In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, R.C. Hughes III—law enforcement trainer, leadership consultant, and founder of The Hughes Initiative—dives into the emotional realities of policing and how empathy and education can rebuild public trust.
In a world defined by constant change and uncertainty, the need for emotionally intelligent leadership has never been more urgent. In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave sits down with Brent Yonk, Section Chief for the FBI Counterterrorism Division’s Technology and Data Innovation Section, and author of the Get Into Leadership Shape newsletter.
In this emotional episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave sits down with Mary Jo Ross, a survivor who turned tragedy into transformation. Her story takes us from unthinkable trauma to powerful resilience — showing that healing and hope are possible even after the darkest experiences.
In today’s evolving work environment, employee engagement goes beyond simply showing up. In a recent conversation featured on Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Dave sat down with Adam Hickman….
In this powerful episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Cheryl Greenfield shares her harrowing yet inspiring story—from childhood sexual abuse by a family member to decades of silence, trauma, and inner battles.
In a compelling episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave sat down with Kristian Wilson, Executive Director at Huron-Perth Children’s Aid, to discuss human trafficking, child exploitation, and the urgent need to shift from reactive child protection to proactive prevention.
A conversation about faster response, practical training, and treating mental health as part of safety. Dave interviews Mendee McKeehan from Cady Business Technologies on how to protect people and prepare communities so seconds don’t become tragedies.
From Chains to Courage
When Clara Vanine first began practicing yoga and Reiki in Connecticut, she never imagined that the healing she offered others would be the very thing keeping her alive. For nearly a decade, Clara lived through intimate partner violence—trapped in a cycle of psychological control, fear, and isolation.
Beyond Compliance, Building Safety at Work
When human capital consultant Soleil Kline first began working with companies in Las Vegas, she thought most of her role would center around helping small and mid-sized businesses avoid costly compliance penalties. But what she discovered was far deeper: workplace violence, human trafficking, and active threats are not just regulatory issues—they are human ones.
Unmasking Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying and violence are significant issues that impact staff well-being, patient safety, and organizational trust. Despite their prevalence, these problems are often overlooked or minimized within professional environments. In the latest episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Wendy Glass shares her expertise on the hidden impact of “lateral violence” in the healthcare sector, the transformative principles of Just Culture, and firsthand accounts that highlight the pressing need for change.
Predators in Plain Sight
When David Everett created a private Minecraft server for his daughter, it was meant to be a safe space for her to play and explore. But within just ten minutes, a stranger entered the server and began attempting to groom his child. That moment changed everything. What started as a terrifying experience became the driving force behind a global movement to protect children online. In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, David shares how that incident launched Game Safe, a technology designed to shield children from online predators.
Prepare, Don’t React
In today’s evolving work environment, employee engagement goes beyond simply showing up. In a recent conversation featured on Shield the Vulnerable, the host sat down with Wendi Pannell—Fractional CEO at Pannell Consulting and an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Tech—to discuss how genuine care and proactive training impact everything from workplace safety to overall employee well-being. As the host notes, we are all only one degree removed from knowing someone affected by workplace violence or online exploitation, and these issues directly filter into our daily work lives. Wendi’s infectious energy and deep expertise highlight the importance of going beyond the obvious to truly shield the vulnerable in our workplaces.
From Silence to Strength
When Cait Alexander nearly lost her life in 2021 at the hands of her intimate partner, she had no idea that surviving the attack would only be the beginning of her fight. Despite having physical evidence, a SWAT response, and multiple charges filed, the Canadian justice system failed to prosecute her abuser. That betrayal ignited something deeper than fear or trauma—it sparked a movement.
In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Cait reveals how her own survival led to the creation of EVE, an organization that now helps other women navigate the very system that abandoned her.
From Filmmaker to Advocate: A Journey to Expose Human Trafficking
When Canadian filmmaker AJ Edmonds first heard about human trafficking along Ontario’s Highway 401, she didn’t yet realize how close to home the issue really was. Growing up near the 401 in Kingston, she thought she understood the world’s dangers—after all, she had been exposed to post-conflict zones and humanitarian work from a young age. But what she discovered would change the course of her life and career.
In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, AJ shares the journey behind her documentary “Dark Highway”—a raw and revealing look into Canada’s hidden human trafficking corridor—and how storytelling became her weapon against an invisible crime.
Prepared to ACTD: Active Threat and Active Shooter Response
When safety expert Dave Miller first began teaching workplace violence and active shooter response, he didn’t yet realize how close to home the issue really was. Throughout his career, he had heard stories of violence in schools, retail spaces, hospitals, and public venues—but what he discovered in the data and in his training rooms changed the course of his mission and message.
In this episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Dave shares the journey behind developing the ACTD model—Assess, Commit, Take Action, Debrief—a proactive, trauma-informed approach to protecting people and workplaces. He explains why the traditional “Run, Hide, Fight” model falls short, and how mindset and preparation save lives.
In this episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Natalie Salinas discusses the harsh realities of human trafficking, exploitation, and workplace violence. Learn about the emotional and financial toll of these issues and how awareness can help prevent them.
On Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave welcomes Valerie Cobb, CEO of The Impact Book. A successful entrepreneur and advocate, Valerie shares insights on exploitation, human trafficking, and workplace violence, emphasizing the need for awareness, education, and action.
In this episode of Shield The Vulnerable: Untold Stories, Natalie Salinas discusses the harsh realities of human trafficking, exploitation, and workplace violence. Learn about the emotional and financial toll of these issues and how awareness can help prevent them.
