Finding Your Lane: Rebecca Bender's Story of Survival & Advocacy

The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

In a world where the shadows of human trafficking and sexual exploitation loom large, the fight for justice and human dignity is more urgent than ever. We're called not only to see ourselves for who we truly are but also to recognize the pain of others and respond with unwavering strength and compassion. Each day presents an opportunity to stir up our hunger for justice and change, to stand up, speak up, and show up for those who need us most. It's a call to action that reverberates across every corner of society, demanding our attention, our empathy, and our commitment to making a tangible impact on the lives of others. It's time to confront the darkness with courage, to illuminate the path toward a future where exploitation is eradicated and dignity reigns supreme.

In this episode, Rebecca Bender shares her Story of Survival, advocacy, and love for life to illuminate the path toward healing and empowerment for survivors of human trafficking. We also talk about character, culture, and how to find a lane in the effort to eradicate sexual exploitation from more than 15 years of leadership. Rebecca is a social activist, author, and CEO who has earned a distinct reputation as a trailblazer and nationally recognized authority in the anti-human trafficking movement. She was appointed to the National Advisory Council on the sex trafficking of Youths in America and regularly testifies as an expert witness in courts prosecuting perpetrators.

After escaping her trafficker in 2007, Rebecca was determined to make a new life for herself and her young daughter. She worked hard, eventually opening her own business and earning a master's degree. When she was attending college online, Rebecca dreamed of launching a school for survivors of human trafficking. So, in 2014, the Elevate Academy was born, and within 8 years, it served over 1000 students in 18 countries and 575 cities across the country. This innovative online school is thriving today and remains a place where survivors can continue to connect, grow, and find tools to ignite their future.

Note: This conversation touches on sexual violence, and while it is never our goal to sensationalize the trauma of this topic, we strive to speak truthfully about the damage being done.

Tune in!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Elevate Academy: https://elevate-academy.org/

Key Highlights From The Show:

● [00:01] Intro and a quick bio of the guest, Rebecca Bender

● [05:16] A bit about Rebecca’s backstory and how her advocacy journey started

● [10:11] Rebecca's emotional experience when she began sharing her story

● [19:08] How Rebecca is helping people build their character mass

● [23:28] Parenting and what has been life-giving to Rebecca raising her four daughters

● [27:33] One lesson Rebecca has learned from raising her kids

● [30:00] Finding in Your Lane and Merging Different Lanes

● [35:41] What Rebecca has learned about culture from her work and leadership

● [40:46] The gradual cultural normalization of the expansion of boundaries

● [46:15] Cultural changes and why things are getting worse

● [50:24] How to show up as a man in a way that is life-giving to you and other

● [54:26] How Rebecca is making her way and helping her kids make their way

● [58:12] Rebecca's fun and life-giving activities in this season

● [01:04:09] Rebecca’s message to men on boldness and making a broader impact

● [01:10:28] Elevate Academy and how you can partner and support them

● [01:25:29] Ending the show

Standout Quotes:

● “We make reactions, not decisions, in moments of real extreme fear.” - [09:58]

● “Not everybody knows where their experimentation will lead in terms of addiction.”- [41:08]

● “With the cultural sex content normalization, as a consumer, you don’t know who is there by chance or circumstance.”- [48:19]

● “Those broader life experiences are built by individual moments and we need to help people develop a character that can help them get through situations that culturally are going to put pressure on them.”- [51:04]

● “It takes courage to stick out for things that you’re seeing happening and not just stay silent; when people stay silent, the injustice continues.”- [66:04]

● “You might not be able to shift the whole world, but it’s those individual moments that make up the lifetime; if everyone can be a little bold and courageous to stand up when they see an injustice, it can make a broader impact long-term.”- [66:21]

Let’s Connect Rebecca Bender

Website: https://rebeccabenderinitiative.org/meet-rebecca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabenderinitiative

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccabenderinitiative