The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

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The Masculine Wilderness Podcast is for listeners with an appetite for justice and a heart to end exploitation.

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a deep conversation with artist Michelle Boucher about the intersection of beauty, trauma, and creativity. They explore how being present and mindful can enhance one's ability to experience beauty in everyday life, the impact of trauma on perception, and the importance of naming beauty as a practice for personal growth. Find Michelle at www.forheartart.com

Episode 24 - Michelle Boucher

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a profound conversation with Esther Garrett, of Safety Compass, a seasoned victim advocate. They explore the emotional complexities of advocacy, the importance of being present for those in crisis, and the intricate connections between domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Esther shares her journey in the field, the significance of safety planning, and the challenges victims face as they navigate their circumstances.

Episode 24 - Esther Garrett

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a deep conversation with Cami Ostman, a mentor and expert in narrative therapy and founder of The Narrative Project. They explore the importance of storytelling in personal growth, the challenges writers face, and how trauma influences the narratives we create. Cami shares her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a therapist and writing coach, emphasizing the transformative power of writing and the need to confront inner critics. The discussion also touches on gender dynamics in writing and therapy, highlighting the unique experiences of men and women in these spaces.

Episode 22 - Cami Ostman

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a profound conversation with David Bennett, a dedicated anti-trafficking advocate. David shares his personal journey, highlighting his commitment to fighting human trafficking and the impact it has on his family life. He discusses the importance of awareness, the role of community support among men, and the transformative conversations he has had with both victims and buyers. The episode emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and action in addressing the complexities of human trafficking.

Episode 21 - David Bennett

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a deep conversation with Paul Blais, an artist and electrician, about the intersection of creativity, beauty, and the challenges faced in the trades. They explore the importance of artistry in craftsmanship, the impact of trauma on creativity, and the role of gender in experiencing beauty. Paul shares his journey as a potter and how he adapts to changes, emphasizing the joy of creation and the significance of beauty in everyday life. The discussion culminates in reflections on the legacy of creativity and the necessity of beauty for a fulfilling life.

Episode 20 - Paul Blais

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Trigger Warning: While this is an important episode, it is also a difficult one. Please take care of yourself while listening and be advised that topics of child sexual abuse, human trafficking, and violence against children are discussed.

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness podcast, host Tom Perez engages in a profound conversation with Jewell Baraka, a survivor advocate and author. They discuss the complexities of human trafficking, particularly in the context of the porn industry, and the importance of understanding trauma and its long-lasting effects.

Episode 19 - Jewell Baraka

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness podcast, Tom welcomes Jenny Footle, an activist, educator, artist, and founder of Beautiful Feet Wellness. Jenny shares her innovative use of 'choreopoems,' combining poetry and dance to spread awareness about human trafficking. She discusses her work with survivors, focusing on the healing power of movement and dance, and highlights the importance of addressing loneliness and building community.

Episode 18 - Jenny Footle

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom chats with Ty Bowden and his work with The Net, an anti-trafficking organization based in Fort Worth, Texas. He shares how Men Against Sexual Exploitation (MACE) came to be and gives some powerful stories about their efforts to cut down on the demand for commercial sexual exploitation.

Episode 17 - Ty Bowden

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom Perez from Epic Project has a deep conversation with author and journalist Ruth Whippman. They dive into her new book, BOYMOM, which talks about the struggles boys face in a world of "toxic masculinity." Get a copy of Ruth’s book here!

Episode 16 - Ruth Whippman

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez, CEO and founder of Epik Project, interviews John Richmond, an American attorney and diplomat renowned in the global anti-trafficking movement. John shares his extensive career experiences, from serving as a U.S. Ambassador to monitor and combat trafficking to his current roles at Atlas Free and the Libertas Council. Tom and John discuss the effectiveness of legal frameworks in combating trafficking, cultural challenges, and the influence of personal and professional experiences.

Episode 15 - John Richmond

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom Perez, CEO and founder of Epik Project, chats with Ian ('Pancakes') and Chris ('Critter'). They dive into their personal stories about tackling men's mental health and suicide prevention. The guys talk about how their friendship and love for motorcycles sparked the creation of the 'Get Lost Find Yourself' rally—a successful event raising money and awareness for men's mental health.

Episode 14 - Ian Fridell and Chris Bragg

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In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, host Tom Perez interviews Curtis Miller, the principal consultant at ConnectEd. They discuss the power of storytelling and the importance of belonging in creating positive cultural change. Curtis shares his journey and how he discovered the impact of sharing stories in building relationships and fostering community. The conversation touches on topics such as mental health, youth suicide prevention, and the construction industry.

Episode 13 - Curtis Miller

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In this episode, Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize Winner, discusses his journalism career and commitment to ending violence against women and girls. He shares stories of vulnerability and exploitation, highlighting the gender inequities and discrimination that exist worldwide. Kristof emphasizes the importance of education and role models in shaping the kind of men and boys we want to raise. He also discusses his article about Pornhub which resulted in exposing the exploitation of children on the platform. Despite the challenges, Kristof remains hopeful, citing the progress made and the resilience and courage he has witnessed in survivors.

Episode 12 - Nicholas Kristof

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In this conversation, Tom Perez speaks with Pasha Dashtgard, a researcher and expert on male supremacist ideology and its impact on society. They discuss the rise of male supremacist influencers like Andrew Tate and the role of technology in the proliferation of this ideology. They explore the factors that have contributed to the appeal of male supremacist ideas, including the reduction in the importance of religion and the lack of a developed discourse on masculinity. They also discuss the harmful effects of digitally mediated communication and the need for young men to develop a sense of self-worth and the ability to process trauma.

Episode 11 - Pasha Dastgard

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In this episode, we discuss Taina Bien-Aimé’s journey, human trafficking at national and global levels, its deeper roots and struggles, and the hope for change. Taina, with three decades of experience defending the rights of women and girls, is the executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW). CATW is a leading international organization dedicated to ending trafficking and commercial sex exploitation as forms of gender-based violence and discrimination.

Episode 10 - Taina Bien-Aimé

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In this episode with Justin Euteneier, we talk about how we came to this work at Epik, how it has impacted us as men, and the behind-the-scenes details of the work we do to stop men from purchasing sex at the point of sale.  As the director of the programs and resident sage at Epik, Justin Equips male civilians across the US to speak directly to the sex buyers at the point of sale, disrupt the culture of acceptance of exploitation, and seek areas of our lives as men where we can work toward creating a more equitable and flourishing culture.

Episode 09 - Justin Euteneier

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In this episode, Kirby Garry and Tom talk about the wider culture, the places that formed us as men, and how those experiences impact the way we raise our children. Kirby offers simple, profound, and hopeful advice on preparing the young generation of kids to show up and become the compassionate, resilient leaders of tomorrow.

Episode 08 - Kirby Garry

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In this episode, Yasmin Vafa and Tomas discuss gender inequality, violence against women and girls, and child marriage in the United States and how they contribute to the larger system of exploitation and inequality. Yasmin is the founder and executive director of Rights4Girls, a national human rights organization dedicated to protecting marginalized young women and girls in the United States. Yasmin is an award-winning human rights lawyer and advocate. Her work focuses on the intersection of race, gender, violence, and law. As a nationally recognized expert on gender-based violence, Yasmin has successfully advocated for several laws at the federal and state levels.

Episode 07 - Yasmin Vafa

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Lauren is the producer of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast and the director of communication and donor relations at Epik Project. She is also the founder and executive director of Ride My Road, an educational and fundraising organization that has hosted events around the country, educated thousands of community members, and raised over $400,000 for survivor-led initiatives. As a photographer, Lauren has photographed nearly 100 American survivors of human trafficking. Most recently, Lauren and Ride My Road co-hosted the Alaska Data Summit and the Southern Oregon Human Trafficking Disruptors Summit.

Episode 06 - Lauren Trantham

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Glen (JR) Ujifusa is a leading expert in human trafficking with over fifteen years of experience in addressing these crimes. As a special United States assistant attorney for Oregon, he focuses on federal human trafficking offenses. Additionally, JR serves as a senior deputy advisor for the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, overseeing cases related to drug, property, and human trafficking crimes. He plays a pivotal role in various law enforcement groups and committees, including the National Sex Trafficking Law Enforcement List Serve and the Association Prosecuting Attorneys and Human Trafficking Advisory Committee. JR's dedication extends to chairing the national advisory committee on the sex trafficking of children and youths in the United States. With extensive experience as a deputy D.A., JR has prosecuted a wide range of crimes, from drug, violence, felony, and sexual assault crimes to homicides.

Episode 05 - JR Ujifusa

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In this episode, Rebecca Bender shares her Story of Survival, advocacy, and love for life to illuminate the path toward healing and empowerment for survivors of human trafficking. We also talk about character, culture, and how to find a lane in the effort to eradicate sexual exploitation from more than 15 years of leadership. Rebecca is a social activist, author, and CEO of the Rebecca Bender Initiative who has earned a distinct reputation as a trailblazer and nationally recognized authority in the anti-human trafficking movement. She was appointed to the National Advisory Council on the sex trafficking of Youths in America and regularly testifies as an expert witness in courts prosecuting perpetrators.

Episode 04 - Rebecca Bender

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Kevin joins us in this episode to talk more about his 30 years of experience in law enforcement, his online safety recommendations, insights into the nation’s runaway situation, and his thoughts on masculine culture. He also shares the #1 tip to keep children safe online. Kevin is the CEO and Co-Founder of the National Child Protection Task Force.

Episode 03 - Kevin Branzetti

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In this episode, Andrea Heinz shares her story, how she entered and exited the commercial sex industry, and how her journey took her from actively participating in commercial sex, then brothel ownership, to eventually becoming a vocal advocate for the abolition of the entire industry. We also discuss philosophy, culture, feminism, and how to distinguish between commercial sex, prostitution, sex trafficking, and exploitation.

Episode 02 - Andrea Heinz

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The miracle of her rescue marked the beginning of a new chapter, but it came with its own set of challenges. Yet, from the dark experience emerged a remarkable woman with an unwavering commitment to turning pain into purpose. Elizabeth's journey led her to establish the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, a testament to her dedication to bringing hope and ending the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault through education, healing, and advocacy.

Episode 01 - Elizabeth Smart

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“Thank you for navigating the Masculine Wilderness with us!”

— Epik Project