Trust Your Voice

In this episode, we explore the direct impact of online platforms and big tech in facilitating various forms of sexual abuse, including the exploitation of minors and the proliferation of deepfake pornography. Insights from our guests highlight significant campaigns aimed at holding major tech companies accountable, the ongoing challenges survivors face in finding comprehensive support, and the complexities of legal frameworks dealing with these heinous crimes. 

Personal stories from Brenda and Jessica, who have not only survived exploitation but are now front-line warriors helping others navigate through recovery, emphasize the necessity of sensitive victim support systems that do not compel survivors to relive their trauma. 

Moreover, Lina Nealon will critique the role of mainstream corporations in the commercial exploitation industry and shed light on the adverse effects of decriminalizing the sex trade. 

Be informed, moved, and motivated to act as we navigate these challenging but crucial discussions aimed at sparking change and offering hope. 

Guest bios 

Jessica Lamb is a survivor leader and expert in tattoo iconography, specializing in identification and education on trafficking and gang-related tattoos. She founded Atlanta Redemption Ink and built a national network supporting survivors of exploitation and teaches on her experiences, contributing to anti-trafficking advocacy for over a decade. Recognized for her impact, Jessica has received numerous accolades and trained thousands of professionals in the field. 

Lina Nealon is the Vice President and Director of Corporate Advocacy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. She spearheads the “The Dirty Dozen List” an annual campaign calling out twelve mainstream entities for facilitating, enabling, and even profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation. Lina poses as a teen online to collect evidence of to what and to whom children are exposed in the digital landscape. 

📌Read more about Lina Nealon here 

The Honorable, Brenda Myers-Powell is based in Chicago and is the founder and CEO of Ernestine’s Daughter that fights human trafficking. She is a dynamic, beautiful POWERHOUSE and survivor. She also sits on the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. 

📌Read more about Brenda Myers-Powell here

Episode Overview

In this episode, we explore the direct impact of online platforms and big tech in facilitating various forms of sexual abuse, including the exploitation of minors and the proliferation of deepfake pornography. Insights from our guests highlight significant campaigns aimed at holding major tech companies accountable, the ongoing challenges survivors face in finding comprehensive support, and the complexities of legal frameworks dealing with these heinous crimes. 

Personal stories from Brenda and Jessica, who have not only survived exploitation but are now front-line warriors helping others navigate through recovery, emphasize the necessity of sensitive victim support systems that do not compel survivors to relive their trauma. 

Moreover, Lina Nealon will critique the role of mainstream corporations in the commercial exploitation industry and shed light on the adverse effects of decriminalizing the sex trade. 

Be informed, moved, and motivated to act as we navigate these challenging but crucial discussions aimed at sparking change and offering hope. 

Guest bios 

Jessica Lamb is a survivor leader and expert in tattoo iconography, specializing in identification and education on trafficking and gang-related tattoos. She founded Atlanta Redemption Ink and built a national network supporting survivors of exploitation and teaches on her experiences, contributing to anti-trafficking advocacy for over a decade. Recognized for her impact, Jessica has received numerous accolades and trained thousands of professionals in the field. 

Lina Nealon is the Vice President and Director of Corporate Advocacy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. She spearheads the “The Dirty Dozen List” an annual campaign calling out twelve mainstream entities for facilitating, enabling, and even profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation. Lina poses as a teen online to collect evidence of to what and to whom children are exposed in the digital landscape. 

📌Read more about Lina Nealon here 

The Honorable, Brenda Myers-Powell is based in Chicago and is the founder and CEO of Ernestine’s Daughter that fights human trafficking. She is a dynamic, beautiful POWERHOUSE and survivor. She also sits on the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. 

📌Read more about Brenda Myers-Powell here 

In this episode of Trust Your Voice podcast, we dive deep into understanding judgment, its impact on our behavior, and how to navigate it. Melinda Oakes, author of the book ⁠⁠The Cheerleader's Guide to the Workplace: How an awesome attitude and a peppy perspective will help you go, fight and win at work!⁠⁠ and Sylvie, share their insights on differentiating between judgment and feedback, accepting human nature, and choosing a response to judgment. Sylvie also shares personal anecdotes from her book "⁠⁠Trust Your Voice⁠⁠," exploring the features of human nature that drive judgment.

Join us as we discuss strategies to deal with judgment and embrace self-acceptance. Tune in and let us know how you deal with judgment at work. Share your thoughts on LinkedIn or email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

If you enjoy this episode, please give us 5 stars, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice Podcast, host Sylvie Légère engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Congresswoman Laurel Lee. Throughout the conversation, they delve into Lee's journey into politics, her unwavering commitment to public service, and the challenges she faced in stepping into a new role. They also tackle the pressing issues of restoring trust in American political institutions and the importance of constructive engagement in the democratic process. This enlightening dialogue offers valuable insights into the responsibilities of a House representative, highlighting the complexities and nuance of their work. 

By sharing Lee's experiences and perspectives, this episode gives a compelling reminder of the significance of active participation in shaping our communities. It serves as an invitation for listeners to consider the impact of their own voices and engagement in the democratic process, encouraging thoughtfulness and introspection on the role each individual plays in contributing to the broader conversation of civic leadership and engagement. 

Guest speaker bio: 

Congresswoman Laurel Lee, representing Florida's 15th District since January 2023, has a rich background in public service. Born in a military family at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, she has a deep commitment to representing her district in Congress. Prior to her congressional role, Laurel served as Florida’s Secretary of State under the DeSantis Administration, where she enhanced the state's election infrastructure and cybersecurity. Before that, she was a Circuit Court Judge in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Court, appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott, and worked as a federal prosecutor handling a wide range of criminal offenses.

In this episode, Sylvie Légère dives into the essence of civility in our modern society. She is joined by an inspiring trio: author Alexandra Hudson with her wisdom from 'The Soul of Civility', Beth Feeley with her grassroots community activism insights, and Yani Manson, the CEO of Girls Inc. of Chicago, discussing the pivotal role of youth in shaping a respectful future. This episode serves as a profound journey, exploring the internal disposition of the heart, respect towards others, and the golden rule, interweaving historical anecdotes and personal experiences.

In this episode, host Sylvie Légère leads an informative discussion on aging, health, and fitness with guests Mona Antwan, Alex Rodriguez, and Ashanti Johnson.

Rounding out the conversations, we explore the role of discipline and intentionality, making mindful wellness a daily habit.

Mindfulness Leader

Episode Summary: 

Sylvie Légère hosts a discussion on the pillars of a good life, specifically focusing on financial readiness, technology literacy, and community engagement in the context of aging. The guests share their perspectives and experiences on these topics, highlighting the importance of financial education, the challenges of navigating technology as one ages, and the role of community and government in supporting the elderly population. They also discuss the prevalence of scams and fraud targeting older adults and the need for better support and resources in dealing with these issues. 

Derek Kreifels: CEO of the State Financial Officers Organization, representing state treasurers and auditors across the country. 

Ferona Lee: CEO of Near Technology, a company that provides tech support and education for older adults. 

Sheila Brown: A senior executive at Medtronic with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
1. Financial education is crucial for individuals of all ages to ensure financial readiness and stability throughout their lives. 

2. Technology literacy is essential for older adults to stay connected, access services, and protect themselves from scams and fraud. 

3. Community engagement and support are vital for the well-being and quality of life of aging individuals. 

4. Scams and fraud targeting older adults are prevalent and often result in significant financial losses. 
 
Great Quotes from The Episode:
 
"Women live longer and are inheriting the largest transference of wealth in American history." - Derek Kreifels 

"When someone retires, they often lack practice with technology, which can lead to challenges in various aspects of their lives." - Ferona Lee 

"Having an advocate is crucial when navigating the complexities of aging and accessing support services." - Sheila Brown 

Helpful Resources:

Resources from the Policy Circle:

https://www.thepolicycircle.org/brief/aging-in-the-21st-century/

https://www.thepolicycircle.org/brief/financial-literacy/

Resources from Derek Kreifels:

ourmoneyourvalues.com

1792exchange.com

https://swsmmagazine.com/

Resources from Ferrona Lee:

feelnear.com

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, host Sylvie Légère sat down with Magatte Wade, Founder and CEO of Skin is Skin, to talk about the complexities and nuances of Africa's challenges and opportunities. 

Magatte Wade challenges the traditional narrative surrounding sub-Saharan Africa and sheds light on the missing middle in foreign aid. Drawing from her own experiences and expertise, she questions the effectiveness of international aid and explores how it often fails to reach local entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth. 

About Magatte Wade: 

Magatte Wade is passionate about creating jobs and prosperity in Africa through entrepreneurship and economic freedom. She was born in Senegal, educated in France, and launched her entrepreneurial career in San Francisco. She is fluent in and conducts business in Wolof, French and English. Magatte's current product line, manufactured in Senegal, is Skin is Skin, a lip balm dedicated to reducing racial discrimination. Her previous companies, Tiossan and Adina, brought Senegalese recipes and ingredients to U.S. markets in skin care and beverages. 

Based on her experiences creating consumer brands and building agricultural and manufacturing capacity in Senegal, Magatte has spoken at dozens of universities including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, MIT, etc. as well as at global conferences on innovation and economic development in France, England, Dubai, Guatemala, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Gabon, Senegal, and more. She writes for the Huffington Post, Barron’s, and the U.K. Guardian. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum at Davos and has appeared on the cover of Forbes Afrique. She was also named one of the “Twenty Young Power Women of Africa” by Forbes U.S. 

Connect with Magatte: 

Resources: 

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, host Sylvie Légère sat down with Lindrea Reynolds, an agency founder, strategist, and visionary to talk about how to define and integrate the various aspects of our personal identity, professional persona, and our many-sided selves.

As the Founder and CEO of LR Brand Consulting (LRBC), Lindrea leverages over 15 years of marketing and design experience to help businesses and professionals find focus, articulate their value and prioritize well-being practices. Emphasizing a human-centered approach to brand-building, Lindrea believes that empathetic storytelling is essential for cultivating purposeful interactions. She has shared her philosophy with top-performing enterprises, educational institutions, and influential figures spanning both the public and private sectors. Lindrea's strategies have secured collaborations with the NBA, Google, iHeart Media, Amazon, and others.

A zealous educator and advisor, Lindrea is shaping the future of inclusive brand marketing. Her expertise has earned her invitations to share her insights on various platforms and stages. Additionally, Lindrea has taught for the University of Chicago’s Department of Professional Education, sharing her knowledge with rising marketing professionals. As a sought-after mentor and brand builder, her influence extends globally, enhancing stakeholder experiences from employee to consumer. PRSA, Communication Arts, Ad Age, the City of Chicago, Academic leaders, and business influencers have acknowledged Lindrea's insights and contributions to the design and brand marketing industries.

When Lindrea is not building brands, she dedicates her time to promoting positive youth development and fueling her creativity through oil painting, DIY projects, lots of laughs with family and friends, and enjoying sports-related activities. She shares these joyful experiences with her husband, Solomon, and their Pomeranian, Adobe (yes, named after the software).

https://www.lrbrandconsulting.com/

Other resources: 
 
Lindrea’s example of one of the best personal branding - https://www.bozomasaintjohn.com/ 

Bozoma Saint John is a Hall of Fame inducted marketing executive, author, and entrepreneur. Her book “The Urgent Life” is a memoir of grief that had ultimately driven her to thrive in the face of loss. 

Economics is essentially the science of human nature as it manifests through our innate desire to create and capture value. Even in the most intricate economic structures, at their core, you'll find individuals making decisions to maximize what they value, based on their perceptions of the facts and options available to them.

Traditionally, economics has sought to simplify this complexity by assuming that businesses strive to maximize their profits and individuals aim for what's best for themselves, armed with complete knowledge of all relevant facts and options. This framework creates neat scenarios where rational decisions lead to optimal outcomes. While this has significantly contributed to our understanding of economic behaviors, it often fails to explain why some decisions seem irrational and result in detrimental outcomes.

Behavioral Economics fills this void by focusing on the individual. It challenges the assumptions of traditional economics, which believes everyone in the economy is rational and selfish, as Richard Thaler, a Nobel laureate for his work on Behavioral Economics, puts it. His goal for this field is to assist people in making the choices they would have made if they had paid full attention and had complete information, unlimited cognitive abilities, and absolute self-control.

From my perspective, this translates into making economics consider two main factors. First, the limitations around information—understanding how much a person can genuinely gather and process. And second, the unique individual factors such as psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural, and social influences which can shape what people value, sway their perceptions, and occasionally create a disconnect between their perceptions and reality.

Perhaps the most pertinent concept for policy-making is the idea of a "nudge". This concept focuses on presenting choices in such a way that aids individuals in making better-informed decisions that align with their values. By implementing nudges effectively, policies can safeguard personal freedoms while guiding individuals towards choices that generate the most beneficial outcomes for all. Importantly, this approach enables the government to act without infringing on its ideal role of aiding economic individuals in acting on their incentives. However, as Richard Thaler of UChicago suggests, "If you want people to do something, make it easy."

Yet, it's crucial to navigate this process with integrity and precision. We must be mindful not to employ nudges as manipulative tools, by being opaque about our intentions or making it challenging to opt for anything other than the default. Additionally, nudges may not be appropriate where there isn't a widely agreed-upon best choice or where a strict mandate should be enforced.

A key takeaway is that even a meticulously crafted policy can falter if its communication fails to align with individuals' perceptions. Consequently, people might resort to workaround methods that counteract the policy's intentions, as they strive to maximize their value.