Don't Let Analytics Define Your Worth | Episode 570

Your downloads spike, the compliments roll in, and suddenly it’s tempting to believe the hype. We’re celebrating a record-setting August for Voices for Voices, but we also slow down and talk honestly about what analytics can and cannot tell you. Numbers can be encouraging, but they’re still just a snapshot in time, and treating them like a scoreboard can quietly wreck your perspective.

We walk through a simple way to think about podcast growth: like grades in school. One assignment does not define a student, and one “great month” does not define a show. What matters is the pattern over time and what you learn from it. We also dig into the challenge of ego and comparison, and why staying present in the moment helps you hold success with gratitude instead of arrogance.

Along the way, we share a real-life lesson from the weight room with a guy named Taco, who put humility into one unforgettable line: the second you get a big head, someone comes along and lifts one more pound. That idea applies to creators, parents, leaders, and anyone trying to do meaningful work without losing themselves in metrics. If you’re building something and trying to stay grounded, this conversation is for you.

If this resonates, subscribe, share the show with someone you care about, and leave a review so more people can find it.

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Record Month Thanks
• 1:15 Quick Favor: Share The Show
• 2:10 Analytics Are A Snapshot In Time
• 4:13 The Grade Analogy For Growth
• 8:13 Staying Present When Ego Hits
• 11:04 Watching Kids Play Without Politics
• 14:05 Taco’s Weight Room Lesson On Humility
• 18:38 Doubling Can Mislead The Story
• 23:40 Standards For Guests And Closing Thanks
• 25:41 Final Reminder: Be A Voice

#MindfulnessMeditation #StressReliefTechniques #GroundingExercises #MentalHealthAwareness #PositiveThinking #SelfImprovement #WellbeingTips #CalmYourMind #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode570

Support the show

What If “Always Being On” Is The New Public Health Crisis | Episode 569

A selfie is never just a selfie anymore, and that’s the problem. We live in a world where kids and adults feel pressured to stay “on” at all times and to look camera ready on demand, even when it quietly wrecks self-esteem, sleep, and mental health. In this Voices for Voices solo talk, I connect that everyday pressure to a bigger headline: the Meta lawsuit, the multi-billion-dollar settlement, and the uncomfortable question behind it all. If screens are addictive by design, what does accountability actually look like for social media platforms that profit from attention and comparison?

I also get personal about the hidden costs of constant posting and constant watching. We talk about bullying, extortion, stranger danger, and how a single bad photo or video can ripple through friendships at school and beyond. Money can’t undo tragedy, so we dig into what families can do right now: being more present, having real conversations that go deeper than “ignore them,” and building simple safety plans like code words and exit strategies when a situation turns ugly.

Then we zoom out to the body image machine that social media amplifies. Filters, “perfect life” feeds, influencer culture, weight loss shots, Botox, fillers, and the endless push to fix something can all tie back to one belief: if I look right, I’ll finally feel okay. We challenge that story and land on a healthier one, choosing authenticity, boundaries, and humanity over analytics and approval. If this resonates, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Quick Support Ask
• 0:43 Defining On And Camera Ready
• 1:20 Meta Lawsuit And Youth Restrictions
• 3:35 Always Being Visible Feels Draining
• 7:17 Suicide Risk And The Price Of Life
• 13:25 Parents Staying Present Offline
• 15:01 Body Image Pressure And Quick Fixes
• 28:02 Likes, Stress Loops, And Being Authentic
• 31:57 Closing Thoughts And Final Calls To Act

#PublicHealth #MentalHealth #DigitalWellbeing #AlwaysOn #HealthCrisis #ScreenTime #SocialMediaImpact #WhatIfEpisode #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode569

Support the show

When Life Doesn't Go To Plan: Finding Resilience After The Breaking Point | Episode 568

Life can change in a snap, and not always in the ways we would choose. We sit with the uncomfortable truth that things do not go as planned, then ask the bigger question hiding underneath it: if the hard parts never happened, would we still be who we are today? Justin shares a raw, personal reflection on resilience, grief, and the moments that force us to look at our lives with fresh eyes.

We talk candidly about mental health, including what it feels like to hit a wall and wonder how you will get through today, not just the next month. Justin connects his 2017 mental health crash to the deeper purpose behind Voices for Voices, and why asking for help through therapy, group support, and honest conversations can be the turning point. We also dig into workplace burnout, toxic bosses, and the “engine out of gas” reality of pushing yourself past your limits until something breaks.

The takeaway is not perfection or positivity, but perspective and practical care: take inventory of where you are, stop carrying everything in your head, and be kinder to yourself while you rebuild. If you need a grounded mental health reminder that you are not alone, this is for you. Subscribe to the podcast, share it with someone who could use support, and leave a review with your biggest small win this week.

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Share The Show
• 1:38 When Life Does Not Go To Plan
• 4:50 Purpose Faith And Second Chances
• 6:55 Mental Health Crash And New Direction
• 16:20 Burnout Toxic Work And Warning Signs
• 26:18 Be Kinder Celebrate Small Wins

#transformation #innerpeace #resilience #lifechanges #purposefulliving #selfgrowth #positivemindset #inspiration #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode568

Support the show

Is Your Teen Hiding Something? Why They Need a Shame-Free Exit Plan | Episode 567

Your kid texts one strange word and you’re on your way to pick them up. That part feels straightforward. The part most parents don’t plan for is what comes next: the fear of being judged at school, the whispering in the hallway, the worry about getting cut out of the next invite. We dig into how a “code word” pickup plan protects physical safety and why it also needs to protect a child’s mental health.

We talk through the social reality kids live in, from sleepovers and pizza nights to group projects and team locker room gossip. If a child leaves early, they can feel like they “let people down,” even when they did the right thing. We share ways to prep for that moment ahead of time with a simple, calm family communication plan and a short “after” conversation that keeps trust intact.

We also touch the risks that can show up at teen parties alcohol, drugs, noise, police involvement and why trusting your intuition matters. For student athletes and high performers, one bad decision can ripple into lost opportunities, so we discuss how to empower kids to step away without shame. Along the way, we laugh about pagers, busy signals, and dial up internet, and use that nostalgia to underline a serious point: anxiety thrives in silence and uncertainty, so clear communication helps.

Subscribe wherever you get podcasts, share this with a parent or guardian who needs it, and leave a review so more families can build safer nights and stronger trust. What code word would your family choose?

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And The 3 Billion Goal
• 0:58 The Code Word Pickup Plan
• 4:18 Fear Of Gossip And Social Fallout
• 10:00 Outcast Stories And Teen Mental Health
• 14:25 Trust Your Gut About Party Risks
• 18:37 Planning The After Talk With Kids
• 26:05 One Bad Choice And Lost Opportunities
• 28:45 Pagers, Dial Up, And Waiting Anxiety
• 39:29 Closing Thanks And Share The Show

#protectingkids #parentingtips #kidsafety #partyplanning #safeguardingchildren #eventtips #familyadvice #childwellbeing #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode567

Support the show

A hangout can go sideways in minutes: your kid is at a friend’s house, the hours stretch late, and then a couple people show up visibly drunk with alcohol in hand. Suddenly it’s not about video games or a movie night anymore. It’s about child safety, underage drinking risk, and whether your child has a clear way to get out without becoming the “dramatic one” in front of peers.

We walk through a simple, realistic parenting strategy that fits real life: setting expectations before drop-off, naming the uncomfortable truths about sleepovers and group get-togethers, and creating a code word or code phrase your child can use by text or phone. “Can you bring some water?” becomes a quiet signal that means “I’m not okay, come get me now.” We also talk about why the right response matters just as much as the code word: no interrogation, no lectures in the moment, just a calm pickup that reinforces trust and keeps the door open for future honesty.

Along the way, we address the social pressure piece head-on, including how teen brain development affects judgment and why “just say no” isn’t a complete plan when stress, embarrassment, and group dynamics hit all at once. If you care about teen safety, safe spaces at home, and practical communication tools for parents, this conversation is built to be used, not just heard.

If this helps you, subscribe, share it with another parent, and leave a review so more families build an easy escape plan before they need one. What code word would work in your house?

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Why This Matters
• 1:16 The Real Risk At Hangouts
• 5:02 When Uninvited Guests Bring Alcohol
• 7:48 Creating A Code Word Escape Plan
• 14:06 Brain Development And Peer Pressure
• 16:31 Uncomfortable Talks And No-Questions Pickup
• 19:32 Equipping Kids With Tools Not Judgment
• 23:48 Closing Thoughts And Sendoff

#SaferSleepovers #BoundariesForKids #ChildSafety #SleepoverTips #CommunicationSkills #ParentingAdvice #KidsSafety #HealthyBoundaries #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode566

Support the show

Silence can feel like protection, until it starts feeling like pressure. We talk about what happens when you keep your hardest thoughts locked away, and why speaking up in therapy, psychiatry, or even a regular doctor visit can be the difference between staying stuck and finally moving forward. I share what I’ve learned the hard way: you often get out what you put in, and when you don’t share, your mental health team can’t help loosen what you’ve been carrying.

We use two simple metaphors to make it real. First, the “gold” we hoard: memories, shame, trauma, and the things people said that still echo years later. Then, the tightly wound spring: every new stressor cranks it back again until it either breaks, spins out, or finally gets some relief when you talk to someone safe. That relief doesn’t mean life becomes perfect, but it can make anxiety, stress, and guilt more manageable, one honest conversation at a time.

We also name the stigma that keeps people from getting treatment for mental health, trauma recovery, and addiction recovery, and we talk about something practical: finding the right fit. You’re allowed to look for a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist who listens, and you’re allowed to switch if the connection isn’t there. We close with a reminder that even a “tiny megaphone” can help someone else feel less alone, whether that’s sharing a resource, being a better listener, or passing along the show.

If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone you care about, and leave a quick review so more people can find the support they’ve been putting off.

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Share The Show
• 2:50 Speaking Up In Appointments
• 7:20 Gold Metaphor For Hidden Pain
• 11:30 Spring Pressure And Relief
• 16:22 Stigma And Reaching Out
• 18:00 Choosing A Therapist That Fits
• 22:45 Tiny Megaphone And Sharing
• 23:59 A Free Way To Read The Book
• 25:23 Help Others By Listening

#MentalHealthAwareness #TherapyTips #EmotionalSupport #TalkingTherapy #HealingThroughSharing #TherapyJourney #MindfulnessInTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode565

Support the show

Life gets real when the gold stars stop. Once school ends and adulthood kicks in, a lot of us go from constant feedback to near silence and sometimes nonstop criticism. We sit with that shift and the questions it triggers: Why am I here? What am I supposed to do with my life? What do I want people to remember about me when time runs out?

I share my own truth about major depression, the terrifying closeness of dark thoughts, and why I keep choosing to come back and try again. We talk about how “simple” things like brushing your teeth or taking a shower can become huge victories, and why those small wins matter for mental health, self-care, and suicide prevention. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unpraised, or like you’re failing at life because nobody is handing you a sticker anymore, you’re not alone.

We also get practical about rebuilding purpose and staying grounded: turning off the phone for five minutes, sitting in quiet, and making sure your decisions come from your own heart instead of social media noise or other people’s expectations. I explain why I built Voices for Voices as a nonprofit mission focused on positivity, community, prayer or good vibes, and making space for every voice.

If this message helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s one small win you’re choosing to celebrate today?

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And How To Support
• 2:28 New School Year And Legacy Thoughts
• 5:25 When Adult Life Stops Applauding
• 13:44 Dark Places And Choosing To Stay
• 17:52 Small Wins With Major Depression
• 22:02 Building Voices For Voices Purpose
• 25:17 Quiet Time And Being All In
• 30:12 Prayer Community And Donations

#YouMatter #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCare #HardDays #EmotionalSupport #YouAreNotAlone #Positivity #Resilience #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode564

Support the show

Silence is easy. It is also how the worst things keep winning. We sit with that tension and ask a blunt question: what is the meaning of our lives if we watch harmful realities pass by and say nothing?

We trace a surprising comment someone shared with us, that Voices for Voices is a “modern day Martin Luther King Jr.” moment. We do not take that lightly or treat it like a compliment. Instead, we pressure-test it by walking through several of Dr. King’s quotes and applying them to what we actually do: talk about the topics people avoid, create space for voices that have been ignored, and keep showing up even when we are criticized for it. Along the way, we connect purpose to faith, the idea of being used for something bigger than ourselves, and the discipline of learning as we go.

From taking the first step without seeing the whole staircase to choosing light over darkness, we focus on practical courage. We talk human trafficking awareness in Ohio, why controversy is sometimes the price of telling the truth, and how you can love people while still demanding accountability for harmful acts. If you have been putting off a hard conversation, a new project, or a needed stand, this is your nudge to act.

Subscribe to Voices for Voices, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review. What is one thing you refuse to stay silent about?

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Share The Show
• 0:53 Searching For Meaning In Hard Days
• 4:38 Being Compared To Martin Luther King
• 8:30 Why Staying Silent Costs Us
• 11:42 A Purpose Bigger Than Self
• 15:54 Take The First Step Anyway
• 22:20 Comfort Topics Versus Controversy
• 28:38 Choosing Light Love And Support
• 33:55 Justice Without Wishing Harm
• 37:01 Standing Alone Takes Courage
• 42:00 Actions Create Change Or Nothing
• 46:27 Closing Thanks And Final Share

#FindingPurpose #SpeakUp #PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #SelfDiscovery #MentalHealthAwareness #Inspiration #LifeLessons #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode563

Support the show

A trafficker rarely looks like a stranger in a dark alley. Sometimes he looks like a charming boyfriend with money to burn, big promises, and a plan to isolate you. That’s why this conversation with Jeanette Bradley hit so hard for us. Jeanette is the founder of 2nd Chance Ministries in Ohio, a survivor of trafficking, and a relentless advocate for people who are treated as invisible. Her lived experience takes human trafficking out of the headlines and puts it where it belongs: in real life, in real neighborhoods, affecting real families.

We talk through the full arc of her story, including childhood sexual abuse, the way trauma can fuel addiction and homelessness, and how grooming can turn into violent coercion. Jeanette breaks down what she calls the “Romeo pimp” approach, and why the myth of “she chose that life” keeps victims trapped and keeps communities passive. We also dig into what victims actually need to escape: safe housing, trauma-informed care, recovery support, and laws that punish traffickers instead of shaming survivors.

Jeanette also shares what her street outreach looks like in Columbus, why Ohio remains a hotspot for trafficking, and what she learned doing anti-trafficking work beyond the US. We spotlight her book I’m Still Standing and the message behind it: freedom is possible, but nobody gets free alone. If this moved you, subscribe, share this episode with one person, and leave a review so more listeners can find stories that save lives.

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00 Welcome And Why Voices Matter
• 2:15 Meet Jeanette Bradley’s Mission
• 3:48 Childhood Abuse And Early Coping
• 6:00 Grooming Tactics And Pimp Control
• 10:00 Violence, Addiction, And Suicide Attempts
• 13:30 Homelessness And Crack House Survival
• 17:15 Finding Peace And Choosing Faith
• 18:07 Catch Court And Recovery Support
• 19:30 The Czech Red Light District
• 22:19 2nd-Chance Street Ministry In Columbus
• 27:13 Why She Goes Back Out There
• 35:26 Corrie Ten Boom And Hope
• 37:54 Book Spotlight I’m Still Standing
• 39:00 How The Book Came Together
• 46:06 Trafficking Myths And Ohio’s Reality
• 47:38 A Prayer For Protection And Courage
• 50:36 Where To Buy And Support
• 53:43 Final Encouragement And Closing

#HumanTrafficking #SurvivorStories #StopTrafficking #TraffickingAwareness #VictimSupport #America #EndHumanTrafficking #RealLifeSurvivors #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode562

Support the show

Someone steals a pair of shoes from a school locker and for a few hours it feels like they are just gone. That small moment turns into a bigger truth we do not say out loud enough: if you did not ask and you did not get permission, it is stealing. We walk through what happened, how it was done, and why clear language matters when you are trying to protect yourself and the people around you.

From there, we widen the lens from physical property theft to the kind of modern theft that hits phones, content, software, and social media accounts. We talk about how people justify it with jealousy or entitlement, why “I want it” never equals ownership, and why consent is the only clean line that keeps “give and take” from turning into harm. If you care about theft prevention, personal boundaries, and public safety, this is the plain English version you can share with anyone.

We also connect the dots to mental health. Finding out you were victimized can trigger self blame, stress, anxiety, and that constant feeling that you have to watch your back. We remind you that being targeted does not mean you deserved it, and we push for a culture where people speak up, support victims, and choose right even when nobody is watching.

Subscribe, share the show with someone who needs this message, and leave a review so more people can find Voices for Voices.

*Merch Shop: voices-for-voices.org/4h2xvA0

**Please Donate Today: LoveVoices.org, CashApp and Venmo

***Find our book here:

Amazon: voices-for-voices.org/3ZhJ6AW

Publisher: voices-for-voices.org/3LKL1uN

Instagram: @voicesforvoices

TikTok: @voices_for_voices_22

Facebook: Voices for Voices

*Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Chapter Markers

• 0:01 Welcome And Big Ask To Share
• 2:19 Give And Take As The Theme
• 4:52 The Locker Story And Missing Shoes
• 11:05 How The Shoes Were Taken
• 14:56 Defining Stealing From Physical To Digital
• 21:06 Entitlement And Why It Becomes Crime
• 25:03 Mental Health After Being Victimized
• 29:09 Speak Up Choose Right And Stay Strong
• 31:31 Voices For Voices Mission And Storytelling
• 33:50 Final Takeaways And Closing Requests

#stealing #ethics #propertyrights #dontsteal #respectothers #moralvalues #responsibility #awareness #justiceforvoicesforvoicestiktok #VoicesforVoices #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #Jesusaire #Episode561

Support the show