This week on Luma & Bloom, we’re joined by the incredible Toni McKinley — a survivor of trafficking who now spends her life helping other women heal and experience real freedom. Toni opens up about compassion fatigue, her own story, and what she’s learned from over a decade of walking with survivors on their healing journeys.
We talk about how trauma reshapes the brain, why survivors often question their own reality, and how relationships can either rebuild or re-break our sense of self. Toni shares wisdom from her book, including why every relationship starts with the one you have with yourself, and the difference between healthy connection and emotional entanglement.
This conversation is raw, grounded, and full of truth — including the hard reality that there still aren’t enough places for survivors to get the healing they deserve.
If you care about trauma recovery, trafficking advocacy, or simply want to better understand the human heart, this episode is for you.
Toni’s Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tonih0pe/
Website: tonimckinley.com
Toni’s Book: https://a.co/d/gSBodCr
Magdalene House Website: https://www.magdaleneaustin.org/
Magdalene House Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magdaleneatx/
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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.
The Joy Smith Foundation works to provide access to information so that every Canadian man, woman and child is educated and empowered to stay safe from manipulation, force, or abuse of power designed to lure and exploit them in the sex trade or forced labour.
