The Masculine Wilderness Podcast · Epik Project

The Next Generation of Change: How Young Advocates Are Fighting Exploitation with Sarina Cooper and Ashlynn Fredendall

·51 min·3 clips

Ashlyn says Andrew Tate leaves her angry because boys can hear misogyny and still praise him anyway.

Tom Perez opens the discussion by framing the episode around men, the people around them, and the work of protecting young people from exploitation. Serena Cooper introduces herself as programs manager at World Without Exploitation. She explains that her work includes coordinating the STAND program and the organization’s Youth Coalition. Tom asks how the movement is reaching young people and what it means to push back against toxic narratives around objectification. Serena points to the online environment as a major part of the problem because it shapes both future buyers and future victims. She says there has been more recent conversation about what young people are seeing online, and that has brought more political attention than before. Tom keeps returning to the idea that adults should listen earlier rather than later. Ashlyn Fredendall then speaks about her work on the ground through My Friends Are Not For Sale. She describes a school visit with Robin Miller, a guest with lived experience, and the conversation that followed with students. Even though only a small number of students spoke directly, three girls came forward afterward with concerns about trafficking or a friend’s safety. That moment lands as a clear sign that the work is reaching people who need it. Serena and Ashlyn both treat those small openings as meaningful wins. The conversation stays focused on prevention, awareness, and making hard topics easier to talk about. Tom reflects that the listener should think about where future buyers and future victims are coming from. Ashlyn and Serena answer by pointing back to education, honest conversation, and presence in schools and communities. The closing turns more tender as Tom asks about care, gratitude, and rest. Serena says people need moments of relaxation to keep going. She describes watching a favorite movie or TV show, zoning out for a bit, and practicing gratitude for the chance to pause. That ending gives the episode a quieter shape: activism is not only pressure and urgency, but also endurance, care, and the discipline to keep showing up.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about youth advocacy, grooming awareness, and trafficking prevention.

The conversation keeps its focus on trafficking and exploitation prevention, with Serena Cooper of World Without Exploitation and Ashlyn Fredendall of the Epic Project speaking from youth advocacy and school outreach.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want a grounded conversation with young women speaking plainly about trafficking, grooming awareness, and youth-led advocacy.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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