Talk Trafficking Penny Ronning

Julia Lillethun bravely shares her story of resilience and healing after surviving a brutally and sexually violent attack by a serial rapist. She talks about the physical and emotional trauma she experienced, as well as the judgment and victim-blaming she faced. Julia also discusses the challenges of overcoming self-blame and accepting what happened. She emphasizes the importance of changing the internal dialogue and reframing the narrative to focus on survival and making the right decisions. 
In this episode, Julia highlights the impact of trauma on her family and children, and the difficulties they faced together. She recounts the unexpected phone call that led to the resolution of her case and the legal process that followed. Julia also reflects on the frustration with prison sentencing and the need for a shift in societal norms to address victim-blaming and stigma. 
Throughout the conversation, Julia stresses the importance of belief systems and the need for survivors to be heard and understood. She talks about the impact on her personally of prison-based Victim Impact Panels and her experiences working with inmates, and the empowerment she gained through speaking in prisons.
Julia talks with Penny about the importance of creating safe spaces for survivors and the need for more services for victims. She also shares key actions to increase personal safety.
To learn more about Victim Impact Panels, please visit the Montana Department of Corrections’ website HERE. To learn more about Jane Doe No More, please visit their website HERE.
To learn more about the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit our website HERE.
Host: Penny RonningWriter: Penny RonningProducers: Penny Ronning, Ty LoweEditor: Ty LoweSound Designer/Engineer: Ty LoweMusic: Ty Lowe, Konstantin KlimovGraphic Design: Rae ClarkWebsite: Justin Townsend

Julia Lillethun Bio
Julia Lillethun was born and raised in Montana. Her family consisted of her father, mother, and 2 brothers. While researching her family history, Julia discovered that she also had eight half-siblings and her father had an alias and was living two separate lives. 
Julia has two adult children and five grandchildren. She loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys the outdoors, fishing, and camping. She also enjoys quilting, sewing, string art, and other hobbies. 2024 marks her 27th year as the director of the Yellowstone County Spelling Bee in Montana. 
Julia’s childhood was filled with trauma at the hands of her alcoholic, abusive father. He could not hold down a job for long, so her family moved often. He was a ranch hand, and her mother was a nurse. Their family alternated from ranch to city life frequently. This made Julia learn to adapt quickly to survive. 
Julia is a cancer survivor as well as a survivor of a violent attack in 1999. Julia was raped, stabbed several times, and left for dead. She now uses her voice to help others and to try to change the stigma and narrative of sexual assault. Julia is a survivor speaker member for Jane Doe No More and a volunteer speaker for the Montana Department of Corrections, Victim Impact Panels. 
Another passion for Julia is working on legislation for survivors. “It is so fulfilling to help others see they don’t have to fight alone and that there is hope, love, acceptance, and support to assist them in healing, rising from the ashes, and emerging from the darkness.”
 

In this episode, Louie Greek from TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking), focuses on the efforts being made in the trucking industry to fight sex trafficking. The conversation covers various topics such as what sex trafficking looks like on American highways, the crucial role played by truck drivers in combating trafficking, the significance of survivor voices, and addressing the demand (buyers) side of human trafficking. Louie encourages listeners to take action in their communities and access resources provided by TAT to fight human trafficking.
Louie highlights the importance of reporting and how it can help prevent human trafficking. He urges listeners to be observant and get involved if they notice anything suspicious. Louie also emphasizes the need to educate the next generation about the dangers of human trafficking and empower them to take action. This conversation also highlights the inclusion of vulnerable populations, such as individuals with disabilities, in the fight against trafficking. 
Penny and Louie discuss the impact of education and partnerships in combating human trafficking and the important role of industry self-regulation in preventing criminal exploitation of a professional industry. Louie also talks about TAT’s Man to Man program to address masculinity, sexual objectification, and sexual violence. 
To learn more about TAT, please visit their website HERE. 
To learn about TAT’s Man to Man program and other resources, please visit their website HERE. 
To learn more about the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit our website HERE.
Host: Penny RonningWriter: Penny RonningProducers: Penny Ronning, Ty LoweEditor: Ty LoweSound Designer/Engineer: Ty LoweMusic: Ty Lowe, Konstantin KlimovGraphic Design: Rae ClarkWebsite: Justin Townsend
 
Louie Greek Bio
Louie Greek is a Coalition Build Specialist with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), a 501(c)3 organization that exists to educate, equip, empower, and mobilize members of the transportation industry to combat domestic sex trafficking. He speaks around the county about TAT’s mission to law enforcement and the transportation industry.  Mr. Greek has over 22 years of law enforcement, military, and humanitarian aid experience and has been fighting human trafficking since 2013. 
In Thailand, he assisted in the creation of the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Laboratory at the Royal Thai Police Academy, which is responsible for hundreds of arrests related to human trafficking. From recovering victims while working on human trafficking investigations internationally to working with local U.S. law enforcement to overseas military deployments, he has always had a desire to serve. 

Prior to Interview: Clip of Chris McKenna testifying before the United States Congress.
In this conversation, Chris McKenna, the founder of Protect Young Eyes, stresses the essential role of parents in educating their children about technology and the digital world. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation of trust and communication between parents and children and the key role of modeling and authentic connection in helping kids navigate digital spaces. Chris also explains the five layers of protection, with the relationship layer being the most critical. He underscores the significance of routers in creating a safe digital environment and explains the importance of grandparents understanding digital safety. 
Chris provides practical tips for parents and grandparents to connect with their children and grandchildren and how to engage in digital safety. He also explains the EARN IT Act and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), highlighting the need for federal legislation to protect children online. Chris addresses the challenges in passing meaningful protections and underscores the role of parents in safeguarding their children from online predators. He provides key actions parents can take, such as practicing parent-led ownership of internet-connected devices and monitoring their children's online activities. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional conversations and a culture of parental engagement and control in the digital world.Update to Episode: President Biden signed the REPORT Act into law on May 7, 2024.
To learn more about Protect Young Eyes, please visit their website HERE. 
To learn more about the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit our website HERE.
Host: Penny RonningWriter: Penny RonningProducers: Penny Ronning, Ty LoweEditor: Ty LoweSound Designer/Engineer: Ty LoweMusic: Ty Lowe, Konstantin KlimovGraphic Design: Rae ClarkWebsite: Justin Townsend
 
Chris McKenna Bio
Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes (PYE) is a former consultant and youth ministry director. He has authored resources for families and churches on digital safety and pornography. His 2019 US Senate testimony catalyzed new online child protection laws and earned PYE the Dignity Defense Alert Award. 
Chris is an advisor to legislators and global tech companies on policies and feature improvements. The PYE team performs hundreds of presentations globally and was featured in the film Childhood 2.0. 
Chris is married to Andrea, enjoys family road trips, nature, running, and candy, and is a father to four.
Instagram: instagram.com/protectyoungeyes
Facebook: facebook.com/protectyoungeyes
Website: protectyoungeyes.com

Singer-songwriter and actress, Juliette Angelo, shares her story of survival, including experiences of child exploitation and abuse. She sheds light on the lack of protection and enforcement of child labor laws in the entertainment industry, particularly in theater and dance. Juliette highlights the sexualization of child actors and the disturbing trends she witnessed while growing up. She calls for accountability and positive change within the industry.
The conversation explores themes of parenting, the seduction of fame, the impact of sobriety on her healing journey, and finding identity and purpose after trauma. Juliette emphasizes the importance of honesty, authenticity, and using art for advocacy and education. She encourages listeners to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior to create safe environments for children.
In this episode, Juliette highlights the significance of caring, taking action, and normalizing healthy environments for children. She also discusses the importance of trusting one's gut and standing up for children. Juliette shares how supportive relationships have played a crucial role in her healing process, and inspires listeners to build positive, constructive relationships in their own lives.
Original composition 'Skin and Bones' by Juliette Angelo.
Upcoming events for Juliette Angelo are listed on her Facebook page HERE.  
To learn more about the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit our website HERE.
Host: Penny RonningWriter: Penny RonningProducers: Penny Ronning, Ty LoweEditor: Ty LoweSound Designer/Engineer: Ty LoweMusic: Ty Lowe, Konstantin KlimovGraphic Design: Rae ClarkWebsite: Justin Townsend
 
Juliette Angelo Bio
Juliette Angelo is an actress, singer, and songwriter. She began performing on Broadway at the age of 8 years old in the shows How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Tony Award-winning original cast of Billy Elliot, and Mary Poppins. 
Juliette made the transition to television when she was an early teen. She is best known for her prominent roles as Emily Fornell on NCIS, Geneva on Shameless, and as Reba McEntire’s daughter June on ABC’s Malibu Country.
After leaving the entertainment industry at 21, Juliette moved to Nashville, then to Albuquerque, and now resides in Billings, Montana. Juliette is also a singer-songwriter and began performing live last year. 
Despite a turbulent childhood and upbringing, Juliette has found peace in a simpler life and a sober existence. Still an avid lover of the arts, she anticipates a long career sharing her music (and acting again one day), but from a different perspective - and sharing different stories. 
Juliette hopes to promote the message that your past does not dictate your future. “While certain wounds may never heal fully, you can still move forward and have a beautiful life. You deserve to.” 
To listen to Juliette’s music, her first record, “Fields of Tennessee”, is available on streaming. It is a collection of raw takes with minimal production. To see Juliette live, you can find her currently performing shows around the Midwest. Upcoming events are listed on her Facebook Page (“Juliette Angelo”). 

Jessica Kay shares her personal story of being trafficked and the challenges she faced on her journey towards healing. She underlines the need for stronger safety measures for at-risk youth and other vulnerable populations, as well as the importance of educational programs on prevention in schools and systems. 
In this episode Jessica highlights the significance of survivor voices in all aspects of the anti-trafficking movement and the need for long-term services such as housing, job training, and specialized training for professionals.  She also emphasizes the importance of respecting the choice and consent of survivors in advocacy and storytelling. 
Penny and Jessica discuss the importance of protecting survivors and giving them a voice. They discuss the role of organizations in supporting and mentoring survivors and highlight the significance of law enforcement training in addressing human trafficking. They also explore the impact of language in shaping perceptions.
The conversation further delves into the topic of full decriminalization and legalization of commercial sex, with Jessica sharing her perspective as a survivor. Finally, they discuss actionable steps individuals can take to combat human trafficking in their communities.
To learn more about Jessica Kay, please visit her website HERE. 
To learn more about the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit their website HERE. 
Host: Penny RonningWriter: Penny RonningProducers: Penny Ronning, Ty LoweEditor: Ty LoweSound Designer/Engineer: Ty LoweMusic: Ty Lowe, Konstantin KlimovGraphic Design: Rae ClarkWebsite: Justin Townsend
 
Jessica Kay Bio
Jessica Kay strives to connect with people on a fundamental level and believes that human connection is the most powerful healing agent we have.  
“I once felt like I was a victim of the system, a stack of mental diagnoses, police reports, and hospital visits - instead of a victim of domestic violence, human trafficking, and homelessness,” said Kay, who decided to tell her story to help others in vulnerable situations find the courage to continue.  “I decided I wanted to dedicate my life to advocating for those who are hurting in our community and use my experiences as a medium to champion change.”
To this end, Kay received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California (USC). Jessica is currently working as a Clinical Social Work Intern for Brighter Tomorrow and is a Survivor Consultant for UNITAS.  In addition, Jessica is the CEO of I AM Jessica Kay LLC. She also serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the Nevada Policy Council on Human Trafficking, and she played a key role in developing Nevada’s CSEC Strategic Plan. 
Jessica received the Freedom Award from the New Jersey Coalition against Human Trafficking, was named in Las Vegas’ 40 Under 40, and is a survivor leader collaborating with numerous agencies across the country.

Jenna McKaye is a survivor leader and advocate who shares her story, healing journey, and work done to stay on her path of healing. In this episode, she talks of being trafficked at a young age by someone she trusted, and the importance of healthcare providers being educated in identifying trafficking victims and providing resources to leave their trafficker.
Penny and Jenna discuss branding in human trafficking, the need for awareness and identification of trafficking victims, and the significance of safe housing and comprehensive healing programs. Jenna emphasizes the importance of survivor voices and the role of parents in having conversations with their children about trafficking and creating a safe environment. She also shares her experience advocating for California Senate Bill 14, which recognizes sex trafficking of a minor as a serious crime, and her present work on California Senate Bill 1414.
In every episode, Penny and her guest highlight key actions people can take to combat human trafficking. In this episode, Jenna gives her perspective as a survivor.
To learn more about the Jenna McKaye Foundation, please visit their website HERE.
To learn more about the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit our website HERE.
Host: Penny RonningWriter: Penny RonningProducers: Penny Ronning, Ty LoweEditor: Ty LoweSound Designer/Engineer: Ty LoweMusic: Ty Lowe, Konstantin KlimovGraphic Design: Rae ClarkWebsite: Justin Townsend
 
Jenna McKaye Bio
Jenna McKaye is a survivor of human trafficking with an incredible life story she now shares throughout the US. Jenna's extraordinary journey offers hope that inspires others through education and training. She continues to train hospital staff, law enforcement, and other first responders how to identify victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking. 
Jenna’s personable keynote speaking engagements leave a notable impression among a variety of audience demographics including the United Nations. In 2016, Jenna started the Jenna McKaye Foundation to engage in a broader advocacy training model and to provide equine therapy to victims and high-risk youth.  Jenna has been interviewed on countless podcasts across the country and internationally including Elizabeth Smart’s Smart Talks, and she consulted on the award-winning documentary Surviving Sex Trafficking. 
Jenna Serves on the board for The Worthy Ranch in Montana and Cycling for Change in New York. She worked with California State Senator Shannon Grove for 2 years to successfully get Senate Bill 14 passed into law. 
Jenna’s story has been optioned for a film and is in pre-production now. Visit jennamckaye.com for upcoming news/events and details on her soon-to-be-published book.