In a year with a high-stake election, where racial tensions are high, calls to defund the police are prevalent and a global pandemic has stricken loved ones – we feel as if everyone is simply exhausted.

This joyful conversation could not be more timely. Dr. Jason Campbell (the TikTok Doc) and our dear friend, Joy Sewing, left our team hanging on their every word. We covered some hard topics like being poor and black in America, yet hope for the future of our nation overflowed in this conversation.

We encourage you to join us for this uplifting episode of #thebalancedvoice #podcast!

This week, we sit down with Meghan Verikas, a local Houstonian who had to do the unimaginable - fake her own kidnapping to escape her high-profile abuser. Her shocking story has gained local and national attention including a Dateline NBC exclusive.

We believe that it is important to elevate the voices of survivors. We also recognize how difficult it is to share their stories, so we are grateful that Meghan chose to share hers with us.

After Meghan's story, Rania sits down with expert contributor Amy Smith to discuss Domestic Violence Awareness month and how COVID has changed domestic violence. Amy is the Deputy Director at Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and a long time friend of Crime Stoppers.

Tune into Episode 7 of #TheBalancedVoice #Podcast on Wednesday, October 26th at 10am on the Crime Stoppers of Houston Facebook Page.

#domesticviolenceawarenessmonth #domesticviolencesurvivor #domesticviolence #victim #advocacy #dateline #education #publicsafety

This bonus episode of The Balanced Voice podcast features Salma Awwad, former editor-in-chief of Harper's BAZAAR Arabia. Salma has always been true to herself and her inner creative and never shies away from an opportunity to make a difference in the world around her. Her versatility, passion and willingness to learn have led her to work with the biggest names of the beauty and fashion industry, including L'Oreal, Ralph Lauren, and Giorgio Armani. In 2018, she accepted the prestigious invitation to become the first female Arab editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar Arabia. In this role, she not only directed the voice of fashion and beauty for an entire region, but became an inspiration for women and girls across the world. She also secured and styled Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner and daughter Stormi for their first ever magazine cover appearance. In this episode, we sit down with Salma to talk about her diverse experiences, leadership values and current project, Sawwad.com.

#BalancedConversations #ArabCreatives #womensempowerment #socialmedia, #fashion #truebeauty #beauty #arabian #arabwomen #leadership #crimestoppersofhouston #nonprofit #femaleleaders

Episode 6 of @thebalancedvoicepodcast features Dr. Stephany Powell, Director of Law Enforcement Training and Survivor Services at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

Dr. Powell is a passionate speaker and a tenacious advocate for victims of sex trafficking. Having worked for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for 30 years, Dr. Powell offers a unique perspective into the complex and often misunderstood world of human trafficking. Since retiring from the LAPD, she has dedicated her life to anti-human trafficking prevention, education and advocacy efforts. In this episode, she shares her vision for “reimagined policing”, positive changes for victims and much more!

Join us this Wednesday, October 21 @ 10am CST on the @crimestoppersofhouston Facebook page.

#Balancedconversations #Realsolutions #TheBalancedVoice #Podcast #Houston #justiceforgeorgefloyd #rodneyking #policing #lawenforcement #community #publicsafety #communitypolicing #defundpolice #victimservices #houstonpolice #crimeprevention #nonprofit #houston #endexploitation #enditmovement #reimaginepolicing

Dr. Megan Martin, physician, master of public health, mom of three and president of The West Side Community Organization, took action in July when the City of New York decided to house homeless men in empty hotel rooms of her #upperwestside neighborhood.

With little supervision, support, or security measures in place for her new neighbors, there has been a dramatic uptick in crimes of opportunity. Dr. Martin and passionate neighbors are rallying together to demand #responsiblepolicy and #saferstreets for not only her neighborhood but all #newyorkcity neighborhoods.

To learn more about The West Side Community Organization visit: https://www.westsideco.org/

Tune in to episode 5 of #TheBalancedVoice #Podcast Wednesday, October 14 at 10am!

For more information about today's guests visit: https://www.raniamankarious.com/the-balanced-voice-podcast

Watch new episodes of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious every Wednesday at 10AM Central Time! Don't forget to like and subscribe!

#Broadcast #Podcast #DrMeganMartin #PublicSafety #Policing #Crime #Prevention #NewYork #Manhattan #NYPD #Predators #Safety #Parents #Children #Education #Tips #TheBalancedVoice #RaniaMankarious

Welcome to the episode 4 of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious!

In the technology age, children of all ages are exposed to dangerous content on a daily basis. From social media to video games, online predators and sexual traffickers have unprecedented access to their targets from anywhere in the world.

Jennifer Hohman has spent much of her time and effort on educating parents and helping children understand the dangers of today's digital landscape. On this episode, you'll hear not only about the ways you can identify potential predatory behavior, but also methods of keeping your children safe.

For more information about today's guests visit: https://www.raniamankarious.com/the-balanced-voice-podcast

Watch new episodes of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious every Wednesday at 10AM Central Time! Don't forget to like and subscribe!

#Broadcast #Podcast #Jennifer #Hohman #SexTrafficking #Online #Predators #Safety #Parents #Children #Education #Tips #TheBalancedVoice #RaniaMankarious

Welcome to the episode 3 of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious!

At age 18, high school football all-star, Greg Kelley was convicted of two counts of sexually assaulting a child, and sentenced to 25 years without the possibility of parole. After spending over 1,100 days in prison, Greg was granted bond thanks to a community of mostly strangers who stood up and #foughtforGK. He was able to sufficiently prove his innocence of the crime and with the help of the small army behind him, was able to accomplish the almost completely unheard of in November of 2019—total exoneration.

Now the focus of Showtime's docu-series #OUTCRY, Greg and his now wife Gaebri share the horrifying series of events that led to his wrongful conviction, and how he was able to make it out of prison alive.

Greg has now been signed to play football for Eastern Michigan University and we could not be more happy for him!

For more information about today's guests visit: https://www.raniamankarious.com/the-balanced-voice-podcast

Watch new episodes of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious every Wednesday at 10AM Central Time! Don't forget to like and subscribe!

#Broadcast #Podcast #Greg #Gaebri #Kelley #Innocent #WronglyConvicted #WrongfulConviction #HighSchool #Football #Justice #foughtforGK #Law #Enforcement #Courts #Jury #TheBalancedVoice #RaniaMankarious

Welcome to the episode 2 of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious!

Every single day, our world becomes more integrated and synonymous with technology and devices. For the many positive tools that technology provides us with, unfortunately, there's a much darker world under the surface. Sexual exploitation and trafficking in the United States and around the globe has skyrocketed in the digital age, with many of it's victims being children or young adults.

As the National Center on Sexual Exploitation’s Director of Corporate and Strategic Initiatives, Lina Nealon is committed to promoting the dignity of every human being and creating a society where every person can flourish. Lina spearheads NCOSE’s campaigns against corporations profiting from sexual exploitation.

Ms. Nealon is driven to elevate survivor leadership and promote women’s and girls’ empowerment and has done so as the Policy Specialist and Trainer for the Institute for Inclusive Security, Executive Director of Girls on the Run (Greater Triangle Area, NC), Women2Women Advisory Council member, and as a mentor to numerous young women.

For more information about today's guests visit: https://www.raniamankarious.com/the-balanced-voice-podcast

Watch new episodes of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious every Wednesday at 10AM Central Time! Don't forget to like and subscribe!

#Broadcast #Podcast #Lina #Nealon #Sexual #Exploitation #Trafficking #Expert #Influencer #Law #Enforcement #Legislation #TheBalancedVoice #RaniaMankarious

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious!

The national news media in 2020 has a much different look than it once did. From the days of early television, to celebrated anchors like Walter Cronkite, the news industry has changed dramatically over the past 50 years.

As broadcast legends in Houston, Dave Ward and Bill Balleza have over 100 years combined of broadcast television experience. On this episode, they share their thoughts about the history of public media, as well as where they think it's currently going.

For more information about today's guests visit: https://www.raniamankarious.com/the-balanced-voice-podcast

Watch new episodes of The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious every Wednesday at 10AM Central Time! Don't forget to like and subscribe!

#Broadcast #Podcast #DaveWard #BillBalleza #News #Anchor #Reporter #Pioneer #Media #Expert #Influencer #TheBalancedVoice #RaniaMankarious

The Balanced Voice is a new podcast, hosted by CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston Rania Mankarious, for and by the community.

Join us every Wednesday at 10AM Central as we discuss some of the biggest topics of our time with leaders and experts from around the globe to provide balanced conversations and real solutions.