile: The Life and Death and Life of Julie S. Lalonde, and someone I have long admired. Julie and I had a fantastic discussion where we explored so many important issues including the other side of resilience, the misconceptions about trauma-survivors and the importance of understanding and intervening as a bystander.
Julie’s book: Resilience is Futile: The Life and Death and Life of Julie S. Lalonde
To find out more about Julie’s work and/or to book her for a speaking engagement or training (do it!!) here’s a link to her website.
Heidi Illingworth is a victims’ rights advocate who has extensive experience in the victim services field. She has served as the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, has worked on the front lines providing service delivery for victims of serious crime and interpersonal violence, and is a profession of the post graduate Victimology program at Algonquin College. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Ottawa Victim Services. In this conversation we discuss the rights of victims, and the importance of self-care when working in the sector.
Here’s a link where you can find out more about the work of Ottawa Victim Services
Greg Gilhooly, is a senior executive, lawyer, and author of the best-selling book, I Am Nobody. In his book, Greg details his story of sexual abuse at the hands of hockey coach Graham James, perhaps Canada's most notorious sex offender. Our conversation touches on extremely important and relevant topics, including the realities of grooming, the legal complexities of disclosing, and the current situation plaguing Hockey Canada.
Here’s a link to Greg’s book ‘I Am Nobody’.
Jennifer Richardson is one of the architects of Ontario's anti-human trafficking strategy and Director of the provincial anti-human trafficking office. In this episode, we discuss her work in the field and the importance of survivor voices.
Episode One - Links referenced and useful resources. Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
Séan McCann (The Shantyman) is an Order of Canada recipient for his advocacy of people living with mental health and addiction issues, and a founder of the iconic band, Great Big Sea. He and his wife Andrea have co-authored a deeply personal memoir (One Good Reason) that chronicles their lives through the highs of international fame and hitting rock bottom. In this episode, we discuss the power of facing your truth, the connection of music, and learning to love.
Episode Two - Here’s the link to purchase their memoir, One Good Reason You can learn more about Séan McCann and his music on his website.
Peter Hamer was sexually abused by his high school music teacher. Since breaking his silence, he has used his experience to help others to understand the crime of childhood sexual abuse, how to get help, and how to move forward. You can read more about Peter Hamer and listen to ‘Band Played On’ investigative report on his website.
Myrna McCallum is known and celebrated for her trauma-informed lawyering work, an ethical approach to law. Once Myrna began working as a defence lawyer, a prosecutor and an adjudicator, she quickly realized that she could not escape her own trauma. She had to learn to cope and adapt her approach to protect herself and others from further harm. This conversation covers a lot of important ground including, the realities of legal institutions today, the work that needs to be done, and trauma informed best practices. This is a great episode for not just those in the legal profession, but for everyone to live a more understanding, and respectful life.
You’ll want to check out her podcast - The Trauma-Informed Lawyer.
This episode features Kirsten Roche, a medical professional completing her residency in psychiatry and one of two co-presidents of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Student Against Human Trafficking, or CAMSAHT for short. CAMSAHT strives to educate all medical students and healthcare professionals on the realities of human trafficking through curriculum development, research and advocacy. For Kirsten, her involvement in this space is her life’s work, and her passion to make positive change is so clear in this episode.
Canadian Alliance of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking (CAMSAT) https://www.camsaht.org/ and you can also Click this link to learn more and to help