In this episode, we sit down with Charles Martin, author of The Letter Keeper series a fictional series deeply rooted in the real stories of human trafficking survivors.

Charles shares his journey to becoming an author and the heart behind writing stories that confront some of the darkest realities in our world. We talk about writing as a way to process emotion, grief, and truth, and why storytelling matters in the fight against human trafficking.

This conversation explores how traffickers operate as emotional terrorists, why s*x trafficking happens everywhere (not just “somewhere else”), and why it is more prevalent than drug trafficking — because a drug can only be sold once, but a person can be sold again and again.

We also discuss sacrificial love, the kind of love that sees suffering, refuses to look away, and chooses to step into the brokenness for the sake of others.
This episode is honest, heavy at times, and deeply human, a reminder that stories have the power to awaken compassion, confront injustice, and invite healing.

Charles’ Links:
Website: https://www.charlesmartinbooks.com/
Buy his books: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/author/B001IGQLBC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.charles.martin/
X: https://x.com/storiedcareer?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiedcareer/

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-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5NCqdBqwaEckV3gNQ6IZeg

To learn more about the Joy Smith Foundation, and to support our podcast, visit:
https://joysmithfoundation.com/

Music: The Light from Within by Howard Harper-Barnes

Thank you so much for listening!✨

Disclaimer: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Luma and Bloom are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official positions of the Joy Smith Foundation or the hosts of this podcast. Any content provided by our guests is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or representation of the Foundation’s beliefs or values.

This week, we’re celebrating the season with our favourite Christmas treats and traditions — but we also take a moment to talk about hope, grace, and patience. Whether your holidays feel joyful, busy, or a little heavy, this episode is a gentle reminder that hope is always within reach.

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Support the show

Make sure to connect with us on social media!
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumaandbloomofficial/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lumaandbloomofficial
-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lumaandbloomofficial?lang=en
-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5NCqdBqwaEckV3gNQ6IZeg

To learn more about the Joy Smith Foundation, and to support our podcast, visit:
https://joysmithfoundation.com/

Music: The Light from Within by Howard Harper-Barnes

Thank you so much for listening!✨

Disclaimer: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Luma and Bloom are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official positions of the Joy Smith Foundation or the hosts of this podcast. Any content provided by our guests is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or representation of the Foundation’s beliefs or values.

*Trigger warning: this episode contains conversation around suicide and suicidal ideation*

International suicide hotline list: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

In this powerful conversation, survivor and advocate Andrea Heinz joins us to unpack the growing push to license brothels and body rub parlours in Canada — and why she believes these policies fundamentally endanger women. Andrea shares her story of being sexually exploited, the psychological toll of dissociation, and the misconceptions society holds about “choice,” “empowerment,” and “sex work.”

We talk about the difference between consent and compliance, how language shapes public understanding, why “money = empowerment” is a dangerous myth, and how digital platforms like OnlyFans function as modern forms of exploitation. Andrea’s evidence-based research and lived experience offer a crucial counter-narrative to the dominant ideology shaping today’s debates on sexual exploitation and pornography.

This episode is a necessary listen for anyone engaged in anti-trafficking work, policy, advocacy, or cultural conversations about sexuality and exploitation.

Andrea’s Links:

X: https://x.com/heinzsight2020?lang=en

Her book - When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?: https://a.co/d/5zu8LWh

Book website: https://www.whenmenbuysex.ca/

Her podcast: https://redlightexpose.com

‘Sex Work’ Ideology as Cult-Like Thought Reform: https://theradicalnotion.org/sex-work-ideology-as-cult-like-thought-reform/

Grace Hawthorne’s Blog: https://grace-notes.blog/2019/07/31/dear-men/

Send us a Text!

Support the show

Make sure to connect with us on social media!
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumaandbloomofficial/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lumaandbloomofficial
-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lumaandbloomofficial?lang=en
-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5NCqdBqwaEckV3gNQ6IZeg

To learn more about the Joy Smith Foundation, and to support our podcast, visit:
https://joysmithfoundation.com/

Music: The Light from Within by Howard Harper-Barnes

Thank you so much for listening!✨

Disclaimer: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Luma and Bloom are solely those of the individuals speaking and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official positions of the Joy Smith Foundation or the hosts of this podcast. Any content provided by our guests is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or representation of the Foundation’s beliefs or values.