Them Before Us Podcast Episode #84

Title: From a Cult to Caring about Children's Rights in Spain
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Host: Jennifer Friesen

Introduction

In episode #84 of the Them Before Us Podcast, host Jennifer Friesen engages in a profound and heartfelt conversation with Rosanna Montez, a passionate advocate for children's rights based in Spain. Rosanna's journey from a tumultuous upbringing in a religious cult to her current endeavors in promoting family-centric values and supporting children's emotional well-being provides listeners with deep insights into the challenges and developments surrounding children's rights in contemporary society.

Rosanna's Early Life and Experiences in the Cult

Rosanna begins by sharing her harrowing childhood within a cult, highlighting the isolation from society and the severe neglect and abuse she and her siblings endured.

• Isolation and Control:
  "I was born and grew up in a cult that was very isolated from society itself... only had contact with people from the community."
  (00:44)

• Abuse and Lost Faith:
  "My childhood adolescence... was pretty much neglected by my parents. There was a lot of abuse of all kinds, psychological, physical, etc. And, well, that, that made me break with my, my faith in, in God and Christianity and everything."
  (01:03)

• Parental Separation and Aftermath:
  At 18, Rosanna's parents left the cult, leading to further instability. Her father disappeared, and her mother returned to the cult, leaving Rosanna and her younger sister to fend for themselves.

  "My parents got separated while dad left home... My mom... went back to the cult, leaving me and a younger sister."
  (04:30)

Transition to Adulthood and Initial Career Path

After leaving the cult, Rosanna sought to rebuild her life in Spain, pursuing education and work in childcare.

• Educational Pursuits:
  "I traveled back to Spain because I was living in South America. I started working, I started studying for, to work in childcare."
  (04:50)

• Disillusionment with the Educational System:
  Working in a school treating children like "kettle" led to her disillusionment with the educational profession. This experience pushed her to develop a more organic approach to teaching English to children.

  "We were treating children like if they were kettle. I lost faith in the educational system... so I stopped working at that school."
  (04:55)

• Personal Struggles:
  Following a decade-long relationship that ended disastrously, Rosanna struggled with substance abuse, turning to alcohol and drugs during a period of profound personal crisis.

  "We broke up after 10 years... I just threw up myself to, to party. And I got lost in, in consuming alcohol and drugs."
  (05:30)

Recovery and Re-establishing Purpose

Rosanna credits her sister for helping her overcome addiction and regain her sense of purpose, leading her back to education and advocacy.

• Overcoming Addiction:
  "I was lucky enough to have a sister that helped me out of that. I started to quit alcohol, quit drugs... I actually recovered."
  (06:00)

• Renewed Focus on Children:
  Emphasizing the importance of having a purpose, Rosanna refocused on her passion for working with children, culminating in two significant projects aimed at fostering emotional intelligence and strengthening family bonds.

  "Something that I think it's so important in life is to have a purpose. And my purpose has always been working with children."
  (06:30)

Current Projects and Advocacy

Rosanna is actively involved in two main projects aimed at enhancing children's emotional intelligence and equipping parents to better support their families.

1. Emotional Intelligence Workshops for Youth:
   This project involves using art, theater, dance, and other workshops to help children and teenagers develop self-awareness, teamwork, and personal identity.

   "I work on their emotional intelligence... through art, through theater, through dance, through different workshops."
   (23:18)

2. Parent Roundtables on Societal Challenges:
   Aimed at fostering dialogue among parents about the societal issues their children face, this project seeks to reinforce family values and address the breakdown of traditional family structures.

   "A round table with parents, with mothers and fathers to talk about the challenges that they see in our society..."
   (06:00)

Reflection on Family and Societal Values

A significant portion of the discussion delves into Rosanna's perspectives on the erosion of family values and the impact of high divorce rates in Spain on children's well-being.

• High Divorce Rates in Spain:
  Rosanna cites alarming statistics, noting an 85.5% divorce rate in Spanish marriages, which she believes contributes to the destabilization of family structures and negatively affects children.

  "So out of 100 marriages, 85 of them over 85 will end in divorce."
  (18:00)

• Importance of Traditional Family Roles:
  She advocates for a return to Judeo-Christian values, emphasizing distinct roles for mothers and fathers and the significance of marriage in providing a stable environment for children.

  "The mother's nurturing nature and the father's role in protecting and sustaining the family are crucial..."
  (11:09)

• Critique of Modern Educational Practices:
  Rosanna is critical of contemporary educational systems that prioritize strict schedules over children's individual needs, arguing that such practices neglect children's rights to a nurturing and flexible upbringing.

  "Children all at the same rhythm and at a pace that we could, that we... is not the pace that children need."
  (15:00)

• Call to Action:
  She urges adults to reclaim responsibility for instilling core family values to prevent future generations from experiencing trauma and instability.

  "We have to start seeing what is around us and take responsibility and say, okay, now we can't go on this way."
  (25:13)

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Jennifer wraps up the podcast by expressing admiration for Rosanna's dedication and encouraging listeners, especially those in Spain, to connect with her for collaborative advocacy efforts. The episode underscores the critical need for strengthening family institutions and protecting children's rights to foster healthier, more resilient communities.

• Encouragement to Connect:
  "If you're listening and you're someone who follows them before us and you're passionate about... in Spain, contact Rosie, and you guys could still be hundreds of miles away."
  (21:26)

• Final Remarks:
  Rosanna thanks Jennifer for the opportunity to share her story and reiterates her commitment to advocating for children's rights and family values.

  "Thank you Jen. You've been so, so kind and I love how you put together the dots. It's amazing."
  (25:42)

Key Takeaways

• Impact of Familial and Institutional Breakdown on Children:
  Rosanna's experiences highlight how disruptions in family structures and oppressive institutional practices can have profound psychological and emotional effects on children.

• Importance of Emotional Intelligence and Family Dialogue:
  Her projects emphasize the need for emotional support and open communication within families to navigate societal challenges effectively.

• Advocacy for Traditional Family Values:
  The episode advocates for reinstating traditional family roles and values as foundational elements for societal stability and children's well-being.

• Call to Action for Community Involvement:
  Listeners are encouraged to engage in advocacy and support initiatives that prioritize children's rights and the strengthening of family units.

Notable Quotes

• "I stopped working at that school. I lost faith in the profession that I wanted to dedicate myself to."
  — Rosanna Montez (04:55)

• "Something that I think it's so important in life is to have a purpose. And my purpose has always been working with children."
  — Rosanna Montez (06:30)

• "We're treating children like if they were kettle."
  — Rosanna Montez (04:55)

• "We have to protect them and see that their racing is the best that we can give them and give them the best of our values."
  — Rosanna Montez (15:00)

• "We have to start seeing what is around us and take responsibility and say, okay, now we can't go on this way."
  — Rosanna Montez (25:13)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of episode #84, providing listeners with a clear understanding of Rosanna Montez's impactful narrative and the vital discussions surrounding children's rights and family values in Spain.