17 episodes
Cheer Incorporated FITSNews
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- True Crime
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4.7 • 217 Ratings
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Cheer Incorporated exposes the institutional sex abuse scandal unearthed by Rockstar Cheer gym owner Scott Foster’s suicide in late August 2022. As more information surfaced it became apparent that Foster, as well as other coaches, would soon be facing public allegations of sexual abuse of minors. What wasn’t clear initially was that the misbehavior extends to the corporate entities and governing bodies responsible for ensuring the safety of Cheer athletes, and that they would soon be facing allegations of covering up years of sexual abuse to fatten up their bottom lines. Join investigative researcher and cheer mom Jennifer Wood, and FITSNews.com founding editor Will Folks on their journey to shine light in the dark corners of this industry with new episodes premiering every Thursday morning.
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Cheer Sexual Abuse Survivor Interview - Victoria Shares Her Story
FITSNews director of research Jennifer Wood sits with cheer abuse survivor Victoria. Hear her reflect on the abuse she suffered, how it's changed her life, and why she decided to come forward with her story.
This episode marks the end of season one of the Cheer Incorporated podcast, which will return following FITSNews' coverage of Alex Murdaugh's murder trial. We have more great interviews and episodes in production and look forward to season two. Thank you for your support.
EP1: Shattered Trust
EP 2: A Secret Culture
EP 3: Building The Empire
EP 4: The Last to Know
EP 5: Zero Consequences
EP 6: The Groomer's Playbook
EP 7: Standing Up Alone - Twins' Mom Kristen Shares Her Story
EP 8: Silenced
EP 9: The Village
EP 10: The Why
EP 11: Army of Enablers
EP 12: Our Hands Are Tied
EP 13: Twins' Mom Interview Pt 2: A Path Forward
EP 14: Cheer Attorney Amy Gaffney Interview
EP 15: Carolina to California: More Allegations of Abuse -
Carolina to California - More Allegations of Abuse
The Cheer Incorporated scandal landed on the west coast following the filing of a federal lawsuit in the central district of California – the latest formal allegations tied to the culture of sex abuse within the American cheerleading industry.
This episode of Cheer Incorporated breaks the latest allegations down - and delves into the inner working of cheer industry governing bodies which have been alleged to have failed to prevent the abuse of minor athletes in a growing number of states.
EP1: Shattered Trust
EP 2: A Secret Culture
EP 3: Building The Empire
EP 4: The Last to Know
EP 5: Zero Consequences
EP 6: The Groomer's Playbook
EP 7: Standing Up Alone - Twins' Mom Kristen Shares Her Story
EP 8: Silenced
EP 9: The Village
EP 10: The Why
EP 11: Army of Enablers
EP 12: Our Hands Are Tied
EP 13: Twins' Mom Interview Pt 2: A Path Forward
Ep 14: Cheer Attorney Amy Gaffney Interview -
Legal Drama Escalates - Cheer Attorney Amy Gaffney Interview
The Cheer Incorporated team traveled to Charleston S.C. to speak with employment attorney Amy Gaffney about her role in recent Cheer sexual abuse lawsuits.
Gaffney's insights into the Ohio suit, as well as her ability to provide a defense attorney's perspective on the pending litigation, make this conversation one you won't want to miss. -
A Path Forward: Twins’ Mom Kristen Gives Cheer Abuse Victims Advice
The Cheer Incorporated podcast production team had the pleasure of speaking with “The Twins’ Mom” Kristen in late October, 2022. Kristen’s sons are victims of so-called “cheerlebrity,” Jerry Harris.
In our first conversation with Kristen she recounted her and her son's story of standing up - even when that meant standing up alone. In this episode she shares advice for current survivors, as well as her opinion on where the cheerleading industry must go to right its systemic wrongs.
Kristen has generously offered her support to survivors and their loved ones. She can be reached on Twitter @_kristenerika_
Previous Episodes:
EP1: Shattered Trust
EP 2: A Secret Culture
EP 3: Building The Empire
EP 4: The Last to Know
EP 5: Zero Consequences
EP 6: The Groomer's Playbook
EP 7: Standing Up Alone - Twins' Mom Kristen Shares Her Story
EP 8: Silenced
EP 9: The Village
EP 10: The Why
EP 11: Army of Enablers -
"Our Hands Are Tied"
In this episode of Cheer Incorporated host Jennifer Wood and producer Dylan Nolan dig into the recently filed Ohio lawsuit, detailing both the allegations of abuse that follow the pattern set forth in previous suits, as well as cheer industry governing body USASF's response, which initially seemed appropriate - but devolved when attorneys were brought into the mix.
Stay tuned for an exciting announcement at the end of this week's show. -
Army of Enablers
Please Note: This episode contains graphic content that may be disturbing or traumatizing to some audiences. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode the we dig further into the enabling culture exemplified by the harrowing stories of new victims in new states.
Sound familiar? Almost formulaic? This is one of the key dynamics of the Cheer Incorporated scandal … a culture which refuses to take credible allegations of abuse seriously and then refuses to hold abusers accountable even when there is clear and compelling evidence of their conduct.
This is why my ongoing conversation with Professor Amos Guiora is so vital. Because when you hear the phrase, “No action was taken”, that is the definition of enabling behavior.
Customer Reviews
What happened?
I thought you were going to continue reporting after the Murdaugh trial.
You’re leaving us having.
👏🫶When will it end???
My heart goes out to the children (survivors) & parents. Why & HOW can other adults cover up the abuse of merciless perpetrators?? I commend the efforts by all involved in exposing yet another sickening story. Keep being strong 💪!
SafeSport
I’ve only listened to the episode “Last to Know,” but I am SHOCKED that “Mary” didn’t know about SafeSport, thought she had to pay for SafeSport, and that SafeSport policies were not enforced at Premier, i.e. proper channels were contacted immediately after a report of abuse. It’s something our coaches talk about weekly with our USA Swimming team. Posters are all over the pool, training is required by all adults in leadership roles and resources and training are provided to parents and athletes ALL the TIME! Usually weekly at the very least, and not even just specific to their sport but general abuse prevention topics for other areas of life. I am honestly dumbfounded, since US Center for SafeSport was established specifically after incidents that happened in the gymnastics/tumbling world. Listeners-if your sports team isn’t being proactive about SafeSport policies then you need to move to another team and report them to SafeSport….because it is a *bare-minimum* requirement that they provide education and awareness to parents.