someone like me.

Nestled in the hills of Nashville, lies an expansive property that is home to survivors in our residential program. Someone Like Me sat down with former AncoraTN CEO, Margie Quin, to discuss the inner workings of where exactly this beautiful property came from and the vision to provide healing, housing, and hope to those exploited by human trafficking.

With a new name comes an opportunity for reflection and rediscovery. Our mission, vision, and values each consist of words carefully selected to align with our new brand. Executive Producer, Stacy Elliott, is joined by Chief Operating Officer, Leah Moyer, to touch on the language being introduced with the AncoraTN brand rollout.

End Slavery Tennessee began as an advocacy and awareness organization to combat the crime of human trafficking in our state. In the past decade, we've grown from raising awareness to providing survivors a place for community and resources for healing and restoration, all while advocating for systemic change. We'll kick off season 3 of Someone Like Me with a huge announcement - one that will help shape the future of the organization - and you'll hear from our guests who were very close to the process. Join us as we move into the next chapter of strategically combatting human trafficking in Tennessee.

Someone Like Me, is the official podcast of AncoraTN (formerly End Slavery Tennessee).

Someone Like Me was created to amplify the voices of human trafficking survivors, shed light on this complex crime, and highlight how this organization continues to grow one of the most innovative and effective human trafficking restoration programs in the United States. We'll explore the complexity of trauma, the nuance of exploitation, and its impact from survivors themselves and program leaders invested in this vital work.

For our last episode of season 2, we share never before heard clips from conversations this season. Each guest was asked the question, "Do you remember a moment of light that changed the way you see the issue of human trafficking?" The answers are as diverse as the guests we had a part of this season.

We began this season talking about trauma-informed care, and how End Slavery Tennessee infuses this approach in all they do–including this podcast. We have a unique ability to share sex trafficking survivor stories directly from the survivors themselves, but not every survivor is ready or able to share their story in a way that's empowering or healthy. Sometimes, the sharing of their stories can cause more harm. This is why direct care staff at ESTN have a carefully regimented process to determine who may be a good fit for a survivor interview on this show. Although we are working with survivors daily, not every episode of Someone Like Me features an interview with a survivor.

But, we empower survivors by finding other ways for their voices to be heard.

Today's episode is incredibly special, as it's entirely made up of survivor-submitted content, centered on the idea of HOPE. These stories and submissions from survivors were shared willingly, shared in their own voice, and actors read the juvenile stories for this episode.

Nicole's story has been referenced several times this season, so it's important we replay this survivor story, especially in Episode 23 with CEO Margie Quin and TBI Agent Jason Wilkerson. This podcast is named after a phrase Nicole said on a call with Tennessee law enforcement learning about the anatomy of a domestic human trafficking transaction. It is our hope that these stories are empowering to those to tell them and to those who hear them.

Thanks to Jones Legacy Group for their exclusive sponsorship. Subscribe now to never miss an episode.

The second of two episodes about shifts in law enforcement leading to major changes in trafficking so officers are better prepared to respond to victims with referrals for assistance. Today's episode is with Adrian Breedlove, a detective in an affluent suburb of Nashville. You might be challenged in your understanding of sex trafficking, where it's happening, who's doing it, and who's participating. Please use discretion while listening, as adult subject matter is discussed and may be triggering for some.

Law enforcement is key in trafficking prevention. Officers have direct contact with women and men who are being exploited as it's happening. Today we begin a 2-part series talking with officers and agents working to fight human trafficking in Tennessee. These folks work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of survivors. End Slavery Tennessee CEO, Margie Quin, is a retired TBI agent who originated the state's human trafficking unit, and led the charge to change laws and systems related to trafficking. Hear TBI agent Jason Wilkerson join producer Stacy Elliott and Leslie Eiler Thompason to share how trafficking is handled in the state of Tennessee.

Many court systems in the US have treatment courts to identify those who may need help with underlying issues like mental health, veterans needs, addiction, and trafficking. Nashville's is a two year program involving hands-on communication with the presiding judge, assistant district attorney, and a host of local community service providers that assist with managing the various needs of a survivor. The grace-empowered program provides women charged with prostitution an opportunity to removed those charges through a day-long program addressing trafficking, addiction, and trauma. This is an important part of the End Slavery Tennessee referral process. In today's episode, producer Stacy Elliot and I talked to Judge Ana Escobar and Assistant District Attorney Sarah Wolfson about how the court system can help victims of human trafficking.