Smart Talks

Elizabeth Smart Foundation

Every 73 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. Every 9 minutes that person is a child. Each week, join kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart as she speaks with therapists, survivors, and experts as they share stories of empowerment, recovery, and hope. If you or someone you know has ever experienced the horrors of sexual assault, then this podcast is for you! read less
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Episodes

3.15 How Local Government and Organizations Can Work Together for Survivors
Oct 3 2022
3.15 How Local Government and Organizations Can Work Together for Survivors
RISE (Restore Individual Self-Empowerment) Court is a court-sponsored program in the Akron, Ohio Municipal Court and is led by Judge Ron Cable. It was created to help adult female victims of human trafficking, prostitution, and sexual exploitation. Judge Cable began RISE to identify and help human trafficking victims and lead them as they create a new, positive path for themselves.Through the Akron Municipal Court's partnerships with outside agencies, RISE provides services such as trauma therapy, drug rehabilitation, housing, vocational sessions and other community support. One partner organization, the Hope Meadows Foundation, provides survivors with equine therapy.Judge Cable joins Anne Kichurchak and Lisa Borchert from the Hope Meadows Foundation in this episode to talk about how local government and local organizations can work together to provide help and healing for survivors.Show notes:-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-15.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.14 Stephanie's Story
Sep 26 2022
3.14 Stephanie's Story
When they were children, Stephanie and her sisters suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a brother-in-law. After the abuse was brought to light, more focus and worry went toward helping the abuser recover than toward helping his victims heal. Stephanie's abuser is still married to her sister, and in this episode she discusses her journey through this difficult situation.Stephanie is a mother to four and grandmother to two, and her greatest joy is spending time with her family. She loves to make and eat delicious food and has carried that passion into her small business, The Home Lab, where she teaches cooking and sewing classes to kids, teens and adults. Show notes:-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of familial sexual abuse.-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-14.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.13 National Center on Sexual Exploitation
Sep 19 2022
3.13 National Center on Sexual Exploitation
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading organization exposing the connections between all forms of sexual exploitation, including sex trafficking, prostitution, pornography, and child sexual abuse. Dawn Hawkins is the CEO of NCOSE. She has centered the need to address buyer demand for commercial sex, called out corporate entities facilitating exploitation through the annual Dirty Dozen List, fostered an international movement, and constantly advocates for survivors. Her work has sparked change at Google, Hilton Worldwide, Comcast, Walmart, the Department of Defense, Instagram, TikTok, and other influential firms.Elizabeth and Dawn discuss the current state of the fight against sexual violence, including hopeful progress.Show notes:-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-13.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.12 India's Story
Sep 12 2022
3.12 India's Story
India Oxenberg is a survivor of the NXIVM cult who now uses her experiences to help other survivors of cults and high control groups. She spent 7 years indoctrinated in the cult, and for many of those years suffered sexual abuse, starvation, torture, and extreme brainwashing tactics.In this episode, Elizabeth and India discuss her experience, including her extensive healing journey and how India learned to trust her mind again. Elizabeth and India also draw many parallels between what India experienced and what so many survivors of all types of abuse experience, noting that while the each story is different, tactics of abuse are often the same.Show notes:-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of rape, brainwashing, cults, and other sensitive topics.-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-12.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.11 Human Rights and Business
Sep 5 2022
3.11 Human Rights and Business
Erika R. George is the Samuel D. Thurman Professor of Law at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she teaches constitutional law, international human rights law, international environmental law, and seminars on corporate citizenship and sustainability. Her current research explores the responsibilities of multinational corporations to respect international human rights and efforts to hold corporations accountable for alleged rights violations. Erika has testified before international human rights treaty bodies, foreign governments, and has briefed the international media on international human rights law, racial discrimination, and gender violence. She is a frequent speaker on human rights, sustainability, diversity, gender equality, and corporate social responsibility.Show notes:-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-11.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.09 Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Appease
Aug 22 2022
3.09 Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Appease
Rebecca Bailey, PhD is a leading family psychologist and equestrian who has become a world-renowned professional teacher, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. Dr. Bailey is the founder of Transitioning Families, a group of independently licensed mental health practitioners dedicated to Bailey’s innovative ideas for helping families through crisis and difficult change. She is best known for her work with survivors of non-familial abduction. She is the creator of the Polyvagal Equine institute, an organization dedicated to Equine assisted psychotherapy and education with a focus on applying Dr. Stephan Porges’s research on the autonomic nervous system  to a variety of  populations. She believes that understanding the interaction between the nervous system and our thoughts and actions is key to compassionately responding and addressing the complexities of todays societal demands.She and Elizabeth discuss appeasement as a response to fear and trauma and what understanding this reaction can teach survivors about their own strength. Show notes:-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-07.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.06: Show Up for Service
Aug 1 2022
3.06: Show Up for Service
Abby Palmer Cox became Utah’s first lady when her husband Spencer J. Cox was sworn in as governor on January 4, 2021. As Utah’s first lady, Abby hopes to inspire Utahns to break down the barriers that separate people from treating one another as equals. She is an outspoken advocate for “getting proximate,” connecting through our differences, and combating the empathy crisis our country is facing. Abby’s initiative is called “Show Up”, and she uses her platform to convene, contribute to, and champion projects related to emotional self-reliance, service, foster care and sporting opportunities for children who live with intellectual disabilities. In this episode, Abby talks about the Show Up initiative and how we can rally together to support some of the most vulnerable members of our population.Show notes:-See the full transcript and show links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-06-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.05 Tanya's Story
Jul 25 2022
3.05 Tanya's Story
Honorable Tanya Gould is an activist fighting against human trafficking and striving to impact legislative policy and raise public awareness. She currently holds her second term and is co-chair on the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.This year, Tanya received the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Persons. She has served as a consultant to various anti-human trafficking organizations, as well as the Office for Victims of Crime, the Blue Campaign, and Trafficking in Person’s office. She also serves on boards and organizations such as Polaris, Beloved Haven, and Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum Taskforce on Human Trafficking.In this episode, Tanya shares her story of being trafficked, her healing journey, and her message for survivors.Show Notes:-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of human trafficking.-Read the full transcript at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-05-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.04 Raising Safe Children in the Digital Age
Jul 18 2022
3.04 Raising Safe Children in the Digital Age
Elizabeth receives countless questions from parents about how to safely raise their children in the digital age, so we brought in someone poised to answer and provide help for these questions. Clay Olsen serves as the CEO and Founder of Impact Suite, which owns and operates a suite of award-winning self-care apps. Early on in his career, Clay co-founded and lead the creation of Fight the New Drug — a youth movement dedicated to raising awareness on the harmful effects of pornography and other forms of sexual exploitation through science, facts, and personal accounts. His newest passion project is leading the creation of Raise — a free parenting resource dedicated to helping parents navigate the challenges of the current digital landscape with their children while helping them develop healthy relationships with technology.Show notes:-View the full episode transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-04.-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show
3.03 Kara's Story
Jul 11 2022
3.03 Kara's Story
In 2002, at 15 years old, Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped by and escaped from what she would later find out to be a serial killer. Kara’s will to survive led to her escaping her captor and gathering information to identify her captor as the man responsible for at least three murders years earlier in Virginia. Following her experience, Kara formed relationships with law enforcement and went on to work with Richland County Sherif’s Department as a school resource officer, investigator, and victim’s advocate until the birth of her first child in 2013. Kara now now uses her experiences to speak to groups with the mission of spreading awareness, education and inspiration. In this episode, Kara shares her story and her message to survivors.Show notes:-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of rape, kidnapping, and suicide.-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-03-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.Support the show