253: The Pad Project - Melissa Berton

On the new episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Kristina Rinaldi, one of the founders and the Executive Director of Detroit Dog Rescue - Detroit’s first no-kill, nonprofit dog shelter and animal rescue.  In this episode, Kristina talks about how Detroit Dog Rescue was started originally as a reality show, but that fizzled and the need was so critical and dire – that they just kept going and turned the rescue into Detroit’s first no-kill shelter and dog rescue. Kristina shares her powerful life story, her struggles growing up, and what made her the incredible woman she is today. She talks about the phenomenal work that Detroit Dog Rescue is doing in the city of Detroit, but also how they are affecting change in animal rescue in Michigan and elsewhere. She also talks about “PIGS” – the pig in the city they recently rescued (DDR rescued a second one since we record this episode!) - and the Milligan dogs, Eddie and Maggie, make a special appearance in this episode when the mailman shows up. It’s an incredible, inspiring, fun, and WILD episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast! You don’t want to miss this one! In this episode, you’ll hear:  Kristina’s incredible life story; How she got connected to the other founders of Detroit Dog Rescue and how DDR started;  About the incredible mission of DDR, not only to rescue animals throughout the city, but also to educate and advocate for animals – and people;; Stories from the streets of the dogs (and pigs!) that DDR has worked with through the years; You’ll also hear the stories about the people they’ve encountered and worked with through the years; EXCLUSIVE: An exclusive on what Detroit Dog Rescue is working on, coming soon! And so much more.  Listen and Subscribe: Don't miss out on this incredible episode! Listen to The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast on #ApplePodcasts, #Spotify, #YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with our latest episodes. Join the movement to empower girls and change the world, one story at a time! For more information on Kristina and Detroit Dog Rescue, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com/DDR For more information on 1 Girl Revolution, to listen to all of our podcast episodes, watch our Emmy-nominated documentaries, and more -- please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

29 Mar 20241h 3min

This week on The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Jilyne Jarvis, co-founder of Z Girls - a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to empowering girls by equipping them with the tools and perspective they need to be confident, centered, and courageous! And the girls that Z Girls serves learn proven psychology-based methods from female professional athletes and Olympians!  In this episode, Jilyne shares her journey from athlete to changemaker. Jilyne shares her own story of struggling with confidence and being a professional athlete, and how her own life and experiences led to the founding of Z Girls. Don't miss this inspiring conversation filled with insights, inspiration, and actionable steps for making a difference in the lives of girls everywhere.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  Jilyne's inspiring life story, her journey as an athlete, and her own experiences, struggles, and successes;  What inspired the founding of Z Girls and why their work is so important;  The mission and programs offered by Z Girls to empower girls through psychology-based methods from female professional athletes and Olympians; Stories of the life-changing power of Z Girls programming;  Jilyne's insights on the struggles that girls in the world are facing today and how we can all work to combat it and support and empower the girls in our lives; Inspirational messages for girls everywhere: You do not have to be fearless, you just have to be brave! Listen and Subscribe: Don't miss out on this empowering episode! Listen to The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast on #ApplePodcasts, #Spotify, #YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with our latest episodes. Join the movement to empower girls and change the world, one story at a time! For more information on Jilyne and Z Girls, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com/ZGirls To listen to more episodes, watch our Emmy-nominated documentary series, and more, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

21 Mar 202452min

On this week’s episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Michele Byrd-McPhee, founder of Ladies of Hip-Hop. Ladies of Hip-Hop is a groundbreaking nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and advancing women within the vibrant world of hip-hop culture.  Michele is a dancer and choreographer, and she founded Ladies of Hip-Hop to build community and a support system for women and girls in hip-hop and offers innovative programs, workshops, performance opportunities, and community outreach initiatives. From mentoring aspiring dancers to providing platforms for established professionals, Ladies of Hip-Hop is a driving force for positive change, promoting inclusivity, representation, and empowerment within the dynamic realm of hip-hop. LOHH fosters a supportive environment where female artists can thrive, break barriers, and leave an indelible mark on the world through music, dance, and hip-hop.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  Michele’s inspiring life story; How Michele got into dance in the first place and how she got involved in Hip-Hop; The story of how Ladies of Hip-Hop started and why Michele saw the need for LOHH; All about the incredible work that Ladies of Hip-Hop does to empower and inspire women around the world;  And so much more. Watch 1 Girl Revolution's short video about Ladies of Hip-Hop: https://youtu.be/Gd9ml4pMaRw?si=DreVSKjxSEjolZTl&t=1 The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Michele’s episode is #206! For more information about Michele and Ladies of Hip-Hop, please visit: www.1girlrevolution.com/LOHH  For more information about 1 Girl Revolution, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

13 Mar 202436min

This episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is a very special one, in partnership with Bas Blue, we recorded an episode in front of a ‘LIVE’ audience featuring five incredible and inspiring Detroit women, to kick-off Women's HIstory Month! This episode features Charity Dean of Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, Mama Shu of Avalon Village, Amy Peterson of Rebel Nell, Alexa Turnage of Black Tech Saturdays, and Kate Walsh of HOUR Detroit.  This is such a powerful, empowering and inspiring episode of the podcast! And what a way to kick-off Women’s HIstory Month! For more information on 1 Girl Revolution, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com   And for more information on: Bas Blue - https://www.basblueus.com/press  Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance - https://mdbba.com/ The Avalon Village - https://www.theavalonvillage.org/ Rebel Nell - https://www.rebelnell.com/ Bleck Tech Saturdays - https://www.blacktechsaturdays.com/ HOUR Detroit - https://www.hourdetroit.com/author/katewalsh/   “I figure if a woman wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!” - Calamity Jane The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and eveywhere you listen to podcats.

7 Mar 202448min

New season, new episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast! On this episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, 1 Girl Revolution founder, Kate Milligan, takes the mic solo and spends this episode celebrating the 5th anniversary of 1 Girl Revolution and takes us on an inspiring journey through the inspiring and empowering stories, profound experiences, and impactful moments that have defined 1 Girl Revolution. Tune in as Kate reminisces on the pivotal moments of her journey, from the inception of 1 Girl Revolution to its transformative evolution over the years. With unwavering passion and dedication, she shares insights into the extraordinary women and girls who have graced our platform, illuminating their resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit. But the celebration doesn't stop there! Kate offers an exclusive glimpse into the exciting developments and initiatives on the horizon for 1 Girl Revolution in 2024 and beyond. Get ready to be inspired, uplifted, and empowered as we embark on this next chapter together. And Kate shares ways that you can get involved in our work and be a part of the revolution! Join us as we raise our voices, celebrate our achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and girls everywhere. This is more than a podcast; it's more than a multimedia enterprise -- it's a movement. This is 1 Girl Revolution. The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.  For more information on 1 GIrl Revolution, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

28 Feb 202455min

On this week’s episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms - a social enterprise that helps women survivors overcome and heal from systems of exploitation, prostitution, addiction, and abuse.  Thistle Farms is a social enterprise that for over 25 years - has lit a pathway of healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. Becca's hope for a global movement for women’s freedom began with Thistle Farms’ first residential home and now has grown and evolved into a multifaceted social enterprise that is empowering women and helping them find healing and freedom.  After experiencing the death of her father and subsequent child abuse when she was 5, Becca longed to open a sanctuary for survivors offering a loving community.  In 1997, five women who had experienced trafficking, violence, and addiction were welcomed home. Thistle Farms’ first house was just the beginning and now they do so much more - including providing housing, financial independence, and by creating meaningful employment for women survivors.  Becca is a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, an Episcopal priest, and she has founded 13 nonprofits and justice enterprises, mentored another 60, and has raised over $75 million to support them. Becca has authored 12 books, including - Snake Oil: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling. She has been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change, and holds five honorary doctorates. Drawn from 25 years of leadership in mission-driven work, Becca leads important conversations across the country with an inspiring message that love is the strongest force for change in the world.  We are so honored to have Becca on the podcast to share her incredible story and to talk about the amazing work that Thistle Farms is doing to transform the lives of women.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  Becca’s inspiring life story; The story of losing her dad at a young age and surviving childhood abuse; How she found healing and all about her incredible life journey – becoming an Episcopal priest and how she got into the work she’s doing now helping other survivors; How Thistle Farms started and how Thistle Farms is offering freedom and support to survivors of human trafficking, prostitution, and addiction;  And so much more. For more information about Becca and Thistle Farms, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com/BeccaStevens The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.  For more information on 1 GIrl Revolution, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

15 Des 202337min

On this week’s episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Kimba Langas, co-founder of Free the Girls - a nonprofit organization that provides economic empowerment and reintegration services to survivors of sex trafficking. Kimba is an Emmy-award winning producer and 20+ year veteran of the television and video production industry, and she has always had a passion for storytelling. In 2010, as a new mother and freelancer, the story of modern-day slavery and sex trafficking wasn’t even on her radar.  But when her friend Dave asked Kimba to partner with him on a new organization he wanted to start to empower survivors of sex trafficking, she said “yes!” and jumped all in. Little did she know how the issue of sex trafficking and her work with Free the Girls would change her life.  Free The Girls is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering sustainable economic opportunities among other integral reintegrative services to survivors of sex trafficking. Free the Girls exists to help women escaping sex trafficking reintegrate into their communities and reclaim their lives. They do that through micro-entrepreneurship and helping these survivors build their own businesses. While it may not intuitively seem to be the first step for women to begin their healing from the trauma of exploitation, economic empowerment is vital for that healing process. If a woman is unable to meet her basic needs of food and shelter it is very likely she will go back into a life of survival sex work. Kimba served as Executive Director of Free The Girls for five years, on the Board of Directors for three years, and continues to act as an advisor and mentor to the organization’s leadership. She recently re-joined the Free The Girls leadership as interim president of the Board of Directors, and is a member two service organizations: Dry Creek Sertoma Club, and GFWC’s Southwest Region Woman’s Club. Kimba hopes her experience serves as an example that global change requires people from all types of backgrounds to step up and offer what they can where they are. Her non-profit experience drives her passion for helping other non-profits as a volunteer, particularly those focused on women, social justice, and addressing the root causes of exploitation in vulnerable populations. In this episode, you’ll hear:  Kimba’s inspiring life story; About Kimba’s life and career before Free the Girls’ How Kimba first learned about sex trafficking and how the idea for Free the Girls sparked; The story of how Kimba and a friend founded Free the Girls to empower women and girls who are exiting sex trafficking; The inspiring stories of women and girls who have been empowered by the work of Free the Girls;; And so much more.   The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.  For more information on Kimba and Free the Girls, please visit: www.1GirlRevlution.com/freethegirls  For more information about 1 GIrl Revolution, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

7 Des 202355min

This week’s episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast features Rachelle Vartanian, founder of the Living and Learning Center – a nonprofit organization that works to enhance the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic, social, work-based, and community engagement. Rachelle graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching for the emotionally impaired and right out of college, she worked at a center for adjudicated youth. Rachelle was so passionate about that work, that she ended up working in that field for over 10 years. At the same time, Rachelle went back to school and obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Personality and Development because she wanted to better understand why so many of her students chose to behave in self-destructive manners. It was during this same time that Rachelle began seeing signs of autism in her youngest son. When he was officially diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, she made the decision to go back to school to get a second Master’s Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders and she simultaneously began teaching high school special education. Rachelle had been looking for resources and social skills groups that would benefit her son and through her own experience and seeing the lack of support and resources – she decided to start her own local family group. Every Sunday, Rachelle facilitated a group of like-minded individuals that they called “Weamara” (the initials of the original social skills group members) and that went on for almost two years. After those two years, Rachelle recognized there was a greater need and she had a vision for what she could do to be the change she wanted to see in the world. Rachelle  took a leap of faith and quit her job after being a special education teacher for 20 years, she sold her family home, drew money from her retirement, and downsized her life – and that’s what started the Living and Learning Center.   The Living and Learning Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Through therapeutic, social, work-based, and community engagement, the Living and Learning Center seeks to support, enrich, inspire, and embolden their participants and their families so they can achieve their goals and thrive. The Living and Learning Center’s vision is to become the nation’s model in supporting the highest quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. In this episode, you’ll hear:  Rachelle’s inspiring life story; About Rachelle’s journey with her son who has Asperger’s Syndrome; How Rachelle got the idea to start the Living and Learning Center and how it has grown and evolved throughout the years; The story of how Rachelle took a leap of faith, quit her job, sold her house, and started the Living and Learning Center; About the incredible work that the Living and Learning Center does to support individuals with disabilities and differences and their families; And so much more.   The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.  For more information on Rachelle and the Living and Learning Center, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com/RachelleVartanian For more information about 1 Girl Revolution, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com

1 Des 202349min