[Content Warning]: Discussion of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault in a carceral setting, and graphic statistics related to child sexual abuse material and human trafficking.

What if the very thing you've been hiding is the thing that could set you free?

Sonny Von Cleveland is an author, speaker, and survivor who spent most of his childhood enduring sexual abuse by multiple perpetrators, beginning before he could form reliable memories of it. At 16, facing the compounded wreckage of an unprotected childhood, he entered the prison system and spent 18 years inside. Today he has recently been appointed as Director of Public Engagement and Content with Our Rescue and works alongside Operation Light Shine to fight child sexual exploitation and trafficking at the source.

In this conversation with Jan Broberg, Sonny introduces a framework he calls comparative trauma syndrome, the damaging habit of ranking our pain against someone else's, and based on that, deciding we're not worthy of healing. He and Jan explore why speaking about trauma isn't re-traumatizing but strengthening, why voice is the one healing tool no one can take from you, and what it actually means to interrupt your own trauma cycle.

They also go deep on Operation Light Shine's intercept task forces, the staggering gap in government funding for child exploitation prevention, and what every parent and every social media user can do right now to protect children.

Where To Find Sonny:
Buy Sonny’s book: Hey White Boy: Conversations of Redemption
Conversations of Redemption on Youtube
Our Rescue

Mentioned Resources:
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Operation Light Shine
Hunting Warhead

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

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