Smart Talks

India Oxenberg is a survivor of the NXIVM cult who now uses her experiences to help other survivors of cults and high control groups. She spent 7 years indoctrinated in the cult, and for many of those years suffered sexual abuse, starvation, torture, and extreme brainwashing tactics.

In this episode, Elizabeth and India discuss her experience, including her extensive healing journey and how India learned to trust her mind again. Elizabeth and India also draw many parallels between what India experienced and what so many survivors of all types of abuse experience, noting that while the each story is different, tactics of abuse are often the same.

Show notes:
-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of rape, brainwashing, cults, and other sensitive topics.

-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-12.

-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

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Erika R. George is the Samuel D. Thurman Professor of Law at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she teaches constitutional law, international human rights law, international environmental law, and seminars on corporate citizenship and sustainability. Her current research explores the responsibilities of multinational corporations to respect international human rights and efforts to hold corporations accountable for alleged rights violations. 

Erika has testified before international human rights treaty bodies, foreign governments, and has briefed the international media on international human rights law, racial discrimination, and gender violence. She is a frequent speaker on human rights, sustainability, diversity, gender equality, and corporate social responsibility.

Show notes:

-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-11.

-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

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Usually, conversations about believing survivors of sexual violence bring up a very valid question: what about false reports? In this episode, Elizabeth talks about the danger of false reports, while also explaining why statistics show that it is always the better option to believe.

Show notes:
-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-10.
-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

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Cindy experienced abuse and harassment at the hands of one of her teachers. Starting in middle school and spanning over her teen years and into young adulthood, the abuse Cindy survived and endured became a source of misery, shame, and guilt in her life. Even after tirelessly distancing herself from her abuser, she still couldn't seem to find the freedom she longed for until the moment came when she spoke her truth.

Cindy shares her story, the tactics her abuser used, and how she found hope and healing.

Show notes:
-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of rape, stalking, suicide, and pedophilia.

-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-08

-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

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Tiffany Roe is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, CEO, entrepreneur, award-winning psychology teacher, and speaker. She's on a mission to inform the world that Therapy Is Cool™️. Tiffany is revolutionizing modern mental health as the "OG IG Therapist" on Instagram, offering courses on TiffanyRoe.com, and spreading education and fundamental psychological tools on her podcast, Therapy Thoughts.


Show Notes:
-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-07

-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

Support the show

Abby Palmer Cox became Utah’s first lady when her husband Spencer J. Cox was sworn in as governor on January 4, 2021. As Utah’s first lady, Abby hopes to inspire Utahns to break down the barriers that separate people from treating one another as equals. She is an outspoken advocate for “getting proximate,” connecting through our differences, and combating the empathy crisis our country is facing. 

Abby’s initiative is called “Show Up”, and she uses her platform to convene, contribute to, and champion projects related to emotional self-reliance, service, foster care and sporting opportunities for children who live with intellectual disabilities. 

In this episode, Abby talks about the Show Up initiative and how we can rally together to support some of the most vulnerable members of our population.

Show notes:
-See the full transcript and show links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-06

-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

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Honorable Tanya Gould is an activist fighting against human trafficking and striving to impact legislative policy and raise public awareness. She currently holds her second term and is co-chair on the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.

This year, Tanya received the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Persons. She has served as a consultant to various anti-human trafficking organizations, as well as the Office for Victims of Crime, the Blue Campaign, and Trafficking in Person’s office. She also serves on boards and organizations such as Polaris, Beloved Haven, and Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum Taskforce on Human Trafficking.

In this episode, Tanya shares her story of being trafficked, her healing journey, and her message for survivors.

Show Notes:
-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of human trafficking.
-Read the full transcript at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-05
-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

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Elizabeth receives countless questions from parents about how to safely raise their children in the digital age, so we brought in someone poised to answer and provide help for these questions. Clay Olsen serves as the CEO and Founder of Impact Suite, which owns and operates a suite of award-winning self-care apps. Early on in his career, Clay co-founded and lead the creation of Fight the New Drug — a youth movement dedicated to raising awareness on the harmful effects of pornography and other forms of sexual exploitation through science, facts, and personal accounts. His newest passion project is leading the creation of Raise — a free parenting resource dedicated to helping parents navigate the challenges of the current digital landscape with their children while helping them develop healthy relationships with technology.

Show notes:
-View the full episode transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-04.
-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

Support the show

In 2002, at 15 years old, Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped by and escaped from what she would later find out to be a serial killer. Kara’s will to survive led to her escaping her captor and gathering information to identify her captor as the man responsible for at least three murders years earlier in Virginia. Following her experience, Kara formed relationships with law enforcement and went on to work with Richland County Sherif’s Department as a school resource officer, investigator, and victim’s advocate until the birth of her first child in 2013. Kara now now uses her experiences to speak to groups with the mission of spreading awareness, education and inspiration. In this episode, Kara shares her story and her message to survivors.

Show notes:
-Content warning: Today’s episode includes mentions of rape, kidnapping, and suicide.

-View the full transcript and related links at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-talks-3-03

-Chat 24/7 with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

All views, information, or opinions expressed in the Smart Talks podcast are solely those of the individual participant. They do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the Malouf Foundation, or their affiliates. The information and opinions shared in Smart Talks do not constitute, and should not be construed as, mental health advice.  Smart Talks content is presented for informational purposes only; because each person and situation is unique, please consult a mental health professional for any questions.

Support the show