Aspire: The I Have The Right To Podcast

I Have the Right To
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Join the I Have the Right to team and thought leaders as we Aspire to eradicate sexual assault. Inspired by Co-Founder Chessy Prout’s courageous voice and memoir, I Have The Right To- A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice and Hope, co-authored by investigative journalist Jenn Abelson, our mission is to create an ecosystem of respect,  education, and support for all students! Aspire is meant to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for growth -- by offering a forum for dialogue - about issues affecting our culture and the way we live, interact, love, learn and grow.  Real Men, Real Conversations: Aspire touches on both sides of the coin; Co-Founder of I Have the Right To and father of Chessy Prout, Alex Prout, and High School Student Leaders and Co-Hosts, Hugh Eastman and Gabriel Viscogliosi, share their voices with discussions about what it means to be a man- does it mean being aggressive, stoic, and not taking no for an answer? Or giving your buddy a hug and telling him you love him? Alex, Gabriel, and Hugh share how, across generations, common masculinity tropes impact us all, and how we can inspire the future to act with "aspirational masculinity". They interview guests to get their perspectives, while discussing how rigid gender norms can create harmful barriers for all. All this, and more, in “Real Men, Real Conversations”. Survivor Advocacy: In the “Survivor Advocacy” segment, Co-Founder and mother of Chessy Prout, Susan Prout, and Executive Director of I Have the Right To, Katie M. Shipp, highlight the power of survivor voices in driving meaningful change. These episodes —deeply inspired by Chessy’s unwavering courage to speak out despite attempts to silence her— amplify powerful survivor stories, engage with experts, and explore the path forward in the fight for justice and safety. Listeners will gain insight into where we’ve been, where we need to go, and how we can collectively create lasting impact. Together, we’ll explore diverse perspectives to drive meaningful, lasting advocacy and build a safer, more just future for all. We amplify survivors’ voices and address the root causes of sexual violence by creating open dialogue around its causes. Each episode features a variety of guests discussing survivor experiences, the aftermath of sexual assault, healthy masculinity, and the future we envision - free from sexual assault.   Let’s explore, learn, and aspire together. 

  1. E65: Aspire to be an Upstander (ft. Jackson Katz) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    13H AGO

    E65: Aspire to be an Upstander (ft. Jackson Katz) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode of Aspire is a conversation about what it means to be an active upstander in a culture shaped by silence, harm, and pressure to conform. Hosts Alex Prouts and Gabriel Viscogliosi are joined by Dr. Jackson Katz, educator, author, and one of the leading voices in the movement to prevent gender-based violence. Jackson breaks down why violence against women is not just a women’s issue, but a men’s issue that demands men’s leadership, accountability, and courage. He explores the bystander approach, the importance of speaking up in everyday moments, and how young men can use their sphere of influence to challenge sexism, misogyny, and harmful peer pressure. He also pushes back on narrow, cartoonish ideas of strength, arguing that true strength includes vulnerability, moral courage, and the willingness to do the right thing even when it feels uncomfortable. The conversation also digs into the pressures facing young men today, from social media and the manosphere to the confusion many boys feel about identity and masculinity. Gabriel shares how aspirational masculinity is being taught in his school community, and Jackson responds with practical guidance for students, athletes, and anyone trying to build healthier peer cultures. In closing, Jackson offers a powerful reminder: everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and real change starts when people choose to be part of the solution. Make sure to check out Jackson Katz’s book, Every Man: Why Violence Against Women Is a Men’s Issue and How You Can Make a Difference https://jacksonkatz.substack.com/p/every-man-why-violence-against-women Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    1h 14m

  2. MAY 2

    E64: Own Our Voices | Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky on Changing the Law that Perpetuates Silence

    Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode of Aspire is a conversation about breaking silences around workplace harassment and discrimination, and how survivors can turn personal pain into policy change. Hosts Chessy Prout and Alex Prout are joined by intern co-host Kalaya Hudziec-Leiva, and guests Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, the co-founders of Lift Our Voices. Gretchen and Julie share how their own experiences at Fox News led them to challenge the systems that kept people silent, including forced arbitration and non-disclosure agreements. They reflect on how difficult it can be to speak publicly, how institutions often protect power instead of people, and why educating young people about their rights is essential. The conversation also explores how public storytelling, legal advocacy, and bipartisan organizing helped move major federal reforms forward. Chessy brings the discussion back to the survivor experience, naming the importance of holding onto a full identity beyond trauma and of building communities where people feel safe to speak up. Alex highlights the need to shift culture, not just law, while Kalea asks thoughtful questions about legislative change and the role of public voices in shaping public understanding. Together, they make a strong case that silence is what allows harm to continue, and that collective action can create real accountability. Make sure to follow Lift Our Voices and learn more at https://liftourvoices.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    48 min
  3. E63: Aspire to Speak Up (ft. Charlie Pillsbury) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    APR 25

    E63: Aspire to Speak Up (ft. Charlie Pillsbury) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of Aspire, host Alex Prout and student co-host Ryan welcome Charlie Pillsbury, a survivor, Quinnipiac law professor, and family friend to the Prouts, for a deeply personal conversation about his lifelong journey toward healing from sexual assault. Charlie reflects on his early years at St. Paul's School, sharing a painful experience of sexual assault during his time as a young boarding student and the culture that allowed and encouraged the abuse. He speaks candidly about how he buried that experience until years later, a news story about another assault at the same institution brought back those memories and compelled him to act. This moment became a turning point. Charlie wrote a public op-ed recounting his experience, breaking years of silence and becoming the first member of the St. Paul's community to publicly support Alex Prout's family following Chessie's assault. The conversation explores how trauma lingers across decades, shaping one's sense of safety, identity, and belonging. Charlie shares how, even 50 years later, returning to campus required emotional preparation and trust. Together, Alex, Ryan, and Charlie examine the broader themes of masculinity, power, and accountability. They lay the groundwork for a larger conversation about what it means to challenge harmful norms and build communities rooted in respect and care. Breaking the silence is never easy, but it can create connection, spark change, and open the door for healing. For more information, please visit ihavetherightto.org Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    43 min
  4. E62: Aspire to Harness the Warrior’s Compassion (ft. Sean Harvey) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    APR 18

    E62: Aspire to Harness the Warrior’s Compassion (ft. Sean Harvey) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Aspire, Steve Peacock and Gabriel Viscogliosi welcome Sean Harvey, MSOD, MSED, founder of the Warrior Compassion Institute and author of Warrior Compassion: Unleashing the Healing Power of Men, for an honest conversation about men's healing, redefining masculinity, and driving systems change in hyper-masculine spaces like law enforcement, military, first responders, and beyond. Sean shares his transformative journey from a "soulless" career in Wall Street consulting, where he led 150 people in superficial sessions, to discovering authenticity at Eileen Fisher, igniting his call to help men reclaim empathy, moral courage, and self-compassion. The discussion dives into trauma recovery, overcoming surface-level male friendships, and starting vulnerable conversations without triggering resistance from men who equate emotion with weakness. Steve and Gabriel learn about Sean's practical strategies, like Men's Soul Adventures (which grew to 330 men seeking deeper connection and purpose), and his MLab framework for bridge builders: the Warrior Bridge (challenging ethos vs. humanity), Inner Bridge (self-awareness), Human Bridge (rehumanizing others), and Embodied Bridge (somatic integration). They address extremism (the "stew" of fear, shame, isolation, and the HYPE effect), and how blending personal transformation with systemic levers can create a lasting change in society. Sean emphasizes compassionate curiosity over prescription to foster agency and creativity. He closes with the aspiration to bring compassion to every interaction, adversaries, and oneself; believing men have the capacity for profound healing. For more on Warrior Compassion Institute, visit warriorcompassion.org To learn more about I Have The Right To, visit ihavetherightto.org Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    54 min
  5. E61: Aspire to Build Safe Waters (ft. Julian Bell) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    APR 11

    E61: Aspire to Build Safe Waters (ft. Julian Bell) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire, Steve Peacock and Gabriel Viscogliosi welcome Chief Warrant Officer Julian Bell, a Coast Guard veteran, survivor, advocate, and creator of Sailors Disgrace, for an honest conversation about military sexual assault, masculinity, healing, and the power of speaking out. Julian shares the long path from silence to disclosure, how a single safe conversation helped him begin telling the truth, and how his healing journey ultimately shaped the advocacy work he does today. The conversation explores the culture of masculinity inside the military, the pressure to stay quiet and “push through,” and how those expectations can make it harder for survivors to seek help. Julian, Steve, and Gabriel also discuss the impact of institutional failure, the importance of community and accountability, and why real change starts by creating safer spaces for younger generations to speak, learn, and lead with empathy. Julian closes with the message that true strength includes vulnerability, compassion, and the courage to protect others, and that survivors and allies alike can help build a better culture by refusing to stay silent. For more on Julian’s podcast, follow them on Instagram @Sailors_Disgrace or listen wherever you get your podcasts. For more information on Julian’s nonprofit Safe Waters, visit them at https://www.safewatersunited.org/ To learn more about I Have The Right To, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    1h 5m

  6. APR 6

    E60: Aspire to Find Help (ft. Jim Maley) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire, Steve Peacock and Hugh Eastman welcome Jim Maley, founder of The Maley Way, for an insightful conversation on masculinity, mental health, leadership, and the power of vulnerability. Jim shares his own story of struggling silently with depression in college, the role his mother played in helping him seek support, and how his experience shaped the work he now does with young men and students. The conversation explores how boys are often taught to hide emotion, how that pressure can reinforce harmful behavior, and why accountability, empathy, and honest conversation play important rolls in building healthier communities. Jim, Steve, and Hugh also discuss the impact of modeling respectful behavior, the importance of addressing “small things” before they become bigger problems, and why sharing personal experience can help others feel less alone. Jim closes with the message that we have the right to be ourselves and stand up for what we believe in, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. To learn more about Jim, visit https://www.themaleyway.com/ Follow jim on instagram @themaleyway For more information on I Have The Right To, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    1h 2m
  7. E59: Community as Justice | Lauren Weingarten on Survivor-Informed Care and Building Safe Spaces Online – Advocacy in Action

    MAR 30

    E59: Community as Justice | Lauren Weingarten on Survivor-Informed Care and Building Safe Spaces Online – Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the I Have the Right to Aspire podcast, hosts Katie Shipp and Chessy Prout welcome guest co-hosts Maria and Kylie alongside Lauren Weingarten, founder of MTMV Community Support Network, one of the first social media-based support spaces for survivors of trauma, abuse, and sexual violence, plus their supporters. Lauren shares how she launched MTMV anonymously in 2019 amid her own healing journey, driven by isolation after assault and a stubborn belief that others needed connection too; it has since grown into global peer support groups, workshops, consulting, and events emphasizing "community as our culture." The group unpacks survivor-informed care as building on trauma-informed principles, while navigating social media's unique challenges. They explore why joyful, bright, accessible online content counters silence around harm; how community becomes justice when legal systems fail (offering validation and solidarity instead); tensions in demanding survivor stories without support; and practical tips for building safer digital spaces. The conversation ends with Lauren's "I have the right to be me" statement, embracing her full self amid ongoing growth. To learn more about MTMV Community Support Network, visit MTMVsupport.com or follow @MTMVcommunity on Instagram and Threads. For more information on I Have The Right To, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/​ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    42 min
  8. E58: Aspire to Care (ft. Cody Ragonese) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    MAR 21

    E58: Aspire to Care (ft. Cody Ragonese) - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire - Real Men, Real Conversations, hosts Alex Prout and Gabriel Viscogliosi sit down with Cody Ragonese, Associate Director of Programs at Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice. Cody shares how his journey from academic work in public health and international development to Peace Corps service in Eswatini led him into engaging men and boys in gender equality, HIV prevention, and violence reduction, and eventually into global masculinity work at Equimundo. He describes how early “girls’ empowerment” programs revealed a critical missing piece, and how building boys’ clubs focused on behavior change, safer sex, and relationships became his entry point into gender-transformative programming.​ Together, Alex, Gabriel, and Cody unpack why “gender equality needs men just as much as men need gender equality,” reframing this work not as charity or “allyship” but as men’s empowerment and liberation from harmful, socially constructed masculinity. They dive into concepts like the “man box,” the crisis of connection, and boys’ emotional masks, exploring how norms of stoicism, dominance, and narrow definitions of strength leave many young men isolated, under-equipped, and convinced that “nobody cares if they’re okay.” Cody explains how Equimundo works across ecosystems, from preschool classrooms and sports fields to online spaces like Discord and influencer content, to help boys and men redefine what it means to be a man. The episode closes with Cody’s “I have the right to” statement, balancing accountability and care: a call for men to be held responsible for their actions while also being supported to express care in ways that build empathy and connection.​ To learn more about Equimundo, please visit https://www.equimundo.org/ For more information on I Have The Right To, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Join the I Have the Right to team and thought leaders as we Aspire to eradicate sexual assault. Inspired by Co-Founder Chessy Prout’s courageous voice and memoir, I Have The Right To- A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice and Hope, co-authored by investigative journalist Jenn Abelson, our mission is to create an ecosystem of respect,  education, and support for all students! Aspire is meant to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for growth -- by offering a forum for dialogue - about issues affecting our culture and the way we live, interact, love, learn and grow.  Real Men, Real Conversations: Aspire touches on both sides of the coin; Co-Founder of I Have the Right To and father of Chessy Prout, Alex Prout, and High School Student Leaders and Co-Hosts, Hugh Eastman and Gabriel Viscogliosi, share their voices with discussions about what it means to be a man- does it mean being aggressive, stoic, and not taking no for an answer? Or giving your buddy a hug and telling him you love him? Alex, Gabriel, and Hugh share how, across generations, common masculinity tropes impact us all, and how we can inspire the future to act with "aspirational masculinity". They interview guests to get their perspectives, while discussing how rigid gender norms can create harmful barriers for all. All this, and more, in “Real Men, Real Conversations”. Survivor Advocacy: In the “Survivor Advocacy” segment, Co-Founder and mother of Chessy Prout, Susan Prout, and Executive Director of I Have the Right To, Katie M. Shipp, highlight the power of survivor voices in driving meaningful change. These episodes —deeply inspired by Chessy’s unwavering courage to speak out despite attempts to silence her— amplify powerful survivor stories, engage with experts, and explore the path forward in the fight for justice and safety. Listeners will gain insight into where we’ve been, where we need to go, and how we can collectively create lasting impact. Together, we’ll explore diverse perspectives to drive meaningful, lasting advocacy and build a safer, more just future for all. We amplify survivors’ voices and address the root causes of sexual violence by creating open dialogue around its causes. Each episode features a variety of guests discussing survivor experiences, the aftermath of sexual assault, healthy masculinity, and the future we envision - free from sexual assault.   Let’s explore, learn, and aspire together. 

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