Teal Talk

Join us for a rich, powerful conversation that highlights the complexity of legal advocacy for survivors of human trafficking. In this episode, we speak with Emily Dunlap, Managing Attorney at Advocating Opportunity, about the complexities of expungement, immigration protections, and the systemic barriers survivors face even after escaping exploitation. She challenges myths about trafficking—including who is affected and how it hap...

We can't stop reminiscing about what a success our 2025 Voices of Change Conference was! Between opening statements, to workshop sessions, toindividual community groups, voices were encouraged to come together now morethan ever and rise up. On day 3, we had a panel discussion with survivors about their healing journeys. This episode is a recording of that panel discussion with members of OAESV’s Survivor Empowerment & Advisory ...

What if our data systems reflected the realities and needs of survivors—not just funders? In this episode, we talk with UBUNTU, our partners in Ohio’s statewide data transformation project. Together, we explore the challenges of fragmented data collection, the need for standardization, and what it takes to build a system that centers survivors, supports advocates, and drives change.

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What does advocacy look like when it's not tied to one community, but an entire state? In this episode, we’re joined by Shelby Lieber, our Survivor Coordinator, for an inside look at what it means to do advocacy across an entire state. Together, we explore the key differences between local and statewide advocacy, the importance of staying connected to on-the-ground work, and the unique challenges that come with influencing syst...

Kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month with a conversation about survivor-led advocacy and community engagement. Hosts Laurie Hamame and Taylr Ucker-Lauderman are joined by JaQue Galloway, a dedicated advocate working in rural Ohio, who shares insights on the power of survivor voices, creative outreach efforts, and the importance of collaboration in the movement to end sexual violence.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on buildin...

In today’s episode of Teal Talk, host Laurie Hamame invites you to take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect. As sexual violence advocates, we often carry immense emotional and physical labor. With the weight of the world heavy on our shoulders, this episode offers a space for restoration and affirmation. Take a break from the chaos and join us for a meditation that will ground and center you. You deserve this moment of peace.

Calm, pleasure and satisfaction are what most people experience after eating. But for people with eating disorders, food brings anxiety, disturbance and noise. In today's episode, host Laurie Hamame sits down with Sarah Bergen, Regional Medical Director of Ohio for The Emily Program eating disorder recovery center, to explore the intersection of sexual violence and eating disorders. This episode provides a powerful discussion on th...

Welcome to 2025! Teal Talk hosts Laurie Hamame and Taylr Ucker-Lauderman are joined by members of OAESV's leadership team to take a deep dive into the highs and lows of their work tackling sexual violence in Ohio, with plenty of real talk, big ideas, and a dash of humor! We open up about the challenges of fighting such a massive issue while juggling self-care and avoiding burnout. But it’s not all heavy – we're also celebrating exc...

In this episode of Teal Talk, hosts Laurie Hamame and Taylr Ucker-Lauderman welcome back Natasha Larson, the Director of Training and Member Engagement, to discuss the intricacies of coalition membership within the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. We discuss the various membership tiers and the unique roles each plays in the collective effort to end sexual violence. Our conversation delves into our biannual program visits, the...

In this special episode of Teal Talk, hosts Laurie and Taylr take a break from interviews to have a heartfelt discussion on navigating election season as advocates for survivors. They explore how the political climate impacts survivors’ experiences and mental health, offering tips on self-care and resources for those feeling overwhelmed by the season's intensity. Join them for a compassionate chat on balancing civic engagement with...

In today’s episode, we’ll explore some important developments in supporting our rape crisis advocates. With funding from the Attorney General’s office, OAESV was able to provide 104 advocates the opportunity to attend statewide and national conferences. As Ohio's training and technical assistance provider, we understand that ongoing training is essential for advocates! It not only fosters innovation and best practices but also ...

In this episode of Teal Talk, host Laurie Hamame dives into the world of self-care and collective care with two special guests, Natasha Larson and Tecca Thompson. Join us as we chat about the recent OAESV self-care retreat, the importance of taking time to recharge, and how embracing collective care can transform both personal and professional lives. Whether you're an advocate in the anti-violence movement or just someone looki...

In part two of our conversation about the docuseries Quiet on Set, we are joined by OAESV Manager of Sexual Violence Prevention & Public Health Initiatives, Sarah Ferrato. In this episode, we dive even deeper into the issues we raised in part one, and explore the role of this documentary through a prevention lens. We discuss the complexities of the perfect victim myth; practical steps for challenging harmful beliefs and behavio...

What do gender role stereotypes, sex education, consent, and bears have to do with one another? In this Be The One Youth Ambassador Takeover, Essie Cornett and Willow Shannon explore the importance of primary prevention education, consent, and bystander intervention to address the increase in rape culture attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors Gen Z is facing.

This episode was edited by Essie Cornett! To learn more about OAESV’s yo...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Teal Talk! Organizations across Ohio are facing unprecedented cuts to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund, threatening the availability and quality of services for victims of crime across our communities. These cuts directly impact essential services such as rape crisis support, advocacy at prosecutors' offices, and shelter for survivors of domestic violence.

To address these challenges ...

If you're a millennial, there's a good chance you were raised on shows from Nickelodeon. By now, you've probably heard about the new docuseries, Quiet on Set, that details the abusive behind-the-scenes world of children's television during Dan Schneider's tenure as a producer. We discuss our first impressions, the impact on viewers, the role of parents, and how the series fits into a larger conversation about protecting kids who wo...

April is a big deal for advocates (and us! Hello season three!!!) As we all prepare to support survivors and increase our outreach efforts for Sexual Assault Awarness Month, we thought it would be helpful to hear from five leaders from across the state about what their regions are up to! We sat down with Heather Mitchell of Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program; Becca Peckinpaugh of Crime Victim Services; Molly MacMath of COMPASS: Sex...

As advocates, we know this work all comes down to consent - or lack thereof. When survivors decide to pursue the legal system, they may not be ready for just how often they will feel like the concept of choice is being taken away from them. That's why trauma-informed advocates and attorneys are the real key to making change. In today's episode, we are joined by OAESV's Managing LAV Attorney Stephanie B. Scalise, who ove...

2023 is in the rearview mirror, and we're driving straight into 2024 with excitement about what is to come! Listen as Shandra Ingram, OAESV's Vice President of Operations, takes us on the journey we have taken together in 2023. We reflect together on what we have achieved and look ahead to the new year full of opportunities and growth. Can you count how many times we say "excited"?! This episode serves as a testam...