Consider Before Consuming

Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief references to childhood sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advisedToni Collier is a speaker, author, and founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, a global women’s organization helping people process brokenness and find hope. In this episode, Toni shares how being exposed to pornography as a child led to addiction, shame, and struggles with identity—and how she’s now creating a healthier, more open environment for her kids.She also talks about the power of community and connection in healing and parenting, reminding us that even when life feels messy or broken, beauty and growth are still possible.This episode is sponsored by Relay, a secure peer-support app that connects you with a small group of people who understand what you’re going through and help you stay accountable on your journey to quit porn. Try it today for 20% off! Episode Resources:Article: Why Fighting Porn Must Include Fighting ShamePodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 83: MyuniqueToni's WebsiteBark: Fighters get a free month!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maddie shares her harrowing journey through betrayal trauma as she supports her husband Kyle, who battled porn addiction. They delve into the impact of early exposure to pornography on their marriage, discussing emotional fallout and the daunting process of rebuilding trust. Maddie emphasizes the necessity of radical honesty as a boundary while Kyle reveals how shame fueled his addiction. Their discussion highlights the importance of therapy and external support, offering hope and practical advice for couples navigating similar challenges.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence, trafficking, and child sexual abuse material. Listener discretion is advised.OnlyFans is often marketed as a quick path to money and empowerment, but the reality tells another story. While a small fraction of creators earn millions, most make very little, and many feel pressured into increasingly extreme stunts to stand out—some involving hundreds or even thousands of partners, or content marketed as “barely legal.” At the same time, teens report being targeted with invitations to join the platform or consume its content, fueling harmful ideas about sex, consent, and exploitation.In this episode, Natale and Elisabeth look at the myths and realities of OnlyFans, the risks for creators and consumers, and how trafficking and child sexual abuse material have found their way onto the platform.Episode Resources:Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 140: Victoria SinisPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 78: Jane Doe, Girls Do Porn Trafficking SurvivorRecovery ResourcesReuters Series: OnlyFans ExposedShare Your StoryEpisode CitationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Explore the disturbing link between pornography and sexual violence, highlighting the normalization of harmful practices like strangulation porn. Discover how AI deepfakes are reshaping perceptions of consent and exploiting women, while social media exposes young audiences to graphic content. This discussion emphasizes the urgent need for awareness, community action, and critical evaluation of media consumption to combat the rising tide of online sexual violence. Personal stories and alarming statistics drive home the importance of education and advocacy in fostering a healthier society.

Kaila Yu, the author of the memoir *Fetishized*, navigates the challenges of fetishization and media exploitation, sharing her deeply personal experiences including a sexual assault that was recorded without her consent. The conversation delves into how pornography perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Asian women, stripping away individuality and fueling societal misconceptions. Kaila emphasizes the urgent need to challenge these narratives and the impact they have on self-perception, identity, and overall societal views of violence and sexuality.

Mike Lemon is the founder of Cyber Safe School and a former Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigator. After decades spent tracking down online predators, he now dedicates his work to helping parents, educators, and students prevent online exploitation, especially sextortion. In this episode, Mike explains how predators are targeting youth, why sextortion cases are rapidly increasing, the role of AI in these crimes, and what families can do to protect kids in today’s digital world.Episode Resources:Article: Why Financial Sextortion Is Targeting Teens and Spreading FastPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 138: Shannon and JohnNewsletter: Cyber Safe SchoolFacebook Group: Cyber Safe FamiliesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

*This episode contains a detailed discussion of child abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.Dr. Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman is a behavioral neurologist, clinical psychologist, human trafficking survivor, and international human rights advocate. In this powerful episode, he shares his story of surviving severe childhood abuse and trafficking, navigating the foster care and immigration systems, and turning his trauma into a lifelong mission to support other survivors. Now working globally with the United Nations and providing trauma-informed care to thousands of trafficking victims, Dr. Piraino-Guzman sheds light on the complex realities of exploitation, the importance of healing-centered systems, and why boys and men must be included in conversations about trafficking and sexual violence. Even after experiencing the worst of humanity, he chooses to lead with hope, trust, and compassion, and invites us all to do the same.Epiosde Resources:National Survivor NetworkSurvivor AllianceVictim ResourcesDr. Piraino-Guzman's LinkedInCourt Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)Universal Declaration of Human RightsArticle: 15 Facts About Human Sex TraffickingArticle: Parents—If You Don’t Teach Your Kids About Sex, Porn Sites WillAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A teenager's life was shattered when explicit deepfake images of her spread online, triggering relentless harassment and stalking. She shares her emotional journey, highlighting the confusion and trauma of navigating digital exploitation. The conversation emphasizes the struggles for justice against a backdrop of ineffective law enforcement and the importance of community support. As she heals, she advocates for empathy, awareness of digital risks, and reforms to protect victims in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Jeremiah is a husband, an expecting father, and a self-described lifelong learner who found himself struggling with a compulsive porn habit that began in his teens and escalated in college, when he found himself viewing content he would never act out in real life. In this episode, Jeremiah candidly shares how his use of pornography affected his relationships, mental health, and sense of self, particularly during the early stages of his marriage. He opens up about the moment his wife discovered the truth, the shame he experienced, and what sparked his decision to pursue real recovery. Episode Resources:Article: How Porn Can Become an Escalating BehaviorRecovery ResourcesPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 112: RobertAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A candid exploration of early exposure to pornography reveals its lasting effects on mental health and relationships. The speaker shares their struggles with addiction and the shame felt as a girl facing this issue. The importance of open conversations about sex and pornography is emphasized, highlighting how vital these discussions are for breaking stigma and empowering individuals. Personal stories illustrate the need for community support in healing, advocating for openness to redefine self-identity and combat isolation.