What happens when a child is left behind and the world offers no safety net? In this powerful and profoundly moving episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, host Ted Hahs sits down with Alicia Baker, a survivor of abandonment, abuse, trafficking, and incarceration who has since transformed her life to become a case manager for Maranatha Christian Center in San Jose and advocate with Love Never Fails.

Alicia opens up about the traumatic events that shaped her youth: her mother’s sudden disappearance, early sexual abuse, and the spiral into parties, arrests, and exploitation. By the age of 18, she had already lived through more than most do in a lifetime.

This is not just a story of pain but of survival, healing, and purpose.

If you’re working in the areas of human trafficking awareness, trauma recovery, or youth intervention, this episode is a must-listen.

✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The early warning signs of childhood vulnerability and grooming.

• How trafficking happens in plain sight—and how systems fail to respond.

• The psychological impact of violence, control, and “the life”.

• How Alicia broke the cycle of exploitation.

• The role of faith, community, and advocacy in long-term healing.

• The importance of survivor-led leadership in anti-trafficking work.

📌 About the Guest: Alicia Baker

Alicia Baker is a lived-experience expert and case manager with Love Never Fails, a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention, rescue, and restoration of individuals impacted by human trafficking. Her journey from exploitation to advocacy now fuels her mission to support others who are still trapped.

📣 More from Innovat3 Podcast

Visit: innovat3.io

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🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share if this episode moved you.

🗣️ Join the conversation. Share your reflections in the comments.

🔊 Available now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & more.

What if cities, businesses, and economies were run without CEOs, politicians, or central authorities? What if power wasn’t held by a select few, but distributed transparently to the people?

In this episode of the INNOVAT3 Podcast, we sit down with Puncar, a Web3 visionary and DAO advocate, to explore the potential of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and how they could revolutionize governance, finance, and ownership.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔹 Could a city operate as a DAO?

🔹 How can DAOs prevent corporate control and empower small businesses?

🔹 Are DAOs the next evolution of governance, or just Web3 hype?

As DAOs gain traction in Web3, their potential to reshape industries is massive—but is the world ready for decentralized power?

🔥 This conversation will challenge how you think about ownership, democracy, and the future of decentralization. 🔥

#INNOVAT3Podcast #DAOs #Web3 #Decentralization #FutureOfTech #Crypto #DigitalOwnership #Blockchain #Innovation

Is Our Financial System Designed to Keep Us Struggling?

In this episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Scott Morris, a community currency expert and economist, joins Ted Hahs to break down how our financial system works and why it’s failing so many people.

We’re told that wealth comes from hard work, but what if the real problem is how money is structured?

Scott shares his insights on:

1. Why traditional economies concentrate wealth at the top
2. How alternative currencies can empower local communities
3. What we can learn from cryptocurrency, local economies, and financial innovation
4. The future of money and how we can make financial systems work for more people

If you’ve ever questioned why poverty persists despite so much wealth in the world, this episode will change how you think about money.

#Innovat3Podcast #FinancialFreedom #RethinkingMoney #CommunityWealth #Crypto #FinancialInnovation #EconomicJustice #BreakingTheCycle

In this powerful Season 2 premiere of the Innovat3 Podcast, Terryal Bell shares her harrowing journey through human trafficking, the manipulation and control that kept her trapped, and how she finally found freedom.

This is more than just a survivor’s story. It’s an eye-opening look into the hidden realities of trafficking, the systems that enable it, and the fight to help others break free. Terryal’s story exposes how exploitation happens in plain sight, why so many victims feel unable to escape, and how faith, resilience, and the right support system can lead to true healing.

This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about human trafficking.

🎧 Listen now to hear Terryal Bell’s powerful testimony and the hard truths that need to be heard.

💬 Have thoughts on this episode?

Share your reflections and join the conversation.

#Innovat3Podcast #Season2 #HumanTraffickingAwareness #SurvivorStory #BreakingFree #FaithInAction #SocialImpact #JusticeForAll

The journey of Season 1 has been nothing short of transformational. After 13 episodes packed with bold conversations, powerful stories, and groundbreaking ideas, the Innovat3 Podcast brings you the ultimate Season 1 Recap.

This finale isn’t just a look back, it’s a reflection on the stories that made us rethink social impact, innovation, and what it truly means to serve those around us.

In this special episode, we revisit:

• The real reasons behind poverty, homelessness, and incarceration

• How fatherlessness fuels generational cycles of struggle

• The importance of justice as a solution to ending homelessness

• Stories of survival, resilience, and life-changing second chances

• The power of presence, community, and simply showing up when it matters mostFrom personal stories of overcoming addiction to systemic failures that highlight why we need change now, every episode of Season 1 taught us something new.

This finale ties it all together and lays the groundwork for what’s coming next.

💬 What moment or episode impacted you the most?

Let us know in the comments or reviews.

Thank you for joining us for Season 1, this is just the beginning.

#Innovat3Podcast #SeasonFinale #PodcastRecap #SocialImpact #FaithInAction #RealChange #Innovation #CommunityMatters #EndOfSeason #NewBeginnings

In Episode 13 of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Nancy Harden opens up about a deeply personal moment that changed her life forever.

After the sudden loss of her husband, she was met not just with grief, but with an unexpected encounter—a voice she had always known, gently whispering, “Today, you have a new title… Widow. But with a husband. I am your husband.”

This episode is more than a story of loss. It’s a reflection on how faith holds us when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. Dr. Harden’s journey reveals the raw, unfiltered reality of grief and the profound peace that can come from trusting God even in the darkest moments. Her story challenges the way we view pain, reminding us that mourning isn’t just about what we’ve lost—it’s about discovering who we become in the process.

Through tears, honesty, and unwavering faith, she shows that God’s voice isn’t silenced by our heartbreak. In fact, it often speaks the loudest there. Listen now to experience a powerful testament to healing, hope, and the unshakable presence of God.

#Innovat3Podcast #FaithInTheStorm #GriefJourney #PurposeThroughPain #SpiritualGrowth #NancyHarden

In this powerful episode of Innovat3, host Ted Hahs sits down with Bruno Freitas, a pastor, entrepreneur, and immigrant with an extraordinary journey. Bruno shares his incredible story—from his daring migration to the U.S. as a teenager to building a successful business and dedicating his life to serving the homeless in San Francisco.

Together, they explore how faith, innovation, and action can create lasting change in our communities. In Silicon Valley—the hub of tech innovation—why are we still leading in human trafficking, homelessness, and poverty? How can we apply the same problem-solving mindset that builds billion-dollar companies to solve social crises?

Bruno’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of action. Whether through his church, Experience Church, or his outreach initiatives, he proves that real impact begins with individuals willing to step up.

Join us as we discuss solutions, challenge the status quo, and inspire a movement toward lasting social change.

Fatherlessness isn’t just a personal struggle, it’s a societal crisis affecting families, communities, and future generations.

In this part 2 episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Stewart Perrilliat, founder of Man to Man Urban Youth Advocate, shares his incredible work in addressing the root cause of countless social issues: the absence of fathers.

From building life-changing programs in San Quentin Prison to creating a one-stop social services hub in East Oakland, Dr. Perrilliat discusses how he’s transforming fatherhood into a cornerstone of community healing. He highlights the critical importance of providing resources and support for fathers to rebuild relationships, break cycles of trauma, and strengthen families.

Topics covered:

• Why fatherhood is often overlooked in social services

• The impact of fatherlessness on crime, mental health, and poverty

• How humility and reconciliation can restore relationships between fathers and their children

• Innovative programs like “Inside Out Dad” and transitional housing solutions

Dr. Perrilliat’s story is not only one of hope but also a call to action. It’s time to invest in fathers, families, and the future of our communities.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how one man is redefining fatherhood and creating lasting change.

Available on YouTube as well!

#Innovat3Podcast #FatherhoodMatters #SocialImpact #CommunityHealing #ManToMan #BreakingCycles #Leadership

At nearly 93 years old, Dr. Nancy Harden has dedicated her life to faith, leadership, and empowering communities. A true embodiment of resilience and grace, Nancy has spent decades guiding others through life’s challenges, offering mentorship, and inspiring hope in every corner she touches.

In this episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, Dr. Harden opens up about her incredible life journey, from navigating hardships in her early years to becoming a trusted leader in mentorship and community transformation. She shares deeply personal reflections on how faith has been the foundation of her strength and her passion for passing down wisdom to future generations.

Nancy’s story is a powerful reminder that true leadership isn’t about commanding attention—it’s about serving others, uplifting those around you, and leaving a lasting legacy of love and purpose. She dives into the lessons she’s learned about resilience, the importance of building strong communities, and the enduring value of intergenerational collaboration.

This episode is more than just an interview—it’s a celebration of a life lived with purpose and the ripple effect one person can have on countless lives. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, guidance, or a renewed sense of hope, Nancy’s story will leave you moved and motivated to make an impact in your own community.

#Innovat3Podcast #Wisdom #Faith #Leadership #CommunityImpact #Mentorship #GenerationalHealing #LegacyOfHope

In our latest episode of the Innovat3 Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Stewart Perrilliat, founder of Man to Man Urban Youth Advocate, to explore the deep and lasting impact of fatherlessness on society. From his own experiences growing up during the tumultuous 1980s in East Oakland to his transformative work today, Dr. Perrilliat sheds light on how the absence of fathers creates cycles of trauma, poverty, and instability that ripple across generations.

Dr. Perrilliat believes that fatherhood is the foundation of strong families and thriving communities. His work focuses on rebuilding father-son relationships, fostering emotional healing, and teaching men essential life skills like conflict resolution and emotional intelligence. By helping men take responsibility for their actions and roles as fathers, he’s breaking the cycles of trauma that have long plagued underserved communities.

Through his innovative mentorship programs and curriculum addressing issues like domestic violence, anger management, and the misconceptions around masculinity, Dr. Perrilliat is empowering men to become better leaders, fathers, and role models. His mission isn’t just about solving immediate problems—it’s about creating systemic change by addressing the root causes of societal issues like homelessness, crime, and poverty.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in uplifting our communities. What would happen if we prioritized healing and restoring fatherhood? The ripple effect could transform lives, families, and entire neighborhoods.

#Innovat3Podcast #FatherhoodMatters #CommunityHealing #SocialImpact #ManToMan #YouthAdvocacy #Empowerment #BreakingCycles #StrongerFamilies