In this powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we sit down with Rick Gornto, founder of HigherUpTexas.org, to explore how purpose-driven mentorship is changing the lives of young people across our communities.

Rick shares the vision behind Higher Up Texas—a program that helps at-risk youth develop core values, life skills, and a sense of identity rooted in integrity and responsibility. With a passion for guiding the next generation, Rick discusses how intentional leadership and community support can break cycles of poverty, violence, and disengagement.

If you're a parent, educator, or advocate looking for real solutions to help our kids rise above today’s challenges, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we sit down with Officer Dave Gomez — a nationally recognized School Resource Officer and digital safety advocate — to explore the real threats facing kids in today’s hyper-connected world. With a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and over 15 years in law enforcement, Officer Gomez brings a unique blend of technical expertise and frontline experience to the conversation.

For the past 12 years, he’s been on the ground in schools, building trust with students and leading efforts to intercept online predators through sting operations. With more than 325,000 followers on Facebook, Officer Gomez has become a go-to resource for parents, educators, and communities seeking practical tools and up-to-date information on digital safety.

Tune in as Officer Gomez shares gripping stories from his work, offers actionable advice for families, and explains how we can all play a role in defending our children—both on and offline.

Don’t miss this essential conversation for every parent, educator, and child advocate.

In today’s powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we revisit the life-changing work of Valerie Soto and her organization New Life New You. This organization provides safe homes for women—many of them mothers—and their children who have been rescued from or have voluntarily left behind lives of drug addiction, human trafficking, forced labor, or sex work.

Joining us today are three courageous house guests, each at a different stage in their journey through the program. They share their deeply personal stories about how they came to terms with needing help, what it was like to take the first steps into a new life, and how the support of New Life New You has impacted them.

Listeners will hear first-hand accounts of what the transition from the streets to safety is truly like, the challenges and breakthroughs of rebuilding a life, and how faith and hope became pillars in their healing process. We’ll also explore the daily structure of the rescue homes, the practical services offered—from counseling to job skills training—and the transformative power of a supportive community.

This is a conversation about redemption, resilience, and the human capacity to rise again.

In this special Mother’s Day edition of *Defending Our Children*, we welcome two extraordinary women who embody the strength, love, and resilience of motherhood. Returning guest **Tressa Sawyer**, wife of Veterans For Child Rescue founder and mother of two adult children, reflects on her journey into motherhood at age 30 and how that experience shapes her work today. Tressa, now an active member of the V4CR team, offers insight into balancing a mother’s protective instincts with the mission of safeguarding children on a national scale.

Joining her is **Elizabeth**, a dedicated mother of six who began her motherhood journey at just 17. Now a passionate voice for the vulnerable, Elizabeth serves on the V4CR team and co-hosts the *V4CR Round Table Discussion* podcast. She shares how her early experiences as a young mother have influenced her advocacy and fueled her unwavering commitment to protecting children.

Together, Tressa and Elizabeth offer powerful, heartfelt perspectives on what it means to be a mother—and a protector—this Mother’s Day. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation celebrating the courage and compassion of mothers who defend not only their own children, but all children. 

In this powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we welcome Laura Pedersen — a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing and a tireless advocate for pregnant and parenting teens. Laura shares her incredible journey from founding Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services, which served over 8,000 young families across Arizona, to her current work supporting women through maternal health education and life-affirming care.

As the primary developer and co-author of Starting Out Right: Positive Strategies to Guide Adolescents Through Healthy Pregnancy and Childbirth, Laura has been at the forefront of shaping compassionate, effective care models. Since 2019, she’s brought that same heart and expertise to her role as Tucson’s volunteer leader for 40 Days for Life, an international movement to end abortion through peaceful outreach and prayer.

Tune in as we explore Laura’s deep commitment to empowering young mothers, defending the unborn, and building a culture that truly supports life — from its earliest beginnings.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Defending Our Children, we welcome David Arthur K., a man whose life journey embodies radical transformation and divine intervention. David shares his extraordinary testimony of being rescued from a world of prostitution, sex trafficking, gender confusion, sexual addiction, and substance abuse. Once bound by pain, confusion, and addiction, David now stands as a voice of truth, healing, and hope.

Hear how he was miraculously healed from full-blown AIDS, multiple life-threatening infections, and chronic illnesses—an undeniable testament to the power of faith and restoration. Now a published author and passionate advocate, David speaks boldly on the need to protect our children from the very traps that once ensnared him.

Join us as we discuss the real battles our youth face, the spiritual strongholds that must be broken, and the healing that is possible through God's love and grace.

In this compelling episode of Defending Our Children, we welcome Sylvia Beachy, co-founder and CEO of Rescue The Fosters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for children and families entangled in the foster care system. With over five years of firsthand experience in roles such as group home staff member, CPS case manager, transporter, behavior aide, and parent aide, Sylvia brings invaluable insights into the systemic challenges that families face.

Sylvia's journey led her to recognize that the foster care system often inadvertently incentivizes family separation. This realization became the catalyst for founding Rescue The Fosters, an organization committed to ensuring that children and youth have stable, safe environments and that families receive the support they need to stay together. The nonprofit offers advocacy for children in foster care, assists parents navigating the complexities of Family and Juvenile Court systems, and supports youth aging out of foster care to prevent homelessness and incarceration.

Join us as Sylvia shares her personal experiences, the mission behind Rescue The Fosters, and her unwavering commitment to being a voice for the voiceless, aiming to restore and strengthen families across the nation.

For more information about Sylvia Beachy and Rescue The Fosters, visit rescuethefosters.org

https://rescuethefosters.org/about-us

In this exciting episode of Defending Our Children, we welcome back acclaimed author Chad Stewart, the creative force behind the bestselling Britfield series. Chad joins us to discuss the newly released fourth installment, Britfield & the Eastern Empire—an epic continuation in the saga that’s inspiring a new generation of young readers.

Set against the backdrop of Eastern Europe, Britfield & the Eastern Empire follows protagonists Tom and Sarah as they face new enemies, uncover powerful secrets, and race against time to stop a global conspiracy. With the stakes higher than ever, this thrilling novel blends action, history, and heart in a way that sparks imagination and builds character.

We’ll dive into how Chad’s mission to promote creativity, critical thinking, and real-world values through literature is helping parents, educators, and communities everywhere defend the hearts and minds of our children.

Don’t miss this engaging conversation that’s as adventurous as the story itself! Check it out at https://www.britfield.com

On this powerful episode of Defending Our Children, host Craig Sawyer and Forrest Sealey welcomes special guests Vaughn Tarver, Michael Green, and Joshua Templin from United2One.com to discuss their groundbreaking partnership with Veterans For Child Rescue (V4CR). Together, they are raising critical funds to support V4CR’s mission of protecting children from exploitation and trafficking.

Tune in as we explore how V4CR collaborates with law enforcement to run counter-trafficking operations, their efforts to educate communities on the dangers facing our children, and the vital role that advocacy and public awareness play in combating this crisis. Our guests will share insights into how United2One is using its platform to support these initiatives, offering listeners actionable ways to get involved in the fight against child exploitation.

This is an episode you won’t want to miss—because when we stand together, we can make a difference.

🔹 Listen in, get informed, and join the mission to protect our children.

🔹 To donate, check out https://forthekids.life/u2o4v4cr and help us protect our children 

On today’s episode of Defending Our Children, we are excited to welcome Blake Ambrester, a visionary entrepreneur and faith-driven leader who is transforming the home services industry. As the founder and CEO of Solar Bear, Roof Bear, and Positive Energy Consultants, Blake has built a family of companies committed to helping Floridians power, protect, and preserve their homes. Since 2018, his companies have completed over 10,000 solar and roofing installations across the state, empowering homeowners to lower their energy costs, strengthen their homes, and embrace sustainable living.

In 2022, his companies secured the impressive #14 spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. 

Today, we’ll dive into Blake’s plan to establish a positive business culture by offering support to a non-profit organization, which happens to be Veterans For Child Rescue.