Description

In Episode 3 of Fracture to Flourish, host Bryce Butler follows a single composite case file to show how a foster care system not designed around children can leave youth invisible, unprotected, and easy to traffic.

Instead of starting with a trafficker, this episode starts with the paper trail: routine notes, missed court dates, closed runaway reports, copy‑pasted case notes, and the quiet ways warnings can die in separate inboxes. Along the way, you’ll hear how placement instability, isolation, and unmet basic needs can create the space where exploitation takes root.

You’ll also hear from people who have watched these patterns up close: survivor voices, practitioners working with schools and foster care systems, policy leaders, and advocates pushing for practical reforms like integrated data systems, specialized missing‑from‑care units, and multidisciplinary teams that keep information from staying siloed.

Content advisory: This episode includes frank discussion of abuse and exploitation involving children and families. Please take care as you listen.

Guests + Organizations

• Crystabella Ryder — Season 1 guest
• Ashlee Lucas — The Tebow Group
• Dr. Jeanne L. Allert — Institute for Survivor Care
• John Richmond — Atlas Free (former U.S. Ambassador‑at‑Large)
• Ricky Lynn — law enforcement (KY)
• Ashleigh Chapman — Engage Together / Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, and Justice
• Dani Pinter — NCOSE
• Tori Hope Petersen

Partners

• Atlas Free (Season Partner): This season is made possible in part by our partners at Atlas Free, a global movement fighting sex trafficking. Atlas Free supports local organizations helping survivors find freedom and rebuild their futures, and works to stop traffickers where they operate. Learn more at atlasfree.org.
• Scarlet Hope (Season Partner): This season is made possible in part by our partners at Scarlet Hope, which has been showing up week after week with outreach and restoration for women who’ve been exploited in clubs, on the streets, and online. Learn more at scarlethope.org.
• Access Ventures (Series Partner): Fracture to Flourish is a production of Access Ventures, a catalyst for change working to build a flourishing society. Access Ventures leverages catalytic capital and partnerships to drive economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability in communities. Learn more at accessventures.org.

Resources

• National Human Trafficking Hotline (US): Call 1‑888‑373‑7888 or text BEFREE (233733)
• RAINN (sexual assault support): rainn.org
• National Runaway Safeline: 1‑800‑RUNAWAY (786‑2929) or 1800runaway.org
• NAMI (mental health support): nami.org

Data + sources

Missing children context (NCMEC)

• Runaways are still missing and still in danger (2024): https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2025/theyre-missing-too-why-runaway-children-need-our-help
• NCMEC 2024 totals: https://www.missingkids.org/ourwork/impact
• Missing from foster care context: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/missingfromcare

Familial/caregiver trafficking (Dr. Jeanne Allert)

• Allert, Jeanne L. (2022). Domestic Minor Familial Sex Trafficking: A National Study of Prevalence, Characteristics, and Challenges across the Justice Process. Institute for Shelter Care. https://bcfstrafficking.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Familial-Trafficking-Study.pdf
• Summary: https://www.c7htc.org/familial-trafficking/

Credits

• "Fracture to Flourish" is a production of Access Ventures.
• Created, written, and hosted by Bryce Butler.
• Editing and production by Jacob Bozarth.
• Additional editing and production by Crystal Esquivel and Amelia Witts.
• Audio mixing by Pat Kicklighter.
• Cover art and design by Justin Esquivel.
• Marketing support by Amelia Witts and Madison Butler.
• To listen to past episodes, check out fracturetoflourish.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening!