Aspire: The I Have The Right To Podcast

I Have the Right To

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. 1d ago

    E89: The Sex-Wise Parent (ft. Dr. Janet Rosenzweig on Consent, Online Safety, and Family Communication) - Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire, hosts Katie Shipp and Chessy Prout are joined by youth voices Anna T. and Sydney J. for a conversation with Dr. Janet Rosenzweig, a nationally recognized child safety expert, sex educator, author, researcher, and advocate with more than four decades of experience in child sexual abuse prevention. Dr. Rosenzweig shares how she entered the field in the late 1970s, when the rape crisis movement and child welfare work began to converge, and explains why open, medically accurate conversations about sexuality are essential to prevention. She reflects on how fear, shame, and silence around sexuality can leave children and young people without the language and knowledge they need to recognize harm, understand their bodies, and seek support. The conversation explores her book The Sex Wise Parent, also published as The Parent’s Guide to Talking About Sex, which offers parents practical, age-appropriate tools for discussing bodies, consent, privacy, relationships, bullying, abuse, and online safety. Dr. Rosenzweig explains why these conversations should begin early, how families can create their own values and boundaries, and why parents do not need to have every answer in order to be a trusted source of support. Dr. Rosenzweig also discusses the limitations of relying on sex offender registries as a prevention strategy, emphasizing that effective prevention requires screening at youth-serving organizations, clear codes of conduct, accurate information, and open communication between children and trusted adults. She explains why a physical or genital response does not imply consent, love, or responsibility to act, and why understanding arousal can be especially important for young people navigating confusing or harmful experiences. The episode addresses digital risks as well, including explicit imagery, deepfakes, online exploitation, and the importance of responding without shame or blame when a child discloses something concerning. Dr. Rosenzweig shares her “three C’s” for parents—stay calm, stay in control, and know your community—and encourages families, schools, and faith communities to build a culture where victims are never shamed and people who cause harm are held accountable. To learn more about Dr. Janet Rosenzweig and her book, The Sex Wise Parent, visit https://www.sexwiseparent.com/ To learn more about I Have the Right To’s educational programming, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

  2. Oct 24

    E88: If I Tell You | Filmmakers Tessa Blake & Jennifer Manocherian on Secrets, Sexual Violence, and the Cost of Truth - Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Aspire, host Chessy Prout is joined by co-host Karen Udall and student intern Grace Funk for a conversation with filmmaker Tessa Blake and writer, producer, and former family therapist Jennifer Manocherian. Tessa and Jennifer discuss If I Tell You, their family drama adapted from Lisa O’Donnell’s novel Closed Doors. The film follows 12-year-old Michael as he tries to understand what happened after his mother is assaulted, while the adults around him struggle with secrecy, silence, and the cost of telling the truth. The film does not depict sexual violence on screen, but it explores mature themes related to harm, trauma, family dynamics, and the impact of violence on children. The conversation explores why the filmmakers chose to tell this story through a child’s perspective, and how that choice shifts attention away from the person who caused harm and toward the family members, friends, and community members affected by it. Tessa and Jennifer reflect on the importance of showing that there is no “perfect victim,” no single right response to trauma, and no easy answer when families are navigating fear, shame, anger, and love. Tessa also shares her experiences with gender bias in the entertainment industry, including how the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women helped her recognize structural barriers and build confidence as a director. She discusses the importance of women supporting women, confronting harm directly when possible, and moving beyond surface-level commitments toward real culture change in workplaces and creative industries. The group also considers how adults can better support children and survivors by listening without judgment, believing them, respecting their choices, and creating space for honesty. Tessa and Jennifer emphasize that storytelling can challenge silence, make hidden harm visible, and help communities imagine safer, more compassionate futures. To learn more about If I Tell You, visit https://www.ifitellyoufilm.com/ To learn more about Tessa Blake, visit https://www.tessablakedirector.com/ To learn more about Jennifer Manocherian, visit https://jennifermanocherian.net/ To learn more about I Have the Right To’s educational programming, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E88: If I Tell You | Filmmakers Tessa Blake & Jennifer Manocherian on Secrets, Sexual Violence, and the Cost of Truth - Advocacy in Action

  3. Oct 17

    E87: Justice Beyond the Courtroom (ft. Sexual Violence & Title IX Attorneys Christine Dunn and Carolin Guentert) - Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire, host Chessy Prout is joined by interns Anna T. and Emma H. for a conversation with attorneys Christine Dunn and Carolin Guentert, co-chairs of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s Sexual Violence, Title IX, and Victims’ Rights Practice Group. Christine and Carolin discuss the legal options available to survivors of sexual assault, including criminal proceedings, civil lawsuits, confidential settlements, and school-based Title IX processes. They explain how these pathways both differ in some ways, and how they can overlap in others, and how civil litigation can offer survivors an other opportunity to seek justice. The conversation explores what it means to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered legal representation. Christine and Carolin reflect on the importance of ensuring survivors understand their options without feeling pressured to pursue a particular path. Chessy shares her own experiences navigating the legal system as a teenager, highlighting how preparation, support, and respectful representation can make a meaningful difference. Together, they examine how schools and other institutions respond to sexual violence, including patterns of victim blaming, and prioritizing institutional reputations over survivors’ needs. They discuss why policies alone are not enough to create change, and how survivor-centered responses can help build safer communities. Christine and Carolin also reflect on the challenges of secondary trauma and burnout, the role of parents and trusted adults in prevention, and the personal risks survivors face when coming forward. Throughout the episode, they connect survivors’ legal rights with the broader work of preventing gender-based violence and creating a culture of accountability. To learn more about Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s work with survivors of sexual violence and Title IX violations, visit https://www.sanfordheisler.com/sexual-violence-title-ix-victims-rights/ To learn more about I Have the Right To’s educational programming, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E87: Justice Beyond the Courtroom (ft. Sexual Violence & Title IX Attorneys Christine Dunn and Carolin Guentert) - Advocacy in Action

  4. Oct 10

    E86: Hey Brother | Johnny Cole on Healthy Masculinity, Brotherhood, and Raising Better Men - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire, host Alex Prout and student co-host Ryan N. sit down with Johnny Cole, founder of Hey Brother Company and co-founder of the Hey Brother House. Johnny shares why he’s passionate about helping young men rethink masculinity, build stronger relationships, and feel more comfortable being themselves. Johnny looks back on his early work with Men Opposing Violence Everywhere at the University of Rochester. He also talks about how expectations to always appear tough can get in the way of genuine connection and contribute to sexual violence. For Johnny, change starts with what young men see in the people around them. Mentors, coaches, fathers, and friends all have a role to play, especially when it comes to showing that vulnerability is a strength, not weakness. Drawing on his own experience growing up in an abusive household, Johnny explains why creating the kind of supportive community he needed as a young man has become such an important part of his work. Ryan and Johnny also explore how encouragement can be more effective than shame when it comes to changing behavior. Sometimes, making a difference starts with something small, like speaking up when a friend crosses a line or letting someone know they’re valued. Johnny shares how that same approach informs his “Brothercore” content and the Hey Brother House, where young male content creators come together to build friendships, open up about their experiences, and challenge the messages about masculinity often promoted by the manosphere. At its heart, this conversation is about making room for a different kind of masculinity, one grounded in care, connection, and respect for others. To learn more about Johnny Cole and Hey Brother Company, follow @heybrotherjohnny and @heybrotherhouse on Instagram. To learn more about I Have the Right To’s programming on consent, healthy relationships, digital safety, and leadership, email takeaction@ihavetherightto.org. Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E86: Hey Brother | Johnny Cole on Healthy Masculinity, Brotherhood, and Raising Better Men - Real Men, Real Conversations

  5. Oct 3

    E85: Reimagining Justice | Marlee Liss on Restorative Justice, Survivor Autonomy, and Healing Beyond the Courtroom - Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Aspire, host Chessy Prout is joined by interns Kylie L. and Sienna L. for a conversation with survivor advocate, somatic educator, and founder of Survivors 4 Justice Reform, Marlee Liss. Marlee shares how her sexual assault case became one of the first in North America to reach a restorative justice outcome through the criminal legal system. She explains how the traditional court process left her feeling dehumanized, while restorative justice offered a survivor-centered path focused on accountability, healing, and meaningful answers. The conversation explores what restorative justice can look like in practice, therapy, facilitated dialogue, circles, letters, compensation, or community accountability, and emphasizes that justice is not one-size-fits-all. Marlee discusses her global coalition, Survivors 4 Justice Reform, which advocates for options beyond the carceral system and works to make alternative pathways visible and accessible, especially for marginalized survivors. Marlee also introduces a somatic practice: to notice, trust, value, and communicate, to help survivors reconnect with their true selves, and identify their needs. She reflects on the risks of public storytelling, her upcoming memoir If I Had Known Then, and her vision for a future in which every survivor can experience justice that is healing and survivor-centered. To learn more about Marlee Liss and Survivors 4 Justice Reform, visit https://www.survivors4justicereform.com/ To learn more about Marlee's upcoming memoir, If I Had Known Then, visit https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800053/if-i-had-known-then-by-marlee-liss/ To learn more about I Have the Right To’s educational programming, visit https://ihavetherightto.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E85: Reimagining Justice | Marlee Liss on Restorative Justice, Survivor Autonomy, and Healing Beyond the Courtroom - Advocacy in Action

  6. Sep 26

    E84: Youth-Led Truth (ft. World Without Exploitation's Youth Coalition) - Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of Aspire, co-hosts Maria V. and Ray Epstein are joined by Alexandria S., Gabby S., Roya S., Lucy J., Charlie B., Emma H., Ryan N., and Vishudh G., young advocates from the World Without Exploitation Youth Coalition, as well as I Have the Right To's own interns. Together, they explore how online culture, influencer content, artificial intelligence, and harmful ideas about masculinity shape young people’s understanding of consent, relationships, power, and exploitation. The youth-led conversation examines how platforms such as OnlyFans and other sugaring networks can package exploitation as empowerment while hiding the economic pressure and unequal power dynamics often involved. Guests also discuss how online content can create the illusion of safety, privacy, and personal connection, even when there are entire teams actually managing accounts behind the scenes. The group challenges the idea that consent is simply a matter of saying “yes” or “no.” They explain why consent must be understood within the broader context of coercion, grooming, manipulation, fear, dependency, and power imbalances. They also emphasize that consent can change, that sexual violence can occur within relationships, and that there is no single “perfect” victim or recognizable model of assault. The conversation also addresses AI-generated sexual images, deepfakes, and the importance of digital consent. They explain that violating someone’s image or identity can cause real harm even when there is no physical contact, and that fictional or digitally created content can still normalize the objectification and exploitation of women. The episode closes with a call for more honest conversations and youth-led action. Young people are not only affected by these issues - they are identifying harmful patterns, challenging normalized behavior, educating their peers, and helping create safer communities. If you are interested in bringing these conversations to your school or community, I Have the Right To partners with K–12 schools, colleges, and universities to provide trauma-informed programming on consent, healthy relationships, digital safety, and leadership. Contact takeaction@ihavetherightto.org. To learn more about World Without Exploitation, visit https://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E84: Youth-Led Truth (ft. World Without Exploitation's Youth Coalition) - Advocacy in Action

  7. Sep 19

    E83: Moving Men Off the Sidelines | Men for Choice’s Aaron Bos-Lun and Dewayne Martin on Reproductive Freedom, Bodily Autonomy, and Youth Organizing - Real Men, Real Conversations

    Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of Aspire, host Alex Prout is joined by student co-host Amira for a conversation with Aaron Bos-Lun and Dewayne Martin of Men for Choice. They discuss why men must move beyond passive support and become active participants in the fight for reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, and reproductive justice. Aaron and Dewayne explain how Men for Choice builds community and leadership through one-on-one conversations, youth organizing, digital advocacy, and its fellowship program. They discuss the importance of meeting people where they are, helping young men understand their stake in reproductive rights, and turning personal values into concrete, time-bound action. The conversation also explores the influence of the manosphere, social media algorithms, and the lack of positive messages directed at young men. Aaron and Dewayne share why authentic voices are essential to challenging harmful stereotypes, and reflect on sustaining advocacy through purpose, community, humor, grace, and education. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that change does not always require thousands of people; sometimes it begins with a few people showing up together, having a conversation, and choosing to act. To learn more about Men for Choice and its Virtual Youth Fellowship Program, please visit https://menforchoice.org/ To join I Have The Right To’s fight to create a world free of sexual violence, please visit https://ihavetherightto.org/take-action/ Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E83: Moving Men Off the Sidelines | Men for Choice’s Aaron Bos-Lun and Dewayne Martin on Reproductive Freedom, Bodily Autonomy, and Youth Organizing - Real Men, Real Conversations

  8. Sep 12

    E82: The Right to Rest | Sarah Miller on Survivor Support, Community Advocacy, and Building Safer Pathways Forward - Advocacy in Action

    Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of Aspire, hosts Katie M. Shipp and Chessy Prout are joined by student co-hosts Anna and Emma for a conversation with Sarah Miller, Executive Director of Women’s Services Inc. Sarah shares her journey into survivor advocacy and discusses Women’s Services’ holistic approach to supporting people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, and other forms of violence. The conversation explores the organization’s 24-hour hotline, shelter, legal and medical advocacy, counseling, prevention education, and community-based programs. Sarah explains how survivor-centered care has evolved, why confidentiality and specialized training are essential, and how advocates support survivors in navigating systems including courts, hospitals, correctional facilities, schools, and disability service organizations. Sarah, Anna, Emma, Katie, and Chessy also discuss the unique barriers survivors face in rural communities, the importance of bystander intervention and consent education, and how friends and loved ones can support someone who may not be ready to leave an abusive relationship. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the power of youth leadership, community organizing, and survivor-informed advocacy, and the many ways people can make a difference through their time, resources, skills, or simply by continuing to show up. The episode closes with Sarah’s vision for a future where survivors can access care without stigma, male survivors of childhood sexual abuse feel safe and supported in seeking help, and communities are empowered to create lasting change. Her message is also a reminder that rest is not a luxury, but an essential part of sustaining this work. Learn more and find support: Women’s Services Inc.: Learn more about the organization and its support resources at https://www.womensservicesinc.org/National Domestic Violence Hotline: For national support and referrals to local survivor services, visit https://www.thehotline.org/I Have The Right To: Join the movement to create a world free of sexual violence at https://ihavetherightto.org/take-action/Support the show Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com

    E82: The Right to Rest | Sarah Miller on Survivor Support, Community Advocacy, and Building Safer Pathways Forward - Advocacy in Action
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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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