))
Healing the Wound: Masculinity, Exploitation & the Power of Story with Penny Ronning
Manage episode 478239385 series 3562916
Content provided by Epik Project. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Epik Project or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
What if the key to ending exploitation lies in the courage to tell the truth?
In this gripping and deeply personal episode of The Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Penny Ronning—leader of the Yellowstone Anti-Trafficking Task Force—shares a raw and unfiltered look at the realities of commercial sexual exploitation and why men must be part of the solution.
Through the lens of her own family’s history—marked by her mother’s survival of childhood trauma—Penny opens a powerful dialogue on how generational wounds shape us, and how storytelling can become a lifeline for healing. This isn’t just a policy conversation—it’s a human one.
Together, Penny and Tom tackle the uncomfortable questions many avoid: What does it mean to be a man in a world where children are sold for sex? How can we hold space for both accountability and empathy? And what kind of leadership does it take to dismantle an industry built on silence?
They explore the urgent need for cultural shifts, community-based solutions, and legislative change—but more importantly, they underscore why men’s voices are essential in this movement. This episode is a rallying cry for courageous leadership, emotional honesty, and relentless compassion.
If you care about protecting the most vulnerable, if you believe that healing is possible, and if you're ready to face hard truths with an open heart, this episode is your invitation.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Masculinity and Healing
02:40 Penny Ronning's Journey and Background
05:59 The Impact of Trauma on Lives
11:37 Legislation and Advocacy for Survivors
14:35 The Power of Storytelling in Healing
17:30 The Intersection of Art and Activism
24:05 Challenging Myths About Trafficking
29:15 Legislative Changes in Montana
33:58 Understanding the Demand for Exploitation
36:10 Collaborative Efforts Against Exploitation
37:22 The Role of Men in Addressing Exploitation
40:32 Empowering Voices in the Conversation
43:39 Humanity at the Core of the Issue
46:31 Community Solutions to a Societal Problem
50:15 Cultural Change and Responsibility
52:44 Mobilizing Male Allies
55:39 Leadership and Courage in Advocacy
Let's Connect:
www.epikproject.org
Instagram: @pennyronning
LinkedIn: Penny Ronning on LinkedIn
Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czwA-IY89R8&t=657s
41 episodes
Share
