Rooted in Healing: Culture, Care, and Courage in Hawaii’s Fight Against Child Trafficking with Jessica Muñoz

Rooted in Healing: Culture, Care, and Courage in Hawaii’s Fight Against Child Trafficking with Jessica Muñoz

In this episode of The Masculine Wilderness, host Tom Perez sits down with Jess Muñoz, founder and CEO of Hoʻoʻa Na Pua, to explore her transformative journey from a nurse to a frontline advocate battling child trafficking and exploitation. Jess opens up about the roots of her personal calling, revealing how Hawaiian culture, trauma-informed care, and a deep understanding of masculinity intertwine in the work of healing and prevention. Listeners will uncover powerful insights into how men can step forward as active change-makers dismantling systems of harm. From the hidden intersections of tourism and trafficking to redefining fatherhood and confronting the cultural impact of pornography, this conversation invites every listener to rethink what strength and compassion truly mean in the modern world. It’s an episode about courage, cultural identity, and the radical power of community action, the kind that inspires us to look inward so we can change what’s around us. Keywords: trauma-informed care, Hawaii, child trafficking, masculinity, healing, survivor advocacy, fatherhood, cultural identity, demand reduction, community mobilization Key Topics: * What trauma-informed care looks like in healing. * Cultural influences that shape exploitation and recovery in Hawaii. * The evolving role of masculinity and fatherhood in prevention. * How pornography fuels demand and perpetuates exploitation. * Concrete community and policy steps to protect children and build resilience. Action Items: * Join local men’s circles or community discussions about trafficking prevention. * Fathers model emotional presence and accountability at home. * Support organizations and policies protecting children from exploitation. * Educate yourself and others about the connection between pornography and demand. * Share this episode to start tough but necessary conversations. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Masculine Wilderness Podcast 00:27 The Birth of Ho'o'a Na Pua 00:54 Recognizing Child Exploitation 02:19 Creating Healing Pathways for Victims 04:03 The Moment of Realization 05:39 A Calling to Shine Light in Darkness 06:52 Understanding the Indicators of Exploitation 08:47 The Significance of Naming the Organization 10:50 Cultivating New Life for Children 11:45 Personalized Healing Journeys 15:10 Empowering Agency in Healing 16:42 Understanding Hawaii's Unique Challenges 18:54 The Intersection of Tourism and Trafficking 21:05 The Role of Geography and Economics 22:07 Men's Role in Addressing Trafficking 23:45 The Importance of Fatherhood 25:37 Holding Men Accountable 26:39 The Power of Presence 28:32 Challenging Malignant Masculinity 30:53 Cultural Nuances and Redefining Masculinity 32:13 The Impact of Pornography on Society 36:17 Understanding Trauma in Survivors 42:13 Trauma-Informed Care Explained 48:29 Men's Role in Healing and Prevention 52:02 Finding Hope and Purpose in Darkness Let's Connect: www.hoolanapua.org [www.hoolanapua.org] www.epikproject.org [www.epikproject.org]

Winning at Home: Coaching Boys Into Men with Spencer Crace

What if the most important victories in sports never show up on the scoreboard? In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom sits down with Spencer Crace, college football coach and mentor, for a deeply honest conversation about masculinity, leadership, and the sacred responsibility of shaping young men through sport. Spencer shares his journey into coaching and the moments that refined his philosophy, not just about winning games, but about building character, resilience, and brotherhood. Together, they unpack the invisible pressures facing young men today: comparison culture, criticism, identity confusion, and the quiet loss of free play that once taught boys how to fail, adapt, and lead themselves. This episode goes far beyond X’s and O’s. It’s about fatherhood, patience forged through injury, the power of accountability within a team, and why coaches may be some of the most influential male role models a young man ever encounters. Spencer offers a grounded, compelling vision of leadership, one rooted in presence, humility, and integrity. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but radical idea: you don’t win on the field if you’re losing at home. For coaches, parents, and men alike, this episode is a reminder that the greatest measure of success is who you become and who you help others become along the way. 00:00 — Introduction to the Masculine Wilderness Podcast 02:02 — Spencer Crace: A Coach’s Journey 03:48 — Sports and Character Development 07:47 — Leadership Lessons from Youth Sports 10:51 — Criticism, Pressure, and Mental Toughness 14:21 — Injury and the Discipline of Patience 16:41 — Brotherhood and Team Culture 18:55 — Taking Team Values Into Real Life 22:29 — The Coach’s Role in Shaping Young Men 24:50 — Fatherhood and Coaching: Parallel Callings 29:29 — The Comparison Trap in Modern Sports 33:19 — Why Free Play Still Matters 36:03 — Challenges Facing Young Men Today 39:16 — Redefining What It Means to Win Let's Connect: www.epikproject.org DONATE: https://funraise.org/give/Epik-Project/6e9de4e6-5b6d-4333-bd08-c043cd690405/

Inside the NFL: Courage, Culture & the Future of Leadership with Megha Parekh

What does healthy masculinity look like in one of the most hyper-masculine spaces in the world? In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom sits down with Megha Parekh, one of the few female executives working inside the NFL, for a rare and honest conversation about masculinity, leadership, and cultural change in professional sports. Megha shares her journey into the league, navigating bias, earning trust, and helping shape environments where accountability and empathy aren’t liabilities, but strengths. Together, they explore the evolving realities of masculinity in sports, the slow but meaningful erosion of misogyny in the workplace, and why courageous conversations matter more now than ever. This episode goes beyond locker rooms and boardrooms. Megha and Tom examine the outsized cultural influence of professional sports, how athletes and organizations model behavior for millions, and why mental health awareness, ethical leadership, and human dignity must be part of the conversation. From addressing exploitation and trafficking to mentoring young athletes, Megha offers a grounded, hopeful vision for what leadership can become. This is a conversation about power, responsibility, and the freedom that comes from showing up as your full self, regardless of expectations. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction to Masculine Wilderness 01:24 — Megha’s Journey to the NFL 03:27 — Expanding Roles in Professional Sports 08:21 — The Complexity of Masculinity in Sports 14:10 — Addressing Misogyny and Bias 18:04 — Creating a Supportive Work Environment 24:22 — Empathy and Accountability in the Workplace 30:00 — The Influence of Professional Sports on Masculinity 31:59 — Raising Awareness Around Mental Health 36:59 — Collaborating for Social Change 41:27 — Understanding the Buyer in Human Trafficking 47:11 — Empathy and Accountability in Justice 51:19 — Planting Seeds of Courage in Young Athletes 52:27 — Finding Hope in Cultural Change Let's Connect: www.epikproject.org https://www.instagram.com/epik_project/ https://www.jaguars.com/

Why Listening Might Be the Most Radical Skill of Our Time with Jenni Lippold

In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness podcast, Tom Perez sits down with Jenni Lippold, a people technologist, StoryCorp enthusiast, and a relentless believer in the power of human connection. Together, they explore how storytelling can soften political divides, dissolve concepts of the “other,” and transform our understanding of trauma, fear, and one another. Drawing from over 12,000 recorded Storycore conversations, Jenni brings rare insight into what people are really longing for: to be heard, to be seen, and to matter. She breaks down why empathy isn’t just a virtue, it’s a skill, a practice, and a survival tool in a polarized world. They dig into StoryCorps’ groundbreaking One Small Step initiative, which pairs Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum for deeply human, surprisingly tender conversations. Through these stories, Jenni reveals the vulnerability, courage, and hope that emerge when we dare to listen past the noise. This is an episode about connection, compassion, and the radical possibilities that open when we stop asking, “What do you believe?” and start asking, “What’s your story?” Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction to the Masculine Wilderness Podcast 01:37 — Jenni Lippold: A People Technologist’s Journey 04:20 — StoryCorps: Archiving Humanity’s Stories 06:08 — One Small Step: Bridging Political Divides 11:48 — Digital Conversations: The Evolution of Engagement 15:10 — Insights from 12,000 Conversations 21:24 — Empathy: The Key to Understanding 27:49 — The Power of Shared Stories 33:54 — The Role of Empathy in Change 34:23 — The Power of Data in Empathy-Building 39:22 — Storytelling’s Impact on Understanding 45:21 — Children and the Magic of Storytelling 49:33 — Trauma & Connection Through Shared Stories 51:10 — Fear, Human Behavior, and the “Other” 53:18 — The Future of Empathy Initiatives 01:02:43 — Masculine Wilderness Theme Let's Connect: www.epikproject.org https://storycorps.org/

Roots & Responsibility: A Conversation on Alaska, Identity, and Human Trafficking with Josie Heyano

This episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast is nothing short of extraordinary. Host Tom Perez sits down with Josie Heyano, an Alaska-based social worker whose depth of insight, cultural grounding, and fierce compassion bring a rare clarity to conversations about masculinity, exploitation, and community healing. What unfolds is a deeply moving exploration of Indigenous identity, relational accountability, and the complex realities of human trafficking in Alaska—a region where historical trauma, geographic isolation, and systemic inequities converge in devastating ways. Josie breaks down concepts like tundra pimping with honesty and nuance, exposing the long-standing roots of exploitation targeting Indigenous youth and rural communities. But this episode isn’t just about the problem; it’s about the power of culture, connection, and collective care. Josie shares how Indigenous frameworks of interconnectedness offer pathways for healing, resilience, and prevention. She invites listeners to reconsider their relationship with anger, describing how women’s anger is often a powerful, defiant force for change, and how men’s anger can be transformed into grounded leadership and accountability. Throughout the conversation, Josie weaves together personal narrative, cultural wisdom, and professional experience to illuminate what true community responsibility looks like. From the role of beauty and creativity in surviving hardship to the slow work of building trust across generations, this episode challenges listeners to show up more thoughtfully, more courageously, and more relationally. This is an episode that lingers... a call to remember where we come from, who we are accountable to, and how we can show up for one another with more heart. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Masculine Wilderness Podcast 01:47 Josie Heyano's Cultural Introduction 03:42 Personal Stories and Connections to Alaska 05:52 Human Trafficking in Alaska 10:13 Roots of Exploitation in Alaska 15:06 The Role of Anger in Advocacy 19:46 Gender Dynamics of Anger 25:07 Men in Leadership and Community Responsibility 29:59 Listening and Respecting Women's Anger 34:31 The Shift in Human Trafficking Dynamics 35:55 Emotional Healing Through Connection 36:12 Traditional Practices and Gender Roles 40:18 Balancing Roles in Caregiving 42:12 Cultural Practices and Community Care 45:11 The Power of Relational Care 48:39 The Role of Beauty in Healing 54:38 Reconnecting with Roots and Traditions 58:36 Hope in Advocacy and Community Resilience 01:04:00 A Message to Men: Building Trust and Awareness 01:08:14 Masculine Wilderness Theme.mp3 Let's Connect: www.epikproject.org [https://www.epikproject.org] https://www.signifyconsultingak.org/ [https://www.signifyconsultingak.org/]