Podcast appearances and mentions of christine mcdonald

In this month's Minneapolis AIR (American Indian Relations) episode, host Christine McDonald welcomes Dani Minichino, Katherine Payne, Cleapatra Young and Laura Carroll. Learn about when and how to call 311 for non-police emergency response and learn about your rights as a renter in Minneapolis!

In this month's Minneapolis AIR (American Indian Relations) episode, Guest Host Anthony Taylor fills in for Christine McDonald and is joined by Tony Zaccardi (Public Health Specialist) as well as Michele Jackson and Rumyana Hulmequist from Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging! Learn about the City’s youth opioid awareness campaign, prevention and resources for community members.…

Christine McDonald hosts Minneapolis AIR (American Indian Relations) with guests Rebekah Tedrick and Ariah Fine! The City of Minneapolis' annual Community Connections Conference is coming up on Feb. 8, 2025. This year's theme is “Participation is power: speak out, take action, and grow.” Meet municipal leaders, enjoy a fun and free conference, and learn about…

In this episode of Here's Help Rev. Larry Rice talks with several of the homeless and shares the third part of Christine McDonald's TestimonyMain Cast: Rev. Larry RiceEpisode: HH-200-9098-Homeless Abuse of Women-Christine's Story-Part 2-1080p#Peace, #Unity, #Walk, #Faith, #Jesus, #Christ

In this episode of Here's Help Pastor Chris Aaron Rice talks with Andrea as they share the second part of Christine McDonald's TestimonyMain Cast: Pastor Chris Aaron RiceEpisode: HH-200-9098-Homeless Abuse of Women-Christine's Story-Part 2-1080p#Peace, #Unity, #Walk, #Faith, #Jesus, #Christ

In this episode of Here's Help Pastor Chris Aaron Rice talks with Allie as they share the first part of Christine McDonald's TestimonyMain Cast: Pastor Chris Aaron RiceEpisode: HH-200-9098-Homeless Abuse of Women- Christine's Story-Part 1-1080p#Peace, #Unity, #Walk, #Faith, #Jesus, #Christ

In this month's Minneapolis AIR (American Indian Relations) episode, Christine McDonald is joined by MPD's Implementation Team members Commander Yolanda Wilks and Kevin Carlisle! Plus, hear a best of segment with Christine and Minneapolis Poet Laureate Heid E. Erdrich from 1.10.24.

Host of Mpls AIR, Christine McDonald is joined by Patrick Hanlon, Deputy Commissioner of Health, Sustainability and Healthy Homes as well as Guthrie Byard, Community specialist for people with disabilities, NCR. Learn about how the City of Minneapolis Health is taking on climate change with its Climate Legacy Initiative. Meet the City of Minneapolis' community…

In this month's Minneapolis A.I.R. (American Indian Relations) episode, guest host Christine McDonald, American Indian Community Specialist, brings us Police Inspector Jose Gomez and Deputy Commissioner of Health Heidi Ritchie! Learn about how the Police Department works with the Native community in Minneapolis and how the Health Department is working to bridge healthcare access gaps…

Looking for a fun family activity? Be sure to check out the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, November 9 & 10! Save on tickets by visiting www.ChiTag.com and use the promo code READ! In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jedlie welcomed children's author Kim Larson to chat about her early reader book, "Goats Boat Won't Float." Kim explained the key differences between picture books and early readers - picture books have more complex vocabulary, while early readers focus on simple, engaging stories that new readers can tackle on their own.  Kim shared the inspiration behind her hilarious tale of a fainting goat and a flighty turkey. Turns out, she got the idea from visiting her grandkids' hobby farm and seeing those silly fainting goats in action. The book is full of slapstick humor that'll have kids giggling. We also heard from author Christine McDonald, who wrote the delightful picture book "Just Imagine a More Beautiful World." Christine's story centers on helping kids feel safe, secure, and centered - perfect for easing back-to-school jitters. She shared awesome tips for using breath work and visualization to help little ones tap into their heart energy. Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com Follow Us On Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/ X - https://x.com/jedliemagic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/ Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!

In this month's Minneapolis A.I.R. (American Indian Relations) episode, guest host Christine McDonald bring us Katie Smith, Director of Elections, and Mary Altman and Ben Johnson of Arts and Cultural Affairs. Get answers to common questions about voting and learn about public art in Minneapolis.

In this month's Minneapolis A.I.R. (American Indian Relations) episode with the city of Minneapolis, guest host Christine McDonald brings on Amanda Harrington, Director of Community Safety Design & Implementation and Dorothy Jackson from Human Resources. Get a preview into the new South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and learn about how the City of Minneapolis Human…

In this month's Minneapolis A.I.R. (American Indian Relations) episode, guest host Christine McDonald, American Indian Community Specialist, brings us Damōn Chaplin, City of Minneapolis Commissioner of Health and Ernest Morales, Chief of Metro Transit Police. Learn about how the Minneapolis Health Department and Metro Transit work to make our communities, buses and trains safe, healthy…

In today’s Minneapolis A.I.R. (American Indian Relations) takeover episode, guest host Christine McDonald welcomes Victoria Balko, City of Minneapolis neighborhood support specialist and Luke Gannon, Director of Program Engagement at East Phillips Improvement Coalition. Learn about opportunities to get involved in your neighborhood and how you can get support from the City of Minneapolis for…

Guest host Christine McDonald welcomes guests David Carson, Dorothy Jackson, and Daniel LaCroix on this month's Minneapolis A.I.R. episode! Hear about how the City of Minneapolis’ Native employees have organized the newest employee resource group, and learn about how the City of Minneapolis Human Resources is heading into the community for a unique career fair…

Minneapolis A.I.R. (American Indian Relations) and guest host Christine McDonald bring us Hilary Holmes to talk about the Upper Harbor Project. Plus, Melanie Rucker, Asst. Chief from the MPLS Fire Department joins to discuss recruitment opportunities!

When it comes to collecting, Christine McDonald isn't smurfing around. She recently met with reporter Mia Holowaychuk to show off her impressive collection of Smurfs. Then, Evan opens the lines to you, what do you collect?

Minneapolis AIR (American Indian Relations) and guest host Christine McDonald bring us Aryca Myers, LesLee Jackson and Shunu Shrestha!

Host Robert Pilot & Co-host Christine McDonald introduce Minneapolis AIR! Then hear from the director of the Neighborhood & Community Relations Department, Karen Moe. Also, from the City's first poet laureate: Heid Erdrich.

This is a LIVE replay of A Trauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast which aired Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 1130am ET on Fireside Chat.  Today's guest is Christine MacDonald, Author of the memoir, Face Value, From Stripper Pole to Baring My Soul.  Lorilee Binstock  00:00:38  Welcome. I'm Lorilee Binstock and this is A Trauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast. Thank you so much for joining me live on Fireside chat where you can be a part of the conversation as my virtual audience. I am your host glory been stock. Everyone has an opportunity to ask me or our guest questions by requesting to hop on stage or sending a message in the chat box. I will try to get to you, but I do ask that everyone be respectful. Today's guest is Christine Macdonald's author of the book Face Value: From Stripper Pole to Baring my Soul, which actually comes out two today, And you could actually, if you are interested that scrolling fortune cookie right there in the middle of your screen, that will take you to purchase her book. Christine, thank you so much for joining me today. Christine Macdonald  00:01:43  Oh, I'm so happy to be here. Can you hear me? Lorilee Binstock  00:01:45  I can hear you perfectly. Thank you so much. Christine Macdonald  00:01:48  Yeah. Thank you. Lorilee Binstock  00:01:49  So I I wanted to get to to it because I feel like there's so much to cover with your story. You have struggled a lot with trauma as a child, which eventually led you into the adulthood repayment industry. I just wanna to know if you could just share journey a little bit with us. Christine Macdonald  00:02:08  Oh, I'm happy too. And you're right. There's there's a whole bunch of... It's like wheel Fortune named named that trauma. But here's... But here's the thing. Don't we all have something in our lives? And, of course, it's not a contest. Right? So every single one of us, I'm of the belief that we're all in recovery from something. And, of course, more, Lorilee Binstock  00:02:20  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:02:29  you know, there are some people who have a a harder journey, But, yes, I've had some several traumas as a child. It really just compounded my choices that I made as a young adult, so I started out the the trauma really started when I was at age thirteen, and I just just you know, thirteen is such a tender age as it is. Right? I mean, you're a freshman in high school and Lorilee Binstock  00:02:56  Hormones. Christine Macdonald  00:02:58  exact. And so all of a sudden, and I started noticing these big blood filled cysts all over my face, my chest, my back, Lorilee Binstock  00:03:06  Well. Christine Macdonald  00:03:07  And I didn't know what was going on. And I I just kept telling my mom. This is... I don't think this is normal ask me. And, you know, God loved my mom. She just was, like, hoping it would just go away. And it didn't. So we ended up meeting to see a doctor. It turns out my diagnosis was is very, very rare. It's called Acne Michelangelo. And basically, you're it's a very severe severe form of cystic acne where normal topical solutions that this is not part of the remedy for this case. So I started seeing the doctor, and but it was too late at that point. The scars were left, and long stars short, Lorilee Binstock  00:03:47  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:03:49  you know, they called me Freddie Krueger in high school. They were mer, Lorilee Binstock  00:03:51  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:03:52  and it was just one of those things where my value was, you know, as all of ours, I think when they're at at that young and impression age, my value was just really predicated on how people thought of me. And so when people started calling me, you know, moon face, pizza face, Freddie Kruger, my self esteem just plummeted. Lorilee Binstock  00:04:13  Mhmm Christine Macdonald  00:04:13  And so on top of that, I I reached out to any substances like could fine. And it if it was the eighties. So, you know, cocaine was the glamour drug. And so that sort of just compounded the trauma with living with this disease all over my skin and my body. And then I was sexually abused at that same year at thirteen. But I was so warped with my thinking that I I really truly thought it meant I was pretty, Like, somebody Lorilee Binstock  00:04:43  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:04:44  somebody taking my virginity, somebody was giving me attention sexually, even though my face was you know, covered in these blood filled says purple golf ball size that would break open in my sleep. Lorilee Binstock  00:04:57  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:04:58  So it was just a whole little. I mean, it was definitely was definitely a lot, but it... It's interesting. I mean... And I think you can attest to this. When you suffer, it trauma and, you know, you can add to that verbal and physical abuse in the house. Lorilee Binstock  00:05:16  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:05:17  It's just it really it shapes your choices as a young adult, And that's where I fell into the stripping world because, you know, along the heels of being called Freddie Krueger, I was nineteen years old when I was asked to do a wet t contest. So I walked into this world in Waikiki key. Right, which is such a just position because it's like, Lorilee Binstock  00:05:37  Yeah Christine Macdonald  00:05:38  supposed to be paradise, and I'm I'm going through all this darkness, but I found my beauty onstage stage because I took somebody giving me a dollar bill is a validation that I was pretty much like this sexual abuse was validation that I was pretty. So that's sort of the journey, and that's what I talk about in the book. And really, it's about how I got out of it. How I pulled myself out of that world after Lorilee Binstock  00:05:52  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:06:02  a near decade of trying to find myself worth. Very long winded did answer sure for the first question? Lorilee Binstock  00:06:07  No. No. It's great. You could keep going on. Christine Macdonald  00:06:10  Yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:06:10  But I do... You know, it kids are horrible. Teenagers are can be so horrible. I remember as a in middle school. I I had horrible teeth, my teeth actually I had teeth growing behind my teeth because my mouth was so small and so crowded. And I remember the throwing, and I tell the story a lot. I remember throwing, like, an m and m and catching it in my mouth. And I guess my mouth was open and tilted back where everyone could see, like, another like, more teeth behind my regular teeth and they were... They they started calling me sharks teeth for the longest time. Christine Macdonald  00:06:41  Mhmm. Oh, and that's yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:06:45  And that's really it's hard. It's hard because kids can be ruthless when it comes to to, you know, making fun of people because they're insecure too. Teenagers are very insecure people, Christine Macdonald  00:06:58  Mhmm. Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:06:59  and they don't understand that, you know, the reason why they're making fun of other people can their own they have their own issues that they they're too scared to deal with. Christine Macdonald  00:07:09  So true. No true. Lorilee Binstock  00:07:09  But I... Yeah. I I find it interesting to but, you know, when you are sexually abused, did you... So you... Your you're thinking was work you mentioned. Christine Macdonald  00:07:20  Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:07:20  But when did you realize that that was... That was wrong that that was that that was and that was Rape, I guess. Christine Macdonald  00:07:30  It was right. Yeah. Exactly. It's interesting that you say that because I'm talking years decades. I... First of all, I knew something wasn't right because After the incident, I thought he was my boyfriend. I honestly thought he was my boyfriend, which is very sad, but it's very telling of where my mind was at the time. So I became this little st in high school. And this dude was, you know, he was sixteen years old. I was thirteen, and it was just one of those things where I truly thought that Meant was pretty and that he was my boyfriend. So I got a clue pretty early on when the rumors started swirl. And quite honestly, it took me intensive therapy, and I was in my early forties. So that's a long time. Right? I was in my forties, and I finally was able to number one, forgive myself because I felt like, Lorilee Binstock  00:08:15  Yay. Christine Macdonald  00:08:23  I was very confused. I knew there was something not right about it, but I didn't wanna call it rape. And quite honestly, you know, Amy Schumer says this in her book, she talks about something very similar. She was passed out, she was taken advantage of without her consent. So when I share that with my therapist, I felt like, I wasn't... Like, I didn't qualify if that makes sense. You know what I mean? Like, when people when people think rates, they think it's a brutal attack and and all of these things, I I was passed out and I was thirteen, and I woke up, and Lorilee Binstock  00:08:48  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:08:58  I didn't have anything on my bottoms, and it was a it was a beach penny pat camp. I mean, you can't get more hawaiian than that right? So let's could Pat camp. My bathing suit was rolled up in a ball. It had blood on it. So I knew something was up, but it took so long for me to really wrap my head around the fact that, yeah, It was great, and it's okay. Lorilee Binstock  00:09:14  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:09:21  I mean, the rake wasn't okay, but it's okay that it happened. It wasn't my fault. Lorilee Binstock  00:09:23  Right. Christine Macdonald  00:09:27  So a lot of insight with sarah truly understand, and then also forgive myself and then forgive to forgive this person. Lorilee Binstock  00:09:33  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:09:36  You know, it it wasn't a violent attack, but it just definitely was something that changed the course of my life. Lorilee Binstock  00:09:43  So... And then when you went to, you said at nineteen, you're asked to do this. What t shirt contest. Christine Macdonald  00:09:49  Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:09:50  And this was what was that feeling when you were asked? And when you eventually... You you did it. I'm assuming. Christine Macdonald  00:09:57  Yes. I did it. And, you know, it's interesting because I was with one of my girlfriends, and she's in the book prominently, And it's a funny funny way how we met, and I won't spoil it for you, But she she she was the other woman. I found her information and who I thought was my boyfriend, You can see the theme here. Lorilee Binstock  00:10:15  Yeah Christine Macdonald  00:10:15  Very toxic partner, he was ten years older than I was. He was a drug dealer. I mean, all sorts of bad news, which, of course, I was completely attracted to. Lorilee Binstock  00:10:25  yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:10:26  But I found this women's information in his things, and so I just picked up the phone and called her and said, look, I don't know if you know this. But I'm with this guy, and then she said, oh, oh my god. I had no idea anyway, Long story short her and I became girlfriends. She is be beautiful. And and, Lorilee Binstock  00:10:41  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:10:44  you know, one of those Barbie doll looking girls that are just so natural, not like fake plaster Barbie, but I'm talking, like, the quintessential Christie brink over time. You know? Lorilee Binstock  00:10:54  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:10:54  And so her and I work together on the beach And, you know, we were young. We had rock and bodies, but she was the... She was the beauty queen. Right? And I did not feel like, I was approached because of me. I was supposed to be... We were both approached because of her. And so she basically told the gentleman who was recruiting women for these what teacher contests. She'll... She says, I'll do it if my girlfriend can do it, and that that was me. She says she's a great answer. Which is true. So so the way that I felt when I was on that stage, and, of course, you know, substances were involved. So that's always something that I... Yeah. Exactly. Lorilee Binstock  00:11:32  Makes it easier. Christine Macdonald  00:11:35  The way I felt onstage stage with my big bond Jo Bush live nineteen eighty seven here in my gold eye shadow Lorilee Binstock  00:11:41  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:11:41  for the fur for the first time ever. I felt beautiful. I felt like I was hiding in plain sight, meaning my face was exposed, but it was it was just covered in in all of this eighties hair. But truly, that dollar that people were giving me on stage was so validating and just a big, like, look at who's Freddie Krueger now? You know what I mean? Like, just three years just three years earlier, Lorilee Binstock  00:12:05  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:12:07  I was cutting school because I was so tormented. So I felt nothing but validation and power and beautiful. Lorilee Binstock  00:12:15  So and this was your par into into the adult entertainment world or how how did how did you start your career in that in adult entertainment. Christine Macdonald  00:12:27  Well, ironically, you know if I won the contest, which was Lorilee Binstock  00:12:31  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:12:31  real, and I was offered a job at this chocolate bar now in Waikiki Key, back then I can't speak to the scene now, but that then the age where you could dis disprove. It was a top of bar was twenty one. So I bikini danced until I was twenty one. And by the time I you know, by the time I had my twenty first they. I was so with it. It was like, no big deal to take my top off. And then the next day, I had some customers say, well, now that you're twenty one, you could make make even more money if you go up the street to the nude bar. And so I was just full Throttle all the way through. You know? And I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Lorilee Binstock  00:13:15  Did you experience any trauma during your career as an an adult entertainer? Christine Macdonald  00:13:21  I did. I did and mostly drug related mostly with men And I would have to say, of course, I don't, you know, I don't subscribe to the the idea that I deserved it. But my choices were definitely a part of that. I chose very toxic partners, the drugs and all of that. So the trauma was sort of a revolving door, hamster wheel of you know, it's interesting the j where you feel so powerful and beautiful. But at the same time, you're you're... And for me personally, I can't speak to other dancers answers, but I felt beautiful and powerful, but it was stripping my beauty away little by little. If that makes sense. Lorilee Binstock  00:13:54  Mhmm. Did you think of that at the time though? Christine Macdonald  00:14:06  No. No. I I didn't. Only when I was writing my story, I was like, oh, man. I wanna give back a little girl hug. Lorilee Binstock  00:14:07  Right. Yeah. Oh, garrett. I mean, trauma really just builds on trauma. You're not healing it. Right? It's you know, it just... Like you said the substances is and Christine Macdonald  00:14:20  Exactly. Lorilee Binstock  00:14:23  the coping that you... And typically, it's mala until you realize it. When did you become aware? What when did you decide to get out of the adult entertainment industry? Christine Macdonald  00:14:36  Great question. I was in my late twenties, and you know, when you're in your you know, when you're facing the barrel of thirty, and you think you're getting so old. You're, like, oh my gosh. I'm gonna be thirty. Lorilee Binstock  00:14:48  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:14:50  So I I I can't you know, I don't understand the lifeline of when people go to college. You know, the norm the people that do it the right way. Right? So here I am and my, my college really was the stripping years, And I recall being sober burnt out, and this is in the book. There's a chapter called voluntary termination that I'm very proud of, and it really goes and explains step by step how I came to the realization, and it was very, very quiet. It was very simple, And I was in the dressing room. I was twenty, I would say late twenties and I And I it was very heavy on my mind thinking. Oh my gosh. I'm am I gonna be a senior citizen on the poll? Because, of course, when you're thirty, you think you're a senior head. So I'm right. It's so I'm looking in mirror, and... And I'm using my foundation and I'm covering my skin and I'm, you know, I've always had this relationship with my skin Lorilee Binstock  00:15:37  No goodness. Christine Macdonald  00:15:48  where I have for decades try to pretend my scars did not exist. But now as I'm older, I embrace my scars because they're part of who I am and I always say your flaws are your flavor. So anything that you feel embarrassed about or that you've been teased about, those things make up who you are, they're part of your flavor. So Lorilee Binstock  00:16:10  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:16:11  embrace them. But back then, I didn't... I wasn't there yet. So here I am in the dressing arm. Time of grows behind me the collected clerk of their heels, and the buzz you know, all the buzz of the girls. I don't know if you've been around a a bunch of high girls, but they're like, birds. A squat. You know, they're coffee. Lorilee Binstock  00:16:29  Oh my gosh. That's hilarious. Christine Macdonald  00:16:32  Yeah. And so they're like. So I'm I'm trying to focus on putting my makeup on. I'm kinda tuning out the girls behind me. I am really hung over as per usual. That was just another day ending and why. Right? So I'm putting my makeup on and something just hit me, and I thought, okay. And I'm looking in my eyes. I see no blue. It's all gray. And I saw myself, like, wow. You're almost thirty. What you gonna do with your life? You don't have a college education. Dropped out because you couldn't handle the hours because I was party girl. Right? And then at that very moment, when I connected with my eyes, I see a brand new girl who I've never seen before, come into the dressing room, and she was probably nineteen. Lorilee Binstock  00:17:19  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:17:19  And I looked at her, and I saw myself in her, and I thought god, I wanna just hug her and tell her save your money. I'm not gonna judge you. I'm not gonna tell you not to do this, but I wanna tell you to save your money, stay off the drugs, have a good head on your shoulders, but I didn't. I stayed in my own lane, but just seeing that girl had me flashback of the near decade career that I had. And so without even realizing it, I started putting my makeup back in my bag and lift it up, sp my bounce over my shoulders, stood up and looked in the mirror and said out loud to myself, I think you're done. Lorilee Binstock  00:17:57  Oh, wow. Christine Macdonald  00:17:58  And that I just walked out and looks for a pay phone. There was no Internet herself the back. What's for a pay phone called my mom, who I was estranged with at the time. And god lover, she... I basically said what are you doing? And I was almost crying because I was so scared, and I did know what my life gonna be... But I, of course, wanted my mommy. Lorilee Binstock  00:18:20  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:18:20  And so I called her up, and I said, what are you doing? And she I'm cooking dinner, Do you wanna come over? And I was so grateful for that because I did. I went over to her house, and my sister had just had a baby so she was holding her newborn. My mom was cooking spaghetti. So soon as a friend are open, I just... I was welcomed by that amazing smell of home. You know? Lorilee Binstock  00:18:42  Mhmm Christine Macdonald  00:18:42  And I remember looking at my sister, and I remember being at my mom's house and thinking, wow, Just an hour earlier, I was around naked. High girls talking. Like, you know what I mean? And I thought this is real life. This is what I want. And at that moment, I just asked my mom I need to move home. I need to save up money because I'm gonna get off this island and find a new life. Lorilee Binstock  00:19:04  Wow. Oh, so, you grew up in Hawaii until your moment not far from where you were were dancing. Christine Macdonald  00:19:07  Yes. Correct. Yeah. And then, unfortunately, she... I was such a nightmare addict that she... I mean, I I'm I'm not a parent. So I can't even imagine. She just... I I don't wanna say gave up, but she was just there was nothing she could do. There was no talking to me. She was just like, she's gonna need to find out on her own, Lorilee Binstock  00:19:27  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:19:31  and she prayed that I would come around and, you know, I did, which is great. Lorilee Binstock  00:19:36  And so you found you decided, okay. I'm... That road is not for me anymore. What did you end up doing? Christine Macdonald  00:19:43  Mhmm. I sold all of my belongings. I made the very naive choice to leave the island, which I don't think is really... It was not a bad decision it's probably the best decision I ever made because I found myself really having to grow up. And and I was in my late twenties. So I always say I lost in a way, a decade of my life because I was using. And so I really left the island in mentally, like, eighteen years old, nineteen years old because I'd lost so much in my life, but I was in my late twenties, and I just knew that leaving was the best decision and finding new friends and just starting over. But then, you know, couple years later, I realized, oh, you can't run away from your addictions. So that was addressed as well, which is also in the book. But the best decision, the thing that really catapult my change was leaving the island and just shake it off those those friends that you thought were friends, but they were just your party friends. Lorilee Binstock  00:20:49  So how did you... How did you work with your addiction? When did you realize? Well, it sounds like you're were like, okay. I can't I can't escape this. How did you heal from it? Or how did you break the addiction or break any of these, you know, behavioral cycles? Or actually even Christine Macdonald  00:21:06  Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:21:08  be beware of the the patterns. Christine Macdonald  00:21:10  Well, interesting question because I thought just leaving the island was enough. And I thought, oh, I'm such a rock. I could walk away from the Coke. I could walk away from the ecstasy and all those other things I was doing, and I was really sn about it to be honest with you I thought and they rehab. I'm good. I honestly did not think I was an addict until in my thirties, I had a relapse with prescription drugs, and that's a whole nother animal because in in an addicts mind, do you think Oh, this is from a doctor. I'm fine. And, of course, that doesn't... That's never the case. But Lorilee Binstock  00:21:44  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:21:49  realizing that I was an attic, took be relaxing and being in a detox word for a week. And and really understanding after going to meetings and things like, oh, yeah. So my party self in my twenties never left. I just changed the scenery. Lorilee Binstock  00:22:05  Yep. Christine Macdonald  00:22:05  So getting real with yourself is not for the faint of heart. Right? You have to take responsibility for your choices, and Yeah. Once I... Once I realized that the two were not so different that my party self just manifested in other ways, and then I was able to do the do the work with therapy. Lorilee Binstock  00:22:28  Well so in that time, when you left this adult entertainment world, and you were finding yourself, what was happening with yourself worth? Did it make? Did it did you want to go back to the stripping? How did you manage dealing with that that feeling of finding yourself worth? And and and Christine Macdonald  00:22:53  Yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:22:54  needing longing for that helpful. Christine Macdonald  00:22:57  Realizing that the real world wasn't gonna saves me and that the real world was actually a lot harder than I thought. How did I how did I manage for a long time? I didn't... I I still suffered low self steam and that manifested in every single choice of partner I ever dated, and I had a therapist what tell me? I had a therapist one. Lorilee Binstock  00:23:20  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:23:24  If you cut off all the heads of everyone you've ever dated, and I said, let's take a moment to just visualize that because I gotta I kinda like that. But when when this therapist said that to me, she says, they're interchangeable. Lorilee Binstock  00:23:30  Yeah Christine Macdonald  00:23:37  You you pick these stricter or upper and then complain that there's no good people out there today. It's because you don't feel like you're worthy of any one who's good for you. Like, I did not feel Like was worthy of a nice person. And also, when you grow up, and I think you can attest when you grow up with chaos, we subconsciously create chaos because that's home. Lorilee Binstock  00:24:00  Yep. Christine Macdonald  00:24:01  You know, chaos is home. We don't understand when our phone's not blowing up when we don't have any fires to put out when we're not fret Lorilee Binstock  00:24:01  Yep. Christine Macdonald  00:24:08  whether the person we're seeing is cheating on us and getting through their phone for answers, all of those things are based on low self esteem. Lorilee Binstock  00:24:16  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:24:16  And I did not realize that at the time. And so I spent the better part of my thirties and forties after I left the stage. Really having to work on myself esteem. And then I finally got a clue when I was just exhausted from being heartbroken and realizing through therapy that I had more control than I thought. Like, there... It's not that there are no good people there it's just that I'm choosing the ones that are bad for me because I just didn't feel like I was worse. Anyone better. So that's Lorilee Binstock  00:24:50  Yeah. There's like there's like comfort in the same people that you you date in a way. Christine Macdonald  00:24:54  Exactly. It's a familiarity that it's it's hard to shake. It's like a trauma bond. Right? Lorilee Binstock  00:25:01  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:25:02  Yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:25:04  Did you... So what was it? Was there something that happened because I feel I I'm dealing with this. Constantly now I'm continuously working on feeling like I'm enough. What was it? That did it for you. Was there something that made it click besides her saying you have more control? And I feel like I... I do have control, but I mean, there are days where I'm just like, am I enough, and then I question it. Christine Macdonald  00:25:33  Oh, totally. Hold, totally. It's really a hard net to crack, and it's so embedded into our our psyche because, you know, rewire those parts of our brain, I think, is a lifelong journey, I mean it's truly... It's not easy to do, but the fact that we're aware of it is a huge plus. Right? Like, we know our intellect I always say that my... You know, our brains have the intellect side and then the emotional side. So when my emotional side starts to kick in and say, oh, who's gonna read your book? You're not you're nobody. You're not famous, blah blah blah blah, and then I have the other side, the intellect that says, damn straight. Everyone's gonna read my book. This is a really great story, and it's gonna inspire people. So it's just balancing those two positive and negatives, Lorilee Binstock  00:26:15  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:26:21  but surrounding yourself with people who list you up and only wanna us to you succeed that unconditional love, your sister, your brotherhood, people that are in your corner. That's what helps lift me and realize that I'm worth it. In fact, my best best girlfriend I was... I received converter flowers from someone because of my book release, and I was falling Lorilee Binstock  00:26:48  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:26:49  because I'm not used in receiving love where there's no catch. Like, I used to always think if I get love, then what's it gonna cost me, like, it was a transactional Lorilee Binstock  00:26:54  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:26:59  thing when people truly love you, they don't want anything from you. They just love you who you are. And I text my best girlfriend, and I said, I'm really having a hard time believing I'm worth this. And she said, you remember that movie moons with share? Lorilee Binstock  00:27:13  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:27:16  She's she said, what that out of it. She goes you are worth it step out of it. So surrounding yourself with people that truly truly only want the best for you. They don't have any motives. There's nothing in it for them. I think that's huge. I think that really helps with your self esteem. Lorilee Binstock  00:27:37  It really sounds like your mom was kind of that person. Christine Macdonald  00:27:43  She was great. She had her own missteps, and I... And I do explain that in the book there are many things that, you know, she wishes she and, of course, I do too. She didn't do or could have done better but she's been my support system through this book. Even though there's a part of her, of course, she's a mom. She doesn't want the world to know that her baby made all these missteps and choices. But in the end, she's... She's been great. Yeah. She's very worried about this book, but I told her I said, look, anyone who reads the book is gonna know Lorilee Binstock  00:28:17  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:28:18  that you have your home messed missteps because you were raised by someone who was not healthy. So you know, the cycle. It's a cycle. Right? Lorilee Binstock  00:28:25  Right. It's the cycle. Exactly. Christine Macdonald  00:28:27  Yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:28:29  Well, looking back at the entertainment industry now, what are your... What are your personal thoughts? And it sounds like when... When that nineteen year old girl walked through, you're... You you had a lot that you wanted to say to this person. Christine Macdonald  00:28:45  Yeah. Yeah. For sure. It's interesting because I... Since I... Been promoting self promoting this book. I got on Tick talk, and I had no idea what to expect. You know, I'm a Gen x or I'm just like, I didn't even know how to do this whole business, but I'm gonna try Lorilee Binstock  00:29:01  Yeah Christine Macdonald  00:29:02  because, you know, social media is basically the best advertised you can do. And if you can gain a healthy following, it's a great way to get your message out. Right? So I am on talk, and most of my followers Lorilee Binstock  00:29:11  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:29:15  are current spicy dancers, And they are Absolutely amazing. Each and every one of them has a story, and I don't know if you've ever seen Orange just black. Lorilee Binstock  00:29:26  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:29:27  But you know how the template of that story is, you really get to know the backstory of every inmates. And then you form an empathy that you didn't realize you could have for someone who is in prison Lorilee Binstock  00:29:41  Right. Christine Macdonald  00:29:42  because were against them and whatever whatever resources they had to do, which, of course, isn't to say they shouldn't be imprisoned, but you wanna have an idea of their why and every single girl onstage stage, whether you're on stage or in a pen country, there's a reason Lorilee Binstock  00:29:55  Right. Christine Macdonald  00:30:01  and they're not necessarily bad people. So I am finding myself I feel like they're aunts or their house mom. Lorilee Binstock  00:30:09  Yeah Christine Macdonald  00:30:09  And a lot of them come to me and say you give me inspiration that there is life after the pull. Because it's a young woman's game. And like I said, I was almost thirty, and I was freaking out that I was gonna be a senior citizen on the pool. So I never judge them. I support them. And I just... If they asked my advice because I never wanna give it unsolicited. I just say try and save some of your money and hold on to your yourself love and your power because it is a very seductive part in the pun industry, or you can get really wrapped up in the drugs so you can get wrapped up in the money, and then, of course, the next thing, you know, you're thirty. Lorilee Binstock  00:30:43  Mhmm. And there you are. Christine Macdonald  00:30:53  And there you are. Lorilee Binstock  00:30:56  Is there would you say because I think a lot of that has to do with self love and self worth. And do you think people who go into... Do you think there are people who go into the adult entertainment world who are already strong, and their self love and their self worth. Christine Macdonald  00:31:15  I do. I do. And I've worked with women that had their... Can I swear? Lorilee Binstock  00:31:20  Of course, Go for it. Christine Macdonald  00:31:21  Okay. I've work... I've worked with women who had their shit together. Like, they were college students. They were moms during the day, and they were trying to supplement. You know, that trying to feed their child, not all of the women that are, you know, choose the sex industry the sex work industry, whether it's, spicy dancing or now is all virtual. Right? They have there's only fans. There's Lorilee Binstock  00:31:47  Oh, yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:31:48  there's sex work in the in the literal sense, which I I never crossed over to do, but I have many friends that did. All of those things you're not necessarily broken. Everybody has their own reason, Lorilee Binstock  00:32:02  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:32:02  but I do find in my experience that I have come across women that did not think highly of themselves. But it's death it's very important to me that I I want people to know that I do not put a blanket statement on anyone who chooses that industry that they're all broken. You know? But, yeah, it's it it it is a theme Lorilee Binstock  00:32:21  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:32:25  it is a theme as with maybe other. You know, if you're in the modeling industry or anything like that, I can only imagine how toxic that would be as well. Lorilee Binstock  00:32:33  Right. Christine Macdonald  00:32:33  Especially in the in the day of filters. Right? And all of these... You don't know what's real. And then these these young women go on to or or whatever. And they think, oh, my life, they they compare themselves to these unrealistic expectations. Right. Lorilee Binstock  00:32:51  Mhmm. Yeah. You know what I think about, you know, I was a young journalist at a young talent, really, you know, a television station with a bunch of young young people. And, you know, to want to be on Tv. I mean, I feel like it's it's definitely not a glamorous job may seem like it, but definitely is not. But you know, when I looked all around me, there... You know, there are people who are broken. I feel like... I mean, I'm that's like you said, I'm not saying everyone in. But they're they're they're trying to find their voice. And then I feel like that was kind of me. Like, people who had... Were we're not listened to. They'd got a job, so that people will listen to them Right? And I feel like I was... I was also that person as well. So I go, I tried to find my voice working in this business, but you know, obviously, that's that's not what's going to fix it. Right? You have to look within yourself Christine Macdonald  00:33:22  Mhmm. Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:33:46  to be able to figure out why do I need this? What was I mis sing as a child Christine Macdonald  00:33:49  Yeah. Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:33:52  in order for me to pursue this this career, this lifestyle, I think figuring out everyone's why, I think it's is important. You know, I feel like if we understood everyone's why there wouldn't be so much judgment. Christine Macdonald  00:34:04  You know, Hundred percent. Hundred percent. Wouldn't it be great if everyone was, like, you have mandatory therapy from age twenty. Lorilee Binstock  00:34:16  Maybe younger. Christine Macdonald  00:34:17  Right. Lorilee Binstock  00:34:18  Maybe it's thirteen Christine Macdonald  00:34:19  Right. Lorilee Binstock  00:34:19  when you're teenager and there's hormones going and, yes. Christine Macdonald  00:34:21  Yeah. Yeah. I know. And then and, unfortunately, there's a lot of therapists out there that they're not that great. So by finding a therapist Lorilee Binstock  00:34:29  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:34:31  that you can connect with that you have that magical chemist with is not easy. But once you find the right therapist, it really does help with that insight and Yeah. It's it's definitely an eye opener when you find out that everything's connected, Like, everything's connected. That's why I talk about in the book. I have I've had the race when I was thirteen, I had the skin disease. There's father abandonment. They're drinking in the house and all of these things the bullying, the stripping everything's linked, you know? Lorilee Binstock  00:35:03  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:35:04  And so now that I'm in my fifties, I look through, especially the process of writing the book. I look through a different lens when I'm looking at that little girl, and I think, oh, of course, you ended up a stripper. And I'm not saying that to be... Do you know, I'm saying it to be self def. Like, what chance did I have? Like, of course, I'm gonna end up a distributor. But the the thing that I want people to focus on is not the fact that I was a cliche because I'm the first to say I'm a walking cliche. You know? But it's how I got out of it Lorilee Binstock  00:35:19  Yeah Okay. Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:35:37  because I have to say the women that I have reconnected with because it's very difficult to try and find the girls that I used to work with because you can't do a Google search on candy. Right? You don't know their legal name. Show the women that I have reconnected with the the marvel of the Internet, which wasn't around back in our day, God I'm old. Lorilee Binstock  00:35:59  Yeah Christine Macdonald  00:36:00  They're... That they're lawyers. Attorneys, There there are doctors, and and this is just, you know, they own their own businesses. I have a friend that's a makeup artist in Hollywood, all of these wonderful women that have excel are it's just so nice to know that people have come out the other side and then, you know, there's other other people that are no longer with us and and all of those tragedies. But, yeah it it can be an uplifting story. It doesn't have to be a dark cloud. Lorilee Binstock  00:36:29  Right. And, yours is a very very inspiring story. Christine Macdonald  00:36:34  Thank you. Lorilee Binstock  00:36:36  Is there anything else that you would like to add? Christine Macdonald  00:36:41  Don't compare yourself. If there's any it... And if there's any advice that I would give. Now this goes for men too. Lorilee Binstock  00:36:42  Mhmm. Christine Macdonald  00:36:47  I will say, especially when you're young and impression passionately in this age of social media where the attention span of people is probably, like, two seconds. Lorilee Binstock  00:37:01  It's tech. Christine Macdonald  00:37:01  Right. Everybody's right, everybody, and I'm guilty of it as well all a sudden it's seven o'clock. And and it's midnight, I'm like, why have I been scrolling the whole time? But but the thing is it's... It's... We find ourselves Lorilee Binstock  00:37:06  Me too. Christine Macdonald  00:37:14  subconsciously comparing and I do this all the time, and I have to kinda check myself and say, no no no. Stay in your lane. And I don't remember who said this, but I'm gonna be boo and say, a quote, comparison is that beef of joy. Comparison is the thief of joy. So if you really stop Lorilee Binstock  00:37:30  Yes. Christine Macdonald  00:37:35  comparing yourself with others, focus on... On who you are, what you wanna accomplice, what your dreams are, who you are is person, and just let your dreams guide you, and you'll end up okay. I think you'll be alright. And no you're worth is not predicated on what anybody else thinks of you. That took a long time for me. To understand. Lorilee Binstock  00:37:59  Yeah. I think I think finding self worth without, you know, with it's it's a it's a difficult Christine Macdonald  00:37:59  You know? Lorilee Binstock  00:38:04  thing to do. It's... I mean, it's taken me years and I'm still... I I I struggle, but I'm light years away from who I was, you know, Christine Macdonald  00:38:13  Yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:38:14  up four years ago. Christine Macdonald  00:38:16  Mhmm. Lorilee Binstock  00:38:18  But, yeah, It's just finding it within yourself. And in that and Christine Macdonald  00:38:20  Yeah. And that's... Yeah. Yeah. It's all about the rewire. Right? You gotta rewire that brain because we were... We were taught as children that we, you know, we didn't matter. We were invincible Lorilee Binstock  00:38:26  yep. Christine Macdonald  00:38:33  I was called work. Lorilee Binstock  00:38:33  You're just a kid. Christine Macdonald  00:38:35  Exactly. Go in the other room, watch Tv. I was told I was worthless. Almost every day. And so it's very difficult to rewire those voices, but once you can get control of that, you know, you're you're good. You're golden. Just say sit in your kid truth, stand in your power, and don't compare yourself. Lorilee Binstock  00:38:54  Don't compare yourself that I think that that's key. That's key right there. Christine Macdonald  00:38:58  Mhmm. And being a good human being. Be a good person. You know? Lorilee Binstock  00:39:02  Yeah. Christine Macdonald  00:39:03  Yeah. Lorilee Binstock  00:39:03  Yes. A hundred percent. Thank you so much. Christine, I really appreciate you joining me today. Christine Macdonald  00:39:10  Oh, thank you. This is fun. Lorilee Binstock  00:39:12  I'm glad. I'm glad. Well, that one's Christine Mcdonald's author of the Memoir face value from Stripper Pull to bearing my soul. For more information on Christine, click on that for scrolling fortune cookie right there in the middle of your screen, that will actually take you to her book. Also, Mark issue of authentic insider now Christine has contributed to that issue, and check out authentic take thrive dot com. That's trauma survivor thrive dot com. You can find authentic insider there and past issues as well as episodes of this podcast. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my email list to get authentic insider magazine in your inbox monthly. Thank you so much for joining me live today. Show like next week, March fifteenth, when I speak with founder of the psychedelic Medicine coalition, Melissa, we will be discussing how psychedelics helped her heel from postpartum part depression and how that led her to create the Psychedelic menacing coalition. You've been listening to a trauma survivor driver's podcast on Fireside, I'm Lorilee Binstock thanks again for being a part of the conversation. Take care.

Happy New Year! We kick off 2023 talking to Kansas City filmmaker Anita Cordell. Anita is founder of the I Will Rise Project. I Will Rise is a movement to encourage all of us to rise up through films that educate about social issues like trafficking, homelessness, child abuse, marital abuse and more. Anita is also director of the award winning documentary, I Will Rise. The movie tells the story of Christine McDonald and how she was able to escape a life filled being sex trafficked – and how organizations like Stop Trafficking Project, Human Trafficking Training Center, Relentless Pursuit, Outreach Recovery are coming together to help save other women trapped in that life. We talk about how this movie came about and what it was like to make a long form documentary. It will be available for streaming on Amazon and other platforms later this month. I Will Rise Project Unmasked #15 with Russ Tuttle/Stop Trafficking Project Unmasked #29 and 30 with Christine McDonald Unmasked #33 with Lee Gibson/Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery Unmasked #41 with Alison Phillips/Human Trafficking Training Center Visit https://neilgetzlow.com/ to connect with Neil and learn more about journey.

Genesis 50:20: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Today, I share what's on my heart and unmask the arrival of a new season on my faith journey that continues the work God has called me to do. A season that shifts from a focus on how God has transformed my life and my marriage, to a season that now provides support and resources to men needing to be healed from an addiction to pornography.  The clarity and "GO" sign I needed started a few weeks ago after Amy and I had a chance to share our testimony at The Rock of KC and culminated this weekend when I had the opportunity to view the Kansas City premier of the documentary, "I will Rise." https://iwillriseproject.com This movie tells the story of Christine McDonald's journey from sex trafficking victim to survivor and advocate for those still in need of rescue. It also features friend of the show Russ Tuttle from the Stop Trafficking Project and Lee Gibson from Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery.  Blessed to have met director Anita Cordell and look forward to having her on UNMASKED very soon!  Go to neilgetzlow.com to learn more about my journey and my book, UNMASKED. 100% of sales from the book through November 13 will go back to Run To Stop It that help fund the organizations listed above. 

Today is part two of Christine's incredible story as she shares how she was able to escape a life of sexual exploitation – thanks to the power of Jesus – to become an author and advocate for victims of sex trafficking. Please like, review and share this important episode. You can learn more about Christine at https://www.christinespeaksministry.com/. Be sure to visit neilgetzlow.com to learn about his journey and purchase a copy of UNMASKED. Use code RTSI at check our and 100% of proceeds will benefit Run To Stop It, an organization fighting against sex trafficking.

On today's episode, we unmask the journey of my friend, Christine McDonald. The fact that we are friends today is truly the work of God. There is no other way to explain how we are now on the same side of the fight to eliminate the demand for sexually exploited women. Christine experienced two decades of homelessness, addiction, she was a victim of human trafficking, sexually exploited, arrested over 100 times and did seven prison stints. After nearly taking a life at gun point, Christine knew that if she did not find a way out she would become the very evil she had experienced over the years. But God… Part 1 of Christine's journey explores how she became trapped in a life of sexual exploitation and how she was able to break free. You can learn more about Christine at https://www.christinespeaksministry.com/. Be sure to visit neilgetzlow.com/to learn about his journey and to purchase a copy of UNMASKED. Use code RTSI at check and 100% of proceeds will benefit Run To Stop It, an organization fighting against sex trafficking.

Prostitute. Addict. Homeless. Criminal. Today's guest Christine C. MacDonald teaches about what she shares in her book, The Same Kind of Human.   Christine uses stories of her own lived experiences,  scripture, and practical resources to equip and teach people of faith how to serve others with the love of Jesus. Despite her blindness, Christine see's "who" the person is and loves them "where" they are as Jesus did. She helps us to see the humanity of those we often judge or shun with arms of love and a message of hope.   **** Kimberly Hobbs   Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose and I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so glad that you joined in with us today and I would love to welcome our guest Christine McDonald. welcome Christine. Where are you from? Christine McDonald   Hi, Kimberly. It's thanks for having me. Um, I am from Oklahoma, but I consider Missouri home. Kimberly Hobbs   Missouri is your home. Okay, but you're from Oklahoma. Yes, great to have you and, and ladies, ha this woman is a bundle of joy. I if as you can see, by her beautiful smile, she is just precious. And we are so thrilled that God allowed us to connect for this purpose today to do this podcast. So it is our desire ladies at empowering lives with purpose to encourage you and empower you to a closer walk with our Savior. And we believe that each of you are a masterpiece. God says in Ephesians 210 that we are God's masterpiece created a new and Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe he has a plan for you. As you're listening today. Just listen and see what God may be speaking to your heart as we get to talk to Christine today and hear a little bit about her story and her life and what she's doing for Jesus. So I want to share a little bit about who Christine MacDonald is. Christine is a beautiful woman of God. She's sold out to serve him wholeheartedly. She was a prostitute addict, homeless and a criminal. And Christine clarity McDonald is a survivor of human trafficking. She is the author of the memoir cry purple, and the book which is now out and you can you can find this book. It's called the same kind of human which we are going to talk about today, which addresses the biases and assumptions that we commonly hold about exploited and marginalized populations. She is She shares her stories of her own life's experiences her scripture and thought provoking commentary and practical resources. And she equips and teaches people of faith, to encourage and serve others and connect them to Jesus with them, seeing who they are, and loving them where they are with the eyes of grace. She helps us see the humanity of those we often judge or Shawn, and Christina empowers us to instead reach out to those people with arms of love and a message of hope. And as you get to hear Christine's heart, you're going to see like how beautiful she truly is to care so much about the individual. So there's a scripture that I always ask God, God gives me something when I do these podcasts that's going to speak to the people. And we said that the title of this podcast is going to be the same kind of human and what does that mean? And Christine is going to expound on that. But the scripture God gave me to talk about was God makes everything beautiful for its own time. And he has planted eternity in the human heart. But even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. That's Ecclesiastes 311. And again, this scripture I felt just so goes with what Christina is going to teach on. But Christine, can you share a little bit about your story which led you today for what you're doing for God's Kingdom glory? Christine McDonald   Sure, it's it's actually God's story not mine. Kimberly Hobbs   Amen. Amen, sister. Right, right. Christine McDonald   I love the Scripture, that's beautiful. Um, so um, I. So we all have a story, right? And that is so amazing and taking our story and using it for His glory. And in you know, I kind of came from a messy past I grew up in the foster care system. I didn't have a father and mother didn't know who that was, you know, I kind of had that hole in my soul, if you will, longing for that. That father figure and that family unit, my mother struggled with mental illness and alcoholism. I was in and out of the foster care system. We moved around a lot. So it wasn't a lot of time for connection relationship. And then at 15, I ended up as a runaway, just 21 different tools 15 different foster care, you know, homes. Yeah. And so I, as a runaway, I have an abandoned house in the middle of winter just thinking as any 18 year old, those of you moms of teenagers know, everybody. Myself included as a kid, I thought I knew everything. And I've been through sexual abuse, you know, I've witnessed domestic violence into a lot of things, but you know, in my 15 years of life, right, and I had been in this abandoned house and a guy befriended me, offered me a place to stay and actually offered me a job, right? I thought my my individual survival skills are better than anything these grown ups got for me. And because you know, 15 and no everything and in that guy gave me a place to stay. He offered me a job, I gave him a fake name. I said I was AC car. I said, I was spacey because every school I went to everywhere Stacy was like that popular pretty girl. Everything I wasn't car because I was picked up in a car and I was fifth Catering and I couldn't think of anything better. Wow. And I said I was 19 I was growing up, right? And I was like, and and so kind of looking for work. And he said, Well, you're in luck. I got you. I'm like what he's like yeah, he's like, I own this business. I have the help wanted in the newspaper. You know? Yeah, I'll give you a job. I've been paying you cash for a couple of days for you make a covenant. And if you hate it that's a lost you have a few bucks in your pocket and I'll drop you back off for a pink jet. I'm like, okay, sure... Kimberly Hobbs   oh, boy, Christine McDonald   I was selling flowers and hockey tongs and and in the neighborhood and trinkets and things in, in adult entertainment, like strip clubs. Go Go Back then it was go go. You know, go go dancing was the thing because homos girl I'm old. Wow. And what he did is what we would call the grooming process. He befriended me. He gave me a place to stay. I had to catch my packet. I would go in and do this. And he didn't ask me any questions. And no, this was so much safer than anything I had experienced. He wasn't put his hands on me. You know, there was no violence. There was no sexual abuse. He wasn't trying to be sexual. There was none of that right. But what he ended up doing was selling me to a guy that yeah, for $2,500 he sold me to the man that owned those adult entertainment centers $2,500 I was sold. And then I was sold in the back rooms. That night, the exchange of the $2,500 medi had to test the goods the guy that he sold me to to test the goods the goods of course for me. Um, so we would call that breaking me in so the first guy would have been what we would call a groomer. The second person did what we call breaking them breaking new egg, right? The segregation, the humiliation, the violence, the fear, all of that. And I spent then they would, they were selling me in and out of the backroom, to these gentlemen clubs in Oklahoma City, Coffeyville, Kansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. And I was introduced into drugs. And in that drugs actually became like that coping mechanism, right, it became the thing I would do because I knew what they were fixing to do. And then it became the thing I would do after because I didn't have to think about what it just happened. All that minutia, I became a full blown addict. And eventually at 17, I was escorted off property at gunpoint. I mean, I had nobody to call I was wasn't even allowed to go the bathroom. I mean, what do you do? And I was escorted off property at gunpoint, didn't even know what city I was in. And I said, if we ever see you again, we'll kill you. Again. When I was escorted off the property. I'm walking down the street guy pulls up and says, hey, you need a lift. I said, I don't know where I'm going. And he's like, Well, I'm heading to Iowa. Like, I don't know about Iowa. He's like, Well, I'll stop in Kansas City to gas up and grab dinner. It's the halfway point. I said, Kansas City that's like Chicago. Can I go? And I did. I wrote all the way to Kansas City. I was about a five hour drive. I got off in Kansas City in downtown in the middle. He dropped me off in the heart of downtown where the games prostitution and the pimps and drug there's all of this mess is going on around me like oh my gosh, and I had basically been held captive for two and a half years and may made a decision on my own in two and a half years. Wow. Really traumatic and overwhelming. I didn't know what to do. I tried to get into the shelter. I didn't have an ID, right. I didn't know how to do these processes again. I mean, this was such a culture shock for me. They told me I had to come back at a certain time. And while I'm standing, these people are all around me. And all these things have guys like, hey, blondie. You don't look like you belong here. He's like, can I give you a list somewhere? And I'm like, I don't know where I'm going. And he's like, Girl, you're not safe down here. Let me let me help you out. Right? Why not know was he was a pimp. And that he would I would spend the next 17 years being bought and sold. Yeah. And then I finally, you know, got Brandon that there was a lot of arrest, a lot of violence, just a whole lot of things. Yeah. So that that was kind of my pathway. Until the last day I was on the streets when I almost took a life at gunpoint, and I said, I can't do this, I can't be a monster. And I know I have the capacity and me. I don't care if he finds me and kills me. I will not be responsible for taking her life. And that that started my pathway out. So that that was my freedom gate is what I call it. So wow, wow. Kimberly Hobbs   Oh, my goodness, like it's a little bit even much to take in listening to all that in a short amount of time. It's it's could be overwhelming and you lived it. Christine, you lived that life. And and I know the audience because we didn't even mention it yet. But Christine is blind. Christine, can you talk about that portion of your life as well? Christine McDonald   Yeah, that's actually where I found my faith. Right. So now I'm tell us about that, please. Yes. So my faith, and this is where God pierced my heart for my calling is like, it's funny. Everybody tells me I'll tell us a story about us. And I'm not there was a pivotal moment in my life that God utilizes to catapult my faith and to teach me how the body of Christ operates. Right. And so I've been out for a couple years, and I met a guy. And we were I had not really had had a really tainted understanding of Jesus. And God, I had pastors that had paid for me, right, I had gone to churches that said, you can't eat unless, unless you, you know, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you're gonna burn in hell. And I just heard all these awful things. It was so Genji, if so, and I am the quarter that my pimp had me work, there were three churches, and he would make all these things right. And not once if any of these people have faith, right? They're supposed to be the good guys you think, come to my rescue or intervene, you know, you know, and so like, like, I have to say that the whole Jesus people that didn't feel so great set so well with me because of a lot of experiences I talked about. And same kind of human. And then I got pregnant, there were some complications in that pregnancy. And I was forced to choose between the life of my unborn child and my own eyesight, I went blind, in three days, wow, there was medication that would have saved my eyesight, and the inflammation in my brain that was causing the blindness, but it would have taken the life of my unborn child and, and I chose my baby. And when my baby was old, I had to have both of my eyes medically removed to so that's really where my faith really, really like that transformational piece, right? We can go to church and we can like, get into some Bible study and memorize some scripture, but that's not the same as having that moment where you are truly transformed by the Spirit. And this is where that part of my journey started. I had been going to church I'd been going to Bible study and I was Piven and go into church I was listening and learning right. And yet I had yet had that spiritual awakening that transformation until that blindness happened. Kimberly Hobbs   Wow, wow. Christine. And so your faith was solidified through that time because your walk began your trust and your your reliance on Jesus truly took form right and not not visible with what your eyes could see but the trust of what you could not see. And that's incredible. And so then, I am just amazed again, I I've been able to talk to Christine on on the side a lot which is beautiful. But Christine, you you develop this passion of serving God and your heart became pierced for people. And you wanted to understand people and love them in their humaneness and love them to Jesus. Right. So why why was that such a passion for you? Because you were on the other side of it. Right? Right knew what it was like and people were not.  Okay, so tell us about that. Tell us about that. Unknown Speaker   I remember my first started going to church to people would be like, Oh, she's like, dress like a prostitute. You can't do that. But I hadn't accepted Christ yet. Right? I had not yet. I was coming to church, and I was speaking, I was showing up but people were just like, really? judgy. And I dealt with a lot of that. Well, I was a prosecutor. I've been a prostitute for 21 years. So better God, I couldn't pierce my heart to do differently if he wasn't in my heart yet. So I was seeking and so they were pushing me away, right? And I was trying to find my place but yet I still have that yearning and that drawing and I felt odd and I was trying to learn I had been through the things well, you can't have a sandwich unless you accept Jesus in your heart and I think well, so you want me to lie to you and tell you I believe something I don't even understand. So I can have a sandwich Well, that's like asking me to commit perjury right. To in order to get food I want to get this he met the human needs in the moment right he'll blabber he met these people in those moments with in their mess, right. And those humanities were met a little off the bat God, Jesus. Um, but in that there was that spiritual transformation. And so how do we how do I use my experiences where I've gone to church, and they're talking about purity in the women's Bible study and purity events and things like that, and I'm like, Hold on, I was trafficked. I mean, I was sexually abused that at at eight, you know, um, how do how does somebody like me find period? Right? And because I did not yet have that biblical foundational understanding. And so thank you. Well, but the conversations were things that people like me would feel are unobtainable. I'm never going to Mass Spec patients, right. And so what do you do you go find another church, because you're still sick. And right. So I thought, Well, gosh, after I wrote my book, cried purple, which is for people that have experienced substance use disorders, people that have been in prison, people that have done these things, so they can have hope. God really pierced my heart. Well, you know, the Bible really tells us why Jesus example you know, he was hanging out with the leper who was hanging out with the prostitutes. He was finding equity for the homeless, right making sure hey, man, how do we use I don't know what the Bible tells us. It Real Life practical application. Kimberly Hobbs   And so can I can I say right here I was so moved Christine. When you told me how you put that into action? Yeah, reaching people where they were when you sat on that curb next to a prostitute can you share with the audience about how you did that you just because of where you were you were able to meet someone where they were and love them to Jesus?  Christine McDonald   Yeah so um, samples of things that I give in same kind of human when I come into churches are go to organizations and facilitate trainings with real life practical application is I too, I walk my walk, I don't just teach people how to do this and love like Jesus and break our own biases and help us on thread those so that they keep us from seeing these vulnerable people. But I live that out in my everyday life, man. One day, there was this gal and I heard her cry in from my apartment, and I'm like, open my door. Now. Like I said, I'm totally blind. But guys, when I hear somebody sobbing, and I go outside of my colo, is there somebody out there? And I still hear a cry. And so I just start walking towards the sound. I got my little cane. And I'm like, Can I sit here and she's like, you don't want to sit here. I'm a prostitute. And I'm like, I think it'll be okay darlin. And so I sit there and I'm like, What's your name? And she says, doesn't matter. You don't have to tell me right? Um, and I said, are you hungry? And I ran up and I grabbed some stuff out of my fridge and put some stuff together for to keep coke go bags handy because I can teach people and equip people to serve these people. But I've got to practice what I preach, if you will. So I live that out too, in my day to day, so I give her this food and I sit back down and at a car comes and she's like, I don't want to go and I'm like, It's okay. And she's like, she's like, so why are you here? And I said, well, there was a time If I worked this corner that I was paid for, that I was beaten up on this corner and cars passed me, I was hungry and I was cold. For years I've been arrested on this corner, I've been through some stuff on these corners. And nobody saw me. And nobody intervened. I was invisible my pain, all my longing for that rescuer. And I made a commitment to my heart to make sure that people can feel seen. And so that's why I teach people how to people. By my commitment, God pierced my heart and equip me to help people see those people in their own communities. And then how do you connect with people that their trust has been violated in so many ways? And how do you reach those people that are a little more challenging? Kimberly Hobbs   Oh, my goodness, exactly. And that, that same girl, you were able to develop a relationship because you invested time, Christine, you took time to know who she was, as God sees her? And not just try to push your agenda on her? Right? Yes. And that's what we have to learn, ladies says that. There, everybody's busy and you God provides moments in time for us to reach people where they are. And this is the beauty of Christine's life. That this is what she does now is she has the ability to teach people to love people where they are, and not just judge them or shun them for what they're doing. Christine McDonald   Right? Kimberly Hobbs   Exactly. Because they don't even know right? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. So we all have so much busyness going on in our lives. So we need to look around at people and be still long enough to see them as God sees them and be wise to their surroundings and their life. You know, like you, you told me when you were a prostitute, you know, and, and you got into this truck and, and some guy was trying to push a tract on you and tell you about Jesus. But you're like, wait a minute, wait a minute, unless you give me money, I'm gonna be in big trouble. I gotta get out of here. And instead of being sensitive, he drove off pushing his agenda on you not hearing Christine McDonald   And I got beat you with broken bones, right?  Kimberly Hobbs   You got beat up for it when you got out of that truck without money to give to your pimp. And that man cause a lot of pain in your life. Of course, you were turned off to Jesus at that point, like how could this guy be so insensitive, right. But this is what this whole podcast is about ladies and why Christine is investing her time to be here today is to share. We have to take moments to look at the life that we are talking to about Jesus. God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As an all the meetings of God's holy people. So ladies, right, we have to bring our life into order and look in the moment that God has put us in at the heart that he has put in front of us to share Jesus with. So So Christine, how do you teach people to be honorable to other people? Christine McDonald   Well, I think we have to examine our own motives. Sometimes we do it for our own hearts to feel good. Okay, that of the person that we're serving. And we feel like well, if I bring them to Jesus, that's a win for me. Well, you can't bring somebody I mean, we can even go on to to the psychology behind this, the people that have been impacted by trauma people that have this whole messy mess. Number one, we can't decide when they feel safe. And we can start building that trust relationship. So consistency and being okay, being a safe plan or what you might not see the reward. Look, we are supposed to surrender and submit. And that means that we become selfless. And that means that we're not doing this for our own rewards. And I see it happen a lot. Wait. So ask yourself, why are you doing this? This isn't because it makes you feel bad because you did something good for somebody? Are you really doing it to draw people into God's kingdom, right? It has to be that motivation. And that may mean you're just that seed cleaner to change the way if that guy would have just said, Hey, here's here's a track and I stuck it in my back pocket. He kept on going. Who knows? I might have read it one day. Amen. Right? He wanted to like, I want you to be saved, and I need you to do this. And that was all about his own agenda, right? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And so when we can, we have these moments of time and you gotta be okay, like I use this analogy, like, a blind girl is going to try to get sighted people on analogy. Litter. If you have one little piece of glitter in the floor, you're not going to see it. But if there's several little pieces of glitter and the light shines on that shiny thing on the universe, oh, it's just a little pile of glitter. You can be okay. So think of your state planning as like are building that little bit of hope. Right? And, and build on that instead of looking for your own Marisa and and I've learned, you know I've been I've been I've been speaking and doing these kinds of things since about 2007 teaching people how to do effective outreach today to find new churches and communities, what's going to be the best population that you guys are really led to be in, and it's practical in your community, that's a need. But I've been you know, when we do this, I've been doing this for a really long time. But I think so often what I see is you have to examine your own heart and your own motive. I have seen people start up programs, and they'll ask me to come in and consult with them and how to strengthen how to do better because people aren't saying, I don't like you're making them sign a statement of faith in order to have a place to eat and sleep for the next 30 days. Oh, Kimberly Hobbs   my gosh, right.  Christine McDonald   a Bible study for six hours a day. And they don't even know who this is, you're asking to sign a statement of fact about for you to give him a place. Kimberly Hobbs   Christine, Christine, I have to read this verse again, that I read as we started off, because it's so appropriate here. God makes everything beautiful for its own time, he has planted eternity in the in the human heart. But even so people cannot see the whole scope of God's word from beginning to end. So again, we Christine McDonald   So again we love them like Jesus by giving him that bed. And those meals, and inviting them to church have been learn about God, big enough to be God and their heart on their own. You don't need say, in order for us to help you for the next six months, you sign the statement of faith, right, except Jesus in your heart and will take care of your ex. facilitate a safe space and being good people will take care of their humanity. Create the space for God to God. Kimberly Hobbs   Hey, man, let God be God. Right. God may be using you ladies to do his work. So he's put this life or person in front of you and their their life might be different than Christine's we don't know what their life is. But let God do the work. And you just love them. And you just spent the time and put them and serve be a servant. And have a servant's heart. And that takes time. It doesn't just happen quickly, right? People? You're exactly right. Yeah. So we have to wrap it up, Christine. And I just want to share with the ladies though that there is unbelievable, Christine. She teaches she's a she teaches at churches, she speaks all over and you can reach Christine and Christine dot cry purple@gmail.com. She has her books available the same kind of human. She also has cried purple. She loves to speak at churches and events. She also has a movie out. And you tell them about the movie. Christine, like this is so exciting. Christine McDonald   I have a docu drama. So I called it a documentary. And I was corrected as Tokyo drama. And so it's all about trafficking and the intersection between pornography, and how that fuels sexual exploitation. It has snapshots of my story and some of my work and ministry. So but it really gives us a call to action. So it's in a festival run won a bunch of awards. It's so exciting. It'll be available this spring. But if you go to Christie speaks ministry, or if you find me on YouTube, or our Facebook, you know, you can kind of follow that journey and what is inspired from this whole thing, which I'm excited to start showing in churches and having conversations in communities is it's it's we've been, you know, we're in conversations now about like, a full episodic series that really like walks through the different chapters of my life. Wow, wow. It's just crazy. Kimberly Hobbs   So it is not out yet. It'll be out in the spring. It will. Okay, so fantastic. So ladies, please look for that. And look Christina up on her website. So you have that so when the movie does come out, you can watch it but you know, I heard Christine speak at the faith and Film Festival in Orlando, Florida. She spoke there and shared and it she was just such you can hear her heart just pour out to people and I just again, if you have any wants or inclination to bring Christine to your church or to call on her, please please go to her website again. She's also available on YouTube at Christine speaks ministry. Her website is Christine's beaks ministry.com or.org There's so many places you could find her and also, Christine C. McDonald on Facebook. I just want them to find you, Christine because what you're doing for God's Kingdom you are busy, busy, busy at work, and you could have taken all the adversity thrown your way and had a pity party the rest of your life because my gosh, or life, but God right, but God, and so you are an inspiration, my sister, I am so grateful that you came on. And I know that you would just reach out to anybody who tried to reach out to you. So thank you, thank you for being a guest today. We love you and appreciate you, Christine, and what you're doing for God's kingdom. You're beautiful. And, ladies, we are so grateful that you tuned in today. And this is what we do at women, world leaders. We empower women with purpose to walk in their beautiful plan that God has just for them. Remember, ladies, you're a masterpiece you're created anew in Christ Jesus, to do the things that he planned for you Long, long ago. So think about that. Pray with Jesus, and take those opportunities of that precious life that he puts in your path, to share His love with others and get to know them where they are. So as we close out our podcast today, remember that we have tools for you at women, we're leaders, we have books. We have podcasts available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday teaching podcasts we have encouraging podcasts, and we just want you to be part of all of it. So from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a beautiful day.    

Christine McDonald talks about her experience as a victim of human trafficking and how law enforcement and legislators can help bring justice to other victims. Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday – We learn about belly-button maintenance. We talk to sexual trafficking victim Christine McDonald about how police handle rape kits. Brendan from Bungalower on Spooky Empire, Cheer Live, a retro MTV party and a Pink Party. Attorney Glenn Klausman talks about the Geico HPV lawsuit for Colbert Court. Rauce Thoughts on coffee drinking. Plus, WOKE News, Trivia & Last Call.

Sex trafficking survivor Christine McDonald talks about solutions to stop rapists from being let off the hook so easily

We talk to sex traffic victim Christine McDonald who is now an advocate for victims and works to improve police work when it comes to sexual assault kits.

When and for whom should home oxygen therapy be prescribed, and what is the evidence behind it? David Liew chats with respiratory physician Christine McDonald.

Also, would you rather!

THE LONGLEAF HOTEL is a modernized mid-century gem sitting at the northern gateway to downtown Raleigh not far from, well, everything. Their namesake, the soaring longleaf pine―with its whimsied canopy and pine needle blanketed floor― has inspired every aspect of this modern renovation of a vintage motor lodge. This beautiful property was recently awarded TCREW's Champion Award for 'Best Interiors!' One of many awards to come, we are sure. Christine McDonald, Creative Director with Loden Properties, shares her journey during the process.  Enjoy!

Join us Monday, May 3rd, 2021, at 9:00 AM when host Margot Patterson will interview Lee Gibson, Founder of Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery (RPOR) and Christine McDonald, Founder of Christine’s Place. RPOR is an organization dedicated to ending sex trafficking and helping victims recover and heal.  Christine’s Place will be a crisis response center […] The post Christine McDonald of Christine’s Place and Lee Gibson of Relentless Pursuit Work to End Prostitution – James Hosey Helps the Homeless appeared first on KKFI.

Info about Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery Story on RPOR Joel Goldberg's Book "Small Ball Big Results" Joel Twitter Joel's Instagram Joel Linkedin Joel's You Tube Page

On this episode, I get to hang out with Christine McDonald. Christine is a E6 Tech Sergeant in the United States Air Force, a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence and a volunteer prison puppy socializer for K9 for Warriors. We have a great time discussing her 17.5 years in the military and the importance of support dogs for all types of conditions. Thanks for tuning in!

Jaws of Justice Radio Investigates how to achieve justice in America.  On December 14th, host Keith Brown El speaks with Michael Silas, an inmate at Western Missouri Correctional Center.  Michael Silas has now served over 30 years on a life without possibility of parole sentence. Michael contends he was falsely charged as the shooter in […] The post Michael Silas Speaks and Christine McDonald of Christine’s Vision Encourages appeared first on KKFI.

In March 2007, a soldier named Christopher Ferguson died after allegedly falling from an apartment balcony. Since Christopher's death, his sister Christina McDonald has tried to uncover what really happened to her brother. He is another soldier who died under unusual circumstances at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. The Army ruled his death a suicide. Christine has spoken to a few soldiers who were with Christopher the night he died. She has been given conflicting stories. Supposedly he fell to his death, but another soldier claimed Christopher jumped to his death. Christine also spoke to a young girl who wasn't in the military, but was staying in the apartment. She witnessed Christopher get physically assaulted and then put into a headlock. The After placing Christopher in a headlock, the girl saw Christopher get dragged out on the balcony. Seconds later, she heard Christopher screaming in agony. Within a few days, he would die from injuries sustained from his fall. Christine has tried to find out if Christopher actually fell or did one of his fellow soldiers throw him off the balcony? Be sure to listen to episode 61 of the Catch my Killer podcast as Christine McDonald tells the story about the death of her younger brother Christopher Ferguson in 2007. If you know anything about what happened to Christopher, you can message the podcast at catchmykiller@gmail.com or contact Christine through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.mcdonald.357/ or email her: Christinamcdonald81@gmail.comPlease also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by making a Paypal donation to augustlake@fuse.net at https://bit.ly/39iw6iz. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please email me at catchmykiller@gmail.com.

Is trafficking something I would really come across and be able to stop? Christine McDonald, an internationally recognized author, speaker and consultant, invites us to go behind the veil of commercial sex to see what that “choice,” that “life” was really like. She'll explain why and how victims, like herself, often don't know they're trafficking victims. She didn't know until two years after she got out, when she saw her man arrested on TV. Christine explains how the amount of humanity she experienced in the world of commercial sexual exploitation was such a microscopic spec that there was hardly any hope to hold onto. The way Christine shares her story not only gives us insights into the truth behind the facade of “choosing” prostitution, but depicts what it would look like for truck drivers and travel plaza or truck stop employees to make a powerful difference in the lives of victims in the short and long term. Christine's familiarity with the complex vulnerabilities leading to and coming out of trafficking strengthens our understanding of the ways we can work towards stopping sex trafficking.Resources:Relentless Pursuit: Rpor.org Schedule an event with Christine and find her books: Christinesvision.org Christine's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEj5RbFpuzjx_CuksAqgyXA

Hi, I'm Christine McDonald. 4 years ago I was really sick and couldn't lose the 65 lbs I gained from my 3rd son. I was a half marathon runner with arthritis, gout, IBS-D, hereditary high blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraines, anxiety and more. One day, I was running and asked God for the truth about health. He told me to go back to the beginning. The beginning meant the Garden of Eden. That is where the healing is. God's first intentions for us. So I began doing research and began to baby step at changing my diet. I started with 21 days of alkaline eating cutting out the acid foods. Then I reintroduced the acid foods one by one so I could see which ones triggered me. Sure enough meat, eggs and dairy brought back my pains from arthritis, gout and migraines and also brought back anxiety. The wheat products brought back IBS-D. Etc etc. As I continued to baby step, I finally got to doing raw challenges and juice fasts. I have wanted to be fully raw, but I find it easier to sustain on raw till dinner. Then have an alkaline cooked dinner meal. I consider myself still baby stepping and hope to one day be fully raw. But I never beat myself up. I love myself to health. In this episode, you'll learn:

For about 17 years, Christine McDonald was sold for sex. Now she's a human trafficking survivor who uses her experience to help others escape "the life". McDonald explains some of the ways predators find their victims and trap them in the human trafficking underground. McDonald is the author of Cry Purple and The Same Kind of Human.

Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking (FWCAT) is a group of committed individuals that educates and engages our community so that each person can play a role in ending human trafficking. In this final podcast before the Break the Chains of Human Trafficking 5k, happening on Saturday May 19th - My guest is John Price, a good friend of my mine who is himself a survivor of child sex abuse and trade - and describes himself as a man at war - and his war is against all who facilitate and traffic children for sex. Links to resources referred to during this podcast: 1in6: 1in6.org/ National Human Trafficking Hotline: humantraffickinghotline.org/ The Wayne Foundation: waynefdn.org/ Restoration House of Greater Kansas City: restorationhousekc.com/ Christine McDonald: www.crypurple.com/ The FWCAT - Break the Chains of Human Trafficking 5K is happening on Saturday, May 19th, 2018. Click here to register: runsignup.com/Race?raceId=28647 Check out the FWCAT website for more information: www.fwcat.org/ And like their page on Facebook for the latest in upcoming community events: www.facebook.com/federalwaycat/ Listen to “Break the Chains 2018”, the special podcast series explaining more about this organization and how you can help, no matter where you live. soundcloud.com/mikeseibertradio/sets/break-the-chains-2018-fwca

Hello and welcome to another episode! This time Emily tells us about the 4 lucky people who survived Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, while Taylor refuses to let you feel good about the world tells the story of Christine McDonald, a survivor of human trafficking. 

Christine McDonald is the author of “Cry Purple”, her memoir, and “The Same Kind of Human” a book about “seeing the marginalized and exploited through the eyes of grace.” http://www.christinesvision.org/ The wisdom and insight Christine shares in “The Same Kind of Human” is hard-earned; she spent 17 years homeless and on the streets, where she was sex trafficked, addicted to drugs, and arrested more than 100 times alongside 7 stints in prison. When Christine decided to get clean, educated, and out of danger, it was not an easy journey. Today, she has dedicated her life to helping others break down the barriers imposed on them by themselves and society, and helps people harness the power of their entrepreneurial mindset and their story to make the world better and more just for all of us.

This week, Seth and JJ interview Wendy Barnes—a speaker, trainer, consultant, and author on human trafficking…who also happens to be a survivor of human trafficking. In this weeks interview, Seth and JJ discuss Wendy's amazing book And Life Continues: Sex Trafficking and My Journey to Freedom (available on amazon), her life, the services available to trafficking survivors, and what academics and responders can do to better serve survivors and those currently held in bondage. Sources: And Life Continues, Wendy Barnes And Life Continues: Sex Trafficking and My Journey to Freedom by Wendy Barnes, Amazon.com Trafficking Terms, Shared Hope International Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Lost Innocence, Modern Day Slavery & Transformation by Barbara Amaya, Amazon.com Cry Purple by Christine McDonald, Amazon.com  

Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking (FWCAT) is a group of committed individuals that educates and engages our community so that each person can play a role in ending human trafficking. In this final podcast before the Break the Chains of Human Trafficking 5k, happening on Saturday May 19th - My guest is John Price, a good friend of my mine who is himself a survivor of child sex abuse and trade - and describes himself as a man at war - and his war is against all who facilitate and traffic children for sex. Links to resources referred to during this podcast: 1in6: https://1in6.org/ National Human Trafficking Hotline: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/ The Wayne Foundation: http://waynefdn.org/ Restoration House of Greater Kansas City: http://restorationhousekc.com/ Christine McDonald: http://www.crypurple.com/ The FWCAT - Break the Chains of Human Trafficking 5K is happening on Saturday, May 19th, 2018. Click here to register: runsignup.com/Race?raceId=28647 Check out the FWCAT website for more information: www.fwcat.org/ And like their page on Facebook for the latest in upcoming community events: https://www.facebook.com/federalwaycat/ Listen to “Break the Chains 2018”, the special podcast series explaining more about this organization and how you can help, no matter where you live. soundcloud.com/mikeseibertradio/sets/break-the-chains-2018-fwcat

Christine McDonald, Restoration House and More A lot has happened since we last talked with Christine McDonald, she has a book out titled Cry Purple and her new book The […] The post Christine McDonald, Restoration House and More; and Missouri CURE Conference Preview appeared first on KKFI.

Devin Lucas is a writer and director from Southern California, who has made plenty of movies in the past, but nothing quite like the upcoming Under the Smogberry Trees, the true story of Dr Demento and Mr Hansen. He's part of Meep Morp Studio with Christine McDonald and Scott McKenzie, which is producing the film.