Them Before Us Podcast - Episode #066: "Woke Seattle Vendors and Our 2025 Dreams"

Release Date: January 3, 2025

1. Welcome Back and Seasonal Break

Jenn and Katy, the hosts of Them Before Us, reconnect after a holiday hiatus, expressing their joy in reuniting and sharing updates.

• Katy (00:06): "We are back after a bit of a break for the holiday season. But it's so nice to be back together and nice to see you, Katie."
• Jenn (00:15): Discusses their relaxed holiday period, contrasting it with their typically hectic schedules.

2. Celebrating Fundraising Success

The duo expresses heartfelt gratitude towards their supporters for a successful fourth-quarter campaign, raising over $300,000.

• Katy (00:57): Highlights the diverse contributions, from monthly donors to large gifts, emphasizing the importance of building relationships.
• Jenn (01:32): Shares her emotional response to the generosity, stressing the impact these funds will have on their mission to advocate for children's rights globally.

Jenn (01:32): "The kind of generous contributions that were made, especially in the third quarter are really going to allow us to advance that in ways that are really substantial."

3. Reflecting on 2024 Achievements

Jenn and Katy provide a comprehensive recap of their 2024 activities, focusing on fundraising events and relationship-building with donors.

a. Expansion of Fundraising Events

• Jenn (04:03): Details the expansion from a single Seattle gala to multiple events across Charlotte and Austin, enhancing their outreach and support base.

b. Building Donor Relationships

• Jenn (05:16): Emphasizes the importance of "friend raising," fostering genuine connections with donors through personal meetings and virtual interactions.

Katy (05:48): "It's not necessarily. We walk out with a lot of money, but we walk out with... a board member in that one."

4. Navigating Challenges: The Seattle Gala Incident

A significant portion of the episode delves into the challenges faced during their Seattle gala, where a vendor withdrew support citing intolerance.

• Jenn (07:07): Describes the incident where a vendor pulled out, claiming the event conflicted with their personal beliefs, despite existing Washington state laws against such discrimination.

Jenn (07:07): "They want to be able to be intolerant in their realm, but everybody else needs to be forced to align with their version of tolerance."

• Katy (08:46): Reflects on the situation with a level-headed perspective, acknowledging the polarized political climate in Seattle.

Katy (08:46): "We don't get walked out on a few hours before the event. And here's the thing too, if they thought that that was gonna mean we couldn't do the event. That's not gonna happen."

5. Embracing Spiritual Leadership and Resilience

The hosts discuss the role of faith and spirituality in their mission, highlighting personal commitments and the influence of biblical principles.

• Jenn (11:09): Shares her commitment to reading the entire Bible in 30 days, drawing parallels between scripture and their advocacy work.

Jenn (13:02): "When you're talking about child victimization or really just anything that goes against natural law or what is clear and evident in the created world... there's always going to be somebody who rises up to defend them."

6. Publishing "Pro Child Politics"

Jenn introduces their newly released book, "Pro Child Politics," aimed at empowering advocates to prioritize children's rights across various sectors.

• Jenn (15:54): Explains the book's development, its reception, and its role in training individuals to adopt a child-centric approach in their advocacy efforts.

Jenn (15:54): "I really do feel like the book Pro Child Politics is going to be a critical resource just to help people think through putting Kids first on everything."

7. Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships

a. Partnership with Focus on the Family

• Jenn (21:48): Discusses the collaboration with Focus on the Family in producing a documentary that intertwines testimony, social science reenactments, and compelling narratives to advocate for children's rights.

b. Participation in ARC Conferences

• Katy (16:44): Details their involvement in ARC conferences, including hosting live streams and sponsoring events that focus on strengthening social fabrics within communities.

8. Looking Ahead to 2025: Ambitious Plans and Initiatives

Jenn and Katy outline their strategic vision for 2025, emphasizing expansive projects and targeted advocacy efforts.

a. Documentary Production

• Jenn (21:48): Shares the timeline and expectations for their upcoming documentary, aiming for a September release on major streaming platforms to reach a global audience.

b. Development of Resources for Teens

• Jenn (24:39): Highlights plans to create materials specifically designed for teenagers, addressing cultural impacts and providing guidance for middle schoolers.

c. Legislative and Policy Initiatives

• Jenn (26:40): Envisions building a comprehensive database to evaluate state-level child protection measures, aiming to become the foremost resource for policymakers.

d. Combating Oppressive Organizations

• Katy (28:14): Outlines their strategy to challenge organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, focusing on dismantling policies they view as harmful to children and families.

9. Cultural Shifts and Renewed Advocacy Momentum

The hosts express optimism about the changing cultural landscape, citing increased resistance to previously dominant social ideologies and a resurgence in biblical worldview adherence.

• Jenn (31:00): Observes a significant rise in Bible sales and a growing movement to center children's rights, positioning Them Before Us at the forefront of this resurgence.

Jenn (31:00): "Anytime somebody embraces biblical truth or a biblical worldview, it goes hand in hand with child protection. It goes hand in hand with restoring the social fabric."

• Katy (31:50): Reinforces the commitment to ongoing advocacy, emphasizing that the fight for children's rights is far from over and is gaining unstoppable momentum.

10. Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Jenn and Katy conclude the episode by thanking their listeners and supporters, urging continued engagement through newsletters and donations to sustain and expand their advocacy efforts.

Katy (31:50): "It's an exciting time to be doing this work... We're so excited for 2025. Sign up for our newsletter. If you haven't yet, jump on and be a monthly donor and be a part of what we're doing."

Key Takeaways:

• Them Before Us experienced a highly successful fundraising year, enabling them to expand their advocacy initiatives.
• Despite facing challenges, such as vendor intolerance at events, the organization remains resilient and committed to its mission.
• Strategic partnerships and upcoming projects, including a documentary and resources for teens, are set to amplify their impact in 2025.
• The hosts are optimistic about cultural shifts favoring children's rights and plan to harness this momentum to drive significant change.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenn (01:32): "If you are a financial supporter of them before us, thank you. We're so grateful."
• Katy (05:48): "We walk out with... a board member in that one."
• Jenn (07:07): "This violates our conscience."
• Jenn (13:02): "There's always going to be somebody who rises up to defend them."
• Katy (28:14): "We are going to take down Obergefell. Like, we're coming for abortion, we're coming for the porn industry."

For those passionate about children's rights and eager to support their mission, subscribing to the newsletter and becoming a monthly donor are excellent ways to contribute to the movement's continued success.