Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers

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Welcome to the last episode of season one! Our guest Jumorrow Portier continues to share her insights as someone with over twenty years of experience in the anti human trafficking field. She discusses essential aspects of survivor advocacy, cultural competence, and organizational practices that effectively support those affected by human trafficking. This episode is wisdom for survivor leaders, survivors, and even service providers with no lived experience of human trafficking.

If you're interested in learning more about Jumorrow's work or supporting her nonprofit, visit www.shemeher.org. Her organization provides educational events, trainings, and workshops for organizations and youth focused on human trafficking awareness and prevention.

Thank you for listening to this season! More Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers to come!

Episode edited by Victoria Holanda.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Jumorrow Poitier shares her journey as an anti-trafficking advocate and discusses the importance of boundaries, wellness, and addressing bias in service provision. Her powerful insights reveal how honest conversations and respecting human dignity are essential for both survivors and service providers to thrive.
  
If you're interested in learning more about Poitier's not-for-profit SheMeHer Incorporated, access https://shemeher.org/ . You can also find her on social media. To learn more about the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition, visit https://www.bhtc.us/ .

Stay tuned for part two of this interview, coming out on September 20th, 2025!

Episode edited by Victoria Holanda.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

A survivor who refuses to be defined by her trauma: in this raw and powerful conversation, Leah McSpadden shares her extraordinary journey from human trafficking survivor to law student, advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Voice for the Silent.

Leah challenges us to move beyond seeing survivors as mere tokens of sensationalized trauma. "When people dumb down survivors to just tokens of sensationalized trauma, we miss the point that they can overcome," she explains with clarity that comes from lived experience. Her perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint to typical survivor narratives, emphasizing that healing isn't about achieving perfection but about reclaiming agency.

One of the most profound concepts Leah introduces is the idea of a "jumping point" in recovery - not simply a turning point, but "a trampoline." This metaphor beautifully captures what many survivors need: not just transformation, but community and safety as they take risks and rebuild their lives.

The conversation doesn't shy away from mental health challenges. Leah courageously shares her experiences with navigating mental health systems that often apply labels without adequate support. Yet she demonstrates how these challenges don't disqualify survivors from leadership - they can actually deepen capacity for understanding and helping others.

Through her organization Voice for the Silent, Leah creates spaces where survivors can truly be heard, focusing not on trauma stories but on wellness and connection. As she powerfully states, "Freedom starts with a voice and change starts when we listen."

Connect with Leah on Instagram @voiceforthesilent to learn more about her advocacy work or support her initiatives at change.org/voiceforthesilent.

Episode edited by Victoria Holanda.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Livia Miraglia shares her 19-year journey as a human rights lawyer fighting trafficking in Brazil while navigating gender expectations, motherhood, and professional demands. She offers insights on maintaining wellness and supporting survivors in a society still learning to see exploitation.

• Challenging gender expectations as a professional woman in Brazil
• The struggle to raise awareness about human trafficking in a society that used to deny its existence, considering Brazil's historical context
• How running and yoga provide essential mental health support for difficult work and wellness maintenance for Livia
• The importance of discipline, planning, and surrounding yourself with people committed to anti-trafficking causes
• Special advice for survivor leaders
• Shout out and recognition of other's work in the field

To support the Human Trafficking Clinic at the Federal University of Minas Gerais or learn more about their work, visit their website or Instagram account: https://www.clinicatrabalhoescravo.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/clinicatrabalhoescravo/ .

Episode edited by Victoria Holanda

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Brazilian human rights lawyer Livia Miraglia shares her experiences fighting human trafficking and domestic slavery through her work directing the Human Trafficking Clinic at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Her unique perspective bridges law, education, and advocacy while confronting the complex realities of modern slavery in Brazil.

Miraglia offers her insights on the particular fight against human trafficking in Brazil. She sheds light on the internal issues of forced domestic labour and explains the principles through which the Brazilian human trafficking law works.

Domestic slavery cases often involve Black women enslaved for decades who don't recognize themselves as having rights. The psychological impact on victims creates profound challenges for recovery beyond rescue. Supporting victims requires balancing intervention with respecting their autonomy.

Anti-trafficking work takes a significant emotional toll on advocates, which can lead to burnout, Miraglia explains. She highlights that structural racism and gender inequality create barriers both for victims and women professionals. Breaking patriarchal obstacles requires strong support networks among women.

Research can be a wait of fighting. However, funding remains a critical need to sustain anti-trafficking work in educational settings. 

To support the Human Trafficking Clinic at the Federal University of Minas Gerais or learn more about their work, visit their website or Instagram account: https://www.clinicatrabalhoescravo.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/clinicatrabalhoescravo/ .

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

What happens when a survivor of addiction and trauma becomes an advocate for trafficked women? Juanita van Heerden's journey offers profound wisdom for anyone walking the path of healing, advocacy, and leadership.

With over 11 years of experience in survivor care, including her role as former executive director of SCAPE — South Africa's first specialized safe house for trafficking survivors — Juanita brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Her candid reflections on addiction recovery, mental health treatment, and finding purpose through pain create a tapestry of insights that challenge the traditional narratives around trauma and healing.

Her powerful testimony about embracing medication for mental health breaks down harmful stigmas: "I would rather be dependent on medication than bleed over everybody else." This refreshing honesty creates space for others to acknowledge their own needs without shame.

The conversation weaves through crucial topics for survivor leaders: setting boundaries with toxic relationships, finding safe community, balancing self-care with service, and recognizing worth beyond productivity. Juanita introduces us to the beautiful South African concept of Ubuntu—"I am because you are"—which frames her approach to creating healing spaces where survivors can truly thrive.

Perhaps most compelling is her butterfly metaphor for empowerment: just as forcing open a cocoon prevents a butterfly's wings from developing properly, taking away someone's struggle can disable their ability to fly. True empowerment comes not from rescue but from creating supportive environments where people can develop their own strength.

Whether you're a survivor, advocate, helper, or simply someone navigating your own healing journey, Juanita's wisdom reminds us of a revolutionary truth: "Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it's a necessity." Embrace this journey of healing-centered leadership with us.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

How do we maintain our boundaries while still showing up authentically for those we serve? Sandy Skelaney, who's journeyed from frontline advocate to COO in anti-trafficking organizations, offers profound insights into this delicate balance.

On this episode, we touch on the psychological concepts of transference and countertransference. "You're connecting with your projection of what their experience is," Skelaney explains, highlighting how this prevents genuine connection and understanding.

Skelaney leads us to the topic of mindfulness: a practice for maintaining wellness and professional boundaries. She follows with an introduction to her current work with Parasol Cooperative and their AI digital assistant, Ruth, and how this advancement is helping professionals and survivors of human-trafficking alike. 

The COO also offers invaluable wisdom for organizations working with survivor leaders and for survivor leaders themselves. She emphasizes the importance of thorough vetting, proper support systems, and clear boundaries.

Try Ruth for yourself or connect with Sandy's organization to explore partnerships that bring trauma-informed technology solutions to your community. Together, we can create spaces where both survivors and advocates thrive avoiding the constant sacrifice of wellness or boundaries.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

In today's episode, Sandy Skelaney takes us on a remarkable journey through the evolution of anti-trafficking work, sharing invaluable insights from her two decades on the frontlines. As a highly recognized public sector leader and TEDx speaker, Sandy brings a unique perspective that bridges victim advocacy, technology innovation, and organizational leadership.

The conversation begins with Sandy's early pioneering work during the formative years of the modern anti-trafficking movement. Sandy developed a deep appreciation for survivor leadership that continues to guide her approach today. Her candid reflections reveal the challenges and triumphs of building comprehensive victim services from the ground up.

Sandy offers a fascinating historical perspective on how our understanding of human trafficking has transformed. This context provides listeners with a crucial framework for understanding both the progress made and the work still needed in the anti-trafficking movement.

The discussion takes a compelling turn as Sandy explores technology's dual role in human trafficking — how emerging technologies are often the first tools used for exploitation but can also become powerful instruments for protection. This insight drives her current work at the Parasol Cooperative, where she develops tech solutions to counter gender-based violence and tech-facilitated abuse.

Sandy offers practical wisdom on implementing trauma-informed supervision, building organizational communities based on restorative justice principles, and addressing the systemic funding challenges that lead to burnout. 

Whether you're a professional in the anti-trafficking field, a survivor leader, or simply concerned about these issues, Sandy's blend of lived experience, professional expertise, and technological innovation offers essential guidance for moving this critical work forward.

Subscribe now to hear more conversations like these!

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

What if you could reshape your understanding of trauma recovery? Join us as we sit down with Danielle Churley, a seasoned survivor advocate with nearly a decade in the anti-human trafficking and gender-based violence fields. Danielle opens up about her personal journey through  the cyclical nature of trauma recovery, emphasizing the importance of continuous care and the inclusion of marginalized voices.

We explore the myriad struggles and turning points in Danielle's recovery journey. Danielle shares the pivotal moments that signaled the need for more professional help and the significant impact these decisions had on her relationships. Through it all, she reflects on overcoming shame, stigma, and self-blame, while fostering self-awareness, self-love, and self-confidence. Her story is a testament to the ongoing nature of recovery and the motivation to create a safer environment for herself and others.

Danielle also discusses the transformative power of community support in the healing process. Highlighting groups like the Dufferin-Caledon Domestic Assault Review Team, she reveals how non-judgmental spaces and peer support have been crucial to her recovery. These groups foster not only a sense of belonging but also personal growth, allowing individuals to process their experiences at their own pace. Danielle's insights shed light on the importance of survivor leadership and the goals of the G100 Canada Anti-Human Trafficking Wing, aiming to promote wellness and develop survivor-led programs. Tune in to hear an inspiring story of resilience, healing, and advocacy.

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Welcome to Conversations with My Sisters' Keepers, the podcast where we bring awareness, share stories, and promote healing-centered conversations for lived experience professionals and allies in the gender-based violence and recovery sectors.

I'm Shamin Brown, and together, we’ll explore strategies, resources, and insights to support wellness, recovery, and leadership. Join us as we challenge stigma, celebrate autonomy, and normalize the healing journey. 

Support the show