On the Cultivating the Lovely podcast this week, MacKenzie Koppa interviews Rebecca Bender, author of In Pursuit of Love: One Woman’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant. Rebecca is a survivor of human trafficking and is now a wife and mother with a busy speaking and advocacy schedule. She is passionate about teaching and about helping others realize that their stories matter. MacKenzie and Rebecca cover a variety of topics surrounding trauma, abuse and recovery, including:

• How much MacKenzie identified with Rebecca’s story and why
• Realizing that this kind of thing can happen to anyone and having grace for other people’s stories
• How our brains are built to adapt to and cope with trauma
• The gift of using different modalities in recovery from trauma
• What it was like for Rebecca going back to Las Vegas and being in places she had been when she was trafficked
• How trauma causes us to forget and block out memories

While we might not be able to 100% relate with each other’s stories, all of us have this root of desiring to love and be loved.

Rebecca Bender

• Rebecca’s new life and passion for helping people know that their stories matter
• Teaching our children to see the warning signs and take their time in relationships
• Why Rebecca decided to start a podcast
• The importance of training up our boys to be men of honor
• A typical day in Rebecca’s life right now
• Donate to Rebecca Bender’s Initiative campaign

Current Lovelies-

Rebecca: making time to be at with her daughters during a busy season

MacKenzie: taking time out to be extra present with her kids heading into a challenging season

Resources Mentioned-

(Affiliate links are used in this content.)

Books:

In Pursuit of Love

Podcasts:

T. D. Jakes

Bethel Sermon of the Week

Expression 58

Movies:

Gladiator

Find Rebecca-

You can find Rebecca on her website rebeccabender.org and listen to her new Hood to Holy podcast. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Find MacKenzie-

You can find MacKenzie Koppa on Instagram, Facebook, and the CTL Facebook Group, of course! Join us on Patreon at Patreon.com/CultivatingtheLovely.

Thanks to Our Sponsors-

This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by BetterHelp private online counseling. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOVELY for 10% OFF your first month of counseling.

CTL is also brought to you by the Future 1-on-1 training app. Go to TryFuture.com/LOVELY for 50% OFF your first month!

Today’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Imperfect Foods. Go to ImperfectFoods.com/LOVELY through February 16, 2020 and enter code LOVELY to get $10 OFF your next 4 orders!