⏱️ Timestamped Show Notes:

[00:00] Heidi introduces herself and her 27 years in law enforcement
[01:00] The turning point: seeing a former student in juvenile holding
[02:45] Realizing minors were being trafficked — and law enforcement’s initial blind spots
[04:00] How female officers get involved in undercover roles
[05:15] Evolution in policing — from arresting victims to supporting them
[06:30] Why early views of prostitution missed the trafficking behind it
[07:00] Media vs reality: documentaries and what’s really happening in the U.S.
[08:10] PBS's Sex Trafficking in America and Heidi’s unit
[09:30] Sentencing changes: why traffickers now face longer prison terms
[10:30] Explaining coercion and control to juries
[12:00] The psychological trap: why victims don’t leave even when they "can"
[13:15] Domestic violence parallels and why threats work
[14:30] The manipulation cycle — grooming, control, and isolation
[15:30] What victim advocates do and how they support recovery
[17:00] Heidi’s long undercover career and why she stayed
[18:00] Red flags and indicators of trafficking (branding, tattoos, control, hotel keys)
[20:00] How and when to report — national vs local hotlines, 911
[22:30] Why people don’t call — and why you should
[24:00] "Snitch" culture vs saving a life
[25:30] The harsh reality: traffickers still operate from prison
[27:00] Tech access in jail and what needs to change
[28:00] Starting her business: A Chance for Awareness
[29:00] Why trafficking education is critical for businesses and parents
[30:30] Heidi’s book: Talk to Them and teaching kids digital safety
[32:00] Catfishing pimps — undercover tactics and nationwide targeting
[33:30] Sextortion and fake profiles — the danger to boys and teens
[35:00] Parent tips — no naked photos, no secrets, open communication
[37:00] AI threats and image misuse
[39:00] Teaching kids to recognize creepers and self-police
[41:00] Why vigilante justice hurts more than it helps
[43:00] How to truly help: volunteer, donate, advocate
[44:30] Why some kids can’t go home — need for safe placements
[45:30] Final thoughts on how communities can step up